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Provider Playbook
Detailing & Paint Correction

Turn paint into a portfolio

Paint correction, ceramic coating, show prep, and preserving original finishes.

Set up a detailing gig

Collector-car owners obsess over paint — original single-stage lacquer, soft European clear, a concours finish that has to survive judging. They are not buying a car wash; they are trusting you with a finish that can be worth five figures on its own. Package that expertise into clear tiers and prove it with before/afters.

Gigs to offer

What sells in detailing

Maintenance detail

Safe wash, decontamination, and protection to keep a sorted car sorted between shows.

Single-stage paint correction

One-step machine polish to remove light swirls and restore gloss — the everyday upgrade.

Multi-stage correction + ceramic

Full compound-and-refine plus a ceramic coating; your flagship, highest-margin gig.

Concours show prep

Deadline-driven prep to a judging standard, engine bay and undercarriage included.

Interior & leather restoration

Deep clean, condition, and protect original leather, wood, and trim.

Pricing shape

How to price your work

Anchor with three tiers so buyers self-select by ambition and budget. Most pick the middle — make it your best-value correction package.

Standard

$150–$350

Turnaround: 1 day

  • Safe hand wash & dry
  • Iron/tar decontamination
  • Spray sealant or wax
  • Interior wipe-down & vacuum
Most booked

Enhanced

$450–$900

Turnaround: 1–2 days

  • Everything in Standard
  • Single-stage machine correction
  • 6-month sealant
  • Trim & tire dressing
  • Before/after documentation

Concours

$1,200+

Turnaround: 3–5 days

  • Multi-stage paint correction
  • Ceramic coating (2–5 yr)
  • Engine bay & undercarriage detail
  • Show-ready hand finish

Add-ons that upsell

Ceramic coating upgradePaint decontamination / clayEngine bay detailHeadlight restorationInterior deep clean & leather conditioningPaint-depth reading report

Your portfolio must show

  • Before/after paint under both sun and LED swirl light
  • Macro shots of swirl and defect removal
  • Water-beading / coating hydrophobics
  • Engine bay and interior transformations
  • A finished car in editorial light

Ask every client for

  • Paint type: original single-stage, factory clear, or resprayed
  • Current condition and any known defects
  • Indoor space, power, and water access at the location
  • Whether it is for a show — and the show date
  • Any areas to avoid (delicate original paint, patina to preserve)

Specialist tips that win repeat work

Never wet-sand or aggressively cut original paint without written disclosure — measure depth with a gauge first and document it.
Photograph in consistent lighting so your before/afters are believable, not flattering.
For original-paint cars, sell preservation, not perfection — collectors often value honest patina over a mirror finish.

Detailing FAQ

How do I price paint correction when every car is different?

Price by process, not by car: a defined single-stage vs multi-stage vs ceramic package, each with a paint-condition assumption stated up front. Ask for photos in your requirements, and note that heavily defected or repainted panels may need a custom quote.

Should I offer ceramic coating as a tier or an add-on?

Both. Build it into your top Concours tier and also offer it as a paid add-on to the middle tier — that captures buyers who want correction now and coating as the upsell.

Ready to get booked as a detailing specialist?

Set up your profile and your first gig — listing is free for founding providers.

Start your detailing gig

Other specialist tracks

Inspection Transport Photography Mechanical Restoration Body & Paint Storage