Detail Panel by Panel

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FPEvo

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Do you guys suggest detailing the whole car with one step at a time or fully do all steps panel by panel.

IE: If Im going to be using SIP and Super Finish. Should I go over the whole car with SIP then finish Super finish? Or should I do the hood with both SIP and Super finish then move over to another body panel?
 
Ive seen guys do every panel at once but personaly i only do one step at a time when doing the whole car. Its much easier IME so you dont have to switch out pads and products so often. But then again you gotta find what works for you.
 
I'd only consider this if I had 2 machines or I'd go nuts changing the pads...
 
For the majority of the cars I will do the entire car once around but when you get into multi-day corrections I feel doing it panel by panel makes it easier as it helps to trick your mind so the task at hand is not as daunting.
 
FPEvo said:
Do you guys suggest detailing the whole car with one step at a time or fully do all steps panel by panel.

IE: If Im going to be using SIP and Super Finish. Should I go over the whole car with SIP then finish Super finish? Or should I do the hood with both SIP and Super finish then move over to another body panel?
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The answer is largely based whether you're a hobbyist or full time professional. A hobbyist has the luxury of time where a full time shop, time is money.

Performing a full detail correctly can and typically takes 8 to 10 hours to complete. Sometimes the hobbyist doesn't have a garage or the time to perform this amount of work and may opt for the panel or section approach.

From an efficiency perspective, completing each step makes the most sense but there are those situations that might warrant a change in plans...
 
I would think the panel approach is tougher because then you run the risk of running over a freshly completed section with your first compound step and having to go over it with the final polish again.
 
Panel by panel takes longer. I do all my compounding, then all my polishing.
 
If you are doing the vehicle withint a day or so do each step on the full vehicle. I am working on my wifes vehicle in the evenings now, full correction and OG, so I am going panel by panel. Just gotte be careful to not run over the edges of any panels with pads so you don't mess up any work you've already done.
 
The only reason i asked was because i see the 50/50 shots where it seems like some people are doing panel by panel. Im a hobbiest but do weekend detail work. I do the whole car with each step. As mentioned. It is more efficient. Just looking to make sure im doing it right and best method.
 
I do a few panels at a time, basically when I'm going to be swapping to a fresh pad/alternate pad, I'll go to a different pad for finishing the panels I just hit instead. It helps give your pads some extra cool off time in between uses as well. The only disadvantage to this is it gets hard to keep track of which panels you've done. It got so bad for me I downloaded a checklist app to help mark off body panels for when I do lighter color vehicles where it's trickier to see where you're at.
 
FPEvo said:
The only reason i asked was because i see the 50/50 shots where it seems like some people are doing panel by panel. Im a hobbiest but do weekend detail work. I do the whole car with each step. As mentioned. It is more efficient. Just looking to make sure im doing it right and best method.
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In the case of photos...yes, I typically will finish a part of a panel just to get the shot. But, the job itself I would never work that way.

Sometimes you gotta go outside the box to get those impressive shots.
 
Sounds good. I appreciate the feedback
 
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