SickRidez
12-12-2010, 01:34 PM
Lets help each other out, any kind of tips or tricks to making detailing a car easier, I want to hear it. We are all in this together and we all care about one thing, making a car look as good as it's going to get;) So tell me what you do to make it faster easier or better. Together we can perfect each others stategy. Be more effecient when detailing, and walk out of there with our heads up. I'll start off by giving you the scoop on how a detailing job goes on a normal detailing with a wax.
First I scrub the bugs off, next I wash the rims and tires, then I wash the whole outside of the car starting at the top. And whenever I dip that sponge in the bucket I always place it somewhere high so all that soapy water can drip down and it will be easier to spread and with less waste of soapy water.
Next, I dry it, and the reason I'm drying it so soon is so the car will be as dry as it can be by the time I wax it, since I plan on cleaning the interior while it's drying.
I then like to shine up the tires because since they are wet, the tire dressing will spread alot easier on them.
Next wipe down the rims so no water spots dry on them, then wipe down the door jams with the same rag and it is better that we are doing this now because they will also be wet also and dirt will stick to that rag alot better:)
Next, Vacuume the interior, I like to start off in the drivers seat because the seat most of the time is already as far back as it can go and I don't have to sit there and wait for the slow ass motor to slide the seat back. Same with the front passenger seat, start in front then work your way to the back. Also I vacuume out the cup holders and any pockets including the doors, this way when I wipe everything down there will be less crumbs and dirt everywhere that will just get back on my freshly vacuumed carpet.
Next, I dust out the air vents with a paint brush, and after I get done cleaning them, I always have them facing downward, not only does this look good but it lets me know that I already hit it. And it also lets the customer know that that air vent was cleaned;) After that I clean the dashboard, and all the plastic, door panels, even the panels hooked to the seat, and by the door jams. (To me it's very important to hit this because the first thing a customer sees as he's getting into the vehicle is the door jams, and if they are not cleaned, the customer will notice and will think, "wow, these door jams aren't even cleaned! I wonder what else this guy forgot!" It's just always important to start off on the right foot.
After all the interior is wiped down I start cleaning the inside windows. Not only do I hit the windows but I also hit the gas gauges, little mirrors in the visors, and clock screens and dvd screens. A little tip when cleaning windows is if you are using a microfiber towel to start off wiping with heavily pressure, and gradually use less and less pressure. The reason for this is because I have found that a final hit with very little pressure makes it easier to get rid of any streaks;) and also wipe in different directions. This helps the window cleaner to dry faster, and also keep flipping that rag so you use up the dry areas of it:)
Spray fresh scent on the interior and we're done with the inside. Whooo!
Now that our car is mostly dry, apply the wax, I always hand wax because it is faster. I don't really have alot of experience with a buffer, but correct me if I'm wrong, but I think hand waxing does just as good of a job, and is cheaper. Sometimes if I am feeling lazy though I will use a buffer since it is less work.
Now that we're waiting on that wax to dry, clean the outside windows. I don't use too much spray since the windows are mostly clean already and don't require it, plus it is faster with less window cleaner.
Then, wipe all that wax off the car, and hit any chrome or silver you see.
________________________________________________
There you have it, a full detail wash broken down.
First I scrub the bugs off, next I wash the rims and tires, then I wash the whole outside of the car starting at the top. And whenever I dip that sponge in the bucket I always place it somewhere high so all that soapy water can drip down and it will be easier to spread and with less waste of soapy water.
Next, I dry it, and the reason I'm drying it so soon is so the car will be as dry as it can be by the time I wax it, since I plan on cleaning the interior while it's drying.
I then like to shine up the tires because since they are wet, the tire dressing will spread alot easier on them.
Next wipe down the rims so no water spots dry on them, then wipe down the door jams with the same rag and it is better that we are doing this now because they will also be wet also and dirt will stick to that rag alot better:)
Next, Vacuume the interior, I like to start off in the drivers seat because the seat most of the time is already as far back as it can go and I don't have to sit there and wait for the slow ass motor to slide the seat back. Same with the front passenger seat, start in front then work your way to the back. Also I vacuume out the cup holders and any pockets including the doors, this way when I wipe everything down there will be less crumbs and dirt everywhere that will just get back on my freshly vacuumed carpet.
Next, I dust out the air vents with a paint brush, and after I get done cleaning them, I always have them facing downward, not only does this look good but it lets me know that I already hit it. And it also lets the customer know that that air vent was cleaned;) After that I clean the dashboard, and all the plastic, door panels, even the panels hooked to the seat, and by the door jams. (To me it's very important to hit this because the first thing a customer sees as he's getting into the vehicle is the door jams, and if they are not cleaned, the customer will notice and will think, "wow, these door jams aren't even cleaned! I wonder what else this guy forgot!" It's just always important to start off on the right foot.
After all the interior is wiped down I start cleaning the inside windows. Not only do I hit the windows but I also hit the gas gauges, little mirrors in the visors, and clock screens and dvd screens. A little tip when cleaning windows is if you are using a microfiber towel to start off wiping with heavily pressure, and gradually use less and less pressure. The reason for this is because I have found that a final hit with very little pressure makes it easier to get rid of any streaks;) and also wipe in different directions. This helps the window cleaner to dry faster, and also keep flipping that rag so you use up the dry areas of it:)
Spray fresh scent on the interior and we're done with the inside. Whooo!
Now that our car is mostly dry, apply the wax, I always hand wax because it is faster. I don't really have alot of experience with a buffer, but correct me if I'm wrong, but I think hand waxing does just as good of a job, and is cheaper. Sometimes if I am feeling lazy though I will use a buffer since it is less work.
Now that we're waiting on that wax to dry, clean the outside windows. I don't use too much spray since the windows are mostly clean already and don't require it, plus it is faster with less window cleaner.
Then, wipe all that wax off the car, and hit any chrome or silver you see.
________________________________________________
There you have it, a full detail wash broken down.