Skill vs tools

Another thing that should be considered when talking about the amount of skill needed to effectively operate a tool is the tool being used.

For example, I can probably teach my wife who has NO aptitude for power tools how to effectively polish her car with my PC in a few minutes. Does that mean she has an advanced skillset? Not at all. Could I have done it better? Probably. Will the results of her doing it be acceptable? I think so. Would I give her that same quick lesson with my Makita and turn her loose on her car? Not a chance. I understand that the two are completely different.

So given the tool in question, more or less skill may be needed to operate it and produce good results.
 
After reading every post it appears that most lean towards skill winning out. Few chimed in on the % but even ones that emphasize tools, make the point that skill is needed.

feslope said:
The novice with the brand new Flex will aquire skill and experience and grow into his tool.
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B&B - i agreed with your example below completely, but you do realize your breakdown shows that skill carries more weight then tool.
B&B Tennessee said:
no skill + machine = sub par to disastrous results ..............

skill + no machine = good results, but could be better - unless spending countless hours and energy on one vehicle

skill + machine = best results in a timely and efficient manner.
l!
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Spicy McHaggis said:
Again I disagree. As long as you have A buffer and the skils/experience/ knowledge, you can turn out a good detail. Skill has much more to do with it than quality of the tool and products. IMO
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We can probably all agree that a true master in detailing can accomplish a respectable full detail with OTC supplies. And we probably all doubt a 1st time user could ever impress us with top of the line products and tools. LOL heck, it took me a while to get the measurements right. Kept adding too much product to the pad. And my first Rotary, OMG there were holograms all over the side panel that I didnt see till I parked the car in the sun. Yuck!

IMO Skill has to win out by at a minimum 15%
 
Man, I commented earlier in this thread. Boy am I glad I was busy today, haha. :surrender:
 
with products, pads and tools constantly evolving, it's making these easier to achieve good results. while the DA has had it's limitations, it's changed now and seeing the results one can get with it is just mind blowing. there are several experienced detailers (not here but on other sites) that pretty much stopped using their rotaries and now use the DA with results every bit as good as if they used the rotary. overall, it's the skill and experience of the user who dictates the results...
 
BigAl3 said:
with products, pads and tools constantly evolving, it's making these easier to achieve good results. while the DA has had it's limitations, it's changed now and seeing the results one can get with it is just mind blowing. there are several experienced detailers (not here but on other sites) that pretty much stopped using their rotaries and now use the DA with results every bit as good as if they used the rotary. overall, it's the skill and experience of the user who dictates the results...
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I love my DA for finishing purposes - but I feel that the rotary cuts much better IMO..... maybe just me though!?!?!
 
Is this not unlike various sports like golf and tennis? The evolving of the equipment has allowed the masses to perform better. But who doubts that a Bobby Jones would be an even greater golfer with today's equipment.
 
dougaross said:
Is this not unlike various sports like golf and tennis? The evolving of the equipment has allowed the masses to perform better. But who doubts that a Bobby Jones would be an even greater golfer with today's equipment.
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Would performance enhancing drugs make a better detailer?!!?!?
 
Rhudeboye said:
Just curious. In most professions a certain percentage of the work is due to the skill of the individual and another is due to the tool being used. i.e. A good race car drivers car may account for 35% while his ability to control it at high speeds may be the other 65% that wins him the race.

So how much emphasis do you put on the product & machine? Could you guys work the wonders that you do if top brands were not available to you and if you were stripped of your DA?
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I couldnt but I believe a lot of AGO members can. I place skill of the man at 85 to 90%. Just my $.02 FWIW!
 
Rhudeboye said:
... Could you guys work the wonders that you do if top brands were not available to you and if you were stripped of your DA?
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I'm a novice detailer, so my hopes aren't very high that I could produce very good results. I believe that only because I would probably tire and quit. I know myself.


I also agree with Old Tiger. Skill +90%, Machine & Products -10%.
 
I rather have the skill then the tools. After reading 6 pages this remind me of when people talk about poker, skills or luck? Everyone gets lucky once in a while but I would rather know what I'm doing then donk off all my money away.

Give someone a rotary with no skills and he might make a car look good, but the next he can burn paint an cost him lots of money.
 
slickooz said:
I rather have the skill then the tools. After reading 6 pages this remind me of when people talk about poker, skills or luck? Everyone gets lucky once in a while but I would rather know what I'm doing then donk off all my money away.

Give someone a rotary with no skills and he might make a car look good, but the next he can burn paint an cost him lots of money.
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I totally tried the analogy thing..... and it has been finalized that analogies can be picked apart and disregarded in this thread lol! Read back a few pages!!!
 

BobbyG said:
The machine and products are merely an extension of ones ability and will do only as directed.
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kung-fu_po-and-caine.jpg





 
While tools and products do play a small role in detailing I believe the skill of the detailer plays a much larger part in the final product. I have proven you dont need a rotary buffer or DA to remove wetsanding scratches get a swirl free finish using nothing but a mothers powerball and drill. Likewise, another member over on MOL proved the same using only a cheap $30 orbital wax polisher.

I agree with members above. Skill +90% / Tools&Products - 10%
 
Skill plus focus...the kind that comes from caring. I think I read something about working as if it was your own car.
 
I really don't get where this thread is going. I don't understand the argument. Is this just a debate about whether skills are greater than tools, and vice versa?

Cause to me. There are just flat out different types of detailers. Some rely heavily on their tools. You take certain tools away...and they're all the sudden clueless. There are also detailers who can grab any tool, and create great results no matter what. There are also detailers who don't use tools at all. They do everything by hand. In fact, they tell their customers that they shouldn't even allow tools to touch their paint.

Whether the detailer working by hand, is better than the one using the tools...I think that's a different debate. All that matters, is who is getting great results.

As long as they are skilled...I don't think it matters what type of detailer you are. Regardless, you're probably getting great results. That's all that matters. IMO.:xyxthumbs:
 
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