Ive recently been detailing a couple of friends cars and what not for some money and ive noticed that i always get the tell-all questions of "how long will it last" i never know how to respond because it all depends on how well they treat the paint...

so..i was wondering what i should tell them, because people want definite numbers and most of the clients are business people who dont have time to wash and wax.

i use
megs crystal wash
megs clay bar with thei quick detail
then megs #2 polish
Then some megs NXT V2

how long should it last? and what should they do in the intervals?

thanks

 

60 days most likely, maybe 90 days at most. Using a good carnuba-based was as the sealer would help extend the life.

 

carnuba wax over the sealant?

 

How long is what going to last? The cleanliness? The swirl-freeness? The NXT protection?

 

and answer to each would help

 

an* answer to each would help

 

The NXT 2.0 bout 60 days if treated right

Cleanliness .. till the first rain

Swirl free .. tiill they wash it wrong .


With my first time customers I give them a sheet telling them what I did and how to wash/dry it to maintain the results as long as possible.

 

You hit that nail right on the head. It all depends on how its cared for. Generally speaking, and in my experience, Nubas can last up to 45 days. Less so in real warm climates, with hi U.V. exposure. U.V. and heat, really tend to eat up natural Nuba protection.
Thus synthetics were born. Easy on, easy off, and lasting protection. I cant really find a difference in appearance between a good Nuba and say, UPP. Some will say it "adds a little warmth to the paint", some will say, "I dont see it". Its all subjective. Especially when your spending $80.00 for 10-12 oz of the stuff. If your crazy enough, you can spend over $5000.00 on a jar.
As for MY criteria for "lasting protection", its rather simple. Slicknes and tight beading. Thats what I look for the next time around (be it my own car, or a clients).
Some detailers will try to capture the best of both worlds by applying a synthetic base (UPP) then adding a Nuba on top. The Nuba is sort of a sacrificial layer. Not harm in it, its usually gone in a month or two anyway. I really prefer an additional coat of synthetic to 1 of each.

 

HE has spoken, HE knows the truth.

 

Phee - I was thinking about doing the same and was wondering how much you charge them? Are you doing a full detail inside and out or just the wash, clay, polish and wax?

 

i charge according to what the customer wants and according to the size of the car. today im doing a simple wash and wax and exterior cleaning, so wash, clay, NXT wax with wheel cleaning ~40-50 bucks because the car is in great condition. i say you practice on your car and see how much it costs you to do the work and add your profit margin to the price.
How much do you think your work is worth?

my question is...how is it that guys go for a full year on 1 detail? how can i get the best longevity? that seems to be the biggest value to the customer.

 

$40 - $50 seems very, very reasonable for that. How long does it usually take you to do the wash, clay, wax and wheels?

As for how much my work is worth...that's the question I'm trying to figure out. I'm thinking when I start off, it'll be much cheaper until I (1) get the experience and (2) get a good reputation.

It'd be tough to go a full year on one detail if your just applying wax to the car. I would think a sealant would last a lot longer and you might get away with it provided you take very good car of the car.

 

well i thought NXT is a sealant....

the length it takes to clean it depends on the dirt on the car and the design of the wheel. it will probably take me about 3.5 hours becaus ei let the wax sit a long time

 

anyone know if NXT is a sealant?