Hi, I'm new--and starting a detailing business

Porschephile924 · 06-21-05, 05:27

Hiya everyone.

I'm starting a detailing business called "Precision Mobile Detailing", as I recently lost my job. I'm gonna be located in Denver, Colorado, and I'm hoping to make some cash to support my Porsche habit, and college life.

Anyway, down to the nitty gritty...

I've already got the PC, and I've detailed MANY difficult cars, my own being one of the biggest pains in the *** ever, as 18 year old Porsche gaurd's red oxidized to pink over the years is NOT easy to pull out.

I plan on using Klasse all in one, as I love the depth, and clarity of the reflection, and as a cleaner wax, (if used properly) will negate the need for a polish (Unless the car is REALLY messed up).

As for Polishes, I'm not sure what's the best to use. In the past, I've used the Griot's garage 3 stage machine polish, but it's WAY expensive, and IMHO, the results aren't as good as they should be for that cost. Also, I've been using Griot's speed shine and clay bar to take care of the paint contaminates, but once again, they are co$tly... What is a good clay and lube for a great price?

Thanks for all the help, and I look foward to being a valued member in this community.

raven · 06-21-05, 05:45

First

Welcome to Autopia, here's a link for clay
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/tps-clylub.html

Porschephile924 · 06-21-05, 05:49

Awesome. thanks much. I'll go ahead and order that.

pigeonbus · 06-21-05, 06:19

I think that a car doesn't necessarily have to be "really f*cked up" to require a polish...AIO or a similar product can only do so much, and I think that you'll encounter most situations needing more than AIO, unless of course you're only going to be offering a "wash and wax" type setup.

So, for polishes, the Menzerna line is great (especially if you're going to move to a rotary), but for ease of use, especailly with you're PC, there are many raves for the Poorboy's SSR Line (1, 2, 2.5, 3). The numbers denote the cutting action of each, SSR3 (Super Swirl Remover) being the "cutting" workhorse of the group, but you'll find 2.5 provides a very nice combination of aggressiveness with little to no hazing (while SSR3 will need to be followed with, say SSR1). In addition to Menzerna or the Poorboy's, the Optimum Polish is also very nice and I've had quite a nice "general" satisfaction with the Polish, it's quite versatile and inexpensive.

Good luck.

Porschephile924 · 06-21-05, 06:21

Thanks! I'll look into that.

themightytimmah · 06-22-05, 08:24

If you're starting out as a pro, look into The Chemical Guys lineup. I use their stuff, and its half the price of anyone else's, with similar if not better results. Their clay is top notch, and their SMR's are identical to Poorboy's - at 20 bucks a gallon. They're not Menzerna good (90%, though), but Menzerna is up to 5 times more expensive, and tough to work via PC. Not a lot of the guys here have used their products, as they're aimed at more of a pro market. Everyone who has has been quite happy with them, however.

www.thechemicalguys.com , for about 300 bucks you could pick up enough stuff to do 20+ cars start to finish.

Porschephile924 · 06-22-05, 08:38

Good to know! thanks!

Terran · 06-23-05, 03:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by themightytimmah

If you're starting out as a pro, look into The Chemical Guys lineup. I use their stuff, and its half the price of anyone else's, with similar if not better results. Their clay is top notch, and their SMR's are identical to Poorboy's - at 20 bucks a gallon. They're not Menzerna good (90%, though), but Menzerna is up to 5 times more expensive, and tough to work via PC. Not a lot of the guys here have used their products, as they're aimed at more of a pro market. Everyone who has has been quite happy with them, however.

www.thechemicalguys.com , for about 300 bucks you could pick up enough stuff to do 20+ cars start to finish.

That link isn't quite right. Here's the one I got from the review thread you posted www.chemicalguys.com.

SMR=polish right? What makes you say they're the same as poorboys? I'm assuming you're saying poorboys buys it from chemical guys? That would be awesome...twice the cost and 8 times the product and that's being generous to PB. Could you link which ones would be the CG's equivalents to SSR1, SSR2, SSR2.5, and SSR3? That would be very much appreciated.

Paultso · 06-23-05, 04:30

LOL, hope this doesnt turn into another "chemical guy w/o bashing...etc" threads

but yes, which CG polishes/compounds are equivalant to the PBs? 2.5 especially

Terran · 06-23-05, 06:39

I searched and couldn't really find a post by anyone who had used both. Is the belief that they are the same just based on they're looking the same? I did find several other things on the CG's site that looked and sounded very similar to PB products.

MCA · 06-23-05, 07:05

Heya Porschephile924,

I am sorry that you lost your job, and I really hope that your new detailing business works out for you. Good Luck

Anyways, I completely agree with pigeonbus in that AIO should not be your only pre-wax prep (other than clay)...Most swirls will laugh at AIO...Removing physical damage just isn't AIO main strength. With that said, I highly recommend the purchase of some sort of mechanical/abrasive polish. The Menzerna line are my favorites, but the high cost makes them very "pro-unfriendly" (of course you could pass that cost to the customer but that's a different topic). In your situation, I would go with Meguiar's Professional Line especially DACP and Speed Glaze --> Great performance with the PC and great pricing. The cost of 1 gallon is even lower than the Chemical Guys swirl remover products. The only bad thing is that you can't work in the sun.

Sparkle Auto

Just my $.02,
MCA

BTW, welcome to Autopia!!!

themightytimmah · 06-23-05, 07:11

Meg's pro line is great, particularly because they contain oils. As much as most guys here are anti-filler, they make life as a pro significantly easier. Often, cars come in with marring that is irremovable without taking off way too much clear. I use fillers to bring out the shine, without risking paint longetivity. As for SSR equivalents, the light cut is SSR1, medium is SSR2, heavy is SSR3. Laser Buff is a real honey, if you get a rotary. Its similar to Malco, great for production work. Not so good for high-end details, but if you ever "slum it" with dealership work, repos, etc (I'm not proud, OK!

), you can buff out a whole car in an hour.