Work time

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ChrisDA

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On Facebook I keep seeing people posting that they did a an inside/outside detail plus correction and coating in a day. I don't know about you guys but to properly compound and polish a medium sized car will at least take me a LONG day on it's own, if not longer. Then Interior, trims, coating etc will take at least another day.

What are you work times like?
 
Such a situational question. Obviously it depends on the size and shape of the car, the condition it is in, and the extent to which everything is being cared for. For those of us who do this for our customers, their budgets and expected results will also play a role.

I do think you're on point though. Right now I'm working on a new STi with 3,000 miles on it. Just to prep, polish, detail, and apply Finest to the outside is going to be around 6 hours. No trim coating, no wheel coating, no windshield coating, and it's in objectively good condition as there was no dealer prep done upon delivery. Usually if something can be done in 12 hours or less then I will schedule it as one day of work on my calendar.
 
You are completely right. It all depends on the situation and the condition of the car. I however rarely sell anything less than a 2 stage compound and polish and the cars I work on very rarely leave with any imperfections. I guess most are selling quick AIO details and coatings... which as you know, that certainly isn't anything us Finest crowd would do :)
 
Man you guys are the pros, took me 3 days to 2 step and coat my mustang!
 
I had about 12 hours in start to finish w/ prep and UK application on a '13 RAV.
 
Same boat here! I'm certainly not the fastest.... But I'm proud when I am done. 28 hours with a 4 hour nap in it is what I aim for.

Except IX / hydro2 jobs :)
 
I think it all comes down to figuring out that parts of a detail that slow you down, and finding a way to be more efficient. I'm talking about even to the point of making sure you have all the supplies you need on a cart with you so you don't have to keep getting up to grab something else while you are working. Unless I'm working on a nightmare car I can easily do a one step with full interior, or two step with no/light interior in one work day. If you add a coating to that it would add a good bit of time though.
 
Corey said:
Same boat here! I'm certainly not the fastest.... But I'm proud when I am done. 28 hours with a 4 hour nap in it is what I aim for.

Except IX / hydro2 jobs :)
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I remember when you and I went mobile (have buffer will travel) and spent a week on two cars. DDMJ







The look of determination and success!

 
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DARK HORSE said:
I remember when you and I went mobile (have buffer will travel) and spent a week on two cars. DDMJ







The look of determination and success!

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Wooooohoooooo!!!!!!!! I LOVE it Tadman!! What a trip! Nothing like running a rotary bp 2mm from the adjacent perpendicular panel on only a few hours sleep with a fever! Some day we must return to visit our dear friend! Thanks for the memories buddy!
 
Chris I feel the same way as you about the difference in the amount of time it takes people. I know I'm a lot faster than when I was three years ago when I started doing this but still not nearly as fast as others. In my defense I normally work on paint that is WRECKED.

I think some of it has to do with experience and knowing your products. Another thing is sticking with the type of job you quoted. What I mean is don't turn a one step job into a two step because you can't stand to see any defects left. I am very guilty of that.
 
Detail2Correction said:
That's the look of he's stealing some stuff off the car!
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LMAO! I never thought about it before, but you are exactly right, he does! However I don't think he would have risked it, he wouldn't have wanted to end up in a Turkish prison! Those pictures were taken on our trip to Turkey.
 
ROFL!!!! Thats awesome JH!! lol Good point Tad! That was me putting them back on when I realized where I was!!
 
I agree, as others have already said; there are SO many variables at play. I have spent anywhere from 4 hours to 4 days on a vehicle (depending on what a client wants).
 
ChrisDA said:
On Facebook I keep seeing people posting that they did a an inside/outside detail plus correction and coating in a day.

What are you work times like?
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I can do a full correction plus gloss enhancement and coating in one 8-10 hour day!

Did I mention that's...three folks, each with a machine, following behind each other.
I'm blessed to have a couple of very experienced folks that deliver to my standards.
In total I usually have 24-30 (man hours). That's how I get a get it done in one day.
 
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