General detailing advice and looking for professional detailers in Mpls area
Hi, looking for advice on detailing. I just bought a 2002 C32 that has awesome potential, but it's got some blemishes that I want a pro to take care of before I get started detailing it myself, since I have literally no experience, but a great motivation to learn (these forums have been a great starting point for me, thanks all!)
There are some scratches of the type that look like someone leaned against it or sat on the drivers side front fender when it had some dust/dirt on it. Not major down to the paint scratches that I can see, but definitely ugly and won't wash off. Also, the car has the zillions of miniscule scratches over most of the surface of the car. At a distance it's not ugly, just takes the shine away, and definitely up close doesn't look very nice.
I'm wondering what would be involved in dealing with those issues (some kind of buffing, etc...) but also what should I ask when I'm finding a pro to do it to make sure it get's done right?
How much should I expect to pay for just an external detailing like this? (I figure the engine and interior are safe for me to experiment on per the Meguiar's website videos and product line).
Finally, does anyone know of a good place to get this done right in the Minneapolis MN area? I'm assuming the more commercial outfits are going to suck, but what about just the local body shop?
Any advice/guidance along these lines appreciated!
Thanks!
Bif Powell
2002 C32 - competely stock for the moment.
Minneapolis MN
RE: General detailing advice and looking for professional detailers in Mpls area
You definitely want to be careful where you take it. Most paint & body shops are geared toward "production work", which is mostly collision repair and sub-$1500 total re-paints. They make their money on volume, and can't be expected to spend a lot of time on your car. They'd probably polish it out and use a sealer or glaze to fill in the remaining swirl marks and fine scratches. The car would likely look great when you picked it up, but the first time you wash it and lose some of the sealer, you'll wonder where all of the swirl marks came from!
Either find a restoration shop that specializes in high-end and collector cars, or find a dedicated detail shop that caters to the same type of cars (I say this because there are production-oriented "detail" shops as well that skip steps in the interest of time.)
For a good buffing/polishing that will remove all of the swirl marks and scratches, I'd expect to pay at least $150-$200. You could easily double or triple that if you have them wet-sand the entire car and buff it out to a perfectly glassy finish. If you have them wet-sand it though, the resulting finish will actually be *better* than new, because all factory paint jobs have a small amount of "orange peel" in the paint that distorts the reflections somewhat and reduces the "distinctness-of-image".
RE: General detailing advice and looking for professional detailers in Mpls area
(EDIT: you posted the answers just as I was posting more questions :) Thanks!)
Many thanks, did that - are the problems I listed before fixable and to what degree, and if so will I notice a huge difference (I know depends on the car, but...)? Will it ever look like 'new' or just be clean?
RE: General detailing advice and looking for professional detailers in Mpls area
If it's done correctly, the difference will be like night and day. As long as the clearcoat isn't cracking or peeling anywhere, and the basecoat hasn't faded (not likely a problem, considering how new your car is), any scratches or swirl marks that don't penetrate all the way through the clearcoat can be fixed to better-than-new condition.
Keep in mind that if you have any scratches that ALMOST penetrate through the clearcoat, the detailer may choose not to buff them completely out, since that would require removing almost all of the clearcoat around the affected area. He/she can certainly "shallow out" the scratch somewhat and make it much less visible, though.
Honestly, the damage you're describing just sounds like a finish that's spent the last few years being run through an automatic car wash and not waxed often enough. Find a detailer that does good work, and I promise that you'll be flat-out amazed by the results.
RE: General detailing advice and looking for professional detailers in Mpls area
Hello Bif and welcome! Im over in Eagan and have gobs of detailing experience. I simply would NOT recommend a car wash detailer or one thats oriented twards $60 complete dealer cleanups. Half of those guys have most likely been incarserated and would even steal the loose change under your seats. I bought a 91 300e recently this past spring and the paint was as your describing yours. Due to my experience, i completely wet sanded the entire paint surfaces w/ 2000 grit 3M wet/dry sandpaper followed by 5 various compounds,glazes,and sealants. In total time, i spent approximately 12 hours from start to finish. That was a long day indeed. If you wish, shoot me a number to reach you at and i can call you with a few solid people to contact who are very MB oriented who do these delicate jobs on a regular basis. I may even be able to view your car as my Mother lives over SW Mpls near Borton Volvo. PM mail me if interested. bc
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