Log Times for FULL Details

S

stangclassic66

New member
Hello All,



I am in the process of starting a mobile detailing business but while i'm in the planning stages I have decided to do FREE details for family members and close friends to see if this is for me and to get more cars under my belt. Please evaluate the steps I took and the time it took me below.



Vehicle: 2001 Ford Escape

Color: Black with Gray Trim

Detail: Full

Elapsed Time: 4.5 hrs



Interior: It took me 1.75 hrs to: vacuum, spot remove with Folex, hit a few spots with Woolite, vacuum again to remove dirt brought up by the scrub brush, dress the dash with Zaino Leather/Vinyl conditioner and clean the glass with 3M glass cleaner. FAIRLY CLEAN to begin with.



Exterior: It took me 2.75 hrs to: wash, evaluate the need to clay (which it didn't), apply DACP to badly swirled areas (by hand), buff, apply SFP to entire car, buff, apply S100, buff, dress tires with Zaino tire dressing and clean glass with 3M glass cleaner (EXCELLENT STUFF).



I used cotton towels to apply DACP and SFP and microfibers for all the washing and buffing.



I felt I took 1.5 hrs longer than what I hoped for. But I was also concerned about excellent quality and not to miss anything. Please evaluate the steps I took and if I could have done it in a bit quicker time.



I will post my Sunday car below.



Thanks in advance.



Erik



p.s. Please post your times with recent vehicles you pros have done so I can compare.
 
Ok, the above car was done on Saturday. I wake up Sunday morning and my arms are very sore. But I decide to tackle my next car. Here it is below.



Vehicle: 1992 Lexus SC300

Color: Gray/Green

Detail: Full

Elapsed Time: 5.5 - 6 hrs



Interior: It took me 2.5 hrs to do the interior. This interior was in much worse shape than the Escape. I vacuumed floormats, removed floormats, vacuum entire car, spot remove with Folex and Woolite, scrub brushed most of the carpet since it was very dirty, rinsed with water, final vacuum, clean leather seats with Woolite, cleaned dash (had to use q-tips for gunk around certain areas) and dressed interior with Zaino leather conditioner.



Exterior: It took me about 3 hrs to do the exterior. Wash, rinse, clay, dry, apply DACP to almost entire car (by hand), buff, apply SFP to entire car (by hand), buff, apply S100, buff, dress tires with Zaino tire dressing and clean windows with 3M glass cleaner (EXCELLENT).



I was able to remove a bunch of swirls which made me feel good but couldn't removed a handful of deep white scratches in the paint. The car came out great and I will post pics of it when I get home. I realize that I will have to get a Porter Cable soon but I want to get enough experience with DACP/SFP by hand since I know I will have customers that will refuse to have a machine touch their paint.



This car took me WAAAAAY longer than I expected. About 2.5 hrs longer but the car came out GREAT. I am not sure how long it would have taken me if I added VM/CMW to the job. Shipping that stuff to me is taking WAY longer than expected.



Again, please give me feedback. ANY kind of feedback.



Thanks in advance.



Erik
 
I breifly read your time log and it seems to be very accurate as to the length needed for a complete detail. You'll find that once you get a system down it will be alot easier not really faster but each task will be easier do finish once you know how you want to do thiings.



Personally I take alot more time on my clients vehicles. My average time is 6hrs but quite a few cars have been running into the 8hr range. Mind you I only do one car a day so I spend more time on things on purpose , I also clay every vehicle and 9 out of ten cars I do need to be compounded the first time I detail them. To add to that time I use Zaino for 90% of my detailing so that adds some more time not as much as some think but it does add some.
 
Your times sound about right for just starting out. You will surely become more efficient as you learn more about how to improve your process.



Just remember, it's all about doing a high quality job. it's not a race and you certainly do not want to start taking shortcuts just to reduce your elapsed time.
 
I'm not a pro, but I'd be very pleased with anything around the 6hr mark for a full interior and exterior detail.



Don't get too worried about time when you're first starting out - be more concerned with doing a quality job. Quick times won't get you new customers but getting a reputation for doing a quality job will.
 
I'm with Doug about the times. Yesterday I detailed a Lexus LS400 and it took me almost 9 hours. But I took frequent breaks to watch the NASCAR race. So I probably had about 8 hours in it. And this is using a rotary and PC for all paint work.



I used to be able to detail a car in under 4 hours back in me youngn' days but can't do that anymore. My knees are still hurtin'.....
 
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