Detailing my SC
12-22-10, 04:02 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Detailing my SC
I've been planning to give my car a good detailing ever since I got it last year but never got around to it. Today I went and checked with a local shop and they want $250 for a full detailing which would include wash,wax, interior/exterior and buffing.
I decided it would be better to do it myself rather than pay a ridiculous amount of money, but my only concern is the buffing. I really want to buffer it so I can remove a lot of the imperfections, but i'm not sure how to do it.
Should I just buy a mechanical car buffer and some compound and apply it after I wash the car, then finish it off with a wax and clay bar?
Any other advice pertaining to detailing or recommended products would be great.
I decided it would be better to do it myself rather than pay a ridiculous amount of money, but my only concern is the buffing. I really want to buffer it so I can remove a lot of the imperfections, but i'm not sure how to do it.
Should I just buy a mechanical car buffer and some compound and apply it after I wash the car, then finish it off with a wax and clay bar?
Any other advice pertaining to detailing or recommended products would be great.
12-22-10, 04:11 PM
#2
You got the order wrong.....
Ideally, you want to:
1. wash
2. clay
3. polish (buff)
4. seal
5. wax (1-3 coats)
Honestly, if you want to use good products, it will cost you MUCH more than $250 to even gather up the supplies you need (for the exterior alone).. heck the rotary itself will cost you at least $200 for a decent one and a nice one like a Flex or Makita is $350+ and remember you still need to buy compound, sealant/wax (preferably both), clay, clay lube, masking tape, etc.... There is a reason detail jobs are not cheap... $250 is actually a good price if the detail is half decent.
Ideally, you want to:
1. wash
2. clay
3. polish (buff)
4. seal
5. wax (1-3 coats)
Honestly, if you want to use good products, it will cost you MUCH more than $250 to even gather up the supplies you need (for the exterior alone).. heck the rotary itself will cost you at least $200 for a decent one and a nice one like a Flex or Makita is $350+ and remember you still need to buy compound, sealant/wax (preferably both), clay, clay lube, masking tape, etc.... There is a reason detail jobs are not cheap... $250 is actually a good price if the detail is half decent.
12-22-10, 04:24 PM
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I already have quality wax, wash and polish, easily on par or better than what my local detail shop would use. As for the interior, I really don't need much done to it. The back seats are close to pristine since they have rarely ever been used, the front can use a little cleaning, but its also in very good condition as is.
My only concern is finding a quality buffer, I found this one on amazon and it has excellent reviews
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Tool-...3063215&sr=8-6
I really don't want to spend more than $150 and still get a decent detail, if possible.
What do you think?
My only concern is finding a quality buffer, I found this one on amazon and it has excellent reviews
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Tool-...3063215&sr=8-6
I really don't want to spend more than $150 and still get a decent detail, if possible.
What do you think?
12-22-10, 04:39 PM
#5
Here is the best detailing machine available for under $250.00:
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7...3064381&sr=1-1
No doubt, a dual action random orbital machine by Flex is the best, but these cost >$300.00.
I say spend the money once and do it yourself. Once you have a good buffer and the correct pads, you will save megabucks in the long run, doing it yourself.
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7...3064381&sr=1-1
No doubt, a dual action random orbital machine by Flex is the best, but these cost >$300.00.
I say spend the money once and do it yourself. Once you have a good buffer and the correct pads, you will save megabucks in the long run, doing it yourself.
Trending Topics
12-22-10, 07:51 PM
#9
+1 on the porter cable.... if I was gonna get a buffer on a budget, I would get that one without any doubt.
I HIGHLY recommend www.detailingbliss.com for all your detailing needs.
If you wanna get a cheap alternative to clay lube.... I seriously reccomend ONR (optimum No Rinse) with water mixture... What you do is buy a gallon of ONR and use a ratio of 1/2 OZ. ONR into a 32oz. sprayer bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with regular water. A gallon of ONR is only like $40 but it will last you for like 10+ years if you clay your car about twice per year. Much cheaper than buying one 32oz bottle of quick detailer in walmart for about $10. Another alternative to clay is Bilt Hamber, you use regular tap water as lube, but you can only get that stuff from England.
Some other stuff I would reccomend:
Collinite Wax 815 (easier to apply than 476) or 476 (harder to apply but last about twice as long)... I tried alot of waxes, this stuff cannot be beat for the money. Period.
Blackfire Wet-Diamond paint sealant.... really amazing stuff... can be used on paint and windows. I put this stuff on the glass and going 40mph+ the rain glides off like butter.... it's amazing.
I HIGHLY recommend www.detailingbliss.com for all your detailing needs.
If you wanna get a cheap alternative to clay lube.... I seriously reccomend ONR (optimum No Rinse) with water mixture... What you do is buy a gallon of ONR and use a ratio of 1/2 OZ. ONR into a 32oz. sprayer bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with regular water. A gallon of ONR is only like $40 but it will last you for like 10+ years if you clay your car about twice per year. Much cheaper than buying one 32oz bottle of quick detailer in walmart for about $10. Another alternative to clay is Bilt Hamber, you use regular tap water as lube, but you can only get that stuff from England.
Some other stuff I would reccomend:
Collinite Wax 815 (easier to apply than 476) or 476 (harder to apply but last about twice as long)... I tried alot of waxes, this stuff cannot be beat for the money. Period.
Blackfire Wet-Diamond paint sealant.... really amazing stuff... can be used on paint and windows. I put this stuff on the glass and going 40mph+ the rain glides off like butter.... it's amazing.
12-22-10, 07:52 PM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: florida
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You got the order wrong.....
Ideally, you want to:
1. wash
2. clay
3. polish (buff)
4. seal
5. wax (1-3 coats)
Honestly, if you want to use good products, it will cost you MUCH more than $250 to even gather up the supplies you need (for the exterior alone).. heck the rotary itself will cost you at least $200 for a decent one and a nice one like a Flex or Makita is $350+ and remember you still need to buy compound, sealant/wax (preferably both), clay, clay lube, masking tape, etc.... There is a reason detail jobs are not cheap... $250 is actually a good price if the detail is half decent.
Ideally, you want to:
1. wash
2. clay
3. polish (buff)
4. seal
5. wax (1-3 coats)
Honestly, if you want to use good products, it will cost you MUCH more than $250 to even gather up the supplies you need (for the exterior alone).. heck the rotary itself will cost you at least $200 for a decent one and a nice one like a Flex or Makita is $350+ and remember you still need to buy compound, sealant/wax (preferably both), clay, clay lube, masking tape, etc.... There is a reason detail jobs are not cheap... $250 is actually a good price if the detail is half decent.
12-22-10, 07:53 PM
#11
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: florida
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
and u can get a good buffer at your local harbor freight for about 20 bucks...i never cheap out on tools. but for a buffer idc at all it spins fast and in circles and is reliable? thats all i care about
12-22-10, 07:57 PM
#12
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NY
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You got the order wrong.....
Ideally, you want to:
1. wash
2. clay
3. polish (buff)
4. seal
5. wax (1-3 coats)
Honestly, if you want to use good products, it will cost you MUCH more than $250 to even gather up the supplies you need (for the exterior alone).. heck the rotary itself will cost you at least $200 for a decent one and a nice one like a Flex or Makita is $350+ and remember you still need to buy compound, sealant/wax (preferably both), clay, clay lube, masking tape, etc.... There is a reason detail jobs are not cheap... $250 is actually a good price if the detail is half decent.
Ideally, you want to:
1. wash
2. clay
3. polish (buff)
4. seal
5. wax (1-3 coats)
Honestly, if you want to use good products, it will cost you MUCH more than $250 to even gather up the supplies you need (for the exterior alone).. heck the rotary itself will cost you at least $200 for a decent one and a nice one like a Flex or Makita is $350+ and remember you still need to buy compound, sealant/wax (preferably both), clay, clay lube, masking tape, etc.... There is a reason detail jobs are not cheap... $250 is actually a good price if the detail is half decent.
hes right
12-22-10, 07:57 PM
#13
Good luck to you!
12-22-10, 08:29 PM
#15
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Alberta
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
+200 on profesional cleaning. You can do it yourself, and it turns out alright. having someone to do, who does it multiple times and knows exactly what their doing. O man, 100% worth it. I paid 300 to have my companies pontiac torrent detailed on the inside...best 300 bucks ever spent. The stains were removed, of all drywall, mudding stuff, etc. It seriously looked like I just picked it up off the lot from day 1. Well, except the outside 