Winter Prep process + detailer Q's

J

jojo69

New member
Let me start by saying that I am only relating my experience...



Ok, so I relocated to Maine and I live on a dirt road and have no more garage :( It's very sad! I was hoping to keep my 2012 WRB wrx as immaculate as possible this winter... that'l be harder now!



Anyway, I decided to look around for detailers to get my car ready for Winter. I saw 2 in the area. The first (Crenshaw's Auto Salon) told me he used RainX for his winter wax (I must not have heard right), but I knew he would not get my business. Moreover, he wasn't very friendly too say the least. (I'm not bashing, just relating my experience).



At the other detailing shop, I met Justin Waltz (Coastal Car Wash & Detailing Centers located in Daramiscota) who seemed very nice and open to showing me what he did, what products he used ("Pro Box" or "Pro-something" line only) and much friendlier. We got talking about what I was looking for and what he could do. Basically, it would be stripping whatever LSP is left, claying, buffing and 2 layer winter wax. He did not know of Collinite 845 but showed me his yellow wax Pro w41 he used. He was not adverse to using Collinite though which was nice of him. He quote in the $150 range for 4 to 6 hours work.



I told him i'd have to do some search on his Pro-line products and yellow wax and get back to him to schedule something.



I did quick google search and it seems that the Pro line seems decent enough.

Now I don't get a sense that his yellow wax is superior in durability to Collinite, so I'll probably ask him to use Collinite if he is still ok with that.





All that being said, here are my questions:



a) Anyone has any feedback about these two detailing shops?



b) For a winter prep, better to go with Collinite or Yellow wax? (i'm leaning towards #845 given the reviews i've read so far)



c) anyone know of reputable detailers in the middle of nowhere Maine?



d) any other suggestions about the winter prep process i'm forgetting that would be important?







Thanks,

looking forward for some feedback/suggestion :)
 
I'd certainly go with Collinite, but neither of the detailers sounds like a great choice. Someone in the NE not knowing about Collinite is a red flag to me.
 
Dan said:
..Someone in the NE not knowing about Collinite is a red flag to me.
Click to expand...



For sure!! That's pretty, uhm....well, it's cause for concern. Even if they don't use it, most detailers would at least *know* about it. That's like a photographer not knowing about Pentax.



$150 for four hours work. Hm, wonder a) what he can get done in four hours, and b) what kind of work he does for $35/hour incl. materials. If it really amounts to $150 for *six* hours' work, well, that's awfully inexpensive and generally you get what you pay for with this stuff.



I used Pro W41 back in the day, still have a can around here somewhere. Not bad stuff but certainly no "winter wax" and not really as good as going with one of the Collinite offerings.



Anybody should be OK using 845, it's about as idiot-proof as waxes get.



I myself would be wondering about how to do the washes all winter long, especially the undercarriage.



Gee, I'm not being of much positive help here, sorry about that :o
 
yeah, i was thinking about the time spent/money spent ration later on and wondering

a) his level of detailing isn't on par with what I expect and what an autopian would expect

b) he isn't realizing how much more he could be charging



I know about the collinite as being a red flag. I was surprised. I did find other detailers (with actual websites) but they are either in camden (on the Maine coast, about 1hr away) or closer to Portland (still 1hr away). ANd their 'savoir faire' still is to be assessed. After all, anyone can have a website with fancy cars on it, that doesn't mean they know what they are doing.



At this point, i may wait a few weeks until i get my carport build up, that way i'll have time (albeit a bit cramped) to strip, clay, & wax (i'll have to skip on polish/buff) at my leisure. It will be more time consuming, but lot cheaper and any mistakes on the paint I can blame on myself :) !

It also allows me more time to discover any worthy detailers in the area.



In terms of cleaning the undercarriage, that'll have to be by hand in those self bay washing whenever I can. Living on a dirt road, there is so much I can expect...





Dan/Accumulator, any referrals of serious detailers in the Maine?
 
No, I don't know of anybody up north... but I will say this, I'd rather spend a couple of hours with some ONR, clay and Collinite rather than taking my chances. Even if you are pressed for time, you can do a single panel at a time using the ONR+Clay method.
 
Its really not a surprise when detail shops don't know about commonly known products on the forums. Most detail shops only use the commercial grade products that get delivered to them such as Car Brite.



Most detail shop workers/owners know NOTHING about modern detailing products or practices.



True story. Hope you find a good detailer in your area.
 
Dan said:
the ONR+Clay method.
Click to expand...



You mean using onr as qd strength as a lube for clay correct?

just making sure i know what you are referencing (i'm always keen on learning new techniques)





An not, sadly not pressed by time, just feeling a little lazy (i know, how blasphemous of me to say! :) )
 
$150 for a winter prep does seem a little low...especially for 4-6 hours of work. But it could be the going rate in that area.



Typically for my winter preps I use a dedicated sealant like Menz Powerlock. If rain is in the forecast or I can't ensure proper cure time for the sealant my go to is Collinite 845. It's definitely strange that the guy never heard of Collinite. Also, I include waxing the wheels and interior fabric guard for winter preps.



As far as detailers in your area, I can't really help you much there.
 
jojo69- Sorry, I don't know anyone in your area either.



But DIYing it panel-by-panel oughta work OK.





At the self-serve, be careful not to bump the car, but get the wand into the wheelwells/etc. where [stuff] builds up in the nooks and crannies. Yes, a "modern car" *will* rust out if you let stuff sit there long enough.
 
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