Maybe a stupid question...

Jayhawker · 09-24-07, 08:42

...and I hope I don't get flamed for it. Have any of you ever practiced on a rental car? I have only used a rotary once since 1989 (was a detailer in high school at a pot lot) and the process was slowly coming back. Back then, I only had wool pads and two compunds as that's all the dealership would buy. I don't remember swirls back then. Buffing meant bringing back a glossy shine to dull, faded paint.

My father in law is coming back for a visit next month so I am thinking of borrowing a friends rotary and see if it comes back. I would like to buff on a lower portion of a rear quarter or rear door. I figure that would be the test area and if I felt confident I would do the trunk lid.

I am ready to buy the UDM and I am very confident there will be no issues with the machine. I really have no use for a rotary at this point but would love to have one sometime down the road.

I have read where some have practiced on their tool boxes and washers and dryers. Well, why not on a rental??? My flame suit is on.

mjpowers728 · 09-24-07, 09:00

I honestly don't see a problem with it. I've never rented a car before so I don't know how far they go with the condition when you return it, but as long as you don't go nuts I think it'd be okay.

Besides, I've heard of people doing other things with rentals....neutral slams and such.

One reason I'd say no, though, is the cost....like I said, I've never rented a car before so I don't know how much they charge, and if it's expensive, well, I don't know if I myself would pay a lot of money to practice, especially since I have a beater I can use.

tod071 · 09-24-07, 10:38

If you're going to be using a UDM, I don't think you'll have a problem at all. I actually thought of it myself. But, I found some friends' (aka guinea pigs) cars to practice on.

Kriminal · 09-25-07, 04:31

PMSL.....that is actually a good idea, providing you don't try your first wet-sanding session

Yal · 09-25-07, 09:08

I practiced on a loner from the dealer when my car was in for service

They are probably scratching their heads wondering why that one panel looks so slick compared to the others lol

the other pc · 09-25-07, 09:13

Dude, it’s a rental! Grab the rotary and go to town.

Short of using a wire brush, anything you do to it will make it look better. I mean, don’t try to hurt it. Just do your best and practice good technique.

PC.

bert31 · 09-25-07, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yal

They are probably scratching their heads wondering why that one panel looks so slick compared to the others lol

I would have loved to have seen their faces.

todd@bsaw · 09-25-07, 01:44

I have actually known people to rent a vehicle they were looking at purchasing just to detail it to consider future paint care of their (possible) new car.

I let new guys practice on our shop vehicles (Dodge Neon and Dakota). If you don't want to pay for a rental, stop by a construction site, auto shop, etc.. and ask if you can practice on their delivery vehicles or fleet vehicles. Many of those never get any care and the guys might even pay you if you do a good job.

Jayhawker · 09-25-07, 06:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kriminal

PMSL.....that is actually a good idea, providing you don't try your first wet-sanding session

I will most likely do some wet sanding in a small area down low. I have made arrangements to get my buddies buffer this weekend. Like I said, hopefully it will come back quick. I will most likely use 3M products since my father in law has easy access to those products. He is a "inspector" at an auto body shop so I will see if he can get anything else for me.

pb_foots · 09-25-07, 07:18

That's a great idea, I think I'll do that when I go from PC to rotary.

Considering how most rental cars look when you pick them up, I can't imagine what you could do to it to make it worse. I've never seen a larger group of mistreated cars. I rent about 2-3 times a month on average, and have seen some cars with less than 10K on them that are just hideous. They must all use the same gas station swirl o matic.

David Fermani · 09-25-07, 07:33

Funny you brought this up. I use to do work for 5-6 Enterprise Rent-A-Car's and I would have my new detailers practice removing scratches on them.

JDookie · 09-25-07, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawker

I will most likely use 3M products since my father in law has easy access to those products.

Which 3M products are you thinking about using? Be careful because a lot of 3M products have a lot of fillers in them, and even though it will *look* like you are doing a good job, you could be causing some serious swirls and such.

I actually love 3M polishes, but only the Perfect It line, whether it be the Perfect It II or the Perfect It III, the Rubbing Compound and Machine Glaze from either of those two lines are great, and don't have any fillers.

I think the newest Perfect It line is called Perfect It 2000 or something, not sure, but if you can get your hands on the PI III line, that ones the best.