tip for car detail?

[the700level]

This is the situation:

Guy around my area does car details, he's picking up my car from my house while I'm at work, and dropping it off before I get home. He's charging me 150$, which I'm leaving a check in my car for him. Should I leave extra for a tip without even seeing the end result? Or just say screw it and write it out for 150?

[greddy15]

i wouldnt trust anyone to drive my car just to detail. give him the tip after whether it be in person or in the mail

[2PUTT]

This is the situation:

Guy around my area does car details, he's picking up my car from my house while I'm at work, and dropping it off before I get home. He's charging me 150$, which I'm leaving a check in my car for him. Should I leave extra for a tip without even seeing the end result? Or just say screw it and write it out for 150?

What exactly is being done to the car? What products will be used? I find $150 detail very questionable. It'll probably do your car more harm...

If you question this post, I suggest that you visit the detailing board and check out Phil's posts or the other detailers in the area (EuroA4 or me)...Only then will you question the real quality of a $150 detail.

[the700level]

What exactly is being done to the car? What products will be used? I find $150 detail very questionable. It'll probably do your car more harm...

If you question this post, I suggest that you visit the detailing board and check out Phil's posts or the other detailers in the area (EuroA4 or me)...Only then will you question the real quality of a $150 detail.

I'd agree with you but I was at his shop and saw some of his cars done and looked fantastic

He was recommended to me when I took my car to an auto body shop - I think this guy is legit. Its a professional detail garage

[irulea2]

If the guy comes recommended then I would give him a shot, think about it like this, most places like that don't advertise they rely on word of mouth. Them doing a shitty job would just jeopardize any future business from you or anyone you might recommend, If you have seen their work and people refered them, then go for it.

[steveo_01vwgolf]

wouldn't give the tip until i saw the work.

[Sigster]

Don't sweat the tip. It's not a standard practice. If the job really impresses you take them a 6 pack of coke. They would think your the bomb.

[2PUTT]

I'd agree with you but I was at his shop and saw some of his cars done and looked fantastic

He was recommended to me when I took my car to an auto body shop - I think this guy is legit. Its a professional detail garage

auto body shops tend to over glaze the cars they just painted to hide the imperfections. the work you saw may have been nice/legit but for $150 i have a feeling that they use fillers and glaze to simply hide the swirl marks. i am willing to bet that you will see the swirls within the first 4 washes after the detail.

i hope i am wrong. best of luck to you...

[got boost.]

If the detailer is any good It will not be a full paint correction for $150 since i am a detailer myself. $150 would get you maybe a one step polish. Definitely ask to see what exactly he will be doing to your car.

From my experience all of my customers have tipped me. Well, lets just say all of them have been satisfied and came back so it all depends on the quality of the work. Tip only after you have seen the car and satisfied with the work.

[the700level]

auto body shops tend to over glaze the cars they just painted to hide the imperfections. the work you saw may have been nice/legit but for $150 i have a feeling that they use fillers and glaze to simply hide the swirl marks. i am willing to bet that you will see the swirls within the first 4 washes after the detail.

i hope i am wrong. best of luck to you...

just got off the phone w/ him, he said basically he's going to do his best to level out the swirls & scratches, but since they went into the clear coat, there's no way to permanently remove them. according to him, it should last around 6 months. i asked him if it was "paint correction" and he said absolutely - does this sound right?

[Great North USP]

This is the situation:

Guy around my area does car details, he's picking up my car from my house while I'm at work, and dropping it off before I get home. He's charging me 150$, which I'm leaving a check in my car for him. Should I leave extra for a tip without even seeing the end result? Or just say screw it and write it out for 150?

Never give a cash tip without seeing the end result.. That is the whole definition behind a tip. You wouldn't tip a waitress before she served you your food would you?

For work I've had done on my house/car/anything $$ worthy, buy the worker(s) a coffee&donught, or a $10 coffee card beforehand. They'll appreciate it.
Sometimes somethings are better than money.

[torsendiffsrock]

just got off the phone w/ him, he said basically he's going to do his best to level out the swirls & scratches, but since they went into the clear coat, there's no way to permanently remove them. according to him, it should last around 6 months. i asked him if it was "paint correction" and he said absolutely - does this sound right?

well paint correction is usually a two step process and the majority of swirls and scratches will be fixed, ie you remove a microscopic amount of clear. technically a deeper scratch might not come out but light won't hit it so you won't see it... either way i would say the paint is "fixed"

i don't exactly understand what he's selling. if he corrects the paint it will be near-perfect until the paint gets marred by washing/bushes/etc

gl! [up]

[2PUTT]

just got off the phone w/ him, he said basically he's going to do his best to level out the swirls & scratches, but since they went into the clear coat, there's no way to permanently remove them. according to him, it should last around 6 months. i asked him if it was "paint correction" and he said absolutely - does this sound right?

"sounding" and "being" right can be very different...again, you normally get what you pay for. best of luck. share pictures after. if they can show you before and after shots of the swirls they fixed even better. wash the car a few times after the detail to see if any of the swirling comes back. let us know. i can give you some pointers. feel free to send me PM.

[the700level]

only time will tell. i can say without even seeing the car that all swirls will be removed, and scratches will be lessened to be the best of his ability. whether the swirls come back in a couple weeks, that's a different story. i'll post pictures when i get the car back

i own a porter cable and wax, should i seal the thing up every couple of washes?

[torsendiffsrock]

only time will tell. i can say without even seeing the car that all swirls will be removed, and scratches will be lessened to be the best of his ability. whether the swirls come back in a couple weeks, that's a different story. i'll post pictures when i get the car back

i own a porter cable and wax, should i seal the thing up every couple of washes?

i take it he has the car... if he polishes it 150 bucks is a good deal! the best thing you can do is to wash it properly and keep the paint protected with wax or a sealant... check out the autopia forums... and get some sonax wheel cleaner from detailersdomain! its awesome lol.

[the700level]

UPDATE: got my car back, and it looks EXACTLY the same as before, with cleaner wheels and a cleaner interior. this dude claims if i saw before/after shots, i would be amazed... i put my car directly under the sun, f*ckin swirls ALL OVER IT. i don't know how this guy couldn't have seen them, he claims he did the best he could. i just printed out pictures of one of phil's details - i'm bringin them to him. basically before shots look alot like my car, and i'll show the guy the after shots.... hopefully he'll realize what i'm talkin about

[handyvorb]

UPDATE: got my car back, and it looks EXACTLY the same as before, with cleaner wheels and a cleaner interior. this dude claims if i saw before/after shots, i would be amazed... i put my car directly under the sun, f*ckin swirls ALL OVER IT. i don't know how this guy couldn't have seen them, he claims he did the best he could. i just printed out pictures of one of phil's details - i'm bringin them to him. basically before shots look alot like my car, and i'll show the guy the after shots.... hopefully he'll realize what i'm talkin about

I gotta say........... I saw this coming. $150 does not buy paint correction, it buys you swirl marks, so that alone should have been the warning.

[wva s4]

while Im no expert, I can tell you that I have spent 12-16 hours on paint correction and still wasnt thrilled. Like others have said you get what you pay for. I found the only way I am happy is when I do it myself. It takes me longer and I have alot of money in equipment and product, but I know what I have. Read and read some more the PC is a good start..... good luck

[JeST]

Should've used that money towards a detailing kit with a orbital polisher.

[the700level]

the worst part: i already spent $200 on a porter cable kit, with 1z products. i gave it a good shot, polished the hood like 6 times and still couldn't get the swirls out. that's why i wanted to go professional.

how could this guy not know what swirl marks are? he said when he dropped the car off, it was perfect. i brought my bro+sis out to the car in the sun, i said "when you look directly into the sun in my car, what do you see?" they said "circular scratches." this guy's been a professional for 20 years?

i basically printed this thread out: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?360910-Detailer-s-Domain-911-Turbo-X50-Cab-Massive-Paint-Correction.

i'm bringin him the pictures to show exactly what paint correction is. he better not cash that check

[JeST]

There's a HUGE difference between your guys work and the work Phil performed on that pcar. And the difference could very well be an added zero onto your price quote. Everyone already warned you not to expect the swirl marks to be removed with a detail worth $150. It's already been stated but at that price you can't expect a paint correction.

You're comparing a few hours worth of work compared to a 2-3 day paint correction.

[the700level]

There's a HUGE difference between your guys work and the work Phil performed on that pcar. And the difference could very well be an added zero onto your price quote. Everyone already warned you not to expect the swirl marks to be removed with a detail worth $150. It's already been stated but at that price you can't expect a paint correction.

You're comparing a few hours worth of work compared to a 2-3 day paint correction.

believe me, i understand that. but when i told this guy i have tons of swirl marks all around the paint, does he not know what i mean by that? to him, this was a finished product. it's not like he said to me this is an $800 job, and i said ok well do what you can for 150

[amoujaffar]

i own a detailing company and as much as i would love a tip, nahh its not really a big deal. its kinda built into the price, just make sure he does a good job, if so continue the business and spread the word...thats the best tip u can give.

[iconoclast]

UPDATE: got my car back, and it looks EXACTLY the same as before, with cleaner wheels and a cleaner interior. this dude claims if i saw before/after shots, i would be amazed... i put my car directly under the sun, f*ckin swirls ALL OVER IT. i don't know how this guy couldn't have seen them, he claims he did the best he could. i just printed out pictures of one of phil's details - i'm bringin them to him. basically before shots look alot like my car, and i'll show the guy the after shots.... hopefully he'll realize what i'm talkin about

for that price its exactly what is to be expected. unless its a 'friends and family' rate and you have seen the work and it is top notch i would question any 'detailer' doing a $100-$150 detail. even the better car washes around my way charge $200 for a detail and i wouldnt trust them with my beater. i have seen them burn weatherstrip with the PC or make even more swirls than when it came in. my advice, is take that $150 do some research and buy yourself some products and do it yourself. in the end youll save money, learn skill and have a great sense of satisfaction once its completed the way you wanted and expected.

[DetailersDomain]

I have to chime in at our shop we start paint correction at $450-850 (ext only) which would be wash/clay/2- 3 step polish/seal or wax.
At $100-$150 you can't really do much except for a good thorough wash/wax and interior if that.

Figure $45-100 per hour depending on the location/shop/skill set/reputation.

It takes us about 8-10 hours to do a 1-2 step ext detail

I hope that helps.

[KMHPaladin]

i just printed out pictures of one of phil's details - i'm bringin them to him. basically before shots look alot like my car, and i'll show the guy the after shots.... hopefully he'll realize what i'm talkin about
You're expecting one of Phil's details for $150? lol.

[slvr6]

For $150 basically all I do is a wash, vac, and an all in one on the paint. For true paint correction you are looking at $300+ and I only do this to supplement my income. Phil is in line with his pricing considering the level of his operation.

-Paolo

[iconoclast]

go to any REAL detailing shop and they will laugh at your$150 quote. factor in cost of products, time and energy etc. and youre working for less than minimum wage if you do it for $150.

[the700level]

You're expecting one of Phil's details for $150? lol.

no. why would someone tell me they were correcting paint when they obviously were not

[LERecords]

because most likely they guy didnt know what he was talking about... he probably just wash/wax your car and hoped for the best.. sucks...

[the700level]

because most likely they guy didnt know what he was talking about... he probably just wash/wax your car and hoped for the best.. sucks...

not really a big deal - i just e-mailed him 2 of phil's threads where he corrected swirls that look exactly like mine. basically the guy told me to bring the car in, if it's something he can fix, he will fix it and if i'm still not happy he'll rip the check up. if he thinks the swirls are permanent, then basically it's on me - but showing him 2 of the cars phil did, i would think he'd have to agree it's not on me

[the700level]

UPDATE: just got off the phone w/ him. basically just ripping the check up. he said to get the swirls i was talking about out, would be a 2 day job for $500-600. horrible miscommunication - i basically got a 2-3 hour job for free. should i send him compensation for his work?

[the700level]

2ND UPDATE: dude called me back and said "i was thinking, i really can't eat this job." so i did pay $150 for jack sh*t. one good thing: he told me if i got all the swirls/scratches out myself, he'd pay me back the $150. i gotta learn how to use this porter cable quickly

[2PUTT]

2ND UPDATE: dude called me back and said "i was thinking, i really can't eat this job." so i did pay $150 for jack sh*t. one good thing: he told me if i got all the swirls/scratches out myself, he'd pay me back the $150. i gotta learn how to use this porter cable quickly

you will need better polish than 1Z to get those swirls out. call Phil and ask for some Menzerna. with a PC, save an entire day to get it right.

i guess at the end of the day, you just charge everything to experience. the only really sad thing is that the $150 you spent gave you $500+ in swirls.

[the700level]

you will need better polish than 1Z to get those swirls out. call Phil and ask for some Menzerna. with a PC, save an entire day to get it right.

i guess at the end of the day, you just charge everything to experience. the only really sad thing is that the $150 you spent gave you $500+ in swirls.

ordered some M105 and a yellow pad. gonna get after it brah

what do you mean the $150 i spent gave me $500 in swirls? the swirls were there before, i thought he was going to correct them, but we had a misunderstanding. the car actually looks better, there were some blotches on the hood gone. not a complete loss

[readimag]

second the m105 with 1z glanz it is the shit, phil recommended it to me for my 2000 s4 with tons of swirls and my x3.

[KMHPaladin]

2ND UPDATE: dude called me back and said "i was thinking, i really can't eat this job." so i did pay $150 for jack sh*t.
You didn't pay $150 for jack shit. You paid $150 for $150 worth of work. The only mistake was thinking you'd get $3-500 worth of work for $150, in spite of numerous attempts to make it clear that there is not, in fact, any such thing as a free lunch.

[2PUTT]

ordered some M105 and a yellow pad. gonna get after it brah

what do you mean the $150 i spent gave me $500 in swirls? the swirls were there before, i thought he was going to correct them, but we had a misunderstanding. the car actually looks better, there were some blotches on the hood gone. not a complete loss

i have a feeling that you really do not get it (yet).

please do not take offense to the following statement(s). please document your work and prove me wrong. i have a feeling that you will be making it worse. i am rooting for you on proving me wrong. i wish you the best of luck. i am looking forward to your post with before and after pics with the detailed steps that you do to complete this DIY paint correction. please prove me wrong. may the force be with you.

[the700level]

i have a feeling that you really do not get it (yet).

please do not take offense to the following statement(s). please document your work and prove me wrong. i have a feeling that you will be making it worse. i am rooting for you on proving me wrong. i wish you the best of luck. i am looking forward to your post with before and after pics with the detailed steps that you do to complete this DIY paint correction. please prove me wrong. may the force be with you.

explain to me mr star wars. how am i going to make it worse

[2PUTT]

explain to me mr star wars. how am i going to make it worse

explaining this to you only means that you really do not know what you are doing. you really only have 2 expected results - better or worse. like i mentioned, i am rooting for you to prove me wrong. you have my support 200%. i just have this feeling that you will make it worse.

as i mentioned, best of luck! i am looking forward to your post with the process and before and after pictures. please do not take any offense to my posts. take it as a challenge. i hope you are in shape. it'll take you over 5 hours with a PC. don't forget to hydrate and breathe. you do not want to cramp up during the process.

[Jersey2.7t]

i have a feeling that you really do not get it (yet).

please do not take offense to the following statement(s). please document your work and prove me wrong. i have a feeling that you will be making it worse. i am rooting for you on proving me wrong. i wish you the best of luck. i am looking forward to your post with before and after pics with the detailed steps that you do to complete this DIY paint correction. please prove me wrong. may the force be with you.

I agree with you here, your not alone.

700 Level--Correction with a PC on Audi clear coat, which is very hard, is going to take you ATLEAST 5 hours, as 2Putt said. I would put it in the 8+ hours for a first timer too. Plus you have to prep the paint correctly; that means stripping any wax/sealant and clay bar-ing the entire car. My suggestion is to take your time, DO NOT rush through the process and think you'll get it done in a few hours--you'll only be fooling yourself. Also, take a look over on Autopia.org. They have great information over there and videos/links for rookies to learn the basics. Hope this helps. Good luck and happy detailing!

[the700level]

explaining this to you only means that you really do not know what you are doing. you really only have 2 expected results - better or worse. like i mentioned, i am rooting for you to prove me wrong. you have my support 200%. i just have this feeling that you will make it worse.

as i mentioned, best of luck! i am looking forward to your post with the process and before and after pictures. please do not take any offense to my posts. take it as a challenge. i hope you are in shape. it'll take you over 5 hours with a PC. don't forget to hydrate and breathe. you do not want to cramp up during the process.

you got a laugh out of me - but i will not f*ck my car up with a porter cable. i've watched videos, and i'd have to be a complete moron to burn the clear coat w/ a PC.

i want to post before/after shots - but every time i try to take a picture of the swirls i'm talking about, the picture doesn't come out right. any ideas?

and my car will be flawless after i'm done w/ it

[DetailersDomain]

take pics in the direct sunlight.

[casuso]

I remember watching a tutorial and they said to put a coin in the paint oryour finger or something so that your camera focus on, and that will reveal the swirls.
I have not expermiented this, but try it.

And don't panic, use your PC, be very pacient. Take 2 days to repair your paint. 1 day for wash, clay and 1 step (maybe you can start with second step also). Second day for 2 step and LSP.

[2PUTT]

you got a laugh out of me - but i will not f*ck my car up with a porter cable. i've watched videos, and i'd have to be a complete moron to burn the clear coat w/ a PC.

i want to post before/after shots - but every time i try to take a picture of the swirls i'm talking about, the picture doesn't come out right. any ideas?

and my car will be flawless after i'm done w/ it

the PC is too slow to burn your paint. i am talking more about producing more swirls than before.

[the700level]

the PC is too slow to burn your paint. i am talking more about producing more swirls than before.

Can you explain this so I don't actually do it

[2PUTT]

Can you explain this so I don't actually do it

at the end of the day, the only way to learn is by doing. this is the only advice i can offer. reading and watching videos can only take you so far.

[guglielmo]

2PUTT is correct the only way to learn is by doing.

I suggest you send Phil at Detailers Domain a note asking what pads and products to use and then place a big order.

[DetailersDomain]

he's got it all 700 should be able to put it into use shortly.

[guglielmo]

Nice. Looking forward to the results.

[hoppy6698]

Can you explain this so I don't actually do it

By this I think he means to take your time on the prep work. If you short on a prep step (crappy wash, don't strip prior waxes, don't clay slowly, don't clean up after claying, etc) - you will just end up running the PC through whatever is left on the car, thereby causing more swirls/damage.

Sounds like Phil has hooked you up with some gear. Remember to start with the lightest amount of correction, then work into harder stuff (M105) as needed. Also, you may not need the 105 over the entire car, just use it on panels that need that much work. The Einz or M205 should be able to fix less damaged areas on its own (I don't see many using Einz as a compound on forums, hence my reference to M205).

Detailingbliss.com is a good site for 'how to' and advice.

[Tusin]

I think you will still be disappointed with a PC and a yellow pad and the M105. I would try a PFW pad with the M105, finishes off much better than the Yellow. You will also need to follow that with some M205 (or other polish, not compound) and a pad with less cut. There are also new Hydro Tec pads that look pretty promising, I have a few that I will be trying soon, but I do use a Flex DA so that alone lets me get more aggressive. Can you take some pictures of how bad the swirls are?

[the700level]

I think you will still be disappointed with a PC and a yellow pad and the M105. I would try a PFW pad with the M105, finishes off much better than the Yellow. You will also need to follow that with some M205 (or other polish, not compound) and a pad with less cut. There are also new Hydro Tec pads that look pretty promising, I have a few that I will be trying soon, but I do use a Flex DA so that alone lets me get more aggressive. Can you take some pictures of how bad the swirls are?

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/the700level/Paint%20Correction/IMG00110-20100514-1205.jpg

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/the700level/Paint%20Correction/IMG00073-20100509-1214.jpg

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/the700level/Paint%20Correction/IMG00074-20100509-1215.jpg

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/the700level/Paint%20Correction/IMG00105-20100513-1746.jpg

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/the700level/Paint%20Correction/IMG00106-20100513-1746.jpg

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/the700level/Paint%20Correction/IMG00107-20100513-1748.jpg

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/the700level/Paint%20Correction/IMG00108-20100513-1749.jpg

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab43/the700level/Paint%20Correction/IMG00109-20100514-1205.jpg

[Tusin]

It doesn't look "HORRIBLE. I see some RIDS on there that you may just have to live with. But you have a dark car, you will need to do a 2-stage (compound then polish). You made the right choice with M105, but I am going to suggest PFW pads (I almost want to suggest the new Hydro-Tec Cyan, but I have yet to use it), for the compounding stage and then M205 with a white pad. If it was me and I only had a PC, I would go PFW /w M105, Orange with M105 (MAYBE 205 would have to test it out) and then white with M205. But that would be 3 stage. Also there are SurBuf pads that are supposed to be KILLER for the PC and Audi clear. But you are a beginner, so I would not suggest them.

And don't think that just because the PC is not a Rotary you can't do damage to your paint. Because you CAN, it is much more difficult, but if you go in with the mind set that the PC is 100% safe, you very well may burn through the paint (do some searches, it has and does happen).

Just take your time, do not get in a rush and be mindful of what you are doing. If you are knocking out the swirls but having trouble with the deep RIDS, LEAVE them, as that is when something bad is going to happen.

And you can induce more swirls, just make sure you keep your pad clean. And change the compound pad out to a new one every other panel, if you drop one, don't try to pick out the rocks, just wash it and let it dry.

You are going to need to strip the wax (Wash with Dawn Soap, or you can get a specific wash for stripping wax), and you will need to clay. I forgot if you mentioned if the other guy said he clayed, but personally I wouldn't car. Clay the car yourself. If he missed a spot and you pick up a tiny pebble or other fallout with your pad, you are going to swirl the hell out of the paint you are trying to fix.

Rinse, Wash, Rinse, Quick Dry (use a drying micro fiber or waffle weave), clay, quick wash, full dry (water does not play with with some pads and M105), M105 PFW, M105 or Maybe M205 Orange, M205 White, Glaze, LSP (last step product, wax, sealant etc.....)

[the700level]

It doesn't look "HORRIBLE. I see some RIDS on there that you may just have to live with. But you have a dark car, you will need to do a 2-stage (compound then polish). You made the right choice with M105, but I am going to suggest PFW pads (I almost want to suggest the new Hydro-Tec Cyan, but I have yet to use it), for the compounding stage and then M205 with a white pad. If it was me and I only had a PC, I would go PFW /w M105, Orange with M105 (MAYBE 205 would have to test it out) and then white with M205. But that would be 3 stage. Also there are SurBuf pads that are supposed to be KILLER for the PC and Audi clear. But you are a beginner, so I would not suggest them.

And don't think that just because the PC is not a Rotary you can't do damage to your paint. Because you CAN, it is much more difficult, but if you go in with the mind set that the PC is 100% safe, you very well may burn through the paint (do some searches, it has and does happen).

Just take your time, do not get in a rush and be mindful of what you are doing. If you are knocking out the swirls but having trouble with the deep RIDS, LEAVE them, as that is when something bad is going to happen.

And you can induce more swirls, just make sure you keep your pad clean. And change the compound pad out to a new one every other panel, if you drop one, don't try to pick out the rocks, just wash it and let it dry.

You are going to need to strip the wax (Wash with Dawn Soap, or you can get a specific wash for stripping wax), and you will need to clay. I forgot if you mentioned if the other guy said he clayed, but personally I wouldn't car. Clay the car yourself. If he missed a spot and you pick up a tiny pebble or other fallout with your pad, you are going to swirl the hell out of the paint you are trying to fix.

Rinse, Wash, Rinse, Quick Dry (use a drying micro fiber or waffle weave), clay, quick wash, full dry (water does not play with with some pads and M105), M105 PFW, M105 or Maybe M205 Orange, M205 White, Glaze, LSP (last step product, wax, sealant etc.....)


thanks for the write-up. i put in a couple hours today on the rear, i'll be posting after shots soon