Which part of detailing do you least enjoy ?

I

imported_Axe

New member
Thought it might be interesting to see what people least like about detailing, and to see if anyone had any tips for how they 'overcome' their dislike, or how they approach this area.



Personally, I find my wheels are the least favoured part of detailing my car, they are a little intricate, and take quite a long time to do. Especially if I AIO/SG them afterwards. I keep meaning to take them off and do them, but think they will only get dirty again so I never do :nixweiss I just bought a new wheel brush so will be interesting to see if that will make the task any less tedious!
 
Having to avoid black trim. I find I get wax on the trim, then wax remover on the paint and that process goes on forever! My way of getting around this now is now use as many products as possible that are OK on trim, such as AIO, VM and CMW - I then just go straight over everything!



Ben
 
To be honest, years ago, I hated detailing my car as I found it more of a chore than anything else. Probably because it consisted of dish wash detergent, sponges and a leather. :nono



I then found AutoGlym and this made the process a little better, but still used a sponge polishing cloths than left lint and fluff all over the place. I used to get a little disheartened, as the finish was no better than ok. I had never heard of clay and all the other prep stages like I do now and I found myself rushing, just to see what the end finish would look like !



But now, within the last two years I found the world of quality products and accessories that make detailing a car easy and effective with the results to match. I now really enjoy washing, polishing and waxing cars, I find it quite relaxing and it sounds weird and freaky I know, but you build up a better relationship with your car !



So, now that I have all the right tools for the job, even the right brushes and cloths make a huge difference - there isn't really a stage of the process that I dislike.



If there was, I would say engine degreasing and dressing, thats not my forte really.



Having the right products and tools for the job make the world of difference.



The only trouble is the amount of money I have spent recently on different products and accessories :eek:.
 
The wheels and wheel wells are the least favorite. To low to the ground. A lot of work for the results that I get. I do not have fancy wheels. I tend to detail for the protection plus the shine. Have a lot invested in my truck(I guess that wheels are included).



The engine compartment would be next. I wipe it down often but have yet to use awater hose or degreaser. Not being a mechanic I worry about doing something that will cause harm.
 
Cleaning the back windshield of any car. Even worse when it's severely hazed. Usually that means cleaning with a glass cleaner in two applications, and sometimes I also need to go over it again with water.
 
wheels - definately the wheels! I need to set aside a whole weekend to clean my "winter" wheels and put them on the car so that I can take my "summer" wheels off and give them a good going over.
 
Hmm - a good question Axe - I think I agree with the majority that have responded so far. - i.e.



the wheels - I have the 17" 7-spokes as found on a lot of 3-series BMW's (axe - are yours the 18"MV's - they must be even worse) I find wheels ok to wash, but difficult to wax becuase of their intricacy. also it is difficult to get them completely dry and this causes even more problems if you wanto to wax them.



Drying in general is difficult if you are intending waxing a nice dry car - again it is the little cracks and gaps that hold water just ready to run a drip down the wax as it is hazing over!!



Also - the engine bay - I think I also am scared to use a lot of water in there. Probably without any reason - Axe have you used a lot of water in the engine bay? I'm sure it would be fine, but worry about it all the same. This limits the work I can do in there.
 
Wheels- I hate that they take so much time-I love the way they look when they are detailed. Overall detailed wheels/wheel wells and glass surfaces make the difference between a cleaned vehicle and detailed one

JonM



[added] a client just phoned for his Jag to be detailed...wire wheels my #1 dislike...but see above.
 
gkerr4 said:
Also - the engine bay - I think I also am scared to use a lot of water in there. Probably without any reason - Axe have you used a lot of water in the engine bay? I'm sure it would be fine, but worry about it all the same. This limits the work I can do in there.
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Depends on the car. Older cars without any computerized systems are a breeze to do a nice engine detail on. Just cover up the intake and the dizzy and you're good to go. New cars, make sure you either remove or cover much of the electrical system. Specifically the expensive stuff, like the Engine Control Module, ABS servo unit, alternator, and the fuse/relay area, as well as any sensors and what not. Aluminum foil and plastic bags work best for this, it really doesn't take very long. Just don't soak it, or use a pressure washer. Any decent nozzle stream will work. Don't be too scared about getting water in there... the car was designed to put up with abuse over hundreds of thousands of miles. Just cover things to be safe. Also, try a foaming engine degreaser. Won't pile up in wierd spots.
 
I do not so much mind the wheels but more so the wheel wells. Other than that the only gripe I have is the plastic trim on vehicles with too much of it (think Pontiac Aztec, Honda Element, Chevy Avalanche, etc.).
 
Wheel wells. I have a difficult time getting this area really clean and dressed. The second is the 18" OEM wheels on my M3. Takes a lot of time to clean, dry, etc. My solution: new wheels coming today: 19" ZCP OEM wheels which I love and will be a lot easier to clean not to mention look better, IMHO.
 
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