Wanted: Pro Detailer in Charlotte, NC - Reply to this thread please

[Midandtweet]

Wanted: Pro Detailer in Charlotte, NC - Reply to this thread please


How do i go about finding a good person to detail my cars?

What kind of questions should i be asking? All i have done in the past is wash my cars and occasionally wax them. I think its time to get them detailed by a professional. Both cars are driveway parked in the south.

 

[Jeff120]

Re: Finding a good detail person

Where are you located?

 

[PAR Detailing]

Re: Finding a good detail person

I would ask:

What is involved in their detail?
-Find out what they have in mind and what their expectations are and if they are the person you go to make your expectations clear as well.

What machine do you use to polish the vehicles and how long does it normally take when you polish the vehicle?
-I would ask this because I believe it can tell you alot. If they say they can polish your vehicle swirl free in 30 min with a rotary then you know they are full of **** and RUN the other way. On the other hand if they say it takes them several hour and they explain how they use the tool properly to finish out perfectly then that is a good sign.

You could ask for references but I think that is a waste ofyour time... they arent going to use a reference that wont paint them in a good light.

See if they have put together any detailed writeups on the internet showing off their work. If so check it out and see if they have the attention to detail you are looking for.

You could ask what products they use but that doesnt necissarily mean much. If they say they use swissvax they could still be a poor detailer while a guy using carbrite or ardex or malco might be a true craftsman.

I would also ask around some of your friends and see if they use anyone.

Just a few thoughts.

 

[dchristo]

Re: Finding a good detail person

I would show my location, the guys on here can prolly help with a good detailer

 

[Z06-Goose]

Re: Finding a good detail person

How do i go about finding a good person to detail my cars? What kind of questions should i be asking? All i have done in the past is wash my cars and occasionally wax them. I think its time to get them detailed by a professional. Both cars are driveway parked in the south.

For a car that sits on the driveway, you shouldn't look for a show-car detailing. It'll be a waste of "extra" money.
With that being said, what you want in a nutshell is a good buff to deeply clean the paint and a good sealant to go with it.

At a minimum a good detailer should offer you claybar, polish and sealant.

What you also need to assess is the condition of the paint.
Do the cars have any oxidation that needs to be removed?
Do they have too many superficial scratches and deep swirls?

It comes down to what you want done.

Ask him what his process is and what would he do to your cars once he sees them.

 

[master detailer]

Re: Finding a good detail person

make sure they are insured

 

[Flash Gordon]

Re: Finding a good detail person

For a car that sits on the driveway, you shouldn't look for a show-car detailing. It'll be a waste of "extra" money.
With that being said, what you want in a nutshell is a good buff to deeply clean the paint and a good sealant to go with it.

At a minimum a good detailer should offer you claybar, polish and sealant.

What you also need to assess is the condition of the paint.
Do the cars have any oxidation that needs to be removed?
Do they have too many superficial scratches and deep swirls?

It comes down to what you want done.

Ask him what his process is and what would he do to your cars once he sees them.

:iagree:


Only thing I would ad, is to stay away from high volume shops with multiple employees. All of the best either work alone or possibly with 1 or 2 helpers

Another thing......look and see if their car looks like a rolling trash can. If it does, you will know you've found the right person

 

[DaGonz]

Re: Finding a good detail person

How do i go about finding a good person to detail my cars? What kind of questions should i be asking? All i have done in the past is wash my cars and occasionally wax them. I think its time to get them detailed by a professional. Both cars are driveway parked in the south.

1. What is your experience?
2. What products do you use?
3. What is your process?
4. Are you insured?
5. Do you have references or pictures of your work?

If you are using a mobile detailer.. check out the condition on their vehicle. It should be a rolling billboard for their work.

If you are going to have the detail done at a shop, take a look around. Is it clean, well lit and orderly?

 

[SuperGlide]

Re: Finding a good detail person

Do your research, there's alot
Of hacks out there.

View there website...

Info
Pics
Experience

Good luck!

 

[Jimmie]

Re: Finding a good detail person

I'm a huge believer in word of mouth in detailing referrals. Just ask those driving sweet looking cars who did them.
OR, food for thought. Hang around here. Buy tools, and products needed. Ask for help from the best in the country right here. Good people here willing to offer help to those trying to learn. It may initially cost as much or more, but you'll be able to detail forever.

 

[Midandtweet]

Re: Finding a good detail person

Thanks for the info. I am in Charlotte NC. A friend has a friend that has his own detailing shop and was thinking about talking to him. Also the dealership next to my work has one. They said it would take all day but not sure if I want to use them

 

[Midandtweet]

Re: Finding a good detail person

Thanks for the info. I'm in Charlotte NC.

 

[J.Bawb]

Re: Finding a good detail person

Do your research, there's alot
Of hacks out there.


Good luck!

Learned this one the hard way about a month and a half ago.

Do your research first (unlike me) and it will save you a lot of headache in the end.:xyxthumbs:

 

[rwright]

Re: Finding a good detail person

Thanks for the info. I am in Charlotte NC. A friend has a friend that has his own detailing shop and was thinking about talking to him. Also the dealership next to my work has one. They said it would take all day but not sure if I want to use them

If you're in Charlotte then you need to look up Detail Dave. This guy will do everything you want and will treat you right. He is just a genuine person and great to be around. I honestly can't say enough about him.

Detail Dave

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Re: Finding a good detail person

How do i go about finding a good person to detail my cars?

Posting a request here is actually a great way to get a qualified detailer.

Forums like this kind of work like Angie's List in that all our members that are detailers usually post their work so you can see the quality of their work by their write-ups and pictures.

PLUS, Detailers that hang out on forums like this just flat out know more about the newest products, pads and techniques than detailers that DON'T hang out on detailing discussion forums.

I would expect that you'll get some Private Messages or replies to this thread with offers from qualified detailers. I'll add Charlotte NC to your thread subject so people know where you live so they'll know you're a potential customer.

What kind of questions should i be asking? All i have done in the past is wash my cars and occasionally wax them. I think its time to get them detailed by a professional. Both cars are driveway parked in the south.

IF you get a detailer from this forum you can expect they already know how to detail your car and not mess it up but a couple of good indicators as to a detailer that knows what they're doing...

They match their services to your needs and wants, basically they don't find out how you use your cars and then provide the correct level of services to your needs. See this article,


A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business



Besides that, the big things to watch out for is anyone that uses a wool pad on a rotary buffer for their last machine step. It's perfectly fine for a qualified detailer to use a wool pad on a rotary as long as they switch to foam for their last step to avoid the swirls each of the individual fibers of a wool pad will inflict into your car's finish leaving it look like this...


A Horror Story with a happy ending!

Many pro detailers use a Flex 3401 or a DA Polisher and simply avoid the entire risk of instilling holograms or what are called rotary buffer swirls altogether.

You also don't want anyone using to aggressive of a compound as there's no reason to remove more paint off the car than necessary.

See this article,

"Use the least aggressive product to get the job done"


Please reply to this thread with a follow-up as soon as you get paired with a detailer for your cars.


:xyxthumbs:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Re: Finding a good detail person

If you're in Charlotte then you need to look up Detail Dave. This guy will do everything you want and will treat you right. He is just a genuine person and great to be around. I honestly can't say enough about him.

Detail Dave

I second that motion.

Detail Dave is a Pro all the way... and he's wise enough to what to do and what not to do.

You will be 100% satisfied with Dave's work. Not only is Dave a great guy and a Pro Detailer, I like many on this forum count him as a good friend. He's also been through my detailing classes and is proficient with all the popular tools, pads and chemicals discussed here everyday.


:xyxthumbs:

 

[BobbyG]

Re: Finding a good detail person

Don't you just love how the sun reflects differently at several angles? :wow: :laughing:

 

[Flash Gordon]

Re: Finding a good detail person

+3 on Detail Dave

I found the website of this detailer...

www.steviewonderdetailingservice.com

 

[CEE DOG]

Re: Finding a good detail person

If you're in Charlotte then you need to look up Detail Dave. This guy will do everything you want and will treat you right. He is just a genuine person and great to be around. I honestly can't say enough about him.

Detail Dave

I second that motion.

Detail Dave is a Pro all the way... and he's wise enough to what to do and what not to do.

You will be 100% satisfied with Dave's work. Not only is Dave a great guy and a Pro Detailer, I like many on this forum count him as a good friend. He's also been through my detailing classes and is proficient with all the popular tools, pads and chemicals discussed here everyday.


:xyxthumbs:

+3 on Detail Dave

+4

Dave is the nicest and most genuine person you could meet and a master of his craft.

 

[sal329]

Detail Dave has done some great work there are 2 others in your area I am not sure if they are on the site or not so I don't know if I can post their info