First Detailing Job

[tjnizzi]

Re: First Detailing Job

Does anyone know of any tricks or solutions I could use to avoid the wax dusting situation?

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: First Detailing Job

Some people have mentioned they seem to get more of a static build up than others. Could attract some dust.

I agree, its proably just dust...once you wipe wax away there should be no dust..could be static build up from the MF's going over the surface...i dont really know anything to counter that thou and if you have to look at the PERFECT angel and PERFECT light to see it...i wouldnt worry about it. Its nothing you're doing wrong...its just circumstances...

I live in Az and dust is just everywhere...period lol...can wash it one day and the next you see dust...even if it sets in the damn garage lol...so dont worry about that part...if you do your wash and take your time...and get the surface real clean, it will make all your following steps much easier...from claying to polishing to waxing.

As someone said...swirl x is a polish, so no need for another step after that except wax.

For good tire shine...gels LAST the longest, but they usually have sillicon which will A...make dirt/grime stick B...be a b**** to scrub off for whoever uses it next (i know, i use to use armorall's gel tireshine) and C will build up and basically you'll just be putting gloss onto dirty tires even after you clean em lol.

Get something waterbased...megs All Season, Hyperdressing as i use...or something of that sort is great, like i said you can water it down..2:1 give a great shine, i spray it on and let it set...makes it more shiney, then a quick wipe with a MF and all streaks are gone....oh and a quick tip with tires...after you do the gloss and it sets...move the car forward about a foot...and then that part of the tire that was totally on the bottom, will then be towards the back and you can get it even with the rest of the tire

Thats just something that bugs me when I do tires and you cant TOTALLY get that 1 spot against the ground unless you move the car...

Of course pay attention to detail with other things too...door jams a lot of ppl miss...vacuum the trunk...and clean all the jam areas around the trunk too..maybe even pop the hood and clean the jam areas around it too.

With interior...a shopvac with a bristel connect works great for air vents and getting up the initial loose dust. Steering wheels and the drivers side handle/door area will be your WORST area on almost any car...get that real clean before you put your dressing on it. Dont forget the ash trays.

Personally i think if you're doing this much work to make sure you do a good job...then I think you will in the end...end up with a good job...most ppl say prep is 50% of the work...i think its closer to 70% lol...and like i said, dont forget pictures...they're worth more than the paycheck the guy will give you cause a set of good pictures can get you 10 more jobs

[tjnizzi]

Re: First Detailing Job

Thank you very much again MrWillsi3, all of that information I will use. I absolutely must get a camera for the job but I will also try to capture a photo of the odd dust issue to see if that sparks anything.

I am extremely pleased that I posted here as you have all been very helpful with this, I am coming away exponentially more prepared.

I think I may be going with the NXT Insane Shine tire coating.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: First Detailing Job

Thank you very much again MrWillsi3, all of that information I will use. I absolutely must get a camera for the job but I will also try to capture a photo of the odd dust issue to see if that sparks anything.

I am extremely pleased that I posted here as you have all been very helpful with this, I am coming away exponentially more prepared.

I think I may be going with the NXT Insane Shine tire coating.

No problem man! I kinda had to figure a lot of this stuff out on my own before i found forums like this...they really sped up my learning process so im glad i can pass on what ive read...and what ive learned just thru trial an error.

The NXT should be cool...never used it but i know its a good product line. Ive used the NXT 2.0 liquid wax...its pretty nice...spreads real nice...smells good too ...I'm always glad to see other ppl on here say that ..."smells good too"...because I hate a product that smells bad even thou it has nothing to do with how it works lol. Another good tire spray now that i think of it is 'Black Magic'...i used the one in the aresol can...i call it 'cherries' cause thats what it smells like lol...i dont see it at walmart anymore which ticked me off but i'm pretty happy with my hyperdressing .

Yes be sure to borrow a camera or something to get pics...and of the dust too as you said, thats smart. Oh another quick tip..not sure if you have an air compressor (i DONT)...but what i use is a leaf blower to blow out all the door handles/moulding areas/etc where water accumulates and my drying towl cant reach...that way once your done with all your work...you dont get runs as soon as you move the damn thing!

Keep us updated on how it goes...

[tjnizzi]

Re: First Detailing Job

Will do, thank you guys so much!

[philip2010]

Re: First Detailing Job

You bring up a good question about claying glass. I did that on a windshield once at work while the boss was out. A customer wanted his windshield done with rain x. Of course we didn't have any that day. So I went with the onthy thing I could think of clay. As soon as I was finished and ready to pocket the money my boss aka the owner. shows up when the customer leaves he tells me that the clay will make the glass worse when it rains. I thought it would be ok who's right.


Lost in michigan,

[tjnizzi]

Re: First Detailing Job

You bring up a good question about claying glass. I did that on a windshield once at work while the boss was out. A customer wanted his windshield done with rain x. Of course we didn't have any that day. So I went with the onthy thing I could think of clay. As soon as I was finished and ready to pocket the money my boss aka the owner. shows up when the customer leaves he tells me that the clay will make the glass worse when it rains. I thought it would be ok who's right.


Lost in michigan,

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that if you stick with a mild clay, you should be fine. Its when you move into the more aggressive clay, as with paint, that you could run into trouble.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: First Detailing Job

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that if you stick with a mild clay, you should be fine. Its when you move into the more aggressive clay, as with paint, that you could run into trouble.

sounds right to me...I think as long as you use mild and plenty of lubricant you should be fine

[tjnizzi]

Re: First Detailing Job

sounds right to me...I think as long as you use mild and plenty of lubricant you should be fine

Usually does the trick

[Murr1525]

Re: First Detailing Job

Yes, claying windows is great.

Will need a glass cleaner used after for smudges, dried QD, etc.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: First Detailing Job

Usually does the trick

[tjnizzi]

Re: First Detailing Job

So for a complete exterior and interior detail, I am thinking of $75 each, think that sounds about right?

[Murr1525]

Re: First Detailing Job

I would think more than that, but it is up to you.

Depends how many steps, how far into paint correction you get, etc.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: First Detailing Job

So for a complete exterior and interior detail, I am thinking of $75 each, think that sounds about right?

I agree it would depend on how much you do...but being your first customer i guess its sort of a balance of not blowing him out of the water with a high price, and not setting yoruself for a low price standard. If you did go a little low...let him know its a special deal for him since (i think you said) he's your neighbor....and that him being your first customer that you wanted to give him a good deal.

Ive had jobs where we cut the person a deal...and then not meaning any harm that person will go and tell someone else what price we did their job for...and then the person they reffered to us expects the same price lol. So just make sure you talk to the guy and let him know this isnt a 'one size fits all' kind of a bid....but that you would really appreciate recommendations and that you do it off of a 'per job' bid...you gotta see it before you give a price

[tjnizzi]

Re: First Detailing Job

Ya initial pricing is turning out to be pretty difficult. I'm debating on whether or not to split it up into packages or price it off of independent procedures. I would prefer to do it by package for fear that he does not choose to include many different procedures.

Any ballpark suggestions for price? Plan so far includes, possibly in this order:

1. Interior Vacuum
2. Cloth surface shampoo using D102
3. Leather surface work using Gold Class Leather Clean
4. All non leather/cloth surfaces cleaned and dressed with Ultimate Protectant
5. Interior/Exterior Glass clean using NXT Glass Cleaner and window cleaning microfiber
6. Car Wash using Gold Class Car Shampoo
7. Clay horizontal surfaces using Gold Class Clay Bar with included Quik Detailer
8. ScratchX where necessary
9. Either SwirlX all surfaces or use a polishing compound, whichever you guys suggest
10. Wax all surfaces including rims post wash with #21 2.0 - Thank you Murr1525 for that suggestion
11. Clean tires with ArmorAll all purpose cleaner but absolutely taking better suggestions
12. Clean wheels with ArmorAll Wheel cleaner but again, absolutely taking better suggestions
13. Tire shine with Black Magic Tire Wet - I got it for 2.99 plus free applicator =/
14. Pictures before and after if I receive his consent so that I can find out how to improve myself and to post here to be critiqued!

Any steps I should add or remove?
Any products to add or remove?