How Long Do You Detail?

[Perfectshine]

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]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

9-12hrs for a detail for me.

I do everything by hand.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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.




After - note it's dark now...

[Lydia]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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.




After - note it's dark now...

Dude.....is that your truck

[GTBrad]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

Dude.....is that your truck

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]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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

[Perfectshine]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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

....exactly tillmanator

[Krazy Ken]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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.

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]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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]

Re: How Long Do You Detail?

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


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.



Here's a thread that shows what a rotary can do