[clevernickname]

So for the type of car people who wash their car at least once a month, wax 2-6 times a year, clay bar, etc, do you guys do it yourselves or go to a detailer?

Instinctively I think I'd rather do it myself cause I don't really know if they're doing as careful/good of a job as if I was doing it myself.

But it can be time consuming and be more productive and efficient to pay someone else to do it?

[unit]

i do my own, but i'll do a full wash only like 2-3x a year.
i just do the touchless gas station washes in between maybe every month or so.

i used to wash every week or two in the summer, but aint nobody got time for that. takes 2 hours to wash, and you have to do it when the sun is in the right spot or on an overcast day. too much fuss for me these days to keep that up.

[zplusa1]

I do it myself, I have all the gear and supplies I need for paint correction so why not? Doing it yourself also lets you get close up and see where any imperfections, or damage is that you may otherwise miss. It's also pretty therapeutic for me to do.

[BoostedBB6]

I also do it myself. I started detailing over 16 years ago now as a hobby and now do it as a business for select clients.
It greatly enjoy it so it will always be something I do myself. Well worth it to as paying someone $300+ to do a detail makes no sense to me seeing as you can pick up the supplies to do it yourself for the same price but they would last you many years.

[thumper]

i have a black car. and no garage. the second i put down the wash mitt or buffer, it's dirty and scratched again, so i need all the help i can get... enuf said :cry:

[supafamous]

I do it myself but increasingly would rather pay someone. I've got all the gear I need and it's not hard, just time consuming and I don't have as many free weekends anymore.

A full detail (wash, clay, polish, wax for outside, clean the insides, wax the wheels etc) is a full day of work and while I really enjoy it and get a lot of satisfaction out of it I'd rather be outside doing something else most of the time.

For hand washes I go to Ultra Shine or someone like that but even then it's time consuming since I have to wait in line so much.

[clevernickname]

Where do you go thumper? Or any recommendations anyone?

[FatalCloud]

project detail
ProjectDetail - Vancouver's Premier Automotive Detailing Service (http://www.projectdetail.ca)

brendan does a really good job

[thumper]

Where do you go thumper? Or any recommendations anyone?

Autowerkes Exclusive (http://www.autowerkesexclusive.com/)

[evlee]

I have a big black truck, i am very capable (Autobody experience) but nowadays my time is more important and dont mind to pay the right person to do a good job

[Galactic_Phantom]

i have a black car. and no garage. i need all the help i can get... enuf said :cry:

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/505877362873880576/mC7cTyN3.jpeg

[Akinari]

I do my own, twice a year. Really not that difficult, much more rewarding to see the outcome anyway.

[westopher]

Funny this came up, I detailed my own car today.
While it looks worlds better, its no where near as good as a professional can do. I think its smart to make the decision depending on how far gone your paint is. I can make good paint look better, but I sure as shit can't make bad paint look great. My car could definitely use a pro detail, but I'll wait until I move and have indoor parking.
I spent 3.5 hours on the exterior, and didn't even get the bumpers done. It was more for fun on a beautiful midweek day off though.

[flagella]

This is purely based on how much time you have on your hand. I used to do it myself many years ago but now there's absolutely no time for it now that I have a family. Still have tons of supplies I gathered from the old days that are sitting there unused.

[MR_BIGGS]

Spent two hours yesterday detailing. Lots of satisfaction when it's all done and a long stretch of nice weather is here.

[plat27265]

I personally wash my car every month. If I find time more than twice a month. I no longer drive my car that much due to the proximity of my office from my home so it stays indoors when not in use. I used to detail (wax and polish) my car every Spring and Fall. Now, I just have professionals do it once a year during Fall simply because I no longer have the tools and chemicals to do my own polish work due to lack of space in my condo bldg.

[SMZ]

Autowerkes Exclusive (http://www.autowerkesexclusive.com/)

I was just looking into using them for my black car. What services do you get from them? I noticed they changed their website to be mainly coating based.

I was thinking of Americoat as I can't justify the cost of the others.

[thumper]

i had to get a massive paint correction done after a lot boy washed it. after that it was coated with opticoat, which was one of the best things i spent $$$ on. i'm supposed to go back every year and have it inspected/touched up but i haven't because of time/distance. it's now been two years since it was done and it's weathered through two winters, but i still need to go back.

having said that, i keep hearing about project detail from others. i'm wondering if i should give brendan a try.

[clevernickname]

Has anyone had a bad experience with detailing? I'm just paranoid they won't care and will take shortcuts.

@thumper: i've read that opticoat is good for protection and making it easier to clean. but wax doesn't go on as well so the car won't shine as well. Any truth to that? Have a magnetic mustang GT. so like a shiny grey. think it looks best when it sparkles essentially.

[zplusa1]

Has anyone had a bad experience with detailing? I'm just paranoid they won't care and will take shortcuts.


Either of the two mentioned in this thread will take care of you. Detailers have a reputation to keep, just don't forget they need to eat too. If you only want to pay $20, you're only going to get a $20 job.

[SMZ]

Has anyone had a bad experience with detailing? I'm just paranoid they won't care and will take shortcuts.

@thumper: i've read that opticoat is good for protection and making it easier to clean. but wax doesn't go on as well so the car won't shine as well. Any truth to that? Have a magnetic mustang GT. so like a shiny grey. think it looks best when it sparkles essentially.


This is a good read
What is Opti-Coat and is it good for your car? (http://detaileddesignsautospa.com/opti-coat/)

[bcuzracecarz]

When I have a toy in the garage...*sigh*... I'll do a full detail of the interior and a full outside claybar and wax 2 maybe 3 times a year. With washes regularly in between with my mitt. As far as getting a buffer out going to town on my paint I'll leave that to a professional, all it takes is a couple seconds too long in one spot and you've burned it. I'll maybe do that once a year, but usually just stick to a really good claybar and hand wax, seems to workout pretty well.

[thumper]

Has anyone had a bad experience with detailing? I'm just paranoid they won't care and will take shortcuts.

@thumper: i've read that opticoat is good for protection and making it easier to clean. but wax doesn't go on as well so the car won't shine as well. Any truth to that? Have a magnetic mustang GT. so like a shiny grey. think it looks best when it sparkles essentially.

both of the places listed above have good reputations. it's just a question of when you can get an appointment because spring is here and everyone wants their cars cleaned up after winter.

i don't think you're supposed to wax over opticoat, since it's supposed to negate the need for it. wax won't go on that well because opticoat won't let it stick.

Opti-Coat vs Wax - Page 2 (http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?59957-Opti-Coat-vs-Wax/page2&#xXiJ64ugjlSbgD71.97)

the only reason i have opticoat was because two years ago it was one of the few that was available. a lot has changed since then and there are more products out there. ask the two shops discussed above what is currently available and recommended for what you want in mind.

[clevernickname]

I also don't see any cleaning services, just coating stuff for autowerkes.

But I may try brendan as well.

[thumper]

you have to call or talk to them in person. it's going to be part of the process because they are not going to apply it without prep work and every car is different depending on paint condition, so not everyone is going to get the same price unless it's a brand new car.

[clevernickname]

Just called brendan. Earliest available around april 20, maybe sooner if lucky but he has exams. Apparently he's in school with his own full business! sounds quite successful too.

But I might want to do it myself sooner. Still undecided..

[syee]

I used to detail the car twice a year - once in spring and once in fall. Now it's down to once every 2 years. I just don't have the time to do a 2 stage polish, glaze, LSP that often. Nor can my body handle being hunched over a car for a whole day anymore. Plus, the car is 10+ years old - so many dents, pitting and deep scratches that even with a whole day of work will not get it to anything close to it's former glory.

Maybe I'll probably give it a good detail when it comes time to sell it.

[RevYouUp]

Do it yourself, it's really hard to mess up with random orbital buffers like the porter cable. If you're paying $500 for someone to do it, might as well spend that $500 on the supplies to detail it.

Plus, it'll last a long while, and you're able to detail whenever you want and as many cars as you like. You could also detail a car or 2 on the side for your buddies to cover your costs.

[threezero]

I am always in the do it yourself camp. Use to wash and wax my own car.

And than life creeped up on me. Working average 80 hour weeks, got another car that need constantly tinkering. I don't even get to cut my hair every month sometimes not to mention spending a whole day washing my car.

Now when I do have time for my cars, I have to make the decision whether i want to spent it wrenching or washing. Wrenching always wins. Beside I can wrench on my car in any weather inside my garage, can't say the same for detailing. It feels like Getting a day off on a sunny day, is like winning the lottery.

My cars are now always dirty and the paint job could use some serious love. Can anyone recommend a mobile detailer that doesn't charge 500$? I need like minimal to no paint correction, just someone the take the time to detail inside outside put on a new shiny coat of wax while i'm slaving away at my job.

[jasonturbo]

+1 for these new "nanocoatings" such as ceramic pro and opticoat, the shit is AMAZING.

I will have the NSX coated after it's done at the body shop, black paint is the perfect excuse to use these products, you will never have to touch your car with a mitt, just rinse off and gently pat/wipe dry, clean, no swirls, superior finish quality.

IMO these new coating products have completely changed the detailing game, now you only need to get your shit polished once every few years, waxing isn't worth the time/effort.

[threezero]

+1 for these new "nanocoatings" such as ceramic pro and opticoat, the shit is AMAZING.

I will have the NSX coated after it's done at the body shop, black paint is the perfect excuse to use these products, you will never have to touch your car with a mitt, just rinse off and gently pat/wipe dry, clean, no swirls, superior finish quality.

IMO these new coating products have completely changed the detailing game, now you only need to get your shit polished once every few years, waxing isn't worth the time/effort.

recommendation where to get these coating? sound perfect for non car washer like myself

[C-unit]

+1 for these new "nanocoatings" such as ceramic pro and opticoat, the shit is AMAZING.

I will have the NSX coated after it's done at the body shop, black paint is the perfect excuse to use these products, you will never have to touch your car with a mitt, just rinse off and gently pat/wipe dry, clean, no swirls, superior finish quality.

IMO these new coating products have completely changed the detailing game, now you only need to get your shit polished once every few years, waxing isn't worth the time/effort.

Where are you thinking of getting yours done? I've got quote from 600-1800 :badpokerface:

[clevernickname]

Actually i might get side stripes on my car so maybe no opticoat.

Brendan washes the car outdoors. I'm a bit new to the detailing scene but isn't that usually something you shouldn't do?

[AzNightmare]

Nah, I gotta do it myself. The satisfaction is worth it to me. But I only do a full detail once a year during late spring/early summer. After that, I just use Meguiar's quik detailer and wipe my car down every few days until around late fall. Then I just let my car look like a dirty rally car throughout winter. lol

[thumper]

Actually i might get side stripes on my car so maybe no opticoat.

Brendan washes the car outdoors. I'm a bit new to the detailing scene but isn't that usually something you shouldn't do?

i'm missing something.... i've never washed a car indoors before. i wish i could though.

also what is the problem with sealing vinyl stripes with opticoat?

[thumper]

Where are you thinking of getting yours done? I've got quote from 600-1800 :badpokerface:

holy crap have prices gone up that much? two years ago it cost me something like $700-ish with all the paint correction that needed to be done. it took a two man crew two days to complete.

[white rocket]

I'd love to try the nanocoating I've been hearing a lot about. This guy does some good work so I've heard: https://www.facebook.com/Prestige-Auto-Detailing-604-632533390152201/

[trollguy]

Actually i might get side stripes on my car so maybe no opticoat.

Brendan washes the car outdoors. I'm a bit new to the detailing scene but isn't that usually something you shouldn't do?

the myth is not to wash in the direct sun light..

[jasonturbo]

Regarding the cost of nanocoatings, if you want it done right you're essentially paying for a full correction + nanocoating application.

I would estimate a cost of 600-1200 depending on where you go, some detailers work on rich douche cars all day and can get away with charging 1800$, I think most will be closer to the 600-1000 mark depending on the state of you vehicle.

[hud 91gt]

Funny this came up, I detailed my own car today.
While it looks worlds better, its no where near as good as a professional can do. I think its smart to make the decision depending on how far gone your paint is. I can make good paint look better, but I sure as shit can't make bad paint look great. My car could definitely use a pro detail, but I'll wait until I move and have indoor parking.
I spent 3.5 hours on the exterior, and didn't even get the bumpers done. It was more for fun on a beautiful midweek day off though.
I call BS. I drive by your car all the time and see my stupid face reflecting off the paint just prior to almost rear ending the car infront of me. It's glossy clean.


I wash my own car. Wax and detail. But I agree, it's not a professional job but that's ok. I don't own a show car, they get driven.

[MarkyMark]

holy crap have prices gone up that much? two years ago it cost me something like $700-ish with all the paint correction that needed to be done. it took a two man crew two days to complete.

I had my truck done by Ken at autowerkes in September 2014. Cquartz finest I believe it was $650 with a light polish beforehand. I looked at the website now and it's $1195 for my size vehicle.

[clevernickname]

Yeah supposedly can't wash in direct sunlight or the water and soap might dry out causing water spots. Easier in shade.

I can't opticoat yet cause I don't have the side stripes yet lol. When I get them then yeah I could. But it is still pretty expensive.

[snowball]

^ water spots just wash off when you do the final rinse and dry

It's just more annoying when you get to the sun side of the car and you need to keep wetting that side because the layer of water keeps evaporating.

[Djiban]

I got my car detailed at glossworks, Terence did an excellent job polishing the swirl marks. His work is meticulous and easy guy to deal with.

[SSM_DC5]

+1 for these new "nanocoatings" such as ceramic pro and opticoat, the shit is AMAZING.

I will have the NSX coated after it's done at the body shop, black paint is the perfect excuse to use these products, you will never have to touch your car with a mitt, just rinse off and gently pat/wipe dry, clean, no swirls, superior finish quality.

IMO these new coating products have completely changed the detailing game, now you only need to get your shit polished once every few years, waxing isn't worth the time/effort.

When you say rinse off, are you talking about a hands free car wash? or taking your garden hose to rinse?

[clevernickname]

Thanks fatalcloud. Got it detailed at project detail and it turned out great. All shiny. Super nice guy.

Might do it myself next time but been too busy lately.