• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Detailing outside?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Detailing outside?

    Hi Guys,

    I was wondering if anyone had tips on detailing outside as I do not have a garage to work on my car.

    How beneficial would it be to purchase a canopy in order to work in the shade while outside?

    My main issue is the lack of a garage or "proper working enviornment" to detail my car. Most recently I just started learning to detail so theres been a lot of little things I am missing in terms of the process. In my area- there is almost always a light breeze, hot sun, and no shade due to a lack of trees as well. It would be very impractical to drive to a friends house to borrow his/her garage for 4-12 hrs.

    Another problem for me is that my car is a daily driver, and everyday I wipe down my car with quick detailer. By the end of the day at work- my car is already covered in another layer of dust. My work area has about 200 semi trucks driving by everyday (it's part of my job) to pick up their containers.

    Here is a list of the tools I have to work with if it helps any:
    Meguiars products: Scratch X 2.0, Swirl X, Plastic X, #7 Glaze, Clear plastic cleaner and polish, DC Cleaner Wax, DC Carnuba Wax, #26 Carnuba Wax, Agressive Clay, NXT 2.0, UQD, QD, #20 Sealant

    PC 7424 with Lake Country CCS Pads- Orange, white, grey, blue.
    Cobra Arctic White Miracle towel, Guzzler HD, Artic White Edgeless
    Tower Pro WCT001 plush towels.

    It's very difficult to detail my car with the enviornment settings surrounding me. I've only been able to get in 1-3 panels before the sun starts to blaze.

    Any tips and or suggestions on detailing outside under diverse conditons would be very much apreciated!
    Round House Kick...

  • #2
    Re: Detailing outside?

    Well doing it piece by piece is an option.
    I would get a canopy if there is no shade.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Detailing outside?

      thanks
      Round House Kick...

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Detailing outside?

        Yeah, get a canopy. If you have the room (and the money) try to get a big one that completely covers your car so you don't have to keep moving it. Make sure the canopy is anchored down, and get some of those foam noodles that you would use in the pool (you can usually get them for like $0.99 apiece at a dollar store) and put them on the poles so you don't accidentally get your car scraped up.
        Shane
        1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL

        If you trim yourself to fit the world you'll whittle yourself away. - Aaron Tippin

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Detailing outside?

          Originally posted by CieraSL View Post
          Yeah, get a canopy. If you have the room (and the money) try to get a big one that completely covers your car so you don't have to keep moving it. Make sure the canopy is anchored down, and get some of those foam noodles that you would use in the pool (you can usually get them for like $0.99 apiece at a dollar store) and put them on the poles so you don't accidentally get your car scraped up.
          awsome, thanks for the suggestion. The foam noodle thing is a good idea, I would have never thought of that.

          Do you know of any good canopy? I'm on a tight budget after spending so much money on detailing equipment.
          Round House Kick...

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Detailing outside?

            Kragen/O'Reilly stores are having a sale. 10'X10' canopy for $50. No rebates to hassle with. Sale ends 6/23

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Detailing outside?

              I would also opt for the canopy. You need the shade.
              quality creates its own demand

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Detailing outside?

                Thanks! I was wondering if it would really be worth it to dish out the cash for a basic one in the 150 dollar price range, or the ones that are 300+?

                After seeing some photos, a 10'x10' canopy is not enough to properly cover a standard car while still providing enough space to work.
                Round House Kick...

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Detailing outside?

                  I have all the same problems you do as my car is daily driver and the sun often ruins the fun of detailing my car. I tend to wait to around 5-6 to start detailing as the sun is usually hidden behind a nearby house or low enough that no direct sunlight is hitting my car. For the dust: buy a California Duster they are ~$12 at most Pep Boys'.

                  Also, I intend on getting a canopy soon too (I hope to get into detailing for money by mid way into the summer). I would go 10x20 just so your car is completely covered and you can move around the car. I know that my car is ~17.5' long so a 10x10 wouldn't cut it. Pep Boys had a 10x20 canopy for around $150 I believe.
                  James - 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais
                  Calais Auto Detailing
                  CalaisDetails@aim.com
                  www.calaisdetailing.com (under construction)

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Detailing outside?

                    Wal-Mart has a 10 x 20 canopy for $164.

                    Shane
                    1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera SL

                    If you trim yourself to fit the world you'll whittle yourself away. - Aaron Tippin

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Detailing outside?

                      I have to detail exposed(the car that is.) and I don't have the problem with direct sunlight as it's in the shade. The only problem I have is the dust,as it's a very busy street.The only thing I do to solve this,is work on a section at a time.If by the time I get to a part where there is a little dust build up,I just clean it with QD and a microfibre,then do the polishing or waxing.

                      It's not ideal,like being in a lock-up,but it's one solution.

                      TOP

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Detailing outside?

                        Thanks for the replies everyone, my main goal was buying a canopy that would be somewhat portable and a single person could set it up. The issue with a 10x20 is that they are not "EZ UP" however that would be a perfect size to detail a car. I had also planned on detailing as a side job for some extra cash- so the mobility would help greatly.

                        Also in my experience, the Claifornia duster leaves swirls on my car. Am I doing something wrong with it?
                        Round House Kick...

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Detailing outside?

                          ^I have heard plenty of people say that. The CD must be used with perfect technique to keep from causing swirls is a common statement. I just wash mine at my house or a DIY quarter wash, and then drive to a parking deck to clay, clean, polish. wax, etc. That is of course if too much pollen/dust/anything else is in the air. Otherwise I rig up a tarp in my driveway between trees and go to town.

                          Comment

                          Your Privacy Choices
                          Working...
                          X