How To Choose A Detailer?

Debelli

Debelli

New member
Okay guys, I've come right to the source. Should I not want to detail my car myself (probable self awareness in the long run) what advice can you give on choosing a reputable, professional and knows what the hell their doing detailer? :confused:

Besides the obvious of asking people who have cars you see that look awesome, should you be a hermit and not know anyone, what advice can you give in choosing the person best suited to detail your car?

What SHOULD a detailer always do? What STEPS does a good detailer take? What QUESTIONS should I ask in particular? Should a GOOD detailer have different products for different cars (light vs dark colored paint?) Can you bring your own products for them to use? I think you get my drift.

Does anyone know of anyone in the MIAMI area that is highly recommended and regarded as being a great detailer? Just curious if there's anyone out there that's built a great reputation.

Thanks for your advice and insight.


Debbie_fairy.jpg
 
Hi Debbie,

That's a hard question ....just because someone can answer questions, or uses the "Right" products will not make them a good detailer....

If you can physically do the work, then it's in your best interest for the the long run to learn to do the work yourself. Yes it may take time, but that's what a place like Detail City is all about. Taking one step at a time, first learning to wash , then polish , etc....

If you can't physically do the work, then I would suggest going to a few detail shops in the afternoon, look at their finished work in the sun. Then ask them what procedures they used to make a car they've finished (and you liked) come out that way:hippi
 
Good answer Steve.
If you know what products and process go into a good detail, you probably have enough info to do it yourself at that point, assuming you are so inclined.
 
EXACTLY! Well, I know if they said they used POORBOY products, they couldn't be all that bad, right:lol

Physically, I can do the work, not dead yet;) - may complain about my shoulder more than I do now, but what's a little pain, right? :flamed I better get a good ladder - too short armed and legged to get to all the parts (top of car, middle of windsheild).

I have 2 parking lot detailers within 1 mile from my home. I'm gonna check them out when I get a chance - just in case:)


Thanks for the reply. I'm bound to get over to your website, and when I do, I'm sure I'll just add to my confusion!:lol
 
:lol Debbie...there are a lot of good products out there, but it really comes down to the process that will make the bigest difference.

awd330 (Marj) is also vertically challenged as she calls it :lmfao but is probably one of the finest and pickiest detailers I have ever met. She has ladders, step stools and tools to help overcome ....you might want to shoot her a pm and get some advise on getting to those hard to reach areas ;)
 
Debelli said:
Okay guys, I've come right to the source. Should I not want to detail my car myself (probable self awareness in the long run) what advice can you give on choosing a reputable, professional and knows what the hell their doing detailer? :confused:

Besides the obvious of asking people who have cars you see that look awesome, should you be a hermit and not know anyone, what advice can you give in choosing the person best suited to detail your car?

What SHOULD a detailer always do? What STEPS does a good detailer take? What QUESTIONS should I ask in particular? Should a GOOD detailer have different products for different cars (light vs dark colored paint?) Can you bring your own products for them to use? I think you get my drift.

Does anyone know of anyone in the MIAMI area that is highly recommended and regarded as being a great detailer? Just curious if there's anyone out there that's built a great reputation.

Thanks for your advice and insight.


Debbie_fairy.jpg
Click to expand...

debbie debbie debiie :doh

how i strive to steer u away from any so called detailers in OUR area. ive been looking for a good detailer here in miami and none have impressed me. the biggest novice on both ds and autopia do better jobs than wha i see. sure there work can look good on an already new vehicle, but in the long run im sure they marr, swirl, and worsen the paint a lot more than any of us would. ive seen em drop rags on the floor and use em, place interiors mats on top of hoods for cleaning interiors, use pressure washers to loosen dirt, and use shoprags for buffing.they wash and slap on some cleaner wax and call it a day. consider this. before u came to detailcity i bet u never new of a bunch of crazed fanatics who care for their car the way we do. im tlaking about using special chemicals for diff purposes, different type of towels for different type of use. but thats what makes us different int he long run. our cars will continue to look brand new for many years to come rather than just for a few 6 months to a year. and thats why i continue to do what i do.

but back to the point i was trying to make is that if u were a mobile detailer in a huge city like miami and u didnt know anything about detailing the dc way and there were cars owned by people who never even waxed their own cars, u wouldnt know any better and neither would the owners, which is why a lot of places like busybee on us1 and many others have such high customers, and u really cant blame them for that. most customers expect cars to start looking bad within time, but thats not how its supposed to be. so that is pretty much why i urge u to stay away from phony detailers. unless u know for a fact the person has done professioanl work (DC WORK OR BETTER), dont go that route. u have a nice new car. KEEP IT THAT WAY.

find someone in your area or simply have the fun u'reself and do it yourself

i sound like a preacher! :dj


steps a detailer should take should alwats begin with wheels. what are they using on u're wheels. are they ph neautral. if not, are they letting it sit for a while. are all their materials they are using clean or have they been used 10 minutes prior with someone elses dirty car. are there methods scratch free? are they using the right chemicals for the job or using one all in one magik bottle? a good detailer has different tools for all jobs. a good detailer has clean micro's ready for new jobs. a good detailer tried his upmost best to try and remove/lift dirt without scratching. a good detailer makes sure the finsh is read ebfore he slaps a wax on it.


and my personal fav. A GOOD DETAILER IS A MEMBER OF DETAILCITY. not neccesarily but with the help of dc u can only go up.
 
Joyride couldn't be more right. From a newbie point of view, I had no idea how in depth the actual detailing process is and should be. Now I find myself driving down the road inspecting the condition of peoples cars and how I think I would make it better :bigups
 
Debbie,

I am a detailer in North FL, but I have been going to Miami on weekends because my wife is staying with her mother temorarliy because she is sick. I could bring some of my equipement down (not all because the gas would too ex$pensive) and work on your car. Email me off list if you want to discuss it further. Even if you are not interested shoot me an email. I have a list of things to look for and questions to ask detailers that will help you find one locally. (Don't have it with me at the present so I can't post it now).

Thanks,
Frank
ConcoursDetailing@yahoo.com
 
Thanks POORBOY, appreciate the info. I just may ask AWD for some vertically challenged:lol insight!

JOY, don't worry, I'm going to be careful - we both know how bad Miami can be with unscrupulous people. As you said, anyone can claim to be a detailer here in Miami - what's stopping them - people claim to be Dr.'s and dentists here in Miami - and not only do they CLAIM, they actually do surgery :bigscream so what's stopping anyone claiming to be a car detailer. BUT, if it came down to it, just in case, it is good to try and find someone reputable. Your points are very good and noted. You don't sound like a preacher at all, maybe a rabbi though:lol You do a good job with the Jewish guilt trip:lol Don't worry, I'll pass my findings along to you before I make any decisions - since we're in the same area your the closest expert I have ;)

MAX, I'm doing the same thing - hope I don't get in an accident while I'm looking at other cars than the road!:notpossib

WIN, thanks! Will contact you :) Hope your wife's Mom makes a speedy recovery!

Thanks all!
 
hey if u ever see my car on the road let me know.. its the clean green mini cooper with the english flag on the front! ENGLISH, NOT BRITISH :)
 
JOY, and just what will you think, here, in Miami, when some crazy woman starts flagging you down in the car???:duh Ever heard of ROAD RAGE? All too common down here - you may just think that I'm a crazed mad woman at the whell :lol I'm in your neighborhood all the time - esp. on Saturday when it's GARAGE SALE DAY!!!!!:D
 
Any and all garage sales, from here in W. Kendall to Pinecrest! I go through Killian Pines area all the time - I told you I recognized that wall;)
 
Yes, it's in one of your pics - of the orangish wall near your house - I knew I recognized that wall when I saw your photo :)
 
Debelli said:
Besides the obvious of asking people who have cars you see that look awesome, should you be a hermit and not know anyone, what advice can you give in choosing the person best suited to detail your car?
Click to expand...

Once you are sure the detailer can do your car justice (by speaking to referrals or seeing the work they do firt hand), you should ask;

1. Do you have all the required permits and licenses to do business in this town? This shows that the company is committed to providing professional services in your area and that they have done all that is necessary to legally provide services to you.
2. Do you have liability insurance in case something goes wrong? All detailers should have a liability policy to cover any damage done to the car during the time in which the vehicle was in the hands of the detailer...whether that be paint damage or a meteorite falling from the sky. If they don't have a policy and they cause damage to your car, you may have a tough time getting them to make restitution.

SC~
 
SC, Very good points. I don't think I'd have a mobile unit do it and one would think that those who are in a shopping center, that the landlord would never take a chance and have them there is they weren't licensed and insured. The two that are in parking lots near my house have been there for years. No idea of the job they do, but there for a long time.

Maybe by the time my car needs detailing I'll have learned enough AND have the right products I need to do it myself comfortably and confidently ;)

THANKS
 
Ok here is the best idea you can remember. Drive to any High-End car dealer,
mercedes/porsche/lexus/rolls-royce, you get my meaning and go to the body shop of those dealers and ask the body shop manager who details their vehicles, and then talk to that person and see if they do it on the side or do it there and what their rates are and what each is using and what each would suggest for you and your vehicle.Believe me high end car dealers are not using someone that is not doing the best work, if the detailers is not doing it on the side alot will know of someone that does and will tell you, check them out and ask what each is using for your car and write it down,with the price and come back here and post it and see what you get for answers. I do between 20-30 cars/trucks/suv's a year and this is just a side line for me.My work is by word of mouth.have been doing it since 1968, and yes can damamge a cars finish and yes that comes out of MY POCKET BIG TIME, so very careful about each persons vehicle and I ask alot of questions of each customer and refuse to do alot of vehicles because of what i see or what I hear from them, not worth it to me.So far one problem in all those years and i made good for it.each vehicle is different, for new customer i ask them to first take it to brushless car wash and bring it to me afterwards and i go over entire vehicle with them and point out what i see and explain to them what i suggest and price then go from there.First time visit is more expensive then return visits as i know what has been done.First time will take between 8-10 hrs just outside detail and NO I don't use any microfiber towels more than once and if dropped goes in to wash pile and all my pads are cleaned each time.Its alot of work but worth every penny when you figure how much you spent on the vehicle.Alot have done their own after just one detail with info from me and thats fine also.Time/Effort/Money are factors, you have to decide which is right for you.
 
Just aged yourself there!;):lol, Ever think of moving to nice sunny Miami?

Let me ask you, with a brand new car vs a car a year old, or older - what would you not have to do with a newer car than if it were say, maybe 6 months, a year? Is there anything having a new car not require for detailing, or is there a process that you need to do each step? If someone tells me it needs "this" and it really doesn't need "that" how do I know?

If true detailing takes 8-10 hours per car - I just can't believe the places near me are doing just that - no one stays at these places for that long.:eek Am I missing something here? How often do your customers come back for another detailing - or what kind of upkeep is needed after detailing?

Hope you're having a good weekend!:D

I realized that my car was "born" on 8/31/04, but not "adopted":rolleyes: until 3 weeks ago by moi. I think it was sitting on the lot since December - so it's been out in the elements for months - and gosh knows what they've done at the dealer to keep in like it is, so maybe I just answered my own question???
 
8-10 hrs spent is not every car,this is usually first time customers.Figure it out,wash/then clay/then rewash and dry/could need light compound most don't,but if you do have to rinse off 50/50 ISO and water/now polish and wipe down/then glaze and wipe down, this also might be skipped depending on vehicle/then onto wax or sealant and buff out and maybe second coat/plus all glass inside and out/all chrome and moldings/all door edges and sills/hood and trunk edges/tires and wheels and wheelwells.i do most of mine at night, that way cool for me and quit and customer doesn't miss car.Some come back every 3 months, others twice a year and a few just once a year. Alot depends on how pickey customer is and where car is used and parked and weather outside or not.All new cars come by freight and have contaminents on finish now some dealers will clay others will not,if not anything you put on car is ontop of this and will never be good job.Put your hand in plastic sandwich bag and run it over finish and if you feel anything this must go(clay).
 
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