tomorrow = 3 cars, full details, condition unknown, all by myself.... I need a plan!

B

blackntan

New member
There's a good chance that my work ethic is going to get the best of me.



My bro in law got me in on detailing his GF's entire family's cars tomorrow. Yes, all of them, yes tomorrow....



Here's what i'll be dealing with:



1 o6 eclipse

1 07 galant

1 crossfire





I don't know the colors, condition, or what else to expect. I'll be taking off of work on my real job to do these, and @ 150/car, I hope to do ok...



So, I need a plan of attack. Not so much what products, but how to get it all done in the time allotted. Should I do one car start to finish, or wash em all, let em dry, and go from there?



Here's my plan:



Wash all cars

dry all cars

vacuum interior, spray carpet cleaner, brush stains

extract

clean and protect interiors

clean interior glass



then, one by one



polish

wax

wheels

trim

tires

exterior glass



done! repeat.





Thoughts?



Man, tomorrow's gonna be a loooong day....



I figure if I can use a one step compound/polish (laserbuff will prolly be my choice), and a liquid wax, I can get it on and off pretty quick.



i'll be applying via PC, removing by hand.



Help! I'm gonna get :sign
 
I'm confused.



Your brother in law's gf. Wouldn't that gf be your sister? lol



There is no way you can split the cars up on different days?
 
Hmm... Maybe I didn't explain it right.



My wife's brother's girlfriend....



Better?



I'm taking a day off of work, and i'd like to maximize the day... I volunteered for two cars, but then the mom asked if I could do her crossfire too... i couldn't say no...



Celica - Is 66 something you've seen locally?



I was considering a one step product, but they are paying for a full detail, which I usually 2 step. Is it wrong to one step it?
 
blackntan said:
Hmm... Maybe I didn't explain it right.



My wife's brother's girlfriend....



Better?



I'm taking a day off of work, and i'd like to maximize the day... I volunteered for two cars, but then the mom asked if I could do her crossfire too... i couldn't say no...



Celica - Is 66 something you've seen locally?



I was considering a one step product, but they are paying for a full detail, which I usually 2 step. Is it wrong to one step it?
Click to expand...



Just me, but I wouldnt skip out on family by doing 1 step. Ive always broken into the box of goodies to make familys cars shine :)
 
martinager said:
Just me, but I wouldnt skip out on family by doing 1 step. Ive always broken into the box of goodies to make familys cars shine :)
Click to expand...





Yeah, that's what I was thinking. These cars have to GLOW when i'm done...



But they have to do it quickly....
 
If you're going to get 3 details done in one day, by yourself, you had BETTER BE Clark Kent.



__________________

E-Jag
 
I don't see how you could do 3 full details in one day with wash, polish, wax, and all that interior work. The interior stuff could take at least an hour each so that's 3 hours, the washes will take 1.5 hours total. Polish usually takes a couple hours per car (or more), but let's be extremely optimistic and say you do it in an hour each. Now you're up to 7.5 hours and still need to do your LSP which could be done in 30 minutes each if you haul balls. Now you're at 9 hours and still have to do all of your trim, wheels, tires, and glass which could take 30 minutes each. 10.5 hours and that's if you can polish a car in an hour (you'd be my hero if you can).



I'd seriously see if you could do the crossfire the following day or maybe go do it tonight and then save 2 for tomorrow.
 
God, I need a scotch just thinking about it. I can't wash a car in under an hour and a half. If you pull this off - and do a decent job on each one - I will feel so-o-o inadequate. Make that a double.



________________

E-Jag
 
I've never tried polishing even two cars in one day. I'm probably slower than most, but the most I've done in one day is wash/wax two cars. Guess it depends how many breaks you take.
 
Same here. I spend 3-4 hours per car when not even doing the polishing step. Add in the polish and I can't do more than one in a day and spend about 6 hours per car. I guess I could squeeze in two if I wanted to spend 12 hours in a day detailing, but I'm pretty worn out after 7 or 8 hours.
 
Maximum I can do is 2 cars per day full detail. I would just let them know you might not be able to get them all done in a day. My suggestions to maximize your speed:



Start with the more difficult car first, you will be glad you did.



Clay while you wash, it will go much faster.



Once you have washed, clayed and dried, apply beads of polish, usually 2 per panel, along one entire side, Polish the entire side, then go back and remove. I always do this because it saves quite a bit of time. If you are doing 2 steps of polishing and you are in the shade, dont remove the first polish and apply the final polish over top of it then remove.



If you are using a sealant that cures apply it, then wash the next car.



Have your tools and products organized so you arent having to search for things.



Most importantly dont stress out as it makes for a not enjoyable day.



Hope that helps.



Greg
 
I don't think trying to do all three in one day is practical, unless they're all in really good condition - but you haven't even seen them! I was thinking, well maybe you could pull it off if the interiors were good - quick wipe down, vacuum and quick shampoo, but any ONE of these vehicles could be in sorry shape and you up - both time and energy.



Even if by some miricle you get them all done, I wouldn't wanna be ya the day after !



Good luck 'n please let us know what happens.
 
Start from the inside out and do it like an assembly line.



Vacuum all vehicles, detail all the interiors, clean the fenderwells and dress them (before washing so there are no overspray problems), wash all three (Optimum No Rinse would be a huge time saver)-claying as you wash if claying is needed, clean the door jambs and wheels, then polish each car, then seal, finish by cleaning the glass inside and out, dressing the interior (after cleaning inside glass so you don't have glass cleaner leaving spots), then the weather stripping, wheels and trim.



Do not even try to do the cars one at a time. It feels as if you are starting all over when you finish one and move on to the next and it is a real momentum killer.
 
Talk the bro in law into helping you out. Tell him it will not only help you out, but make him look good in the process. :2thumbs:
 
GregCavi said:
Maximum I can do is 2 cars per day full detail. I would just let them know you might not be able to get them all done in a day. My suggestions to maximize your speed:



Start with the more difficult car first, you will be glad you did.



Clay while you wash, it will go much faster.



Once you have washed, clayed and dried, apply beads of polish, usually 2 per panel, along one entire side, Polish the entire side, then go back and remove. I always do this because it saves quite a bit of time. If you are doing 2 steps of polishing and you are in the shade, dont remove the first polish and apply the final polish over top of it then remove.



If you are using a sealant that cures apply it, then wash the next car.



Have your tools and products organized so you arent having to search for things.



Most importantly dont stress out as it makes for a not enjoyable day.



Hope that helps.



Greg
Click to expand...



Nice! Love the tips! They have a 3 car garage, so i'll be able to move them all inside once I get the wash done, which will make it that much easier. the bead down the car is a great idea!!



I will only be doing one polishing step, as they are all fairly new cars. If I get there and one is black or badly swirled, I may do a 2nd step on that one...



Organization is going to be HUGE! I'm going to pack everything tonight, and get a checklist ready...



It's gonna be fun! I'm not stressed out at all! I can't wait to see if I can get em all done!
 
Scottwax said:
Start from the inside out and do it like an assembly line.



Vacuum all vehicles, detail all the interiors, clean the fenderwells and dress them (before washing so there are no overspray problems), wash all three (Optimum No Rinse would be a huge time saver)-claying as you wash if claying is needed, clean the door jambs and wheels, then polish each car, then seal, finish by cleaning the glass inside and out, dressing the interior (after cleaning inside glass so you don't have glass cleaner leaving spots), then the weather stripping, wheels and trim.



Do not even try to do the cars one at a time. It feels as if you are starting all over when you finish one and move on to the next and it is a real momentum killer.
Click to expand...



Hmmm... I do have some QEW, that should save me some time... I'll have to use the tip for the wheel wells too!



Oh, and one at a time would kill me. I've done that before. It's terrible...



thanks!
 
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