How much do you tip your detailer?

Coiled03

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2004
Messages
12,265
Location
IL
Name calling lol. Have fun getting pocket raped by your detailer.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Blown 89

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
8,699
Location
AZ
The detail prep is where the cost is. Yes i could do it myself but the proper prep is time consuming. On the other hand, detailers generally cut corners in the interest of saving time. Pick your poison.
 

Outlaw99

Join us.
Moderator
Premium Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2002
Messages
18,103
Location
North Carolina
Good detailers are worth it.

I had a saying, if you think hiring a good detailer is expensive, try hiring a bad one.

Over the years i have seen some "pop up detailers" really jack up peoples cars.

Had a guy bring me a car, he paid his neighbors 17 year old son, whos a "professional" detailer. The kid used wesleys bleach white on black leather seats.

The car was black and the kid used an autozone buffer with compound. Huge deep swirl marks over the entire car.

The kid also used the bleach white on the chrome rims.

It was the most horrific detail job i have ever seen.

He paid the kid $200. Took me 2 days to fix that car.

There was one detailer in town that kept me pretty busy fixing his screw ups.

Sent from my LG V30 ThinQ using the svtperformance.com mobile app
 

_Snake_

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
3,663
Location
Flo-Rida
Good detailers are worth it.

I had a saying, if you think hiring a good detailer is expensive, try hiring a bad one.

Over the years i have seen some "pop up detailers" really jack up peoples cars.

Had a guy bring me a car, he paid his neighbors 17 year old son, whos a "professional" detailer. The kid used wesleys bleach white on black leather seats.

The car was black and the kid used an autozone buffer with compound. Huge deep swirl marks over the entire car.

The kid also used the bleach white on the chrome rims.

It was the most horrific detail job i have ever seen.

He paid the kid $200. Took me 2 days to fix that car.

There was one detailer in town that kept me pretty busy fixing his screw ups.

Sent from my LG V30 ThinQ using the svtperformance.com mobile app

I had a “detailer” burn the clear coat off of my factory fender flares. All four of them.

Then his high speed buffer flung my painted mirror cap across the driveway.

He never said a word to me about the damage so I made sure to spread the word about his shoddy work.
 

Outlaw99

Join us.
Moderator
Premium Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2002
Messages
18,103
Location
North Carolina
I had a “detailer” burn the clear coat off of my factory fender flares. All four of them.

Then his high speed buffer flung my painted mirror cap across the driveway.

He never said a word to me about the damage so I made sure to spread the word about his shoddy work.


wow. yep, thats exactly what I was talking about.

We all love our cars and are enthusiests. Pick a good detailer. not your neighbor, not your co workers son looking for a summer job. Make sure theyve been in business a while. read their reviews and look at their work.

Hell, I dont let people drive my jeep at all, and believe me people ask, If I didnt know how to properly detail, I wouldnt let anyone touch it.
 

DSG2003Mach1

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2004
Messages
15,913
Location
Central Fl
Good detailers are worth it.

I had a saying, if you think hiring a good detailer is expensive, try hiring a bad one.

Over the years i have seen some "pop up detailers" really jack up peoples cars.

Had a guy bring me a car, he paid his neighbors 17 year old son, whos a "professional" detailer. The kid used wesleys bleach white on black leather seats.

The car was black and the kid used an autozone buffer with compound. Huge deep swirl marks over the entire car.

The kid also used the bleach white on the chrome rims.

It was the most horrific detail job i have ever seen.

He paid the kid $200. Took me 2 days to fix that car.

There was one detailer in town that kept me pretty busy fixing his screw ups.

Sent from my LG V30 ThinQ using the svtperformance.com mobile app

We saw one of those mobile detailers the other day basically using a push broom to wash the car. He used the same brush in degreaser to clean the rims first.
 

GNBRETT

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Beer Money Bros.
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Messages
4,548
Location
Middle Earth
Wow freakn badass truck bro! Really! Thing is beautiful! And looks amazing. But ur right depends on where u go, size of car, condition of car, how many coats u want....etc.

I said I was guessing at the cost. Most of the guys on the other Mustang forum are paying anywheres from $1,200 to way more than that. I guess it all depends on where you go? Plus, it depends on the shape of your car, angles and all that good stuff. It takes a little while to fully "prep" the paint. You need to get it squeaky clean and get some of the oils out as well. Some paints are softer, some are harder.
I plan on going to CRAFT DETAILING. Check out this 2017 Silverado. NASTY!!

View attachment 1607596
View attachment 1607597
View attachment 1607598
 

tones_RS3

I like members members.
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
21,281
Location
MA
Wow freakn badass truck bro! Really! Thing is beautiful! And looks amazing. But ur right depends on where u go, size of car, condition of car, how many coats u want....etc.
Thanks.

Not my truck, but just wanted to show the pride and amazing job that shop does. It's up on their website as well as some of the Teslas, Porsche cars, Mustangs, and etc.
Well worth the money, in my opinion.
 

nxhappy

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
10,031
Location
AZ
we pay $150 for a full detail, inside and out. $225 would have to be DAMN good. If you are happy maybe tip 5-10 bux? But $225 seems high to me. Unless the ****er is spending 10 hours on the car LOL.
 

08mojo

...
Established Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2012
Messages
2,681
Location
Atlanta, GA
For a quick car wash and vacuum that cost less than $25, I'll tip those workers. For the guy charging $80-$150(in @tones_RS3 case) per hour , I am not leaving a tip.

NO ****ING WAY!!!!!!

You need to PROPERLY prep the paint for ceramic coating. You ever see the "self doers" with their ceramic coatings on their vehicles?!?!
Low spots and high spots galore. LOL
I'll have the professionals do it. ;) :D

I don't blame you for paying someone to do the work, as it does take some time. However, not a single part of the process is difficult, especially on a new car that has very little damage to the paint. He should be able to do a minor correction and polish in one (maybe two) step with a DA orbital buffer. Then, it is ready for the ceramic coating--which is STUPID simple. You don't mask anything: coating goes on the trim (except soft rubber), headlights, tail lights in one easy pass; and in less than one hour (really less than 30 minutes).

The poor application from the DIY you've seen is likely because they tried to use it like wax: they put on waaayyyy too much product. It's a very thin, light coating to get the job done.
 
Last edited:

DSG2003Mach1

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2004
Messages
15,913
Location
Central Fl
we pay $150 for a full detail, inside and out. $225 would have to be DAMN good. If you are happy maybe tip 5-10 bux? But $225 seems high to me. Unless the ****er is spending 10 hours on the car LOL.

the fallout on my truck (4 door f150) was pretty damned terrible thanks to work and my dog is always in there making a mess of things. Suffice to say I had let the truck go for quiet a while just using the stupid drive through places. They put 8-9 hours into it.

its been hell to find a detailer around here honestly - so many people that never called back, one that never showed up etc...
 

08mojo

...
Established Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2012
Messages
2,681
Location
Atlanta, GA
the fallout on my truck (4 door f150) was pretty damned terrible thanks to work and my dog is always in there making a mess of things. Suffice to say I had let the truck go for quiet a while just using the stupid drive through places. They put 8-9 hours into it.

its been hell to find a detailer around here honestly - so many people that never called back, one that never showed up etc...

Okay, I might change my stance a bit. As a dog owner, I know how bad it can get if I don't vacuum and clean it up from time to time. Our dog rides in our beater which is rarely washed, and it is pretty dirty/gross at this point. If I were to bring in the beater, in its current state especially, I'd leave a tip for the detailer.
 

tones_RS3

I like members members.
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
21,281
Location
MA
I don't blame you for paying someone to do the work, as it does take some time. However, not a single part of the process is difficult, especially on a new car that has very little damage to the paint. He should be able to do a minor correction and polish in one (maybe two) step with a DA orbital buffer. Then, it is ready for the ceramic coating--which is STUPID simple. You don't mask anything: coating goes on the trim (except soft rubber), headlights, tail lights in one easy pass; and in less than one hour (really less than 30 minutes).

The poor application from the DIY you've seen is likely because they tried to use it like wax: they put on waaayyyy too much product. It's a very thin, light coating to get the job done.
Yes, it is VERY time consuming. I agree. (I guess that's why it cost so much as well. Don't forget cost of product.)
PLUS, the paint has to be perfect. You have to be careful with putting the ceramic coatings on properly or else you get high or low spots and they will show.
But,.....that's all futile if the paint isn't perfect in the first place.
 

nxhappy

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
10,031
Location
AZ
the fallout on my truck (4 door f150) was pretty damned terrible thanks to work and my dog is always in there making a mess of things. Suffice to say I had let the truck go for quiet a while just using the stupid drive through places. They put 8-9 hours into it.

its been hell to find a detailer around here honestly - so many people that never called back, one that never showed up etc...
if they spent 8-9 hours, $225 is a good deal lol. Around here shit is about $80-100 per hour. Our guy spent I think 3 hours for a full cut/polish and interior for $150 but the car looked new. 8 hours is a long time I would pay $400 for that.
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top