AUTO DETAILING, JUST ONE TIME

[glowe]

I have always done my own vehicles. I currently have a Jeep Grand Cherokee that is going on 8 years old. Still looks new. All I do to the exterior is use Maguire's Clay Kit to rub it down, giving a super smooth finish and then apply a ceramic polish. Takes just over an hour for the whole car. So many great products out there for the interior and leather that keep the interior looking as good as the exterior and take another hour. So spring and fall I do this and just do normal washing and vacuuming the rest of the year. It is not rocket science and takes only a very little time plus gaining the satisfaction of a job well done! This spring after cleanup below.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Keeping the outside covered with dirt grime and other road gradoux protects the paint.. I keep it running perfectly and buy a color that hides the dirt-like the lunar rock color on my new Tacoma. The inside stays pretty clean as it is just me driving it and at the moment I have no dog. I keep a soft rag with me and will continually dust it as the dust seems to be the biggest issue. I no longer smoke so there is no nicotine to worry about. It's a pick up truck for chrissakes. I use it as such.

 

[ditrina]

Someone has a detailer that comes to his house? Must be nice.

It is nice, when your 77 years old and it's 90 + deg. outside And 95+ in the garage...in Florida.

 

[30-30remchester]

Reminds me of the old master gunsmith Fred Wells. For those that don't know, Fred built 98 Mauser actions from scratch. Every spring, screw, piece and parts was hand machined. He built custom guns for about every head of state on the globe. His personal bear rifle was an old Pattern 17 Enfield IIRC in 375 H&H that he barreled. The barrel proved too long so he cut it off with a hacksaw across the rear bumper of a pickup. Never squared up the cut, crowned or dressed up the cut. IIRC the recoil pad installation looked like something I did in high school shop class.

 

[GypsmJim]

Someone has a detailer that comes to his house? Must be nice.

It is nice, when your 77 years old and it's 90 + deg. outside And 95+ in the garage...in Florida.

To each his own. That's why we Americans have so many choices for us. My choice is up north. I'm a 5th generation Buffalonian.

Personally, I only visit FL in the Winter. That's also when I wax and detail my cars. All the wax products work better in a 35 Deg. F. garage. My 75 year old body doesn't seem to mind.

 

[Kinman]

Ever body and fender guy I've ever known drove a p.o.s. looking mismatched door and fender car, a project that was mechanically good and got him from point A to point B. Same holds true for just about every mechanic I knew, drove a project car that got him around. Most of time guys with the luxury of time to work on their vehicles do not do it for a living, they could be working on something to get paid for. I have a pair of twins that are friends of mine, one is a Chevy guy, the other a Ford guy. They worked as mechanics and body and fender guys for a transit company. Both were skilled mechanics and fanatical body and fender workers. They would pick up a project and work on it for six months to a year, take it to Good Guys and sell it for top dollar.
My nephew worked as a detailer for a car dealership, he was very good. I want someone to clean my engine compartment and not take out the electrical system while they are at it as had happened to me before. We have an In and Out car wash that hand wash your car while you wait, vacuum and wipe down the interior, I think its $60...go early and I think it took an hour. I did it the last time I sold a vehicle, was well worth the money.
I know a guy that loves to wash a car, he is sorta famous for it. You don't mention the fact that you would like to get your car washed or he will grab a bucket and go to it before you can finish your beer.