Truth or BS?

[drednik]

Hi. I've recently taken my car to a detailer for exterior detailing. I asked him to completely remove all swirls and scratches. He charged me $260 CAD for the job. Upon completion, I still noticed the presence of swirls and scratches. He said he didn't want to take them out because he didn't want to take a high-speed rotary to a brand new car. Doing this will be harsh on the clear coat. He said that it'd be better to come back after winter for the high-speed rotary, since the car'll accumulate more swirls and scratches from the snow. However, I'm fairly annoyed with this reply considering that I asked him in the first place to remove swirls and scratches. I should point out that he did remove some of them, just not all. Anyway, he offered to redo the car, because I was obviously very displeased. However, I've lost all faith in this detailer, because 1) he grabbed a microfiber cloth out of some cardboard box to wipe off dust from the car to examine the swirls/scratches that I could easily see; 2) while looking for swirls/scratches he was holding a floodlamp and bumped the stand into the car a couple of times, 3) there were some water spots on the chrome trim of the window, which he couldn't remove even though he tried everything - it was suggested that this was a manufacturer's defect and that I should take it back to the dealer.

All in all, I was very unhappy with the service received. I just wanted to hear what your thoughts are on the subject. I've looked high and low for a good detailer in Toronto. This was supposed to be a good one. I think from now I'd be better off doing the detailing myself.

[Murr1525]

Doing it yourself certainly sounds like a good idea.

With a PC, and a few products, you should be able to get excellent results.

His logic of why pay for a full detail right before winter is resonable, though he should have said it up front. And the rest just sounds carelss.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey drednik


Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Detailing is truly an art form! Using a rotary on a new car is not a problem if the detailer knows what he is doing. What process did he use? Even with a rotary, one must start with the least aggressive product to get the job done. Sadly, too many "detailers" jump right to an aggressive compound when it may not be even necessary!

Snow does not inflict swirls on its own. Any time someone touches the surface of the paint whether it be for washing or just brushing up beside it, there is a potential of placing swirls in the paint. This can happen at anytime of the year.

Here are some valuable links that will help one keep their paint looking its best!

The 5-Step Paint Care Cycle.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain


What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How to Avoid Swirls and Holograms?

How To Wash Your Car using the Two Bucket
Method

I hope this helps!

Tim

[gb387]

Welcome to MOL!

I like to give my vehicle a good coat of wax just before winter. Maybe not work on the swirls but it needs the protection for the winter.

I am not sure I would take it back to the same place if they are careless while you are standing there they are going to be while yo are not watching... I don't trust anyone but myself with my vehicle, you just never know.

Not to sure how many times you have your vehicle detailed but a PC like Murr1525 suggested would pay for itself. You just have to be willing to take the time to do it right.

[pepseeboy]

Hi Drednik

Any legitamate detailer would have examined your vehicle prior to accepting a job, and then give you a full discription of what will be done to your car. Dont give up their are good detailers out there but nothing is more satisfying then a great do it yourself job. Stay with MOG and you will be able to tackle your car by the time spring hits.

[drednik]

Thanks to everyone that replied. Everyone's so friendly. What a great community.

I'm going to detail my car myself from now on. I'm just going to have to make the time.

The only downside is that I live in apartment. Even though there's a designated washing area in the underground garage, there isn't an outlet anywhere in the garage for me to plug in a PC. This was mainly why I had to get someone else to do it.

Thanks again everyone. I'm looking forward to posting and discussing detailing!

[Pete-FWA]

The whole reason I got IN the business was due to lack of any local business that had much of a clue what detailing was.

Too bad this person wasn't up front with you. Probably thought since it was so new, there couldn't be much wrong with it. He also could've been lacking in the confidence in his own abilities to satisfy you, since it was "new" and he still thinks "new" means perfect.

We did new vehicle inspection on new vehicles freshly unloaded from the truck. Customers would be very afraid if they saw what they looked like, "untouched" and "new".

Good for you, deciding to take matters into your own hands. Stick with this forum: VERY helpful.