How do you tell if a detailer really knows their stuff?

Ben.Peterson

Ben.Peterson

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Hey guys,
I am still looking to find somebody in either the Durango CO area or in Phoenix Az area that can assist me with some paint correction. It appears from no replies that we dont have anybody on the forum from there, so is there a way to tell if they are good/know what they're doing beforehand? I'd like to get my paint corrected (swirls) so that i can start from ground zero. What are the kinds of questions i need to be asking to be able to tell if they really know what they are doing, or are all talk?

Thanks for your help!
Ben
 
Have them give you at least three references of previous customers. Ask to see some before/after pictures if possible might be helpful as well. I find it hard to believe that no one in the Phoenix area is an Autogeek.

Pat.
 
I guess you can also stop in too there shop if they have one.Can ask what kind of products they use and you can always post what ever info they tell you on here .If they are mobile check out their car or truck and see how it looks .
 
Thanks for the pointer's guys! I will for sure check them out first, unfortunately i can't get too 'in-depth' as i live in colorado. My wife and I are going to be visiting her parents in Anthem AZ (north phoenix) and i was wanting to get the paint corrected while we're there as i don't know of anybody locally that can do that.

I have sent 3 detailing outfits emails, and will see what they say back. I will probably take you up on the offer of posting their replies here and asking for your help to see if they are really just 'talking the talk', or if they really know it.

Would it be correct to assume that generally you'll get a better job having to take the car to their location instead of a mobile detailer?

It's looking like (judging just by the posted prices on their websites) it's going to run me around $300... does that sound about right?

Thanks again!
 
Also thought it might be a good idea to post the websites of the 3 I emailed. If it's not too much of a bother i would appreciate somebody looking at them to see if they can tell if they are good/not so much just by what they state on their websites.

Mobile Auto Detailing and Car Wash Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona
SharpShine Professional Automobile Detailing
Reliable, quality mobile car detailing serving Scottsdale, the Phoenix Metro Area and Arizona - Classic Image Mobile Detailing

Thanks again for the help!
 
ask for referrals ... check on them and BBBOnline for complaints.
 
Call the Rolls Royce Dealership and the Mercedes Dealership and see wo they refer you to.
 
I just received my first email response as follows:

Removal of swirls on your vehicle would range in cost from $250 to $450. It all depends on how deep. We would need 2 to 5 hours on the paint again depending on condition. We schedule out around 2 to 3 days. Classic has been in business for 20 years and are good standing members of the BBB. We are unable to disclose customers phone numbers or names.We do not take pictures of customers cars because we feel it does not do justice & anyone can make cars look good in a picture.

It seems a little weird that they don't take pictures and that they can't give me any referrals... What do you guys think?

I will try calling the dealers tomorrow... hopefully they'll know somebody :).

Thanks!
Ben
 
$250 to $450. No referenceS and no pictures. Hmm.....RUN!!!!!!!!:D
Sounds fishy to me.

Are you an obsessed detailer like everybody else here or did you get on to get an idea of what to look for in a professional detailer?
I'm not trying to be insulting or anything. I'm just thinking that if you're a detailing enthusiast, you could use the $$ and get a lot of stuff to use to do the paint correction yourself, especially if they're just swirlmarks. If you're not into detailing but want good results, I would certainly understand you coming here for advice.
 
No offense taken :). I do love detailing my cars, but i've never gotten into any paint correction. I just bought this car (black 2006 Cadillac STS-V) so it's kinda' my baby, and it is expensive (not that it matters, but MSRP in '06 was 77k)... So i'm too shy to jump into it the first try.. My thought process was to fork out the cash for a pro to start me with a clean slate.. then i would have time to practice and get the proper equipment.. so by the time i need to do it again i will be able to do it myself. I have another vehicle that i can practice on (Lifted 2003 chevy truck.. also black), but I was wanting to get the new car 'shiny new' fairly quick... It's embarissing driving around in a shiny clean car and then you get in the sun and it looks HORRIBLE.

The car's swirl marks are literally the only problem with the paint.. i think i found 2 very small rock chips on the front lip and they were hard to find. I just received my 'forum favorite' kit today, so i'm looking forward to detailing it... i just know that even good wax won't fix the swirl problem.

Hopefully that helps explain my situation a little better :).
 
IMO, you should just save your money and dive in and do it yourself. You get so much help from forum members you'll feel like a semi-pro in no time.
Let me be the first to offer some advice: Always start with the least aggressive products and work your way up. That way you won't damage your paint to the point where it can't be corrected.:)
 
diddo! Why pay someone to do half the job you would. To them, time is money, so the less time they spend, the more they make. If someone is
spending less than eight hours on your first go round, they're probably not making true corrections.

Heed the advice from the forum, spend the money, have some fun, take
pride, and do it right--remember, "Nothing works until you do".
 
Also check out the Show N' Shine section of this forum. Most of the time guys will have before and after pics. of the cars they worked on and they usually go into detail of what they used and how they did it.
 
:iagree:
termigator said:
$250 to $450. No referenceS and no pictures. Hmm.....RUN!!!!!!!!:D
Sounds fishy to me.

Are you an obsessed detailer like everybody else here or did you get on to get an idea of what to look for in a professional detailer?
I'm not trying to be insulting or anything. I'm just thinking that if you're a detailing enthusiast, you could use the $$ and get a lot of stuff to use to do the paint correction yourself, especially if they're just swirlmarks. If you're not into detailing but want good results, I would certainly understand you coming here for advice.
Click to expand...
 
:iagree:

Black cars need a lot of attention and being a V means it would be best to give your undivided attention or she might decide to bust loose on a tight corner.

AG has a lot of How to videos and instruction and the backlogs of this forum are ripe with info. Figure out what type of polisher and polishes you might like and jump in.

These are a must have for me. They block out most of the machine noise(w/o music on) and sound awesome!

Bose On-Ear Headphones - Audio Headphones - Bose Headsets and Headphones

(I figured since these are mot competing with and products from AG, or its affiliates, it would be ok. If not I give you my apologies)
 
Wow, thank you for all the advice!.. You guys talked me into it :D. Now i will need to put together a shopping list and had a couple questions:
1. If i understand it correctly a dual action polisher will only remove very light swirls... so i'm thinking that it would be best to run circular, and i can just be very careful with what i'm doing as to not damage the paint because of the heat... Does that sound like a good understanding of what could/should be done? I have some HORRIBLE oxidation on the hood of my truck (custom hood + cheap painter = big regrets)... i'm hoping to at least remove some of that, and also like the idea of having the equipment to handle the 'big' jobs if needed.

2. I would assume that washing the car at least once (if not more) with a pretty high concentrate of dishsoap (will probably use dawn unless there are objections) and then going over the car with a clay bar will remove all the waxes and/or anything else that could possibly get in the way... is there anything else needed to prep the paint for this type of work?

Next i will list what i think i will need based on my understanding of the process. Please post opinions on the products selected and/or any additional products needed that i may have missed:

1. FLEX LK603VVB Circular Polisher 8.5 inch Pad Kit: FLEX LK603VVB Circular Polisher 8.5 inch Pad Kit... What are the pros/cons to using an 8.5" pad as opposed to a 7.5" pad?
2. Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover: Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover is the remedy for medium to heavy swirls and scratches on your vehicle’s finish.
3. Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay PLUS Special: Pinnacle’s Ultra Poly Clay is the single finest detailing clay available today.
4. Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion: Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion will restore and preserve your car's original beauty.
= Roughly $400

And essentailly the 'order of business' is as follows (correct me if i'm wrong)
1. Wash car using dishsoap to remove any waxes/dirt...etc
2. Go over vehicle with clay bar.
3. Prep vehicle (tape any edges or objects sticking out)
4. Run swirl remover on a 2x2ft area at a time.
5. Polish vehicle with rotary using the cleansing lotion.
6. Hand wax using my new forum fav kit. (Klasse all-in-one, Klass high gloss glaze, Pinnacle Souverän)

Am i missing any steps?

Thank you everybody for the input!
Ben
 
Ben can I ask first if you have worked with a Circular Polisher before? You would be surprised at the corrections a Flex 3401 can do, am I right guys? If you want to do it yourself we will all help you get the best products for what you are going to be working on.
 
I have not worked with any polisher before... My 'detailing skills' stops at hand waxing. I'm open to suggestions of where to start :). I was looking at the circular polisher based on the fact that it seems to be the most difficult to learn, but has to most potential. I honestly would be more than happy to just get something that can correct the swirls on my car (working on getting pics of the paint today to post.. that way you guys are shooting in the dark based on my description)... i can work on the skills for the rest later, but right now my concern is my car. The thing i don't want to do is purchase equipment that is going to pretty much just be a 'one time use' deal. I realize i should not have to polish my vehicles very often, but i want to make sure that whatever i spend the money on will be able to be put to good use in the future.

suggestions?

Thanks!,
Ben
 
I've done all my stuff on the DA (Dual Action polisher). I have yet to need rotary. I look forward to researching the Kevin Brown Method. Maybe I'll never need a rotary!

Ben since you've only had experience in hand waxing, I strongly suggest you start out with DA first. I get the feeling that it is going to be all you're going to need for your car. It's a lot easier to use and there is almost not chance of you screwing up the paint with it. The rotary is great in the hands of an experienced user, but a beast in the hands of a novice. It definitely is capable of so much, but also capable of so much damage!
 
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