Sharing detail secrets kinda hard

Todd · 12-12-01, 09:31

I was checking out some of the before and after pics on this forum when one of the young guys here at work came into my office.He saw the pics and started asking questions about what the person had used on the car.It is so hard to explain to someone how to get these type of results without going into ALOT of detail.I told him the wax was Zaino (I know its not a wax but thats a whole nother story)all he wanted me to do is to tell him where to get this wax.What do you do in this situation you can't explain all the steps to this type of person and if you try most do'nt listen.I tried to tell him I would have to see the paint to give him the instruction on how to prep and finish his paint but he already new how he said.

He begain to explain he takes great care of his car (Black newer Prelude)washes with armor all and soft rag,waxes ith armor all sealant and so on.Now I almost wish I would have kept my mouth shut.I think somtimes people like this are the people who will go and tell others a product is no good because it did'nt make my car look like the pictures.Oh well just had to get that off my mind.Thanks for listening.

waxingfool · 12-12-01, 09:43

i know what you mean since i am on autopia quite abit @ work i have several of guys around me always asking me about detailing their car. i have tried to explain it, but they could care less they just want their car to always look great, without the work. the guy that sits beside me (cubicles) just bought a brand new car. he had stated that he took it the local car wash put it in a bay where they apply a wax by spraying the car and then big brushes come out and swirl it around. this is a black car he thinks it looks great. i let you figure out how it really looks. on the good side of having autopia on my computer most of the day is that i have several people wanting me to detail their cars for them. changing the look of the parking lot one car at a time!

blkZ28Conv · 12-12-01, 10:26

I would refer these people who are interested in car detailing with high end products to this and other webs sites. They first must discover the commitment it takes and proper technique to received the result that they may see over your shoulder. I think after researching and reading they will come to the correct conclusion that elite car detailing requires a love for this hobby. Any product, no matter how good, is dependent on its user, the proper prep, tools, and love.
Yea, turn them on but make them do the research first.

If they are truly interested they will do the leg work.

carguy · 12-12-01, 10:44

Youth and "already knowing the answer" seem to go together.

If he won't listen, you did your bit - don't take it personally. But someday catch him in the parking lot and show him how to see the damage he is doing. Tell him you can tell him how to avoid that in the future. Once he sees on his own car that he isn't as good as he thinks, he'll probably listen.

YoSteve · 12-12-01, 11:13

really, I just tell people to come to here, or to go to my site (easier for them to remember for them)

One thing you can do is write down (type out

) what you use and what is involved, pass it out, have them read it and let them decide. You will get some that will do it and some that definately won't think it's worth it. The good thing is that if you get anyone to "sign on" to how you do things their car will look sooo much better and it'll serve as another testimonial, and the ones that thought it wasn't worth it might think twice. But definately for the guys that TW's every month, he should spend his time on something better

I usually push a few coats of Klasse AIO on anyone that asks me. My big point consists of saying they only need it twice year. But it is $20ish a bottle. Most people say, twice a year that's it? and I say yeah, then they chicken out cause they have to order online

BTW carguy, funny how one generation always make fun of the other generation. DavidB and I said it a long time ago, the older gens seem to think youngins are know-it-alls and the youngings think older people resist change. But in a way both are true. Funny you brought it up, esp since in on of my threads the other day, I brought up the "old dogs new tricks" one. I am somewhere inbetween the exact middle (point out the youngins but yet still try to change)

Yell00ITR · 12-12-01, 12:24

Who's pictures were they of? If they were of my mom's car (black Acura 3.2 TL), I can easily explain to him what I did....nothing special. Just good products and some patience.

Or, if someone else's, tell him to shoot them an email for tips on technique...

Guess My Name · 12-12-01, 12:35

I have no friends but I do have beer drinking buddies!

Once in a blue moon we talk about detailing but not much. Only 1 guy I know is a true nutt like myself. I gave him a MF he went crazy and now wants more. He never heard of them.

The best bet is to wait until they ask and then patiently teach them your knowledge. If they get that glazed look in their eyes cut it short and go get a beer. You hit his knowledge limit for the day!

BradE · 12-12-01, 02:40

Todd,

I know what you mean. Most people don't share the passion for cars that we do, therefore they don't really care about taking great care of them.

I usually recommend something like Meguiars #20 or something they can buy at a local store because they are too lazy to order stuff. I never let them use any of the products in my stash(Klasse, Zaino and just about everything know to man), sorry i'm selfish.

Don2000g · 12-12-01, 09:57

Another product besides the #20 that I recommend to other casual or indifferent car care individuals is Finish First. It's a pretty good cleaner/sealant. People seem to enjoy this lazy man's product. Most people really don't care or even want to prep a car's surface.

Len_A · 12-13-01, 05:03

When my wife brought her new 2002 Escape home, my neighbor (and this guy restores cars as a hobby) was incredulous that I had already prepped the surface and detailed a new vehicle. Basically all I did was us Meguiar's No. 9 & No. 7 for paint prep (the truck had been sitting out in the elements for 6 weeks after it was built until we bought it), and then a layer of Meguiars No. 20 Polymer Sealant and a layer of Meguiars No. 27 Paste Wax . With my Porter Cable Polisher it took me the better part of a Saturday morning. Big deal.

He couldn't understand why I didn't wait until the finish (and this is his words) "needs to be waxed". Unbelievable. He has a new car. It sits outside all night (even though he has plenty of garage space) and he drives it to his factory job - a dirty environment, typical midwest "Rust Belt" industrial fallout.

Gee, anyone want to guess what his finish looks like after nine months?

waxman · 12-13-01, 09:59

Not many people in Michigan care what their car looks like. People love swirls in Michigan and think wax is for skis or body hair. They also seem to think dirt, mud, grime, and salt are good protection for vehicles because they keep a good coating. Many people buy and lease new cars and must think since it is new, it doesn't need to shine, because a new car is always better than a shiny old one.

Len_A · 12-13-01, 10:48

Quote:

Originally posted by waxman
Not many people in Michigan care what their car looks like. People love swirls in Michigan and think wax is for skis or body hair. They also seem to think dirt, mud, grime, and salt are good protection for vehicles because they keep a good coating. Many people buy and lease new cars and must think since it is new, it doesn't need to shine, because a new car is always better than a shiny old one.

waxman - You aren't kidding either. I can't tell how many people I meet that still think clearcoat paint means you don't need to wax. What a bunch of morons.