paying for detail

[El Presidente]

My car is a mess right now, and needs serious hepl. The carpets need shampoo, and I've got crap on the outside my claybar is having a tough time with. I've never paid anyone to detail my car, but I know it's expensive. Can anyone give me an idea of what a doog body cleaning and interior cleaning will run?

[jllphan]

A good detail job around my neck of the woods would run $100-125 (that's for the whole nine yards). Down there in Hotlanta with all dem purty cars, I would think it wouldn't be any more, and probably less.

[schneider252]

u might want to consider doing it yourself.... i have been detailing the whole car for the past 3 days.....pics coming later today!

[El Presidente]

I've done the whole DIY detail route, and its usually enough. But I have something on my car that actually looks like rust. I took it to one shop today after my inspection and he quoted me $70 for interior shampoo, clean the leather, dash, windows inside and out, wash, wax, and most importantly, get the gunk off. They did my stepmothers lexus before her lease was up and my father said they did a wonderful job. She doesn't remember. Typical woman.

Anyway, I've used a claybar and rubbing compound and neither have worked, so it's got to go to someone else.

[ajames]

Yeah, i've done a bunch of detailing jobs, and i'd say $100-$125 is about the norm. for for a full detail around here in pa. For $70 bucks, your either getting a really good deal if they do everything including fixing the paint, or they're not factoring in really compounding/polishing the paint before they do their reg. "wax" job.

Lot of times, there are base prices for jobs, but if they encounter tough stuff that you want them to get out (scratches, overspray, etc) it may be at extra costs. After all, if you haven't been able to get the stuff out w/ clay and compound ... someones who knows what they're doing/what to use is gonna have to work at it. So for all that ... $70 does sound really low, but that's just from prices that i've heard of and encountered.

alex

[brien4787]

depending where you live...

i live in south orange county, so that means over priced motherfuckers.

i found some1 from santa ana that would come down to do it for 110 or so..

[El Presidente]

Luckly, this place is in Duluth Georgia, so the prices are somewhat scaled down.

[TMac325is]

instead of using the claybar, save some money from doing a detail, and try the Meguiars paint cleaner. i detailed a green Ford Escape 2 days ago, spent 4 hours washing it twice, using paint cleaner, polishing, and waxing, and it looks incredible. all the little scratches and blemishes, and bugs on the hood all disappeared and its like a frickin mirror. ( and this cars got 70k mi on it )

if i get the urge, ill take a snapshot or two, just to show off

but believe me, this car was a mess on saturday morning (an utter disgrace) , and after maybe 7 hours of total cleaning, its like brand new (save your cash)

[TMac325is]

got rid of everything: sap, insects, crusted and engraved bird crap, etc...

[TMac325is]

just a few more

[TMac325is]

im jealous of how clean it is, but im afraid if i wax my car anymore, im going to take my paint off :P

[schneider252]

Originally posted by TMac325is@Jul 5 2004, 01:10 PM
im jealous of how clean it is, but im afraid if i wax my car anymore, im going to take my paint off :P

?!?!??!?!?!

First of all you shoudnt layer carbine Wax
Second of all... how can wax take of your paint????
All it does it sit on top of it, for looks and prodection
Polish can take paint of...trust me I have a SS paint job and my cutting pad turned totally black! lol

[TMac325is]

i meant by using the paint cleaner wax and polish system

using the gold glass wax should do anything but add shine and a lil protection

[ajames]

Sry Tmac, but i disagree with not using a claybar. Go put your hand in a plastic bad and run it over that Escape. Clay the hood and retry ... smoooth. A claybar will remove deep-down dirt and contaminants like industrial fallout and rail dust.

The Meg's Paint Cleaner is basically a chemical cleaner. Its not really that abrasive. It will most likely remove some grungy stuff and oxidation, but i'm not sure about other stuff. I personally don't think its that strong either. I'm not sure what It all really depends on what actually is on your car. Some stuff comes out only after abrasion, other marks, etc. will come out w/ a chemical cleaner. I'm not sure what El Pres. has already used on it as far as polishes go ... but i have a feeling whatever he's got on there that he can't get off is pretty tough stuff. My guess is a paint cleaner may not be strong enough.

El Pres: maybe you can see if a detailer will just work their magic and only do a few things. Like insteaed of the whole package, have them do your carpets and work out the crap that's on your paint ... then take it from there. It may save you some cash and a headache.

alex

[El Presidente]

eh.

I went today. Wasted just under $79. Used High-gloss armoral, so the whole interior is now a mirror, and stcky mirror at that. Except in two noticeable places. They did do a good job on the carpets though. As for the paint, he used something in damaged area, and sort of fixed it, but not completely. The rest of the car was waxed, but not prepped well, so it just covered up a lot of shit that should have been removed but wasn't. I redid a good bit when I got home. You get what you pay for though.