Discussion
belleair302 said:
Why Zymol? Many people today think that mixing products gives a better overall result than just sticking with one brand name. Just curious!
Its my first take on this whole detailing things... I figured I'd start off somewhere, and so I started off with one brand... As time goes along perhaps I'll start chopping and changing brands too... Oh, and the fact I got a good deal on the stuff too...
The whole detailing world is so full of peoples opinions that its hard to know where to begin. However so long as you use a washmitt, a decent brand of shampoo, some clay plus lubricant, a good polish, some rich carnauba wax, a couple of microfibre towels and some decent wheel polishes and interior cleansers / leather conditioners you will have fun.
Have a look at www.detailingworld.co.uk for some good deals on some more specialised products and post a photo on here when done.
Have a look at www.detailingworld.co.uk for some good deals on some more specialised products and post a photo on here when done.
runnersp said:
belleair302 said:
Why Zymol? Many people today think that mixing products gives a better overall result than just sticking with one brand name. Just curious!
Its my first take on this whole detailing things... I figured I'd start off somewhere, and so I started off with one brand... As time goes along perhaps I'll start chopping and changing brands too... Oh, and the fact I got a good deal on the stuff too...
All I'll say is make sure you put in the prep and you'll get good results. Kind of stating the obvious I know, and it also sounds a bit patronising so I apologize, but you do see quite a few people moaning about results vs. expectations as they're basically slapping good wax/polish onto a car that's swirled to hell etc.
I use Zymol as well, from start to finish, inside/out never felt the need to look elsewhere. Am very pleased with the results so not been inclined to try other products. To me the cars come up shiny enough, to my dodgy eyes shiny is shiny. But yes, prep is the key HD cleanse is very good.
there is a company at Brands Hatch selling all this off cheap
www.zdouk.com/
www.zdouk.com/
Edited by andyuk911 on Thursday 10th May 18:57
Detailing takes skill to do well, especially the correction stage. A pro could do a better job with a £15 last stage product than any amateur with Zymol Vintage or Swissol BOS.
Most amateurs would be better off investing their money in other cheaper brands, allowing them to build up a more complete repertoire of kit and perhaps some form of correction device (PC etc).
That said, Zymol do produce some very good products and on a properly prepped car (not just HD cleansed but the full correction) it can look great, as can many other brands.
Most amateurs would be better off investing their money in other cheaper brands, allowing them to build up a more complete repertoire of kit and perhaps some form of correction device (PC etc).
That said, Zymol do produce some very good products and on a properly prepped car (not just HD cleansed but the full correction) it can look great, as can many other brands.
I dont know, does detailing (cleaning cars) take skill? OK, removing swirls and light scratches takes patience, dont want to burn through but I don't remember a cloth coming with instructions 
Flat and polish, de-nibbing takes care and patience not skill. IMO of course.
ETA - I think a lot of blx has been created around the detailing world to allow deatilers to add value and charge more money to make a living which is fair enough
Flat and polish, de-nibbing takes care and patience not skill. IMO of course. ETA - I think a lot of blx has been created around the detailing world to allow deatilers to add value and charge more money to make a living which is fair enough
Edited by m3evo2 on Thursday 10th May 21:11
I'd say it takes skill to do do well, I know this because I see people who are far better than I. Yes most of the process is just using good practice but certain aspects (especially the correction) definitely take skill.
Also many people are adverse to the term 'Detailing', 'cleaning your car' is something your mother does, the word 'Valeting' is not used to separate detailers from the usual cowboys that do more harm than good to your paintwork.
Also many people are adverse to the term 'Detailing', 'cleaning your car' is something your mother does, the word 'Valeting' is not used to separate detailers from the usual cowboys that do more harm than good to your paintwork.
Fair enough, I suppose it's how you define skill. I would say you need skill to be a pilot or brain surgeon, paint correction requires experience and a knowledge (which I guess you could call skill) in knowing what product does what and when to use it. I'm not saying it's easy dont get me wrong, it takes practice as with most things when you want to get good at them but it's not like you need a degree or qualifications. It is just glorified car cleaning though but with an attention for detail and a search for perfection which differs from the average Sunday morning car wash. I pinched some unwanted body panels from a bodyshop in different colours to experiment on, put some swirls in, polished them out, put some scracthes in, polished them out, let the birds poop on them, cut it back, polish it out, good way of learning unless you have a turd that needs polishing of course 
m3evo2 said:
1. Fair enough, I suppose it's how you define skill. I would say you need skill to be a pilot or brain surgeon
2. I'm not saying it's easy dont get me wrong, it takes practice as with most things when you want to get good at them but it's not like you need a degree or qualifications.
3. It is just glorified car cleaning though but with an attention for detail and a search for perfection which differs from the average Sunday morning car wash.
4. I pinched some unwanted body panels from a bodyshop in different colours to experiment on, put some swirls in, polished them out, put some scracthes in, polished them out, let the birds poop on them, cut it back, polish it out, good way of learning unless you have a turd that needs polishing of course
1. Bit of a stereotypical answer there (although the pilot one could be argued!). I'm not a detailing expert, I only get chance to practice a few times a year but I do appreciate it as a skill as I also appreciate other lines of work/hobbies requiring skill.
2. Neither do football/tennis/Rugby players etc But some people develop better skills than others
3. LOL says the guy who only uses Zymol! But yeah I couldn't agree more, no-one will disagree
4. It's good to practice on panels I agree; but when you're time constrained, working on thin paint on a £150k car it takes good technique/skill and confidence in your ability to get the required finish
P.S I do think it's something most people could do well with dedication and practice. My original point was that many people think that merely buying all Zymol products will give them the best possible finish on their car.
Edited by David H on Thursday 10th May 22:51
David H said:
m3evo2 said:
1. Fair enough, I suppose it's how you define skill. I would say you need skill to be a pilot or brain surgeon
2. I'm not saying it's easy dont get me wrong, it takes practice as with most things when you want to get good at them but it's not like you need a degree or qualifications.
3. It is just glorified car cleaning though but with an attention for detail and a search for perfection which differs from the average Sunday morning car wash.
4. I pinched some unwanted body panels from a bodyshop in different colours to experiment on, put some swirls in, polished them out, put some scracthes in, polished them out, let the birds poop on them, cut it back, polish it out, good way of learning unless you have a turd that needs polishing of course
1. Bit of a stereotypical answer there (although the pilot one could be argued!). I'm not a detailing expert, I only get chance to practice a few times a year but I do appreciate it as a skill as I also appreciate other lines of work/hobbies requiring skill.
2. Neither do football/tennis/Rugby players etc But some people develop better skills than others
3. LOL says the guy who only uses Zymol! But yeah I couldn't agree more, no-one will disagree
4. It's good to practice on panels I agree; but when you're time constrained, working on thin paint on a £150k car it takes good technique/skill and confidence in your ability to get the required finish
P.S I do think it's something most people could do it well with dedication and practice. My original point was that many people think that merely buying all Zymol products will give them the best possible finish on their car.
Edited by David H on Thursday 10th May 22:32
Good points well made but regarding the sports people, you could argue people who have better sporting skills have a better natural talent for their chosen sport but were digressing. I agree purchasing the most expensive products does by no means guarantee the best results, of course not, give a monkey a tub of Zymol and it will eat it
My main reason for using Zymol is the natural content of the products as I dont like to use lots of man made chemicals and silicon is a no no in a paint shop environment, old habbits 
Thanks for the tips guys... And I got my kit from www.zdouk.com the prices seemed reasonable...
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