Better to get a full detail by a pro or do it yourself?

That is a loaded question - and it ultimately depends on you. However, I noticed you have asked several question here over the past few days. Typically, for someone like yourself that is open to learning about detailing (you obviously are interested in it, because you came to this site), I would suggest you give it a try yourself.



The old saying "You can give a man food, or you can teach him to fish" applies here too.



Regarding money - A proper detail (autopian quality) would start around $250. You could get a PC or UDM, and a few other neccessary items for that price. The difference is that the $250 spent on supplies would provide you with several details.
 
Depends on what you want done.



You can pick up a bottle of wax and some microfibers pretty cheap.



Wash and wax? Swirl removal? Interior carpet extraction?
 
Realistically, it is cheaper in price to get a full detail done professionally, considering the cost of tools, the cost of the products, and the time necessary to develop the necessary skill. People who do it themselves do it because they love it, not to save money. Nonetheless, over the course of a few years, it will save money but only over the long run.
 
Learn to do it yourself. Invest in a PC, Ridgid 2611 or UDM, some pads and a couple good polishes such as menzerna and a good sealant and save your self some money in the long run and get better results.
 
If you have time to do it yourself it can be very fulfilling, if you have more money than time or will be frustrated by the learning process, hire a pro.
 
Holden_C04 said:
Realistically, it is cheaper in price to get a full detail done professionally, considering the cost of tools, the cost of the products, and the time necessary to develop the necessary skill. People who do it themselves do it because they love it, not to save money. Nonetheless, over the course of a few years, it will save money but only over the long run.
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Are you kidding, I have enough products for my 2 cars to last a life time. For the money I spent, I could have my cars detailed every month and still be ahead. But, I love it. LOL!!
 
Yeah I pretty much need some serious stuff done like removing swirl marks, removing some dull spots, waxing, polishing and so on.
 
Holden_C04 said:
Realistically, it is cheaper in price to get a full detail done professionally, considering the cost of tools, the cost of the products, and the time necessary to develop the necessary skill. People who do it themselves do it because they love it, not to save money. Nonetheless, over the course of a few years, it will save money but only over the long run.
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I agree with this comment. Not only is it the proper equipment (polisher, carpet extractor, pressure washer, vacuums, etc.), but also the skills needed to operate the equipment. If you find a quality detailer you will get much better results than you could realistically achieve. In addition how valuable is your spare time? Would it be better spend making money for yourself or spending time with your family? One of my economics professors in college said; Do what you do best, and pay for the rest.
 
I do have the time, it's just I am probably looking at spending over $400 in supplies if I do it myself + I have never done it before.
 
The rest of my comment still applies even if you have the time. To get the proper equipment and supplies you are looking at much more than $400. It is possible to maybe do a mini-detail with that type of budget. Anyways, I am not trying to discourage you, but you asked.
 
guest2299 said:
I do have the time, it's just I am probably looking at spending over $400 in supplies if I do it myself + I have never done it before.
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I am in the same boat. But I'm adhering to my own trial/error. Although I'm still considering on getting an Autopia member to do it for me to establish a baseline before I fully take over myself.



My interior carpet is ghastly, plus I have some swirls that can't be fixed by hand, so I hear what you're saying. At times, a pro is the way to go.
 
I don't know where you're located, but here's a suggestion: try to attend one of the Meguiar's or similar detail days. You might be able to get you truck used as a demonstrator by the instructor, which would mean you could get swirl correction for free. If not, you should still be able to try out polishing with a machine to see if you like it, how it works, etc.



If not, why don't you go back to your original plan of doing some work by hand? You really haven't said if/how much you enjoy detailing. I certainly wouldn't recommend the purchase of a machine etc. for $400 if you don't have a desire to detail. It's kind of like you should play golf or bowl to see if you enjoy it before you buy a set of clubs or a ball. If you dislike or get no satisfaction from the "chore" of working on your car, then you definitely should pay to have someone do it.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
If you dislike or get no satisfaction from the "chore" of working on your car, then you definitely should pay to have someone do it.
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Agree 100%



guest2299 - Will you enjoy the process? If not, hire an experencied pro.
 
tdekany said:
Forget about the pc/udm. Get yourself a flex if you decide to do it on your own.
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There's quite a leap in price between the pc/udm and the flex, particularly so for someone who isn't sure if they have caught the detailing bug just yet. Granted, the flex is the much preferred choice, even for a beginner.
 
Holden_C04 said:
There's quite a leap in price between the pc/udm and the flex, particularly so for someone who isn't sure if they have caught the detailing bug just yet. Granted, the flex is the much preferred choice, even for a beginner.
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Not really - he maybe able to correct the paint with the flex. If he gets a pc and after a few hours he gives up and calls a pro.... In that case, he wasted at least a couple of hundred dollars because he will think that the pc is useless. just m2c
 
There's a long learning curve regardless of whether he uses a PC or Flex. If he is willing to give up after a few hours of using the PC, who is to say he won't do the same with the Flex?



It took me about 4-6 months of daily reading/experimenting to get anywhere near the level of quality of a professional.



I think this is a case where we are both right and in the end, it will come down to the OP to decide.
 
Holden_C04 said:
If he is willing to give up after a few hours of using the PC, who is to say he won't do the same with the Flex?
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With the flex, you will get the correction done fast. That was my reasoning to suggest the flex over a pc.



To get back to the OP's question, I'd say to get it done by a pro first.
 
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