Products or skill

D

Detailing NY

New member
I see so many posting recently about what product should i buy or where can i find the best.



My advice to people just starting out is do not by the best. You are new to detailing and really need to learn from the basics.

some of the best products can do more harm then good if you do not know how to use them.



For example, you want to learn how to wax your car the correct way, why are you going to go by the best stuff. you have no clue how to apply it and will probably spend more time asking questions on autopia then using the product.

I am not saying go out and buy tutle wax but it would not be a bad idea for you to start out with.



Using the best takes time. I dont want to come off hard but sometimes you need to think before you detail.



Dont buy a rotary if you never used a PC. Dont compound if you never polished.



We are here to help you, so ask away and learn before you go out and start a detailing mess.



I am willing to make a bet to all newbies. Give autopian's one week of questions & answers before you start to detail. I bet you will be better off and understand the reasons we give you.



If i am wrong then that sucks for you. LOL

NYD
 
I agree whole heartedly...I'm not really a new person here, I just hardly ever post because I'm busy reading messages and learning. If I have a question, the search function has never failed to answer it. Started out using just clay and wax...no improvement in appearance but the paint sure felt nice. After a few months I got up the nerve to get a DeWalt 849, some CMA pads (yellow and white) and some Meg's MPPC, #7 and #26...not the "best" but this combo seemed to be the best choice for what I wanted. After LOTS of practice on my '67 Mustang (It needs a new paint job anyway) I tackled my laser red '99 Mustang and the results were outstanding (a three day marathon detail). It's not flawless (still some spider webs and scratches) but it's a work in progress. I even did my son's black 2001 Cavalier Z24 last weekend and I was surprised at how good it came out...he's gotten a lot of compliments on it but gives me the credit. So yes...read, learn and use the search function...then do! And...I would like to say thanks to all of you regular posters for a great and sometimes funny learning experience.



John :xyxthumbs
 
Good advice, Brian. The same was said a long time ago, but some newbies are forgetting that. Good products are useless without technique.
 
I heartily agree, NY Detailer, and thanks for saying what needs repeating regularly. :up (See my sig line, with Jngr's quote from last year.)



When I first discovered Autopia, I heard about claying. Tried it and WOW! what a difference. Then I started a few other low-risk products (paint cleansers, glazes, sealants, and waxes). I still do not feel I know enough to tackle the DACP, compounding, & SMRs that many here use.



Every now and then it really scares me when a newcomer makes their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd post, asking how to care for their car, and somebody weighs in suggesting heavy-duty compounds or polishes. I agree -- it's process and comprehension first, and products second.



"Slow and steady wins the day" as my grandma used to say.
 
Only problem is ya just gotta watch out for the 'I've been detailing 400 years and know everything' brigade.



A good pro will be open to new techniques and products, willing to learn and improve his trade as much as the newbie.



For me the biggest skill is knowing how to quickly and efficiently give the customer what they want, at the right price and by when you said.



Get those right, you'll have no problems.



For the private detailer, its just a matter of personal taste, trying out different products until your about as happy as you'll ever be with your vehicles finish.



Personally I hate the 'plastic' Zaino look, the expense of it and all the fooling around.



I stick with a good base to the paint (10% inspiration, 90% perspiration !) then AIO/UPP topped with S100 for my 'top o the range' look.



But thats just me.
 
What I hate the most is when someone gives advice on a product or procedure they have never even tried! Or how some talk to the newbies acting like they are some kind of Pro Detailer and have not even used half of the products themselves.



Last year, I taught a guy how to fly cast/fish. He tried hard but honestly...he was just "OK"!! He may have gone out 6-7 times last year but now he write's complete how to's on Fly Fishing Forums and even tell some that have been fishing for years that they are wrong in their methodology etc...!!! He tells the new guys/girls what they should be doing and that he will be there to answer questions etc... but has only fly fished at most 7 times! What a joke!



I agree with NYD and Smoker. It is indeed mostly practice not product. Yes, using the right product for the job helps but the technique on how to use it is more important IMHO!
 
2hotford said:
What I hate the most is when someone gives advice on a product or procedure they have never even tried! Or how some talk to the newbies acting like they are some kind of Pro Detailer and have not even used half of the products themselves.



Last year, I taught a guy how to fly cast/fish. He tried hard but honestly...he was just "OK"!! He may have gone out 6-7 times last year but now he write's complete how to's on Fly Fishing Forums and even tell some that have been fishing for years that they are wrong in their methodology etc...!!! He tells the new guys/girls what they should be doing and that he will be there to answer questions etc... but has only fly fished at most 7 times! What a joke!



I agree with NYD and Smoker. It is indeed mostly practice not product. Yes, using the right product for the job helps but the technique on how to use it is more important IMHO!
Click to expand...



Welcome to the Internet .. the Everquest generation !



Why be a sad basement-dwelling no-hoper when you can appear to literally hundreds of people to be an expert/guru on all things within your chosen field of 'expertise'.



Best way I can put is that opinions are like rear-ends - everyones got one, but when the chips are down and you make a mess, the clients will vote with their feet, and you'll be down at the local workforce services building checking out vacancies.



In my past profession, I met many, many 'pros' who had absolutely no idea how to do anything but kiss superiors asses ... so leaving those that could to clean up the mess.

After 13 years it got immensely tiring.



Detailing is very different, either you can or you cant ....



Theres no hiding those swirls.

Unless you know which product to use!



:xyxthumbs
 
I can't stand going to forums that are overrun by Zaino Nazis who have just discovered the product. (Different from Zaino users) Most don't realize that half the reason their car looks so good now is because for the first time, thanks to the instructions, they are washing and drying with proper towels and wash mits using proper techniques. All their posts claim that z is the only product that can bring out a true shine and they usually end with something along the lines of "Zaino own3s".:rolleyes:
 
2hotford said:
I agree with NYD and Smoker. It is indeed mostly practice not product. Yes, using the right product for the job helps but the technique on how to use it is more important IMHO!
Click to expand...



I totally agree. Detailing is about the right technique, the right products for the job and practice.

Earlier in the week I did an exterior detail on a 98 Mustang and this is the best job I have ever done. I have detailed other and they have looked good but never this good. The owner has not driven the car since because the do not want to mess my work up. Why is this the looking job because I have learned the proper technique over time.



Top level products only make top level technique and prep look that much better. Top level products the iceing on the cake.



Technique, Technique, technique



Eric
 
In addition to technique, here is what I think is important:

Read, read, read and

Search, search, search



I registered here a while ago (a few months?, not sure). I read this site daily 2 - 3 times. I have read all of the archives to page 100 (still tackling 4-5 pages per evening). It is amazing that when you are out in the garage detailing and come across a condition (swirl, scratch, stain, etc) what you "recall" from gathering knowledge here. And practice, lots of practice. It also helps to have a "test" vehicle, which in my case is the daily driver. If something works well there then it's used on the wife's van and then if it "passes" that it may eventually make its way to the Mustang under the car cover.



This site is a valuable resource concerning products and sometimes I am overwhelmed and feel like I have to try or buy everything - a habit I am slowly kicking. But without this site I would have never found out about the value of a PC, DACP, MF towels, etc. But more importanly, I have actually learned the "best practices" of how to use/apply these tools.



This site is a goldmine of information - mine it!
 
NY detailer said:
You starting trouble or making a joke.
Click to expand...



You Sally go work out! Thanks for the help over the phone on Thursday night. The car turned out nice until it started raining! I got your IMs yesterday but I was out working on another car. I should be on tonight hit me up. How was the graduation?
 
Speakin' as a rookie,



The most important thing I learned from Autopia is that it's a process, not a product.



That being said, the knowledge here, backed up with common sense (which I know is in short supply in this world), can guide even the casual user to products that will work better than others for the task at hand. For my first try I used a PC, ScratchX, Meg's crystal polish, and NuFinish. Wouldn't I have been better off with what I used on my second try: DACP, Manzerna IP and FP, PCL, and Souveran Paste? My car's shine says, "Yes!" (And my wallet says, "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!!")



Autopia is an example of what the internet does best; it is a common knowledge and experience base. As such, it will be used in as many unique ways as there are people accessing it.



NYD, let's hope that the knowledge you've added to the base here does not go unheeded by those who need to hear it. For myself, it was learning both the processes and the products that helped me the most.





Mosca
 
NY and others, I agree with you and I also disagree. I disagree because every forum I visit, regardless of topic, is plagued with people that only respond with "do a search". If everyone used the search and never asked a question where would these forums be? There will always be experts and always be novices and unfortunately the experts will always be inundated with questions. Maybe you should compile an FAQ that can be put up as a sticky in the University. I am certainly no expert and I have probably asked my share of dumb questions but haven't we all?



Detailing to me is a trial and error process. What works for one will not work for another. I like to try different products and techniques and if it works then great. If not, so what I'll try again. Unless they try, no one will figure out anything on their own. It's this process which can make good detailers out of everyone with a little knowledge and a little common sense.



Just my 2 cents but it's actually worth less than that.



Joe
 
As several have said, I agree both ways. Technique is tremendously important in obtaining good results, but the use of premium products makes a difference as well.



With proper prep, putting a coat of Turtle Wax on would look great - with no prep, S100 wouldn't look as nice.
 
I agree totally Brian!



I just tried my rotary on my washing machine. It has really deep swirls in it, you can catch it with a nail on most. I didn't have 8.5 inch pads so I went ahead and used the 6.5 inch pads for my PC with the 7 inch backing plate (just have to be careful, hey its only my washing machine.)



The color is white and paint is not bad for an appliance (orange peeled you bet!)



So I took the 5 inch lambswool polishing pad and some clear coat compound (like medium cut for 3M's compounds) and went to town at 1500-1750. I worked it in until dry, wow nice and smoooooooooth. then put some Menzerna IP on the same pad and went at it at 1500. Wow smooth and shiny.......



Then I took the 6.5 inch foam cutting pad and used some Menzerna FP on it WOW!!!! Smooth as glass and did I mention I cranked it up to 5/6 for a few seconds. Put down my Makita and felt the washing machine, ugh it was hot to the touch. Then I just topped it off with some Carnauba Cream from Autoint.



After 10 minutes. I got one nice shiny washing machine. The orange peel is still there but the swirls are barely noticable and you can catch a reflection of yourself in the paint, at least almost. but it is as smooth as glass.



I bow down at the power of the Makita.



So Brian I am down 100% with you on line 10, if you never tried a PC don't get a rotary unless you are being taught the basics.



My Makita is a beast....
 
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