So I ran to a reputable detailer nearby to get an estimate on buffing out the scratches on my truck. He said they could remove the scratches without a problem for $375 for the buff/shampoo/wax. This price is ONLY for the exterior. No interior, no engine cleaning. This was waaay more than I anticipated. If I had the time I would enjoy doing the work myself, but with work and school I am left with little free time, and I wanted it done before I head to a wedding in Cape Cod next weekend. This is the place www.Haddadautodetail.com
What are your thoughts? Does this sound steep or accurate?

Here is an idea of what the scratches look like.

 

what the hell are you doing!?

thats a crazy amount of money! i paid under $200 for that exact same thing.

 

That's at least $175 too much.

 

I specifically remember your post and thats why I was shocked to hear this price. Not to mention yours looked much more beat up in the before pics than mine appears to now, but came out awesome. Who did you go to?

 

375.... hell, ill do it for 350... seriously though, way too much, way way too much.... i spent 120 here in florida and got a complete interior/exterior/engine detail that pulled out a few scratches and made everything look almost new again!!! as soon as i can find the guys new shop im going back

 

Price is a little high, but for those that have never owned a black truck, you do pay more to have it detailed. I paid $225 last time around and each time I have been told that *any* other color would cost less.

My black car days are over, my latest one is white.

 

wow, this is where a classic line from pulp fiction would be appropriate, i wont say it, but it has something to do with lipstick....

you guys are either wearing some rolex's and flashin money or just going to the most expensive place you can find... am i confused and your getting your paint restored? or is this just for a good detail job?

 

thats WAY to much money, we had our SHOW car mercedes 113 chassis (OLD 230 SL's) buffed and detailed inside and out for like $250. For outside only...WAAAAYYY to much money.

 

for 375 bucks, id bet they buffed it down really good. i think too much buffing cant be too good for your paint.

 

Two years ago I paid $200 to have tar spray from highway construction removed and then they did the clay bar job and a full wax.

 

I paid $150 for an exterior, including engine bay and steaming the wheel wells. I'm in LA and things tend to cost more here so I think $375 is way too much. Here's a few pics:

 

DIY. grab a bottle of turtlewax scratch & swirl remover, a cheapo orbital polisher and book yourself off for 4 hours in the afternoon. stuff works awesome...especially on black. you'll thank yourself later...and you wont be 4 bills in the hole.

 

I usually charge between $140 to $220 to do both the interior and exterior, with the higher price reflecting swirl removal and scratch blending. I mostly do rich old people's cars (nice ones, like BMWs, Porches and Lexus), too, who are more than willing to pay twice as much for lesser work! You're getting raped at $375.

Of note, those scratches on your door cannot be removed with just a detailing, only "hidden". Wetsanding would help make it even more invisible, but if you can feel a scratch with your fingernail, it's there for good. The ones on your door handle will come out easily with a foam wax applicator and Meguiars Medallion Paint Cleaner or Meguiars 2.0 Swirl Remover.

Regardless, if you ever take your truck offroad, having all your swirls and scratches buffed out is pointless, as you're just going to put more back in the paint when you wash the dirt off the next time. I don't even bother with my truck anymore, just wash it every 2 weeks and put a coat of wax on it when I wash it after every offroad trip.

 

edwin, that is the cleanest vehicle i have ever seen, how many miles did you have on it?

 

It's a '99 and has a little over 100k on it. I've had it for a year but the PO didn't take care of it at all. It's taken two details and work on my end to clean her up but now it's just maintenance.

Funny thing is someone thought I had the wheel wells redone b/c it looked brand new. The guys I use are just that good...

 

ebelen1 wher exactly, I'm in san diego I'd stop by there on a road trip. How much time did it take?

 

Edwin, that truck is WAAAAYYY too clean.....go take it in the mud or something.
Seriously, they did a great job on that and the price was right too.

 

Where oh where can I get my engine and wheel wells steam cleaned??

 

The shop is in Glendale and they ask for the day but usually finish w/in 4-5 hours.

 

The only reason it's clean is that it got real dirty and I hated looking at it w/ mud in the wheel wells and mud on the inner part of the rim so I got a detail.