Ultimate Detailing!

[Emily]

Hi, my fiance and I are both car enthusiasts and are starting an auto detailing shop that won't empty out the average driver's pockets. I've been researching everything on here for the past week or so, but I'm a little confused exactly what would be the best kind of packages to offer and etc. We have a Craftsman 10 inch buffer and the 6 inch 4.5 amp sander/polisher (Not ideal, but saving up for a Makita ) Here is the plan we have as of right now if someone were to want the best of the best.

1. Wash. Shampoo+, two bucket method, microfiber mits, waffle magnet drying towels.
2. Clay if necessary
3. Swirl removal. M105
4. Polish. M205
5. Isopropyl alcohol clean (Is this recommended?)
6. Wax. NXT 2.0


My questions are, what buffers should be used for #3, 4, and 6. I've also read that some people use two kinds of polish? I was also considering using a sealant instead of the NXT 2.0, like M21. And is something like M80 or #7 necessary in that process?

I'll take any and all help

[Ravi_1992]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

I don't know much about starting a detailing business but for steps # 3,4 ,and 6, I would use a Porter cable 7424xp or Meguiars g110v2. Most people would probably recommended those 2 polishers too.

A pure polish like M07 would be unnecessary, M205 will give a Good finish so M80 wouldn't be necessary either.
Good Luck with your business !

[CHzo6]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

Have either of you ever used a rotary polisher before? There is a big difference between being a car enthusiast and being competent with a rotary. The Craftsman 10 inch buffer may be useful to spread on wax, but that's about it, like Ravi said, you should get a Dual Action polisher like the Porter Cable or Meguiar's brand and become skilled with that before moving on to a rotary.

[SuperCK]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

Where will this shop be located?

[BobbyG]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

Hi, my fiance and I are both car enthusiasts and are starting an auto detailing shop that won't empty out the average driver's pockets. I've been researching everything on here for the past week or so, but I'm a little confused exactly what would be the best kind of packages to offer and etc. We have a Craftsman 10 inch buffer and the 6 inch 4.5 amp sander/polisher (Not ideal, but saving up for a Makita )

Starting out is something you should take your time with and understand how the process works. There is allot of great material here and a wealth of knowledge just for the asking.

I would recommend a DA polisher with a selection of foam pads suitable for the job. Pads come in a wide variety of correction from heavy to none which are used primarily used for applying sealants and waxes. Meguiar's offers a nice polisher for the money so it's a wise investment.

Always start with a test spot and work in 2' X 2" areas so that the job remains manageable. Read, understand, and practice, practice, practice!

Some generic steps and recommendations. A few products are not Meguiar's but I find this works well. Glazes temporally hide minor imperfections and do not last long. Glazes by themselves offer no real protection either.

Wash
Clay
Swirl Remover – Meguiar’s M105 & Orange pad
Finishing Polish – Meguiar’s M205 & White pad
Finishing Polish – Menzerna Polish PO85RD & Gray pad
Isopropyl Alcohol Clean
Glaze - (only is you need it)
Seal - Menzerna Power Lock Paint Sealant & Blue or Red pad
Wax - Meguiar’s #26 Liquid Yellow Wax or Collinite 845 & Red pad

[Emily]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

I don't know much about starting a detailing business but for steps # 3,4 ,and 6, I would use a Porter cable 7424xp or Meguiars g110v2. Most people would probably recommended those 2 polishers too.

A pure polish like M07 would be unnecessary, M205 will give a Good finish so M80 wouldn't be necessary either.
Good Luck with your business !

I'm actually going to order the G110V2 today After calling around a few local detailing shops they recommended not using the Craftsman.

Have either of you ever used a rotary polisher before? There is a big difference between being a car enthusiast and being competent with a rotary. The Craftsman 10 inch buffer may be useful to spread on wax, but that's about it, like Ravi said, you should get a Dual Action polisher like the Porter Cable or Meguiar's brand and become skilled with that before moving on to a rotary.

I haven't used one much, currently I've been practicing on our own cars, I just take my time and do small sections. My fiance on the other hand has a lot more experience thankfully

Where will this shop be located?

We are currently renting out a large garage from under my fiance's current employer. It has a huge roll up door so if we get any large vehicles it will fit just fine

Starting out is something you should take your time with and understand how the process works. There is allot of great material here and a wealth of knowledge just for the asking.

I would recommend a DA polisher with a selection of foam pads suitable for the job. Pads come in a wide variety of correction from heavy to none which are used primarily used for applying sealants and waxes. Meguiar's offers a nice polisher for the money so it's a wise investment.

Always start with a test spot and work in 2' X 2" areas so that the job remains manageable. Read, understand, and practice, practice, practice!

Some generic steps and recommendations. A few products are not Meguiar's but I find this works well. Glazes temporally hide minor imperfections and do not last long. Glazes by themselves offer no real protection either.

Wash
Clay
Swirl Remover – Meguiar’s M105 & Orange pad
Finishing Polish – Meguiar’s M205 & White pad
Finishing Polish – Menzerna Polish PO85RD & Gray pad
Isopropyl Alcohol Clean
Glaze - (only is you need it)
Seal - Menzerna Power Lock Paint Sealant & Blue or Red pad
Wax - Meguiar’s #26 Liquid Yellow Wax or Collinite 845 & Red pad

Thank you for all the help! I heard that sealant isn't always good for the paint though. My father in law used to detail cars himself and he said sometimes the paint will oxidize underneath if you put a sealant on? I don't know how accurate that is or if it's relevant, really

[CHzo6]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

Thank you for all the help! I heard that sealant isn't always good for the paint though. My father in law used to detail cars himself and he said sometimes the paint will oxidize underneath if you put a sealant on? I don't know how accurate that is or if it's relevant, really

That's completely false.

[Emily]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

That's completely false.

Ahh how reassuring So it's safe on any kind of paint then?

[Ravi_1992]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

A sealent is pretty much a synthetic wax, NXT tech wax 2.0 is a sealant, Gold glass carnuaba is a wax. Too answer your question, Yes sealants are safe on any paint.
Hope this helps

[Emily]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

Thank you very much!

[gbackus]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

Do you have any actual detailing experience?

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Ultimate Detailing!

I'm actually going to order the G110V2 today After calling around a few local detailing shops they recommended not using the Craftsman.

Good move. The Craftsman is not a variable speed polisher. I think it has two preset speeds (1400 and 1650 RPM)

Thank you for all the help! I heard that sealant isn't always good for the paint though. My father in law used to detail cars himself and he said sometimes the paint will oxidize underneath if you put a sealant on? I don't know how accurate that is or if it's relevant, really

That's kind of an urban myth. The version I heard was that the sealant doesn't allow the paint to "breathe" - which may have some credibility if you are dealing with a newly repainted vehicle and the paint has not "cured". But for factory paint, using a sealant is actually a preferred step in the detailing process that will help (minimally) preserve a swirl free finish.