I've used a very good detailer for a while. This weekend I asked him to wax two of my cars, and when I checked up on him I saw he was using a spray wash and wax product marketed by a local company here in Dallas. I was giving him a hard time, as it looked way too easy, and I would have thought he would be hard at work with something requiring more "elbow grease". Is this type of product an acceptable alternative to liquid or paste waxes? I was more under the impression this is the type of thing one would use between "real wax jobs." Results look good.

 

No, spray wax is NOT "an acceptable alternative to liquid or paste waxes". It is for light cleaning and polishing between proper waxings.

 

I put layers of synthetic polish by hand followed by spray gloss for a wet shine.

 

What did you hire him to do? Specifically? How much did he charge you? What product is on the car prior to him starting?

 

+1

Without putting things in context I don't think its fair to answer the question.

 

on the 4S he put a sealer on it 6 months ago. I think product made also by Hi Def. Then two months ago I hand waxed it with a Maguire's polymer and carnauba wax. On the TTS I did it two months ago with Maguire's ultimate polymer (I think that us what it is called).

 

I hired him to detail and wax the car. He charges $40 for a detail. Charges $100 for a detail plus wax. On the former he spends about two hours on it. On the latter, three or so.

 

How do you find someone to detail your car for only $40? Many of the drive-through wash places charge more than that around here. Details start at about $150 on the low end.

Why does he charge $40 for the first two hours, then $60 for one additional hour of work?

Seems to me like you have a pretty screwy detailer. But, if he does a good job, $100 for a detail including a spray wax sounds fair to me.

 

Now we know "the rest of the story!".

 

Based upon pricing and prior protection I would say Spray Wax is appropriate.

 

When I say "detail" for $40, that doesn't include wax or any scratch removal. Just a very thorough cleaning inside and out. Lots of nice touches like getting rid of dust from the AC vents. Opening up front and back compartments and cleaning inside. Cleaning the wheels all the way through the inside of the rims and the brakes.

My guess is it is just a different market in CA vs TX. The answer to your question on $40 vs $60 is "I don't know. I guess 'cause guys like me will pay it!" What I will tell any of you that live in the Dallas area is the guy is worth it. He is the best I've ever used. When he got rid of the scratches on our Cayenne, sealed the paint, conditioned the leather, etc., he charged me $400. And that was two people working for eight hours. And I know there was no sitting around because it was in my garage.

Then recently, also on the Cayenne, he did the Pinnacle ceramic coating. Again, an all day process, starting with getting rid of all the scratches, etc once again, than applying the coating. Then returned on day two to see it after a cure period, and touched it up. Then will come back in a couple weeks to see if it still meets his satisfaction. $1,000. I'll tell you if it was worth it after I see if it holds up as promised by the manufacturer (who claims three years), but I know I paid at least that on one car at the dealer, and it was crap. Didn't hold up at all.

 

I use Optimum spray wax on my suburban due to its enormity. It beads for months. Honestly way better than I expected!

 

based in newness of ur car
the fact I had polymer on it, water beads up
and price u paid, I think his soln is acceptable

not trying to give u a hard time, but I know California is $$$
here a real detail on a 911 size car is about 20 hiurs and close to $2000 after tip!!

no I'm not happy
but hat calif

 

Spray wax is good for a day or two. Especially when used on mint clear-coats like these two Porsches in the photos. Well, it's good stuff if you want the car to pop at the drive-in on Saturday night, but it'll be gone by the time you head to work on Monday.

 

1990944S2 hit the nail, spray is for a day or two maximum, or until the next good rain. It's mainly for some extra pop and to somewhat extend the life of the wax underneath. Believe me I know.

On another note bigdogtex, with your top-shelf cars, you really should step into some higher-end waxes. For black, you can't go wrong with Collinite 915 (looks spectacular, lasts many months) or DoDo Juice Purple Haze Pro (the Pro version has polymers as well as carnauba). Many many other great ones.

That's a full paint correction detail with multiple polish steps. The OP was referring to basically a wash.