making real money polishing?

[saiyan7]

is anyone making any real money polishing? I am trying to, but it takes up so much time. I have a nine to five job and i polish on the weekends and at night. I love polishing but i have a baby coming and i need to make some real money. Any and all comments welcome on this one.

[mcaswell]

People might be interested in hearing how much you charge. Per job? Per hour?

[saiyan7]

Good Suggestion Caswell,
I am polishing sportbikes and i charge $1000.00 for a frame and swing arm fully polished. But there is no way i could open up a business with a couple of bike here and a couple of bikes there. Any thoughts?

[mcaswell]

Word of mouth is the best form of advertising, but is very slow.

Commercial advertising is more effective, but costs money.

I guess it depends on how much you can afford to sink into a new business.

[crazieabe]

I am making pretty good money on the side. The key for me was to diversify and get my name out there. I polish anything I can get my hands on. From semi trucks to sportbikes, the occasional auto, you name it. I'll figure out a way to shine it up, clean it up, and make it look better than it did! I just use word of mouth and the occasional flyer at truck/bike dealers. Best of luck to you. Is it a boy or girl?

[saiyan7]

ITS A BOY (Noah Ryan Fleming)!!!! thanks for askin' crazieabe. I guess i just need more experience with this stuff. What do you charge , or how do you figure your rates? Thanks for your help.

[crazieabe]

My rates:
sportbike frame and swingarm-$500.00
semi trucks-6 wheels & 2 fuel tanks-$175.00
anything extra is as follows...
chainbox-$10.00 Batt. box-$10.00
air tank-$10.00 extra wheels-$20.00
extra fuel/hydrolic tank-$25.00
neadache rack-$40.00
chome-$40.00-$60.00
painted sufraces-$50.00, with sleeper-$80.00
automotive bumber to bumber-$130.00
Hope this helps you in your quest for knowledge!!!

[saiyan7]

WOW! you must be super fast at this to be able to charge rates so low. If you are in New Jersey I will send you all of my work. Where are you located, because the cheepest price around here for a frame and swingarm is $1000.00. The wheels usually cost about $400.00 each. Come to think of it. I have a set of wheels from a classic truck that need polishing. How much would you charge for a set of 15inch aluminum pickup truck wheels. I'll mail them to you if you want.

[crazieabe]

I guess I am just good at it, LOL I have been polishing for about 10 years so...

I am based in Minnesota, I will do all your work if you can get it here...

About the wheels, I would at least need a picure or something first cause I can't give an estimate without knowing what I need to do to it first! In other words, I need to see it before I can tell how much work it involves...

[saiyan7]

i'll get you some pics as soon as possible.
thanks.