As newbie to polishing other peoples cars other then my own and even then only having to do it once since I keep my car in such nice condition, how do I go about determining how much can be repaired and how much to charge based on that. Without having done a ton of cars before it is hard to say how long something will take and if I can repair it all the way. Just starting off, clearly there are some thing I will have a hard time with that other people on here can do. How do I know when to just say I can't do that job but at the same time when I turn a job down how do I get experience?
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How do you figure the damage and find a price?
- Thread starter BradUF
- Start date
It mostly comes with time and experience. I have done enough cars that I can get a pretty good idea even on the phone by asking a few questions... Year, make, color? Ever been detailed/last time detailed? Original owner/how long owned? Parked outside or garage?
Sure, it is just a guess, but once I see the car in person I usually can figure within a half an hour how long it will take. I know how long it will take me to clay the car, if I need to use the rotary or not, and see how messy the person is on their interior. When you get a consistent process, know your work speed, and get experience dealing with different vehicles, you start to get more accurate. Sure, I'll be far off sometimes, but it's not often. It all just takes time.
As for being able to correct paint or not, here is my reply if I am unsure: "It may not come out completely, but it will look much better that it does now and you probably won't notice it unless you are looking for it." That satisfies almost everybody. If it does come out, they are amazed. If it doesn't, "eh, it looks much better".
Sure, it is just a guess, but once I see the car in person I usually can figure within a half an hour how long it will take. I know how long it will take me to clay the car, if I need to use the rotary or not, and see how messy the person is on their interior. When you get a consistent process, know your work speed, and get experience dealing with different vehicles, you start to get more accurate. Sure, I'll be far off sometimes, but it's not often. It all just takes time.
As for being able to correct paint or not, here is my reply if I am unsure: "It may not come out completely, but it will look much better that it does now and you probably won't notice it unless you are looking for it." That satisfies almost everybody. If it does come out, they are amazed. If it doesn't, "eh, it looks much better".
imported_JoshVette
New member
+1
To get experience, obvioulsy you start with your own car.....
Then do some friends and family for free and you'll start figuring out real quick the ins and outs of it all.
What machines do you have? PC or Rotary? You'll need both to be effective, but should start with the PC first and gain experience with different clearcoats and different pad and chemical combinations.
About 6-12 months of that and you'll have it down, then time to step up to the rotary.
To get experience, obvioulsy you start with your own car.....
Then do some friends and family for free and you'll start figuring out real quick the ins and outs of it all.
What machines do you have? PC or Rotary? You'll need both to be effective, but should start with the PC first and gain experience with different clearcoats and different pad and chemical combinations.
About 6-12 months of that and you'll have it down, then time to step up to the rotary.
brwill2005
New member
todd@bsaw said:It mostly comes with time and experience. I have done enough cars that I can get a pretty good idea even on the phone by asking a few questions... Year, make, color? Ever been detailed/last time detailed? Original owner/how long owned? Parked outside or garage?
Sure, it is just a guess, but once I see the car in person I usually can figure within a half an hour how long it will take. I know how long it will take me to clay the car, if I need to use the rotary or not, and see how messy the person is on their interior. When you get a consistent process, know your work speed, and get experience dealing with different vehicles, you start to get more accurate. Sure, I'll be far off sometimes, but it's not often. It all just takes time.
As for being able to correct paint or not, here is my reply if I am unsure: "It may not come out completely, but it will look much better that it does now and you probably won't notice it unless you are looking for it." That satisfies almost everybody. If it does come out, they are amazed. If it doesn't, "eh, it looks much better".
Could not have said it better. In the mean time, just concentrate on a set process, such as one polishing step, plus protection. You could also do a pure polish, followed by an AIO type product such as Poli-Seal. Figure out how long those set processes will take you on a given sized car, and price accordingly. Most people will be satisfied with the results. BTW, what type of polisher are you using?
I have always said that you should set an hourly rate and charge accordingly. But set the price up front. If it takes longer than it is really up to you to fix what you said you could do. If it takes less, then assume the customer will be happy with their car. Once you get the hang of it, you will know how long approximately it will take to get most vehicles done. Dont price gouge, but dont sell yourself short either.
brwill2005 said:Could not have said it better. In the mean time, just concentrate on a set process, such as one polishing step, plus protection. You could also do a pure polish, followed by an AIO type product such as Poli-Seal. Figure out how long those set processes will take you on a given sized car, and price accordingly. Most people will be satisfied with the results. BTW, what type of polisher are you using?
You mean like going with Poor Boys SSR2 then follow up with Klasse All in One?
brwill2005
New member
I would go with an all in one you can apply via machine, such as Optimum Poli-Seal or a similar product.
Thomas Dekany
New member
BradUF said:I thought Klasse all in one could be applied by machine?
yes - any AIO will do and can be applied with the pc.
brwill2005
New member
BradUF said:I thought Klasse all in one could be applied by machine?
I can not remember if I ever applied it via machine. What I do know is that Klasse AIO is expensive and does not last very long. If that is the product you want to use than go for it.
brwill2005
New member
Well 101oz of Klasse runs $85 and 128oz of Poli-Seal runs 39.95. Like I said to each is own, buy why use a comparable product that costs 100% more.
brwill2005
New member
BradUF said:Well, I have KIO now but when I run out I will switch to Poli Seal.
I was just making a recommendation based on having used both products. If something works for you and is cost effective, by all means, keep using it.
brwill2005 said:I was just making a recommendation based on having used both products. If something works for you and is cost effective, by all means, keep using it.
Oh, Klasse All in one is not cost effective at all. It was just the first AIO I have ever bought but if Poli seal is just as good then I am going to go with that.
brwill2005
New member
Good luck Brad. I have not forgot about the flyer, just have not had time to send it to you.
Seankf1105
New member
KAIO cleans very well but does not polish and has only light fillers while Poli-Seal polishes pretty well for a AIO but lacks a lot of the cleaning ability that KAIO has. also Poli-seal's protectant is carnuaba wax while KAIO is acrylic. they both have theyre uses. i keep both of them close by and use them each regularly depending on the conditions of the car im doing
brwill2005
New member
Seankf1105 said:KAIO cleans very well but does not polish and has only light fillers while Poli-Seal polishes pretty well for a AIO but lacks a lot of the cleaning ability that KAIO has. also Poli-seal's protectant is carnuaba wax while KAIO is acrylic. they both have theyre uses. i keep both of them close by and use them each regularly depending on the conditions of the car im doing
Did not want this to turn into an KAIO vs. Poli-Seal debate; simply recommending a product that has worked well for me. I just want to clarify that Poli-Seal is actually a polymer sealant which also has carnauba in it. This information comes straight from Dr. G, the chemist at Optimum.