Bill, the video you put up a few months ago showed a car that was full of swirl marks. I use CQuartz and still if the car is not treated properly in the washing stages, it gets marked. CQuartz you must agree is different and it is way more advanced than AT-5 on every level. Its not that I don't like what you are saying, but I believe you are wrong. I also don't believe that your cars arby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud, that was a copy and paste from one of Ketch's posts, if I recall correctly. Perhaps it means the total number of detailers including employees? But Bills post is unfathomable. I don't know which is a quote and which is new input. Bill, there is a great resource here in Bud & Ketch, Doug, Gina, and others. You are not using the resource correctly. Its like you'reby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
I'm a moron. But I'm comfortable with my stupidity. There.... I'm out !!! Feels good. Hey, you can't argue with me about it either.... never argue with a moron. This could be the first argument I ever won actually.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Thanks for taking the time to post your article. I suppose it depends on how in-depth a detail you are doing, but I like to clean the tyres in the wash process. While the car is wet, I apply water-based dressing PERL on the tyres at 2:1 concentration (which is strong), then I towel dry the wheels to remove any excess. Don't you find your dressing gets removed in the wash if you apply itby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Autosmart G101 has the best reputation on this side as the all purpose cleaner. Seems to be cheaper than the Optimum product but possibly has less finesse about it.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
I use acid-free or an APC or I have two of those types that run purple when they react with Iron particles.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Grumpy indeed! Ha Ha.... Where's that photo of a Gorilla you used to use as the avatar! Let me prescribe a glass of Remy Martin, a Romeo & Juliet and a comfy seat to enjoy the sunset.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
She probably didn't set out to be rude to you personally. It sounds like she was just angry (at herself) for leaving the sunroof open and now with all the stress of organising 3 kids to school, etc, she just vented on unlucky you when you said something she wasn't ready to hear. Some people are just like that. But then, some people are just out and out nice. Its easy to say this, buby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
ummmm when they are looking to buy a new guitar? I kill myself sometimes...!! The relationship between you and your customer should not be equal. It should always be balanced in your favour so you can make a profit on the transaction of money for service. When it becomes balanced in their favour repeatedly, then you need to stop this transaction and re-evaluate the relationship. The cby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Pro-Techt, thank you for elaborating about the Ferrari. Point taken. Bill, I am a correction detailer. I take cars that have scratches and swirls on them. I do a full strip of the wax and other contaminants so I can see and work with the bare paint. The marks in the paint do not disappear when the wax is gone. Wax itself does not get marked like that, it is too thin to make a conspicuous impreby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Some of the most cringe-worthy details that I come across on the forums are hot-shots who take a brand new ferrari or bmw and sand the orange peel out of it. Sure the paint is flatter, but what if the car needs to be polished again in the future. To me, exotics and supercars should be treated like babies - keep them clean, healthy and present them with pride to the world. But if you are not happyby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Not using dressings, Matt? I'm just very curious now... how do you present wheel arches and tires? There are the more permanent coatings but it doesn't always make economical sense to use them in a detailers workshop. 3D hit the nail on the head when they bought Autopia. Its a real resource but like all forums, you have to filter the copy and paste people who just parrot what oby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
He said he removed about 6 Microns from the paint, which is what - about 1/4 of a mil? That car had a lot of re-spray work done. It doesn't make economical sense to pay £6K for a paint correction on that car even if it is a Miracle Detail correction. I sometimes buy cars and put them through an intensive reconditioning to sell for profit. Not that I am saying Paul has done that herby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
I guess the BuffPro people need to go back to the drawing board with their pads then. Thanks for sharing that, Pro-Techt.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
He's at it again. This time £6000 for a vehicle reconditioning... go figure!by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Got my report. Looking forward to reading it.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
I've been thinking about your BuffPro, Bud. I was resistant at first to the idea, but I've been looking at side panels in particular and with curves and contours on some cars, people don't realise just how much contact area there is with a standard pad. You can actually get more physical contact and correction on some cars using a spot pad than with a 6" pad. So I guess theby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Unfortunately, anybody can call themselves a professional detailer. Its merely a label and a nomenalization.The only thing that gives them a "right" to call themselves a detailer is their ability to recognise a car on sight ( so they don't end up cleaning a wheelbarrow by mistake. ) Who determines who has integrity or not? Or knowledge? Or motivation? That would be their clieby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
I didn't know you were on FB, Bud. I clicked in, so I will send a mail. It will be interesting to see the report. I wonder would it have the same results with the newer ranges of sealants on the market now. Was it expensive to produce?by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Could certainly be an earlier version. Not sure which though but I got it from the UK so lord knows how long it had been in the bottle before I even placed my order. I will keep an eye out for the version 4 when I place my next order with a US supplier. 3D certainly made a few huge leaps and bounds in the past two years with their products and its interesting to see the range developing. Have youby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Polish, Pads, Machines, Paint and Expertise are some of the variables to consider and everybody has their own preferences. You shouldn't doubt someone's ability based on their choice of polish. HD UNO is Thomas Dekany's only polish, I believe. He seems to be respected on various forums for his ability. I don't get on with that one myself. Seems to be a bear to remove from soby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
It is someone who specifically charges for work and either doesn't complete it or contributes even more damage to the finish on the interior or exterior. It is either lack of integrity, knowledge or motivation to do the job properly.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
You are right, there shouldn't be a separation within the definition. But if it separates me from low-quality hacks, then I embrace the difference. If I tell people I recondition cars, then they think I do spraying or mechanical restoration. If I tell people I do valet services, they run when they hear my prices. When I tell them I do detailing, manipulation or not, it makes them curiousby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Where I am, a detail is a concise, high quality cleaning of the interior, a decontamination and machine polishing with high-protection of the paint. That word separates the services from the budget-cleaning companies who are known as Car-Valets over here. But not many people are aware of what my "detailing" is. All they know is the budget service.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Matt, have you spoken to Avi Moradi about the new Fixer polish? It should work wonders with your denim pads. For a single-system polish, I haven't seen anything that works so fast before. Its got more cut than Fast Cut Plus but finishes down like P1. Check it out. I think Matt likes the Expert polishes. Not available everywhere.... certainly not near me.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Strange.... I think this forum seems to abbreviate web-links automatically. Just click on the link to the PDF document and then copy the web address that appears in the top.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Thanks Bud. I just googled that book and for anybody not familiar, here is an 11 page summary: It looks like powerful content so I will take your advice and get it.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
OK, no problem Bud. You mentioned something about fluorocarbons and teflon to me in another thread a while ago so I thought you were fishing! Apologies. I was kidding as well. Check with Dr Leather. The guy is a genius with Leather and coatings chemistry.by Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
It certainly helps, Bud. Actually, the whole sales aspect of detailing services is something that really needs developing and not just by me. You highlighted that a lot of shops give standard pricing that is pretty low and it is just to get the customer in the door. That is the broad application of Detailing Sales across the board and seems to be detrimental. Dealing over the phone, or face tby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
They have integrated Fluorocarbon and siloxane into the topcoat to give it the benefits of coatings that have up to now been superficially and "temporarily" applied. Don't pretend you don't know about the phobicity or non-stickiness of fluorocarbon..... I know you so well!! LOL From my viewpoint, I've been restoring leather as well as detailing for years so its aby Profile Detailer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts