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Came across a really, really good glaze recently - I couldn't even see the buffer swirls from a nasty wool pad. The good news is you don't even have to spend the time polishing after heavy compounding and the customer won't even know right away. The bad news is I was the customer - had a panel...

Okay, today's detail marks the second black car I've seen in the past few months that had amazinigly little marring, and coincidentally enough, both owners said they wash their cars themselves. Well sort of. Both said they simply rinse off and then dry (one drys with microfiber towels and the...

I've been using a variety of bug and tar removers via aerosol can, but, even though we really don't have much of a bug problem here in San Diego, I think it's time I find an more economical solution. I'd like to here what others have found to work best for this purpose, like possibly various...

Question for those of you that leave in the humid areas common in the East Coast...how wet do you get the carpets when cleaning? Over here in Cali where drying is no issue at all, I soak the piss out of carpets...often pulling the hot water extractor head at only about 2 inches per second on the...

Just another thread in my series of things that "suck"... As a professional detailer, I hate leased vehicles - it really seems to encourage neglect. First, a large majority of people with leased vehicles don't even bother to get details, and IMO when they do, they just want to bare minimum -...

I was planning on joining the PDTA and was wondering how many of the professionals that frequent this board are members, and if so, do they find it a worthwhile organization to be a part of?

I really don't know what their deal is, but it's been a long time since I've seen a repair/repaint that wasn't riddled with buffer swirls. In fact, my last 3 clients that have had work done have all received miserable jobs (finish-wise)...and all three were from different body shops. And I just...

As a professional, I hate detailing big cars. Nothing's worse than a black Escalade ESV, Excursion, etc. My $/hour is always works out to be less on these monsters, as I just can't bring myself to skimp. You just can't charge enough...sure you tack on an extra $40 or $50 for being oversize, but...

Anyone use window concentrate? I didn't used to offer washing-only services, but now that I do, I'm doing a lot of windows and desire a more cost effective solution. My neighbor has deionized water that I could mix it with, which ought to be streak-free...

Clay Before Same Piece After: Get the picture? The rust you see from this pic was from about 1/2 sq foot, albiet from the bad part of the car. I probalby do 2 or 3 a months this bad. Patrick, this is why I go through so much clay...ya see?

Just a little peeve of mine...wondering if I'm in the majority here: For living in a very expensive area, where the average house is nearly a million dollars, I can't believe how many cheap people there are. Personally, I think there is a time to bargin hunt and a time to pay for...

PowerGloss to the rescue again - A guy came to me while I was working with a truck he rented and scratched to hell while 4-wheeling. He didn't want it perfect since it was a rental (2006 btw); it's a good thing, because he only had an hour and a half. Since it was a rental, I decided to...

I bought a gallon of the CG conditioner, searching for an affordable replacement for Z10. But my container of CG conditioner doesn't smell like new leather at all - and my wife and her gf fully agree. Others have said it has a pleasant leather smell...so I'm wondering if I simply got a bad...

Looking for a good leather scent for clients that like that new (leather) car smell. I hear the CG spray scent is pretty good...any comparisons? Alternatives? Unfortunately, the leather scents offered by most companies do not smell pleasant, and thus I wanted to get somefeedback before I order.

I've done a few H2s, which are probably the most difficult vehicle in their own right, but of course I've never done a stetch H2. It' silver and only 6 months old. BUT, as some of you know who've read my posts before, this area is crazy-horrible with rust contamination, and this ride has it in...

Unfortunately (for the consumer) this is one debate we cannot have till the other companies redesign, or at least make an attempt to catch up - the American Buffing pads, aka the Propel IIs, take it hands down. For those of you who have logged some serious hours with these pads on a rotary, you...

I've been using Z10 primarily for the leather smell (otherwise, it's a good conditioner, but no better than a few others I like...but the smell is wonderful for amost a week). But I'm going broke using this stuff professionally. Can anyone recommend an alternative leather scent?

I'm not sure what you guys think are the ugliest cars currently made, but for me the Toyota Prius gets the award - big time. I had to do a complete detail on one the other day (white too, yuk) and hated every minute of it. EDIT: I recently acquired a client with a black Prius...it's kinda...

Manufactures don't seem to be getting any better with this orange peel business, do they. Maybe it's just my set of clients, but the GMs and Chryslers seem to have it real bad, with the Hummers leading the way (the Escalades aren't too good either). Take the Hummer...why do you think it is...

A kid around the corner just started using me to detail his new SRT8. I took it for a little drive...the 450 hp (not sure what the exact figure is) comes in very handy. He just told me he has already orded a Paxton with 8lb boost for it, which will bring the total to 600HP. Nice. It's a setup I...