Would AT Garage be interested in a detailing thread?

[z1ggy]

I noticed on the other car forums that I frequent, they generally have a detailing subforum dedicated to techniques, how-to guides, FAQs and product information. I was thinking if there was enough interest, I could do a DIY detailer's guide here. I know there are plenty of youtube videos and things out there, but unless you are a member of a car specific forum, it can be kind of hard to find a full guide on detailing your car, from start to finish with all the equipment needed, etc.

My plan would be to give step-by-step instructions with pictures as I detail my own car. It would include what products I use, how much they cost and where I got them from. I'll explain why I do each step and the benefits that you get.

I'm not a professional detailer. I do this for a hobby and find it enjoyable. I spent a lot of time online, talking to other hobbyists and watching professionals. So if you have seen it done differently or you do it differently yourself, that's perfectly fine. This would serve as a guide to folks who might want to learn more, or just simply see the results of what a full detail would look like.

If there isn't enough desire for a real step by step guide, I might just post some before and after pics of my car. I'd plan on doing this sometime in early May.

Edit: I'd like to give a brief over view of what a "full detail" is for some who might not be familiar with the process.

A full detail is not just adding some wax and vacuuming out your floor mats. It includes removing contaminants from your paint, polishing out swirls and paint imperfections, then sealing your paint (optional, but I do it) and then covering it with wax. It also includes removing brake dust from wheels and sealing wheels if they are painted. Interior carpets get cleaned with carpet cleaner, leather bits get conditioned, etc etc. Overall, a "full detail" like this will take you an entire day, up to 4-5 hours. It generally also done in this level of detail two times per year. As I'll explain if enough people want a write up, polishing is something you should not do all that often. Because I don't want the thread to be insanely long, I will probably just include links to videos that give much greater detail that I watched in the past.

 

[QueBert]

I like the idea I'm on the the AG forums daily, the only problem's how-to threads that have products brought up I don't have. Which leads to me spending monies. I have countless detailing products with more on the way this week. And without fail, when I read about a good product I've never heard of that I order. A day or so after it arrives and before I even have a chance to use it I read another thread about a similar but what seems to be better product

And the cycle re-starts lol.

 

[Imported]

Would be a nice read.

 

[z1ggy]

I like the idea I'm on the the AG forums daily, the only problem's how-to threads that have products brought up I don't have. Which leads to me spending monies. I have countless detailing products with more on the way this week. And without fail, when I read about a good product I've never heard of that I order. A day or so after it arrives and before I even have a chance to use it I read another thread about a similar but what seems to be better product

And the cycle re-starts lol.

Don't get lured into that cycle. Technique trumps product every single day of the week. I use a lot of Meguiar's products which really aren't any "worse" than expensive products like Wolfs or Adam's.

IMO the only time product really make a large difference is in what products you use for applying and drying, etc. A high quality microfiber towel is crucial to not leaving swirl marks after your weekly washes. Using cheap towels that are 'made in China' will scratch your paint.

 

[mcvickj]

That would be awesome. Michigan winters are hell on a car.

 

[zoiks]

Already done. Here's a really good guide provided by a user on this exact forum.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=14852

 

[smackababy]

I sure wish this thread went into more detail. >_<

 

[z1ggy]

Already done. Here's a really good guide provided by a user on this exact forum.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=14852

No pics included. Other than that it was a good write up. It's also 7 years old now but not much has really changed.

What I can do then is link that thread, but include pics along the way. I can also say I've found and used some better products than what he (or an unlikely she) has suggested.

The thread seemed to get a lot of replies and comments, but was never made a sticky. I think as a garage subforum, detailing should be made a sticky as many of us with nice cars like to keep them looking in tip top shape all year long. I am totally open to comments, suggestions, criticism, feed back etc.

 

[Mutilator]

Part of me says no... just doesn't seem like the right place for the level of detail we're talking about. I've probably typed a couple small novels on the subject myself over the years here but stopped because it's too much typing, people don't listen, all the info is available in more appropriate places, and the majority of people here while they may be "enthusiasts" seem to rather pay someone else to keep their car clean, or just don't want to take the time or effort to keep it properly maintained (aesthetically) inside and out. I know I'm not nearly as fanatical about it now as I use to be. Maybe age does that to you lol.

As for the 4-5 hours I'd say that's minimum for a "full detail" inside and out unless you're a pro. Hell, that barely gets the outside done (by hand) unless you're really moving hehe. Granted if you're using an orbital polisher, power washer, steam cleaner, etc. then that changes things significantly. But not all of us are crazy enough to spend several thousand dollars on detailing equipment and supplies. *looks around*

But if you want to make a guide go ahead. I'll be happy to throw in my 2 cents if needed. The basic techniques are usually the same, the choice of products is what varies so much. Everybody has their tried and true go to stuff and swears it's better than everything else. Very few have actually used a large enough variety to know what does what at what step and what type of look it leaves behind. Hell, I bet even my choice of sealant/wax combo is "outdated" due to some new products that have come along in the last few years that damn near (if not actually) make waxing a thing of the past. For the curious that even made it this far in my post I'm referring to Klasse AIO topped with P21S for what I currently use and the newer product is Optimum Opti-Coat 2 (which I'm curious to try one day...)

 

[z1ggy]

Part of me says no... just doesn't seem like the right place for the level of detail we're talking about. I've probably typed a couple small novels on the subject myself over the years here but stopped because it's too much typing, people don't listen, all the info is available in more appropriate places, and the majority of people here while they may be "enthusiasts" seem to rather pay someone else to keep their car clean, or just don't want to take the time or effort to keep it properly maintained (aesthetically) inside and out. I know I'm not nearly as fanatical about it now as I use to be. Maybe age does that to you lol.

As for the 4-5 hours I'd say that's minimum for a "full detail" inside and out unless you're a pro. Hell, that barely gets the outside done (by hand) unless you're really moving hehe. Granted if you're using an orbital polisher, power washer, steam cleaner, etc. then that changes things significantly. But not all of us are crazy enough to spend several thousand dollars on detailing equipment and supplies. *looks around*

But if you want to make a guide go ahead. I'll be happy to throw in my 2 cents if needed. The basic techniques are usually the same, the choice of products is what varies so much. Everybody has their tried and true go to stuff and swears it's better than everything else. Very few have actually used a large enough variety to know what does what at what step and what type of look it leaves behind. Hell, I bet even my choice of sealant/wax combo is "outdated" due to some new products that have come along in the last few years that damn near (if not actually) make waxing a thing of the past. For the curious that even made it this far in my post I'm referring to Klasse AIO topped with P21S for what I currently use and the newer product is Optimum Opti-Coat 2 (which I'm curious to try one day...)

Thanks for your input. I really don't get why it wouldn't be a sticky.. This is a subforum purely dedicated to motor vehicles. A large part of the responsibility of that is maintaining the car..If not for pleasure and looks, but for resale value.

Every other car forum I've been on has a detailing subforum. But, yes you are right there's many videos, articles etc to go find out lots of info on. Heck that's how I learned a lot. However, It's really hard to find it all in one place. You've got to watch multiple youtube videos, go to different websites, etc.

I could try to make a write up as high level as possible. If people want super specifics, they are welcome to ask questions in the thread itself or do additional research. Like I said before, I can link that original thread as well.

And as afr as Opti coat goes...I'm very skeptical. It reminds me of the ol Simoniz gimmick dealers toss as you when you buy a car from them. I find it hard to believe there's a product that's permanent like that. Then again, I might be old school and just prefer the clay/polish/wax method over something that basically says I'll never have to wax again. I'll have to talk to my friend who's a pro detailer and see if he's had experience with it.

 

[Mutilator]

Yeah I've been skeptical about it myself but I do know a lot of pros use it and then post about it in their pic before/after posts on car forums. As for as how permanent it is I guess time will tell.

As far as where to go for all the info you'd ever need? I use to frequent www.autopia.org and pointed people there. Even bought their ebook a looong time ago. Imagine that's probably still a great place to visit. Might poke around on there later today myself, been a while.

 

[Tweak155]

I'd read it. Need videos as that other guy's wall of text is not very palatable.

 

[Aharami]

since this is a detailing thread, i'll add this here: i started using nanoskin autoscrub with Chemical Guys Luber instead of clay, and it cut down my claying time in half, if not more. And I'm getting the same results.

 

[Aharami]

For the curious that even made it this far in my post I'm referring to Klasse AIO topped with P21S for what I currently use and the newer product is Optimum Opti-Coat 2 (which I'm curious to try one day...)

I'm using Klasse AIO (with ro polisher) if needed, Klasse SG, then top it with S100 (same as P21S). Satisfied with it, but would like to hear what other newer products are there.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

If you do start this thread be sure to argue with and insult every individual who happens to disagree with you... It wouldn't be an AG detailing thread with out it.


EDIT: it'd be good if we could get it stickied too.

 

[z1ggy]

I'd read it. Need videos as that other guy's wall of text is not very palatable.

I was thinking pics for now. I'm not really good at video editing. Plus, I'll be using my cell phone for pics and it will be hard to film myself using a phone while doing stuff. I don't have a tripod or anything.

 

[z1ggy]

If you do start this thread be sure to argue with and insult every individual who happens to disagree with you... It wouldn't be an AG detailing thread with out it.


EDIT: it'd be good if we could get it stickied too.

Nah I'm not like that. I do this for fun and not a job. I'm always learning about new things, so I'm open to new ideas/products that other people have had success with.