Anyone here A pro detailer / side gig?

[jng2985]

As it says.. Looking to get the car fully done ie. C bar/ buff and so on. Wondering if anyone on here does it daily or weekend side gig for extra $$.

[re-rx7]

I do. 5 step wash. 2 buckets, clay bar, compound/swirl removal, polish, wax.

[merlinmol]

I do. 5 step wash. 2 buckets, clay bar, compound/swirl removal, polish, wax.

This is what I do as well, nothing works better. This process takes a bit of time and patience though. You will want to tape off areas before you do the buffing.

[BLK2012GT]

Call Nick Champman (214) 205-1287

Tell him Jeff Curl sent you. He does awesome work. He is a little pricey but well worth it.

[re-rx7]

This is what I do as well, nothing works better. This process takes a bit of time and patience though. You will want to tape off areas before you do the buffing.
So true. I do it as a hobby. Takes the better part of a day. I can also apply a paint sealant. Kinda pricey at 55$ an ounce but gd stuff. Cquartz is the name. I've done 2 gtr's sum Shelby's and a handful of vettes.
I also use a dual oscillation buffer. Btw OP do you have swirls or defects of any kind?

[Capt_Pooty]

If your ever in Plano, Steve at Showroom FX is Ah MAZE ING he is at Cars and Coffe Plano every weekend in a Gun Metal Viper... A lot of people in the car community go to him..

[downtime!]

Another vote for Nick. I've never seen better work anywhere. He's worth whatever he's asking these days.

[DirtyD]

I can get you the contact info for the guy that runs www.thedetailerscafe.com forum. I've seen his work and it is absolutely outstanding. He does everything from classics to super cars (Astons, Ferraris, Lambos).

I know his first name is Jason. He can be reached at 817-320-6497.

[jng2985]

Badass thanks everyone, 18.5k with minor scrapes and what not..

[re-rx7]

Pm me if interested.

[Dan12GT]

I love doing it as a hobby for my car but it is a huge pain in the ass. Dual action polisher is the way to go to remove minor defects / swirls but it takes a LOT of time.

I for a short time used the 2 bucket method but no longer do that, I found something even better. 6-7 border-less microfiber towls and a bucket of soap. 1 towels per section (side, front, tops, etc) and discard it from your bucket, never reintroduce dirty towels, 2 bucket methods never fully get the item you were washing with completely clean again. And you used a LOT less water.

[re-rx7]

I love doing it as a hobby for my car but it is a huge pain in the ass. Dual action polisher is the way to go to remove minor defects / swirls but it takes a LOT of time.

I for a short time used the 2 bucket method but no longer do that, I found something even better. 6-7 border-less microfiber towls and a bucket of soap. 1 towels per section (side, front, tops, etc) and discard it from your bucket, never reintroduce dirty towels, 2 bucket methods never fully get the item you were washing with completely clean again. And you used a LOT less water.

There is also a grate for the bottom of a bucket you can buy that isolates the dirt at the bottom from the clean water up top.

[Dan12GT]

Ya that keeps the water cleaner but doesn't always completely get the sponge or towel/rag perfectly clean

[merlinmol]

If your ever in Plano, Steve at Showroom FX is Ah MAZE ING he is at Cars and Coffe Plano every weekend in a Gun Metal Viper... A lot of people in the car community go to him..

Steve is the only guy I will let detail my car besides me. Mike @ Whiteside has known him for years and he takes his cars there to detail as well.

[re-rx7]

Where did you end up going?

[Grandpa]

If your ever in Plano, Steve at Showroom FX is Ah MAZE ING he is at Cars and Coffe Plano every weekend in a Gun Metal Viper... A lot of people in the car community go to him..

That guy has been around forever. At first he was a Zaino guy, then Tropicare and now FX.


Nick Chapman is very talented. He's been to SEMA a few times being invited out to detail cars there. He worked on some very high dollar cars so he obviously knows what he is doing. I don't know if he still in the business or not though. The last I heard anything about him he re-injured his back again pretty seriously and wasn't able to detail. That was awhile ago though and hopefully has recovered.

[mustang1200]

Everyone always talks about detailing the outside to near perfection, but you don't hear much about detailing interiors. I would like my truck detailed, but with the focus to be on the interior.

[re-rx7]

Everyone always talks about detailing the outside to near perfection, but you don't hear much about detailing interiors. I would like my truck detailed, but with the focus to be on the interior.

Just a few tricks to get in the crevices then its straight forward.

[mustang1200]

Just a few tricks to get in the crevices then its straight forward.

I have tan interior. :( The floor mats need some work.

[03MachMe]

I finally got me a Porter cable so I will be doing mine at the end of summer most likely. Not sure if I will leave the stripes on or not..

[re-rx7]

For the leather be damn sure to use a ph neutral cleaner and a gd conditioner. For the money it's hard to beat lexal cleaner and conditioner. Plus it's widely available.

[Ear rak]

Out of curiosity, what does a full detail like this cost? I tried to keep my car as clean as I can but as a DD, it gets beat up driving to and from work through construction and is now beyond my capability.

[DirtyD]

Out of curiosity, what does a full detail like this cost? I tried to keep my car as clean as I can but as a DD, it gets beat up driving to and from work through construction and is now beyond my capability.

A good quality, multi-step detail will run $250-$300 starting out.

[Ear rak]

Thats more reasonable than I thought. I figured i'd get bent over just to have my car looks like new again.

[Toby]

I love doing it as a hobby for my car but it is a huge pain in the ass. Dual action polisher is the way to go to remove minor defects / swirls but it takes a LOT of time.

I for a short time used the 2 bucket method but no longer do that, I found something even better. 6-7 border-less microfiber towls and a bucket of soap. 1 towels per section (side, front, tops, etc) and discard it from your bucket, never reintroduce dirty towels, 2 bucket methods never fully get the item you were washing with completely clean again. And you used a LOT less water.

What do you do with those towels after a wash? Trash them? That is a very anal way of washing a car haha I bet that thing is shiny!! I just find the closest drive through wash and done.. Usually once a year I hit it with a clay bar and polish but that's about it..

[Dan12GT]

What do you do with those towels after a wash? Trash them? That is a very anal way of washing a car haha I bet that thing is shiny!! I just find the closest drive through wash and done.. Usually once a year I hit it with a clay bar and polish but that's about it..

I set them aside to be washed in the washing machine and reuse then next wash. Ya I'm super anal about keeping it clean. I usually wash once a week

[re-rx7]

I set them aside to be washed in the washing machine and reuse then next wash. Ya I'm super anal about keeping it clean. I usually wash once a week

That's an overly complicated way of washing your car. What you should really concern yourself with is drying. Alot of people over look this aspect. I wash mine on avg twice a week. Do not dry your microfiber. If I was you just buy a gd mit. I prefer Adams and wash as usual with the two bucket method. Also look into a nice paint sealant not just wax. Very helpful with black paint. Cquartz is the tits.

[saunupe1911]

It amazes me how many people neglect using sealants. Blackfire Wet Diamond is a game changer. That shit gives paint a layer of gloss and protection that no other product can deliver at this moment

[saunupe1911]

Dan, i wash my towels weekly as well. Microfiber towel is cheap, paint isn't. I never mix products and I use a special set of towels just for paint. I found out the hard way that all microfiber towel isn't made equal. Ironically, the $5 set of 5 from Walmart works the best besides my towel that came with the Blackfire Wet Diamond.

[re-rx7]

Dan, i wash my towels weekly as well. Microfiber towel is cheap, paint isn't. I never mix products and I use a special set of towels just for paint. I found out the hard way that all microfiber towel isn't made equal. Ironically, the $5 set of 5 from Walmart works the best besides my towel that came with the Blackfire Wet Diamond.

The best towels I have found so far are from Meguairs and they run about $10 a piece.

[re-rx7]

A good quality, multi-step detail will run $250-$300 starting out.

Damn. Thats pricey.

[Midnight11]

ive done my 11 and about to do my 13. if anyone wants it done ill do it cheap on a weekend. here are some pics
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss45/Bluedevil0408/IMG_0416.jpg (http://s560.photobucket.com/user/Bluedevil0408/media/IMG_0416.jpg.html)
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss45/Bluedevil0408/IMG_0421.jpg (http://s560.photobucket.com/user/Bluedevil0408/media/IMG_0421.jpg.html)
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss45/Bluedevil0408/IMG_0418.jpg (http://s560.photobucket.com/user/Bluedevil0408/media/IMG_0418.jpg.html)
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss45/Bluedevil0408/IMG_0411.jpg (http://s560.photobucket.com/user/Bluedevil0408/media/IMG_0411.jpg.html)
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss45/Bluedevil0408/IMG_0429.jpg (http://s560.photobucket.com/user/Bluedevil0408/media/IMG_0429.jpg.html)

[re-rx7]

More light for pics.

[Midnight11]

Lol okay let go find that car. Should be in the junkyard somewhere

[Doug1227]

I've been told by SEVERAL people that my paint looks like shit. I bough the car used with 8K miles on it and haven't had it detailed yet. (it now has 20k). I'd be willing to pay someone that knows what they're doing to take a look at it.... Nic, if you wanna check it out and give me a quote Saturday, that's cool.

[Midnight11]

Yea I can do that Doug

[Grandpa]

I've been told by SEVERAL people that my paint looks like shit. I bough the car used with 8K miles on it and haven't had it detailed yet. (it now has 20k). I'd be willing to pay someone that knows what they're doing to take a look at it.... Nic, if you wanna check it out and give me a quote Saturday, that's cool.

It's not just your car, Doug. Your car shows the most because it's black. Most new cars paint look terrible for what is suppose to be a new car. Of course there is the usual amount of orange peel that needs to be knocked off the top. Then there is the damage from the "detail guy" at the dealership who does about a couple dozen a day and really doesn't give a damn what damage he does. They always you some cheap glaze and a high speed putting a bunch of swirls in it, only to park it out in the sun to bake in the Texas heat. No bueno.

[blownaltered]

This is something I need done. My paint is a decade old, still looks good but it could use some tlc. Once I have my trunk smoothed and painted I will definitely need some lessons or help detailing the fox.

[Midnight11]

This is something I need done. My paint is a decade old, still looks good but it could use some tlc. Once I have my trunk smoothed and painted I will definitely need some lessons or help detailing the fox.

I can help you out

[re-rx7]

Depending on level of oxidation a tough compound should get it.

[garner]

Hmmm looks like I might be taking a trip up north eventually

[Doug1227]

Mine has the usual orange peel and swirl marks like a muther!

[downtime!]

I wash mine weekly in one of the drive through wash places on 377. Two solid years of doing this. No one here has more swirls than mine! LOL!

[Midnight11]

I wash mine weekly in one of the drive through wash places on 377. Two solid years of doing this. No one here has more swirls than mine! LOL!

i can get them out :D

[downtime!]

i can get them out :DWhen I get it back, we'll have to talk. Really wouldn't mind getting it done.

[Doug1227]

I do too... granted, it's one of the more "gentle" drive through washes with the flat long cloth pieces and the rubber finger spinning things to wash the sides. I don't have time to be handwashing my shit every week myself! LOL!

I wash mine weekly in one of the drive through wash places on 377. Two solid years of doing this. No one here has more swirls than mine! LOL!

[re-rx7]

i can get them out :D

What compound and buffer do you use?

[re-rx7]

For black I would recommend a gd hard sealant.

[Midnight11]

What compound and buffer do you use?

i have a porter cable and use wolfgang products

[downtime!]

I do too... granted, it's one of the more "gentle" drive through washes with the flat long cloth pieces and the rubber finger spinning things to wash the sides. I don't have time to be handwashing my shit every week myself! LOL!The one I use has the "beater" bristle round brush deals on it. Two of them actually. I've always been lazy when it comes to detailing. Hell, I bought the '05 nearly 2 months ago, and just washed it for the first time this past weekend.

[Grandpa]

I use a multi-speed Porter Cable as well. For anyone wanting to learn about detailing and/or products check out www.autogeek.com You can find any info you are looking for or could ever want to learn. :)

[re-rx7]

I have the megauirs buffer and love it! Wolfgang makes some gd stuff.

[Midnight11]

Yup happy with the Wolfgang stuff probably start my car Sunday

[re-rx7]

I will have some downtime during this week if anyone needs a detail. I got some new product im itching to try. I can clay bar, wax, polish what ever needs to be done.

[re-rx7]

Doing an Escalade and Gtr this week. Will take pics. Escalade is black and woman owned. Should be fun LOL.

[unit_three]

Doing an Escalade and Gtr this week. Will take pics. Escalade is black and woman owned. Should be fun LOL.

So how'd it turn out? I might be interested in a good detail.

[re-rx7]

Goddamn escalade looked like it had been buffed with woolite. Sheesh. The interior I passed on. It was to far gone and I do not have the ability to clean carpet. I did however treat her leather and was able to bring back the softness of it. If your leather is shiny it needs a gd cleaning. Especially the steering wheels in the stangs that are leather wrapped. I clean mine about once a month and it still looks new. The Gtr was spotless literally. Lol. Rinse and a spray wax and it was done.

[Dan12GT]

Mine has the usual orange peel and swirl marks like a muther!

Some dual action polishing will help that out.

[re-rx7]

Doing some paint correction on Deddreckoning's car within the next week. Severe oxidation we did a fender the other day and the paint came back to life! I was shocked as was he. Black 04 Gt, will post pics.

[DeddRekoning]

Terrible phone pics but you get the jist. Big thanks to Re-Rx7. Car looks 10x better man.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/Stangmaniac/20130925_221002_zpsef85bc0b.jpg (http://s78.photobucket.com/user/Stangmaniac/media/20130925_221002_zpsef85bc0b.jpg.html)
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/Stangmaniac/20131001_130314_zps00e34a09.jpg (http://s78.photobucket.com/user/Stangmaniac/media/20131001_130314_zps00e34a09.jpg.html)
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/Stangmaniac/20131002_170203_zps797c1fa7.jpg (http://s78.photobucket.com/user/Stangmaniac/media/20131002_170203_zps797c1fa7.jpg.html)
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/Stangmaniac/20131001_134858_zps6d554b41.jpg (http://s78.photobucket.com/user/Stangmaniac/media/20131001_134858_zps6d554b41.jpg.html)
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/Stangmaniac/20131002_170138_zpsbfbdee84.jpg (http://s78.photobucket.com/user/Stangmaniac/media/20131002_170138_zpsbfbdee84.jpg.html)

[re-rx7]

man that came out well!

[BERT]

So a brand new car, what needs to be done to it? I think it's nice and shiny but I want shinier lol


I figured it needs to be clayed bared to get whatever is on it from the dealership off. Took it through an auto wash in frisco last weekend and the water seems to bead up nicely so far.

re-rx7- Do you travel or would I have to come to you? Obviously I would be getting this done when i'm in the area visiting the gf

[re-rx7]

So a brand new car, what needs to be done to it? I think it's nice and shiny but I want shinier lol


I figured it needs to be clayed bared to get whatever is on it from the dealership off. Took it through an auto wash in frisco last weekend and the water seems to bead up nicely so far.

re-rx7- Do you travel or would I have to come to you? Obviously I would be getting this done when i'm in the area visiting the gf

I'd be more then happy to help you out! Water beading is a good indication of a gd coat of wax still on the car. HOwever, most cars are "abused" while on the lot. Quick rinses and dries scratch the surface, bird poop ect. Id have to see it to give any idea of what you could do or if you wanted me to do it. Clay bar is always a gd idea before a gd wax and polish especially with Winter approaching. I travel sometimes and as always I can do it at my apt complex garage. The mustang you see I did had severe oxidation and man it was a handful. With silver for depth I'd go with a gd Caranuba vs sealant (sealant) for depth.

How many miles on car? Where do you park it?

[BERT]

I'd be more then happy to help you out! Water beading is a good indication of a gd coat of wax still on the car. HOwever, most cars are "abused" while on the lot. Quick rinses and dries scratch the surface, bird poop ect. Id have to see it to give any idea of what you could do or if you wanted me to do it. Clay bar is always a gd idea before a gd wax and polish especially with Winter approaching. I travel sometimes and as always I can do it at my apt complex garage. The mustang you see I did had severe oxidation and man it was a handful. With silver for depth I'd go with a gd Caranuba vs sealant (sealant) for depth.

How many miles on car? Where do you park it?



about to turn 1,000 miles and it stays parked outside most of the time. Only time it's in a "garage" is when i'm at my gf's apt in Frisco and I park it in her parking garage.

[re-rx7]

Well with the winter coming i would suggest a good wax at min to keep it protected.

[BERT]

Well the next time I know I'm going to have some free time when I'm in town I'll get with you and see what your schedule is like

[re-rx7]

I will pm you.

[Dan12GT]

I'd like to offer my services as well to anybody looking for some paint treatment. I live in Roanoke and would be doing it out of my garage. PM me if you are interested and we can work it out.

[Midnight11]

man people are jumping in on my hustle... lol

[re-rx7]

To really do a gd job be sure to have a paint depth measuring tool.

[Dan12GT]

man people are jumping in on my hustle... lol

I can handle my side of the town then :)

[my95z28]

For you guys that only have time to run through the car wash, go through a touchless and then use something like TurtleWax wax as you dry. Make sure to get a lot of product on the car (usually 2-3 squirts per panel) and if your microfiber starts getting dirty swap it out. If the car is really dirty split the car horizontally and do the top 75% first, then the bottom 25% with lots of product. Just be smart about how dirty the car is, better to leave a little dirt on the car than rub it in, come back to it later when you can take care of it properly. I've been doing this for years and always had good looking dark cars and it only takes 30mins or so to do on the way home from work,

[jmurray87]

Anyone still doing this on the side? My car needs some attention badly. I live in a apartment so sadly the car sits outside all the time. My only way of washing it is at work (I work at a dealer) or when I go home to my parents. But the cars paint has a lot of swirls that have been there since I got it...lazy previous owner. If anyone is up for it I am in Fort Worth and willing to travel to get her taken care of one day. :)

[re-rx7]

I would but i have a few to do this next week and then a show to attend sat. HAve you thought about giving it a shot yourself?

[TwoQuack]

Steve Hughes of http://mirrorfinishautodetailing.com He can visit you onsite at your home or you can bring the car to him. Lovely man from Manchester England and consummate professional with expert knowledge on paint surface care. He does claying and wet-sand if needed.