Thread: How much should i pay?

I know its not really a tip or trick but I need some advice.

I moved into an apartment in December and I haven't been able to properly clean the exterior of my car since.
Ive been using quick detailer and the like to try and keep it good along with the local drive through car wash.

I looked at my car yesterday and its not working, there is stubborn dirt in places the wash misses the detailer cant handle and I really need a wax.

There is a local car wash place that does hand washes and wax. I want to get the car hand washed including the wheels doorjamb tire dressing etc. I also want a hand wax.
The car is a 15 and not even a year old yet so the paint doesn't need any corrections.
How much is reasonable to pay somewhere?

link to what Im thinking about doing: http://carpooldetail.com/richmond-hand-wash-and-wax/

round here thats gonna be a 200+ job for a full auto detail inside and out with a buffer for the wax or what ever products they use.

or buy a HF dual action buffer and have at it yourself. what i did, best 70 bucks spent. well a 100 after pads, but they last a long while.

I don't need the interior done, I keep that spotless myself. I cant go the buffer rout because my apartment has a strict policy about that. Im about to start launching complaints and I don't want to give them any ammo to use against me.
I could spare 150 to get a really solid cleaning clay job and wax as long as it lasts.

Originally Posted by 04lss

I don't need the interior done, I keep that spotless myself. I cant go the buffer rout because my apartment has a strict policy about that. Im about to start launching complaints and I don't want to give them any ammo to use against me.
I could spare 150 to get a really solid cleaning clay job and wax as long as it lasts.

you need a cool friend with a house and a driveway like i got. im stuck in the apartment life too, it sucks. i do all my work over there, even did my engine swap in his garage. needless to say, i do my car washing there and buffing. aka, 99% of my work goes on at his house......so glad he's cool with it.

For those that are in an apartment, a rinseless wash and/or a waterless wash is a good way to go. You can even follow up with a simple spray wax for some sort of protection.

It doesn't take much to do a rinseless wash, clay and wax.

Go check that place out and see what kind of work they do. Some places do a good job and others don't. You can even go on a forum like Autogeek if you prefer to find a professional detailer.

Originally Posted by The Guz

For those that are in an apartment, a rinseless wash and/or a waterless wash is a good way to go. You can even follow up with a simple spray wax for some sort of protection.

It doesn't take much to do a rinseless wash, clay and wax.

Go check that place out and see what kind of work they do. Some places do a good job and others don't. You can even go on a forum like Autogeek if you prefer to find a professional detailer.

Ive been using the waterless wash but theres some hard core dirt now. I think If I try to get it off im gonna scratch the paint. This place is one of the best in town. They service the supercars of the area

You can go to a car wash and rise it off. You can then follow up with a rinseless wash using the Gary Dean method. Meguiar's D114 is a great product.

Why need t just use one of those garden sprayers to wash those tough spots? I haven't lived in an apartment in about 18 years but our complex had a strict policy about working on cars and such but I just did it anyway. They would send me letters and such but I didn't really care. What are they going to do?

Jeff

I called the local place and they START at 65 for just a wash..... I don't think so.

Originally Posted by 04lss

I called the local place and they START at 65 for just a wash..... I don't think so.

$65 is reasonable. Do you expect them to pay you when you bring a car there for them to detail, or what?

Or get a couple buckets w/ grit guards, soap, wash mitt, and your method of drying and go to a local car wash and do it.

Originally Posted by WhiteLightningGTP

$65 is reasonable. Do you expect them to pay you when you bring a car there for them to detail, or what?

Or get a couple buckets w/ grit guards, soap, wash mitt, and your method of drying and go to a local car wash and do it.

The rest of the places in the area charge 80 for a hand wash and wax.

probably just going to go down to the self wash and take my supplies with me.

buy a little sports man generator and work in walmarts parking lot lol

Originally Posted by 04lss

I called the local place and they START at 65 for just a wash..... I don't think so.

You get what you pay for. You either pay a pro or pay a hack that will jack up your paint. Your call.