A article from Rich mobile auto detaling

quamen · 01-15-2003, 02:17 AM

Well im the proud owner of a 2000 xtreme and i like to keep it looking good. I also have to since i own and operate my own detailing business. It is kinda late,but im not that tired so ill give u a run down on how to keep ur x or s10 looking better then the rest.

I loved it when i was told, that is the "cleanest white i have ever seen".

"What did u put on your car?" "It is so bright, that i cant look at it"

"Damn, Never knew i could see myself off of white paint"

If u want compliments like this, there are some easy steps that the details shops dont want u to know. I have been detailing cars for about only 5 years or so now. But for those 5 years, i have learned just about everything ther is to know almost. I read the books, watched the movies, worked at the dealers, then finally opened my own business once i knew the ropes.

The most thing that pisses people off is swirls marks. This is most likly seen easier on dark colored cars,but on light ones also. U look at ur processs of washing and waxing and still those hairline scratches are there. Damn how do i get them out. 2 ways the proffessional way if u want ur ride to be perfect, or can minimize and hide them for the average perfectionist.

Why i saw ther are 2 levels of the detailer. The most powerful tool in any detailers collection is the rotary buffer. A high rpm buffer that can take out things that most would consider something to be ruined inthe need of a new paint job. The downfall. If u dotn know how to use it right, u can burn through paint within a blink of an eye. This is the only tru way to bring ur paint back to perfect. U cut through mils(the depth of paint) of paint to bring back the original shine. If anyone want to learn how to use this buffer reply and or email. But im going to make this post for ur avearge clean freak s10 owners. A step by step guide to make heads turn wherever u go.

1. The wash.. This is the most important area of ur vehicle. Why? if u do not remove all the contaminents from the surface, u end up scratching the paint from the left overs. u 2 buckets and 2 washing mitts, or sponges. First rinse the vehicle off in a cool shady area, from top to bottom with a powerful jet. Im going to be pushing the meguiars products alot through this guide, because i tried most products. I literally spent hundreds on differnt products to see what i liked the best, and overall meguairs recieved my vote for almost every product. Use a good car washing soap and start by washing the top of the vehilce. Work your way half way down the entire vehicle and then switch to the other bucket for the lower half of the vehicle. Make sure u use a brush for the wheel wells, the tire side walls and of coarse another bucket. Take well notice of the front of ur vehicle. The heavy bug residue. Again i suggest meguairs bug remover. it takes the bugs off easily and quickly. Also get urself a webbed knit which is a sponge with webbing that is a little more aggressive,but wont scratch ur paint. Use this in conjuction with the bug remover and it will work great.

2. The rinse. Rinse from top to bottom, WITH A SOFT STREAM. DO NOT USE A HARD FAST STREAM TO RINSE AS U USED TO RINSE BEFORE THE WASH. top to bottom and make sure u get every area of the car.

3. The dry. use a synthetic chamois to dry ur vehicle. They absorb up to 50 percent more water and also costs less then the real deal. U will want to drag the chamois across the vehicle,dont use a rubbing manner this is not good. Once ur vehicle is dry, run ur hand over the surface. If ur surface is not smooth, it is not becuase u do not have a wax. ur paint should be smooth like a babys ass, even without the wax. the roughness u feel needs to be clayed bar. Every have a hard time getting wax off, or the paint not feeling slick after u waxed? This is becuase ur not waxing the paint, but rather the mircoscoptic particles on ur vehilce as a barrier ot the paint.

4. Ah the clay bar. Step one in working on ur paint. Get a spray wax or lubricant. You know the wax for lazy people. The bottle that says spray and wax, or wash and wax. The stuff that says it will protect ur paint. HIGHLY NOT!! A wax is actually a compound not a liquid. once u dilute it, that is what they do, u loose the protect. Lubricate the area and fold ur detailing clay into a hamburger patty. GENTLY SLIDE IT OVER THE AREA OF THE PAINT WHERE U LUBRICATED>look at the bar, feel the paint. smooth paint, dirty bar. Didnt u just wash the car. What is that dirt. The micro stuff u couldnt see. once the bar gets dirty break it and fold out a new section. do the whole car. Make sure to pay attention to ur tailgate area and front.

5. those swirls marks are there. Well lets try to take most of them away and hide the stuff we cant take away with hand. Compounds. VERY AGGRESSIVE TO TAKE OUT DEFECTS> not reccommened as a first step. First step some swirl remover again from meguairs or a light cut cleaner. Apply like a wax, one section at a time and let haze then remove.

6. Hey ill wax my car, to give it that shine. WRONG!!!! This is the one of the things that makes me laugh out loud. Hey look at how shiny my car is, i just waxed it. Well many people are fooling u, and ur fooling urself. A wax gives so little shine, that it is hardly noticable. NO UR LYING U SAY. NO IM NOT. What is a wax really used for. TO protect ur car, so why make it shine. IT doesnt. The polish, somethig most havent used. dont beleive me try it and step back in amazment. Use meguairs show room shine polish. U a applicater to apply, or a dual action buffer, or orbital buffer. Orbital buffer just mimicks the hand motion, whille the dual action moves in a circular motion as well as a back and forth motion. Both safe the clean freak. Apply one section at a time, and then take off with a 100 percent terry cloth towel. WOw look at the results. also make sure u let it haze and not sit to long though. A polish puts the oils back int the paint which creates that shine to the vehicle. Many people forget to wax the mirrors. why u think so many cars u see have dull mirrors? one of the most forgotton places to wax, and the roof for all the hilly billy tall truck . jk lol. or short people who cant reach. get the ladder and do it 2 times a year not a big deal.

7. The wax. A good wax is going to make a world of difference. The carnauba will provide the best protection. Waxes should be applied by hand or with a orbital buffer(just saves times and mimicks hand motion) for best results. WAx one area at a time and then remove. Again a applicater and remove with a terry cloth towel 100 percent..

8. maintain the vehicle. I personally wipe my vehicle down almost everyday with a quick detailers spray. I have customers and advertise so i cant have a dirty car. It takes about 15 mintues a day and my car looks like it never gets dirty. I still make sure though i was every couple weeks or so it depends. This should be wiped on really quick and taken right off. For light residue stuff only, right after a rain storm, etc.

This is just a very minor portion of info on how to keep ur vehicle in top shape. I have steps for inside, wheels, rims, engine etc. Im very tired and most of this is prolly mispelled lol. Hope u can read it. Email me or pm for more info . rcweichand@graffiti.net

why pay me 150 bucks or more to detail ur car . Ur lazy, or want it to be better then any showroom vehicle or attending a show. Understandable. But for riding around in style, spend 50 bucks on the products and keep ur ride mint and have people ask , how do i have my car look that good.

Xtrm21 · 01-15-2003, 02:43 AM

hey where ya from!? Maybe i'll just bring it to your shop!! hehe... that does seem like a long day of cleaning for me!

quamen · 01-15-2003, 10:43 AM

well actually im located in new jeresey, and operate a mobile detail center. I found this way much more convient then having a shop. Customers dont have to worry about a ride back,and also they know what there getting for there money!!

nah i have power operated tools to do the job, from a clay bar da buffer all the way down the line. not to bad about 4-5 hours then grab my 150 to 200 and leave

lowblk02s10 · 01-15-2003, 10:52 AM

i do the same thing but i do mine from my house not mobile. i'm just getting started though. i got all the power tools and everything and i have done a few cars allready and the pay off isn't that bad. but what i was wondering what would be a good way of cleaning the engine? spraying some degreaser when needed and wipping down spots.

LowTech · 01-15-2003, 11:38 AM

Great tips! I love cleaning my truck. I use all meguairs products for the most part. To really gloss it up I use the show car glaze but not all the time beacuse it seems to be tougher to work with. Here is a pic from after a show. The pic quality isn't that great to save space on the server but the high resolution one you can really see the shine like glass.

I am def interested in some rim tips!

z_xtreme99 · 02-05-2003, 06:20 PM

great article quamen, could you email me with the buffing tips and what kind of buffer and where to get it. Thanks
z_xtreme99@yahoo.com

y2kblkxtreme · 02-10-2003, 04:00 PM

where at in jersey are you located? I think i might have you detail my truck before the show year starts, it's been sitting in the garage collecting dust all wonter so it's gonna need it

quamen · 02-10-2003, 11:52 PM

im located in north jersey by dover, morristown, about 40 mintues from the city

YZF450Rider · 02-25-2003, 07:38 PM

Damn man, thanks for the tips! :thumbup:

Pharacyde · 03-09-2003, 02:36 AM

Werd. Post up some billet wheel cleaning advice... i just got done with mine and they're still pretty grimey... water spots, brakedust in grooves, and really "dug in dirt." I'm going to pull them off the truck next week and polish them up.... by hand... last time it took an hour per wheel!

quamen · 03-10-2003, 01:13 PM

u cant polish them by hand and get good results. u have to buy a wheel adapter that can be attached to a drill and then you can polish it with that. the attachment is soft and heats the metal up just slightly from the rotation of the drill therefore taking out the perfections. it is about 30 dollars or so for a whole wheel cleaning kit. a place called rightlook.com has them. it is a automobile detailing place.

orangez · 03-11-2003, 08:36 PM

my truck gets washed every 24 months when i get the oil changed whether it needs to be or not. jk

01-15-2003, 02:17 AM	#1
quamen Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 607 Location: User is: OffLine	A article from Rich mobile auto detaling Well im the proud owner of a 2000 xtreme and i like to keep it looking good. I also have to since i own and operate my own detailing business. It is kinda late,but im not that tired so ill give u a run down on how to keep ur x or s10 looking better then the rest. I loved it when i was told, that is the "cleanest white i have ever seen". "What did u put on your car?" "It is so bright, that i cant look at it" "Damn, Never knew i could see myself off of white paint" If u want compliments like this, there are some easy steps that the details shops dont want u to know. I have been detailing cars for about only 5 years or so now. But for those 5 years, i have learned just about everything ther is to know almost. I read the books, watched the movies, worked at the dealers, then finally opened my own business once i knew the ropes. The most thing that pisses people off is swirls marks. This is most likly seen easier on dark colored cars,but on light ones also. U look at ur processs of washing and waxing and still those hairline scratches are there. Damn how do i get them out. 2 ways the proffessional way if u want ur ride to be perfect, or can minimize and hide them for the average perfectionist. Why i saw ther are 2 levels of the detailer. The most powerful tool in any detailers collection is the rotary buffer. A high rpm buffer that can take out things that most would consider something to be ruined inthe need of a new paint job. The downfall. If u dotn know how to use it right, u can burn through paint within a blink of an eye. This is the only tru way to bring ur paint back to perfect. U cut through mils(the depth of paint) of paint to bring back the original shine. If anyone want to learn how to use this buffer reply and or email. But im going to make this post for ur avearge clean freak s10 owners. A step by step guide to make heads turn wherever u go. 1. The wash.. This is the most important area of ur vehicle. Why? if u do not remove all the contaminents from the surface, u end up scratching the paint from the left overs. u 2 buckets and 2 washing mitts, or sponges. First rinse the vehicle off in a cool shady area, from top to bottom with a powerful jet. Im going to be pushing the meguiars products alot through this guide, because i tried most products. I literally spent hundreds on differnt products to see what i liked the best, and overall meguairs recieved my vote for almost every product. Use a good car washing soap and start by washing the top of the vehilce. Work your way half way down the entire vehicle and then switch to the other bucket for the lower half of the vehicle. Make sure u use a brush for the wheel wells, the tire side walls and of coarse another bucket. Take well notice of the front of ur vehicle. The heavy bug residue. Again i suggest meguairs bug remover. it takes the bugs off easily and quickly. Also get urself a webbed knit which is a sponge with webbing that is a little more aggressive,but wont scratch ur paint. Use this in conjuction with the bug remover and it will work great. 2. The rinse. Rinse from top to bottom, WITH A SOFT STREAM. DO NOT USE A HARD FAST STREAM TO RINSE AS U USED TO RINSE BEFORE THE WASH. top to bottom and make sure u get every area of the car. 3. The dry. use a synthetic chamois to dry ur vehicle. They absorb up to 50 percent more water and also costs less then the real deal. U will want to drag the chamois across the vehicle,dont use a rubbing manner this is not good. Once ur vehicle is dry, run ur hand over the surface. If ur surface is not smooth, it is not becuase u do not have a wax. ur paint should be smooth like a babys ass, even without the wax. the roughness u feel needs to be clayed bar. Every have a hard time getting wax off, or the paint not feeling slick after u waxed? This is becuase ur not waxing the paint, but rather the mircoscoptic particles on ur vehilce as a barrier ot the paint. 4. Ah the clay bar. Step one in working on ur paint. Get a spray wax or lubricant. You know the wax for lazy people. The bottle that says spray and wax, or wash and wax. The stuff that says it will protect ur paint. HIGHLY NOT!! A wax is actually a compound not a liquid. once u dilute it, that is what they do, u loose the protect. Lubricate the area and fold ur detailing clay into a hamburger patty. GENTLY SLIDE IT OVER THE AREA OF THE PAINT WHERE U LUBRICATED>look at the bar, feel the paint. smooth paint, dirty bar. Didnt u just wash the car. What is that dirt. The micro stuff u couldnt see. once the bar gets dirty break it and fold out a new section. do the whole car. Make sure to pay attention to ur tailgate area and front. 5. those swirls marks are there. Well lets try to take most of them away and hide the stuff we cant take away with hand. Compounds. VERY AGGRESSIVE TO TAKE OUT DEFECTS> not reccommened as a first step. First step some swirl remover again from meguairs or a light cut cleaner. Apply like a wax, one section at a time and let haze then remove. 6. Hey ill wax my car, to give it that shine. WRONG!!!! This is the one of the things that makes me laugh out loud. Hey look at how shiny my car is, i just waxed it. Well many people are fooling u, and ur fooling urself. A wax gives so little shine, that it is hardly noticable. NO UR LYING U SAY. NO IM NOT. What is a wax really used for. TO protect ur car, so why make it shine. IT doesnt. The polish, somethig most havent used. dont beleive me try it and step back in amazment. Use meguairs show room shine polish. U a applicater to apply, or a dual action buffer, or orbital buffer. Orbital buffer just mimicks the hand motion, whille the dual action moves in a circular motion as well as a back and forth motion. Both safe the clean freak. Apply one section at a time, and then take off with a 100 percent terry cloth towel. WOw look at the results. also make sure u let it haze and not sit to long though. A polish puts the oils back int the paint which creates that shine to the vehicle. Many people forget to wax the mirrors. why u think so many cars u see have dull mirrors? one of the most forgotton places to wax, and the roof for all the hilly billy tall truck . jk lol. or short people who cant reach. get the ladder and do it 2 times a year not a big deal. 7. The wax. A good wax is going to make a world of difference. The carnauba will provide the best protection. Waxes should be applied by hand or with a orbital buffer(just saves times and mimicks hand motion) for best results. WAx one area at a time and then remove. Again a applicater and remove with a terry cloth towel 100 percent.. 8. maintain the vehicle. I personally wipe my vehicle down almost everyday with a quick detailers spray. I have customers and advertise so i cant have a dirty car. It takes about 15 mintues a day and my car looks like it never gets dirty. I still make sure though i was every couple weeks or so it depends. This should be wiped on really quick and taken right off. For light residue stuff only, right after a rain storm, etc. This is just a very minor portion of info on how to keep ur vehicle in top shape. I have steps for inside, wheels, rims, engine etc. Im very tired and most of this is prolly mispelled lol. Hope u can read it. Email me or pm for more info . rcweichand@graffiti.net why pay me 150 bucks or more to detail ur car . Ur lazy, or want it to be better then any showroom vehicle or attending a show. Understandable. But for riding around in style, spend 50 bucks on the products and keep ur ride mint and have people ask , how do i have my car look that good.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-15-2003, 02:43 AM	#2
Xtrm21 Registered User Age: 28 Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,408 Location: NJ User is: OffLine	hey where ya from!? Maybe i'll just bring it to your shop!! hehe... that does seem like a long day of cleaning for me!
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-15-2003, 10:43 AM	#3
quamen Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 607 Location: User is: OffLine	long day of cleaning well actually im located in new jeresey, and operate a mobile detail center. I found this way much more convient then having a shop. Customers dont have to worry about a ride back,and also they know what there getting for there money!! nah i have power operated tools to do the job, from a clay bar da buffer all the way down the line. not to bad about 4-5 hours then grab my 150 to 200 and leave
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-15-2003, 10:52 AM	#4
lowblk02s10 kaught yah sleapin racing Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 473 Location: winslow(atco) nj User is: OffLine	i do the same thing but i do mine from my house not mobile. i'm just getting started though. i got all the power tools and everything and i have done a few cars allready and the pay off isn't that bad. but what i was wondering what would be a good way of cleaning the engine? spraying some degreaser when needed and wipping down spots.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-15-2003, 11:38 AM	#5
LowTech True Ambition Age: 32 Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 3,531 Location: Plains,PA User is: OffLine	Great tips! I love cleaning my truck. I use all meguairs products for the most part. To really gloss it up I use the show car glaze but not all the time beacuse it seems to be tougher to work with. Here is a pic from after a show. The pic quality isn't that great to save space on the server but the high resolution one you can really see the shine like glass. I am def interested in some rim tips!
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-05-2003, 06:20 PM	#6
z_xtreme99 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 100 Location: User is: OffLine	great article quamen, could you email me with the buffing tips and what kind of buffer and where to get it. Thanks z_xtreme99@yahoo.com
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-10-2003, 04:00 PM	#7
y2kblkxtreme Registered User Age: 26 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 2,024 Location: Philly burbs User is: OffLine	where at in jersey are you located? I think i might have you detail my truck before the show year starts, it's been sitting in the garage collecting dust all wonter so it's gonna need it
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-10-2003, 11:52 PM	#8
quamen Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 607 Location: User is: OffLine	new jersey location im located in north jersey by dover, morristown, about 40 mintues from the city
	[Reply w/Quote]

02-25-2003, 07:38 PM	#9
YZF450Rider Guest Age: 21 Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 4,901 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan User is: OffLine	Damn man, thanks for the tips! :thumbup:
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-09-2003, 02:36 AM	#10
Pharacyde Spectacle VP Age: 29 Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,379 Location: Randleman, NC User is: OffLine	Werd. Post up some billet wheel cleaning advice... i just got done with mine and they're still pretty grimey... water spots, brakedust in grooves, and really "dug in dirt." I'm going to pull them off the truck next week and polish them up.... by hand... last time it took an hour per wheel!
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-10-2003, 01:13 PM	#11
quamen Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 607 Location: User is: OffLine	wheels polishing u cant polish them by hand and get good results. u have to buy a wheel adapter that can be attached to a drill and then you can polish it with that. the attachment is soft and heats the metal up just slightly from the rotation of the drill therefore taking out the perfections. it is about 30 dollars or so for a whole wheel cleaning kit. a place called rightlook.com has them. it is a automobile detailing place.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-11-2003, 08:36 PM	#12
orangez Registered User Age: 34 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 504 Location: mobile, AL User is: OffLine	my truck gets washed every 24 months when i get the oil changed whether it needs to be or not. jk
	[Reply w/Quote]