[JSterling]

Some of the detailing pictures on here look amazing!

What should I expect to pay for detailing services?
Wash, swirl & minor scratch removal, polish, wax, seal......?
The car is only two years old and the paint has been well maintained.

SoCal.

Thank you.

[Kitz]

$150-$200?

[GTi325]

Originally Posted by JSterling

Some of the detailing pictures on here look amazing!

What should I expect to pay for detailing services?
Wash, swirl & minor scratch removal, polish, wax, seal......?
The car is only two years old and the paint has been well maintained.

SoCal.

Thank you.

That depends on interior/exterior/engine bay, etc.

A good detailer will most likely want to see the paint first before quoting an actual price. If they're familiar with the cars, they'll already know it'll look really bad but clear up relatively easily since the clear is so soft.

200-300 maybe? Hard to say without seeing it.

[oneshare325]

I am on the east coast...and as GTi325 mentioned, too many factors to really give a set price. I don't give prices until i look at the paint. Also depends on cliental, area, income range, quality of products. I try to do higher end cars, and I really don't do too many civics.

I usually do about 2 cars a week and go to school for my MBA, and these are my prices...(Remember i am on the east coast, so this really will not tell you anything)

[328i]

Usually you get what you pay for, my prices are fairly close to oneshares but I'm also on the east coast, and just starting out so I'm trying to be competitive since theirs "detailers" around here that probably charge half the price. These are the same guys using bath towels, dish soap and armor so I'm not too worried, their market isn't the same one I am targeting. It also depends one the condition of your car, but when looking I would focus more on quality than price.

[JSterling]

Good info. Thank you.
Any recommendations for Southern California?

[328i]

I'm not sure where Fminus is from but you can try him, along with AoshichanX, or ADHD. I'm sure one of them is in So Cal.

[picus]

When I was in Norcal one polishing step was ~$300, or $60/hr. I'd expect to pay a similar amount in Socal for a good job.,

[haper]

Originally Posted by picus

I'd expect to pay a similar amount in Socal for a good job.,

The key is finding a place that does a good job, for 'detail shops' they have some good detailers and some bad. Maybe slipping the owner an extra $50 will get you one of his 'good guys', i dunno. But I would try grabbing one of the detailers you see listed here, they take pride in their work and you know who will be working on your car.

I always polished and waxed my own car, but thought the results weren't worth the effort so I sent it out to a place that had a very good reputation. Looked great when I got it back, but after two washes the glaze or whatever they put on it washed away and I started seeing all the swirl marks left behind by a poorly done rotary job. 6 months later I sent it to another highly recommended place and again, the same results.

[picus]

Originally Posted by haper

The key is finding a place that does a good job, for 'detail shops' they have some good detailers and some bad. Maybe slipping the owner an extra $50 will get you one of his 'good guys', i dunno. But I would try grabbing one of the detailers you see listed here, they take pride in their work and you know who will be working on your car.

I always polished and waxed my own car, but thought the results weren't worth the effort so I sent it out to a place that had a very good reputation. Looked great when I got it back, but after two washes the glaze or whatever they put on it washed away and I started seeing all the swirl marks left behind by a poorly done rotary job. 6 months later I sent it to another highly recommended place and again, the same results.

Oh don't I know it. 50% of my work is fixing screw ups from other detailers. You're right, find someone reputable here or on Autopia.org.

[ExclusiveDetail]

Originally Posted by JSterling

Some of the detailing pictures on here look amazing!

What should I expect to pay for detailing services?
Wash, swirl & minor scratch removal, polish, wax, seal......?
The car is only two years old and the paint has been well maintained.

SoCal.

Thank you.

Let me know if you are interested in getting your car detailed. I am a mobile detailer in SoCal!

www.exclusiveautodetail.com

[L~R~G nor cal]

Originally Posted by picus

Oh don't I know it. 50% of my work is fixing screw ups from other detailers. You're right, find someone reputable here or on Autopia.org.

[FMINUS]

Originally Posted by JSterling

Good info. Thank you.
Any recommendations for Southern California?

Aoshi Chan or Takumi both do very good jobs.

I wouldn't recommend myself...... Next date open is Sept.....

[jnizzle]

Any recommendations for detailers in the San Diego area?

[Neurorad]

A lot of detailers will just use a wax to cover up swirls, while a good detailer will correct the clear coat with a minimally abrasive polish.

You get what you pay for.

If you find a good detailer, from recomendations, you will pay more than one out of the phone book.

Good luck finding a good one. You'll be happy to pay the extra if you find one.

$75 exterior detail at your local 'automatic' car wash, $150-200 mobile detailer, $250+ for a good detailer, all subject to the quality of your paint (particularly the good detailer who will have more work removing swirls/scratches, and not just covering them up).

[ScheerSpeed]

i charge from 120 up to 500