How much Should a Detail Coast?

[kings11]

[Edit: meant Cost of course]

What is the range I should expect to pay for a professional to Detail my 300C? I keep her clean, but I have a few places on the paint I would like attention to. Also, the interrior is clean, but the door jams get scuff marks and such from shoes coming in and out of my car.

So what should I expect to see as a fair bid from the guy I'll see this afternoon?

Lastly, Gary mentions in a "what to look out for" thread, to watch out for anyone using a High Speed buffer in the general process. But one of the steps he notes is a polish to bring back the shine? Is this a hand polish? Or is some sort of mechnical tool used to polish?

Gracias,

Scott T

[cnote05300]

i charge $40 for a wash/wax/interior detail for cars.

[Daddydough]

Originally Posted by cnote05300

i charge $40 for a wash/wax/interior detail for cars.

Yeah that is a good price Cnote. Around her its about $50-$55 bucks for interior clean/vacuum, outside wash, wax, and wheel dressing. To bad your in another state or I'd be one of your regular customers!

[300CSRT8]

This guy is the Sh*T , prices are listed under services to give you an idea,

Welcome to BestMobileDetail.net

About 180 for a good detail, keep in mind this is outside only on this site, Look at the pictures

[shleven44]

Around here in Florida it usually goes for about 125. I just found a guy a few months ago and he actually washes, clay, wax, wheels, interior and anything else to make it as good as new or if not better. 40 BUCKS! I get it done once a week.

[300CSRT8]

Originally Posted by cnote05300

i charge $40 for a wash/wax/interior detail for cars.

Please tell me you live near Dallas Texas, For that price you would see me every 3 days

That's Dirt Cheap, Bargain Basement, Flea Market Pricing, I love it

[stealthsrt8]

i do it myself, but from research i've done for others i think $150-$200 is the ballpark.

[kenk]

I just finished the "first detail" of my 300. Wow! I followed Gary's stickys and his DVD. Whatever detailers charge to do this is not enough to make me want to do this routinely!

I washed the car with car wash, washed it with detergent to de-wax it, clayed it, washed it again to remove any clay, dried it, polished it and sealed it; all by hand. Every muscle in my body hurt and I still have to detail the inside and the wheels.

All I want to do now is put a glass lid over the car and leave it in the garage forever, right after I collapse into a recliner with a cold one.

I have a large buffer but couldn’t find new pads for it in time. The car looks great but a small buffer is definitely on the list before I try this again.

I think the high speed buffer Gary is talking about is one that just spins in one place like a grinder you may see steel workers use. The buffers used on cars rotate slower and don't do it on one axis, rather they spin around kind of in a lopsided circle so there are not any swirl markes left on the finish. Also the faster the spin the faster you can damage the car. As I said above, it can all be hand done, but it took me almost all day and there is still more to do.

[kings11]

I got a quote for $250-300 for the outside only! Wow, I was pretty surprised.

I have one problem area that is a "paint rub" 4-6" long on the crease above the front wheel well. It is probably into the clear coat and needs work.

I was figuring $150 or so for just an external detail. The guy didn't mention clay bars once. They did say they used a buffer on the car.

For 300 clams, I'm thinking body shop to spend a bit more and have it fixed 100%.

Am I way off base here thinking that it was too much?

Scott