saucy

Let me start by saying I am fairly new to this detailing gig. I have done quite a few cars before just never taken many pictures. I have also learned that I am not the best at photographing for good detail shops. Any input on taking pictures to capture the best results, please advise. Im seeing that lighting plays a huge role in this. Also since I am new to this I am growing my product/hardware inventory. As of now, most of my jobs are done all by hand or by a slower orbital picked up from a hardware store. These are two of the most recent details I did. Nothing to special vehicle wise here. Let me know what you guys think.

This Highlander was a family friend that wanted the car detailed prior to having their second child. Had a lot of minor scuffs and scratches, and lots of light swirls. Most removed with the compound. I unfortunately do not have during photos, but just before and afters. She was greatly pleased. I performed a two bucket wash, clay bar, compound, and synthetic wax application. Interior, was rushed so no pics, but dressed the interior plastics and such, and leather cleaner and conditioner. About 4 1/2 hours of work.

BEFORE:





AFTER:







The next is a buddys old Camero. He just purchased a used 330i so he is selling this and requested I detail it for him. This had quite a bit of scratches, lots and lots of swirls, a bunch of rock chips, wheels were in bad shape, interior was extremel dusty and unmaintained. Had the worst time with the exhaust, I used an all purpose cleaner on it but still could not get it much better. Owner did not wash/wax this car on a regular basis. I have since taught him the importance of this and I will be taking care of his 330 from here on out. This job total was over 10 hours. I used a two bucket wash, clay bar, compound, still found stuff i wanted to work on, compounded once more on some panels, polish, and then hand wax. Interior was vacuumed, cleaned with soap and water, dash was really dull so I used a product I have never used, it was a Meguirs cleaner and conditioner for interiors....I do not like. It looks to much like ArmourAll IMHO. Again constructive critisim is greatly appreciated. Wanting to learn as much as possible. I did a simple wash and wax on this car about 5 months ago. So the befores are better than when I FIRST had this car. Also have taught him that ebay products such as lights should not be placed on his 330.

BEFORE:

hood was popped due to me cleaning out leaves and pinestraw.










AFTER:














Thanks guys for having a look. Again, let me know what you guys think. Trying to get better and better.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

the outcome looks great dude....

the further show your work take some 50-50 pix....even if your the best "detailer" and cant show it on pix, it wont come as close to your work....catch my drift ?

saucy

Definitely need the 50/50's will get that on the next ones. Thanks man.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Nice work, definitely can improve on your picture taking, but I like the write ups, would be interested to know what products you used for compounding and swirl removal. Definitely a good start

saucy

Honestly, I hate to say it, a lot of the products used where over the counter products. I have my list growing of things Im working on getting from Detailed Image. Hope to start my purchasing soon.

As for these I used Meguirs Products;

The Ultimate Detailer Spray (for claybar)
The Ultimate Compound
The Ultimate Polish
NXT 2.0 Synthetic Wax

Do you think that it is mainly the lighting is my issue for picture taking? I know I also need to try to get some closer shots of the swirls and scratches, with b & a's.

Thanks again guys,

jwr0ng626

iTrader: (1)

I think lighting and taking from closer/different angles will help

v|nsan|ty

A good way to take during pics of the correction process is to use either halogens or LEDs as a light source. When correcting, I'm always in my garage using halogen lamps. Take a look at what others have done in their write-ups and you'll get an idea of how to take pictures that capture swirls.

saucy

Thanks guys for the input, I "Hope" to be able to get to my wifes Murano and my TSX before it gets horribly cold. Maybe I will be able to up my photo skills. I have an LED headlamp for my night runs. I will give that a go. The lighting in my garage is not that great, i usually use the LED for my inspections afterwards....good idea.

Thanks again.

slickooz

Did you do this all by hand?

saucy

The camero was the only car I did a hand wax. I used a carnuba wax on his and have never used carnuba on a buffer. All the compounding was done with a fairly slow orbital buffer.

saucy

Friend got me a new Porter Cable 7424 XP, so i purchased a few other goodies to go with it.

Backing plate
Microfiber pads
D300
P21S Wheel Cleaner
New Microfiber Towels
Some trim dressings

The rest of my goodies should be in by tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be really nice this weekend. I have a friend that his Si is in major need of a job. I will try my best to improve my picture taking skills and get before, during, 50/50 and after shots of the job.

One question I do have. I have a friend that wants me to detail his car. He has a 330i (same friend that had the camero) well the chrome trim on his car looks like it may take more than a wash. Anything in particular I should use to bring that trim back to life. It is the chrome trim around the windows I am talking about.

Thanks again guys for all the help.

slickooz

Try any metal polish, I use NeverDull and it works. You can easily get them in any auto parts store.

saucy

Thanks slick, I will go by and check it out. I have some chrome polish I got forever ago when I was detailing my moms car alot, but it said NO plastics so I ran from it. I will check out this NeverDull.

95oRANGEcRUSH

If you need photo help, check the link below.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ur-camera.html

J.TL

pictures, close to the car, and with the lines, example above the taillight taking photo towards side mirror. obviously facing a light source. like mention, halogen lamps are great.