My truck will be 1 year old in April.I want to use part of my tax refund (up to $200) to have my truck detailed.First,is a mobile detailer going to pay more attention to detail as would a place you would bring your vehicle? I had it clayed,polished,and waxed last year for $75.Sure,it was a cheap price but they did do a good job.BTW,they are no longer in business.
I am mainly interested in getting the exterior detailed.The interior is viynl with the rubber floor.Anyway,I want it clayed,the minor swirl marks removed,polished,and waxed/sealed.If there is money left i'de like the interior vacuumed,wiped,etc.Is this within the $200 range? I have never thought about spending this kind of money on a detail,but I think my truck deserves it and want it to be done professionally!
Please,don't beat me up too bad with your responses!

 

If you want to, you could spend half that and have it looking good yourself. If not, usually most detailers won't charge more or less for either situation. If they come to you, some may need to use your electricity and water. Either way, if they know what they are doing, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I just say GL finding a detailer that can do that for you.

 

Personally, I'd spend the money and do it myself. Not many people are going to care about your vehicle like you would.

 

This situation is up for debate on a lot of other forums. Basically it comes down to what area you are in and how the cost of living is etc..or other words your market. Honestly i think it will be hard to find someone to do a full size truck correction and protection detail for 200.00. Some of these guys charge 40-60 an hour and for a 5 hour job minimum (i stress minimum) you are looking at 300. I would learn the tricks of the trade myself and do it...but i am a guy that wont pay anyone to do what i have the ability to do...and for everything else i will pay top dollar so the job is done right....and for the guys that did it for 75..thats impressive to do that work for 75.00

 

I agree that you may wanna pick up the tools and do it yourself, if you are truly interested in picking up the hobby/obsession.

 

I take it ya'll are not seeing the picture here;I want it done professionally and in recent attempts to get quotes on "exterior detail" only I was quoted $125-$200! Sure,I have been keeping it washed/waxed and looking ok,but NOW its time to go a bit farther and take it to the next level.
I see ya'll are taking no mercy on me with your responses......
I will,after its detailed,continue to keep it washed/waxed as before.

 

I'm really not sure it will matter... just make sure the person is reputable and make sure you have seen their work before. Some of the best detailers i've seen are mobile, but that is also in larger cities. I would definitly just do some shopping around, ask for samples of work, etc. (not to hijack but roushstage2 are you on the meg's forum too?)

 

BlueOvalFitter,

I think any "good" detailer will pay attention to the details, whether mobile or in a shop. The trick is finding a "good" detailer.

Ask questions like... What process and products will you use to polish the paint and remove any swirls? Do you use products with fillers to hide swirls?

A good knowledgeable detailer will be more than happy to answer and explain. A detailer that has little knowledge, or is trying to hide something... won't.

 

How far is Seffner, Fl from St. Pete, FL? Feel like taking a road trip? What color is the truck, and can you put up a picture of it? If you want, you could come by here and I will detail the truck for you, no cost. Well maybe just product...

Shoot me an email if you are interested,

Devildog101

 

The biggest thing is to absolutely know what you are paying for. I was sitting at a red light beside one of the more reputable shops in my area and saw a detailer working on a black MB S500. He had his rotary buffer sitting on its side with the edge of the bad on the asphault. He grabbed a squirt bottle and drenched both passenger side doors with whatever mystery compound he had in his hand and then grabbed the buffer and went to work at a pace 10 times faster than you would use for any product...I cringed. There was another time when my grandfather told me that a local shop was advertising a $300 detail that included a "top secret and innovative 3-step deep crystal finishing process". I guess what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid to ask what is involved in the detail.

 

3 step deep crystal? Sounds VERY familiar - and not very secret or innovative.

 

That's exactly what I said.

 

or any good in my opinion!

 

There are hacks that are mobile, and there are hacks at fixed locations. You need to do your research and find someone that others trust. But dont just ask anyone, ask someone that is familiar with the process and knows what a properly detailed car should look like.

Cheap work usually isnt good work.

 

http://www.tampamobiledetail.com/home

I talked to a detailer from this company today.He said he would do from "headlights to tail lights" for $165-$185! Opinions?