Time Breakdown

B

BlueRanger

New member
Im wondering how long it takes the pros to do the various tasks associted with a full blown detail. I did one today, took me 8 hours. CRAZY! (grandted I wasnt willing to quit until it had reached my level of satisfaction). So how long does it take when time is money? Scottwax, NY detailer, GTSlillerz, ws6, and all others, what is the time break down on an average size sedan for:



1)Wash

2)Polish

3)Sealant

4)Interior...etc.



Thanks a lot guys, I just want to get an idea of how slow i really am ;)



-Bryan
 
Really depends on the condition of the car. A nice car taken care of car with a few spots/marring/scratches ect with a relatively clean interior will take me about 3-4 hours. a neglected car well depends on how many trash bags of crap have to be hauled out :D yesterdays subaru outback ('99) that never was washed/waxed ect. for 5 yrs and had many stains ect on inside (crumbs EVERYWHERE in every crack/crevice imaginable) was an 8.5 hour job.
 
In my shop, most sedans take 5-6 hours. Most SUVs take 7-8 hours. I'm rather thorough...



It is tough to do more than one vehicle per day. But that vehicle is done properly.



Jim
 
I definitly agree, when I left that volvo it was SHIMMERING, but I forgot my camera:angry :angry :angry . I couldnt see cutting myself short...
 
It depends on the size and condition. I have one customer whose mid 90s T-Bird I could detail in about 2.5 hours, but she kept her interior immaculate and washed it regularly. Most sedans take 3-5 hours and trucks/SUVs/vans about 4-7 hours.
 
I put on my IPOD, and I can do a BMW 3 series in 4 hours. Thats wash, clay, polish, AIO, WG, #16, polish windshield, full interior steam cleaning, spot removal, leather conditioning, engine detail, wheels and tires, glass, etc. I am pretty fast and usually have a good sweat and heartbeat going. No breaks.
 
I estimate 1 hour per stage, e.g. 1 hr for washing/drying (& exterior window cleaning & tire dressing), 1 hr for polishing, 1 hr for waxing, 1 hr for interior, etc ...



Of course this varies upon the condition of the car and some steps take a little longer than 1 hour ... some less than 1 hour, but it's a fair estimate.



Soooooo ... to wash, polish, wax, and clean the interior of an average sedan is approximately 4 hours.
 
amazing, interior details for us in the shop takes at least 4 hrs with 2 crew, exterior another 3-4, engine another 2hrs... can't imagine the condition of the cars you guys get to be able to finish that fast.. note that we do have 2 extractors, rotaries and pressure washer as well.
 
Don't you find it amazing that the the term "DETAILING" has no real definition?



Cleaning of the same make and model in San Diego, Little Rock, Brisbane or Lisbon; different pricing and different standards of 'cleanliness'. Amazing that we don't have ISO type standards...



Oh well, keep the customer happy, and be better than ' the other guy"!



Jim
 
NHBFAN said:
I estimate 1 hour per stage, e.g. 1 hr for washing/drying (& exterior window cleaning & tire dressing), 1 hr for polishing, 1 hr for waxing, 1 hr for interior, etc ...
Click to expand...



That is a GREAT general estimate!:xyxthumbs



As other's have said it all depends on the condition of the vehicle. I believe that the condition actually dictates more than the size of the vehicle how long it will take. Granted, an Excursion is going to take longer than a Miata but if the Excursion has an immaculate interior and just a few swirls while the Miata has been through a dozen gas station washes and has an owner that uses the passenger seat for a trash can...it might be close!
 
Greg, your FAWKIN NUTZ man, thats crazy fast! I did a bmw 318 yesteday, holy smokes, sooo much fallout, took my whole damn claybar on it. wash, clay, vm, ex-p, extract interior carpets, leather, vinyl, and glass took me 4 hours. I cant image doin an engine and an additional polish step in 4 hrs, wow:bow . I guess as I detail more, my method will get more refined and I will be able to go even quicker.



QUESTION, for any of you using VM with a pc, how long do you work it into a panel, and how big is your buffing area? Thanks
 
I guess the condition of the car will dictate it... I mean, if it's our regular customers that comes in weekly for a wash and a coat of sealant/wax, those takes no more than 2 hrs including an interior wipedown, vac, engine wiping (with APC), etc.



But for interiors that look like these (around 80-90% of our first time clients), interior alone takes 5 hrs with 2 workers and extractor. Half and half pics.



Eddie Bauer Expedition



165153_223_full.jpg




Volvo 850 (these cars dont age well AT ALL)

165153_224_full.jpg




Seats alone will take 40 mins each hehe...
 
No, they are very clean. You're looking at the 'glass half empty'!



Like I said, theveed can do my car any time!



Jim
 
I took me almost 3 hours today to just do an exterior detail (VM by PC, EX-P by hand) on a white Dodge Ram SLT because he waits 5 months to wax it since last time and so much crap was on the lower rocker panels. His wife's Escalade ESV only took me 2.5 hours and it definitely has more paint to polish.



It all depends on condition.....
 
jimamary: hehe thanks for the kind words... :D



The Volvos are weird... We've done around 5 850's the past few months, all of them are in that condition. And in addition, all 5 of them have this problem of their inner door handles no opening. Nasty stuff...



Check this engine out :P



Japanese small sedans are easy, takes us around 2 hrs to detail it. Euro cars are time consuming as they are very sensitive to moisture so we can't rinse or wash them. Those takes 4hrs or so to get everything clean from top to block.



This is just an engine wash... 30mins



sentrab6.JPG




sentrab5.JPG
 
:eek: I am amazed anyone would let their engine get that filthy but even more amazed out how nice it looks in the after pic! You really do top quality work. :up
 
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