The Detailers ShowcaseShow off your detail! If you've taken the time to achieve the ultimate shine and reflection, we want to see it. Before and after shots rule!
Its a well washed SUV with shiny tires, I would hardly count that as detailed, and 30 minutes none the less, I can't bucket wash a car in that time much less call it detailing.
By using the term detailing here, it's implicitly thought that you did a lot more than a wash and tire shine.
Hey $1dstore JP probably expresses the prevailing thought process here on the forum. There are wash-n-wax processes and then there are detail processes. We're funny that way. Don't get us wrong, nothing wrong with a wash and wax when it comes as a follow up to a previous detail, or just as a quicky. We just don't view that as a "detail".
Try explaining some of the steps (possibly products - but we believe in process over product here) you take to complete your work.
Mr Clean, thanks for the explanation.
My post is a bit vague and I may not understand what is the general agreed definition of Detailing.
I like to call it "Speed Detailing".
I also do triathlons, races, etc. so it is kind of a workout for me.
Cardio and endurance, hit every crack and spot that I can as fast as I can.
I am not an artist like some of you but in general I still get "Wow" after doing my "Speed Detail".
Basicaly I get the same reaction from 1 to 2 hours as some detailers get from 6 to 8 hours.
I guess where I am lacking in self satisfaction I retain in appreciation.
Maybe we should blame the comsumer, since it seems we are accepting less and less these days.
Mr Clean, thanks for the explanation.
My post is a bit vague and I may not understand what is the general agreed definition of Detailing.
I like to call it "Speed Detailing".
I also do triathlons, races, etc. so it is kind of a workout for me.
Cardio and endurance, hit every crack and spot that I can as fast as I can.
I am not an artist like some of you but in general I still get "Wow" after doing my "Speed Detail".
Basicaly I get the same reaction from 1 to 2 hours as some detailers get from 6 to 8 hours.
I guess where I am lacking in self satisfaction I retain in appreciation.
Maybe we should blame the comsumer, since it seems we are accepting less and less these days.
It sounds to me that you are really washing and waxing for lack of better terms, than detailing. There is a huge market for it, just look at any tunnel car wash on a good day after the rains have gone, they are WAY busy!
To me the term detailing is not about speed in any form, its about cleaning, protecting and perfection of all parts of the car. Where some of us are faster than others, and can achieve their customer satisfaction, it really doesn't come down to speed, it comes back to accuracy and the details.
Mr Clean, thanks for the explanation.
My post is a bit vague and I may not understand what is the general agreed definition of Detailing.
I like to call it "Speed Detailing".
I also do triathlons, races, etc. so it is kind of a workout for me.
Cardio and endurance, hit every crack and spot that I can as fast as I can.
I am not an artist like some of you but in general I still get "Wow" after doing my "Speed Detail". Basicaly I get the same reaction from 1 to 2 hours as some detailers get from 6 to 8 hours.
I guess where I am lacking in self satisfaction I retain in appreciation.
Maybe we should blame the comsumer, since it seems we are accepting less and less these days.
As mentioned in another of your threads, that is the important factor. Customer satisfaction.
LOL about the "artist" label. I've seen that thrown about here and there. Just isn't the case IMO. An artist starts with a blank canvas or a lump of clay or bronze, or... and creates something from nothing. We (detailers) are closer to janitors, we get paid to clean up other people's messes.
I think the drive through car wash can do the same thing.
For $25, spray some unknown chemical on tires, they will machine wash, apply some unknown stuff on the paint to simulate wax, and wipe it down with some towels...plus they will swirl the paint, break mirrors (they did mine), and knock off your external antenna if you are lucky.
Thanks for the suggestions JohnHenry, yea funny you mentioned the plastic trim. What I used here,(Black Magic) doesnt seem to be doing the job. Thought maybe it was being soaked up by the plastic? Not sure. Have used Armor All in the past with some success.
Not being familiar with what detailing products are available at the $1 store, I was surprised to see you buying Black Magic and Armor All there.
That might be where they belong, but I didn't realize they had fallen that far out of favor. I'm pretty sure they are still carried at Wal-Mart here, but we are usually about 2 to 6 months behind the rest of the country.
As far as a niche market, there's a lot of used car dealers that have some really cheap exterior details done in the summer. Some of the "detailers" wash, polish, wax for as little as $40 a car. Some have some kind of oil/dressing in pump-up garden sprayers that they spray on the tires and the engines for just a few bucks more.
The process consists of a quick pressure wash and a rotary with a one step product like Meguiar's M66. One "detailer" took the cars to a DIY spray wash. All he had was a rotary, a jug of M66 and some old bath towels.
Detailing? Not by my definition, but that's just my opinion. Some of the jobs don't turn out too bad. Others are terrible. Kind of the same way it is with $200 jobs.
JP probably expresses the prevailing thought process here on the forum. There are wash-n-wax processes and then there are detail processes. We're funny that way. 
Don't get us wrong, nothing wrong with a wash and wax when it comes as a follow up to a previous detail, or just as a quicky. We just don't view that as a "detail".
Linear Mode
