Background Knowledge

You can read a lot of theory on detailing and learn a lot from technical write ups...but nothing can take the place of actually working in a real detail environment where you are exposed to hundreds of vehicles of varying conditions. An environment where you will encounter every imaginable situation, a wide cross section of paint types, trim, degrees of soiling and stains, and the greatest opportunity learn to diagnose and resolve problems and to practice, practice and refine your craft.

You learn quickly you cannot have a myopic view on how to detail....you learn there are many ways to accomplish great results...You learn you are only as good as the last vehicle you finished and every day there is room for improvement personally and professionally. This business of detailing is a very tactile and visual craft...you need to see, touch, smell and develop senses and you cannot do that by looking at beautiful pictures on the internet it is no substitute as being right there with the vehicle. Think of this place as a great resource and library but get real world experience.
 
I can not add to any to the comments above. They are all great.

But, on the book angle I can add...check your local library, maybe an internet search of the whole system. There are/were at least to books that came out in the 80's-90's. I don't remember that much about them, but some of the techniques that were described are the norm today. Sorry I don't remember the tittles or authors.

Bill
 
Thank you everybody for the compliments regarding this forum. Without a doubt the members of this forum are amazing, so any compliments must be directed solely at them. We just provide the address ;) and a discount :O

I have read several books on detailing but none were particulary good (that I can remember). Basically take some of the pink compound and buff using pressure type stuff.
 
th0001 said:
Thank you everybody for the compliments regarding this forum. Without a doubt the members of this forum are amazing, so any compliments must be directed solely at them. We just provide the address ;) and a discount :O

I have read several books on detailing but none were particulary good (that I can remember). Basically take some of the pink compound and buff using pressure type stuff.
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Dont be so modest Tod . Ive learned so much from you in your posts and threads! :smile:
 
Hawkeye_TDI said:
I've been a fan of car care for some time now but only recently have I really gotten deep into detailing (worst mistake ever or greatest hobby discovery? My wife and I, and my wallet for that matter, would probably disagree). Right now I work pretty much only on the family cars but when I do something, I want to do it right. That's probably what led me to this forum in the first place. The amount of knowledge here is impressive to say the least. I'm curious how most of you have obtained the wealth of knowledge you have. Not to detract from the awesomeness that is TID, but are there some great books out there? Is it mostly trial and error and learning from your mistakes? I'm just a little curious. Thanks!:D
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My knowledge about detailing has come from such a wide source ! But yes trial and error and learning from mistakes is definetely in there!LOL

I learned wet sanding and how to use a rotary from working in auto body shops some 25 years ago but that was not detailing . That was in the paint and paint prep dept whitch is pretty different than detailing new factory paint I came to find out. And those days were very different . We didnt even have foam pads back then, only wool . Wax can cause fish eyes in paint so wax was like our enemy . I didnt know much about deatiling and rarely waxed my vehiclesX_X

I moved on from the auto industry, for about 11 years I didnt have much to do with cars except taking care of my own .

I did miss it though and fell back into and decided I wanted to start a detailing business . Honestly I didnt know much and learned as I went . It was tough at times but then luckily knew someone who was getting out of the business and hired me to help him on his last few jobs and taught me what he knew at the same time . I learned alot from him in that one week we did cars together. But still I knew I wanted to do better work than what we were doing . We would do one detail in 2 hours and be on to the next !

So the next several years I learned on my own and tried different products , talked with other local detailers. Asked questions at the local detail store and even learned from some customers .

I never really turned to the net for help because I saw so much bad advice I kind of gave up on learning that way until I stumbled on this site a few months ago .

I cant tell you how much Ive learned here from everyone ! Its been such a blessing for me and my work and really has given me new enthusiasm for detailing because honestly I was getting tired and apathetic about my work at times.

Nothing can replace hands on experience but you have come to the right place to learn about detailing here! Have fun!:smile:

ps. the only person here who knows it ALL is Flash Gordon :D
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detailchick said:
My knowledge about detailing has come from such a wide source ! But yes trial and error and learning from mistakes is definetely in there!LOL

I learned wet sanding and how to use a rotary from working in auto body shops some 25 years ago but that was not detailing . That was in the paint and paint prep dept whitch is pretty different than detailing new factory paint I came to find out. And those days were very different . We didnt even have foam pads back then, only wool . Wax can cause fish eyes in paint so wax was like our enemy . I didnt know much about deatiling and rarely waxed my vehiclesX_X

I moved on from the auto industry, for about 11 years I didnt have much to do with cars except taking care of my own .

I did miss it though and fell back into and decided I wanted to start a detailing business . Honestly I didnt know much and learned as I went . It was tough at times but then luckily knew someone who was getting out of the business and hired me to help him on his last few jobs and taught me what he knew at the same time . I learned alot from him in that one week we did cars together. But still I knew I wanted to do better work than what we were doing . We would do one detail in 2 hours and be on to the next !

So the next several years I learned on my own and tried different products , talked with other local detailers. Asked questions at the local detail store and even learned from some customers .

I never really turned to the net for help because I saw so much bad advice I kind of gave up on learning that way until I stumbled on this site a few months ago .

I cant tell you how much Ive learned here from everyone ! Its been such a blessing for me and my work and really has given me new enthusiasm for detailing because honestly I was getting tired and apathetic about my work at times.

Nothing can replace hands on experience but you have come to the right place to learn about detailing here! Have fun!:smile:

ps. the only person here who knows it ALL is Flash Gordon :D
.
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Someone call for me :-B
 
Yes Flash Gordon :-B LOL it would be nice to hear how you have evolved over the many years of detailing! I can remember when claybar came out, it was the next best thing to sliced bread!

I forgot to add Angelo to my list of people who Ive gained knowledge from . He knows it ALL too!:biggrin:
He's been a great help to me ! :)
 
Trial & error is how I am learning.

The great thing about this forum is it becomes:

  1. Trial
  2. Error
  3. STOP and ask a question on TID
  4. receive friendly, solid advice

Most likely the error is now corrected and much learning has taken place.

I just do my own cars. They run better when they are clean. :D

Also, I never take a dirty car to the mechanic. I have asked a number of mechanics in private and they will all tell you they will take a little extra care on a car that is obviously well cared for by it's owner.
 
Thanks, everyone, for the advice. DC- that's exactly what I was wondering: how people got to where they are today. It's quite obvious that absolutely nothing will ever replace experience, but therein lies the catch-22. The only way to gain more experience is to work on more cars, but I'm hesitant to do any serious work for others out of concern that my abilities/experience is still lacking:-? I'd prefer to work on my own cars until I'm more comfortable with my abilities but at the rate I'm going I'll have no clear coat left by 2012!

I guess I should mention my background as well: I'd never had a car I could say I was proud to take care of (my first car: '89 stanza, followed by a '90 sentra, both extensively used of course) until I bought an '08 Accord brand-new fresh out of college. Now that I had something decent to work with I found my love of car care as a hobby. I work as an RN for an intensive care unit in a large Level I trauma hospital so car care has simply been a hobby up to this point but if I can get to a degree where I'm happy with my abilities I wouldn't mind doing a little weekend work on the side. Hopefully I can do a complete detail soon and post some pics for a little critique! On a side note about me, I've been married to the most amazing woman for about a year and a half now, and we're expecting our first kid in about 6 months!
 
detailchick said:
Yes Flash Gordon :-B LOL it would be nice to hear how you have evolved over the many years of detailing! I can remember when claybar came out, it was the next best thing to sliced bread!

I forgot to add Angelo to my list of people who Ive gained knowledge from . He knows it ALL too!:biggrin:
He's been a great help to me ! :)
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I have evovled into a busted up, bitter old detaildude that doesn't like change :-B

This Clay Bar you speak of? Is this a place to watch Football Games and drink Liquid Embalming Fluid :-?

I too would like to hear more about Angelo's Evolution :angel:
 
Jeff U said:
Trial & error is how I am learning.

The great thing about this forum is it becomes:

[

Also, I never take a dirty car to the mechanic. I have asked a number of mechanics in private and they will all tell you they will take a little extra care on a car that is obviously well cared for by it's owner.
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you know I think its true for me too in detailing . If someone gives me a car thats really been taken care of I go the extra mile to do my best work. On the other hand if someone obviously trashed the car over many years its hard for me to have as much enthusiasm .

Also anyone who feeds me or makes me coffeee gets the best work out of me !:D
 
Flash Gordon said:
I have evovled into a busted up, bitter old detaildude that doesn't like change :-Bgosh I hope that never happens to me!I did go through a period of hating my work though before I set up some limits and raised my prices

This Clay Bar you speak of? Is this a place to watch Football Games and drink Liquid Embalming Fluid :-?your funny Flash!You know clay bar ,kind of like the kids playdoe only you dont eat it;)

I too would like to hear more about Angelo's Evolution me too, maybe when he feels up to it he will post. :angel:
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I know you have more to offer us than that Flash! :-B :D
 
Hawkeye_TDI said:
Thanks, everyone, for the advice. DC- that's exactly what I was wondering: how people got to where they are today. It's quite obvious that absolutely nothing will ever replace experience, but therein lies the catch-22. The only way to gain more experience is to work on more cars, but I'm hesitant to do any serious work for others out of concern that my abilities/experience is still lacking:-? ]understandibly! Its always best to learn on your own vehicles first .Any time I try out a new product I try them on my own first I'd prefer to work on my own cars until I'm more comfortable with my abilities but at the rate I'm going I'll have no clear coat left by 2012!you can always work on some "beater"friends cars to start with

I guess I should mention my background as well: I'd never had a car I could say I was proud to take care of (my first car: '89 stanza, followed by a '90 sentra, both extensively used of course) until I bought an '08 Accord brand-new fresh out of college. Now that I had something decent to work with I found my love of car care as a hobby. I work as an RN I was in the health care industry too . One thing about working on people is no 2 people are a like and will respond to teatment differently but there are certain guidelines just like with cars ! Thats what is always so surprizing and tricky when it comes to learning about detailing you will come to find out!for an intensive care unit in a large Level I trauma hospital so car care has simply been a hobby up to this point but if I can get to a degree where I'm happy with my abilities I wouldn't mind doing a little weekend work on the side. Hopefully I can do a complete detail soon and post some pics for a little critique! On a side note about me, I've been married to the most amazing woman for about a year and a half now, and we're expecting our first kid in about 6 months!
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Congratulations on your marriage and baby on the way!! You better get started learning NOW because you wont have much time when the baby is born!!! Nice to have you here.:smile:
 
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