How to Tell a Good Detailer From a Bad One?

[Mitchfin]

I just bought a B9 A4 with moonlight blue, shockingly black looking, looks much better now. The dealer didn't do the best job on detailing, shocker; there are swirls and such. And I'd love to get it detailed by the end of the month by someone who knows what they are doing and will help keep my paint lasting for a while. I don't want to just google "best detailers in Salt Lake" without knowing what to look for and ask from a couple options. I'm new to detailing and know little to nothing, (love reading this forum, great info) but what would you all recommend I ask or look for in a Detailer and their process that will do a great job vs. a sub par job. Also, I think I already know the answer to this but do people specialize in German or premium cars for detailing?

Thanks in advance!

[pdqgp]

Best advice would be to ask for references and photos.

Overall, your car would be so easy to correct you might just want to relax and DIY. Seriously. I would keep it very very easy for you. Buy a $120 Porter Cable, 5", 3.5" backing plate backing plate, 6 Green Pads with a couple 4" ones, 10-15 480GSM High Quality Microfiber rags some HDSpeed and some HDPoxy. Total Cost would be about $300

HDSpeed will knock out anything swirl wise your new car would have. Green pads are perfect for all in one products, cut well and finish perfectly. Speed has HD's Poxy in it but not at full strength thus wipe some on by hand as a last step and call it a day.

HDSpeed and Green Pad on 10yr old abused Hyundai Paint.

[Avus RS4]

For most part, guys that detail cars independently are usually pretty good and their work is always good, as opposed to detailers out of dealerships and such.
The dealerships are all about saving money, and they may not afford a detailer guy the time to do it right.
Today's detailers are real knowledgeable.
I have my competition here in the Denver area, and to be honest, I would take my car to any of those guys and I'm confident they'll do a good job.
Again, it's just those dealerships that either hire young kids to do detailing without enough experience, or they have experienced guys that don't get the time to do it right...