Last updated 2025-06-25

Add finish, sand, and buff labour time to an estimate

Steps to add the finish, sand, and buff labour time in Mitchell Cloud Estimating (MCE).

When this applies

When the collision repair program participant has determined that the vehicle's pre-crash paint condition warrants the finish, sand, and buff operation.

Procedure

  1. Take photos of the vehicle, capturing images detailing the condition of the vehicle's finish.
  2. Inspect and confirm the pre-crash condition of the finish to ensure it warrants a finish, sand, and buff operation; including, that there are no previous paint flaws, such as nibs, paint chips, or runs evident.
  3. Add the REQUIRES REVIEW template line from the ICBC My Templates group, in MCE, and proceed with repairs.
  4. Navigate to the estimate, clicking the Parts icon in the side bar.
  5. Select My Templates > 01 STANDARD.
  6. Select the FINISH SAND & BUFF template line, adding it to the estimate.
  7. Enter 0.3 hours per exterior refinish hour applied on the exterior panels requiring finish, sand, and buff.
    Note: For calculation, use the equation: Total exterior refinish time for panels requiring finish, sand and buff x 0.3 hours = total finish, sand, and buff time entered on estimate.
  8. Replace information in the explanation line field with the calculation result, explaining which panels qualify for finish, sand, and buff.
    Example:
    Example of an explanation line note: Lt Frt Door 2.5, Lft Rear Door 2 x 0.3 = 1.4
    Important: Finish, sand, and buff must not be applied when a de-nib and finesse operation is on an estimate.
  9. Upload photos to Mitchell Connect supporting that
    • the pre-existing clear coat condition is smooth with no orange peel, and
    • an applicable panel has been fully sanded prior to polishing.