How Long Do You Detail?

[shineshine]

I wonder how long does it take for every each person in various part of the world to detail a car. Would be nice to hear it out.

I spent 6hrs by hand doing washing, claying, dc1, dc2, waxing x2.

[matt colvin]

Well, it really depends on what I'm doing. If it's clay, the full 80's series, a pure polish, and then at least two coats of lsp, well, it takes a couple days. I also have to clean all visible undercoating, under the hood, polish the different metallic finishes, and dress all rubber and vinyl surfaces. And then after that, the interior gets some attention.

A full-size pickup just takes longer though. I would vote a day or day + if I had that option.

[SiriusRIMZ]

I chose 1/2 day. I'll either try to get up early and be done by noon so I can enjoy the rest of my day, or I'll start at about noon and have my truck ready for any evening events.

Normally a Wash, Clay, Cleaner Polish, Polish, Wax x2 will take me about 7-8 Hours. Maybe more if I do a full interior carpet washing. I'll normally invite a friend over and some how make them feel guilty just sitting there and make them do some work, so it goes by pretty fast.

[MikeGT]

9-12hrs for a detail for me.

I do everything by hand.

[Mike Phillips]

12 to 14 hours by machine, Removing the swirls out of the Joker and restoring a show car finish took about 16 hours, this included both the rotary buffer and the G100. Part of the reason for this was because the paint was hard, the swirls were deep and there was a lot of surface are to carefully go over.

http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JokarTapedOff09.jpg


After - note it's dark now...

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/medium/700_JokerFinished002.jpg

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/medium/700_JokerFinished001.jpg

[Lydia]

It depends on how much I do and what condition the paint is in in the first place. It could take any where from 2 hours to multiple days.


That's yours Mike??

[supernac1]

12 to 14 hours by machine, Removing the swirls out of the Joker and restoring a show car finish took about 16 hours, this included both the rotary buffer and the G100. Part of the reason for this was because the paint was hard, the swirls were deep and there was a lot of surface are to carefully go over.

http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JokarTapedOff09.jpg


After - note it's dark now...

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/medium/700_JokerFinished002.jpg

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/medium/700_JokerFinished001.jpg

Dude.....is that your truck:bigups

[GTBrad]

Dude.....is that your truck:bigups

No, that's not Mike's truck

A usual detail takes about 8-10 hours this includes...

Interior spot clean and vac,
Engine bay Safe-D and Hyper,
Exterior including Clay, 2 passes of #80 and 1 coat of #21

[Tillmanator]

For just a wash and a tire/trim dressing, it's an hour with hubby and me working. For a full round of it with carpet, windows, interior, leather and then wash, clay, polish, and waxing twice, it's a good 6 hours or more. And that's by hand with hubby helping. And we have a small car.... '06 Mustang. I dread to think how long it might take with only one person and a larger vehicle.

[indigo s10]

I chose 5 hours, but that is on average. I've done 2 hours, and I 've done 2 days.

[shineshine]

I dread to think how long it might take with only one person and a larger vehicle.

....exactly tillmanator:iagree:

[Krazy Ken]

It depends on how much I do and what condition the paint is in in the first place. It could take any where from 2 hours to multiple days.

:iagree:
It is really hard to give a specific time frame. On my own vehicles I would say an average of 4 hours on the one I drive often. The one that just takes up garage space and I seldom drive (and actually don't need) an hour or so.

[GSKTech]

I only do 2 hours approx once a week.
However it breaks dows as follows:

1 hour to completly wash and dry.
1 hour to do some other detailing item

I.E
1 week it will be the interior
next week might be clay, polish, wax 1 or 2 panels
etc...

I often try different products to see which I like best
#7, 3 step DC, etc...
(I really cant wait to see the results of the PC using #80 & #20)

I also try to watch the "ShowCarGarage - How to DVD" at least once a week.
(BTW. the rotary version is coming out soon guys ! - get out your credit cards lol)

[hammer55]

this included both the rotary buffer and the G100.
do you mean one of those big two handled buffers 9" or 10" the cheepys, or what ??????

[Mike Phillips]

do you mean one of those big two handled buffers 9" or 10" the cheepys, or what ??????

You're describing a traditional orbital buffer. Very slow moving, very safe however very ineffective at removing defects out of modern clear coats. Here's a thread that explains the differences in tools.

Rotary vs PC vs Regular Orbital Buffer (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1395)


This is a rotary buffer with a W-7006 foam cutting pad pictures with some of our M84 Compound Power Cleaner. This combination is very aggressive and will remove serious defects out of just about any paint system but you have to be very careful around edges and high points so that you don't burn through the paint. You also have to be conscience of temperature when buffing flat areas that you don't create too much heat.

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2rotarybuffer84b-med.jpg

Here's a thread (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218) that shows what a rotary can do

[hammer55]

mike I used a 6" cheapy with some 83 on a white ford as practice, one spot, and with some work that spot was free of swirl marks, was wondering if it would be safe to use on a black car, thats why I tried it, don't have a g100 yet looking but want to know which assortment of pads to get, very unknowledgeable about it

[Mike Phillips]

mike I used a 6" cheapy with some 83 on a white ford as practice, one spot, and with some work that spot was free of swirl marks, was wondering if it would be safe to use on a black car, thats why I tried it, don't have a g100 yet looking but want to know which assortment of pads to get, very unknowledgeable about it

It's always a good idea to start a fresh thread for questions like this versus posting them to an existing thread that's discussing a different topic.

The answer to your question however is to give it a try and seen how a small test spot looks and then go from there.

[hammer55]

sorry about that

[gb387]

depends, anywhere from 4-8 depending the steps. Typically on my truck its 8 hours.

[jsfofec]

I must be doing something wrong. My honda pilot took me 16 hours and my honda accord took 15. How do you guys do it so fast?

When I just wash the car, it can easily take 3 hours to do the tires, wheels, wheel wells, and the car itself. After washing and drying I wipe it down with NXT speed detailer, NXT supreme shine on the tires and NXT Tech protect on the trim. That can easily take me 3 hours.

[shineshine]

I must be doing something wrong. My honda pilot took me 16 hours and my honda accord took 15. How do you guys do it so fast?

When I just wash the car, it can easily take 3 hours to do the tires, wheels, wheel wells, and the car itself. After washing and drying I wipe it down with NXT speed detailer, NXT supreme shine on the tires and NXT Tech protect on the trim. That can easily take me 3 hours.

maybe others have more better specific brushes and meguiar products for the tire dressing which makes it quicker to do...:o

[pcfxer]

I'm a professional with six years of experience. So, the experience and proper tools/techniques and tricks of the trade help with doing a quick detail. However, because of MOL and my obsession with getting better results I am ONLY doing quality details and the just really depends on the vehicle. I mean, it took Mike 16 hours for that truck, that's just an example of condition/expectation rather than brute force and speed....I guess that's what "detailing" really is.

[rascal]

10+ hours for me. I take the washing part very seriously, so I can be on that for about four to five hours. If I use #80 or #83, I figure in another five hours w/ taping off trim. If the car is under a carport for the night, I will go over the car with NXT the next day. If I don't have that option, I will add one coat of NXT wax that same day.

[kellyinkc]

Usually half a day. Now when I did my black one it was 2 days.
Depends on what your goals are.

[DaGonz]

Average time: 4 to 5 hours for an exterior detail.
Complete in and out: 6 to 7 hours.

I did do a detail on a heavily swirled wax in all the cracks and mouldings black F350 Dually that took me two days to complete!

Scottwax2 Scottwax2

[MotorcycleDetailing]

I voted for 10+ as I do:
My wifes car
Rinse, Wash, rewash, dry 1 to 2 hours
Clay
Paint Cleaner
Mask up 1+
Speed Glaze by DA Polisher
DC polish by hand
DC Wetlook by hand
DC Carunba wax by hand
remove masking tape
do trim 2+ by hand
APC engine bay and windows
then I think about doing the interior the next day.

6 hours +
My bike
Rinse, wash, dry 1+
clay
paint cleaner
Speed Glaze
DC polish
DC Wetlook
Hand polish all my chrome 3+
I do the above once a month and the following every week
rinse, wash, rewash
DC polish
DC carunba wax
once a week on both car and bike (along with chrome polishing on the bike).
This takes me a full day to do both.

[Jeepster04]

Last time I detailed me Jeep, it took a good 2days. I was new with the PC so it took me alittle longer than it would now.

-Washed it
-Clayed it
-DC 1
-# 7
-Thin coat of NXT
-Thin coat of #26

Cleaned my Highland floor guards, used Natural Shine on dash, swept the carpet, used Invisible glass on the windows. :xyxthumbs

Thats just the main steps, I didnt include all the small stuff. :coolgleam

[RobAGD]

Well I voted 10 hours because I assume your refering to doing a car thats has not been maintained.

Wash, Dry, Clay, #83, #80, NXT x2

Trim Detail, tires and wheels, vacuume and wipe down leather, windows etc

-R

[Tom Claessens]

My own car takes about 6 hours. (small car)
Max. time I needed was about 10 hours on a volvo v70.

[capitolason2]

The last truck I detailed took more that 20 hours. It was a work-as-you-get-the-time detail. However, the end result was well worth the amount of time I spent on the detail.

[Rusty Bumper]

One to two days for me, usually.

[ADHD]

detailing always takes me a full day!! I do eveything though!! take off my wheels the whole 9!

[Rusty Bumper]

detailing always takes me a full day!! I do eveything though!! take off my wheels the whole 9!
Really?

If I did that, it would take me 3 days to finish the job. :laughing

[buda]

The standard in the industry for the following:

Engine Clean
Wheel Clean
Jambs
Body Wash
Tar Removal
Trunk Clean & Shampoo
Complete Interior Clean & Shampoo
Dress Interior & Windows
Buff
Polish
Wax
Dress Trim & Tires
Final Detail

One man - 4 hours

[stang_krazy]

Scottwax2 with washing,test spots,interior,engine bays, doublechecking everything to see if i'm happy with my work, or like some detailers stated yes even days with some special intrest cars... it's not work it's passion!!!:spot

[rascal]

I know I replied to this already but, I have been slacking guys. I haven't detailed my car in over six months. It is covered completely in pollen, dust, bird poo and everything else. Time to get off the boat and put some "love" back into my car's finish. It will take me a full twelve hours at least.

[CWM3]

I voted for 5 hours because that is my average time. I could probably go lower in time but I am usually in no rush, I wake up early, and just take my time.

[J. A. Michaels]

I voted for seven. This is just a rough guesstimate. It all depends like it was said before; what are you trying to accomplish at this time.

[Jbirk]

I voted for 10+ as I do:
My wifes car
Rinse, Wash, rewash, dry 1 to 2 hours
Clay
Paint Cleaner
Mask up 1+
Speed Glaze by DA Polisher
DC polish by hand
DC Wetlook by hand
DC Carunba wax by hand
remove masking tape
do trim 2+ by hand
APC engine bay and windows
then I think about doing the interior the next day.

6 hours +
My bike
Rinse, wash, dry 1+
clay
paint cleaner
Speed Glaze
DC polish
DC Wetlook
Hand polish all my chrome 3+
I do the above once a month and the following every week
rinse, wash, rewash
DC polish
DC carunba wax
once a week on both car and bike (along with chrome polishing on the bike).
This takes me a full day to do both.

Just thought I would mention that drying should not take 1+ hours or 1 to 2 hours. Here is how I dry:

After washing, I get separate towels for the doors and door jams and gas cap lid and under the trunk. I get all the cracks first and use air from a can of air to get water out of the mirrors.

Now, I lightly spritz the area (panel) I am going to dry with a spray wax that is meant to be used while drying and use a chamois then immediately follow with the water magnet. This gets the entire car more than 99% dry, prevents runs, and spotting. If I miss something or do not have it all the way dry, it does not really mater because the next step for me is clay, which requires the area be wet again anyway.

If I am in a hurry and wish to clay, I just use the hose to keep the car wet to prevent spotting. I obviously work in the shade as well.

My Clay Procedure:
Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay removed from sandwich bag and spritzed with some form of a Quick Detailer then molded into a ball and flattened out. I then set it on the plastic bag and spray 1 spray of QD, so it doesn't stick.

Now, I mix up 2 spray bottles.
1 has soapy water, which I mix up with distilled water (no minerals or chemicals/very pure) and some car wash solution such as the Gold Class, since I am not going to buy the #000. I just make it nice and week to really just make a thick, slippery water.

I then fill the other spray bottle with distilled water as well. Please understand that I found a place where I buy 2 gallons of distilled/de-ionized water for 50 cents. This makes it cheaper 10 cents cheaper per gallon than what I drink. I buy the water from a chemical supplier in my area that ships all kinds of chemicals all over the USA. They have minerals, acids, water, and all kinds of stuff. The people that work there are awesome and allow me to buy stuff directly without forcing me to pay shipping, which in the case of water would be expensive.

I spray the car and one side of the clay with the soapy solution and clay, then wipe up the mess with a microfiber. I then spray the area with the distilled water and wipe it with another towel to make sure I leave no soap behind. The cost of using this very pure bottled water is very low, since I use only about half a gallon of it while claying. The results are just as good as when using a quick detailer.

You cannot go wrong when claying if your clay is of the right type, clean (no dirt), you use it on a clean car, and you use lots of lubricating liquid (just about anything that is more slippery than water). Obviously, if you use soapy solutions, you need to rinse when done.

_________________________
Popular Time Saving Technique:

Wash the car and leave it wet.

Spray on some slippery soap and clay then rinse again and dry.

[94BMW325CIS]

I take anywhere between 3-10 hours depending on what I do and what kind of car I'm detailing. I'm pretty new and not very fast due to my experience.

[pcmark]

For my garaged vehicle, I'll spread it over 3 evenings.

[onawrxhigh]

I chose over 10 hours, but it really depends on what I am working on. I have detailed 2 cars in one day that took 14 hours to complete between the 2. the first took 6 then the vette took the remaining 8. My two trucks take about 10hrs each. Most of my client's vehicle take from 8 to 12 hours to complete. This includes wash, clay, full interior, machine polish the paint, 2 coats of my lsp of choice, dress tires, clean windows, and a final wipe down.

Andrew

[G Force]

About 8 to 10 hours and it's still not perfect

[cv_soccer]

Even on my small car I spend almost 10 hours doing a "FULL" detail. When you consider that I do the steps below you can see how 10 hours can be spent very quickly.

1) wash, 2) dry, 3) clay, 4) clean paint, 5) evaluate, 6) test spot, 7) tape off car, 8) polish/cleaner (M80), 9) alcohol wipe down, 10) evaluate , 11) repeat #8 if needed, 12) fine polish (M07), 13) sealant (NXT 2.0), 14) The next day second coat (NXT 2.0), 15) Time for a BEER, admire your work, and watch your neighbors turn green with envy.

Thank to Mike P., Mike P., Murr1525 (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/member.php?u=1906) and many others for your advise as you had thsi all possible.

My ride months after a detail but just after a wash and UQD wipe down.
http://www.wildensten.com/GTI/583a.JPG

[cv_soccer]

About 8 to 10 hours and it's still not perfectAre they ever perfect?

[G Force]

Are they ever perfect?


Nice v w :xyxthumbs

It's so good trying to reach unreachable stars

[christian6984]

As a rough guide (i have only even done small cars) 6-8 hours for a 'as near to perfect as i can do' would include.

Wash + Dry- 30mins
Vacuum - 30 mins
Clay - 1hr
Mask Plastics Off - 15 mins
PC #83 - 1-2hrs
PC #80 - 1hr
Hand GC Liquid Wax - 30 min
Dress Tyres - 15 mins
Dress Trim - 15mins

Thats roughly just over 5 hours but is flexible depending on car and how bad certain parts can be and taking short breaks in between jobs for a snack and drink.
May take a bit longer to dress interior trim and clean glass.

[smokin]

About 3 to4hrs. to wash and wax ,clean interior of own cars. Takes 8 to 10 on customers car or boat.

[Mike Phillips]

Too long...

;) :laughingScottwax1

[cv_soccer]

Nice v w :xyxthumbs

It's so good trying to reach unreachable starsThank, my dealer like it also.

[CAShine]

I take atleast 8 hours if I am detailing for someone. If I have enough sunlight it could take longer.

[montanajem]

6 hours to 2 days, depending on vehicle.

[Heatgain]

I chose six hours, but that's actually a minimum.

[99max]

Back in the fall, I did wash and DCS on my Maxima and it took me about 6 hours total; but I was pleased with the results, so its worth it! :bigups

[Derrick]

well for me it depends on what detail package im doing like my showroom usually takes about 12 to 20 hrs and then my ultimate detail takes me about 2 days. but both of those packages include compounding, polishing paint and metal (chrome, aluminum), waxing, interior, engine bay, and the ultimate i even do the undercarage but that one is mainly used for people looking to go to showcar compititions

[Silverado12]

Depends on the car. For an average sized car, I'd say it usually takes me six hours minimum (usually eight hours if I'm not pressed for time) for a wash, clay, cleaner-polish, and wax 2x. It takes around 10 hours on a truck/SUV when there is a bunch of paint to polish. I always take my time and focus on each individual panel to get the most out of my work. Usually on a truck, I will take two days to work because I run out of sunlight, which is critical during the cleaner polish step to ensure 100% swirl removal.

[Brents Classic Custom Detail]

Well for us it depends on the size/type of vehicle and what they want. Of course also how really dirty it is,. We try to push (if poss. and it meets our inspection process) 3- 4 vehicles in our shop per day and mabye 2 on sat. !

[bookeem]

long as it takes...

[RaskyR1]

Well it will all depend on who the car is for and what they are looking to get out of it. I try to do dealer cars in 3 hours but the work I really enjoy doing will be 10+ hours jobs for high end customers. Scottwax2

[Renny Doyle]

Our man-hours are all over the board depending on the vehicle and the service we provide. The average retail level detail on a sedan is 4 man-hours while the average large SUV such as an H1 can be 8 man-hours.

For a show car finish or if we are doing a Barrett-Jackson car...easily double or triple those times. In 2006 we detailed a 67 Vette that sold for over $250,000.00 at the event and I spent two-days on just the paint getting it to perfection!

Great to read the lengths that people go to make it shine and I am glad I am not the only nut around!

[new2detailing]

The easy answer is that it depends...I did a Lexus SUV and spent 4-5 hours on the interior alone (owner had three kids that trashed the interior) and 2 hours on the exterior. SUV constantly garage kept and maintained. However, I try to block out a half a day for one detail. ( I do not like to be rushed)

[SHYNEMAN123]

The 1929 Pierce Arrow I Have In My Photos Took Me 55 Hrs Just On The Paint And Chrome.

Don't Settle For A Shine You Can Live With,wait For The One You Cant Live Without.

[sniper]

8 hours to detail (4 inside/4outside)c2000,105,83x2,7x2,26 and 20 outside.

[b2bomber]

over 10 hours -- primarily because I take my time... gives me reason to enjoy the two days (first 8 hours on the first day and the rest of the following day) of just "peace and quiet". :-D and more reason to have soda. :-D wash, soda, clay, soda, cleaner, soda, etc. etc. hehehe.

[mustang50]

Close to 12 hours for clean, clay, polish, wax, engine detail, and 2 rims and wheel wells. About 14 hours total if you include the other 2 rims and wheel wells

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s241/mygt500_album/ctmpphpVS3KCA.jpg

[littlejim82]

that truck is cool




EDITED FOR NON-FAMILY FRIENDLY CONTENT-Andy M.

[GOHEMI]

I used the Meguiar's DeepCrystal 3 Step system, and the Porter Cable 7424 DA polisher on my 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T (with many body decals and groves and gaps that need to be masked first) and to do all 3 steps as directed, plus some ScratchX treatments here and there, it took me 4.5 hours, and I didn't even do the hood and front (but I did the roof!).

Very nice deep lustrous shine, though. I think it's okay to detail your car in stages. I think doing it all at once is too much work, on a car like this anyway. Since it is still in excellent condition, you can get away with breaking in down into certain sections at a time.


This is a "Meguiar's Car"! Look at the shine.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/GoHemi/PA180006.jpg


http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd204/GoHemi/PA240005.jpg