The Sun Issue...

K

Kyle K.

New member
Well, we all know that polishing and waxing products all say to use out of direct sunlight on a cool surface. My question is, how do you guys ensure that your customers car will be out of the sun?



I've read suggestions to get a canopy to cover the car with, but it seems that the canopy would have to be HUGE to make sure the whole car was in the shade depending on the varying sun positions, and the size of the car. These things are also damn near impossible to open alone, and I certainly wouldn't want to make a go of it around a customer's car.



What else can you guys do? In making my flyer I made a stipulation that for all polish/wax packages a shaded area had to be available, but I heard from another member that that was an unprofessional approach. I'm only 18 now, and this is more of a "I like money, I like detailing cars... why not detail cars for money?" job than a "I like detailing cars, my wife and kids don't like shopping at the 99 cent store and eating EZ Mac for dinner... why not detail cars for money" job, and I don't really think spending a couple hundred dollars on a canopy would be very smart. (And I doubt I could get it into my mobile detailing vehicle... an 02 MINI :D)



So in short, damn the sun, damn it to hell.



I feel that a Montgomery Burns quote is appropriate here, "Since the dawn of time man has yearned to destroy the sun" :D
 
You can ask the customer if you can take the car to a shaded area or have them drop the car off were there is shade for you. I

don't like driving a customer car on the road for insurance reasons.



Work small areas at a time and you will be ok.
 
Hey, this is my money making job and my wife loves to shop at the $.99 store and my kids love mac-n-cheese......go figure:shocked





Anthony
 
You might add to your supplies a product that can be used in direct sun light.

Clearkote products ( Vanilla Moose, Moose Wax and Quick Shine QD)is a top notch system and do perform equally as well in direct sunlight and shade. You as a professional must have tools for all conditions.



For example:

Clearkote products - direct sunlight

QEW - for limited water resources.

:xyxthumbs :wavey
 
Instead of limiting your clients by add stipulations, why don't you just find some products that you can use in the sun. In my opinion it isn't really the sun but the temperature of the paint surface. If a car is outside and you cover it, the temp will lower but I wonder by how much. What I do when it is really hot is schedule my details early in the morning. I have in the past asked the clients to park outside that night, then I show up at 6am, do the outside first then do the inside when it is baking outside or you can start in the afternoon do the inside first and then the outside. I like the morning better because the clients get to really see what you did.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
You might add to your supplies a product that can be used in direct sun light.

Clearkote products ( Vanilla Moose, Moose Wax and Quick Shine QD)is a top notch system and do perform equally as well in direct sunlight and shade. You as a professional must have tools for all conditions.



For example:

Clearkote products - direct sunlight

QEW - for limited water resources.

:xyxthumbs :wavey
Click to expand...



I've already got some VMW on the way for my final polish, but I was planning on using S100 for wax since its a lot cheaper than MW. I could get a bottle of MW for sun applications though... :cool:



What about my more abrasive polishing steps of DACP and Swirl Free? Are there any similar type products that work on a hot surface? My worst nightmare would be detailing a customers car and swirling and streaking it all up from it being too hot :eek:



And lastly, what is QEW? I'm still trying to catch all these acronyms :D
 
Kyle K. said:
I've already got some VMW on the way for my final polish, but I was planning on using S100 for wax since its a lot cheaper than MW. I could get a bottle of MW for sun applications though... :cool:



What about my more abrasive polishing steps of DACP and Swirl Free? Are there any similar type products that work on a hot surface? My worst nightmare would be detailing a customers car and swirling and streaking it all up from it being too hot :eek:



And lastly, what is QEW? I'm still trying to catch all these acronyms :D
Click to expand...



I can answer the second part of your question with precision:

QEW = Quick and Easy Wash

http://www.protectall.com/qelg.htm



The surface prep question should probably answered by ScottWax (Texas) or NYDetailer. I am sure they have faced these situations. PM them.



But like thomasfl stated, it maybe best, not only for the vehicle but also yourself ( sun exposure ) that you schedule them early in the day to get these potentially sun sensitive steps done or request the customer to park in a shaded / cooler area.:wavey
 
when I do mobile, I ask for three things...



1. the car is left unlocked

2. A water source

3. Power source

4. Garage or carport.
 
blkZ28Conv said:




The surface prep question should probably answered by ScottWax (Texas) or NYDetailer. I am sure they have faced these situations. PM them.
Click to expand...



Actually, please don't PM either of us for detailing questions. Post them in the appropriate forum and PM us the link. That way we answer it one time for everyone instead of 20 times a week for everyone individually. Honestly, I know I am getting to the point that I will block PMs since I am sometimes getting 10 a day, all asking very similar questions and talking to Brian, I know he gets a lot of PMs also.



That having been said, Serious paint prep is better done in the shade. You can get by with most swirl removers in the sun provided it isn't directly overhead, but for compounds and stronger paint cleaners like DACP, you really should be in the shade to use them and prevent surface marring-they tend to dry before you completely break down the abrasives when used on hot surfaces.



I will schedule cars that need more than a light polish first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is not so direct. If there is partial shade, I can move the car around a bit so when I do each section, there is shade.
 
I agree with Scott, we love to help out on Autopia, but we do gets lots of emails & PM's asking us the same questions. If you post i will see it and reply I PROMISE. You can also do what scott said and that is PM or email us the link to the thread.



When i am detailing, it all depends on the day and temp outside.

The products I use can be used in direct sunlight. If i will be doing a compound I want the car in the AM, not only is it cooler, but it takes a long time.



VM glaze is a great product, i have just recently got some from Scott, it works great and i have nothing bad to say about it at all.

It went on easy and came off easy.



You will need to know your cars and see the cars before you detail them. I can only advice you on what to use, the results are up to you. I know there are people on the forum that can take turtle wax and make a car look great, and then there are people on the forum that can take zaino and make the car look streaky.



Being a mobile detailer you will never be able to get out of complete sunlight, and if you do there are other risk involved.

You go under a tree and a bird craps on the freshly polished hood. This has happened to me, except the bird craped on my shoulder :(

you are in the shade the car looks great you finish up, move the car back and you see streaks and hazing that you missed.



I carry a 10 x 10 tent with me for really sunny & hot days. I dont care that much about the sun, it's more the surface temp of the car i care about. ( i think i read that on this post as well)



I hope this helps you. I am sending you a PM as well

NYD
 
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