Detailing - Benzworld.org

bloxxMerc · 02-07-2008, 02:18 PM

What is a reasonable price for detailing? Is it worth it? What Special things do they do? Thanks...

mr.xpowerseller · 02-07-2008, 02:31 PM

Depends on what the car is, how trashed it is (kids/pet hair), how bad the paint is and what products (retail or professional level) are being used by the detailer. This data gives the detailer a price point.

**Musikmann** · 02-07-2008, 04:22 PM

Hard to say, but I have used my dealer a couple of times for detailing. Their full price that includes cleaning the engine is $135.00. I think you'll get about what you are willing to pay for, which I think is the same thing mr.xpowerseller said. If in doubt, ask for references!

I can get a "full detail" (not engine) from another place here for $100 but I'm more comfortable with the dealer who knows: what is vinyl/plastic, what is leather, and exactly how the various exterior paint colors need to be treated.

ohlord · 02-07-2008, 04:48 PM

That is far from complete or you really get a good deal.
Twice a year I do my own that includes wash,clay bar the whole car,wash again,menzerna intensive polish,final polish,glaze, 2 coats full metal jacket,and 2 coats of carnauba wax.Full wheel detail wash and scrub the wheel wells,polish all glass,then on into the inside.Most people think the old wagon is a custom show car paint job

Spend a sat. whole day
buy the supplies great deals on the detail forum over on mbworld.org
Detailing & Automotive Care - MBWorld.org Forums
Auto Detailing and Car Cleaning Products, Tools, and Tutorials - Detailed Image

and you will never go to a detailer again and your ride will be the envy of all who lay eyes on it.

**Musikmann** · 02-07-2008, 05:24 PM

I placed "full detail" in quotes because I don't know what they use for wax, but I can guarantee they don't use anything close to Menzerna. I have some of the Menzerna soap, wax, and an unused DA buffer (prefer a hand job if you know what I mean). However this year the weather caught me by surprise and it got too cold for me to do it myself, plus I don't have a garage, only a carport.

Trust me, I have shelves full of good products (Meguiar's is well represented) and prefer detainling all of my cars by myself. I have only used the $100 place for complete interior jobs on my other 2 cars, and that was mostly for cloth seat and carpet shampooing ($50 per car). I think that was reasonable compared to renting a carpet steamer with a chintzy apolstery attachment, which unfortunately, is all that is available here for rent.

texholdem · 02-07-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohlord

That is far from complete or you really get a good deal.
Twice a year I do my own that includes wash,clay bar the whole car,wash again,menzerna intensive polish,final polish,glaze, 2 coats full metal jacket,and 2 coats of carnauba wax.Full wheel detail wash and scrub the wheel wells,polish all glass,then on into the inside.Most people think the old wagon is a custom show car paint job

Hi ohlord,

I made a search for metal jacket and guess what? only this thread comes up :-)
So I am as stupid as before about what full metal jacket in car caring is (the weaponry meaning is known to me).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohlord

That is far from complete or you really get a good deal.
Spend a sat. whole day

My better half is already complaining that I spent too much time with the car :-) :-(

Pack · 02-07-2008, 05:29 PM

I went the Detailed Image route, and have been very pleased, but it takes me forever. How do you complete all of those processes in a single day?

I've only done two cars since I got everything from DI and studied up. Anything you may have learned since starting out that you could share would be greatly appreciated!

bloxxMerc · 02-07-2008, 05:32 PM

Well, since I just bought my car and it is still winter.... I was thinking of going to a detailing place just for the interior. They quoted me $89 just for the interior... and $40 for the engine compartment. Should I go for it?? Also.... how risky would it be for me to have them do the engine compartment? I really want it done, but I am nervous for problems!!

**Musikmann** · 02-07-2008, 06:02 PM

Doing the engine compartment is a bit risky unless you use some place that knows what they are doing. There are a few places in the engine bay that need to be protected from water. Like I advised earlier, ask for references.

ohlord · 02-07-2008, 07:40 PM

the end of the air box,where it takes air in up by the grill.Wrap some food cling wrap around the mass air sensor.Spray the whole area engine ,fire wall,frame, with foamy brite engine cleaner.let sit brush heavy deposits and treat again,wait the rec. time and hose off with a garden hose,no pressure nozzle just open hose low pressure.
The engine bay will come out clean and you will have no worries.

Full metal jacket is what I call the menzerna product full molecular jacket or FMJ
if you have a dark car,black lets say it will look like a jewel after being properly polished and treated to a few coats of fmj.
Menzerna FMJ
followed by a few coats of good carnauba wax

One day detail start early,finish late

plus I use a rotary polisher(don't do it unless you practice first. or use a porter cable orbital buffer to be safe.

and 100 bucks when you can't do it yourself is a heck of a deal if you are happy with their work.

ohlord
I buy good lakes pads,use a 25 buck variable speed rotary from hb freight and piece meal all the other menzerna polishes from autogeek proper auto care and detailed image since they are a sponsor on the other forum.

this is how I actually apply the carnauba by hand,before the final buff
YouTube - Costly Car Detailing *Crazy*
and with a little work your car can look just like this

Miracle Detail
won't do 255 but it can be nice and shiny............