Haven't washed my car since fall...wash and wax or detail?
03-15-2011, 01:01 PM
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Haven't washed my car since fall...wash and wax or detail?
Since I've been at school, I haven't been able to take care of my TL how it should be taken care of. I haven't washed my car since like October or November, and since then it has been covered/driven in snow and been rained on, etc. I have pretty bad spider webbing already and I've had it for a while but I know a place that can get rid of it if I get a full detail(this is back home). So basically, tomorrow I was gonna go to a local place around my school to get it washed and waxed. I was just wondering if I should go ahead and get it fully detailed? Or should I just get it washed and waxed and then get it detailed when I go home at the end of April? I know the detail shop at home is reputable and really good but I have never been to the place I want to take it here at school, they seem to have a good rep though. Just wondering what you guys would recommend, a full detail now or wash and wax now then full detail later. I really need to stop slacking on my car care haha I hate to see it as filthy as it is but I haven't had the urge to clean it since a one way trip home is six hours it just gets dirty on the way anyway. Thanks guys
03-15-2011, 01:52 PM
#3
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if you don't have the means to give it a full detail yourself, then yes i'd take it and get it professionally done.
those guys will also wash your car so i would not worry about doing it yourself.
in fact, if you bring it to them all grimey and filthy...they will probably do a better job because they will want to "wow" you with how good of a job they do.
be prepared to pray a premium...full details aren't cheap, but it'll look fantastic when it's all said n done and you'll soon forget about the money you spent on it.
those guys will also wash your car so i would not worry about doing it yourself.
in fact, if you bring it to them all grimey and filthy...they will probably do a better job because they will want to "wow" you with how good of a job they do.
be prepared to pray a premium...full details aren't cheap, but it'll look fantastic when it's all said n done and you'll soon forget about the money you spent on it.
03-15-2011, 01:54 PM
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I'd wash & wax it until April, when you can take it to the place you know will do a great job. 
03-15-2011, 01:55 PM
#5
can u post a pic of ur car i just wanna c how dirty it is ... o and yea i vote for a full detail esp since it hasnt been washed that long and probably has so many swirls and such on it from the winter salt
03-15-2011, 01:57 PM
#6
I feel you sometimes it's not worth cleaning my car sits in a garage pretty much for 5 to 6 days on end before i touch it and it get's super dirty so i am placed with the issue to wash it and look clean meanwhile wasting 15 bucks every week or just ride it dirty for a extra week or 2 then wash it ..most of the time i ride it dirty ..lol ..but then there are those times i can't go another day with out a wash even if i'm just going to put it rigt back in the garage and not touch it for another week..I'd say go with your instinct..I personally detail my car myself especially in the summer ..i would say get it washed where your at it will look way better ..then get the whole shebang when you get back home ....
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03-15-2011, 02:07 PM
#8
I'd say give it a nice was, clay bar, and wax till all the salt is washed out. Then i'd take it in for them to paint correction such as getting swirls and imperfections in the paint out and then a nice polish and seal it.
I'm sure the detail guys can step in and steer you in the right direction.
I'm sure the detail guys can step in and steer you in the right direction.
03-15-2011, 02:07 PM
#9
Originally Posted by DUhockey
What exactly gets done with a "full detail"?
Swirls and marring are easy to do, especially if you live in a climate where in the winter time, you cannot wash.
a good detailer will:
- wash
- claybar
- tape up car
- with the aid of a machine and polishes, remove swirls, scratches, and marring.
- seal car with sealant
- wax car
- dress up black plastics
- fully clean wheels, and dress them up.
- fully clean interior
Very long and tiring work, I usually get done in 12 hours.
some take longer, as they a perfectionist.
A dull 12 year old car can look brand NEW.
Last edited by justnspace; 03-15-2011 at 02:11 PM. Reason: being a perfectionist
03-15-2011, 02:10 PM
#11
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When it comes to the exterior, a full detail usually involves a regular wash, using a clay bar to get rid of contaminants embedded in the paint, and then buffing out swirls in the clear coat, and then protecting the paint with some sort of sealant or wax.
03-15-2011, 02:15 PM
#12
Instructor
^paint correction.
Swirls and marring are easy to do, especially if you live in a climate where in the winter time, you cannot wash.
a good detailer will:
- wash
- claybar
- tape up car
- with the aid of a machine and polishes, remove swirls, scratches, and marring.
- seal car with sealant
- wax car
- dress up black plastics
- fully clean wheels, and dress them up.
- fully clean interior
Very long and tiring work, I usually get done in 12 hours.
some take longer, as they a perfectionist.
A dull 12 year old car can look brand NEW.
Swirls and marring are easy to do, especially if you live in a climate where in the winter time, you cannot wash.
a good detailer will:
- wash
- claybar
- tape up car
- with the aid of a machine and polishes, remove swirls, scratches, and marring.
- seal car with sealant
- wax car
- dress up black plastics
- fully clean wheels, and dress them up.
- fully clean interior
Very long and tiring work, I usually get done in 12 hours.
some take longer, as they a perfectionist.
A dull 12 year old car can look brand NEW.
03-15-2011, 02:17 PM
#13
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Depends on a bunch of stuff, but a quality detail could run you between $300-$400.
03-15-2011, 02:42 PM
#17
50/50 correction shot of a black Cayenne.
this is Detailers Domain's work.
full thread: https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/detailers-domain-trashed-08-cayenne-809696/
hang out in the wash and wax section!!
Last edited by justnspace; 03-15-2011 at 02:46 PM.
03-15-2011, 02:47 PM
#18
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yeah it's amazing what patience and perseverance will get you.
i can't wait to try out my new stuff as soon as the weather gets nicer...
i can't wait to try out my new stuff as soon as the weather gets nicer...
03-15-2011, 02:50 PM
#19
Don't disagree
^^for 18 hours worth of work i can see that price but i have never seen a detail shop in N.Y hold anybodies car for more than 6 hours maybe even 8 at minimum 3 usually never over 200 dollars..Always seen spectacular results ..but everywhere is different I've even searched detailers in P.A and samething never over 200 unless your talking about an S.U.V..But i am pretty sure there is somebody charging that outrageous price in N.Y somewhere ..
03-15-2011, 02:53 PM
#20
^^for 18 hours worth of work i can see that price but i have never seen a detail shop in N.Y hold anybodies car for more than 6 hours maybe even 8 at minimum 3 usually never over 200 dollars..Always seen spectacular results ..but everywhere is different I've even searched detailers in P.A and samething never over 200 unless your talking about an S.U.V..But i am pretty sure there is somebody charging that outrageous price in N.Y somewhere ..
6 hours is not enough time
45 hours!!!!
by Oakes.
https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/ferrari-f430-scuderia-detail-45-hours-oakes-805710/
03-15-2011, 02:56 PM
#21
There is never a need to "detail".
If you want the car to be clean, just wash it. If you want to protect the paint, wax it.
Detailing your car is great, but it's never a necessity, unless you want perfect paint.
Repost this in the Wash & Wax section if you want better advice.
If you want the car to be clean, just wash it. If you want to protect the paint, wax it.
Detailing your car is great, but it's never a necessity, unless you want perfect paint.
Repost this in the Wash & Wax section if you want better advice.
03-15-2011, 02:56 PM
#22
Porche Cayman S by Detailers Domain.
https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/detailers-domain-porsche-cayman-s-801298/
03-15-2011, 05:55 PM
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Depends on the detailer. My services may vary from the next.
Price will vary with geography... Someone in Michigan may not be able to charge as much as someone in Florida.
Just remember you get what you pay for. When you think oh, $100 for a full detail... Most of the time, that detail will consist of a non-experience "detailer" with a rotary buffer and a wool pad who doesn't know how to use - which will then put buffer trails aka holograms ALL OVER the car. But then they will try to cover up their "work" with a heavy oil glaze that will make the car look good when you pick it up... At least until it rains....
Price will vary with geography... Someone in Michigan may not be able to charge as much as someone in Florida.
Just remember you get what you pay for. When you think oh, $100 for a full detail... Most of the time, that detail will consist of a non-experience "detailer" with a rotary buffer and a wool pad who doesn't know how to use - which will then put buffer trails aka holograms ALL OVER the car. But then they will try to cover up their "work" with a heavy oil glaze that will make the car look good when you pick it up... At least until it rains....
Last edited by stiffdogg06; 03-15-2011 at 06:08 PM.
03-15-2011, 06:05 PM
#26
I'm Craig
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Don't feel bad at all. I haven't hand washed mine since October. I take it through the swirl-o-matic about twice a month. Haven't really touched the interior since last fall either. Winter=can't win.
That said, I'd just have it detailed.
That said, I'd just have it detailed.
03-15-2011, 06:48 PM
#27
Suzuka Master
I seldom wash my car in the winter unless I can do it properly in front of the house with the hose etc.
Myself I would wash it best you can if you have a hose then wait till you get home and have it done by the reputable shop you know.
If you do it where your at .. even a wash/wax you can get a hack and spend $100 for paint damage.
We have a guy in town that charges in the area of $100 for an exterior wash/wax and his people wash it with a brush out of dirty water in a pail. Dry it with old towels and then slop on a heavy wax that lasts 3 washes.
Then I get the car to fix ..
I charge $165 min and it goes up if a lot of correction needed.
It includes ;
Wash
Clay
Heavy spot correction
Overall polish
Sealant
Full interior cleaning I dressing
Door edges
Trunk
Tires/wheels
Glass.
I don't normall do engines outside of a wipedown.
Myself I would wash it best you can if you have a hose then wait till you get home and have it done by the reputable shop you know.
If you do it where your at .. even a wash/wax you can get a hack and spend $100 for paint damage.
We have a guy in town that charges in the area of $100 for an exterior wash/wax and his people wash it with a brush out of dirty water in a pail. Dry it with old towels and then slop on a heavy wax that lasts 3 washes.
Then I get the car to fix ..
I charge $165 min and it goes up if a lot of correction needed.
It includes ;
Wash
Clay
Heavy spot correction
Overall polish
Sealant
Full interior cleaning I dressing
Door edges
Trunk
Tires/wheels
Glass.
I don't normall do engines outside of a wipedown.
03-15-2011, 11:23 PM
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i want to do it myself, but aren't the supplies for detailing your car really expensive? but I think im going to just get a wash and wax and then ill detail it one way or another in the summer
03-16-2011, 08:27 AM
#33
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03-16-2011, 03:55 PM
#34
Princely, detailing is the same as washing both not a necessity.
Most detailers I know that do a flawless job would charge at least $200. Oakes Detail of that Ferauri probably cost a thousand dollars.
If you want to save money in the long run learn to do it yourself!
Check the Wash & Wax section. You can get M105/M205 and a 7424XP and some pads for about $250. Buy yourself any wax or sealant, some microfiber towels, 2 buckets, clay bar, and you can do it yourself!
Most detailers I know that do a flawless job would charge at least $200. Oakes Detail of that Ferauri probably cost a thousand dollars.
If you want to save money in the long run learn to do it yourself!
Check the Wash & Wax section. You can get M105/M205 and a 7424XP and some pads for about $250. Buy yourself any wax or sealant, some microfiber towels, 2 buckets, clay bar, and you can do it yourself!
03-16-2011, 04:11 PM
#35
The other forum I frequent (www.svtperformance.com) has a great detailing section with LOTS of info and people constantly posting. I suggest checking that out!
Check out AutoGeek for tons of products. There are TONS! of different waxes, sealents, clay's, PC's, orbitals, etc so just read up and enjoy. It's much more enjoyable doing it yourself and saving money.
Check out AutoGeek for tons of products. There are TONS! of different waxes, sealents, clay's, PC's, orbitals, etc so just read up and enjoy. It's much more enjoyable doing it yourself and saving money.
03-16-2011, 04:17 PM
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I got it washed and waxed today, the paint looks significantly better and i think the place I took it to did a good job. I think over the summer I'll invest in detailing products, I already own many of the supplies for washing my car but ill have to buy wax/polish/orbital/etc. Since I let my car get so filthy, I think a drive thru car wash would have had me satisfied haha but this should keep me satisfied til April (maybe a few more washes in between, no wax) and then I'll take care of the detailing from there.
03-16-2011, 04:44 PM
#37
[x] FWCC [x]
I got it washed and waxed today, the paint looks significantly better and i think the place I took it to did a good job. I think over the summer I'll invest in detailing products, I already own many of the supplies for washing my car but ill have to buy wax/polish/orbital/etc. Since I let my car get so filthy, I think a drive thru car wash would have had me satisfied haha but this should keep me satisfied til April (maybe a few more washes in between, no wax) and then I'll take care of the detailing from there.
03-16-2011, 04:55 PM
#38
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Dirty car all winter > One swirl-o-matic wash IMO. I don't have all the tools needed for paint correction so I focus on paint preservation. This winter my car's only seen one touchless wash, and I followed that up with an ONR wash and then wax at home.
03-16-2011, 06:09 PM
#39
I'm Craig
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03-16-2011, 06:16 PM
#40
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Rust can suck on my paint swirls. My car has been through five winters now so trying to prevent rust from forming under the car is my main concern. I personally wouldn't try to get by with just hand washing during winter. Hell the bolts for my rear A-Spec kit seized after just a year of being on.
Ouch, how you plan on keeping your bottom of the car from rusting? lol Throw some ideas over here.
