The Pro vs. Enthusiast Arsenal...

I am loving this thread Dave. You made some great points, and it really is some good advice to listen to. As you know, I started out as an enthusiast just doing my own car. I wanted to try everything, but soon realized how expensive that could be. I then started doing the cars of friends for money, and had to have more products for different needs. Now that I have expanded to higher end clientele, I really do understand your point. The one about the wheel cleaners really makes a lot of sense. When I was doing one car every few months, using the best wheel cleaner worked because it would take a long time until I ran out of the product. Now that I am doing more cars, and doing them more frequently, I see how fast they need to be replaced, and that all adds up.

I also get your point about the pro needing more products, because every car you do is different, and what works on one car, might not work on another. When I do a mobile detail, I tend to bring so much stuff, that barely fits into my car, because I don't know what I will be up against. I still need a few more polishes to add to my arsenal!

I can't wait to see what else you have in store for us Dave:thumbup:
 
this is why I consider Detailing an art form.......you cant say exactly what really works or what doesnt.... The learned techniques and experience will determine your procedures.The how to access the damage and getting it solved. This is what defines how good,precise, accurate you are as a Pro or enthusiast.

This is a great threat...looking forward part 2
 
In addition to polishes and chemicals, I have found you HAVE to carry a ton of different pads, as well as a variety of buffers to a job.

When gmblack3a and I were polishing an Escalade, for some reason, the Flex would not finish down on the hood, regardless of the pad/polish combo. We moved over to the G110v2, and it was perfect.

When Mikenap, Michakaveli and I were polishing a black Cayenne Turbo, the Griots machine would finish down much more easily and give better clarity than the Flex or the G110v2 on that soft paint.

I won't even get into towels, where I have worked on some cars where only a no nap towel would not induce marring when removing polishing residue, where on other cars, a no nap towel would mar it like crazy.

Just my $.02
 
Dave,
This is some great information, and I am really paying attention to what you are saying.
I am looking forward to part three.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us here!!:thumbup:
 
Thanks David, for the perfect companion to Part-1.

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said, and have always tried to have "back up" for everything I worked with, within reason of course.

It all checks out in my mind; thanks for the time you took after all that you are doing, to give this to us ! It is much appreciated !!
Dan F
 
Attention Administrator

This Part 1 and Part 2 belongs in the new section called getting through all the confusion from beginner to pro.

David-Thanks for taking the time to reduce years of hard earned experience to writing. We are all lucky to benefit from your experience.

When I read this stuff I feel like I am taking an on-line course!

Thanks again!
 
Part 2 was great. Lots of great info, and just great insight. This will give a great advantage to newer guys starting out who are willing to listen. I wish I knew all that stuff when I first started, but like David pointed out you learn by experience! Top notch David. Looking forward to part 3!
 
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