semi pro/hobby detailer

[TRAKPAK]

Hi Yall. I am an avid detailer however, I don`t go to the extreme you all go to in order to acheive ecstacy like you do BUT, I do get very close to being a pro detailer on my vehicles (which is relatively close to where you guyz go with your customers and your personal cars) but in a much quiker way without investing 8 hours. The biggest difference is you get paid for perfection, deal with crappy, swirly, scratched paint jobs that people think you can save-( and often you probably do) but I don`t. I do applaud all you detailers for all the BS you gotta go through to help people bring their cars looks back from the grave.. I only deal with my cars - newer/ never let them go to heck to begin with so I got it on gravy street- however- I do get down and will cut extreme corners because I am the owner- as for you all- owners expect their cars to blind them with beauty even if it is a 1994 Jetta. lol

I have learned alot from reading your comments and wanted you all to know your expertice is greatly appreciated by me- thank you all. I use mostly over the counter stuff but all the higher endish stuff- Mothers, Megs, Liquid Glass, Ice just for convenience sake. Again, thank you all for sharing your secrets and wisdom. I do like the TW ICE- works killer on my rides. TRAKPAK

2008 Silver 4Runner Limited 15k
2008 Dark Candy Apple Red/ tri-coat Roush Trak Pak
2006 Pearl Opalescent white AWD Lexus 300

Thank you all

[Beemerboy]

Welcome from Sonoma County CA

[JaredPointer]

Welcome.

Even though the TW Ice isn`t an acrylic paint sealant with guaranteed one year durability that has to be applied in a very prescribed manner or it won`t work, I know my father likes it and uses it on his vehicles with pretty nice results.

Hang around long enough, and you`ll get me. Or you won`t.

[TRAKPAK]

absolutely-but- I love it- I`ve used the ICE QDetailer a bizillion times and am always impressed with its luster- It also seems to be longer lasting than I would have originally think. I love the paste over the liquid glass after washing/claying/cleaning/LQGlss/ICE- ICE is nice for OTC stuff. Last weekend I used Megs/liquid wax over the top- cool and the gang. I won`t be driving that vehicle till next weekend- maybe-- and will put a coat of Nattys or Ice over the Megs liq top coat before I take it out again- zero problems.

[black bart]

I bought TW ICE when it first came out and did a small section of one panel on my Ranger and then deposited the ice in it`s rightful place in the trash container.

[Troy@Protekt]

Welcome to DC.

You`ve probably noticed everyone has an opinion here that they are more than happy to share.

[JaredPointer]

Trakpak - I hope you`ll see my other post about just trying to be funny in lilght of recent events regarding the acrylic paint conditioner statement.

Seriously though, I have watched my dad use the TW Ice and have seen the results myself. He can do the whole vehicle in about half the time (or less) it takes me to apply traditional sealant/wax.

The stuff really (really, really) reminds me of Zaino Clear Seal. I bet if you put some ICE in a bottle, slapped a "Z" label on it, folks would be shouting it`s praises.

In any case, find what you like and use it. There`s absolutely no reason that you have to spend bookoo dollars on "premium" products. Sure, they are nice, but you can get very good results out of over-the-counter products.

[TRAKPAK]

i have thick skin- I don`t really care about comments of Ice going in the trash- it all depends on the application. For my vehicles , it makes them look like new money. might look average on an older vehicles paint.

I have a several buddies of mine who uses PB`s and I really like 1 of their cars and 1 doesn`t look as good as mine and its NEW!!!!!!!!!!!- oh well.

I agree with some on this forum that r obviously very dedicated and gifted- and some I don`t-I know what works for me-in most cases but am excited to try your pro recommendation because you all know what`s happening more than I do- but I still love ICE. lol

[Jngrbrdman]

Just remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Detailing is more than just a job for some people. Some of us look at it as art. Also remember that just using a line of products doesn`t get you results. It is the process of using those products that really get you the results you are after. It is great that you are able to maintain your vehicles with `OTC` products, but if you ever want to turn the corner in appearance, then you are going to have to branch out to the web. There simply isn`t anything on the shelf that can compete with some of the products that are distributed in places other than WalMart and PepBoys.

[black bart]

just remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Detailing is more than just a job for some people. Some of us look at it as art. Also remember that just using a line of products doesn`t get you results. It is the process of using those products that really get you the results you are after. It is great that you are able to maintain your vehicles with `otc` products, but if you ever want to turn the corner in appearance, then you are going to have to branch out to the web. There simply isn`t anything on the shelf that can compete with some of the products that are distributed in places other than walmart and pepboys.

+1

[Mr. Clean]

Detailing as art? Sounds a bit new wave to me.

And just to clarify for a new member (and OP), W@lm@rt and PepBoys are not the only sources of OTC products. Depending on your area you can often find a plethora of quality products which applied appropriately can deliver more than ordinary results. To say that you must purchase boutique products online to achieve great results is elitist and just not truthful. Learning the techniques and processes are key to acheiving above average results.

For clarification and full disclosure I use online products? Yes, I like to try different products from time to time and it is nice to support the vendors which help to provide our access to this site. Still, in my area (a large metroplex) I have ready OTC access to a variety of products.

[TRAKPAK]

I really wanna try the DG stuff- killer reviews and yes- OTC stuff is cool but will not produce art- its not hard getting a new car to look good- not for me. Pro`s in this biz are artists and I recognize that- Vut i still like ICE for now anyways. lol

[Mr. Clean]

Trakpak, DG (can I assume you are referring to Duragloss?) is one of the quality products readily available OTC in my area (just picked up a bottle of FC&S earlier today). Many believe that this product line compares quite favorably with a well known boutique (available online or if you have a distributor local) line.

[vwgtivw]

[TRAKPAK]

I am referring to Duragloss. I`ve seen it on cars and it was very good looking. You know, it would just be easier for me to just use the best NON abrasive products makes the most sense for me for newer vehicles. I know PB`s is good but I`ve seen such fabulous results from Megs/Mothrs/LqdGlass etc...How much better does it need to be? Having said that, it seems as if you take care of your paint from the gitgo- its easier until u know longer own the vehicle.

I realize everyone doesn`t get to buy a brand new vehicle all the time either. I have an afinity for Mustangs and am going to add a few older ones to the stable in the next 6 months or so, so I `m gonna have to deal with alot of "old paintish" issues . Thats a big reason I`m trying to learn as much as I can. Again, thank you ALL for all the great info- Older cars sound like a science of their own.