Prep at Car Auctions

[Stephan]

I'm watching replay of Day 1 at Mecum auction. They're selling cars for as low as 8,000.00. They all (almost) have a super wet look. I know they all don't have expensive detail jobs. Some you can see a lot of defects briefly, but all shiny as heck.

How much is the lighting and the floor color, etc. a factor here vs. what they rubbed on the car, and what is typically rub on for this temporary wet look?

Thanks.

[ShinyMopar]

My guess would be the ones they are trying to get a high value for might be left alone as far as polishing. Maybe only a wash and wax. A lot of those cars are old, low miles, and I could totally see someone not wanting to remove anything. The more mainstream cars probably get a single step polish wax combo of they are doing a quick job. I have watched it a lot and notice a lot of defects. Then again not everybody thinks about the paint like we do. A clean washed with dawn and dried with his daughters beach towel from the beach trip last year is all some people know. As far as lighting they should make everything shine especially if it has been recently waxed. Some people might use the filler trick as well to make it look good just long enough to sell. Use a product laden with oils but no correction. Just my thoughts

[Detailing by M]

Re: Prep at Car Auctions

Auction/show car detailing is not "daily driver" detailing.

I've done a few of these shows and it's amazing how good a car looks on tv but in person it's hammered.

"Reflection" is just that a reflection. It's not a close up of the paint. Like we are used to seeing.
Most of these cars get a "glaze", a 4 day shine is what I call it.

I just did a car for the Mecum auction, it's a 1974 Fiat 1800, Baby Blue.
I detailed it "Auction Style" but used M66 because I will never "glaze" a car, that is what gas stations do. The car looks great until you wash it.
I hear this all the time from customer who paid $50 for a "full detail". I tell them "you get what you pay for" and that why I'm more expensive then them. I do it right!

[Stephan]

Re: Prep at Car Auctions

Auction/show car detailing is not "daily driver" detailing.

I've done a few of these shows and it's amazing how good a car looks on tv but in person it's hammered.

"Reflection" is just that a reflection. It's not a close up of the paint. Like we are used to seeing.
Most of these cars get a "glaze", a 4 day shine is what I call it.

Like I said, you could briefly see how lousy the paint was on a lot of the cars, I was just wondering what products they typically used for the temporary glaze. Looked like you would get oil on your pants if you rubbed against a car.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Prep at Car Auctions

^^
On your pants? No, they arn't using WD40
The detailers for Mecum have there own product. DFT Detailing.