EXTREME detailing- Rocky Mountain Style

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scottybob1

New member
After many years of poor body posture / mechanics from working on my cars, trucks, boat, and just about everything else around the house, my back has finally started to let me know that it doesn't like the constant bending, etc.. So, in order to help relieve the problem, I'm interested if any of you have tried any of the pneumatic detailing stools like the pic from Griots. I've been trying to improve my body posture during detailing, but you know how it goes,,,,,its tuff to teach an old dog new tricks. ;)

Good thing my garage doesn't fall under the OSHA ergonomic standard....lol. Please, any feedback or suggestions you may have on different types of stools, or your opinion on if they are any good, worth the money, would be very, very helpful. As always, thanks in advance.

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I use one when I'm working with 3M FI2 or some other product that will keep me in one spot for a while. I've got an old comercial office step stool that has wheels and ends up being just about the right height. I've thought about getting one of the pnuematic stools like you show, but have chosen to spend the money on other stuff for now. I'll try to post a phot of mine in a couple of days. Just got done refinishing it. Also made a small tool creeper that I can pull around with me.
 
Griot's had some pretty cool stools on their site. I just use kneepads with the plastic guards for when I'm working down low. I just slide around on 'em.
 
beau -- you know, you are openning yourself up to some good ribbing by telling us you go around with knee pads on ;) :)

Re: wheeled stools. I bought one of these. If you go on the net there are MANY models. There are even models with a drawer and a shelf under the drawer. There is a model with a swing out shelf.

I bought a simple one from Griot's before I knew of the fancy ones. It's <em class='bbc'>great[/i]. I would not be without it. Buy one!

Now, if I am working in my driveway, which is narrow, the wheeled stool does not work, because there is grass on each side of this narrow drive way the the stools wheels don't work well on grass. So, I bought an Ames Lawn Buddy for about $28 -- it's now on sale at Home Deport for $19.95 (!). It has big, fat wheels, so it does fine in dirt and on grass.

These aides last a long time and are well worth the money.
 
Since I'm wasting my Sunday evening, do you have any dynamic GIF's of a really cool step ladder. I'm tall, but Navigators, minivans, and Expeditions give me all I want. Just wondering.
 
SteveL - does that step stool roll around on wheels, until you step on it, then the wheels retract? Where did you buy it. Thanks in advance.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Cybercowboy [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Since I'm wasting my Sunday evening, do you have any dynamic GIF's of a really cool step ladder. I'm tall, but Navigators, minivans, and Expeditions give me all I want. Just wondering. [/b]</blockquote>

Here ya go:

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from Griot's Garage for $140.

<em class='bbc'>THIS GERMAN MADE PLATFORM PROVIDES YOU WITH A SAFE & STABLE HEIGHT IN ALL WORKING SITUATIONS

Finding it hard to wax the top of your car or SUV? How about loading all of your gear on the top of the Suburban? Want a stable platform to do just about anything safely? In times like these I grab this German made, 18 1/2" high, sturdy platform. Made of strong, lightweight aluminum, this platform can support up to 330 pounds yet weighs only 16 1/2 pounds. The legs fold out and lock into place with two very secure swing-style levers painted in "high visibility" red. The large 12" wide by 40" long, non-skid surface gives you plenty of room to move around on. This platform increases your reach in a totally stable and safe manner. So versatile you can even use it on steps! When you're done, simply fold up the legs and store it in a closet or cabinet. Closed dimensions are 16" x 40 1/2" by 7" thick. A wonderful item no garage or detail maniac should be without. Made for you in Germany. Add $10.00 to normal shipping charges.[/i]

P/N 91544
 
We had a pretty warm November here in Utah, not much in the way of snow either. Well a cold front came in and they are predicting snow through Tuesday so I guess winter's here now.
Detailing here can be dicey sometimes because of our weather. And winters are long and lonely. I still try to work whenever the conditions allow, even in the dead of winter. Today was one of those days.....
6am wakeup...check the outside temp...-4 degrees(yes that's a minus sign there, as in below zero). Ahhhh, a beautiful day to do a detail outside. I had a full detail on a minivan scheduled and with snow on the way I wanted to get it in as I won't be able to do it next week. So I arrived at their place about 11am.....a balmy 24 degrees by now. No matter as long as the sun is out I'm good. The owner says, " man you're a glutton for punishment!" and I smile and say,"I surely appreciate your business and want to get you ready before the storms come in".

It's just a minivan, so no pics neccesary. I have become pretty good at these cold weather jobs so I thought I would list of few tips for people that might want to squeeze a detail in this winter. So all you guys in Fla. that only have to worry about alligators in your pools, this may not be helpful, sorry.

Try to work from about 11am-3pm. This is the warmest part of the day. Sun makes a huge difference, I can work better with 20 degrees and sun than 35 degrees and clouds. The sun warms the metal on the car above the outside temp so you can wash it without icing. I keep 1 side of the vehicle to the sun, wash it and turn the vehicle and wash the other side in the sun as well. Then I dry the sunny side, spin the car and after dry the other side. A trick here is to wash it somewhere first, then back it up to a fresh spot to complete the detail. This keeps you from slipping on the ice rink you just made from washing. Make sure to back it up enough... as today I backed it up and got out and fell right on my ass because I stopped a little short and was still on the ice!

For the interior I try to position the car so that the sun shines in when the doors are open. I do the interior first, using the VX5000 steamer on these days is key. There is very little moisture left after this compared to my extractor. After the inside is done I start the car and run the heater full blast, crack one back window a little to help vent the moisture. I then do the exterior, usually a 1 step like Klasse AIO. No major paint corrections at this temp! By the time I'm finishing the outside, the inside is dry.

Also forget your aerosols on these days as the cold makes them just spit. I have a trigger sprayer for my glass cleaner just for this. I also open my tool box with that side of my truck facing the sun so the sun keeps all my products warmer than if they are on the shady side. It actually helps more than you'd think. Make sure to drain all your hoses etc. and you may need to bring any wet brushes inside to dry properly.

Anyway, there you go, next time you think it's too cold to detail remember you just need to get EXTREME!
 
I'm pretty comfortable down to about 32 degrees and sunny. As you stated, the sun warms the paint and makes it a little nicer for detailing.

Way to represent the Detailing Community! Even winter can't stop us!!!:clap:
 
Great post!! Thanks for the tips - I have not had to do one outside that cold - YET - but I hope to be doing some soon.
I know what you mean about the timing - around here, its dark by 400pm now, so between 11 - 3 is absolutely the only time to possibly get water from a hose, if you are not bringing your own, right ??
Laughed out loud when you said you fell on the ice -sorry that had to hurt. :(
I told a guy from the Comcast Call Center in Utah about you today, I hope he calls you sometime and gives you some business.

Take care out there, geez, a minivan !! I have only done a like 3 that were totally trashed inside and out, so, doesnt that like mean its worth like - 6 trashed cars ?? :)

I dont have a Steamer, but would love to invest in one, someday. I have the Mytee M60 extractor, which is a really great unit, but this time of year, its hard to get the moisture to dry quick enough so the steamer would certainly be a huge advantage.. Tell me when you have time, where you got yours and how you like it, ok ?

Thanks again for all your time and help. I have been to Utah a few times in a former life, and man it is cold in the winter!! But Park City is a really cool place to visit anytime of the year too!

Dan F
 
I use the same tips and tricks during the winter months. Even when it's cold, I'd still rather work outside! My wife calls me a "fresh-air-FIEND"!

I try to keep my driveway as dry as possible, so I usually do my ONR wash at the curb of the street, where there's ice anyway! Then put the car back in the driveway to do the "dry" work.

Here's a good "true" story:

Every year, at least twice, I slip and fall on my own self-made ice! My neighbor, directly across the street likes to stand at his door and watch me work (and fall).

His famous line, directly after the crash:

"There's never a video camera around when you need one!"
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:rofl:

Thanks, Jon, for asking me if I'm all right!!!!:banghead:
 
Stokdgs said:
Laughed out loud when you said you fell on the ice -sorry that had to hurt. :(
I told a guy from the Comcast Call Center in Utah about you today, I hope he calls you sometime and gives you some business

I dont have a Steamer, but would love to invest in one, someday. Tell me when you have time, where you got yours and how you like it, ok ?

Dan F
Click to expand...

Dan,
don't worry about laughing at my expense. People falling is just funny!! Thanks for the referral, I appreciate it!!

As for the steamer there I already posted a thread with all the info : http://truthindetailing.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=1182&highlight=vx5000+steamer.

These are great machines and I find new uses for it all the time. I absolutely love it. For cleaning nooks and crannies, dash vents etc. nothing even comes close. Plus I would never attempted headliners before with my extractor but now I can do a great job without worries about sagging.
 
Luster said:
I use the same tips and tricks during the winter months. Even when it's cold, I'd still rather work outside! My wife calls me a "fresh-air-FIEND"!
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:iagree: I'm with you Bill, I was thinking while buffing that van that I'd rather be right there doing that than in a warm office anyday. Now if I could figure out a way to detail outside in the pouring rain.....:biggrin:
 
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