What do you not like to do on a detail?

FlawlessJ

FlawlessJ

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First off this isn't a complaint thread this is so we can say a task we don't like to do and perhaps someone might have some tips to make it easier or something to at least make it less miserable... for me I hate cleaning windows! It takes a long time and you have to fight the conditions the if they are even the slightest bit streaky you will undoubtedly get a complaint....

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Windows. More Specific: Rear Windows, especially the ones that have a film of fog on them.
 
I think probably everybody is gonna say windows, ha.

It's just one of those things that's a pain in the neck. It's also never a guaranteed thing...sometimes they're a piece of cake, and other times you gotta do them multiple times.

The only thing I like about windows, is the drastic change in appearance it gives the vehicle. It's the physical act of doing them I don't care for. I also agree with Rav, those back windows I could do without, ha.
 
On dirty or foggy windows both interior and exterior I will use a window washers sponge and squegee with a 6" blade. I will put a bath towel on the dash or rear deck to avoid making anything wet. On the front window I squeegee to the middle so I can avoid having the squeegee touch the trim. It saves a lot of wiping the same window over and over again.
 
I hate doing tire dressing. Probably because it's not that easy for 6' 3" me to squat down to the tires to apply it. I don't know why everyone hates doing windows, every time I do mine they come out streak free.... I guess I'm lucky :xyxthumbs:
 
I agree with Kris, windows are probably going to be the #1 thing.

I think #2 for me then would be excessive dog hair. Even with the right brushes/lint rollers it's a tedious task.
 
#1 Definitely Tires...I hate using the Daytona Brush and having all these wheel chemicals fling back at my face and arms...no matter how careful I am, I get hit 2-3 times...then I have to squat down my legs become tired...I have thought about knee pads

Just curious...what is everyone's time on these processes? Maybe I am just a slow poke...

This is on a mid size car, like Mazda 6, Corolla, Camry

Wash Car and dry: 1 hour and half: (two bucket method)
Interior: 2 hours: vacuum, dressing, interior windows
Wheels: 2 hours: scrubbing the wheels/rim clean, scrubbing the tires, dressing tires, coating rims
Claying: 2 hours: how do you guys clay so fast?! I hear some people only take 40 minutes to do the whole car, I can barely finish half the car in an hour
compound/polish: between 4-6 hours because I constantly have to clean the pads using pad washer and do slow passes, 4-6 hours for TWO steps though!
 
My least favorite part is washing it. No kidding, I sometimes wish I could just magically clean. I love the rest of the gig, though.
 
Mike McDonald said:
My least favorite part is washing it. No kidding, I sometimes wish I could just magically clean. I love the rest of the gig, though.
Click to expand...


:whs: I don't like washing either. Windows don't bother me

Sometimes I secretly wish I could just blink my eyes and make it all go away
nerd.gif
 
rock012345 said:
#1 Definitely Tires...I hate using the Daytona Brush and having all these wheel chemicals fling back at my face and arms...no matter how careful I am, I get hit 2-3 times...then I have to squat down my legs become tired...I have thought about knee pads

Just curious...what is everyone's time on these processes? Maybe I am just a slow poke...

This is on a mid size car, like Mazda 6, Corolla, Camry

Wash Car and dry: 1 hour and half: (two bucket method)
Interior: 2 hours: vacuum, dressing, interior windows
Wheels: 2 hours: scrubbing the wheels/rim clean, scrubbing the tires, dressing tires, coating rims
Claying: 2 hours: how do you guys clay so fast?! I hear some people only take 40 minutes to do the whole car, I can barely finish half the car in an hour
compound/polish: between 4-6 hours because I constantly have to clean the pads using pad washer and do slow passes, 4-6 hours for TWO steps though!
Click to expand...

Those times seem pretty long to me. I have done some very nasty SUVs that took a lot of time but 2 hours for interior and 2 hours for wheels seems excessive unless you are extracting all of the carpet and removing the wheels to do the barrels and Opti coating them. I spend about 10 min per wheel cleaning and when they are dry, I spend another 20 max dressing. I use a Kreep stool and move quickly I wear safety glasses to protect against the splash back. Washing and drying takes me about an hour. Claying takes about 30 min if I take my time. I usually allow about 2 hours to polish and usually use AIO like Optimum GPS or Poli seal. Im using a GG or Cyclo in most cases or Flex rotary if paint is really bad. It then takes another 30 or so to apply sealant and another 15 for a final wipe down. I usually allow 6-8 hours for total detail and that includes steaming the engine room. I use steam and Tornador whenever possible.
 
I do not like applying Aquapel. I like the product alot but it's a ***** to apply and wipe clean. It says to use paper towels to remove the haze after you apply it but paper did not work for me, instead I ended up using MF towels. One thing about AP is you have to spread it very fast so you can start wiping off the haze immediately. the longer it sits on the glass the harder it will be to remove. If applied correctly though it will perform great, much better than RX.
 
rock012345 said:
#1 Definitely Tires...I hate using the Daytona Brush and having all these wheel chemicals fling back at my face and arms...no matter how careful I am, I get hit 2-3 times...then I have to squat down my legs become tired...I have thought about knee pads

Just curious...what is everyone's time on these processes? Maybe I am just a slow poke...

This is on a mid size car, like Mazda 6, Corolla, Camry

Wash Car and dry: 1 hour and half: (two bucket method)
Interior: 2 hours: vacuum, dressing, interior windows
Wheels: 2 hours: scrubbing the wheels/rim clean, scrubbing the tires, dressing tires, coating rims
Claying: 2 hours: how do you guys clay so fast?! I hear some people only take 40 minutes to do the whole car, I can barely finish half the car in an hour
compound/polish: between 4-6 hours because I constantly have to clean the pads using pad washer and do slow passes, 4-6 hours for TWO steps though!
Click to expand...

Wash Car and dry: 30-40mins (foam gun)
Interior: 30 mins: vacuum, dressing, interior windows
Wheels: 40 mins : scrubbing the wheels/rim clean, scrubbing the tires, dressing tires, coating rims
Claying: 30-40 mins
compound/polish: 4-6 hours clean pad on the fly with terry cloth

Windows don't bother me, I love clean windows. Windows with water spots are a PIA. I hate SUVS/Mini-Vans with 3rd row seating and a ton of kids!
 
I don't like to clean up after kids during a detail. Customers always call me saying their carpets need shampooing but are not that bad. I show up at their house, open the door of the car and crayon, gum, spilled drinks are everywhere. I then quote a price for the interior cleaning around $120-150 and the customer starts telling me that its too expensive when the car wash around the corner will do it for 80-100. I then have to let them know, mobile = convenience and fuel so the price is reasonable.
 
I dislike interiors as they take forever because you will always have stains, discoloration, and all sort of stuff in between seats etc, which takes a while to address...Then applying treatment takes some effort to ensure that it looks like a factory finish again. Very few folks are caring when it comes to the interior and their expectation is that you will remove all stains and leave the car in a near perfect condition for $100-$120 and about two to three hours later. Stains alone takes some effort, which can a be a trial and effort exercise. Has anyone tried removing dog hair???
 
GaDetailDoc said:
I dislike interiors as they take forever because you will always have stains, discoloration, and all sort of stuff in between seats etc, which takes a while to address...Then applying treatment takes some effort to ensure that it looks like a factory finish again. Very few folks are caring when it comes to the interior and their expectation is that you will remove all stains and leave the car in a near perfect condition for $100-$120 and about two to three hours later. Stains alone takes some effort, which can a be a trial and effort exercise. Has anyone tried removing dog hair???
Click to expand...

I have a trick for between seats... get an extended air nozzle for your air compressor (assuming you have one) and just blow it out and re-vaccum

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www.flawlessreflectionsdetail.com
 
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