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03-30-2016, 11:28 AM
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#1 | | Wunder? Wonder?? Wander???
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| How many of you guys detail your car vs pay someone else?
So for the type of car people who wash their car at least once a month, wax 2-6 times a year, clay bar, etc, do you guys do it yourselves or go to a detailer?
Instinctively I think I'd rather do it myself cause I don't really know if they're doing as careful/good of a job as if I was doing it myself.
But it can be time consuming and be more productive and efficient to pay someone else to do it?
Last edited by clevernickname; 03-30-2016 at 11:37 AM.
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03-30-2016, 11:35 AM
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#2 | | SFICC-03*
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i do my own, but i'll do a full wash only like 2-3x a year.
i just do the touchless gas station washes in between maybe every month or so.
i used to wash every week or two in the summer, but aint nobody got time for that. takes 2 hours to wash, and you have to do it when the sun is in the right spot or on an overcast day. too much fuss for me these days to keep that up.
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03-30-2016, 11:42 AM
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#3 | | I am Hook'd on RS
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I do it myself, I have all the gear and supplies I need for paint correction so why not? Doing it yourself also lets you get close up and see where any imperfections, or damage is that you may otherwise miss. It's also pretty therapeutic for me to do.
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03-30-2016, 11:46 AM
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#4 | | I contribute to threads in the offtopic forum
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I also do it myself. I started detailing over 16 years ago now as a hobby and now do it as a business for select clients.
It greatly enjoy it so it will always be something I do myself. Well worth it to as paying someone $300+ to do a detail makes no sense to me seeing as you can pick up the supplies to do it yourself for the same price but they would last you many years.
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03-30-2016, 12:10 PM
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#5 | | Witness protection
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i have a black car. and no garage. the second i put down the wash mitt or buffer, it's dirty and scratched again, so i need all the help i can get... enuf said 
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"The guy in the CR-V meanwhile, he'll give you a haughty glare. He's responsibly trying to lessen his impact, but there you go lumbering past him with your loud V8, flouting the new reality. You may as well go do some donuts in a strawberry patch and slalom through a litter of kittens." Dan Frio, Automotive Editor, Edmunds
Last edited by thumper; 03-30-2016 at 02:40 PM.
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03-30-2016, 01:35 PM
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#6 | | Rs has made me the man i am today!
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I do it myself but increasingly would rather pay someone. I've got all the gear I need and it's not hard, just time consuming and I don't have as many free weekends anymore.
A full detail (wash, clay, polish, wax for outside, clean the insides, wax the wheels etc) is a full day of work and while I really enjoy it and get a lot of satisfaction out of it I'd rather be outside doing something else most of the time.
For hand washes I go to Ultra Shine or someone like that but even then it's time consuming since I have to wait in line so much.
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Current: 2019 Acura RDX
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03-30-2016, 01:35 PM
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#7 | | Wunder? Wonder?? Wander???
Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Vancouver
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Where do you go thumper? Or any recommendations anyone?
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03-30-2016, 01:38 PM
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#8 | | My homepage has been set to RS
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03-30-2016, 01:42 PM
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#9 | | Witness protection
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by clevernickname  Where do you go thumper? Or any recommendations anyone? | Autowerkes Exclusive
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"The guy in the CR-V meanwhile, he'll give you a haughty glare. He's responsibly trying to lessen his impact, but there you go lumbering past him with your loud V8, flouting the new reality. You may as well go do some donuts in a strawberry patch and slalom through a litter of kittens." Dan Frio, Automotive Editor, Edmunds
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03-30-2016, 02:09 PM
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#10 | | I don't get it
Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Vancouver
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I have a big black truck, i am very capable (Autobody experience) but nowadays my time is more important and dont mind to pay the right person to do a good job
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03-30-2016, 02:22 PM
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#11 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by thumper i have a black car. and no garage. i need all the help i can get... enuf said |  | |
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03-30-2016, 02:51 PM
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#12 | | Rs has made me the woman i am today!
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I do my own, twice a year. Really not that difficult, much more rewarding to see the outcome anyway.
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[12-03, 23:03] rb when i see a modded element. I have nothing but respect. either the parents kicked him out or the guy is killing hookers in the back | |
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03-30-2016, 04:35 PM
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#13 | | Willing to sell a family member for a few minutes on RS
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Funny this came up, I detailed my own car today.
While it looks worlds better, its no where near as good as a professional can do. I think its smart to make the decision depending on how far gone your paint is. I can make good paint look better, but I sure as shit can't make bad paint look great. My car could definitely use a pro detail, but I'll wait until I move and have indoor parking.
I spent 3.5 hours on the exterior, and didn't even get the bumpers done. It was more for fun on a beautiful midweek day off though.
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98 technoviolet M3/2/5 Quote:
Originally Posted by boostfever Westopher is correct. | Quote:
Originally Posted by fsy82 seems like you got a dick up your ass well..get that checked | Quote:
Originally Posted by punkwax Well.. I’d hate to be the first to say it, but Westopher is correct. | | |
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03-30-2016, 06:44 PM
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#14 | | I *heart* Revscene.net very Muchie
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This is purely based on how much time you have on your hand. I used to do it myself many years ago but now there's absolutely no time for it now that I have a family. Still have tons of supplies I gathered from the old days that are sitting there unused.
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03-30-2016, 07:05 PM
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#15 | | I *heart* Revscene.net very Muchie
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Spent two hours yesterday detailing. Lots of satisfaction when it's all done and a long stretch of nice weather is here.
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"A chicken crossing the street is poultry in motion"
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03-30-2016, 09:47 PM
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#16 | | I am Hook'd on RS
Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Coquitlam, BC
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I personally wash my car every month. If I find time more than twice a month. I no longer drive my car that much due to the proximity of my office from my home so it stays indoors when not in use. I used to detail (wax and polish) my car every Spring and Fall. Now, I just have professionals do it once a year during Fall simply because I no longer have the tools and chemicals to do my own polish work due to lack of space in my condo bldg.
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03-31-2016, 10:14 AM
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#17 | | Wunder? Wonder?? Wander???
Join Date: May 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by thumper | I was just looking into using them for my black car. What services do you get from them? I noticed they changed their website to be mainly coating based.
I was thinking of Americoat as I can't justify the cost of the others.
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03-31-2016, 10:20 AM
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#18 | | Witness protection
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: GVRD
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i had to get a massive paint correction done after a lot boy washed it. after that it was coated with opticoat, which was one of the best things i spent $$$ on. i'm supposed to go back every year and have it inspected/touched up but i haven't because of time/distance. it's now been two years since it was done and it's weathered through two winters, but i still need to go back.
having said that, i keep hearing about project detail from others. i'm wondering if i should give brendan a try.
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"The guy in the CR-V meanwhile, he'll give you a haughty glare. He's responsibly trying to lessen his impact, but there you go lumbering past him with your loud V8, flouting the new reality. You may as well go do some donuts in a strawberry patch and slalom through a litter of kittens." Dan Frio, Automotive Editor, Edmunds
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03-31-2016, 11:42 AM
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#19 | | Wunder? Wonder?? Wander???
Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 231
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Has anyone had a bad experience with detailing? I'm just paranoid they won't care and will take shortcuts.
@thumper: i've read that opticoat is good for protection and making it easier to clean. but wax doesn't go on as well so the car won't shine as well. Any truth to that? Have a magnetic mustang GT. so like a shiny grey. think it looks best when it sparkles essentially.
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03-31-2016, 11:48 AM
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#20 | | I am Hook'd on RS
Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Vancouver
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by clevernickname Has anyone had a bad experience with detailing? I'm just paranoid they won't care and will take shortcuts. | Either of the two mentioned in this thread will take care of you. Detailers have a reputation to keep, just don't forget they need to eat too. If you only want to pay $20, you're only going to get a $20 job.
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03-31-2016, 11:57 AM
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#21 | | Wunder? Wonder?? Wander???
Join Date: May 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by clevernickname Has anyone had a bad experience with detailing? I'm just paranoid they won't care and will take shortcuts.
@thumper: i've read that opticoat is good for protection and making it easier to clean. but wax doesn't go on as well so the car won't shine as well. Any truth to that? Have a magnetic mustang GT. so like a shiny grey. think it looks best when it sparkles essentially. |
This is a good read What is Opti-Coat and is it good for your car? | |
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03-31-2016, 11:57 AM
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#22 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
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When I have a toy in the garage...*sigh*... I'll do a full detail of the interior and a full outside claybar and wax 2 maybe 3 times a year. With washes regularly in between with my mitt. As far as getting a buffer out going to town on my paint I'll leave that to a professional, all it takes is a couple seconds too long in one spot and you've burned it. I'll maybe do that once a year, but usually just stick to a really good claybar and hand wax, seems to workout pretty well.
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03-31-2016, 12:01 PM
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#23 | | Witness protection
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: GVRD
Posts: 14,427
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by clevernickname Has anyone had a bad experience with detailing? I'm just paranoid they won't care and will take shortcuts.
@thumper: i've read that opticoat is good for protection and making it easier to clean. but wax doesn't go on as well so the car won't shine as well. Any truth to that? Have a magnetic mustang GT. so like a shiny grey. think it looks best when it sparkles essentially. | both of the places listed above have good reputations. it's just a question of when you can get an appointment because spring is here and everyone wants their cars cleaned up after winter.
i don't think you're supposed to wax over opticoat, since it's supposed to negate the need for it. wax won't go on that well because opticoat won't let it stick. Opti-Coat vs Wax - Page 2
the only reason i have opticoat was because two years ago it was one of the few that was available. a lot has changed since then and there are more products out there. ask the two shops discussed above what is currently available and recommended for what you want in mind.
__________________
"The guy in the CR-V meanwhile, he'll give you a haughty glare. He's responsibly trying to lessen his impact, but there you go lumbering past him with your loud V8, flouting the new reality. You may as well go do some donuts in a strawberry patch and slalom through a litter of kittens." Dan Frio, Automotive Editor, Edmunds
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03-31-2016, 01:37 PM
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#24 | | Wunder? Wonder?? Wander???
Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 231
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I also don't see any cleaning services, just coating stuff for autowerkes.
But I may try brendan as well.
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03-31-2016, 01:43 PM
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#25 | | Witness protection
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: GVRD
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you have to call or talk to them in person. it's going to be part of the process because they are not going to apply it without prep work and every car is different depending on paint condition, so not everyone is going to get the same price unless it's a brand new car.
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"The guy in the CR-V meanwhile, he'll give you a haughty glare. He's responsibly trying to lessen his impact, but there you go lumbering past him with your loud V8, flouting the new reality. You may as well go do some donuts in a strawberry patch and slalom through a litter of kittens." Dan Frio, Automotive Editor, Edmunds
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