What new members REALLY need to know about detailing

[sohal1025]

+1 on this thread alone. As a noob, I am learning already.

[Vitruvius]

Great post. As a noob, I thank you all for the education.

[Stephen Baird]

As a noob I really appreciate this thread as well! I just found I have clearcoat failure on my black 04 G35 Not too pumped about! I'm not sure if it was too much sun or a bad cutting compound session last year, but I am definitely anxious to educate myself more on this skill. Thanks again for your time and effort to share this valuable information! Cheers!

[Bruce Drago]

Excellent post thanks

[speedmatters]

great post scott!

[TOGWT]

Reading this or any other articles will not improve your detailing skills, lead to a successful business or change your life. Applying what you learn from it, however, will. That's where your commitment comes in - you need to make a commitment to yourself right now that you will take action on what you learn.

[DaGonz]

Well Scott I can't believe you use ANY Meguires products as a professional detailer. It just really amazes me.

I use a chemist to make all of my compounds sealants etc. If you want to be on the cutting edge in this business you have to have what the other guy down the street doesn't have or can do.
Hence the word Professional.....not week end warrior.

You have never heard the phrases "work smarter, not harder" and "a fool and his money are soon parted"?

Many of the exceptional detailers who post here use Meguiars products as well as Chemical Guys, 3D, 3M, Mothers.

One can have somebody custom formulate any and all detailing supplies exclusively for them, but if they don't have the tools, skills and expereience, these custom formulations can still have hack job results.

[jfelbab]

My advice to a newbie... If you tried a product and you aren't getting the expected results, chances are good the fault was yours and not the product. Until you learn a product you won't know what it is capable of. Before jumping to wet sanding to remove swirls, how about you try a few more times with better technique. Technique doesn't pour out of a bottle, I'd be willing to bet that any professional detailer here can get results with the product(s) you were using. It's the technique/process that works the magic. Learn the products and more importantly develop your techniques.

[soundsirkus]

to this thread, i honestly think, find a good cutter combined with a pad, yellow for a average medium cut or go lambswool, with a cutting agent, i think Farecla is good, or even Kittens cutting compound, it doesnt leave white dust particles after buffing off with micro-fibre towel. as you finish cutting all light scratches and oxidisation, then go for a good polish, i use
Autoglym Fluororesin polish... if their are swirls, before adding polish, add meguairs Swirl-X remover before polish.... thats for a easy cut & Polish..

[Houlamiller]

scott you content is amazing, i am appreciate

your experience show in the content.

[dajoh31]

Good post, there has been an awful lot of newbs posting, rather than searching lately.

I am a newb, and I am reading. Just bought a new car and trying to learn about all this detailing stuff so I can keep my rig looking sharp. Haven't ever cared about keeping a car up before, but this is my first truly new car. Thanks for all the info you guys have posted, I can tell I have a lot of reading to do.

[Accumulator]

dajoh31- Welcome to Autopia!

If you *don't* find answers to your Qs by searching/reading/etc., please don't hesitate to ask something, even if you think it's probably been discussed to death.