backwoods_lex said:
To document every single thing would create a very, very long list. On top of that, autopians tend to operate on a spectrum of "great" to "it can't be any better than this". For your paper, you could list pretty much every part of a vehicle and write about the tedious process to make that part perfect. There are tons of posts to reference here.
What separates the average autopian from the average hack "detailer" in my opinion is the fact that autopians won't damage any part of the vehicle and will perform competent and respectable work. Autopians tend to operate with a unique hippocratic oath of sorts (not likening anyone to a doctor of course, but a similar premise).
Good luck with the paper!
I agree... I think best way to describe it is that it will be done "right"... I say this because some people simply do not want to pay for what I want to do, and I won't/can't spend 3 hours with a tooth pick, cotton ear swab, and some APC running around all vents, door jamb seals, etc. etc... do I think I'm still doing an "autopian" detail? yes. Do I think it can be better? definitely. Yes sometimes you just say "screw it, I'll just work a couple hours for free cuz I like it" but most of the time that just isn't at your disposal... just my opinion on the whole Autopian vs. "other" detail job quality.
JoshVette said:
I guess I'll start the list with paint polishing specifics....
1 Don't leave holograms or "buffer trails" when performing paint correction jobs ..... in other words finish down hologram free.
2 Don't use filler products to purposely hide defects instead of removing them.
3 If taking before and after pics use the same source for lighting and the same angle for the afters as you do the befores.
4 DON'T CHARGE WHAT THE HACK$ DO!!! :2thumbs:
Very nice start, especially with the pics and pricing... yes some people do need cash and will do a great (read autopian) job for very little money, but in general, it's internationally understood that you get what you pay for... so everyone doing quality work should charge as much as the demand allows, simply to show that quality detail work is worth the extra $300-500 above the $100-200 "hack" price. Obviously it would be ridiculous to charge $200/hr but if it can be done and your clients are happy, charge as much as possible...
Just to add about using filler products to purposely hide defects... I think we should/can do so when 1. the client wants to pay for less polishing steps that it takes to make the finish perfect, or 2. if you simply feel the finish can't safely be perfected and, with the client's knowledge... I've never used any glazes for that purpose myself as I always want to see how the maintenance washes, etc. (whether done by me or elsewhere) affect the finish.
+1111 for the pics again... please please please do NOT take a before pic in the sun at 13:00 then the after at 20:00 by a nice tree showing reflections... I, and almost anyone, can accomplish the same thing by just washing the car, sometimes not even drying it
