600 Quid Detail !!
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You know, I'm a member of both forums but the DW lot are a lot friendlier and more helpful than some on here.
There are two camps here. People who get detailing and people who don't. We could have a similar argument about Mont Blanc pens, or Breitling watches, or Sonos audio equipment or anything else that isn't cheap but is good qaulity..... You either understand and value a product/service or you don't. If you don't then those who do are labelled as being mad, or have OCD, or having more money than sense.
It's a choice, simple as that. No one here has the right to say say either choice is wrong.
There are two camps here. People who get detailing and people who don't. We could have a similar argument about Mont Blanc pens, or Breitling watches, or Sonos audio equipment or anything else that isn't cheap but is good qaulity..... You either understand and value a product/service or you don't. If you don't then those who do are labelled as being mad, or have OCD, or having more money than sense.
It's a choice, simple as that. No one here has the right to say say either choice is wrong.
d w124
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
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When did you asked for help and some of us ignored you???
You have to remember that the OP was new member asking for help if £600 was a good price for detailing his car,in the end he made his mind given to the replies (help)
Why so offensive?
Why label detailers as such crap?
And if you read it properly you moron I said I'm trying - I'm nowhere near as good as these guys and I've been dabbling for 18 months. I'm getting into it seriously now and have been for probably 6 months but I wouldn't charge anyone yet for what I do - I'm not good enough.
I haven't compared detailing to learning a profession (I'm assuming by that you mean being a doctor or a Solicitor etc as opposed to a trademan) but not eveyone can do this and if you don't know what you're doing you'll f*** it up. I would love to lend you my kit and watch you screw up your car.
Say`s all really,what are trying now
I'm trying really hard not to get wound up by your narrow minded, judgemental comments. If you want to quote do it in context and make sure you get the OP right. And don't label someone else's profession as crap. I don't do it for a living but I respect what they do and understand the cost of the service.
I respect every profession/trade and wouldn't judge anyone for what they do for a living.
I judge the person.
You are a great example of what is bad about this forum.
I'm out of here.
scillyisles1
Active Member
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I have probably more kit than the most professional detailers and yes I have tried it and can achieve results that are comparable to the professionals. It is not difficult it just takes time, hard work and care.
Mercedes Benz World commented recently on my car saying that the paintwork looked like it had been professionally detailed - nope just me doing the same job.
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billywhiz
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billywhiz
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scillyisles1
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How long did it take roughly from start to finish ?
I did it over a weekend - my paintwork was not in a bad condition to start with so I did not have to resort to more agressive techniques. I used my Meguairs DA wih Sonus pads and polish plus all the other steps that a detailer would use.
renault12ts
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I know nurses earning £600 pw, I expect most doctors will earn more.
Lol, it just doesn't stop in here! I think we should do a detailing day to prove that it's a little bit more then what half of you believe it to be. Plus members won't need to hide behind there pc's moaning and slating. But because of that I bet meeting up would be a lot more civilised between members!
Honestly though, I believe i could change a few minds to why it's reasonable to spend £25.00 an hour with me and others alike.
Honestly though, I believe i could change a few minds to why it's reasonable to spend £25.00 an hour with me and others alike.
So I`m bad but yet I`ve never called someone a name
Glad you left quietly
No, you labelled a whole industry as "Crap"
So, yes, you are bad.
Yeah that's right. Now, convert that in to £ and work out what you would need to charge if it were your business.
tpwuk
MB Enthusiast
Last year I had my entire interior professionally restored. The seats, door cards, steering wheel, gear knob and pretty much everything else that was showing typical signs of wear & tear indicative to that of most 10 year old cars, was transformed to that of a typical 2 to 3 year old car. The chap who did the work came to my house and worked 7.5 hours. I consider him to be at the top of his game. His hourly rate works out at £33.
Now, do the detailers amongst us think someone at the top of their profession (someone mentioned they can earn £75 per hour) should be paid more or less than this?
Now, do the detailers amongst us think someone at the top of their profession (someone mentioned they can earn £75 per hour) should be paid more or less than this?
You misunderstand me; I don't have a 'proper dislike' for 'pro detailers'.
I think the level of importance that yourself and other 'detailers' put on your work is pie in the sky, that's all.
I think the finish on the car paintwork that you do is excellent, and i do genuinely believe that, but to compare it to say a mechanic or a plumber is astonishing.
I've enjoyed the debate, either way.
I get the impression you're into antiques.
Think about this. I am a practical person, I can turn my hand to pretty much anything, to an extent.
Lets say I had an piece of antique furniture that was worth £2000. Lets also say that this piece of furniture is a bit tired after a long life servicing whatever need it was designed to fulfil. If I wanted to get it looking like new I would have two choices.
Do it myself or pay someone with the necessary skills, equipment and experience to do it for me.
So lets say I read something on an internet forum and got out my £25 B&Q sander, a pack of assorted sand papers and set to (it's a table in my head.) I sand off the old layers of varnish, use some finer papers to finish off so it's nice and smooth and then varnish it with a few coats of a varnish from B&Q sanding gently between each coat to make sure it's nice and shiny. I guess I could make it look ok. But I suspect I would massively devalue the table.
My alternative would be to pay a restorer to do whatever it is they do to bring it back to life. I suspect this would cost me a few hundred pounds because the time it takes time to do right and the person doing it has honed his/her skills over a number of years.
In this case I would pay the restorer because it would be done right and would retain the value of the piece, actually, it would probably enhance it.
I bet if you are into antiques you were wincing when I was talking about going to work on it in my garage!!
I value the skill of the restorer and the professional detailer in the same way.
If you don't get detailing don't hire a detailer. But please don't rubbish what they do.
tpwuk
MB Enthusiast
^Antiques usually rise in value and are therefore an investment. They also receive very little or no use.
Most cars on the otherhand, depreciate in value and are often used in many demanding ways.
Most cars on the otherhand, depreciate in value and are often used in many demanding ways.
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