Professional Detail - Worth It?

Professional Detail - Worth It?

Author
Discussion

bitchstewie

Original Poster:

50,767 posts

209 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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Very subjective title I know smile

I've spent way too long on Detailing World and whilst I've got a garage full of stuff I've never gone to the expense of an electric polisher nor have I got the will power or muscle power to spend several days trying to sort my (decent) paintwork out by hand so I'm chewing over various "one day detail" options.

Where I've always been a bit cynical is when you see the before and after photos as I know lighting and camera angles can indeed polish a turd.

Anyone here had their car detailed by a pro and if so how night and day was the result please? Money well spent?

I'm in the Midlands so if anyone wants to suggest somewhere please feel free smile

pmanson

13,374 posts

252 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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Yes. I had my XF done last year. Mainly to focus on some very bad marring from removing bird poo etching (required wet sanding).

I was very pleased with the result. The car is much easier to keep clean due to the protection and has a good depth of colour.

I used Adam at http://refineddetails.co.uk

Highly recommended

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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I would say it is, get the detailer to sort the paint out for swirls etc and ask for a ceramic sealant to be applied, that makes for a good looking car that will be easy for you to maintain - wash (carefully!) and a bit of quick detailer of some sort and you're done.

Edited by Crafty_ on Sunday 26th February 22:22

PoleDriver

28,614 posts

193 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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I had a flip-paint MG-ZTT 260 and a Cerbera done.
They always looked quite good with my regime of cleaning and polishing but after being detailed they were an order of magnitude shinier with a much better depth of colour.
Well worth the investment IMHO!

MuscleSaloon

1,541 posts

174 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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I'm in a similar position to the OP with one of my cars which is nearly new and seldom used. I can be pretty OCD and ideally I would like to take 2 or 3 days out to do it myself, but I've been thinking of getting a detailer I know of to do it before the summer. Looking at around £300. I don't mind paying but a bit apprehensive about thinking I could have done better myself afterwards. Guess its best show him the car first and have a chat and then see where we go from there.

benjijames28

1,702 posts

91 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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Depends what your car is worth to you.

A decent job will be between 3 and 6 hundred. I was thinking of getting my Audi done, and a sealant applied.

I've used www.cleandetail.co.uk in Doncaster to decontaminate the inside of my car when I got it. They are top class people.

Yipper

5,964 posts

89 months

Sunday 26th February 2017
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Yes, it is worth it. You get completely clean, scratch-free and protected paintwork that maximises shine and minimises defects.

But... and it is a big but... it is only worth it if you care for the paintwork *after* the detail.

No point in spending £100-1500 on a pro detail, only to take it through a machine or hand wash and take it back to swirl city within a week or two.

No ceramic intergalactic wax sealant coating thingy will stop swirls and scratches caused by bad washing (despite what marketers and fanboys claim). They can delay them for a short period, but not stop them. If you don't wash it properly post-detail, the paintwork problems will return.

Alex_225

6,233 posts

200 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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As said, the first thing to consider is if you're going to keep up the work done by washing it yourself as safely as possible.

A good professional detailer will leave your car looking it's absolute best and depending on what you choose, very well protected. If you opt for one of the many coatings available the protection they apply will literally last years.

I'd also advise finding recommendations and checking out their work. Detailing is a real buzz word at the moment and there are a lot of people who would claim to detail a car but actually aren't all that great.

bitchstewie

Original Poster:

50,767 posts

209 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Thanks all, as said I have a garage of products and do all the sensible stuff already, 2 buckets, top quality mitts/cloths etc.

It's mainly about how to "kick start" the process by getting the finish sorted once.

Alex_225

6,233 posts

200 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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I know what you mean mate. You want a decent base to start you off and maintain it from there.

I'll be booking my CLS in for a new coating to be applied as that's how I tend to prefer it. Coated and I just top up from there.

On my other cars I actually bit the bullet and machine polished them myself, sealed and waxed. Still look great 6 months later. Could be worth going for a dual action polisher and getting the finish how you want it before and continuing from there. smile

Summit_Detailing

1,874 posts

192 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Absolutely...although I may be a little biased.

A detail can bring back to life a used car no matter its age.
It's also an excellent option for new cars if we are talking about paint 'coatings' as opposed to the old school pot of wax - proper long term protection applied from the start - also makes future washing a very efficient process, giving you more time to get out there and drive or spend time with the wife.

cheers

Chris

Winky151

1,267 posts

140 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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Had my VXR8 done when I bought it & now keep on top of it myself.

http://s623.photobucket.com/user/mwinkworth/librar...

Alex_225

6,233 posts

200 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Summit_Detailing said:
It's also an excellent option for new cars if we are talking about paint 'coatings' as opposed to the old school pot of wax - proper long term protection applied from the start...
I'm probably right in saying that you're not referring to the naff dealer protection they try and shove on people for £300+ but a properly applied, properly prepped coating that will genuinely last years. smile


AndrewCrown

2,280 posts

113 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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B

I think its worth it too... My first bit of advice is to choose the valeting company very carefully. Its a tricky business, lots of cowboys out there who will do an average job or even make your paint job worse. Try the Check a Trade type websites.. and really read the reviews..

My chap spent quite a bit of time prepping my cars the first time round... getting a good base level of finish then in subsequent visits he built on that... so the cars just get better and better. He's using some kind of ceramic polish now.. see below. I could never get the bonet looking like that.


If you're going to go down this route I would suggest investing in a longer term plan... monthly or 6 weekly... The first one might be pricey but after that you can negotiate a maintenance price. Mobile is good...my chap comes to the house... which is really convenient but you can also keep an eye on things..

Winky151

1,267 posts

140 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
quotequote all
AndrewCrown said:
B
My first bit of advice is to choose the valeting company very carefully.
Valeting is not detailing.

Summit_Detailing

1,874 posts

192 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
quotequote all
Alex_225 said:
I'm probably right in saying that you're not referring to the naff dealer protection they try and shove on people for £300+ but a properly applied, properly prepped coating that will genuinely last years. smile
Sorry, yes you are of course correct.

cheers

Chris

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Paddy_N_Murphy said:
I'd like mine doing - but practicalities of dropping it off in places or timing or weather keeps it form happening. Anyone in North Yorkshire want to come and do it?
try James @ Remyroc http://www.remyrocdetailing.co.uk he's over in Lancashire but may well travel over to you, worth an ask anyway

Facebook page has lots of his work : https://www.facebook.com/RemyrocDetailing


Alex_225

6,233 posts

200 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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Summit_Detailing said:
Sorry, yes you are of course correct.

cheers

Chris
Thought so, didn't want you discredited as I know there is rightly some scepticism regarding dealer applied coatings. Some of the modern coatings are genuinely incredible though in their longevity and toughness, when applied professionally.

Interestingly I had some dealings with the dealer applied coatings although I didn't pay for it. My long term partner at the time and I both ordered new cars at the same time and as part of the deal they offered to apply G3 Glasscoat to both cars, I declined the offer as I preferred to detail the cars and protect them myself.

Jump forward a few months and my partners car is ready to be collected and guess what, they'd coated it. Well didn't cost us anything so I just kept and eye on it. Beading died down after about three months and I ended up detailing it myself.

That said the dealership threw in the G3 coating for me to apply myself should I wish when I picked up my car. The instructions were interesting to read. The car had to be completely contaminant free, so I'm guessing de-ironed and potentially clayed. The entire car needed to be panel wiped as well to make sure there was no grease/silicons that may affect the coating. The product then had to be applied in a cool, indoor area out of direct sunlight and left to cure for X amount of time.

The instructions were extremely specific and only then would they guarantee it would last 3 years. Now excuse my cynicism but I really don't see the average dealership valeter doing more than washing the car and drying with a grubby old chamois, slapping this product on and simply buffing it off after ten minutes!

I may be wrong but I doubt they are given the time or have the inclination to lavish a days work on a vehicle.

By contrast a pro-detailer would do all of the above and more I suspect, then apply the coating which will last years! smile


scratcher_

127 posts

89 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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You're right, I've been to dealerships to prepare new cars a number of times and seen first hand.
They don't have the time, knowledge and usually the facilities to apply a coating and let it cure in the correct manor.

A pro detailer will (should be anyway)
Fully decontaminate the paint work, wheels, glass, etc.
Prepare the paint to an acceptable level - be that through various machine polishing stages.
Prepare the fresh paint for coating - panel wipe, coating primer depending on the coating.
Ceramic coating.
Curing time - warm, dry, allowed to sit for the required time.

It is very subjective but with a professional service you're paying for the time and knowledge.
A lot of people don't have a few days to spend cleaning their car of wouldn't really know where to start and end up with a lot of products they wouldn't need.
Or if you'd like the car treated to a very high standard for you to maintain and enjoy, then it's 100% worth it.

JNW1

7,707 posts

193 months

Saturday 4th March 2017
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Paddy_N_Murphy said:
I'd like mine doing - but practicalities of dropping it off in places or timing or weather keeps it form happening. Anyone in North Yorkshire want to come and do it?
I've been thinking about having my car done and am also North Yorkshire based; the people below are both relatively local so anyone on here used them and able to offer an opinion on the service they provide?

http://reepgroup.co.uk

http://www.gtperformancedetail.co.uk