Is it LSP Ready?

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What does LSP ready mean to you? Please explain your answer in detail.
 
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LSP to me just means its clean, and prepped for nice wax/sealant.

When I 1st started detailing our vehicles, everytime I kept seeing LSP I thought I was reading LSD.....thought detailers were druggies or something lol
 
Surfer said:
LSP to me just means its clean, and prepped for nice wax/sealant.
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So wash, clay bar, then wax/ sealant? It doesnt include the removal of imperfections?

Sorry, I know Im being picky. But Im looking for very thorough answers here. Theres a reason Im doing this, it will help a lot of people for several reasons.
 
D&D Auto Detailing said:
So wash, clay bar, then wax/ sealant? It doesnt include the removal of imperfections?

Sorry, I know Im being picky. But Im looking for very thorough answers here. Theres a reason Im doing this, it will help a lot of people for several reasons.
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I don't detail for a living, only do our vehicles. So to me technically yes, wash/clay/polish/aio then onto LSP. I wouldn't inlcude touching up every month or two in that though.

But there are also detailers where a wash is fine and to them doesn't need claying and they will go to some type of AIO, then whatever LSP. They may not polish, so paint may be lsp ready and clean, but still have swirls etc.

Man this could get complicated lol
 
Good. There is no right or wrong answer here. Im just trying to get everyones honest opinion.
 
That you have your paint prep to a level acceptable to you on that particular car and are confident in the LSP bonding to what lies beneath.

LOL Surfer:D :D LSD
 
But what is acceptable to you Jimmie?
 
For me is that the surface is clean, no swirls (if possible) and try to get all the imperfections out of the paint. Then its LSP time!
 
To me, even as a single individual, "LSP ready" means different things on different cars, at different times...

If you're detailing a show car, LSP ready means the paint is as perfect as I can make it.
If you're detailing a daily driver, it may mean as perfect as I'm willing to make it.
If you're talking about detailing an older vehicle in bad shape, LSP ready may mean as close to perfect as I think I can safely make it.
Or... sometimes, it just means, I've done the minimum to make sure a sealant or wax will bond/cure properly, if polishing isn't in the plans right then.
 
It all depends on what type of detailing you are doing. A recon detailer may be under tight deadlines and may only be able to remove 75-85% of the imperfections. A mobile detailer who deals with everyday people may only remove 85-90% of the imperfections. The finish still looks great but only other detailers will notice that it isn't perfect. And then there are the concours detailers where perfection is mandatory. It shouldn't be expected that all detailers are required to be a concours detailer. It takes a lot of time and effort to remove every last defect and it simply is a waste of time and money to do this on a Saturn. If the customer wants you to get it perfect, then you should. However, if a customer is only willing to let you polish the paint for 3 hours max, it is up to that detailer to make the finish as good as possible.

(the % and names of detailers I listed are just generalizations... just so you can get the point...)
 
makdaddy626 said:
To me, even as a single individual, "LSP ready" means different things on different cars, at different times...

If you're detailing a show car, LSP ready means the paint is as perfect as I can make it.
If you're detailing a daily driver, it may mean as perfect as I'm willing to make it.
If you're talking about detailing an older vehicle in bad shape, LSP ready may mean as close to perfect as I think I can safely make it.
Or... sometimes, it just means, I've done the minimum to make sure a sealant or wax will bond/cure properly, if polishing isn't in the plans right then.
Click to expand...

Now why couldn't I word my reply like yours. I agree 100% :cheers:.
 
LSP = Last Step Product

To me, it means protection (wax or sealant). No matter if you wash only, wash/clay only, or wash/clay/polish, you're LSP is going to be your wax or sealant.

When I hear someone say "LSP ready", I assume they have taken the proper steps to wash, clay, and/or polish the paint to achieve maximum bonding, longevity, etc. out of the LSP that is being utilized.

The steps before the LSP are dependent on the paint condition. It is also dependent on the needs of the customer or the desires that you yourself have for the vehicle.
 
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D&D Auto Detailing said:
But what is acceptable to you Jimmie?
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Like a bunch I'm so OCD that I always want to see perfect but that's not always possible due to time constraints (may have to use an AIO rather than an agressive polish) or product vs clearcoat (ran into this before Menz ceramiclear polish). So there are times when I'd settle for 90% when I'd rather have 100%. Either way "acceptable" was to make it as good as I possibly could with the constraints. Then to LSP.
 
Great post Dan!

I totally agree with what you are trying to understand. LSP ready to some just means it is ready to wax or seal. Whether it is trying to remove some swirls, but the finish is still hazy, or a glaze it used to fill before the LSP.

To me, this is what LSP ready is.
1. Wash and clay and use a chemical solvent cleaner to release all the trapped dirt deep into the paint.
2. Remove all defects and oxidation using different compounds.
3. Remove all compounding swirls and give it a great bottom end base gloss.
4. Remove all ultrafine holograms and finnesse the paint to an all time high reflective gloss to the max.
5.Wipedown with solvent to make sure everything is 100% perfect to my liking under quad halogens and make sure the surface is 100% ready for bonding.

To me, it's all about bringing the gloss to the maximum peak without LSP's. LSP is just the protection and the added bonus to highlight my superb work.

Some people say their finish is LSP ready... I say come hang out with me for 15 hours, I'll give you a whole new outlook on what LSP really is.:D

But that's just my opinion.:cheers:

There are different levels of LSP ready too...

1. Customer budget.
2. Time
3. Season
4. PC versus rotary
5. Newbie versus pro
6. Self claimed pro versus a machine polish master
7. Lighting
8. Experience
9. Trained eye
10. The list can go on and on.
 
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Awesome! Keep them coming.
 
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