Cost Check for 911 Detail (Clay Bar, Compound, Etc)

[hcubed]

Hi Folks,
I've got an 85 RoW that's in great shape. The paint is a bit dull do to oxidation (although a good wash and wax temporarily brings it back). I've been quoted $800 cash by a local reputable body shop for the full treatment. I'm just wondering if that's in the right neighborhood for this kind of work? Car is located in central CT and I'm certainly willing to bring it to other places if anyone has any recommendations.

I do all my own mechanical work on the car, but body work is something I'm willing to pay someone else to do.

Thanks.

[rwest]

Sounds high for just a buffing detail job. Maybe they were going to wet sand?

[tirwin]

I don't know if that is fair. Seems high to me but I have never priced it on the 911 before. A good detail and wax locally is ~$200. I am not an expert but $800 would buy a ton of equipment to do it yourself. Half that would buy a nice DA polisher and all the stuff you would need to do it yourself.

Go to YouTube and look up AmmoNYC. If you have the patience to watch those videos you will learn everything you need to know and then you can do it anytime you want to.

If you want to talk about specific stuff you'll need to do the job yourself, happy to talk about it.

That's my $0.02.

[hcubed]

Yea it includes a compound polish/wet sand, not just your standard wash and wax detail. I should take it to at least one other place to get a competitive bid.

[Sboxin]

You might want to post this on Pelican Paint and Bodywork Forum - - and always get a second opinion/evaluation.
IMHO - oxidized paint can be polished out with a DA polisher and the correct foam pads and polishing compounds. We just went through this process with some "orange peel" paint problems - and had good results by learning from the McQuires You-Tube videos . . . it was our first time too.

Regards,

[hcubed]

Cool. I will. Looks like no one has used that forum in over a month so I thought I'd get a better response here. I'll cross post, however. Thanks.

[timchar]

I would say that's in the general ballpark. Fair amount of work/time involved in wet sanding. Another bid can't hurt. Good luck, Tim

[NYNick]

Detail Dynamics, LI.
Great Reputation, but far for you. Maybe they could recommend a place closer.

[tributeventures]

Unique Car Care, Stoneham, MA
I just had them do a complete inside, outside, underneath detail. Best money I have spent for my 1983 911. Their work is "concourse" quality. They work on many exoitic cars.
You'll only have to have this kind of detail done once and you'll never be able to do this kind of work yourself.
Call them to get full details. (They have a website but doesn't' really show their work off.
The cost may sound high, but you will be unbelievably happy.

[Nine9six]

Do yourself a favor and buy a $20 clay bar kit, and clay one fender, now try a door...Seal with wax when finished.

p.s. $800 sounds awfully high!

[WE349A]

Seconding Detailing Dynamics. They made my 87' gleam. Nice guys, incredibly good work, probably the best in the biz. Not cheap. $800 is entry level in the detailing world and cost is directly related to time spent. Do it once and your car will be the best it can be without a repaint and new interior. Then maintain it yourself.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by timchar

I would say that's in the general ballpark. Fair amount of work/time involved in wet sanding. Another bid can't hurt. Good luck, Tim

Yes, I agree 100% that $800 is in the ball park.

I have washed, clayed, compounded, polished and waxed and it takes a weekend with the black rubber/metal trim work to finish the job.

Wet sanding is another layer of complexity and is is serious grunt work.

I would ask who is going to do the work and why is that person doing the work. Not in a hard ass way. Just preface it with "I am nervous to drop that kind of coin. How can I be assured that this will be done as well as it can be"

If done well, you will be amazed. Additionally, you can protect the car from the elements and this work will pay off for a long time. (Not saying you don't).

[hcubed]

Thanks do much, guys. This is really helpful. I will post back with what happens.

[Bill Douglas]

You will find the clay bar + wax works wonders, it made my old SC glow And spend the $800 on something more fun than a car clean.

[Avanti]

Wetsanding isn't always necessary, however, I think your 85 has single stage paint from the factory. If it does, I see why the body shop wants to wetsand. This will remove quite a bit of the oxidation much quicker than compounding. When compounding oxidized single stage paint, the cutting pads get dirty real fast. "Dead" paint residue in the pad can leave swirls and marks in the paint which have to be removed.

Or they just saw enough defects in the paint they felt wetsanding is necessary. Anyway, price seems about right.

[sugarwood]

It sounds like the OP is mechanically inclined and knows how to wash and wax his car.

I can't speak about single stage, but if the car has clear coat... there is absolutely no reason he should not try polishing his own car.
If done by hand, there is literally NO WAY you can ruin your paint. (Even using a DA Poisher, it's basically impossible, but whatever.)

For $40, buy a bottle of spray wash, polish, hand pads, and microfiber towels. No tools, no rotarym no danger, no risk.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G3626-Ultimate-Anywhere-Spray/dp/B006FUT0CS
https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Ultimate-Polish-16-oz/dp/B004HCOE8Q
https://www.amazon.com/Viking-862400-Blue-Microfiber-Applicator/dp/B0051MYL8E/ref=sr_1_1
https://www.amazon.com/Zwipes-Microfiber-Cleaning-36-Pack-Assorted/dp/B000XECJES

1) Spray a panel with the Wash and Wax.
2) Towel it off. Now it's clean.
3) Rub some polish on the pad and rub it into the paint. It's an abrasive, so not too much product making it overly wet. Feel a little "grit". You'll know.
4) Wipe it off.

Boom, the oxidation should be addressed.
You can then wax the area, if desired.

You can do the entire car in 1 hour, and it will be transformed.
If you are not satisfied, then go get a pro. I'm telling you there is no need.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

If they are going over the car with a 5000 wet sand and then compounding and then machine polishing, $800 seems fair.

[Ferraripete]

Originally Posted by rwest

Sounds high for just a buffing detail job. Maybe they were going to wet sand?

high? wet sand? try adding $1k to that number. do you know how long this stuff really takes?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

If they are going over the car with a 5000 wet sand and then compounding and then machine polishing, $800 seems fair.

Most compounds/polishes are in the 1.5-3k grit range.

My thoughts are 2000 for the paper. Some cutting needs to take place.

Just my thoughts.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

You can do the entire car in 1 hour, and it will be transformed.
If you are not satisfied, then go get a pro. I'm telling you there is no need.

I have seen pics of your car. It it beautiful. It provides an awesome starting point.

There are different levels of oxidation. Until you get into spiffing up an array of them, I would hold off on the one hour promise.

I don't think OP can go wrong with a better oscillating buffer, even the higher end one from the freight. It will not remove paint if that is what is needed though. A white wool pad is your best friend.

Wish I (we) could see the car close up.