Anyone Keep A Log

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BLM

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Only detail my own vehicles. I have four and detail them all. But can't recall when this one got polished and that one got sealed or for sure which products were used. I know I used Jescar Powerlock on my Pickup when it was still fairly warm but can't recall exactly when.
Just occurred to me to keep a notebook with my detail stuff and record all detailing events. Maybe even record washes and what products were used. Just takes a minute to record the event. Been doing it forever on all mechanical maintenance on the vehicles.
Anybody else keep a log of your detailing events?
 
I kept a notebook for a year or so, I even tried moving it over onto a spreadsheet, but then life got in the way, and I forgot for a couple of months, and I then I gave up. But what I have done more recently is add entries into the calendar on my phone, but only for special reasons, for example a reminder that I applied a certain coating 3 months ago, then another reminder at 6 months. The next reminder coming up is on the 22nd, I applied 303 Graphene Trim Coating 3 months ago. But I was recording everything, now it's just the stuff that's useful.
 
i don’t cause I don’t have 4 cars to detail, but if I did I would most certainly keep a log. Notes on your phone may be easier.
 
Yep, I have a notebook that I write date, mileage and what work done to a vehicle, oil changes, switch to summer-winter tires, mech work, coat of wax, etc. Have been doing that for years.
In the back of it I have same for deep details of vehicles. Year, make, model, color, and what products I used and what tasks done to it. Guess it's just for my own knowledge, so I can also judge how strong the product on it is holding. And for the non detail stuff, so I can keep track of the vehicles life.
Oddly, since I started driving as a teenager to today I keep track of every gas station visit, I always figure out my gas mileage of every tank of gas. My dad always did it, still does, so just something I picked up.
 
Silly Rabbit said:
Yep, I have a notebook that I write date, mileage and what work done to a vehicle, oil changes, switch to summer-winter tires, mech work, coat of wax, etc. Have been doing that for years.
In the back of it I have same for deep details of vehicles. Year, make, model, color, and what products I used and what tasks done to it. Guess it's just for my own knowledge, so I can also judge how strong the product on it is holding. And for the non detail stuff, so I can keep track of the vehicles life.
Oddly, since I started driving as a teenager to today I keep track of every gas station visit, I always figure out my gas mileage of every tank of gas. My dad always did it, still does, so just something I picked up.
Click to expand...
I got a notebook like you do for vehicle maintance, but never used it for detailing. Never thought of that.

I also reset the trip and avg mpg after each fill up. Been doing since i was a kid as well.

Ive been able to catch vehicle issues that way more than a time or two.

Actually about to order a "write in the rain" book to keep in my shirt pocket all the time so i can keep better note taking for all thingslife and work.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
 
Silly Rabbit said:
Yep, I have a notebook that I write date, mileage and what work done to a vehicle, oil changes, switch to summer-winter tires, mech work, coat of wax, etc. Have been doing that for years.
In the back of it I have same for deep details of vehicles. Year, make, model, color, and what products I used and what tasks done to it. Guess it's just for my own knowledge, so I can also judge how strong the product on it is holding. And for the non detail stuff, so I can keep track of the vehicles life.
Oddly, since I started driving as a teenager to today I keep track of every gas station visit, I always figure out my gas mileage of every tank of gas. My dad always did it, still does, so just something I picked up.
Click to expand...
I do have a spreadsheet for fuel usage, but I also track services, tyre rotation or replacement, and other modifications on it as well. It goes back over my last 5 vehicles to 2003, when I started teaching myself to use Excel. It's interesting to track changes in fuel economy when you change things on vehicles, the best fuel economy improvement I've seen was also the most expensive, moving house, going from the suburbs of a big city to a semi rural area really does make a difference.
 
Think I might try it for a while. Just date, what detailing event and products used. Got notebooks and pens right by my detail stuff.
 
I've never kept a log, even when I was taking care of 3~4 cars at once.

I always do my main polish/LSP application detailing on a spring/fall seasonal schedule. Spring jobs were between March and May, while fall jobs were in September or October. When I was still using sealants every job happened twice a year during those seasonal windows since the sealants I used typically lasted about six months. When I moved to coatings I could spread them out much easier. The stickers that come with most coatings make it easy to reference in case you forget in the 2~3 years since last applied. I always put them in the driver's side door jam where they are easy to find.
 
If you post it in the "what did you do today, in regards to detailing thread?", you can search back and find your own posts. I'm usually at least grabbing pictures with my phone that I can search back thru as well.
 
I write the date & what coating was used on a piece of painters tape and put it on the bottom side of the hood.
I don't do this for warranty purposes, just more out of curiosity.
My customers have no idea that I do this...
 
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