time per step

rtbrick

rtbrick

Hoping for a sunny day
It seems like I take an extraordinary amount of time to complete each step of a detail process. I am new at doing the "professional" way, but I just wonder if I should be moving out quicker or if I'm lolly-gagging around or something. It takes me about 5 hours just to wash, clay, polish once with PC, apply wax/sealant. Many of you can do a fairly complete detail in 4-5 hours. How about some of you guys listing out your time-to-complete for these steps:

1. simple polishng with PC
2. simple polishing with rotary
3. SMR with PC
4. SMR with rotary
5. Interior shampoo and what kind of extractor (I use little green machine).
6. Wax/sealant application (hand or PC).
 
I have the same problem. When done, the vehicle always looks like I was aming for... it just takes me a very long time. I think in my case it is just because I am so finatical.
 
Im so anal about everything when detailing I drive it out in the sun to see if there is the slighest swils or blemishs but yeah it takes about 5 hours.
 
rtbrick said:
It seems like I take an extraordinary amount of time to complete each step of a detail process. I am new at doing the "professional" way, but I just wonder if I should be moving out quicker or if I'm lolly-gagging around or something. It takes me about 5 hours just to wash, clay, polish once with PC, apply wax/sealant. Many of you can do a fairly complete detail in 4-5 hours. How about some of you guys listing out your time-to-complete for these steps:

1. simple polishng with PC
2. simple polishing with rotary
3. SMR with PC
4. SMR with rotary
5. Interior shampoo and what kind of extractor (I use little green machine).
6. Wax/sealant application (hand or PC).
Click to expand...

rt,

There are so many variables there, that it's hard to say. It depends on the size of the vehicle, the condition of the vehicles paint, the type of products, the enviroment (humidity... etc.).

Anyhow, I'll take a stab at some of these.

Back in my youth (a long, long, long time ago), I would say that an average sized car in fair conditon working in a place set up to do professional detailing, with good products would go something like this.

Simple polish with rotary - 30 minutes (45 to 60 minutes with PC)
SMR with rotary - 30 minutes (45 to 60 minutes with PC)
Interior shampoo - 15 to 30 minutes
Hand apply and remove wax - 45 minutes (30 minutes with PC)

Keep in mind that we only used rotary buffers (mostly pneumatic) in our shop back then, so the times on the PC are just a wild guess.

Today, working at home in my yard (and lolly-gagging), those times are pretty much doubled!
 
You have a picture of a full sized extended cab Silverado below your name. If that's what is taking 5 hours then I don't think you're out of line. It takes me AT LEAST that long to do the same to mine......longer probably. I think some of the times we hear are for mini cars with perhaps 1/3 as much paint to work.
 
I usually tell my assistants that I am not as concerned on how long something takes to do as long as it is done right the first time. I would rather make 2 $ an hour than have a dissatisified customer. If you are kind of new to detailing what you need to strive for is to be a little faster and a little more complete with every vehicle. it takes a lot of practice
 
I figured much of it is due to practice and experience. I have been contemplating the purchase of a rotary, but I doubt that would speed me up. Most likely, it would slow me down due to being even more careful. Still, I think I am taking nearly twice as long.
 
Practice Practice Practice keep at it I have been detailing/cleaning cars since 1970. i still learn something new all the time. I wish that I would have found this forum long ago. I hope that some of these posts here have helped other as much as they have me
 
One more thing Do you have a D.A. polisher? I have both rotary and the da style and very seldom use the rotary any more maybe 2 or 3 times a year I use my DeWalt all the time.
 
I take jsut as long as you. It can easily take me 2 hours just to do the following:

1. Clean tires
2. Clean wheels
3. Wash car
4. Dry car

The wheels and tires alone can take me 20-30 minutes. A full 3 step SMR-glaze-wax can take me ALL day.
 
A total Full detail for me thats means wheel wells,Rims outside and in,Engine,Interior,Exterior SMR,Sealent,Wax, and everything else you can imagine takes me close to 8 hours regular wash and wax and dress tires and interior can take short 3-4 hours.
 
Wow! I guess Im not alone then. lol There are times I would sit there and think .. yea baby! Im flying through this one. At the end it was the same as it always was .... 5-7 hours for the full detail. I hear guys here even saying for a full blown detail they can do it in about 4 hours. It must be true... practice practice practice :)
 
Which guy was it that managed to do 2 cars, full inside and out, in 5 hours. Was it Clean Dean? That was unreal, made me want to shoot myself, so damned inefficient.
 
If I do the full detail it takes me 5 to 6 hours and longer if the paint or insides are beat up badly. This is not with the motor being addressed. I beleive that you should go at a speed that allows you to get the job done the right way the first time.
 
Beemer, if I did all the steps you do my wife would make me sleep in the truck! In your 5-6 hours you go over the finish with the PC (or rotary) about three times with your process. I go over once! And I only get the interior vacuumed! No little green in that amount of time. That's another couple hours easy. My 5-6 hours does not include a wheel polish either. It's not really vehicle dependent. Big or little is only an hours difference.

The vehicle looks good when finished, so I guess my time will reduce with practice.
 
Yeah same here, I take forever to do a car. But right now its taking me forever because Steve is not responding to my emails (argg). :D

Us perfectionists are impatient.
 
Time... our enemy ;)

This hood alone took me more than 2 hours, and I have a rotary and more than a couple of products...
alfa.jpg


I had to pass 3 or 4 times some areas to clean most scratches, then polish, then glaze, then seal, then wax......
redeyes.gif


I'm sure anyone could say he could do it in 1/2 hour, but I'm sure the results would never be the same.
 
Is that a before pic? Did you get all the swirls out? Swirls have been my new found enemy as of late...
 
RT

Once again I go at a speed that allows the best results that I can produce. I go over the paint 6 times on the full details, the dark colors are a bear to get teh swrils out. I look at the car and depending on the condition I attack with a orbital or rotary, of whcih I'm a fan of.
 
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