Avg time range for polishing?

T

TSC17

New member
I realize it depends on a whole lot of different factors, but I wanted to get some feedback from others on what their average time range is for different jobs.



For instance:

1-step polish...wash, clay, tape, wheels/wells, 1-step all surfaces, wax, basic interior detail. Light or moderate swirls. 8-10 hours for me in most cases.



2-step polish. Same as above, but going for (close to) full correction on most vehicles. 10-14 hours for me in most cases.



I understand we all do different levels of work, and work on a wide range of vehicles, but please give me some feedback based on what you're used to doing.



Thanks!
 
TSC17 said:
I realize it depends on a whole lot of different factors, but I wanted to get some feedback from others on what their average time range is for different jobs.



For instance:

1-step polish...wash, clay, tape, wheels/wells, 1-step all surfaces, wax, basic interior detail. Light or moderate swirls. 8-10 hours for me in most cases.



2-step polish. Same as above, but going for (close to) full correction on most vehicles. 10-14 hours for me in most cases.



I understand we all do different levels of work, and work on a wide range of vehicles, but please give me some feedback based on what you're used to doing.



Thanks!
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For 1-step polish (1-step for me means 1 polishing step but not an AIO... so polish, then seal) I average about 7-8 hours on average sized cars (Toyota Camry for example)... and for each polishing step it's about 1.5hrs for the same car, so 2-step would be roughly 9-10hrs avg.
 
WAYYYYYYYY to long for a one step...what are you doing that takes 7-8 hours on a car for a one step???



for a one step - no taping necessary



two step will only remove about 80% of defects on MOST trashed cars - the deeper swirling will still be present, along with some RIDS



_____________________________



on a side note, what is a step...



to me, if you hit the same panel with Megs 83 4 times, you are 4 stepping the car. however many times around the car you go is the amount of steps you are taking



a one step with megs 83 three times on each panel is not a one step job!
 
toyotaguy said:
WAYYYYYYYY to long for a one step...what are you doing that takes 7-8 hours on a car for a one step???



for a one step - no taping necessary



two step will only remove about 80% of defects on MOST trashed cars - the deeper swirling will still be present, along with some RIDS



_____________________________



on a side note, what is a step...



to me, if you hit the same panel with Megs 83 4 times, you are 4 stepping the car. however many times around the car you go is the amount of steps you are taking



a one step with megs 83 three times on each panel is not a one step job!
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That is a step to me as well... 1-step being going with 1 pad/polish combo around the entire car... as for why it takes "so long" I'm not sure... washing, drying, claying usually takes a while, and sometimes I'll drag on the test spots just to make sure I'm doing the best 1-step I can do... also some interior work is done in those 7-8 hours.



What's your reasoning behind not taping for 1-step? Do you damage trim on 2nd step only haha
 
agreed way to long for a 1 step, I get a 1 step done in 4 hours on a Ford Taurus sized car, and 5.5 hours if I drag my feet and talk and such....no stopping or anything and 4 hours.



1 step - start to finish in 4 - 5 hours

2 step - start to finish in 5 - 6 hours (I average 7 hours here)



I dont tape at all, never really thought about doing it.
 
bwalker25 said:
agreed way to long for a 1 step, I get a 1 step done in 4 hours on a Ford Taurus sized car, and 5.5 hours if I drag my feet and talk and such....no stopping or anything and 4 hours.



1 step - start to finish in 4 - 5 hours

2 step - start to finish in 5 - 6 hours (I average 7 hours here)



I dont tape at all, never really thought about doing it.
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Do you clay?
 
Unless your quick glazing over a finish, I can't see how anyone can properly do a 1-step polish(with any level of correction) in less than 6-8 hours *from start to finish*. For me to properly wash>clay>tape>test panel>polish>wash>solvent wipe down>LSP an entire vehicle, it's an all day (10-12 hrs) process MINIMUM. If someone can do all this (properly) in 1/2 the time, I need to retire while I'm still young OR lower my standards of quality.
 
I think it all depends on pricing/willingness/experience..

Like david says a great one step will take long but most customer will be happy with a 4 h job (and pricing), but 4 h! is pushing it...
 
1 step - 6-8 hours

2+ step - 10+ hours



This would be on most 4 door daily drivers, not a SUV/minibus. Wash, clay, tape, polish, IPA, trim/tires dressed, and one LSP on paint/rims. I can't ever see myself getting done much faster than the times listed above without taking shortcuts/lowering my standard of quality.
 
First of all what machines are you using in a one step?



For a one step I would use a PC not a rotary and to wash, clay, 1 step polishing, and full interior would take me about 4-5 hours max.



I don't do one step polishing with the rotary so I don't know. If I have to pull out the rotary then I am doing a full correction and that will really vary, but most take at least 8-10 hours for me to get it where I want it.



Josh
 
JoshVette said:
First of all what machines are you using in a one step?



For a one step I would use a PC not a rotary and to wash, clay, 1 step polishing, and full interior would take me about 4-5 hours max.



I don't do one step polishing with the rotary so I don't know. If I have to pull out the rotary then I am doing a full correction and that will really vary, but most take at least 8-10 hours for me to get it where I want it.



Josh
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One step no buffer!! :2thumbs: Want/need buffer, show me the money!



For a one step I would use a PC not a rotary and to wash, clay, 1 step polishing, and full interior would take me about 4-5 hours max.



I don't do one step polishing with the rotary so I don't know. If I have to pull out the rotary then I am doing a full correction and that will really vary, but most take at least 8-10 hours for me to get it where I want it.
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Those are about my numbers as well.
 
David Fermani said:
Unless your quick glazing over a finish, I can't see how anyone can properly do a 1-step polish(with any level of correction) in less than 6-8 hours *from start to finish*. For me to properly wash>clay>tape>test panel>polish>wash>solvent wipe down>LSP an entire vehicle, it's an all day (10-12 hrs) process MINIMUM. If someone can do all this (properly) in 1/2 the time, I need to retire while I'm still young OR lower my standards of quality.
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My feelings exactly...well stated.



I know...perhaps polish breaks down faster in other people's garages! :)



Seriously though, about all I could do in those short times is merely apply polish with very little correction. And I'm sure there are customers out there that would be happy with a little extra shine. But even when I'm doing a one-step (one polish/one pad combo...but possibly multiple passes in areas), I go for as much correction as possible, and charge by the hour.
 
shine said:
1 step - 6-8 hours

2+ step - 10+ hours

I can't ever see myself getting done much faster than the times listed above without taking shortcuts/lowering my standard of quality.
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+1 Thanks for the input Shine!
 
David Fermani said:
For me to properly wash>clay>tape>test panel>polish>wash>solvent wipe down>LSP an entire vehicle.
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David,

do you always wash after a polish?

My process is similar: wash/clay/wash/test/polish/IPA/LSP

Do you find the 2nd wash is for removing polishing dust and if so, doesn't the solvent wipedown achieve a clean enough surface?

I guess what I'm asking is which is better: washing after a clay to ensure a clean polishing surface (leftover clay residue could have marring potential)



or washing after polishing is done to ensure a super clean surface for LSP? (even though the solvent wipedown probably gets it just as clean)



Time wise:

wash - 1 hr / clay 1.5 hours / 2nd wash 30 mins / test - 1hr / polish (ultrafina/or 106) - e hrs / IPA - 30 mins / LSP - 1.5 hours

SO I guess I'm at 9 hours for a 1 step exterior.

2 step would add another 3 hours

but the problem for me is no garage and no lights, so if i don't start early enough or it's too hot, I'll get caught at the mercy of the weather and have to split it up into 2 days or more which adds more prep time. :mad:
 
My process is this:



onr wash/clay/test/polish/lsp - I dont have IPA or prepsolv so....



wash 45 minutes (includes tires/wheels/wells),clay 1 hour,polish 2 hours,lsp 10 min.

total 1 step time - 4.5 hrs



I use UPGP as my LSP, which really helps to cut down on LSP time.
 
TSC17 said:
My feelings exactly...well stated.



But even when I'm doing a one-step (one polish/one pad combo...but possibly multiple passes in areas), I go for as much correction as possible, and charge by the hour.
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Like I said...you are not doing a one step if you are hitting the panel multiple times. At that paint, you might as well just hit the car with a good two step, save some time and achieve more correction and a better shine.



why hit the panel with something like OP three times when OC then OP will give you better results in less time?
 
compounding takes longer than polishing so I dont understand how some can do a one step polish for 4-5 hours, but only add 2-3 hours for an extra step of compounding????
 
maybe we are all assuming different % of defect removal and that is what is throwing things off???



what % of defect removal do you expect from given # of steps? lets use a "step" as being one time around the car with one application of one polish/pad combo per section



1-step = 30-40%

2-step = 75%

3-step = 95%

4-step = 99%



I am talking a 4 step being some combo like megs 105, menzerna IP/orange, menzerna IP/white, menzerna FPII/blue....or some other combo of polish/pads
 
toyotaguy said:
maybe we are all assuming different % of defect removal and that is what is throwing things off???



what % of defect removal do you expect from given # of steps? lets use a "step" as being one time around the car with one application of one polish/pad combo per section



1-step = 30-40%

2-step = 75%

3-step = 95%

4-step = 99%



I am talking a 4 step being some combo like megs 105, menzerna IP/orange, menzerna IP/white, menzerna FPII/blue....or some other combo of polish/pads
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I think there are too many variables to list as far as correction goes for each step... 1-step with rotary and PC will be different, it will be different for different paint types, etc. Generally, using the rotary, I get into the 75-80% area corrected with a 1-step using Meg's 8006 pad with M80. I think even on the hardest paints a 1-step with something like 8006/SIP or 8006/M80 will get a good 50-60% correction at least... I use 8006 a lot for 1-step because I find it's a really good middle pad between orange and white of LC, so it does cut pretty well but it also finishes down great, even on softer paints...



I am sure though that the people who spend 4.5 hrs on a 1-step aren't getting the correction of someone doing it in 6-8hrs...
 
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