What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
I have been detailing cars since I was a young boy helping my grandfather keep his collection of 50`s and 60`s Fords in tip top shape. Now that I am older and have a family of my own I am starting to take my hobby a little more seriously. Since so many things have changed in the last 20 years with auto detailing, what would be one (or many if you are inclined) piece of advice you would give to someone starting out?
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
The most important thing is the process, not the products. Some products do better than others, but following fundamentals/best practice is going to give better results than the "latest" $50-100 miracle wax.
As you are just starting out (just like me only a couple years ago), my advice is to sort out your wash process. Correcting swirls and scratches is not beneficial if the wash process just swirls it back up in a few months.
We are here to help; just keep reading and absorbing information and asking questions! good luck!
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Don`t buy 32oz bottles of compound/polish unless you`re a pro...you won`t use `em.
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Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BudgetPlan1
Don`t buy 32oz bottles of compound/polish unless you`re a pro...you won`t use `em.
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I generally agree with this.... Once you find out what works for you and you like the product, then buy 32oz bottles...
I did buy a 32oz bottle of HD Speed though... but it works.
Buy good microfiber towels.......
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Same here with the HD Speed. I agree, works great and I like it a lot.
yes, good MF towels are a must.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TxChevyZ71
I generally agree with this.... Once you find out what works for you and you like the product, then buy 32oz bottles...
I did buy a 32oz bottle of HD Speed though... but it works.
Buy good microfiber towels.......
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Read, Read, Read and watch videos. Here`s a few to get you started: Car detailing articles by Mike Phillips
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Ask questions about technique or process that you don`t understand - what is a 2BM everyone else understands? Why wash your waxing MF in a different load than the ones used for interior cleaning? Lots of little things that over time will become second nature or at least easy to remember. There is no one way to do things, except the right way ;)
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Go to a detail weekend and get some hands on tutoring. Speeds up the learning curve tremendously.
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Since I put coatings on my vehicles, they barely need to be even washed. I actually miss fiddling with the paint, oh well, im learning how to bbq instead :)
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Don`t get caught up in trying everything under the sun. Find a polishing system, and learn it. Research your decisions carefully.
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JBM
Since I put coatings on my vehicles, they barely need to be even washed. I actually miss fiddling with the paint, oh well, im learning how to bbq instead :)
haha I feel the EXACT same way about my car and truck now...and am searching for another side hobby
my 2 cents, DON`T OVER PURCHASE - you will end up with far too much stuff and your head securely down the rabbit hole
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Start with sample sizes and find out what you like :) It`s really not that different, maybe just easier ;)
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Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
danlc95
Don`t get caught up in trying everything under the sun. Find a polishing system, and learn it. Research your decisions carefully.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
512detail
...my 2 cents, DON`T OVER PURCHASE - you will end up with far too much stuff and your head securely down the rabbit hole
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Poorboy
Start with sample sizes and find out what you like :) It`s really not that different, maybe just easier ;)
https://www.autopia.org/forums/attac...id=33761&stc=1
And don`t get sucked in by SALE banner counters on Autogeek/Autopia...they pretty much have sales every weekend so you`ll NEVER miss out.
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
yeah i`m a sucker for the sales...... I admit it. That`s the first step right?
Now what`s the second step?
Re: What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?
I`d say:
-Think before you do anything; know what you`re doing, and why, before you do it and keep thinking all the time while you do it
-Learn how to clean (all of) the vehicle in such a way that you don`t do any damage and then keep (all of) the vehicle clean
-Use stuff that favors functionality and be a discerning consumer
Think. Think. Think. Effectively. This Detailing isn`t theoretical mathematics; it`s pretty simple and all the info, all the "trade secrets" [INSERT rolleyes emoji], all the requisite knowledge base, all that stuff is commonly available these days. But I suspect that most people wash/polish/wax a car without thinking about it for even an hour or two....and then they wonder why their results aren`t pleasing. Don`t be afraid to "overthink" it (scare-quotes intentional).