I don't need your lectures on how to do a full detail, I've been doing this for quite a while with not a single complaint. not all cars are the same. you can't "do it all" on all cars but you can get a "full detail" done if you're not able to "do it all". understand?
there's people that I've run into claiming they know how to do full details but fail to even wipe down the door jams.
some cars need the whole sha-bang, some don't. doesn't mean then can't still get a full detail. give me a break. next you're gonna tell me that the products I use are not the right ones.
here's a "full detail" I did on mine:
1. Blue Magic clay bar
2. Cali Gold
3. Ajax (on the wheels)
4. Nu Finish - 2 coats
5. 303 on the windows
8. Shampooo and vacuumed
9. Tire Wet on the tires with a sponge
There's really no need to poplish/wax a car EVERY single time you wash your car. I only recommend it 4 times a year. others do their's 15-20 times a year. but that's their choice, not the rule.
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97' C280:
CLK wheels
H&R sport springs
Khumo's(new)
Tint
new Snowball machine
Last edited by benz rider : 04-25-2008 at 08:01 AM.
I don't need your lectures on how to do a full detail, I've been doing this for quite a while with not a single complaint. not all cars are the same. you can't "do it all" on all cars but you can get a "full detail" done if you're not able to "do it all". understand?
there's people that I've run into claiming they know how to do full details but fail to even wipe down the door jams.
some cars need the whole sha-bang, some don't. doesn't mean then can't still get a full detail. give me a break. next you're gonna tell me that the products I use are not the right ones.
here's a "full detail" I did on mine:
1. Blue Magic clay bar
2. Cali Gold
3. Ajax (on the wheels)
4. Nu Finish - 2 coats
5. 303 on the windows
8. Shampooo and vacuumed
9. Tire Wet on the tires with a sponge
There's really no need to poplish/wax a car EVERY single time you wash your car. I only recommend it 4 times a year. others do their's 15-20 times a year. but that's their choice, not the rule.
No one was lecturing you, simply defining certain terms, such as a full detail... a full detail consists of EVERYTHING from wash/dry, to clay, to polish, to sealant, and the rest like tires, trim, wheels, etc. what you did and what you noted above in the 9 steps, is a simply wash & wax, where you wash and clay a car, then apply wax.. that's all (btw, I REALLY hope you're not doing step 1 and 2 in that order, unless you wash, clay, wash)
As for your complaints, or lack thereof, there are 100s of businesses across the country thriving on people's lack of knowledge when it comes to detailing cars and proper paint correction and maintenance... meaning just because you're not getting a single complaint, doesn't mean you're doing a good job, and as dumb as that sounds, it's unfortunately true... I've personally had a bunch of people, who actually cared for their cars, come so I can correct $100-200 "full detail".. However, I'm not saying you're one of those "hacks" in the detailing industry doing horrible work and shining up the car temporarily.. we might have a misunderstanding here and that could be all, but based on what you've typed on here and your process, it makes me think otherwise...
I have one request... post some photos of your and your clients' cars, in direct sunlight, without any wax/polish/etc. rather a car that's just been washed, clayed, and dried... if possible... this way I can say I'm wrong and go my merry little way...
Click on after photos to see how they looked later, without any sealant to hide swirlmarks... I'm not the greatest detailer, but that's what a proper full detail consists of
Here are some photos of a 996 that I recently completed, not much considering these are probably the worst pictures I have ever taken - but it gives you the idea... (Night mode came on, and I didn't review them before I left...!)
Malibu Piper aircraft, white, and I still got a fairly decent reflection.
Bottom left corner has not been polished.
Only a single stage polish requested by the owner, Menzerna SIP, CCS white pad.
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EuroLux:. Private Auto Detail
Portland, OR
Are you asking me or benz? My name is on the links above.. that's my website actually... nice photos btw
Oops! I apologize, I meant benz.
Thank you for the compliments, it's unfortunate my 996 photos didn't come out, because it was quite a turnaround - I have fallen in love with that Porsche single stage, so much fun to work with - especially black. They are one of the few auto manufacturers today that keep orange peel in check fairly well compared to Mercedes and BMW.
The photos on your website are excellent, and it seems like too many 996s are swirled to hell, I guess people aren't familiar with the wonderful single stage.
No one was lecturing you, simply defining certain terms, such as a full detail... a full detail consists of EVERYTHING from wash/dry, to clay, to polish, to sealant, and the rest like tires, trim, wheels, etc. what you did and what you noted above in the 9 steps, is a simply wash & wax, where you wash and clay a car, then apply wax.. that's all (btw, I REALLY hope you're not doing step 1 and 2 in that order, unless you wash, clay, wash)
It's still a full detail in my book. It appears the terminology is the issue here, because the way I note details is like this :
Quick detail
Full Detail
Complete Detail
A Complete detail is what I think you're referring to because if I do anything above washing/wheels/tires that's a full detail because I go ahead and vac, QD, etc...on a Complete detail I'll do all those things extra things you have like polishing, but I rarely use sealants because frankly I don't think they are neccessary unless it's being applied to a show car or garage queen. Reason being, that if it's gonna get dirty in 2-3 days anyway from pollen and road grime and it hides swirls like you said it's just a waste of funds. In MY opinion.
Quote:
As for your complaints, or lack thereof, there are 100s of businesses across the country thriving on people's lack of knowledge when it comes to detailing cars and proper paint correction and maintenance... meaning just because you're not getting a single complaint, doesn't mean you're doing a good job, and as dumb as that sounds, it's unfortunately true... I've personally had a bunch of people, who actually cared for their cars, come so I can correct $100-200 "full detail".. However, I'm not saying you're one of those "hacks" in the detailing industry doing horrible work and shining up the car temporarily.. we might have a misunderstanding here and that could be all, but based on what you've typed on here and your process, it makes me think otherwise...
I agree. but I don't get complaints for a reason. I don't leave until they are satisfied. I ask questions and let them respond. "do you see any issues that I need to correct"...things like that.
Quote:
I have one request... post some photos of your and your clients' cars, in direct sunlight, without any wax/polish/etc. rather a car that's just been washed, clayed, and dried... if possible... this way I can say I'm wrong and go my merry little way...
Click on after photos to see how they looked later, without any sealant to hide swirlmarks... I'm not the greatest detailer, but that's what a proper full detail consists of
I posted one of my C280 that I did like that. I clayed/washed(ajax)/and dried it and took the pic in daylight. it's in the archives somewhere on here. I did that to show the difference between Ajax vs. Car shampoos off the shelf.
And there's no right "order" to clay your car. I pefer to clay/wash.
no need to wash/clay/wash. that may be your your style. but it's not the rule.
Also the "shine" on a car doesn't always mean a full detail/complete has been done to it, because some "hacks" as you put it,don't take care of the little things like the crumbs in the console, dusty door jams, dirty inside windows, etc... it's not all about the outside as I'm sure you understand.
I'll try to woo a few pics from clients and post them.
Last edited by benz rider : 04-25-2008 at 01:13 PM.
I used to be a detailer for car lots like Lexus, Cadillac, etc..I'm a self taught detailer so I know what I'm doing. I just haven't made the jump to full time detailer yet... by choice. I have a name for it though.
The photos on your website are excellent, and it seems like too many 996s are swirled to hell, I guess people aren't familiar with the wonderful single stage.
Either that or they washed the cars with sandpaper. horrible swirl marks.
It's still a full detail in my book. It appears the terminology is the issue here, because the way I note details is like this :
Quick detail
Full Detail
Complete Detail
No, it's not a matter of "terminology" It's a matter of incorrect, harmful, and unethical procedures.
Quote:
Originally Posted by benz rider
A Complete detail is what I think you're referring to because if I do anything above washing/wheels/tires that's a full detail because I go ahead and vac, QD, etc...on a Complete detail I'll do all those things extra things you have like polishing, but I rarely use sealants because frankly I don't think they are neccessary unless it's being applied to a show car or garage queen. Reason being, that if it's gonna get dirty in 2-3 days anyway from pollen and road grime and it hides swirls like you said it's just a waste of funds. In MY opinion.
Extra things like polishing? Since when it compounding and polishing "extra" paintwork correction is a detailer's #1 fine art! It is what seperates the ameteurs from the professionals.
LSPs are absolutely mandatory, and failure to protect the paint is, as stated before, unethical business practice in the detailing field.
Hide swirls? Absolutely not, high quaity sealants and carnaubas aren't built to hide swirls, that's what clay fillers are for. Why do you think people polish in the first place? A polished and protected surface can stay swirl free for months, even after washing and heavy weather. If you do not, it will become extremely soiled, and that dirt sticks to the paint, making it a complete pain to remove.
Quote:
Originally Posted by benz rider
I agree. but I don't get complaints for a reason. I don't leave until they are satisfied. I ask questions and let them respond. "do you see any issues that I need to correct"...things like that.
As a detailer, I must take the responsible position knowing that I have knowlege of many tips and tricks that almost all of my clients don't understand, some don't care at all. Letting them be the judge is irresponsible, how are they supposed to know if it's as good as it can be, you're supposed to be the expert.
Quote:
Originally Posted by benz rider
I posted one of my C280 that I did like that. I clayed/washed(ajax)/and dried it and took the pic in daylight. it's in the archives somewhere on here. I did that to show the difference between Ajax vs. Car shampoos off the shelf.
First of all, the shampoo shouldn't matter, the only difference is the fact that Ajax will remove LSP, and should only be used as a prep for LSP application or paintwork correction.
From what you have said and provided thus far in terms of photos and your retorts, I am extremely sceptical that it is a prime example of your "detailing" skills. Yet, it could be your prime example, but it makes a fool out of professional detailers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by benz rider
And there's no right "order" to clay your car. I pefer to clay/wash.
no need to wash/clay/wash. that may be your your style. but it's not the rule.
You clay right on top of the dirt? How fast does your claybar become completely soiled?
Terrible.
If this is your procedure, then you have never properly clayed a car. Honestly, I wash, then clay, then wash the residue away again - it never takes very long the second time around.
Quote:
Originally Posted by benz rider
Also the "shine" on a car doesn't always mean a full detail/complete has been done to it, because some "hacks" as you put it,don't take care of the little things like the crumbs in the console, dusty door jams, dirty inside windows, etc... it's not all about the outside as I'm sure you understand.
The shine? I'd say a majority of the time I take detailing is to achieve as close to a perfect surface on the paintwork as possible. As stated before, paintwork correction is the one thing that sets a true professional detailer apart from any old "cleaner".
There are plenty of other processes that detailers must know, like leather restoration, which is quite complicated on it's own as well.
Honestly, at this point, I'm a lot less worried about those hacks, considering they at least make the car shine. Who says you even vaccum? You probably douse the interior with kerosene and set it on fire for all I know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by benz rider
I'll try to woo a few pics from clients and post them.
If you are caught stealing photos from other detailers, they will know. Don't even try it. With what you have said and provided, you have caused me to lose all faith in your abilities.
I will listen, and look at any photos you provide with an open mind, but at this point I am extremely skeptical of your unenethical business practices.
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