Detailing - load of tosh

[d w124]

I remember a certain forum member who used to frequent the forum touting for work on a regular basis and then vanishing once he'd squeezed everything out of the forum he could saying that he sold his C32 for £3,000 MORE than it was worth because it was detailed (they were worth about £5-8k at the time) and when I observed that I'd be detailing a car a week, selling it on and making £150k a year cleaning cars he got defensive....

Hahahaha good old days

 

[d w124]

As much as I appreciate a cleaned car I really think that most detailers are thieves

Yes it's not a job for everyone especially for the like of me but the money some of them charge I would consider it as robbing in broad daylight

 

[Alex225]

As much as I appreciate a cleaned car I really think that most detailers are thieves



Yes it's not a job for everyone especially for the like of me but the money some of them charge I would consider it as robbing in broad daylight

I think with the popularity of detailing in recent years and it becoming a significant part of car culture, there is the opportunity for people to exploit that. I've seen a lot of supposed 'detailers' offering services and they're nothing more than valeters. Not that being a valeter is a bad thing at all but it is different.

That said I have a good friend who is a professional detailer, has been for a long time and I know there are people on here who've used his services. Not only is his work genuinely excellent, he hates the thought of anyone paying more than they want so will price up a job based on what people want. Also, he will usually do things you haven't asked for so you always get more from it than you anticipated.

 

[d w124]

That said I have a good friend who is a professional detailer, has been for a long time and I know there are people on here who've used his services. Not only is his work genuinely excellent, he hates the thought of anyone paying more than they want so will price up a job based on what people want. Also, he will usually do things you haven't asked for so you always get more from it than you anticipated.

So your friend isn't one of the thieves mentioned ^

 

[foxy52]

So this is the car after a weeks trip south to Loughborough to visit me old mum. Somewhere during the journey we used that carpark otherwise known as the M6 and had the pleasure of getting tucked in behind a gritter between J18 down to J16.





So...did i use the two bucket method or not? Not bloody likely. It went through the Tesco carwash like it always does.

On the subject of Detailers: Two weeks ago I was at the NEC Show and approached a detailer (from Stirling) on the subject of removing some of the orange peel from the paint (there's a disgraceful level of this on a 212). Cutting to the chase I was in Stirling last week on business so went along to his shop. A full cutback of the lacquer and re-polish to show standard for the full car...how much do you think?




£6000. THOUSAND!

I asked if this included the thrice distilled gnats-piss protection or some other snake-oil remedy. Fell on deaf ears that did

£6000. hahahahaha.




.

....yours looks like mine did after a round trip from Norfolk to Wembley the other night.. it was filthy !! by the time I was driving back about Newmarket way I had to stop to remove grit/muck from headlights as they were covered.. ...detailing then is great for a garaged,concourse car that doesn't see the light of day in winter.. but for every day all year round use my guess is its a pointless waste of a lot of Wonga .. foxy52

 

[Alex225]

So your friend isn't one of the thieves mentioned ^

Absolutely the opposite!

In fact half the reason we became friends is through another owners club and he offered to help me out with sorting some bits on my car. At that point I didn't know him but found out he was local.

Then again I think if he was one of the cowboys, he wouldn't have repeat business or such a good reputation.

 

[Mrhanky]

Well tomorrow my car desperately needs a clean after three weeks pounding around Worcestershire.

I will be glad of all the snake oil that's been applied to my car. As a pressure wash off and snow foam will see off the worst. Then a quick final wash and she will be sparkling.

That's about all I'm prepared to do in the winter. My neighbour keeps asking how I get it so clean do quickly. I keep explaining its snake oil and over priced products that do the trick but alas it fails to impress him.

 

[KeithJG]

The thing is Mrhanky....we can all be sarcastic so here is my not so much sarcastic but outlook on detailing...

I go to a good car wash i have found which cost me £7 for the top wash which includes doing underneath getting salt off the chassis and it finishes with a nice sort of wet dirt repellant which is also brushed on then dried.

Don`t know how difficult it was for the dirt to come off as all the brushes do the work and anyway why am i interested?

No circular swirls of scratches as the brushes go front to back.

I can sit in the car and enjoy the plush surroundings of the excellent proper leather interior which keeps me warm and dry, especially the shoes, and all with no effort at all.

When i get home the drive and pavement is all still nice and dry, so no mud gets trodden in, and the neighbour says......

"Wow, that was quick and it looks as good as mine and i am still using my very expensive snake oil and all the effort of washing and drying it has taken me quite a while and it will be dirty again tomorrow as it is black paintwork!....what car wash do you use as i will go there next time?"

The essence of my story is i can get on with better things to do while i am still on this planet being 68yrs......




.

 

[developer]

and anyway why am i interested?

That's the sentence that separates the two camps - right there ^^^

Everything else is just noise.

 

[Mrhanky]

The thing is Mrhanky....we can all be sarcastic so here is my not so much sarcastic but outlook on detailing...
.

I love you Keithy you never fail to not bite. I think when I'm as old as you I will probably punt for the car wash as well.

 

[merc85]

Detailing is just that, Does you local £7 guy clean the Bonnet hinges and catches out?

Then there are of course although not so much this time of year the dead flies tobe removed from the radiator fin's.

 

[KeithJG]

That's the sentence that separates the two camps - right there ^^^

Everything else is just noise.

So i suppose your`s is not noise...lol.....having to prove about detailing.

Don`t forget you ARE proving about detailing as the topic is "Detailing-load of tosh"

I don`t have to prove anything!

I love you Keithy you never fail to not bite. I think when I'm as old as you I will probably punt for the car wash as well.

No...you are wrong there i post to get you to answer and get up your nose.

After all in all my 52yrs of motoring i have probably polished more cars than you have had hot dinners, but it did not cost me as much as you guys.

Detailing is just that, Does you local £7 guy clean the Bonnet hinges and catches out?

Then there are of course although not so much this time of year the dead flies tobe removed from the radiator fin's.

My goodness Gav have you gone completely berserk with that old motor worrying if your bonnet hinges are dusty and flies in the radiator.

How on earth do they get there as it is always parked in the garage.....

Machines are meant to be used not looked at ,you will get more problems not using the thing corroded wires etc. that you cannot see.

Mind you at 19 to the gallon best place for it.....petrol just starting to go up in price ha! ha!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Something surprises me every day. Today I'm surprised just how agitated some people can be about other people cleaning their car really thoroughly, or not cleaning their car really thoroughly. Or how much money (or time) they do (or don't) spend on it. Bizarre.

 

[AMGeed]

Something surprises me every day. Today I'm surprised just how agitated some people can be about other people cleaning their car really thoroughly, or not cleaning their car really thoroughly. Or how much money (or time) they do (or don't) spend on it. Bizarre.

I agree.
There are also some very bitter people around too.
Enjoying the fact petrol prices are on the rise as well...............pathetic!

 

[KeithJG]

Well...i have to spread the goodwill at Christmas ...lol


And all you fools believe me.......


I`ve learnt being old ...only idiots surprise me about being surprised about others they don`t even know.

 

[developer]

So i suppose your`s is not noise...lol.....having to prove about detailing.

Don`t forget you ARE proving about detailing as the topic is "Detailing-load of tosh"

I don`t have to prove anything!

Said Mr C320CDI

er, hang on C320CDI Sport

no, that's not quite enough - I'll try C320CDI Sport V6

hmmm, just needs a bit more...

ah, got it - C320CDI Sport V6 7g

 

[merc85]

lol KG Petrol prices dont concern me, as if it did i wouldn't have bought it

It gets used nearly every weekend, And certainly doesnt take long to clean it because of all this "snake oil" which has been applied.

 

[merc85]

Well...i have to spread the goodwill at Christmas ...lol


And all you fools believe me.......


I`ve learnt being old ...only idiots surprise me about being surprised about others they don`t even know.

Merry Xmas Keith

 

[Rickyj1985]

This thread has made me think about the detailing I'm planning on getting my new car delivered in March. I'm glad the OP brought it up. Clearly cleaning a car properly (inc wheels off) is a lot of work and that will need to be paid for. I had already planned on not taking the dealer up on their offer (about £500 for an S Class) as it is generic, used dealer-branded OEM products, which is a red flag for me. I much prefer seeing what the exact product is, much like pills from the doctor that don't have Dr Smith's Flu Treatment on the box. I'm going for a specialist independent detailer who has a lot of excellent, genuine-looking reviews. He will clean and protect the finish and I'm fine if he calls it detailing - it is not just cleaning! Have folks here any paint or wheel protection products to recommend? This thread has also made me think about getting value for money. And I'm glad there are others who do so too, as well as the edge cases that have enough money to pick the most expensive quote every time (I don't and suspect never will though!) Not worth knocking the OP. I'm reading his intention to encourage us to be "buyer aware" with some material costs so we can assess the charge as being mostly labour for a better value assessment - not a bad thing IMO.

i would recommend autowerx detailing in telford he did my car

 

[Mrhanky]

Hehe Keithy your class and so predictable. However, that's what I love about you, your in a bubble of Keithyness only you understand.