I range from 3-5 hours for what Mike described for steps in the first post, again, depending of vehicle size.
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I range from 3-5 hours for what Mike described for steps in the first post, again, depending of vehicle size.
So just for the record....
And I'm surprised nobody asked?
I charge $495.00 for a one-step detail.
- Waterless wash
- Clay or Nanoskin towel
- BLACKFIRE One Step (currently)
- FLEX 3401 with 6.5" LC White Hybrid Force Pads
- Sometimes top just the horizontal panels with SONAX PNS
And from start to finish I can usually knock out a car in under 6 hours. So that's around $100.00 an hour and because I only do this part-time, that's not a bad gig. Especially because I enjoy working on cool cars. It's how I got to where I'm at.
Quick, simple and easy. Spectacular results.
If someone wants a ceramic coating that's fine but double the price and more. And at $1000.00+ for the kind of cars I like to work on, these guys tend to have heart attacks.
Heck, squeezing them for $500.00 about kills them.
:laughing:
I would have, but I always keep in mind the job you did on the Cutlass (or Olds) - yellow in color. $400 for a job that took you 4 hours. For me, that's the bar I'm trying to get to :)
Less windows and tire dressing, I'd charge 100-150 for a small to midsize sedan. I'm slow, and would maybe say about 8-10 hours? i'm REALLY slow.
Plus, I'm not a pro.
That's good stuff right there! And even better? You SHARE your work and knowledge. Thanks for that!
I do a full wash, no clay or clay towel. Use Meguiar's D151 with a PC and sometimes I might top with Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax. I start at $200 for a car and like everyone else depending on size and if it's dark colored (more work) and $250 for a smaller pick up. SUVs and bigger trucks, I tell them $300 to start for a one-step. Most people vapor lock at the $200 ...
PS: I save the ceramic coatings for MY car ...., no one around here wants to pay the $200, let alone trying to double that for a coating.
I usually take about 3.5 - 4 hours on a small car, and no one is trying to talk to me during the process...
This is using Megs M66, or DG 501 on the PC, with black buff and shine pads - most times.
How to use a one-step cleaner/wax to maximize profits
Then if you go to post #56 - I posted what I charged in a reply to a guy that said what I did wasn't worth it. AT the time I replied to him he went by FivePoint.0
Post#56
And if you look at the date of the first post, (when I did the work), it was 2012 - 6 years ago.
:)
I start at $150 for small cars (Prius, Miata ect...) up to $200 for Trucks and SUVs.....I'm right at 2-2.5 hrs with a good understanding with the customer that the paint will NOT come out perfect...just much better.
Attachment 63956Attachment 63957
Mike
I start at $475 before the inspection for a regular-sized sedan. It takes six to eight hours depending on the size of the vehicle.
My favorite combo is a Flex 3401, white LC Force pads and McKee's 360, or, if the paint is soft and allows it, M205 or Hyper Polish. I'm interested in trying Sonax Perfect Finish (I think that's the name of it) for one-steps, but I don't do many and instead most folks ask for two-step jobs.
- Rinseless wash with ONR, N914 or D114
- Clay with a Nanoskin clay sponge or with McKee's or Pinnacle clay
- McKee's 360 or M205 or Hyper Polish
- Flex 3401 with 5.5-inch LC White Force pads (I love these pads)
- C2v3 if I don't use McKee's 360.
OK, so taking this thread into consideration, I added some HD Speed to my arsenal and I did a convertible (soft top) red Z3 today for $175. Wash, clay, cleaned tires and rims, dressed tires, glass and one step polish with HD Speed. The customer didn't want us to touch the interior. The car came out fantastic and the customer was blown away by the difference.
The car was far from perfect, but pretty nice for a 1999.
https://i.imgur.com/efGPQY2.jpg
Sm to Med 2-5dr: $295 (Fit, Civic, Accord, Cruz, Golf, Altima, A4, Fusion, Vibe, WRX)
Large 2-5dr: $350 (Charger, Avalon, A6, 535, SHO, Genesis, G8, E-Class, Tesla S, Camaro)
Small-Midsize SUV: $395 (Escape, CR-V, Rav 4, Rogue, Forester, Edge, 2 row seating, etc.)
Large SUV/Van/Wagon: $450 (Explorer, Pilot, Yukon, Wagons, Wrangler, 3 row seating, etc.)
Extra Large SUV/Van $495 (Full size truck/van, Chevy Suburban, Toyota Sequoia, etc.)
I offer an up-grade to a ceramic coating instead and sell three different packages. Pricing for this is in addition to the above and instead of an AIO, I'll switch to a good polish instead. Since doing so I've only sold one non-coating deal.