Detailing - What's Most Important?

T

texas328ci

New member
There is a TON of great info here, and I thank everyone again for all the help I've gotten thus far.:xyxthumbs



I was curious as to how my fellow autopians would rank the following in terms of importance to proper detailing. I know one could argue that all are extremely important, but I think this may give some good insight for beginners like myself as to setting priorities when getting into this hobby.



What order would you put these in (in terms of critical importance?) I've put them in no particular order:



1. Products (Tools): For the purpose of this thread, I've separated this from "chemicals." Here we're talking about PCs and other buffers, Rotaries, MF Towels, Wash Tools & Brushes, etc.



2. Products (Chemicals): The thousands of products from wash soaps to glass cleaner and everything in between (Clays, Polishes, Sealants, Waxes, Toppers, QDs, Interior & Engine products, etc)



3. Process: Using the right products for the job, and doing it in the right order of course! Also included here would be things like completeness and attention to...umm...detail :p



4. Technique: I would assume without proper technique, you cannot get the results you want no matter how great your tools, products and process are. Practice makes perfect!



5. Other "Know-How": This is a broad category to lump everything else together. These are the nitty gritty things that make the Autopia forum extremely helpful. Things like taking temperature, humidity, rainfall, etc. into play when detailing. Knowing what products to apply (or not apply) based on environmental factors, etc.





I hope this turns into a helpful discussion for all beginner detailers. Feel free to add categories I may have left out. Thanks everyone!:bow
 
1 - Knowledge

2 - Technique and Process

3 - Products & Tools



You can give the best of everything to a person but if they do not have the knowledge of what to do and what not to do, the best products/tools will not work any better than the worst products/tools.



On the other hand, you can give Turtle Wax products to an educated detailer and they will make a car look great.
 
Well, this is a very interesting subject.



Personally, I don't think you can rank any of those items in any particular order, as they "ALL" are equally important, and becoming a great detailer requires the detailer to be proficent in all of those categories!



Just my 2 cents.
 
Heh heh, I'm a sucker for this type of thread :D But yeah, I dunno if you can really order these things either, though it can be fun to kick the ideas around.



I'd vote for process. If you're not doing the right thing to begin with, it doesn't matter how skillful you are or how great your equipment.



But you could just as well argue that without the right equipment the best detailer in the world can't do some things.



And I've seen rank newbies do incredibly good work the first time they ever tried- you would've sworn they were seasoned pros. Good equipment/supplies plus *lots of intelligent thought* plus naturally good dexterity can add up to great results in some cases.



But honestly, I think it's one of those "gestalt" things, where everything has to be combined and considered in the aggregate to some extent.
 
70/30





70: Process, Knowledge, Experience, Acquired Skill



30: Premium Quality Products and Tools
 
Accumulator said:
Heh heh, I'm a sucker for this type of thread :D But yeah, I dunno if you can really order these things either, though it can be fun to kick the ideas around.



I'd vote for process. If you're not doing the right thing to begin with, it doesn't matter how skillful you are or how great your equipment.



But you could just as well argue that without the right equipment the best detailer in the world can't do some things.



And I've seen rank newbies do incredibly good work the first time they ever tried- you would've sworn they were seasoned pros. Good equipment/supplies plus *lots of intelligent thought* plus naturally good dexterity can add up to great results in some cases.



But honestly, I think it's one of those "gestalt" things, where everything has to be combined and considered in the aggregate to some extent.
Click to expand...



Exactly my sentiment.
 
id say go 3,4,2,1 IMHO

Process is what matters cause its knowing how things go in order, so i see this first as a mentality thing knowing where to start.



Technique is 2nd cause knowing how to use your product will give you desired results, regardless of which product it is.



Chemicals- we all need chemicals



& Tools- cause we can all do w/out but they make our lives easier. Even though we may need them for tougher jobs.
 
3. Process: Using the right products for the job, and doing it in the right order of course! Also included here would be things like completeness and attention to...umm...detail





And...



3. Process: Using the right products for the job, and doing it in the right order of course! Also included here would be things like completeness and attention to...umm...detail





And once again....



3. Process: Using the right products for the job, and doing it in the right order of course! Also included here would be things like completeness and attention to...umm...detail
 
Yeah, I would have to put number 3 as most important as well, but, as several others have mentioned, they all go together.
 
Process/technique. Then comes products. After all, cars were shined and polished pretty well years ago. Products have gotten more refined, but didn't baby diapers and terry towels do a pretty good job? And hasn't #16 been around for years? I am pretty sure that process/technique is going to win out over a pile of chemicals and cleaners with no knowledge of how to use them. Just look at someone who piles on a glob of tire shine and then experiences tire sling on the sides of their car.
 
pocon1 said:
I am pretty sure that process/technique is going to win out over a pile of chemicals and cleaners with no knowledge of how to use them. Just look at someone who piles on a glob of tire shine and then experiences tire sling on the sides of their car.
Click to expand...

:scared Yeah, perhaps I should have included "common sense" as a category! :D
 
Think of it two different categories. Once you get decent tools (a PC, some good pads, and pretty good product), then it's almost completely related to knowlege, skill and hard work. I.e., if you're using complete junk tools or product, it's tough to get decent results. From there, it's almost always process and technique. And most of that is acquired through hard work.
 
I have 3 'P' rule.



Passion - You gotto love what you are doing. Without the passion in auto detailing, you'll do a bad job. Trying to cut corners.



Preparation - The golden rule in Autopia. 90% prep ,10 % product. Which i totally agree. Before i learn about autopia, i thought the most expensive product will yield the best result and i was wrong.



Product - Zaino doesnt look good without prep. I learn that the hard way. Some product is better than others. But a good detailer can make a cheap product looks good on a car.



Just my 2 cents
 
~One manâ€â„¢s opinion / observations~



1. Preparation [Process]

2. Technique

3. Know-How

4. Products (Chemicals)

5. Products (Tools)



~Hope this helps~



Knowledge unshared is experience wasted [each one / teach one]

justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ JonM
 
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