Detailer recommend in Pac NW - and what can I expect from a detailer?

C

cruster

New member
Hey all -



I'm a newbie so excuse me if these are dumb questions; I've been browsing the forums for a week or two and trying to educate myself, so hopefully they aren't as dumb as they might be!



1) I have a '97 Subaru Outback Sport that I've owned for about 5 years now. It's my daily driver - and I do love to drive. As such, I know it's never going to be concours quality. Sadly though, I have waxed it only once since I purchased it, and until about a year ago I washed my car like a dumb guy - hence swirls all over town. It's also got a scrape on the (plastic) bumper and a dime sized chip out of the paint on the roof (due to a bike rack failure). As far as the scrape and chip repair, is this something that a detailer is able to repair, or is that something I need to see a body shop about before I see a detailer? I do plan on detailing the car myself from here on out, but I would like to start from a good place and reverse some of the effects of the sub-par care the car has had. I love the car and I want it to look its best. And what about interior care...? My floor mats look a mess - can a detailer fix that? Or a tear in the cloth upholstery?



2) Is it in poor taste to try to get an estimate for my work before engaging someone for a job? I know it's not going to be cheap but I do want to know what I'm getting into before I begin.



3) Can anyone recommend someone in the Tacoma/Seattle area of Washington that they have had luck with? I have never had a car detailed - nor sadly has anyone in my family, so I have no idea where to begin.



Thanks very much in advance for any help you can provide. This is a very cool site and I'm glad I stumbled on it.



- Brendan in Tacoma, WA
 
If its a scrape on a plastic(unpainted) bumper, a detailer can't do anything for you. Depending on the size of the paint chip, a lot of detailers can use touch-up paint and wetsand it. If its bigger than a dime or so I would talk to a body shop first. I would always get an estimate before you let someone work on your car, but keep in mind you get what you pay for.
 
Oops - I rather made a mess of that. It's a painted plastic "skirt" if you will that surrounds the bumper mechanism. It's black plastic underneath, primed and painted in the same fashion as the rest of the car. A guy pulled out in front of me and I was able to avoid him for the most part, but did clip his rear fender. The friction rubbed the paint off in approximately a 4"x3" area at the corner. I know it won't be perfect but I'd like to at least get it touched up so that the color underneath isn't showing.
 
The scrape can be air brushed. the color will match, but, as my 'paint guy' says: we just put paint in the defect.



Should look fine from about three feet away... certainly better than it does now. In my shop, the charge would typically be $80, and that would include any other small areas on the car.



When selecting a detailer, certainly have them give you a firm price, after inspection. Does the detailer have a professional demeanor? Is the work area professional? A short conversation with the detailer should give you an idea of the skill level involved.



Ask if they use a Porter Cable Dual Action Buffer. While not mandatory, a yes answer shows they are fairly current with their technique.



Jim
 
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