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View Poll Results: How long does it take you do to a full workover, and how often do you do it?
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10min - 1 hour
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6 |
4.11% |
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1 - 2 hours
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36 |
24.66% |
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3 - 4 hours
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49 |
33.56% |
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5+ hours
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54 |
36.99% |
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Once every 3 days
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3 |
2.05% |
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Once a week
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20 |
13.70% |
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Once every two weeks
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22 |
15.07% |
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Once a month
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40 |
27.40% |
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Once every 6 months to a year
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39 |
26.71% |
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Just when it rains
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3 |
2.05% |
09-12-2005, 03:48 PM
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#21
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Parabellum
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Ocala, FL
Age: 25
Posts: 1,628
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
It takes me 4hrs or so to wash it twice, get the bugs off and tar, clean wheel wells and fender lips out, wax, vacuum, armor all, cleaninside of windows. I just washed and cleaned out interior saterday and took me bout hour and half. I have not clayed it in a year, its sucha PITA.
__________________
1997 K1500-5.7L-Duals-AEM Brute force-Upgraded ign sys.- Detroit Trutrac, COOPER STT 285, 3:42's DVD player HU, KX1200.1, 2 kicker 10" L7's, Polk Components, TYC HID's, Shiftkit Built Trny
2001 Camaro Z28 lotsa goodies-Mid 12's.
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09-13-2005, 09:37 PM
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#22
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Non-Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Next door
Posts: 325
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Takes me about 16 hours. I do it all in one day. I do the wheel wells, undercarriage ect. Most people call me crazy, but when I drive away they think im in a new truck. Thats wash, wax, exterior,interior,-everything. I just do it whenever the truck needs it. Sometimes I can go 6 months. Sometimes 1. Just depends.
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09-23-2005, 10:42 PM
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#23
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Fort Fun, IN
Age: 5
Posts: 698
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Used to own/operate a reconditioning facility. We did complete details on full size trucks in about 6 labor hours. This included pressure washing frame and undercarriage, engine degrease, washing bed, complete shampoo and clean on all interior materials, detailed cleaning, and 3 stage compound/polish/wax on paint, polish chrome and wheels. Obviously we'd spend more time on the nasty old construction trucks and beat up used ones. It was a treat to get a private customer's ride that he/she cared for and about.
Using pressure washers, carpet extractors, and air compressors really speeds the process. We did a volume of these vehicles, too, so that helped us be more accustomed to doing the special things that GM trucks required to look top notch.
Reading this part of the forum makes me miss the business even more.
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09-26-2005, 07:10 PM
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#24
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The Poorest High Roller
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: San Antonio
Age: 27
Posts: 429
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man u should put a 2 days on there lol. it takes a day to wash and compound the truck, cause I have to go slow not to rub all the paint off lol. then anouther day just to color restore and wax it. good thing the detail shop at my work only charges me 5 bucks to do it 
__________________
'72 custom 20
chevy 400 Race mod'd holley 750 carb.( R.I.P. broken cam crank and anything else u can name bottom end lol)
custom th350 B&M shifter and kit's.
*soon* 383 stroker, yet to decide boost or NA.
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09-27-2005, 07:45 PM
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#25
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Fort Fun, IN
Age: 5
Posts: 698
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
For those of you taking 12-16 hours on a vehicle, I have a suggestion to make the work easier and the results better: pressure washer. A GOOD pressure washer with correct PSI and flow will make the long jobs (cleaning wheel wells and frame rails) go in minutes instead of an hour or more.
Chemicals are a plus. Use the good ones and know your steps and they can take a job like engine compartment cleaning/degreasing from several hours and a gallon or more of cleaner down to 15 minutes and a few ounces.
When I first started in business, EVERYTHING was done by hand except for vacuuming. Compound a dull old lacquer paint job by hand and then have a few more to do the next day and you'll start to learn about rotary machines and pads quickly.
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09-27-2005, 07:54 PM
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#26
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GO SOX!!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: maine
Age: 31
Posts: 2,800
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Pete-FWA
For those of you taking 12-16 hours on a vehicle, I have a suggestion to make the work easier and the results better: pressure washer.
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I'll speak for myself here but the reason it takes me so long is because I enjoy my truck and enjoy cleaning it. Ya I could cut the time in half or more but I just find it peaceful cleaning it.
Although I really want a pressure washer but find them too expensive! Any recommendations on a brand.
__________________
-Chad
Project- 1976 C-10 472 Cadillac Big Block |
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09-27-2005, 08:11 PM
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#27
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Fort Fun, IN
Age: 5
Posts: 698
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Enjoying the truck is what it's all about! I agree with ya' there. That's how I got started in business. Used to work on family cars as a little kid, then with/for friends in high school. Often times it was an excuse to get together and shoot the bull, but somehow we DID get a car detailed in the process. Turned my hobby into a business-sure is nice to work on my own at home now that I'm out of the business. Start on it, then stop for some grilling, then back to work. People stop by, help out, leave....I'm still there enjoying my vehicles.
Pressure washers have come down in price. At our business we had an electric with a 3-phase high leg 220V motor. It was made by Karcher. This thing was bulletproof. The gasoline model was a custom built unit with a Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine and a Cat pump. Cat pumps are the best for durability and serviceability. Lots of the big box stores are now selling under $1000 units with 3 GPM and 2000-3000 PSI.
Don't bother with the tiny electric ones that Karcher and many others offer now. Sure, they ARE a pressure washer, but they put out so little volume at such low pressure that it won't help a person degreasing an engine or doing wheel wells.
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09-27-2005, 08:50 PM
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#28
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chino, CA
Posts: 358
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
PW wouldn't help me much... the time isn't in the cleaning, it's in the multiple layers of glaze.
__________________
-- Rich
2006 Silverado 2500HD Duramax 4x4
Member: CORVA, BRC
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09-28-2005, 09:19 PM
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#29
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Age: 25
Posts: 17
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
So far I have only waxed my Sierra once but it took a good day to do.
I try to wax it every 3-4 months....but its hard to do when I am the caretaker for all the cars in the family. Between my Sierra, my dads Silverado, my moms Bravada, my sisters Vibe and the Corvette, it makes me tired thinking about it...lol 
__________________
2005 GMC SLE, Z71, Xcab, 5.3 H.O. LOADED
2006 Silverado LT2, 4x4, Xcab, LB, Dmax, 6 Speed Alison
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10-06-2005, 06:48 AM
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#30
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Blackstone Valley
Age: 53
Posts: 1,374
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Mine needs it severely.Its one handed for me.Every single time.I get to wash it,it rains or its gonna rain.Gotta get a good coat of wax behind the bumpers befor winter.
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10-08-2005, 11:34 AM
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#31
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Got AFR?
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,442
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
I try to wax mine once every two months and I wash it every 2 weeks and do the interior too. Zaino is the best stuff yet...I plan on doing that nexy month but if I don't use Zaino...I use Liquid Glass....good stuff!!
__________________
 
1990 C1500 Chevy Sport
Always a work in progress!!
2007 Chevrolet Classic CCSB 2wd
5.3L/4L60E/3.23/G80
Corsa Sport, AEM BF CAI, E-fans, HP Tuners
2008 Pontiac G8 GT
6.0L/6L80E/2.93/LSD
CAI/HP Tuners
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10-09-2005, 10:46 PM
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#32
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Broken Down Auto Detailer
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: polk county, florida
Posts: 140
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
It takes me about 4 hours to *detail* my truck. I clean and dress the interior. sampoo the carpets. machine polish the paint, apply a sealent and 3 coats of wax. Polish out the 22's and seal them. clean and dress the motor. i do this 4 times a year.
Every week though it gets washed, vacuumed out, and wiped down.. takes me about 45 minutes.
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Last edited by TrueDetailer; 10-09-2005 at 10:47 PM.
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10-09-2005, 11:13 PM
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#33
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formerly 9in4x4
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Cali
Age: 23
Posts: 3,017
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by TrueDetailer
It takes me about 4 hours to *detail* my truck. I clean and dress the interior. sampoo the carpets. machine polish the paint, apply a sealent and 3 coats of wax. Polish out the 22's and seal them. clean and dress the motor. i do this 4 times a year.
Every week though it gets washed, vacuumed out, and wiped down.. takes me about 45 minutes.
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you can get that all done in 4 hours? DAMN
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10-09-2005, 11:56 PM
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#34
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Broken Down Auto Detailer
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: polk county, florida
Posts: 140
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by NorCal_z71
you can get that all done in 4 hours? DAMN
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Yes i can, I'm a professional detailer and i've been detailing for a long time. So i know exactly what i'm doing and how to do it in the shortest time. Plus i keep my truck clean so its not like i'm detailing a beater.
__________________
Last edited by TrueDetailer; 10-09-2005 at 11:56 PM.
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10-10-2005, 12:32 AM
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#35
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parrot on the bandwagon
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: lala land
Posts: 3,420
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
you're quick. i ran my own detailing show for a while putting myself through some school. pressure washer, snap on buffer, all the chem's, etc.. i am very picky and probably spent too much time on little things most wouldn't. i'd charge $200 for the full works. take me 10 to 16 hours. but there was not a spot of dust, spec of dirt or grease in the interior carpet, nor a single hard water spot left on the paint when i was done. immaculant inside, out, and underneath. half day for a quick rework of everything on a vehicle that was well kept up. but most of my jobs were very dirty and water spotted. also have salts on the road in winter here for the snow.
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10-10-2005, 01:27 AM
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#36
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formerly 9in4x4
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Cali
Age: 23
Posts: 3,017
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by TrueDetailer
Yes i can, I'm a professional detailer and i've been detailing for a long time. So i know exactly what i'm doing and how to do it in the shortest time. Plus i keep my truck clean so its not like i'm detailing a beater.
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true, its a lot easier after the first huge overall. Unfortunately i have been so busy lately i have no had time to get my truck back into shape so to speak. what products do you usually go for? i just picked up my rotary about a month ago and have yet to use it, so i need to work in time for that next weekend for a major detail sesh.
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10-12-2005, 12:08 PM
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#37
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Drives a Jeep
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Age: 22
Posts: 2,271
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by NorCal_z71
true, its a lot easier after the first huge overall. Unfortunately i have been so busy lately i have no had time to get my truck back into shape so to speak. what products do you usually go for? i just picked up my rotary about a month ago and have yet to use it, so i need to work in time for that next weekend for a major detail sesh.
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I thought you bought a PC? 
__________________
92 Jeep Wrangler 2.5 ltr 5 spd. Mods slowly starting...
Details By Dolan, Santa Rosa CA
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10-12-2005, 01:02 PM
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#38
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formerly 9in4x4
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Cali
Age: 23
Posts: 3,017
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by LikeaRock14
I thought you bought a PC? |
have had the PC for quite awhile, bout a year and a half now, but i just got a chicago rotary as recommened on autopia.org to see how i like the more dangerous tools  . i am hoping i will get some time to try it out this weekend, gonna practice on the roof since its got two enormous scratches (fawking garage doors) so it will be repainted this winter anyway
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10-12-2005, 02:45 PM
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#39
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Drives a Jeep
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Age: 22
Posts: 2,271
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
I remember your post about those scratches
The Chicago is easy to work with. It does bog down when you apply pressure, but not bad. Just keep it at an adequate speed (1500-2000) and you should be fine. I had maybe 2 hours of rotary experience before I tackled my car with it, and it's easy as hell to use now. I still get very few swirls every now and then, but the PC takes those out. Justtake your time with it. It took me like 4-5 hours to get my sisters Ram as best I could without burning the paint or leaving swirls, and I finished it without a flaw
I really want a DeWalt 849 now, but I can't justify $250+ at the moment 
__________________
92 Jeep Wrangler 2.5 ltr 5 spd. Mods slowly starting...
Details By Dolan, Santa Rosa CA
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10-12-2005, 08:32 PM
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#40
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.........................
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Scottsboro/Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Age: 20
Posts: 5,911
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Re: How long does it take you to do the deed?
Do most of yall take off the wheels to clean them?
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