You must be quite blind then. You see the Maybach? That alone was like 470 off the lot. This same client just bought another one, this time the full size one. They also have a new M5 that I havn't gotten pictures of yet. The SL65 was about 250, the 996 around 180, and so forth. I'd say the majority of our clients drive 100k-300k cars, mostly AMG Benzs and the like.
What do u say we place a bet on this. I will forword a amount of money (whatever we agree to bet) on this. and you do the same. to a netural third party (maybe someone here on the forum) and then whoever ends up being right gets all the cash back in there paypal account sound good. we will have to figure out what good proof will be because U can't call and say hey i charge 7000 for a detail job. and expect me to belive it. how about recipts for a customers car? Let me know.
edited to say, Hook me up with a website and address for your detail shop Arron. if your the most expensive place in san deigo, Im sure you have a webite, and garage to do all this right? Id like to go check it out.
[This message has been edited by 84fierotrevor (edited 03-06-2006).]
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09:19 PM
84fierotrevor Member
Posts: 4998 From: puyallup washington Registered: Oct 2001
My buddy and I run a professional detailing service in the high end areas of San Diego, California. While I won't share much, how about a pic?
ok in this picture the dude has a cheap microfiber. when they are new there is a diffrence it also depends how the microfiber is pakaged. and shipped and what kind of dirt has goten on it since its been created and then reached ur hands. see the edges on it. thats not microfiber and can scratch the car. they say 100 percent microfiber. but the rolled edges can and will leave light scrathes in ur car. the fact is EVERYTIME you touch your car with anything its being scratched or damaged. his "rolex" isn't gonna get him better buisness. they sell fake rolexes u can't tell a diffrence in them untell u get them under a scope or open them. so anyone can pretend they have a rolex I fail to see how that helps u. but why its on him when he is touching the car I got no idea. But I know I would fire anyone i saw touching my car with his watch still on same goes for that loose zipper hanging of his jacket how come the windows and trim are not taped off? are the emblems and tail lights and trim removed? i can see its a fiero. is it urs so ur just doing a half ass job or what? it certainly doesn't look to me like the most expensive car detialer to me.
[This message has been edited by 84fierotrevor (edited 03-06-2006).]
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09:59 PM
sonic50 Member
Posts: 3873 From: All over the USA Registered: Aug 2004
Once you are comfortable with the condition of the paint, it is time to think of a coating of wax. Wax functions as a paint preserver by helping it to retain certain oils which reduce oxidation. It also serves to protect from environmental hazards such as bird droppings, tree sap, smog and the sun's ultraviolet rays. And it gives paint the depth, gloss and richness that can make all those detailing hours worthwhile. Wax is available in three forms: liquid, paste and spray. As a general rule, liquid wax goes on easier, but does not last as long as the paste products. Which one you use is your choice. Our only recommendation is that you choose one with a high Carnauba content. Unfortunately, there really isn't any way to determine Carnauba content other than to say that if it is prominent on the label, it's a safe bet. Avoid spray waxes as they are too thin to be of any real use.
We recommend a single application of wax. Don't try to put on a thick application with the intent that you won't have to wax as often because it won't work. You'll mostly end up with an excessive amount of wax residue to remove, making the job more difficult. You are better off waxing more frequently. You can use the round applicators that come with some waxes or are available separately. A damp rectangular kitchen sponge makes a good applicator, as its shape seems to be able to handle the detail areas of a car. A second application on the nose and hood, where the wind quickly wears off the wax will give you a longer lasting wax job.
What Goes On, Must Come Off When the wax is dry, remove the residue using only a very soft cloth. Microfiber towels are ideal. As soon as the cloth movement feel has resistance, find a fresh surface. Using an orbital buffer will speed the job up nicely. A straight (non orbital) buffer would be even faster, but if you are not careful you risk "burning" the paint. For that reason, we recommend our fellow non-professionals stick with an orbital buffer. Always keep an eye on the surface of the cloth you are using, since any dirt or foreign objects can cause scratches. If you find yourself struggling to remove the wax residue, then you have probably applied to much wax to begin with, which is a common mistake of novice detailers. If you have applied the correct amount of wax, the residue removal will be minimal.
The hard part is removing the wax residue from the various creases and edges. The edges of the doors, trunk, hood and so on are easy; just open them and go over the area with a soft cloth. Fixed items, such as side marker lights, badges, radio antennas, windshield washer nozzles, etc. are more difficult Some detailers use a soft bristled toothbrush. This approach works, although we urge caution as scratches can occur if you are not careful. A toothpick can be effective sometimes. It might even be worthwhile to remove some items (badges, side marker lamps, license plates for example) before applying the wax. One Corvette owner we know modified the badges on his car to make them removable with wingnuts whenever a wax job came up. How Often? We recommend that you wax your car once every two to three months - more if the car is exposed to harsh conditions. When it comes to deciding if it's time for a new coat of wax, the time-honored water beading test can't be topped. While you are doing the wash pre-rinse, notice how the water drops bead up. If the drops are more than one-half inch diameter, or if the water tends to form "sheets" as in the photo on the left, then a new wax job is a good idea.
Neat Trick Department
Probably the most troublesome part as far as cleaning wax residue is the windshield washer nozzles. Try protecting them with masking tape before you apply the wax. The same procedure works on other trim bits as well.
Hints and Kinks Wash the windshield wipers using the sponge or mitt reserved for harsh applications. Also, windshield wipers can be made to last longer with occasional dressng (Armor-All, etc.) treatments. Be sure to wipe off all the excess after your application.
Apply a coating of graphite oil to your antenna mast. This will make raising and lowering it easier and will make an electric unit more reliable.
Most of the time it is best to apply a spray product to an application cloth, rather than directly on the surface being treated. This will prevent over spray from affecting nearby areas.
Others may disagree, but in our opinion bumper stickers, decals, license plate frames with messages and other forms of distraction have no place on a well detailed car.
A simple black or chrome license plate frame is a nice touch however. Be sure that any legally required license plate registration tags are on straight and cover the previous years sticker. Some detailers will go so far as to position the slots on the screw heads so that they are both horizontal.
Try using a photographer's loupe, which is basically a magnifying glass set up to be the right distance from a given surface, to inspect your cars finish. Its less efficient than the baggie test described on the claying page, but it can give you further insight into the condition of your paint. If your car has been repainted, consult the painter regarding how long you have to wait before you wax your car. New paint needs to "cure", time in which the solvents that are part of the process dissipate. Applying wax, which seals the paint, will interfere with this process. New cars do not have a waiting time before waxing requirement, as their paint is cured in ovens at the factory and are cured quickly.
When cleaning glass, use a vertical motion for the exterior, and a horizontal motion for the interior. If you have any streaking, you won't have to guess which side of the windshield it's on
Always attend to bird droppings as soon as they appear. Their content is very harmful to your paint and is a good reason to keep your wax job up as it will help to protect you. When cleaning bird droppings, resist the temptation to scrub hard as the material is coarse and can cause scratches. Try spraying the area with Windex or your favorite glass cleaner and then try and "dab" the area to remove the offending material.
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10:30 PM
sonic50 Member
Posts: 3873 From: All over the USA Registered: Aug 2004
Washing your Car by Larry Reynolds at CarCareOnline.com
What is the best product to use as a car wash? The correct answer is use what you like the best. There are some drawbacks to certain products and advantages to others. Dish detergents (Ivory Liquid, etc.) may be used, but realize that these products are designed to remove animal or vegetable fat from fired ceramic. They look at your nice coat of wax with the same hungry eyes. If you enjoy washing and rewaxing weekly, then dish detergent is for you. Wax retailers love people who use Ivory Liquid (they send the Ivory Company Christmas Cards every year). If you prefer to have your wax last a lot longer, you may consider using a product that is specifically designed for automotive use. The quality products are based upon detergents instead of soaps. Most soaps are manufactured from rendered animal byproducts (the stuff the dog food people reject). They contain trace elements that can actually damage your paint. These trace elements are the same goodies that leave a ring in your bathtub. The exception is soaps manufactured from plant fats. (These leave mold in your tub - just Kidding)
Quality car washes/shampoos (same thing - most cars don't have hair) are usually pH controlled, contain gloss enhancers and some even have small amounts of water-soluble wax for good measure. Use only enough car wash to break the electrostatic/ionic bond between the dirt and your car. Start with a clean large bucket (preferably plastic - if you kick the metal bucket, Mr. Paint Chip rears his ugly head); add a small amount of the car wash and fill with cool water. Avoid hot water, as it will soften the wax. Read the directions on the car wash bottle and try reducing the recommended amount by half. I use less than a cap full in 5 gallons. The more car wash, the more wax you remove. Try to avoid powder car washes as the undissolved granules can lodge under your sponge or wash mitt and scratch the paint surface. Make sure that your car is in the shade and the paint surface is relatively cool. Rule of thumb #1: If you can comfortably hold your hand on the hood, you can wash/wax the car.
Spray the car with a gentle spray to thoroughly wet the surface. Don't use a 200 P.S.I. fire hydrant spray, it isn't needed and may grind the surface grime into the paint and cause scratches. Some of the concours purists will not use a nozzle on the hose at all. Start at the top of the car and work down. Rewet the top; gently wash the top and then rinse. Move onto another section, such as the trunk or hood. Rewet this area, wash and rinse. Continue on down the car, completing a section at a time. This way, the car wash does not dry on the paint.
You may use a wash mitt, wash pad or sponge to wash your car. I prefer a wash mitt, as the grit tends to work up into the long fibers and not scratch the paint. When I redip the mitt into the wash bucket, I give it a swirl to release the grit and every so often hold the top open, allowing it to fill with water. I then lift straight up and as the water runs out, it "back flushes" the trapped dirt out of the mitt. The flat surface of a sponge can sometimes catch dirt and act like sandpaper. The purist will use two wash mitts, one for the top half of the car (the cleanest) and one for below the trim line and wheels/wheel wells.
You should dry the car as soon as possible. There are several methods to accomplish this. Lots of towels are a great drying medium. They should be 100% cotton. Check any towels carefully as most towels contain polymer fibers that scratch like hundreds of hypodermic needles. Do not assume that the 100% cotton label on the towel is telling the truth. The only way to check is to actually set fire to a rolled up corner of the towel. If you get a clean flame like a candlewick then it is 100% cotton. If you see black smoke and melted fibers, then you got one of the non 100%, anxiously waiting to scratch your paint type of towels. One person checked 130 towels all marked 100% cotton and discovered that 12 actually were. I love truth in advertising.
Start at the top, lay the towel on the top and then GENTLY blot up the water from the surface. Change to a dry towel and blot any remaining water. Move to the hood or trunk and repeat. Dry the sides last, as the water will usually take care of itself on these surfaces. Another method is to use a chamois. There are two types, natural and synthetic. The natural leather chamois contain acids, primarily tannic, that strip wax. Most synthetic towels don't seem to do a satisfactory job. One exception is the P21S Super Absorbing Drying Towel. I have stopped using towels after trying this goodie and I used to be a "dyed in the wool" towel man. Driving the car to dry it may be fun, but you are re-depositing dirt on the wet surface and allowing the resulting "mud" to dry on the paint.
Bird presents are one of the most damaging "natural" disasters that attack our paint. (I have never seen a Yugo attacked by a bird, but just wait till your brand new pride and joy leaves the garage, they swoop in like someone rang the free birdseed bell.) I don't know what we are feeding the birds, but what comes out of the south end of a northbound bird is highly acidic. The longer we leave these psychedelic bird presents on our paint, the more damage they will cause. The acids tend to etch a microscopic pond shaped depression in the paint. Removal as soon as possible will help minimize the damage. Instead of carrying a hose and bucket in your car, carry a bottle of no salt seltzer water. No salt seltzer water is nothing more than water and carbon dioxide which will not harm your paint. When needed, take off the cap, place your thumb over the top, shake well and you have a fire hydrant that will wash the worst of the bird's thoughtful gift from your paint. Try to rub this area as little as possible. Birds use gravel to digest their food and grit is one of the major components of their presents. If you try and rub off the solids, you may scratch the paint. Once you have gotten home and had a chance to wash the area with car wash, rinsed thoroughly and dried, use a little Meguiar #34 or One Grand Show Off to help remove any leftover acids. When you have the time, give the area a coat of wax. If the acids have left a slight mark in the paint, see the article on cleaning your paint. 3M Imperial Hand Glaze will usually remove all traces.
If you have any questions or if you need any further information, please feel free to contact us.
geeez, take it to the car wash, hit it with presoak, rinse, wax, take it home and Rally wax it. Use an old tee shirt to remove wax. Spray the tires with wet Shine, remove excess. Total time , about an hour. Enjoy the rest of the day.
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11:44 PM
Mar 8th, 2006
sonic50 Member
Posts: 3873 From: All over the USA Registered: Aug 2004
geeez, take it to the car wash, hit it with presoak, rinse, wax, take it home and Rally wax it. Use an old tee shirt to remove wax. Spray the tires with wet Shine, remove excess. Total time , about an hour. Enjoy the rest of the day.
But thats no fun
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10:07 PM
Mar 9th, 2006
never2old Member
Posts: 1854 From: Wyoming, Michigan USA Registered: Dec 2005