MK4 Detailed

Status
This is not open for further replies. We close very old threads, and if this is the case, please start a new one on the same topic.

forde

RMS Regular
Messages
8,294
Drives
Vectra SRi
LOL, wingnut, it takes like a second for you to whip out a camera and take a snap, so even the detailers who take pics only take about 5 mins of the total time they are there doing so.

There seem to be a lot of people on this thread saying that a detail shouldnt take 11 or 12 hours and its just the detailer who is slow.... Yeah, sure. You clearly have a lot of experience of detailing. How long should it take? An hour and a half? Id love to see the job you done in that time.
 

-Pete-

RMS Regular
Messages
4,071
pictures are only there to serve as a record/portfolio of the work youve carried out and to what standard. you can hardly turn around and say oh yeh i did a car two months ago to a really high standard without any proof.

taking some pictures just shows the level of finish that has been achieved and its good to see how the car turned out when you finished it.


as for the prices etc, ive said it before and ill say it again, regardless of price i dont see how anyone can do work to a very high level in 4-5 hours or maybe even 7-8 without CUTTING CORNERS or being RASH AS ****, lol


i use the well respected makita rotary buffer and it is a beast of a machine and one of the best out there and it still takes me easily 11-12 hours.

for example, i have a car to do at the minute and claying it took over two hours since there was so much tar etc all over it.

no ones ever going to settle this argument conclusively for everyone to agree as people have such different opinions on what IS and ISNT a detail/valet/buff/polish/www.ilovetobuff.com/mywaxisdearerthanyours.com/etc etc.

different people have different standards as the RMS massive clearly show.

if you want the best youll pay for it. if its to much then you either dont appreciate the work going into it or youre just tight.

if someone can show me how to achieve the level of finish acheived by ruth/moddie/lenny/bigpete etc etc in 4-5 hours then be my guest. im sure theyd love to see too. might save us all a lot of time and maybe then we can actually spend our time doing something else or actually doing more cars!


on that thought though, if we all did cars at 2 a day at 5 hours a piece at 60 quid a car, then whats so wrong with doing one car a day at 120 or even 150 a piece.


fair enough there may be those out there who are chancing their arm charging for something they havent much of a clue about but if someone has proved theyre capable of excellent work then of course they should charge for it (again taking pictures/creating a portfolio of work reinforces this)

people will pay for quality work. as some say, if you have to ask a price then its too expensive for you ;)
 

Graham

RMS Photographer
Messages
33,092
Location
By the sea
Drives
Press Cars
detailing is an anal, overpriced term for a self glorified valeter! IMO

and the materials, products, methods they use are slow therefore take stupidly long from what i have seen and heard compared to my valeting days, jesus even my KA was fit to win prizes in show & shine and it was given about 200 stage miles every weekend following rallies on roads a lot of ppl would cry at if they had to drive them lol
 

Graham

RMS Photographer
Messages
33,092
Location
By the sea
Drives
Press Cars
eg. deep scratch, how many "detailers" in here have taken wet & dry paper to a car till flatten it and buff back up?

prob very few as they use specialist scratch removers that take forever, and im saying no more in this thread as there is far too many valeting / detailing threads in here lol
 

Martyn

RMS Regular
Messages
4,415
eg. deep scratch, how many "detailers" in here have taken wet & dry paper to a car till flatten it and buff back up?

I have...(y) (y) (y)

And am quite happy doing...

Yes detailing is anal - but if you do a £200+ detail for a customer they must be exacting person who wont accept a £100 valet!;)

Its all about knowing what your customer expects and wants(y)
 

wingnut

New Member
Messages
11,644
Drives
S2 Coupe
How much would the Detailers charge for a straight buff? Buffed as in no other sheyt over it just simply deswirled? I'd feel wick paying someone else to slick my wheels or polish my windows.

How come there's no detailer word for "buffed" yet either? Suppose it could be 'PCed'.
 

Detail NI

RMS Regular
Messages
2,987
eg. deep scratch, how many "detailers" in here have taken wet & dry paper to a car till flatten it and buff back up?

prob very few as they use specialist scratch removers that take forever, and im saying no more in this thread as there is far too many valeting / detailing threads in here lol

I for one do it and I know for a fact ruth and pete do it. So whats your come back graham?
 

Martyn

RMS Regular
Messages
4,415
How much would the Detailers charge for a straight buff? Buffed as in no other sheyt over it just simply deswirled? I'd feel wick paying someone else to slick my wheels or polish my windows.

How come there's no detailer word for "buffed" yet either? Suppose it could be 'PCed'.


I'll buff your car... if its delivered clean - 3-5 hours - approx - £75

No final glaze or wax..... no problem - up to you...

However if its delivered dirty I'll refuse to touch it!(y)
 

wingnut

New Member
Messages
11,644
Drives
S2 Coupe
Whats the craic with the claying if you're going to buff it anyway?


There should be a Hearts & Minds style programme on TV where you get to ask a panel of detailers questions. I dont think you could find a TV studio sterile enough though.
 

PJS

RMS Regular
Messages
2,012
A clay bar removes embedded contaminants whereas a buffer and compound will only level them, leaving the remainder still in the paint.
You should get one (Bilt Hamber) and try it - you'll be amazed at the difference to paintwork that a claying session alone can make.
 

Amos

RMS Regular
Messages
5,138
Location
Field over to the left.....
Drives
What ever is in
eg. deep scratch, how many "detailers" in here have taken wet & dry paper to a car till flatten it and buff back up?

prob very few as they use specialist scratch removers that take forever, and im saying no more in this thread as there is far too many valeting / detailing threads in here lol

I own 2000 - 3000 papper and use it all the time..... The Detailer diference is I have a PDG (Paint Depth Gadge) I'll check the paint around the scratch 1st, then wet papper it out, then use special polishs and work my way down the grade till I get a FLAWLESS FINISH,and only really take 4-6 Microns off the paint...

The old valeter way, is to SPIT on the papper, rub about 20 microns of paint away, then hit it with a massive amount of G3 and a dirty Buff head.....

I'm not saying the Valeter way of removing the scratch won't work, but the paint will be in a bad way, and under Sun Light you will more than likely see more marks than to begin with. But they priced the Job at £50 and they need to hurry up to make the money that day..... This is not wrong as some people will look at there car when collected and say "Great Job".....

BUT FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO GO THAT EXTRA MILE WITH THERE SECOND BIGGEST PURCHASE IN LIFE, THERE IS ALWAYS DETAILING!!!!!
 

big_pete

RMS Regular
Messages
17,490
Location
Ballyclare
Drives
Soulless pos
exactly amos hit it perfect! Graham to even say that we use specialist scratch removers shows you have no idea what goes into a detail. I use wet and dry too just with a bit more care!

I invite anyone that doesnt believe that detailing is better to spend a day with me

If you dont have experience you dont have a balanced opinion
 

Amos

RMS Regular
Messages
5,138
Location
Field over to the left.....
Drives
What ever is in
BINGO, it is only called DETAILING cause we go into more DETAIL.... We do spend a bit more time, but we are only looking out for the Paint and the Car....

My other Halfs car has never been PAINT CORRECTED, but has seen a clay bar, and a bit of wax etc.... But it is 7 months old, And I will bet a large sum of money that the paint is alot better than that of someone who uses a sponge etc..... It has very light marks coming through, but sure 12 hours work and it will be BETTER than new.....

I do use fancy wash mits, etc but there £8, not £44566778878 as everone thinks DETAILING kit is mega money...... The Polish I use is £7.99 a bottle....... OH MY GOD THAT IS DEAR!!!!!!.... NO...

But because I take time, and spend a bit more on products it makes me ANAL...... But at least I know my cars are in Good Condition....

I like DETAILING, and it is a great hobby for me...... So if ya don't like it Halfords do have a 3 for 2 offer on Turtle wax, but spend £2 more and get the good STUFF......
 

Petem86

RMS Regular
Messages
3,426
Drives
'15 Golf R
why not just find a common ground and call everyone a "car cleaner"...its gettin old now. no-one will give in obviously so its pointless arguing about it! and we all have the various meanings and prices drummed into our fecking skulls so really...kiss and make up?
 

Petem86

RMS Regular
Messages
3,426
Drives
'15 Golf R
ill take that as a no then!...im off to clean my car! xx
 
Status
This is not open for further replies. We close very old threads, and if this is the case, please start a new one on the same topic.
Top