Im at a point where I feel that I should pursue detailing as a career. I am currently fed up with my job and I am about ready to get serious about it. I am no pro but I am very familiar with the basics (no buffing exp). My question is how much should I expect to make detailing cars at a local Dodge dealer? I am currently only able to work nights so this job will fit into my schedule on a part time basis. I figure this would be the perfect opportunity for me to get experience that will be valuable for future endeavors.Thanks for any and all replies.
How much does a Detailer make?
- Thread starter Nu2detail
- Start date
imported_ajbarnes
New member
scottabir said:
That's about right.
One thing to remember though, a dealership may not be the perfect place to learn detailing given that most dealerships have a tendency of doing rush jobs and assembly line work.
HomicidalSloth
New member
I'd avoid the dealership job to be honest with you. Dealership detailers aren't paid much at all, and on top of that, they have to:
1.) Push out many cars per day, so speed is key, and
2.) Only have to make the car look good on the lot. You know the "shady" stereotype that dealerships have? There's a reason they have that. Instead of properly correcting the paint, you'll just be making it look good, which usually involves heavy glazes instead of buffing the paint to perfection.
In my opinion, all that a job at a dealership is going to give you is poor detailing skills. You'd be MUCH better off sticking around autopia and learning detailing from us. Learning from a dealership is going to be a huge step in the wrong direction.
1.) Push out many cars per day, so speed is key, and
2.) Only have to make the car look good on the lot. You know the "shady" stereotype that dealerships have? There's a reason they have that. Instead of properly correcting the paint, you'll just be making it look good, which usually involves heavy glazes instead of buffing the paint to perfection.
In my opinion, all that a job at a dealership is going to give you is poor detailing skills. You'd be MUCH better off sticking around autopia and learning detailing from us. Learning from a dealership is going to be a huge step in the wrong direction.
HomicidalSloth
New member
Nu2detail said:
That's the way to go.
Besides, if you enjoy detailing and want to learn it, chances are that once you do it working at a dealership, it'll just end up making you hate detailing all together.
I used to work at a car dealer myself. And it is 7 to 8 dollars an hour and sometimes you do work that is not detailer related. But the best advice that I can give you is always go to a shop that has full equipment. Also having the right detail mananger and experienced help to teach you is the biggest key of all.I learned how to use a rotary at a dealership. Speed is a big thing at a dealership but you don't want come backs it hurt's CSI. Also the number of cars a day is not the same day to day or week to week.Sometimes you do have a lot of time to work on a car. The other guys who have responded to you so far have good advice but, how many of them have actually worked at a dealership or have been detail managers themsevles. Listen either way you go is good but either way you have to always improve yourself anyway.Working at a good dealership and hanging out here is a sure bet.
David Fermani
Forza Auto Salon
quamen said:
I'd like not know more about this. What's the operation consist of?
imported_Neothin
New member
that guy probably started solo, then as business expanded, hired a few more people. As the business grew larger he probably gave up detailing all together and took on an executive position. But that would be my guess.
Not enough. I am not sure why they do not get paid alot more. Maybe that is why it is so hard to find a good one. to do a car right it really takes a full day and most places cannot charge more than 150 to 200 dollars. It is pretty hard to make money at that rate. Look at what mechanics get an hour. I think if detailers were able to charge 400 bucks a car you would see alot more people doing it and much better quality work. But for some reason people do not care if their car shines but yet are willing to pay exuberant prices for other things. Did you ever see the Detailer to the Stars on MTV, he even put Evian in the WS washer. I wonder what he charges.
mrdetail said:
It depends what your after as a business. We do a “superior detail� in 3 to 4 hour and charge $160 to $200. Now you probably ask what is your definition of a “superior�? My answer is, it’s “way superior� to 99% of the competition in our market. We would love to do 6hr to 8hr details and charge $300 to $450, but are market will not let us. We do have a “few� customers who will pay us this fee and I did say a few.
David Fermani
Forza Auto Salon
doged said:
That's pretty accurate for me also. Sometimes you need to adjust your prices for some customers/cars.
David Fermani said:
Same here. There just aren't a lot of people in most areas who are passionate enough about their car to pay for near concours level detailing. Personally, I'd love to spend more time on some of the cars I do but the owners won't pay me enough and while I love detailing, I need to put food on the table and a kid through college (with one right behind!).
On another note, most of our clients do not have the aptitude to be able to distinguish between our 3hr and 6hr detail. It’s best to ask a new client what do they expect or what areas of a detail are they concerned most about. A very important part of your “rate� is determined by the level of customer service you provide. Compare fine-dining to a franchise restaurant service. In this day and age, people are used to very poor service and will gladly pay for very superior service.