Quick and easy process for an exterior detail?

[Accumulator]

So perhaps for my purposes, the clay bar-ing can be skipped? Which is actually another question I wanted to get to. If you compound, and then polish a car, aren't you just going to knock all those contaminants flat anyway? I mean they're not going to be gone, but they'll have to be flat... right? Which would still contribute to a better looking car than before.

One potential problem with skipping decontamination is that some of that stuff can get caught in the polisher's pad and cause new marring. I'd lean towards doing the Chemical Decontamination (e.g., VlauGard's "ABC" system, which is just a series of three washes) and let that be sufficient. And that's only when a decontamination is really necessary for what *you* are talking about.

Warning, Autopian Heresy follows: Ya know, we kept cars awfully nice before they came out with detailing clay

(Not hating on clay, I like/use/recommend it. But not for everybody every time.)

..
so many of the cars that I get, don't really shine up much, after just a good wash. You can tell they need more to really show that their paint is still good and not faded.

And that polishing that shines 'em up will also remove the worst of the marring = nice (enough) looking car without going overboard.

You seem to know this aspect quite well. That's all really important. You're basically giving the impression that - This right here, is a damn fine automobile. I mean just look at it. Look how clean it is. There are people out there in the world who take great care of their cars, and this one must have been owned by one of them! The other thoughts that might cross their minds is "Well this car just really hasn't seen much use comparatively..." or "Well it doesn't look like they had any kids..." stuff like that. All very good thoughts to convey.

You seem to have gotten my point exactly!

BTW, I had a small used-car dealership back in the day, and found that doing stuff to *my* satisfaction just wasn't necessary (nor a good use of resources).

And over the last 40 years or so it's been interesting to see what people do/don't compliment on my cars. The whole "it's just so clean!" thing seems to be the biggie.

Heh heh, an example related to the "no kids"/etc. - I sold my (metallic black/light gray) Yukon *daily dog-hauler* to a dealer I know after just washing it for a year or so (no "real detailing") and he simply pulled it into his showroom, did *zero* additional prep. Nothing. A couple showed up to buy a Land Rover, but bought the Yukon instead because "it was just like new" (he would've rather sold them the LR ). They called him back later to say how happy they are with it too, not like it ended up smelling "doggy" or anything.

 

[JustJesus]

...

Heh heh, an example related to the "no kids"/etc. - I sold my (metallic black/light gray) Yukon *daily dog-hauler* to a dealer I know after just washing it for a year or so (no "real detailing") and he simply pulled it into his showroom, did *zero* additional prep. Nothing. A couple showed up to buy a Land Rover, but bought the Yukon instead because "it was just like new" (he would've rather sold them the LR ). They called him back later to say how happy they are with it too, not like it ended up smelling "doggy" or anything.

Now *that* speaks to Accumulator's process/results. Perfect example, sir.


I wonder if I should just send the OP a sample of Malco's Cherry Wax (liquid) to try out on a just-washed car. More heresy follows: Wash a car, as clean as possible, but without being Autopian about it. Follow it up with Malco's, and see if he's happy with the results. Why Malco? Three reasons:
1) It's super cheap to buy
2) It's extremely user friendly, with easy on and easy off. (Haven't tried it on trim, and wouldn't suggest it at this time).
3) It does a bit to improve the looks (or shine) of your Average Joe's car.
4) My math is terrible, so I'm going with four instead of three
-- 4) It will last at least two weeks.
----- edit: two weeks of Sunny So Cal weather

 

[rlmccarty2000]

I would like to add my 2 cents. I think you could get away with, on 75 percent of cars brought to you to sell, 1. Wash, and I mean wash with a combo of APC (all purpose cleaner) and a decent car wash product (there are numerous) 2. An AOI. That's it. If the car looks too dirty to sell, just wash it again, this time use a car wash product with something to help add shine (ex. Carnuba). Trying to get your cars up to Autopian standards or even new car standards would kill your bottom line. Let the customer decide how they want their new car to look. 99 percent of car buyers just want good honest transportation. Now if you are selling High dollar collectible cars then that is a whole different ball of wax. Good luck and you are on the right forum!

 

[bennylava]

Now *that* speaks to Accumulator's process/results. Perfect example, sir.


I wonder if I should just send the OP a sample of Malco's Cherry Wax (liquid) to try out on a just-washed car. More heresy follows: Wash a car, as clean as possible, but without being Autopian about it. Follow it up with Malco's, and see if he's happy with the results. Why Malco? Three reasons:
1) It's super cheap to buy
2) It's extremely user friendly, with easy on and easy off. (Haven't tried it on trim, and wouldn't suggest it at this time).
3) It does a bit to improve the looks (or shine) of your Average Joe's car.
4) My math is terrible, so I'm going with four instead of three
-- 4) It will last at least two weeks.
----- edit: two weeks of Sunny So Cal weather

I would love that. You never know, just might turn out to be all I need. I really don't need a finish that is all that durable. If they have high standards with their car car (perhaps like some people around here) then they're probably going to take over with their own methods anyway. If they don't, then they're not going to care if that high shine is gone in a couple weeks. They'll just start washing it at the drive thru car wash when it gets dirty enough that it would be embarrassing not to wash it.

I would like to add my 2 cents. I think you could get away with, on 75 percent of cars brought to you to sell, 1. Wash, and I mean wash with a combo of APC (all purpose cleaner) and a decent car wash product (there are numerous) 2. An AOI. That's it. If the car looks too dirty to sell, just wash it again, this time use a car wash product with something to help add shine (ex. Carnuba). Trying to get your cars up to Autopian standards or even new car standards would kill your bottom line. Let the customer decide how they want their new car to look. 99 percent of car buyers just want good honest transportation. Now if you are selling High dollar collectible cars then that is a whole different ball of wax. Good luck and you are on the right forum!

Thanks! Yeah most people really are just wanting good reliable transportation. But if it shines, they jump on it like a dog on a bone. And I've been noticing that some of the older cars I've been getting, are just pretty lacking in the shine department. Such as this 01 accord I have now. It really sells a car, just like Accumulator was saying. They get this idea in their heads that it must be a great car. And when dealing with used cars, convincing the customer that this is a good car that is not going to crap out on them, is about 90% of your task. At least in my experience. They come to me wanting the car I have, but are very *very* concerned about its reliability. And rightly so. Something about a car that is real darn shiny and clean; it does that convincing for you.

 

[Stokdgs]

Wow, this thread keeps on going !! Love it !!!

Benny Lava -

You are flipping cars....

Just get some Meguiars D151 Paint Reconditioning Creme.. Here -- Meguiars Paint Reconditioning Cream D151

It will give you a reasonable cut and correction, and shine pretty darn good, leaving a little polymer wax on the top...
This takes 1 or more steps out of your Reconditioning process..

Once I had to do some big white vans for a roofing company that had stickers on them (that I had to remove) and had never been detailed in their lives..
I used this product on my Makita and they turned out beautiful, white, glossy, no swirls, holograms, clean inside, and they sold all 3 of them the very next day..

If you are all about production, then this or things like this is where you need to be looking at..

As you get more experience with the machine/s, you will make them look even better and you will be faster..
But you have to put your head down and do the work... Watch the work.... No distractions... Learn from each time you are out there...

You got this !!!
Good Luck !
Dan F

 

[glen e]

There is really nothing easier than the rapid flash fire post that Todd put up your a few years ago. Hundreds of us are using it over the Camaro and the vette sites… Because it's easy and doesn't require you to have a lot of detailing knowledge.

http://www.autopia.org/forums/black...t-hours-blackfire-rapid-fire-combination.html

And for a few hours work, you get this, which by the way, was done 3 months ago. This pic after a 20 min rinseless wash:

 

[RDKC]

Thanks! Yeah most people really are just wanting good reliable transportation. But if it shines, they jump on it like a dog on a bone. And I've been noticing that some of the older cars I've been getting, are just pretty lacking in the shine department. Such as this 01 accord I have now. It really sells a car, just like Accumulator was saying. They get this idea in their heads that it must be a great car. And when dealing with used cars, convincing the customer that this is a good car that is not going to crap out on them, is about 90% of your task. At least in my experience. The come to me wanting the car I have, but are very *very* concerned about its reliability. And rightly so. Something about a car that is real darn shiny and clean; it does that convincing for you.

1) It just looks better and, regardless of what they say, they'd prefer a better looking car over a rustbucket.
2) It makes it seem like a well taken care of car. When I sold my Escape I told the guy that bought it about all the problems, but he told me more than once that it looked like a very well taken care of car. It was, it just had problems, but his assumption was based solely off the fact that it was clean and shiny.

 

[Accumulator]

..[ a good detail].. makes it seem like a well taken care of car. When I sold my Escape I told the guy that bought it about all the problems, but he told me more than once that it looked like a very well taken care of car. It was, it just had problems, but his assumption was based solely off the fact that it was clean and shiny.

That sounds like my white Crown Vic, I kept warning the buyer that it had issues (that's why it was at our mechanic's shop in the first place) but he kept disregarding my warnings. After a while I just took his money (and he promptly had a major project on his hands).

 

[JustJesus]

... Just get some Meguiars D151 Paint Reconditioning Creme..

It will give you a reasonable cut and correction, and shine pretty darn good, leaving a little polymer wax on the top...

Dan F

Thanks for this. I always wondered about this product!

I would love that. You never know, just might turn out to be all I need.

PM (private message) me your address, and I'll get out a sample on monday/tuesday.

There is really nothing easier than the rapid flash fire post that Todd put up your a few years ago. Hundreds of us are using it over the Camaro and the vette sites… Because it's easy and doesn't require you to have a lot of detailing knowledge.

And for a few hours work, you get this, which by the way, was done 3 months ago. This pic after a 20 min rinseless wash:

Please don't take this the wrong way. That combo sounds pretty good (and fast) and I can see how it would work on Vettes, Ferraris (as on the other thread you linked), and a 2016 Camaro - but how effective would it be on a beater that is 10-15 years old? Not being a jerk, just wondering on how well it would work on a daily driver that is likely neglected (hence, why the OP is looking for advice here).

That sounds like my white Crown Vic, I kept warning the buyer that it had issues.. but he kept disregarding my warnings. After a while I just took his money.

Well, you *did* warn him! ^_^

 

[glen e]

On a beater i would swap the total polish and seal for a more stout polish like fg400 or meguires 105.

There is no "easy and quick" for a beater, the original question is flawed.

 

[bennylava]

On a beater i would swap the total polish and seal for a more stout polish like fg400 or meguires 105.

There is no "easy and quick" for a beater, the original question is flawed.

Well, you get the idea. Its more like "what is the quickest and easiest way"

Wow, this thread keeps on going !! Love it !!!

Benny Lava -

You are flipping cars....

Just get some Meguiars D151 Paint Reconditioning Creme.. Here -- Meguiars Paint Reconditioning Cream D151

It will give you a reasonable cut and correction, and shine pretty darn good, leaving a little polymer wax on the top...
This takes 1 or more steps out of your Reconditioning process..

You got this !!!
Good Luck !
Dan F

Thanks Dan! Would it be ok to throw some of that collinite wax on, after that D151? In case the shine doesn't come out quite well enough. Or if I get to thinking that it needs to be better. You said it has wax in the D151, so I don't know if they should be mixed.

 

[Stokdgs]

Well, you get the idea. Its more like "what is the quickest and easiest way"



Thanks Dan! Would it be ok to throw some of that collinite wax on, after that D151? In case the shine doesn't come out quite well enough. Or if I get to thinking that it needs to be better. You said it has wax in the D151, so I don't know if they should be mixed.

Bennylava -

Yes, you can put Collenite over Meguiars D151 and it will be fine...

Just look at the vehicle after you do a panel and see if this product is working like you want it to, and giving you the clarity and gloss you are aiming for....

This is what Production Shops might use, but if you want to go by a few places that do Production work, you will see all kinds of products that are designed to give you a quick, clear looking, shine that will be ok until they wash the car and all the fillers will come out and expose what was underneath that didnt get corrected properly..

Before you ask, I DO NOT know if Meguiars D151 Reconditioning Creme has fillers or not...
All I know is that with my Makita and even a L/Country White Foam pad, I can knock down some dirty paint pretty fast and leave a nice clear gloss with protection already built in it...

Whenever you finally decide where you want to spend your hard earned dinero from the bank, and your time, you will be ok...

I just know this stuff works great, it comes in all sizes, so you are not stuck with a gallon of it if you dont like it, but this product knocks out some correction and leaves a polymer protectant over it, saving you some time...

Good luck with your research !
Dan F

 

[bennylava]

So you're referring to this, right? Just checking since they decided to throw that extra "01" on the end of it.

LINK REMOVED

Meguiars Paint Reconditioning Cream D151