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Relearned a lesson today

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JPSmit

JPSmit

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My beloved is in Memphis so I thought I would surprise her by getting her car detailed. There is a shop across the street, I had met the owner in a night school course, figured it was a no brainer. Dropped it off yesterday. Picked it up today, drove it home, walked around it and drove it back. I have never had a car detailed before but was under the (apparently misguided)impression that detailing included things like cleaning the door jambs and hatch jambs and cleaning off the cleaning product overspray. To their credit they sent out a kid to fix it. Sadly, he was more concerned with telling me he hadn't been the one who did the car in the first place. (you know this kid - just look up sullen in the dictionary and you'll see his picture) After watching a half hearted display for 20 minutes I finally drove the car home and spent a good half hour finishing it myself. They didn't exactly do a bad job - Actually, they did a really good job cleaning some very dirty carpet and buffed the paint, but, it drives me crazy when work isn't done to a standard. It was an almost good job. :wall:

So, life lessons for $100 Alex.

(and of course it's going to rain)

Answer: "do it yourself."
 
Oh bother!!

Is there a part of "self-sufficient" you missed, JP?!?
 
DrEntropy said:
Oh bother!!

Is there a part of "self-sufficient" you missed, JP?!?
Click to expand...

I know, they just didn't teach detailing at Seminary (at least not that kind) - I just wish I didn't have to keep acquiring skills because I'm frustrated by quality of work of others.
 
Me Ol' Fella always said a degree is a good thing to have, but if you can work skillfully with your hands you'll never starve.

That's been both blessing and curse. I took that advice and *did* learn to work with my hands, and well. It leaves me disappointed in the level of workmanship of most others. Real craftsmanship is hard to find in most ANY endeavor today, IMO.

<shrug>
 
Sadly, detailing is probably the least understood corner of the automotive universe. Take three basic detailing products and ask 1000 car guys what they do and you'll get 1000 different sets of answers, 997 of them wrong.

It's not taught in schools. They almost never talk about it in car mags (and when they do they never go into any depth). It's a big mystery to practically everybody, including most guys who get paid to do it (like the guys you found).

Going into a shop and getting a "full detail" is like going to a restaurant to get a "meal." What's included? Whatever that particular shop feels like dishing up.

If you don't look at the menu you don't know what you're getting. A "meal" can mean multiple Michelin star winning courses or it could mean something in a bag with a toy.

The trick to picking a detailer or a cook is getting to know their work up close an personal.



pc.
 
pc - sounds like you have done this - any secrets you want to share, or, should we start a "detailing" thread so we can all learn? Different times I have seen this discussed, it has tended to be more about the products than the procedure. I suspect others than me would be interested to know.
 
My guy is a true artist. He and his brother have detailed cars for 30 years. At one time they did all the cars at the local Manheim auction. His brother is still there. By my estimation from what he's currently turning out, he's detailed over 100,000 cars in his carrer.

I can't tell you how many times I've dropped a car off with a resale price in my head, only to raise that price by another $500-$1000 once I've seen what i great job he did. The onlyt thing is, don't leave anything on or in the car if you want to keep it. He has ex-cons for employees and they "clean" cars out. Occationally I'll have to bring one back for a touch up when a con didn't do it right, but the best $70 you can spend on your car.
 
JPSmit said:
... - any secrets you want to share....
Click to expand...
Ever see the movie <span style="font-style: italic">Kung Fu Panda</span>?

(For those who haven't, Po, the main character, works in the family noodle business but dreams of being a great Kung Fu warrior.)

My favorite scene is when Po's father decides he's finally ready to learn the secret of the family noodles.

And the secret to the best noodles in the land is: "There is no secret."


When choosing a detailer the most important thing is perspective. Most people see "car washing" as manual labor. Detailing is hard work but when done well it's not just labor. It's a craft. It's about knowing the tools (chemical and mechanical) you have at your disposal, understanding how they interact with the surfaces on the car and having the skills to utilize them to their full potential.

Choose a detailer as you would any other skilled craftsperson, based on the quality of their work and commitment to customer service.

To learn to DIY, it's still the same as for any other craft. You start with the basics and build your understanding of and experience with the tools and techniques.



pc.
 
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