Professional Paint Correction
That could be high, again based on what needs to be done.
If you have imperfections that can be cleaned up with 1 stage polishing, then that would be high. But if you need multiple stage compounding to remove oxidation, major swirls, etc, then that is in the ballpark.
If you have imperfections that can be cleaned up with 1 stage polishing, then that would be high. But if you need multiple stage compounding to remove oxidation, major swirls, etc, then that is in the ballpark.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 50
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I would say $450 is on the high side *just* for the exterior paint, unless you have tree sap and/or unusually severe paint issues. I'm in So Cal but I have a guy who custom mixes his own waxes and polishes depending on paint type and he charges me $300 for inside/outside detail that takes about 6 hours, including engine bay, and his work is flawless. Perhaps best to ask the Nor Cal guys if they have a recommendation for you.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 117
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Have you ever done the job yourself?
It takes me two days by hand for a light polish, sealer and wax.
When I bought my car it was covered in swirls and scratches. I had someone who is a kept my car for 4 days. Two clay bar sessions, machine polishing in several grade, waxing etc. This guy does detailing for very high end cars...ferraris, lambours..bentleys.
He charges them $2000, and he keeps it for at least a week.
I got a deal since he was a friend of the family and I paid $800. I still have swirls..he was reluctant to do more since the paint was very thin.
Face it. OB paint will look horrible in the sun, up close, no matter how fine the job is.
Just get used to it. I am going to trade it in for a different color or buy a GTR
It takes me two days by hand for a light polish, sealer and wax.
When I bought my car it was covered in swirls and scratches. I had someone who is a kept my car for 4 days. Two clay bar sessions, machine polishing in several grade, waxing etc. This guy does detailing for very high end cars...ferraris, lambours..bentleys.
He charges them $2000, and he keeps it for at least a week.
I got a deal since he was a friend of the family and I paid $800. I still have swirls..he was reluctant to do more since the paint was very thin.
Face it. OB paint will look horrible in the sun, up close, no matter how fine the job is.
Just get used to it. I am going to trade it in for a different color or buy a GTR
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Have you ever done the job yourself?
It takes me two days by hand for a light polish, sealer and wax.
When I bought my car it was covered in swirls and scratches. I had someone who is a kept my car for 4 days. Two clay bar sessions, machine polishing in several grade, waxing etc. This guy does detailing for very high end cars...ferraris, lambours..bentleys.
He charges them $2000, and he keeps it for at least a week.
I got a deal since he was a friend of the family and I paid $800. I still have swirls..he was reluctant to do more since the paint was very thin.
Face it. OB paint will look horrible in the sun, up close, no matter how fine the job is.
Just get used to it. I am going to trade it in for a different color or buy a GTR
It takes me two days by hand for a light polish, sealer and wax.
When I bought my car it was covered in swirls and scratches. I had someone who is a kept my car for 4 days. Two clay bar sessions, machine polishing in several grade, waxing etc. This guy does detailing for very high end cars...ferraris, lambours..bentleys.
He charges them $2000, and he keeps it for at least a week.
I got a deal since he was a friend of the family and I paid $800. I still have swirls..he was reluctant to do more since the paint was very thin.
Face it. OB paint will look horrible in the sun, up close, no matter how fine the job is.
Just get used to it. I am going to trade it in for a different color or buy a GTR
well i'm going to give it a shot. it has horrible swirl marks on the right rear. also, i'm finally getting my door fixed (again) since it didnt come out right the first time. The detailer I'm working with is taking care of sending my car to the body shop and then detailing the entire car. Said it'll take him about two days to do what he wants to do with polish. Guess it's what I'm getting myself for Christmas!
and I have done some myself, but have not achieved the results I want. also, right now, I just do not have the time to spend with my baby, unfortunately.
and I have done some myself, but have not achieved the results I want. also, right now, I just do not have the time to spend with my baby, unfortunately.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 135
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From: 312
I would say $450 is on the high side *just* for the exterior paint, unless you have tree sap and/or unusually severe paint issues. I'm in So Cal but I have a guy who custom mixes his own waxes and polishes depending on paint type and he charges me $300 for inside/outside detail that takes about 6 hours, including engine bay, and his work is flawless. Perhaps best to ask the Nor Cal guys if they have a recommendation for you.
Most "detailers" use fillers so that they fill in the scratches and your car looks almost "liquid" color but you will quickly be in the same position again once the fillers wash off.
I will have a pretty detailed thread in this section next week with lots of pics, procedures, and product descriptions.
Here is a little teaser pic of the front quarter panel, right above the wheel arc. Note: This is after a proper wash, clay bar, and one step polish.
When I do my car it usually takes a good 12 hours plus and I split it up into two afternoons. I also go slow and get all the little things that other people wouldn't notice, thats with the interior too. I do some light detailing on the side and would probably charge 200-250 depending on what all needs to be done. I'm by no means a professional, but I still know enough to get the job done right and make it look good.
When I do my car it usually takes a good 12 hours plus and I split it up into two afternoons. I also go slow and get all the little things that other people wouldn't notice, thats with the interior too. I do some light detailing on the side and would probably charge 200-250 depending on what all needs to be done. I'm by no means a professional, but I still know enough to get the job done right and make it look good.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 13
From: USA
our black is fragile and impossible to keep perfect. I'm going to try my best to keep it in good quality (OUTSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP SCREWING MY PAINT), but we have to realize there's only so much we can do.
Sure it looks great in silver. but it looks awesome in black.
Sure it looks great in silver. but it looks awesome in black.