GMC Truck Pics

mgm2003

mgm2003

New member
Here's a GMC truck done recently. It's not garaged, but the owner seems to take pretty decent care of her. The owner works at a refinery and parks near large fuel tanks. The truck had white overspray on it from head to toe. We tried to remove it with clay, tar remover, kerosene, goof off, polish, etc... Nothing worked. We had to resort to using plastic razor blades (yes, it makes me cringe to think about it too). It took 3 of us about 2 hours to remove the paint specs.

Steps used:
a) Wash
b) remove paint specs.
c) clay/wash
d) AIO x 1
e) Menzerna IP (rotary on tops, PC on sides)
f) Menzerna FPII x 1 (PC)
g) WG sealer x 1

Time Invested: 6 hours.

That's my wife helping, so no off color comments please :)
 
Does your six hours include the additional four hours from your two helpers? Reason I ask is that I believe some people state, for example, six hours and there may be other people helping which should make the total hours higher. Not trying to critique you, nothing personal-so please don't take it that way. especially from your posts this morning you are doing a great job!

The thing I'm tring to figure out, from people postiing and how long it takes her/him, is that, some people are posting 3-4 hour details and I'm amazed at all the work they do in such a little time, especially an exterior three step process with an interior detail. This leads me to believe at some point in their details, there are other people who help, and this should be taken into consideration with overall hours. Ok-I'm off my soap box :brick
 
No offense taken. I find myself asking the same question. I'm simply amazed at the results that some folks get after spending 3-4 hours. I have a LONG way to go before I can do something that fast, with the quality results some of these guys are getting.

How to tips please!!!


For the GMC:
3 of us x 2 to remove the white paint overspray + an additional 4 hours for me to do the rest.
 
Thanks for your honesty-really. Being a estimator within the structural steel industry, "estimating" is something I do everyday, and naturally, when I see hours indicated by the process, most times, this doesn't make sense.

I did an exterior detail of an rv. It was two people x 10=20. Not 10 hours. I just think some people are undermining their true total estimate, ya, know. Labor, materials, set-up and clean-up, overhead, THEN POFIT?
 
so a total of ten man hours for that truck, that sounds like how long it would take me, thats a big truck so i think you were working quick looks great btw :bigups
 
Yes, it was a total of 10 hours, and yes, that is A REALLY BIG truck. I wasn't told about the paint overspray issue until after I gave an estimate of $100 to wash, clay, polish, and wax the truck. This should have been a $250 job (at least). Lesson learned: offer a phone quote and tell them up front that extra charges may be applied depending on the condition of the vehicle AFTER you see it in person. I'm glad that I don't do this full time because I don't think I'd earn much profit :) It was all good in the end because the owner was all smiles.
 
As a weekend detailer I find my self asking the same question. I typicly detail on my own however this past weekend I detailed a mini-van which can be a pain however with the double team... Me on one side of the van him on the other ... the interior was a breaze. Not only was it one of my better looking details but it was finished in under 3hrs!! Interior Vaccumed and spot stain remove (not full carpet extraction) leather cleand door panels dash washed, dressed ect. Exterior Clay,swirl remove,Polish,Sealent...
 
All very good points gents. I did the same when I was just weekend detailing. I quickly learned when I started my actual detailing business to give a range, price wise. Also, I increase the range if it's over the phone, which I really do not like to do. I try to make it a habit to see what I am jumping into before I jump :)

Our impression of a vehicle's condition is sometimes WAY OFF compared to the customer..."yeah, it's in great shape, just need a paint cleaning and wax." and it ends up needing compounding, 2-3 polishing steps, etc... :nono

John, the results came out great though, and nice to have a wife willing to help out! :bigups
 
I think I'll be a weekend pro detailer, and I'm definitely going to limit myself to 2 cars a weekend.

Carl

P.S. How'd did the Menzerna go?
 
mgm2003 you lucked out. I maybe mistaken but that truck looks like it has the smooth wheel flares. That's is a big truck, I know I own one just like it except in black. My truck has the textured wheel flares, and they are a wax magnet. Good looking job, and glad to see my 10 hours seems to compare with other people.
 
Nick, Thanks for the compliment! You're site and product offering look very nice. Adams will be on my Christmas shopping list!


Ou812 - I hear you man. My wife's Black Z71 Tahoe has the black/unpainted flares and they are a PITA to clean out. I use peanut butter & AIO to keep them clean and hate every minute of it!
 
Are you using the peanut butter to make a sandwich? or are you using it for detailing and then using it for a sandwich, might go good with nxt stuff smells yummy :rofl
 
O1812 said:
My truck has the textured wheel flares, and they are a wax magnet.
Click to expand...
mgm2003 said:
My wife's Black Z71 Tahoe has the black/unpainted flares and they are a PITA to clean out.
Click to expand...
Rather than spend all that time cleaning those fender flares, why don't you try some products that don't leave the residue to start with?
Klasse AIO, 4 Star UPP, and S100 Carnauba are three that I use a lot with no staining at all.

Charles
 
Charles
Rather than spend all that time cleaning those fender flares, why don't you try some products that don't leave the residue to start with?
Click to expand...

Mainly because I have a ton of products that do leave the residue. When a few of those leave my shelves then I will probably get some of the ones that don't stain. I hear Adam's doesn't leave stains, what about poorboy's. I have that on my shelf but haven't used it on that vehicle yet.
 
Another thing to learn about-- Plastic razor blades....?

Where does one find them, and what other uses have you found for them?

Man, you are lucky to have a partner who is so helpful! I wish I had a such a devoted assistant--or is it boss??? :)
 
MMarky

Go to: www.premiumautocare.com - Ask for Dwayne.
They sell plastic blades $6/100.

Your spot on, that IS the boss. I'm her assistant.


OU812: LMAO on the peanut butter comments! It really does work. I've tried a fair amount of the PB products, and so far I haven't found any that stain.
 
I was just kidding you on the peanut butter comments. I haven't heard of it before, but that doesn't mean anything. So how do you use the peanut butter?
















Choosie moms choose Jiffy, What do choosie detailers choose? :) Just having a little fun.
 
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