What new members REALLY need to know about detailing

....great post Scott. I especially agree with points 1, 2, 3 & 6. ....unfortunately, there seems to be no shortage of armchair detailers that are willing to provide specific answers to relatively complex situations without ever seeing the vehicle in question. It also seems you folks are having to correct the bad advice of others these days rather than actually spending that time sharing your experience.



If folks don’t know (or are unsure of) what they are talking about, then don’t make definitive, unfounded remarks. There are plenty of other members here with the answers & experience that can help the OP.
 
Also, insisting that you must order super high priced products online to get good results. I assure you, I don't need a crystal case of Zymol Royale to be a good detailer/have a head turning car. Thumbing one's nose at OTC supply users.



"Every time I drive at 20+ MPH large chunks of this clear stuff flies of my car, is this clearcoat failure?" Yes, it probably is. No amount of wax or compound will fix this.



"What wax will last for (x-amount of time) indefinitely?" None.



"I wash my car with a rock and an old broom, why am I getting swirls?" Gee, I wonder...
 
DavidB said:
Your command is my wish! :bow
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LOL. :har:







Everything one needs to know about auto detailing is located somewhere on this magnanimous site. David B has eruditely instilled the “Autopia Learning Library” for those who wish to have a solid foundation in this constant search for perfection we call Auto Detailing.





Many who where educated correctly in the ALL, went on to become weekend warriors/experts/masters/ professionals in detailing, whereas those who jumped ahead continue to suffer, do to the lack of knowledge. For once you master the basics, the products are just an extension of your applied work. True, some products are superior than others, but would often still fail the undisciplined.





Considerate new members, those needing the proper prerequisite and those having questions, should read through the articles (then act) in the ALL first, for there is always a Master Detailer on there 24/7, who will answer most of your questions, he does not sleep, nor asks payment for his precious time, and you will never embarrass yourself in asking your many questions.





If you want your vehicle to be a jaw dropping, head turning, chick/dude magnet, (for you ladies out there.) or you desire the repeat business etc., then master the basics in the ALL….. Learn from the Master Professionals before you.





~Soarer V
 
I agree its hard to be patient, when the obviouse is lurking within...a total lack of knowledge for paint surface correction. I admit after 38 years sometimes people bring me BLACK, full of wheel marks after every novice in the state had a whack at it. I tell people its very hard to remove wheel marks in old paint. Many times after a month or so the marks will come back. I tell customers...I will do the best I can and it depends how they maintain the protection on their vehicle. I do about 85 percent BLACK. I did three black cars last week out of 5 total. Black can be difficult if it was car washed and abused by lack of knowledge.
 
I think if your going to engage in paint correction as a newbie, you should practice on a clunker. This paint rejuvenation and correction is NOT for everybody. I have only seen a handful of capable technicians pull it off! The fact is ....High speed polishing with the proper touch is indeed an ART! The second fact is FEW ARE VERY GOOD @ it. The ones that have achieved success know what is needed when and why. I I could share all the paint knowledge I have since 1969 when I started, that might take all the adventure out of your learning process! SO FORGE ON and discover what works for you! BenLeoneDetailer
 
Soarer V said:
Everything one needs to know about auto detailing is located somewhere on this magnanimous site. David B has eruditely instilled the “Autopia Learning Library” for those who wish to have a solid foundation in this constant search for perfection we call Auto Detailing.





Many who where educated correctly in the ALL, went on to become weekend warriors/experts/masters/ professionals in detailing, whereas those who jumped ahead continue to suffer, do to the lack of knowledge. For once you master the basics, the products are just an extension of your applied work. True, some products are superior than others, but would often still fail the undisciplined.





Considerate new members, those needing the proper prerequisite and those having questions, should read through the articles (then act) in the ALL first, for there is always a Master Detailer on there 24/7, who will answer most of your questions, he does not sleep, nor asks payment for his precious time, and you will never embarrass yourself in asking your many questions.



If you want your vehicle to be a jaw dropping, head turning, chick/dude magnet, (for you ladies out there.) or you desire the repeat business etc., then master the basics in the ALL….. Learn from the Master Professionals before you.





~Soarer V
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Soarer I'm gonna disagree with one thing about this. Accumulator does sleep, but I heard he sleeps with his eyes open.:LOLOL :rofl:woot2:
 
paintxpert said:
I tell people its very hard to remove wheel marks in old paint. Many times after a month or so the marks will come back. I tell customers...
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.........................Im skeptical of the use of 'xpert'.
 
Well Scott I can't believe you use ANY Meguires products as a professional detailer. It just really amazes me.



I use a chemist to make all of my compounds sealants etc. If you want to be on the cutting edge in this business you have to have what the other guy down the street doesn't have or can do.

Hence the word Professional.....not week end warrior.
 
cartoysautospa said:
Well Scott I can't believe you use ANY Meguires products as a professional detailer. It just really amazes me.



I use a chemist to make all of my compounds sealants etc. If you want to be on the cutting edge in this business you have to have what the other guy down the street doesn't have or can do.

Hence the word Professional.....not week end warrior.
Click to expand...



Oh, I guess you don't know him, he just says he uses 105/205 but actually has aliens bring down a formula custom made for him from their planet.:chuckle:
 
Good stuff man..as one of the new guys on the block I haven't even reached a point where something I'm thinking about hasn't been addressed.
 
Good post!!! Wheather you are using a dual action or a rotory, I suggest for a new guy to start with 3 levels of pads, 1 compound, and 1 polish. Compounding pad, medium polishing pad, light polishing pad. You cant go wrong with 3M white, grey, blue pads.



Anyways, get really good and comfortable with these. Get to know how they feel, how the pad grips the paint as it heats up, how the compound and polish breaks down. Start off by grabing an old panel from a junk yard. I always suggest for a new guy to take a junk panel from go at it. Let the paint heat up. In fact, burn the paint so you can feel it through your polisher. Paint correction is about feeling the paint in your hands. Whether your wet sanding, buffing, or polishing, you need to be able to feel the paint.



So just get really really good at using 3 pads, 1 compound, and 1 polish. Spend the next 6 months practicing a lot. Then, if you want to start trying new products, only try one product at a time. Maybe try a different polish but keep using the same compound and pads. Or maybe try one different polishing pad but keep using the other polishing pad, compound pad, polish, and compound. Slowly add products to your arsenal and master each product one by one.



My two cents.



Business URL removed by moderator. Please don't do it again.
 
cartoysautospa said:
Well Scott I can't believe you use ANY Meguires products as a professional detailer. It just really amazes me.



I use a chemist to make all of my compounds sealants etc. If you want to be on the cutting edge in this business you have to have what the other guy down the street doesn't have or can do.

Hence the word Professional.....not week end warrior.
Click to expand...



weaksauce.gif
It isn't necessarily the product but how the detailer uses the product. Besides, the guy down the street isn't using $90 a gallon Meguiars #105 or #205.



Meguiars turned this:



34662003_Cadillac_CTS_before8.jpg




Into this...



34662003_Cadillac_CTS_after_105_205_1.jpg
 
cartoysautospa said:
Well Scott I can't believe you use ANY Meguires products as a professional detailer. It just really amazes me.



I use a chemist to make all of my compounds sealants etc. If you want to be on the cutting edge in this business you have to have what the other guy down the street doesn't have or can do.

Hence the word Professional.....not week end warrior.
Click to expand...



Is this guy for real? Hire a CHEMIST to do what Meguiar's has been doing and perfecting for over 100 years?!? That's really what makes him a Professional (notice the capitalization)? Eight posts and he's banned- guess we know why.
 
Yea...succeeding in this business takes a lot more than "having what the guy down the street doesn't have." There's so many more aspects to running a business.





Sorry to bring this back. I was just browsing around (I read but rarely post) and saw this and had to comment on it. I really respect that you share what it is you know Scott, thank you for all and especially the sticky lol...made me laugh!
 
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