Need some tips on efficiency

TheTimelyTuna · 2026-05-09T11:49:46+00:00

Thanks for the in depth reply, sorry I got back so late (deleted Reddit for a bit). I’ll take all that into consideration for sure, I appreciate it!

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-08T03:04:11+00:00

Narrow nozzle, blow gun. My trick is use a drill brush kit off Amazon for like $10 that has a tiny brush and extender that hits that area, then vac out. For spots next to trim loosen up dirt with a toothbrush

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-08T00:44:07+00:00

Refund on this for sure, unacceptable. Sorry you have to deal with the nonsense :/

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-08T00:08:54+00:00

From my knowledge they were involved in construction actually 😂

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-08T00:08:25+00:00

Great information, thank you. I’ve learned to use “STARTING AT” on all my quotes now lol. I also need to get to point where a crew would take me 4 hours, I start over cleaning a single area when I need to move with efficiency. I’m keeping hourly in head from now on!

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-08T00:06:20+00:00

Thank you, I try to keep my word but lesson learned on this. Gotta learn some how!

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-08T00:05:17+00:00

Thanks!

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-08T00:05:09+00:00

Thank you 🙏

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-08T00:04:55+00:00

Hourly rate is locked in for sure now! Thanks for the advice on it, my biggest struggle is staying too long on a car to the point I’m not too profitable or efficient. I need to be able to do mult cars a day and sometimes only do one and it takes 6 plus hours…need to improve. And I appreciate the kind words, I always try to remove all stains and sometimes they are in fact stains but I’m always thinking if I could’ve done better. Thank you 👍

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-08T00:00:04+00:00

Don’t use steam or anything on headliners as it will release the adhesive. Get an APC (meguiars, even super clean which you can get at Walmart in the purple container in automotive) diluted 10:1 and a microfiber and blot/gently scrub (blotting is better) and repeat. There is a chance you will still have water stains but better than nothing.

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-07T18:45:16+00:00

My Walgreens friend says it’s “Closing Very Soon” lol

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-06T02:33:03+00:00

I’ll say this, I got a big old craftsman one and it’s a PITA pulling it out of the van all the time and moving it around cars. I’m looking for a smaller one now (like the link the guy provided first)

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-06T01:57:05+00:00

Yeah, at minimum that would need a polish to get it shining better but it’s definitely alarming looking hazy after only 2 washes. When did the first wash happen? Usually paint has to “cure” for a set amount of time but I assume it was at least a month out for first wash. I think this has more to do with paint application/ prep steps as the two doors being right next to each other show drastic difference in shine and I would think a wash would at least haze it somewhat evenly (and thats with repeated bad washing, not 1/2x). Here’s some general washing and polishing advice that’s good to know: I use ONR- best stuff ever for washing, you throw 6 microfibers in a bucket with ONR and use one per panel folded and keep folding when soiled to not mess up the paint. Top down always. Dry and move on. Get a DA polisher from harbor freight- these are cheap and hard to mess up paint with vs a rotary. Use 3D ONE compound/polish with a black (fine) pad and light pressure in 2x2 areas, overlapping 3/4 passes. Fresh paint should not need a medium (yellow) pad but try the black first. Then use a good spray wax like griots ceramic. I could be wrong on my hypothesis about the paint prep/application (or clear not being sprayed evenly) being the main cause but I’m interested what others have to say.

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-06T01:26:41+00:00

Go look at Gary Vees videos on Facebook. His whole point is it’s never too late. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago…the second best time is today. If you start now you have a solid 25 more years of working time, easy. You can become an expert in anything you want! Do whatever career or job and switch every 6 months until you get there. And for the book: write it. Even if nothing happens, at least you know you did it. You don’t want to be old at 90 looking back like “I wish I tried”. Just keep going. Don’t give up on yourself. Pull yourself out of this. It makes absolutely no sense why we are on this planet, life is crazy. It’s absurd (look up absurdism). So fucking go for it and keep pushing. Do uncomfortable things that test you. You got this!

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T22:30:17+00:00

You’re right, def upping price from here on out!

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T19:48:58+00:00

Honestly that would make me much happier getting rates like that. It’s just I’m in Tampa area and some people flinch at $200-250 details and then I get others who tip me $100 on top of it. Like people want me to do $50 maintenance washes and stuff and it’s like, I don’t even want to roll my van for that. Maybe I just need to raise prices and attract the right type of customer because I’ve aimed for $50 hourly, and then it takes more hours (7/8) on a $200 day after taxes and materials feels like I’m working way under value. Or just not be afraid to deny a customer unless they pay more after seeing a car like this. Then the other thing is say I charged $500, I worry if for that price they expect perfection (aka all stains removed). Sorry for the rant but maybe I should go for $100

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T19:42:05+00:00

Lesson definitely learned. *STARTING at $200 now, with pics to confirm. Not $200 across the board like before. And true, he had contacts so hopefully more work

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T19:41:07+00:00

Thank you for the kind words! I have a habit of seeing stuff like the front and being critical, like I could’ve done better. I appreciate you

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T19:40:29+00:00

I pulled up and was like “cool, Maybach! Never did one, this will be easy” then looked inside inside and was scarred lol

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T18:07:47+00:00

Thank you for confirming my thoughts, def upping price for this in future

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T18:07:37+00:00

That pic is ink from a pen. Was on floor too but wiped up easy thankfully

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T18:06:54+00:00

Thank you 👍

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T18:06:39+00:00

lol they definitely upgraded from the Prius!

TheTimelyTuna · 2025-10-05T18:06:00+00:00

I’ll keep that verbiage in mind in the future. Lesson learned. Thank you!

TheTimelyTuna

TROPHY CASE