Question for the pros

**imported_wagsjr** · 04-21-2008, 10:00 PM

How do you guys make any money using the pc. Especially if a car needs two passes.

I am strictly part time as I have a full time job but man it takes forever to do a car.

**justinschmidt1** · 04-21-2008, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by wagsjr

How do you guys make any money using the pc. Especially if a car needs two passes.

I am strictly part time as I have a full time job but man it takes forever to do a car.

Pros use rotary which is faster and I would imagine they charge a decent amount of money

**pampos** · 04-21-2008, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by wagsjr

How do you guys make any money using the pc. Especially if a car needs two passes.

I am strictly part time as I have a full time job but man it takes forever to do a car.

Very patiently

. i am using a UDM and i need at least a day to detail a car (about 8 hours). It is time to learn how to use a rotary polisher or to buy something more powerful than UDM. :xyxthumbs

**brwill2005** · 04-21-2008, 10:20 PM

It is possible. It all depends on what services you are offering. You can offer quality maintenance services with only an orbital. You target the people that keep their cars in pristine condition. In that case, you never need to do heavy correction.

**JonP** · 04-21-2008, 10:23 PM

I use a rotary (DeWalt 849), I also have a UDM but have yet to put it to use and a Flex, rarely use it.

**oneshare325** · 04-21-2008, 10:50 PM

The new flex (3401) cuts down on polish time by about 40% if I had to guess....

**Scottwax** · 04-21-2008, 11:07 PM

I switched over the rotary for that reason. Not that I wasn`t making money, but because it will allow me to more quickly take care of the really bad cars so I do more cars a week so I can make more.

Most of my regular`s cars are in real good condition but even on those cars, I reach for the rotary first now.

**Envious Eric** · 04-22-2008, 02:56 AM

offer just a two step as your max package...market towards those who just want the car cleaned up, not perfected. It would take a few days to perfect a car with a PC once its been neglected for years....I know, I just did a car today that would have taken a long time to perfect - multiple passes of a compound and cutting pad to clean up perfectly...so I hit it with megs 83/lc orange, then megs 80/megs yellow to take advantage of the filling action (trade secret oils or whatever) to cover up what wasnt going to be removed in a 3 hour detail...all done by PC...it was a 1/2 off detail and the owner was 100% THRILLED with the results...I wasnt, but I wasnt geting paid my rate to perfect it...plus she didnt care to have it perfected...this was on a crystler

next time the rotary comes out for sure....PC is a waste of time if you know how to use a rotary...

**Twista616** · 04-22-2008, 08:37 AM

PC/UDM arent always a waste of time...I

use rotary for heavy correction, then UDM for anything light or applying some glazes and waxes...its all personal preference, there are people out there that wont touch a rotary, and do very very good work with a PC/UDM...I would imagine it would take them alot longer though! ...and its much more SAFE!

**AP2TUDE** · 04-22-2008, 10:47 AM

When I very first started I only had a PC and I thought I wouldn`t have a use for a rotary. Most of the cars I deal with are fine for a PC, a rotary isn`t necessarily necessary.

But once I started using a rotary I learned that not only can it work much faster, but it can accomplish results that are impossible with a PC. I had previously believed that a rotary was only for major correction. I believed that it was the least clearcoat conscious approach. Now we know that the rotary is actually more clearcoat conscious than a PC, and that you can use it to achieve amazing results when it comes to finishing.

I use it for everything now. The only time I reach for my PC is when I have to deal with small spots, and I use my PC with the 3in pads. That`s it.

**backwoods_lex** · 04-22-2008, 11:04 AM

A lot of professional detailers use a DA. I find that most of my customers actually have little interest in paint correction, save for the occasional deeper and more noticeable scratches. They would prefer that all of the bases be covered (full interior, clay, and AIO on the paint) rather than pay for that package plus full correction. One of my goals for the upcoming year is to develop a customer base that would like these higher paying service.

I am currently learning to use a rotary, but I think I`ll just stick with the PC for the AIO`s.

**Envious Eric** · 04-22-2008, 11:23 AM

you`re right, I take the PC being a waste of time comment back...its just rotary provides so much better results faster that I am starting to use it more and more...except for glazes and waxing, then the pc comes out because I am not about to do it by hand...LOL

dont get me wrong, I still use the PC occasionally