how did you learn the detailing process?

[III]

Just was curious as to how you all learned the techniques of detailing? Examples are: using a pc/rotary, wet sanding, just general info on the detailing process. Did you people learn from trial and error? Watching videos? Learn from watching other people? Etc......

I'm always learning from everyone on this site and I was just wondering how all of you got to where you are in your detailing knowledge?

[Corey Bit Spank]

Autopia.

Trial an error.

You're never done learning. I need to learn how to wet sand and use a rotary this summer. And I'm still not done. But...a lot of it is just going out and doing it!

[NozeBleedSpeed]

Everything I now know, I learned in my driveway with a towel in my hand. I still learn that way, mixed with occasional advice from those much more advanced than myself. Like most things, its a trial and error trade.
A genuine interest in detailing will help you to learn more than any video or book. You will learn something new with every detail you do....if youre paying attention.

[Mike Phillips]

My first experience with a rotary buffer was after I painted my first car. I went down to the local too rental store and rented a dinosaur of a buffer, Milwaukee I think for the weekend for less than $20.00

The tool rental store also rented wool buffing pads and a single compounding product, can't remember what it was now. This would be back in about 1980, I was 19 at the time.

I did everything wrong except for spraying the paint. Luckily, there was a guy hanging out at the place I rented the spray booth that was a real pro painter and he taught me how to mix my paint, set-up my gun and spray it on. How long to wait in-between coats etc. I sprayed an acrylic white paint with multiple, multiple coats of acrylic clear with pearl blue in it.

The car came out almond color because I sprayed so much pearl blue over the white. But at night when the overhead street lights shined on the paint it glowed blue.

Anyway, back then I thought my wet-sanding and buffing job looked pretty good, today I would probably cringe to see the same finish.

Things only got better, (or worse depending on your perspective), after that. I did a lot of hand detailing before this paint job, but after using the rotary buffer once, I knew that was the way to go for me.

Everything I learned after that was trial and error until I went to a Meguiar's detailing clinic in either 1982 or 1983, (it was the year of my bad motorcycle accident), at this Meguiar's detailing clinic, I was introduced to the tan bottles with the numbers, and I learned what a PBE store was.

Mike

[bretfraz]

I used to be the kid in the neighborhood who would wash and wax your car for $20. I'd carry all my supplies in a paperboy's satchel and ride my bike from job to job. I was 12 or 13 at the time.

I got a Craftsman ROB for my birthday (15th or 16th, can't recall...) and used that constantly until a few years ago when I discovered the PC. In those days, living in So Cal, detailing products were available everywhere and I'd buy whatever looked interesting and use them on customer's cars. When I wanted a specific product, I usually mixed it myself with the products I had, like making a one-step glaze/wax or something.

A few years later I started my first detailing business. A couple years after than me and a partner started another detailing biz and we bought our first real polishers, a new Black & Decker rotary and a used Sioux from a body shop.

I learned a lot on my own but got a great deal of advice and training from a neighbor who owned a 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4. He taught me how to glaze, polish, and wax properly. He showed me many concours tricks but mostly he taught me about the real meaning of "detailing" and how to think like a show-winning detailer. I also learned much from other detailers, body shop guys, and from mfr's like Eagle One, The Wax Shoppe, One Grand and Meguiars. The Eagle One staff were always very helpful and supportive whenever I'd ask a question or two (million) or have a problem, and for that I'll always be grateful.

[Terry]

Originally posted by NozeBleedSpeed
Everything I now know, I learned in my driveway with a towel in my hand. I still learn that way, mixed with occasional advice from those much more advanced than myself. Like most things, its a trial and error trade.
.

Me too.......Every Detail is similiar but different. Recognizing problems and solving them comes with experience. Detailing is not easy. Patience, effort & drive combined with listening and asking lots of questions will get you on your way. Also, speak softly and let your results sell your business. Good luck.