Maintenance after pro detail

[TJMAC]

Hello,
I have a Black Jeep Grand Cherokee. I wash it often when dirty and polish and wax every summer. There are alot of various defects in the paint that would need to be pro. buffed out. I do not have a PC and have tried the Megs. 3 step process, but it does not seem to take everything out. So I am planning on having it professionally detailed.

My question is how do I maintain the detailed finish? How long can I expect it to last??

Thanks,
TJ

[TJMAC]

Oh..another thing...I got a quote of $130 for a complete detail inside and out with all the dressings and "a three stage buffing process" How does that sound?? Reasonable??
Thanks,
TJ

[the other pc]

The best way to maintain any finish is by applying the “5-step cycle”.

There’s no way to tell how long it will last because every car’s paint and environment are different but by applying the “5-step cycle” using good technique and top quality products you’ll get the longest life possible.

Meguiar’s makes a lot of different products so you can tailor your choice of products and process to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Pricing varies greatly from one area of the country to another. I don’t know if $130 is reasonable for your neighborhood but around here that’s about entry-level for a professional detail on a finish that’s in pretty good shape to begin with.


PC.

[Superior Shine]

Originally posted by TJMAC
Oh..another thing...I got a quote of $130 for a complete detail inside and out with all the dressings and "a three stage buffing process" How does that sound?? Reasonable??
Thanks,
TJ

In California that is super cheap if the work is good. We average for a "wash and wax" about $140 and $250-$300+ when the buffer comes out.

I encourage you not to choose a detail based soley on price but on quality. Check their work, traing and refferances.

[jfelbab]

FWIW, If you search around you will find that for less than $100 you can get a PC 7336.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Maintenance after a Pro detail

Originally posted by TJMAC
Hello,
I have a Black Jeep Grand Cherokee. I wash it often when dirty and polish and wax every summer. There are alot of various defects in the paint that would need to be pro. buffed out. I do not have a PC and have tried the Megs. 3 step process, but it does not seem to take everything out. So I am planning on having it professionally detailed.

My question is how do I maintain the detailed finish? How long can I expect it to last??

Thanks,
TJ

How long will the results of a good detail last? Assuming you really did get a good detail, as in the paint was cleaned and polished correctly so that a majority of the below surface defects were removed and not merely filled in, then how long it will last will be completely dependent on how the finish is treated and the conditions it's exposed to and how it's washed.

Most people wash their car, (or have it washed), more than any other procedure, this is why it's really important to take control over the washing process, especially if you own a black, or dark colored car and pride yourself in having it look good all of the time.

Yesterday, while driving home I saw a person washing their car in the sun using what looked like a red shop rag with their soap solution. Not good.

$130.00 for a complete inside and outside detail isn't very much. $150.00 to $300.00 for just the paint if you really want the defects removed would be more realistic, the hard part is finding a detailer that actually does professional work, using professional products in this price range to deliver to you the professional results you would expect.

Believe it or not, as jfelbab posted, you could probably do as good and job and often times a better job than someone you pay to do the work for you because you care about your car's paint more than someone being paid to care about it. For the price of a quality exterior detail, you could invest in the tools and products to do the job right the first time yourself.

That along with the help you can receive through this discussion forum would pay for itself multiple time over.

[TJMAC]

Thank you Mike for that reply.
TJ

[RamAirV1]

IMHO, the G100 polisher is mandatory for black vehicles and for trucks. You have two reasons to get one! You will not regret it.

RamAirV1

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by jfelbab
FWIW, If you search around you will find that for less than $100 you can get a PC 7336.

I totally agree.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I agree with the others. For about the same cost or less of a Pro Detail ($200-$300), you could invest in the correct tools and products and remove the marring yourself!

Tim

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey,

I agree with the others. For about the same cost or less of a Pro Detail ($200-$300), you could invest in the correct tools and products and remove the marring yourself!

Tim

......and have fun too.

[Superior Shine]

If you search around you will find that for less than $100 you can get a PC 7336.

I bought two new DeWalt DW849 for less than $100 each on Ebay!