What is the best advice you would have for a beginner ust starting out?

C

Casey388

New member
I have been detailing cars since I was a young boy helping my grandfather keep his collection of 50`s and 60`s Fords in tip top shape. Now that I am older and have a family of my own I am starting to take my hobby a little more seriously. Since so many things have changed in the last 20 years with auto detailing, what would be one (or many if you are inclined) piece of advice you would give to someone starting out?
 
The most important thing is the process, not the products. Some products do better than others, but following fundamentals/best practice is going to give better results than the "latest" $50-100 miracle wax.

As you are just starting out (just like me only a couple years ago), my advice is to sort out your wash process. Correcting swirls and scratches is not beneficial if the wash process just swirls it back up in a few months.

We are here to help; just keep reading and absorbing information and asking questions! good luck!
 
Don`t buy 32oz bottles of compound/polish unless you`re a pro...you won`t use `em.

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BudgetPlan1 said:
Don`t buy 32oz bottles of compound/polish unless you`re a pro...you won`t use `em.

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I generally agree with this.... Once you find out what works for you and you like the product, then buy 32oz bottles...

I did buy a 32oz bottle of HD Speed though... but it works.

Buy good microfiber towels.......
 
Same here with the HD Speed. I agree, works great and I like it a lot.

yes, good MF towels are a must.

TxChevyZ71 said:
I generally agree with this.... Once you find out what works for you and you like the product, then buy 32oz bottles...

I did buy a 32oz bottle of HD Speed though... but it works.

Buy good microfiber towels.......
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Ask questions about technique or process that you don`t understand - what is a 2BM everyone else understands? Why wash your waxing MF in a different load than the ones used for interior cleaning? Lots of little things that over time will become second nature or at least easy to remember. There is no one way to do things, except the right way ;)
 
Since I put coatings on my vehicles, they barely need to be even washed. I actually miss fiddling with the paint, oh well, im learning how to bbq instead :)
 
Don`t get caught up in trying everything under the sun. Find a polishing system, and learn it. Research your decisions carefully.
 
JBM said:
Since I put coatings on my vehicles, they barely need to be even washed. I actually miss fiddling with the paint, oh well, im learning how to bbq instead :)
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haha I feel the EXACT same way about my car and truck now...and am searching for another side hobby

my 2 cents, DON`T OVER PURCHASE - you will end up with far too much stuff and your head securely down the rabbit hole
 
Start with sample sizes and find out what you like :) It`s really not that different, maybe just easier ;)
 
danlc95 said:
Don`t get caught up in trying everything under the sun. Find a polishing system, and learn it. Research your decisions carefully.
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512detail said:
...my 2 cents, DON`T OVER PURCHASE - you will end up with far too much stuff and your head securely down the rabbit hole
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Poorboy said:
Start with sample sizes and find out what you like :) It`s really not that different, maybe just easier ;)
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And don`t get sucked in by SALE banner counters on Autogeek/Autopia...they pretty much have sales every weekend so you`ll NEVER miss out.
 

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I`d say:

-Think before you do anything; know what you`re doing, and why, before you do it and keep thinking all the time while you do it
-Learn how to clean (all of) the vehicle in such a way that you don`t do any damage and then keep (all of) the vehicle clean
-Use stuff that favors functionality and be a discerning consumer

Think. Think. Think. Effectively. This Detailing isn`t theoretical mathematics; it`s pretty simple and all the info, all the "trade secrets" [INSERT rolleyes emoji], all the requisite knowledge base, all that stuff is commonly available these days. But I suspect that most people wash/polish/wax a car without thinking about it for even an hour or two....and then they wonder why their results aren`t pleasing. Don`t be afraid to "overthink" it (scare-quotes intentional).
 
IME having somebody tutor you (and that`s ASSUMING they know what`s-what), might be helpful but it`s not at all necessary. It`s really just not that tricky if you think it through OK. Regulars here know the story of my gal-pal the accountant who borrowed the stuff to do her Lexus and had it turn out fine first try with zero coaching from anybody; zero experience, zero real interest in Detailing, but she was tired of waiting for her hubby to do it so she did it herself. She does have good thinking skills though, and IMO that`s what made it go smoothly. Well, that and realistic expectations ;)
 
Learn good washing and drying techniques
large buckets
grit seperator
good mitt
2 buck method
do not scrub
rinse frequently
light straight passes, let the soap do the work

good towels
light passes
straight lines
first pass squeegy most off
dry second
 
I would state -- work clean and have lots of microfiber and other tools (polishing pads, etc).. For example, if you use microfiber, do not try to do the entire job with just one towel (polish or wax wipe off, etc). If it gets soiled, grab a clean one. When washing and drying, look at your mitt or towel, it should be clean as you work (two buckets, etc). Your drying towel is a critique of your wash process especially if you do rinseless. If it picks up dirt, you did something wrong. If your polishing pad gets gummed up, get a new one. It will work better and more efficiently.
 
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