Keys to Efficient Detailing

[EAT HEMI]

Since I am still in the learning stage, my biggest challenge now is to reduce the amount of time it takes for me to detail.

I thought it would be worthwhile to generate a thread for people to share some of their secrets/methods to save time, while still producing a quality detail job.

1) I use a 3 ft section of old hose (with quick connects) when I do my final rinse. It flows in sheets, rather than a spray, and I drastically reduce what I need to towel dry.

2) I have all my products organized logically in bags with what other tools I may need for that step (a slide brush in my wax bag, scissors in my interior bag, etc)

3) I put 2 microfibers in the drier briefly before I do the interior. They usually get statically charged (not always - depending on humidity) and help remove dust off of the dash, etc with a lot less interior detail spray.

[Mort Corey]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

I couldn't detail for a living (too old and slow) 'cause I'd starve. One of the things that saves time on my car is after drying I take a can of air and go around the car blowing out the nooks and crannies (reflectors and the like) and wipe the extra water off with a MF towel. It's amazing how much water hides here and there and there's nothing worse than thinking you finishing up a project and have a drooler pop up its head Can of air last me about six or so washes so the cost isn't that bad.

Mort

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

Great thread!

1) I use a 3 ft section of old hose (with quick connects) when I do my final rinse. It flows in sheets, rather than a spray, and I drastically reduce what I need to towel dry.

Here's the convenience part of making this work... the quick connects...

[spence82]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

Great thread!



Here's the convenience part of making this work... the quick connects...

that is a dog gone good idea,i think i will try that with an old hose.

[EAT HEMI]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

that is a dog gone good idea,i think i will try that with an old hose.

I'll take a picture of my ultra-complicated system.

[Kooz]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

Yes please post pictures of this. I'm very curious... drying the car isn't my favorite step.

[EAT HEMI]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

Sorry guys, I forgot last night. I was in the garage too, using NXT Spray Wax - love that stuff! Anyway, it just slipped my mind.

[yalerd]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

Sorry guys, I forgot last night. I was in the garage too, using NXT Spray Wax - love that stuff! Anyway, it just slipped my mind.

Don't worry, we'll be waiting!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

that is a dog gone good idea,i think i will try that with an old hose.

One thing about human beings, if it isn't quick and easy, they won't tend to continue doing it, quick connects would make the water flowing technique quick and easy.

At our house we have the hose nozzles tightened onto the hose end with pliers so they don't work loose, so quickly removing them means getting a pair of pliers and doing some work, not quick and easy.

So the quick connect tip sounds like a good idea, we would like to see pictures and also a resource as to where to buy them.

Lowe's? Auto Parts store? Hose Line and Fittings store?

[Murr1525]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

Gilmour makes very nice ones, brass or plastic, and they are sold at Lowes, among other places. Or can order direct from them.

Remember you would need a hose end shut-off valve as well.

I have found that between the connects and the valve, the free flow rinse method doesnt flow that freely unless I turn down the pressure from the wall as well.

[mckeand13]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

1) I use a 3 ft section of old hose (with quick connects) when I do my final rinse. It flows in sheets, rather than a spray, and I drastically reduce what I need to towel dry.

Could you explain the "3 ft section of hose" ? You are already using a hose right? What does another 3 ft get you?

[mckeand13]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

After washing:

- Leaf blower to blow out all of the cracks, mirrors, badges, etc.

- Water Blade to squeegee off most surfaces and glass.

- Water Magnet towel to finish off the drying

I think a lot of people spend too much time on drying. I used to until I started using the above techniques.

[EAT HEMI]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

Could you explain the "3 ft section of hose" ? You are already using a hose right? What does another 3 ft get you?

A photo will make it easy. I'll do that when I get home.

Via words:

The 3 foot extension is just like a specialized nozzle. You could just remove the nozzle from the hose to get the free flowing water to aid with sheeting, but the threaded end is metal and thus not paint friendly. So the end of my extension is the cut portion of hose. That way, I know I wont cause any boo-boos if I get too close.

The main idea is sheeting water in the final rinse stage DRASTICALLY reduces the amount of time it takes to dry. It also reduces spotting.

I use 2 standard-size microfibers to dry the entire car, and the Charger is a big girl too!

[mwpannell]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

Hopefully not topic-jacking here, but are the water blades really 1) good? 2) safe? I need some oppinions/assurance one way or the other.

[Kooz]

Re: Keys to Efficient Detailing

A photo will make it easy. I'll do that when I get home.

Via words:

The 3 foot extension is just like a specialized nozzle. You could just remove the nozzle from the hose to get the free flowing water to aid with sheeting, but the threaded end is metal and thus not paint friendly. So the end of my extension is the cut portion of hose. That way, I know I wont cause any boo-boos if I get too close.

The main idea is sheeting water in the final rinse stage DRASTICALLY reduces the amount of time it takes to dry. It also reduces spotting.

I use 2 standard-size microfibers to dry the entire car, and the Charger is a big girl too!

Okay, I totally understand what you are saying now. My sprayer is from Wal-Mart and has various settings and I just use the "soaker" setting and that sheets the water off pretty good. The soaker setting is basically water gushing out of the center.