Wet Sanding

T

The Detail Dude

New member
Does anyone in here offer wet sanding as a menu item? I have been asked a few times by some used car lots and I'm wondering if it would be worth while.
 
Its a job all in itself not to mention becuase of that and the risk involved i would charge alot for it.
 
I offer wet sanding as an item. Problem is that most retail customers wont pay.. dealerships are a different story and will most likely pay and roll the cost into the vehicle.



I used to do alot of fully restored classic cars. A good slick job which on average would take me about 12-16 hours. I would charge in the neighborhood of $4-600 for a full car, I still have trouble estimating time on "spot" jobs.



I get calls daily from people with orange peeled $100k+ classic cars...but they wont pay for a job done right. They usually say "Im not paying that, I can get it done for less than $100!"......to which I say "Good luck with that"........
 
I know some picky people that will just take there sports cars to the "tune" shop, drop it off and say, when I come back I want 500+HP and no more orange peel.......but those aren't the typical customers.



I believe they paid $600 to get it sanded.
 
Allred00535 said:
I get calls daily from people with orange peeled $100k+ classic cars...but they wont pay for a job done right. They usually say "Im not paying that, I can get it done for less than $100!"......to which I say "Good luck with that"........
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They'll get what they pay for. Wet sanding for a hundred bucks, that's just funny.:spit:
 
Yeah, people kill me. I guess that is there way of negotiating the price?? Good Luck!



Whatever it is, should it be something I learn how to do?
 
The Detail Dude said:
Yeah, people kill me. I guess that is there way of negotiating the price?? Good Luck!



Whatever it is, should it be something I learn how to do?
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Depends on how serious you want your detail business to be. If you're just wash/wax then no you won't need it. But if you're going to be removing swirls and do lots of work on high end cars, scratchs, orange peel and such, yes you'll need to learn it.



I plan too, but so far this last year I haven't really needed it.
 
I do a lot of spot wet sanding for severe scratches/leveling touchups, but I roll that into the price.



I haven't had anyone ask for a full vehicle wetsand yet, but if I were going to charge for that it would be at least 600, and I just can't see a whole lot of people dropping 600 on a job that could potentially lower the life of their paint, as well as making it more vulnerable to etching and limiting future polishing options.
 
themightytimmah said:
I do a lot of spot wet sanding for severe scratches/leveling touchups, but I roll that into the price.



I haven't had anyone ask for a full vehicle wetsand yet, but if I were going to charge for that it would be at least 600, and I just can't see a whole lot of people dropping 600 on a job that could potentially lower the life of their paint, as well as making it more vulnerable to etching and limiting future polishing options.
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For show cars this is a must though.
 
Well, that helps. I definetly need to do it.



Sorry to bother everyone with all of this, but where do I start?

Is there a video with step by step instructions?
 
Trial and error. . . or mentorship.



There are classes here and there. NXTi comes to mind. I learned a great deal. You could also trade your labor to a high-end auto body in your area. Do some finish work for them and maybe one of the guys there can help you out. Finding someone is going to be an issue. Just keep your eyes and ears pealed for the opportunity.



In the mean time, grab some scrap panels so you can scuff and grind away. Learn the feel.
 
The Detail Dude said:
That's a good idea, I think might do that.



Would they teach that in some ICar classes?
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I think the curriculum varies depending on who is teaching the class and how many students attend. Try finding a Auto Body Finishing class in your area and contact the instructor. I've called a few and have always gotten decent answers.



Joe with Superior Shine attended on a while back and reported that he didn't learn much. . . .although he's been doing this most of his walking life, from what I understand.
 
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