Advice needed regarding detailing - Focaljet

**paul95se** · 05-07-2008, 12:58 PM

I would love to get my car professionally detailed this summer. The paint is still in great shape considering my Focus is a '00 and I want to keep it looking that way. There are some nice swirl marks and very light scratches that I know will come out. So, should I pay $200+ (don't know what a good detailing costs?) or take that money and buy a nice orbital buffer and some high quality waxes etc. I have been waxing my cars for years but it has always been done by hand so I have no experience using a buffer. How difficult is it to learn how to use a buffer well? My car is black so I don't have that going for me either. Also, anyone know of a nice combo kit that comes with the buffer and waxes anywhere online? I figured it would be nice to spend that money and have the equipment for years come as opposed to a one time deal.
Any opinions?

**02FOCUS720** · 05-07-2008, 02:26 PM

id say get yourself some good products and go at it!

I detail the heck out of my car by mself. i just cant see paying someone 200 or so bucks to do something i can do. my .02

**EuroAyres** · 05-07-2008, 05:50 PM

an orbital buffer is good for wax. You cannot do a good job polishing with one. You need a polisher for that which will cost 200ish bucks. I see you live in Detroit area,,if you ever need a good place to get a very good detail, etc. try Automark. Its a BMW body shop i work at and am sure we can hook it up with what you want for a good price.

**zetecgt** · 05-07-2008, 06:27 PM

Detailing is an art...not a scientific process.

dave.

**paul95se** · 05-08-2008, 09:28 PM

Alright. I'm convinced that with the help of Autopia, I'm going to do it myself. Anyone know of a good online retailer to get all of the supplies I would need. Also, any recommendations for some of the necessities to get me going.

**zetecgt** · 05-09-2008, 01:55 PM

www.optimumcarcare.com

and a good source is www.mobileworks.com

dave.

**paul95se** · 05-10-2008, 06:01 AM

Thanks Dave. I'll check those out.

**YNOT** · 05-12-2008, 12:11 PM

You sound like I used to be...I'd hate the swirls, but never concerned myself with more than just washing/waxing. Then something wonderful yet terrible happened...I bought my first 'BLACK' car. After the first 6-8 months I hated the swirls and haziness...so I started learning/researching auto detailing and now I'm a detailing nut. I still have much to learn and need more practice but after spending about $300-400.00 on a Porter Cable PC7424, a decent supply of Poorboy's swirl removers and waxes and a boatload of high-quality microfiber towels along with a number of other detailing products I'm able to properly maintain my rides and I'm always getting compliments on how 'shiny' they always are.

You can get amazing results with a little bit of practice, patience and time. Believe me...it's a ton of work but when you get done and can see the glass-like reflection in the paint, you'll be sold!

Check out these pics after a detailing on my two cars with a PC7424...

As you learn speed will increase, but I've got about 8 hours into each car with the process I use...washing, claybarring, washing again...then swirl removers and wax.

Good luck...I think you'll be happy with the end results with some time, patience and practice.

**paul95se** · 05-23-2008, 01:28 AM

Wow....those cars look damn nice.

05-07-2008, 12:58 PM	#1
paul95se Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 53	Advice needed regarding detailing I would love to get my car professionally detailed this summer. The paint is still in great shape considering my Focus is a '00 and I want to keep it looking that way. There are some nice swirl marks and very light scratches that I know will come out. So, should I pay $200+ (don't know what a good detailing costs?) or take that money and buy a nice orbital buffer and some high quality waxes etc. I have been waxing my cars for years but it has always been done by hand so I have no experience using a buffer. How difficult is it to learn how to use a buffer well? My car is black so I don't have that going for me either. Also, anyone know of a nice combo kit that comes with the buffer and waxes anywhere online? I figured it would be nice to spend that money and have the equipment for years come as opposed to a one time deal. Any opinions? __________________ 2000 Pitch Black Sony Edition Viva La Vulva

05-07-2008, 02:26 PM	#2
02FOCUS720 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Abingdon, MD Posts: 98	Re: Advice needed regarding detailing id say get yourself some good products and go at it! I detail the heck out of my car by mself. i just cant see paying someone 200 or so bucks to do something i can do. my .02 __________________ 2002 Liquid Grey ZX3 - 35% Tint - Debaged - 17x7 Black/Polished Lip Nakayama R8's ......more to come soon

05-07-2008, 05:50 PM	#3
EuroAyres Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,301	Re: Advice needed regarding detailing an orbital buffer is good for wax. You cannot do a good job polishing with one. You need a polisher for that which will cost 200ish bucks. I see you live in Detroit area,,if you ever need a good place to get a very good detail, etc. try Automark. Its a BMW body shop i work at and am sure we can hook it up with what you want for a good price. __________________ 03 Comp Orange SVTF

05-07-2008, 06:27 PM	#4
zetecgt EXTREME douche pickle! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: $@N @NT0N10, T3X@$ Posts: 7,027	Re: Advice needed regarding detailing Detailing is an art...not a scientific process. dave. __________________ Ford Owners Club of San Antonio Oh! Don't mind me. I'm just upping my post count..... x p Making people reply with "WTF" since 2004

05-08-2008, 09:28 PM	#5
paul95se Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 53	Re: Advice needed regarding detailing Alright. I'm convinced that with the help of Autopia, I'm going to do it myself. Anyone know of a good online retailer to get all of the supplies I would need. Also, any recommendations for some of the necessities to get me going. __________________ 2000 Pitch Black Sony Edition Viva La Vulva

05-09-2008, 01:55 PM	#6
zetecgt EXTREME douche pickle! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: $@N @NT0N10, T3X@$ Posts: 7,027	Re: Advice needed regarding detailing www.optimumcarcare.com and a good source is www.mobileworks.com dave. __________________ Ford Owners Club of San Antonio Oh! Don't mind me. I'm just upping my post count..... x p Making people reply with "WTF" since 2004

05-10-2008, 06:01 AM	#7
paul95se Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 53	Re: Advice needed regarding detailing Thanks Dave. I'll check those out. __________________ 2000 Pitch Black Sony Edition Viva La Vulva

05-12-2008, 12:11 PM	#8
YNOT Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,708	Re: Advice needed regarding detailing You sound like I used to be...I'd hate the swirls, but never concerned myself with more than just washing/waxing. Then something wonderful yet terrible happened...I bought my first 'BLACK' car. After the first 6-8 months I hated the swirls and haziness...so I started learning/researching auto detailing and now I'm a detailing nut. I still have much to learn and need more practice but after spending about $300-400.00 on a Porter Cable PC7424, a decent supply of Poorboy's swirl removers and waxes and a boatload of high-quality microfiber towels along with a number of other detailing products I'm able to properly maintain my rides and I'm always getting compliments on how 'shiny' they always are. You can get amazing results with a little bit of practice, patience and time. Believe me...it's a ton of work but when you get done and can see the glass-like reflection in the paint, you'll be sold! Check out these pics after a detailing on my two cars with a PC7424... As you learn speed will increase, but I've got about 8 hours into each car with the process I use...washing, claybarring, washing again...then swirl removers and wax. Good luck...I think you'll be happy with the end results with some time, patience and practice. __________________ tmooregraphics Horsepower For Your Business!

05-23-2008, 01:28 AM	#9
paul95se Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 53	Re: Advice needed regarding detailing Wow....those cars look damn nice. __________________ 2000 Pitch Black Sony Edition Viva La Vulva

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