It takes me twice as long

[akimel]

I worked on my wife's four door sedan 2005 Taurus today. My goal was somewhat modest, at least compared to my previous adventure with my S2000. I just wanted to get in in good shape and put some protection on it.

I began between 9:30 and 10:00. I first attacked the engine bay, but discovered that the APC+ (8/1 dilution ratio) wasn't quite up to the job. The grease is pretty thick in there. But here was modest improvement, and at least I didn't break the car.

I washed and clayed the car, and then proceed to clean the paint with my G110 using DC1 Paint Cleaner. I didn't want to try any serious correction (I still haven't recovered from my previous adventure), but I thought it might be helpful to stake the opportunity to effect a good cleaning of the paint surface. And that, of course, took several hours.

Bottomline: It was 6:00 before I was ready to apply the LSP. That is almost 8 hours for what is the simplest of details. I know you guys should knock it off in 4 hours. But I takes me twice as long. I don't know how you guys do it! My hat is off to all of you!

Al

[Chop]

Re: It takes me twice as long

I also take longer than most here. This weekend I did our SUV and it took me about 4 hrs and that is without correction nor engine bay. Just a "basic" car wash, interior and wax.

I think when one works on its own car we look at all the little details thus takes us more time. Obiously the pros have worked many many cars and probably have their process nailed down.

[CieraSL]

Re: It takes me twice as long

[Carfire]

Re: It takes me twice as long

[Nappers]

Re: It takes me twice as long

Shoot, takes me 2 hours to wash sometimes......

Not bad, I sometimes stretch out a detail in two days.....

Don't feel bad, quantity and proper procedure is way better than speed.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: It takes me twice as long

There is no award for speed detailing. Work at a pace your comfortable with. As you get more comfortable with your process, the speed will pick up.

[02zx9r]

Re: It takes me twice as long

i agree 100% with everyone. You do want perfection, or as close to it as you can get.

Took me 6 hours just to do the exterior on my girlfriends moms avalon. Like chop said, once you (and me) get more proficient and get the process nailed down, we will know to do this first, or do that etc... and should be a little quicker

[MrCLRider]

Re: It takes me twice as long

I go by one of my favorite quotes "You cannot rush perfection" I have no idea who said it when, but I try and live by it when it comes to my details.

[yalerd]

Re: It takes me twice as long

Sometimes is not about working faster, is laying a very efficient procedure and rhythm.

Maybe evaluating how you are working can cut some time by eliminated non productive things that you can correct or making your work more organized.

[Underdawg736]

Re: It takes me twice as long

I feel ya, I'm on day 3 with my wifes car and I'm a little over half way done with it!

[TimG]

Re: It takes me twice as long

I remembered at my early days of learning to detail my cars and they took around 2-4 days to do. As you practice it out and analyze your own methods/habits, you'll sure devise some ways in making it more efficient and effective. Heck, I've still am (and will continue) learning how to be better. Maybe I'm just not physically fit to do all those things similar to them pro's (LOL I'm both vertically and horizontally challenged) That's it, I'm cutting down on fatty food.