Cost of product and supplies per professional detail

M

Maxima Lover

New member
If you guys have figured or can figure it, how much do you spend on products and supplies per full detail? This is NOT including building costs or mobile fees like gas, just the stuff you use on the car.

This might belong somewhere else, but I really wanted to get the costs from professionals. I think they'll be more consistent.
 
I've been trying to work this out.
Here are what I have now.

APC $0.35 ($0.70 including engine)
Acid $0.05
Soap $0.40 ($0.20 extra for clay & wash)
Wash Mitt $0.30
Wheel Brush $0.02
Other Wash Brushes $0.05
Water Blade $0.02
WW Towels $0.20
Clay $0.50
BS Remover $0.01
Bug Squash $0.25
Target (Tar Remover) $0.30
Shampoo $0.25-$0.50
Int. Dressing $1.00
Windows $0.50
Int. Tools (I don't know; I spend $6-$7/mo)
Wax/Sealant $0.35-$0.70
QD $0.10
Polish -- about 1oz/hour, about $0.40-$0.60/hour
Wheel Sealant $0.45/car
Tire Shine $0.55/car

I don't know about Trim Restorer, paint touch up, towels & mfs, etc.
 
PEI Detail said:
I've been trying to work this out.
Here are what I have now.

APC $0.35 ($0.70 including engine)
Acid $0.05
Soap $0.40 ($0.20 extra for clay & wash)
Wash Mitt $0.30
Wheel Brush $0.02
Other Wash Brushes $0.05
Water Blade $0.02
WW Towels $0.20
Clay $0.50
BS Remover $0.01
Bug Squash $0.25
Target (Tar Remover) $0.30
Shampoo $0.25-$0.50
Int. Dressing $1.00
Windows $0.50
Int. Tools (I don't know; I spend $6-$7/mo)
Wax/Sealant $0.35-$0.70
QD $0.10
Polish -- about 1oz/hour, about $0.40-$0.60/hour
Wheel Sealant $0.45/car
Tire Shine $0.55/car

I don't know about Trim Restorer, paint touch up, towels & mfs, etc.
Click to expand...

That is good to know i m really impressed. I was just wonedring what brands you use. Also do u order it all in gallons, 5 gallons ect. Thnak you very much for the info
 
Sure Calgary. I'll bite.

APC (Zep Formula 50; Gulf Star Magic Mix) $0.35
Acid (Zep AlumE) $0.05
Soap (Gulf Star Hi Fome) $0.40
Wash Mitt (Wal-Mart)
Wheel Brush (Whatever is on sale)
Other Wash Brushes (Zep-the expensive ones)
Water Blade $0.02
WW Towels $0.20
Clay (whatever is on sale--leaning against Mothers) $0.50
BS Remover (Poorboys) $0.01
Bug Squash (Poorboys) $0.25
MalcoTarget (Tar Remover) $0.30
Shampoo (Auto Magic HD Upholstery Shampoo $0.25-$0.50
Int. Dressing (Gulf Star Sentry; Poorboy's Natural Look or Zep All Around occassionally$1.00
Windows (Invisible Glass) $0.50
Int. Tools (I don't know; I spend $6-$7/mo)
Wax/Sealant (Poorboys Natty's Blue, EX, EX-P; Pinnacle Souveran; Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax) $0.35-$0.70
QD (whatever) $0.10
Polish (I carry Poorboys, Klasse & Farecla Full Lines)-- about 1oz/hour, about $0.40-$0.60/hour
Wheel Sealant (Poorboys) $0.45/car
Tire Shine (Zep Tireless Shine; Gulf Star Blue Wave) $0.55/car

Oh, and I'm still working on Leather Cleaner. Been using Leather Stuff for higher end jobs and Meguiar's Gold Class for lower end. I just ordered Zep to try--expensive but supposedly good.

I get as many deoderizers as possible from local companies.
 
Thank you PEI i hope i didnt make to much work for you but i always like to know what others like so i can gve them a try plus im working on a buissiness plan right now so ya. Thank you again
 
Brenton, I have a few questions. I hope you don't mind.

1. Which mitt from Wal-Mart do you use?
2. How do you like the Auto Magic shampoo compared to other stuff you have used?
3. You only get 10 cars out of a can of Invisible Glass?
4. How long does it take you to use the Poorboys wheel sealant?
 
1. where do you get the ZEP stuff? home depot?
2. If you like Meguiars NXT they try Meguairs M21 synthetic sealant, it offers an even better shine, it spreads thin and its much cheaper!
also Meguiar's has a leather cleaner in the Detailer line which means it is dilutable! so it will be even cheaper for better results
 
Maxima Lover said:
Brenton, I have a few questions. I hope you don't mind.

1. Which mitt from Wal-Mart do you use?
2. How do you like the Auto Magic shampoo compared to other stuff you have used?
3. You only get 10 cars out of a can of Invisible Glass?
4. How long does it take you to use the Poorboys wheel sealant?
Click to expand...

1. The lamb's wool one. I can't remember the name. They have some with thumbs and some without. In my Walmart, the selection is very limited.
2. The AM shampoo is the very best I've found. Quite expensive. To be honest, I haven't compared it with Zep since they don't have a sample size. An oz does a 32oz spray bottle which does a car. Another 2oz to do mats mixed in hot water Oxiclean method style. I still use Oxiclean occassionally, but I simply don't use it on non-tan mats.
3. That's what I'm counting on IG. I might be using too much, and I wish I could do it cheaper. After staff are done hiring and training, I'll have to recount this one, but it is usually between 9 and 12 full i/o--always one or two big SUV's in there.
4. To actually apply? I haven't counted. Most don't order it. I would guess 3min/tire. I might be charging too much at $20, but part of that includes a boost on their tire clean while getting regular details.

sneek said:
1. where do you get the ZEP stuff? home depot?
2. If you like Meguiars NXT they try Meguairs M21 synthetic sealant, it offers an even better shine, it spreads thin and its much cheaper!
also Meguiar's has a leather cleaner in the Detailer line which means it is dilutable! so it will be even cheaper for better results
Click to expand...

1. I get the Zep from a Zep supplier. He makes one trip/mo to my area. He told me the Home Depot stuff is usually already diluted and so more expensive.
2. I will try 21. I only use NXT on ugly cars. EX-P is my typical sealant (or Klasse SG occassionally), EX when we want some hiding features, NXT when it is really bad. I'm down to once/month for NXT.
I'll check out the meg's leather. Does anyone know if the Zep leather cleaner/conditioner is dilutable? I just got it.
 
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