Auto Detailing

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bhanks

Guest
Auto Detailing...

I heard D&G Custom (or was it Kustom?) in Leonardtown off Rt. 5 was good...but I talked to them last week and they're pretty expensive. (About $150 to $200 to do an SUV that's not particularly dirty.) I, too, am looking for someone who can do it for a bit less than that! If anyone has suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.
 
Chain729

Chain729

CageKicker Extraordinaire
bhanks said:
I heard D&G Custom (or was it Kustom?) in Leonardtown off Rt. 5 was good...but I talked to them last week and they're pretty expensive. (About $150 to $200 to do an SUV that's not particularly dirty.) I, too, am looking for someone who can do it for a bit less than that! If anyone has suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.
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Actually, that's not too bad. Detailing takes a lot of work, time and paying attention to small details (no pun intended). I do mine myself about every six months and it takes a good 8 hour day for the outside. Of course, I'm slow at it, but I'm also very picky.
 
W

Warron

Member
The carwash on 235 near the Sheetz on the corner of 235/Chancelor's Run used to do detailing by appointment. Don't know how good a job they do, but it was $75 for interior and $75 for exterior the last time I checked (about 6 months ago). I never got around to taking my car in after I checked on it though.

They used to have a sign out front advertising it, but I haven't seen it lately, so I don't know if they still do it.

Their service would not be equivalent to a full professional detailing anyways. More like half way between a car wash and a professional detailing.
 
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mAlice

mAlice

professional daydreamer
Chain729 said:
Actually, that's not too bad. Detailing takes a lot of work, time and paying attention to small details (no pun intended). I do mine myself about every six months and it takes a good 8 hour day for the outside. Of course, I'm slow at it, but I'm also very picky.
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:yeahthat: If you want it done right, do it yourself. That's the going rate for detailing if you expect a good job and quality products used on your vehicle. Those quality products will make a big difference in how long the detail lasts.

Like Chain, I do it myself and it's an all day job...and I have a small car.
 
H

Hardcrab

Member
bhanks said:
I heard D&G Custom (or was it Kustom?) in Leonardtown off Rt. 5 was good...but I talked to them last week and they're pretty expensive. (About $150 to $200 to do an SUV that's not particularly dirty.) I, too, am looking for someone who can do it for a bit less than that! If anyone has suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.
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$150 - $200 doesn't sound that bad. One place I checked wanted $250 and that was for a Honda accord! I won't mention what they wanted for a truck.

I've only had a car detailed once and it took them about 4 hours.

They did a great job but unfortunately, the business has changed hands.

As far as the "level of detailing" I want. I don't want my "lugnuts polished with a toothbrush". Its not a show car.
I would like the exterior and interior done. No steam cleaning the engine or the the undercarrige. I don't need the windshield wipers polished, etc.

And yes, for 35 years, I always did it myself but due to some ongoing back problems. That has become more difficult.

anyway, thanks for the info.

hardcrab
 
Chain729

Chain729

CageKicker Extraordinaire
Hardcrab said:
$150 - $200 doesn't sound that bad. One place I checked wanted $250 and that was for a Honda accord! I won't mention what they wanted for a truck.

I've only had a car detailed once and it took them about 4 hours.

They did a great job but unfortunately, the business has changed hands.

As far as the "level of detailing" I want. I don't want my "lugnuts polished with a toothbrush". Its not a show car.
I would like the exterior and interior done. No steam cleaning the engine or the the undercarrige. I don't need the windshield wipers polished, etc.

And yes, for 35 years, I always did it myself but due to some ongoing back problems. That has become more difficult.

anyway, thanks for the info.

hardcrab
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4 hours is pretty quick. When you call a shop to ask what they charge and make an appointment, ask them what brand of clay bar they use. Not that it really matters, but if they don't know what a clay bar is, they shouldn't be detailing cars. Not to mention, if they can't tell you what brand it is, they don't pay attention to details, and I would be hesitant to let them get anywhere near my car.
 
Chain729

Chain729

CageKicker Extraordinaire
elaine said:
Chain, what products do you use on your car?
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Standard wash and wax:

Blue Coral car wash (never understood the need for expensive stuff)
Mother's Pure Carnuba wax
Mother's Aluminum and mag polish
Simple green
Armoral (yeah, I know need to use something better)
RainX window cleaner (tinted surfaces only)
RainX fog and repellent
Bar keepers friend (grime on the outside of windows)
Mix of 25% alcohol, 25% white vinegar & 50% water (non-tinted windows and outside of windows)

Chenille wash pad (doesn't scratch up the paint)
Water blade (cuts drying time in half)
Cobra microfiber detailing cloths (not the cheap Walmart stuff, only takes one to remove the wax on an entire car)


Detailing:

Dawn (to strip the old wax off)
Nu-Finish (Great synthetic wax to protect the paint)
Pinacle Poly-Clay claybar
Mother's Aluminum and mag polish
Simple green (great degreaser and safe on paint)
Armoral
Turtle Wax Formula 2001 (shines up the engine extremely well)
Bar keepers friend
Mix of 25% alcohol, 25% white vinegar & 50% water (non-tinted windows and outside of windows)
RainX window cleaner (tinted surfaces only)
RainX fog and repellent
3M rubbing compound
3M polishing compound

Chenille wash Pad
Water blade
Cobra microfiber detailing cloths (not cheap Walmart stuff)
Buffer and pads

That's off the top of my head. I use little bit from everybody. I also like Meguires Quick Detailer to get the dirt off in between washes, or when I get to a car meet. I don't show the car, but I like to keep it looking decent and protect the paint as much as I can. She's definately overdue for a re-paint due to the fact that she's 10 years old, but I've got higher priorities that need the cash right now. From 15-20 feet, she looks awesome, but up close you can see all the chips and stuff.

I need to find something to get my trim back to grey. Its starting to get white and its driving me nuts. I thought it was due to wax, but I used a Q-tip and alcohol and it stayed white. The alcohol should've stripped any and all wax off.
 
Petter Solberg

Petter Solberg

New Member
Chain729 comprised a great list.

Another product that I strongly recommend is Zaino Show Car Polish. I like this product because it is very easy to apply and can be applied in direct sunlight, however it takes half an hour to dry completely. The largest benifit to using the Zaino is that it will protect the paint and keep it looking great for up to 6 months.
Use the Zaino only after removing the old wax by using Dawn Dish washing detergent and then clay baring.

I am also fond of Meguires, and Griots products.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

http://www.griotsgarage.com/index.jsp
 
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mAlice

mAlice

professional daydreamer
Petter Solberg said:
Chain729 comprised a great list.

Another product that I strongly recommend is Zaino Show Car Polish. I like this product because it is very easy to apply and can be applied in direct sunlight, however it takes half an hour to dry completely. The largest benifit to using the Zaino is that it will protect the paint and keep it looking great for up to 6 months.

I am also fond of Meguires, and Griots products.

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

http://www.griotsgarage.com/index.jsp
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I started using Zaino after I had my car painted. They now have a hardener in the package and it's dry before you finish putting it on a section. I basically wipe it on then turn around and wipe it off. Very quick. Each time I put a layer on, whether it's step 2 or step 5, I swear it can't get any better. Each time I'm proven wrong.
 
Chain729

Chain729

CageKicker Extraordinaire
elaine said:
Nice list. I may check a few things out.

What do you drive?
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Green '95 Neon. Nice deep, dark color that shows great when its clean and its not as hard to make look good as the black one I had.

Petter Solberg, thanks for the compliment. I know a lot of guys that love Zaino products. Unfortunately, they're a little out of my price range and I can't justify the cost on a 10 year old factory paint-job.

I find that Nu-Finish lasts six months, despite the weather and I can layer Carnuba wax on top of it to get that deep, wet look.
 
H

HollowSoul

Guest
All I Know Is That Black Is The Hardest Color To Take Care Of
 
B

blueintrepid18

New Member
elaine said:
I dunno'. I think my topaz blue looks better. :biggrin:
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I had a dark silver colored rental recently that looked absoultely amazing when the sun was out...but at nite and on rainy or overcast days it just looked grey. I would definitly put that color on a show vehicle some day. Rite now my taurus is a green color that looks grey in different light. The color is ok but I wouldnt have chosen it, however the paint is in nearly showroom condition so I'm not complaining.
 
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