Hey wash Guru's

I just got my new PC in and I've already booked three details.

My idea is to price by the hour, but only for the hours it would take me if I was more experienced (60-75% of my hours or so)

But, I was wondering how you guys price. Pre-estimate? Hourly? something else?

 

So you JUST got a PC and you're booking details already? Kind of seems like you're jumping the gun IMO.

 

i had my 3 PC for three years and am still learning every day... if i were to work on ppl's car i prob wouldn't charge since they are giving me opportunity to practice and i don't feel i am close to pro level that will allow me to charge...

 

Elitedemon,

I like your enthusiasm for detailing but are your first three clients family members? You can still damage someones paint with poor polish choice, poor technique, and a PC.

 

Yup I'm a total beginner and I use my family members' cars as practice victims...errr guinea pigs...errr I mean educational tools.....

and with above

 

I have only done corrections on my own vehicle..have had my G110 for almost a year now...in my details its only to apply cleaner wax, and that is almost fool proof..just be careful!

 

I admire your courage! Lets help him out guys with a little encouragement and assistance. What products do you currently have?
I would still assess your fees hourly......what an average amount of time for you to detail a sedan?

 

I see where you guys are coming from but I have a whole load of busted hoods, fenders, etc. to practice on (My dad owns an autobody shop, scrap metal FTW) and Wes hooked me up with the guides on detailingworld.co.uk so I have an Idea of what I'm doing an some worthless practice material. I also have done some rotary polish work in the past (small scale stuff).

Two are family members cars, one is not. but the one that isn't is booked for later in the summer giving me plenty of time to learn enough not to wreck anything.

I don't have much supply right now, and I am looking into buying some things through the shop's account, but if it's not worth it pat's got my money for sure!

 

maybe you should ask your dad's painter or whoever details the car after its done being painted for tips, so are you trying to work with your dad or at someones house?

 

I've been trying to get tips from everywhere I possibly can.

and, I'll be doing whatever jobs I do out of the shop on weekends, when it's closed. Power, air, shade, water/wash station, supplies... paint booth... courtesy car fleet... all I could possibly need.

and then eventually I'm thinking I'd do some work for the shops's repair/rebuilds as well.

 

Good luck.

 

Good luck with this, there will be a lot of learning and trial and error to be had.

 

Good luck man...no idea on a rate but it should be relative to your experience, skill, and length of time it takes you to complete an entire vehicle.

After you detail your CL...you should maybe have a better gauge.

I just started working on my CL for the first time and DAMN!

I have a whole new respect for detailers!

My hand was killing me from holding that handle and my poor knees!