How many of you periodically use some type of mobile detail service to detail your vehicle? I realize there are a lot of folks out there that have the time to meticulously care for the exterior of their vehicle to keep it looking like new, but I am not one of those nor do I have the skill sets required to avoid doing more damage than good to the exterior of the vehicle.

I have the good fortune of having a well-respected body shop in my area so I called and asked them for their recommendation. They vouched for one of their former employees that went into the mobile detailing business years ago.

What has been your experience?

 

I would be inclined to not use a mobile service, but rather a shop with a clean environment. Unless you have a garage they can work in.

 

I did mobile detailing for a while. If you find a good one, stick with them.

Having a shop doesn't matter. A detailer knows how to care for the paint regardless. They aren't going to work in a dust storm or in any environment that is not good for details...if he knows anything. He'll probably bring a pop up cover to shield the truck from the sun if he's doing extensive work on the paint.

I would talk to local car clubs or guys at car shows. They usually will know someone good.

I don't know about this guy from the body shop but I'd check around first. Paint and body guys you'd think would know the best way to detail but it's not always the case. They do a production detail and tend to think they do good work but not so much. I'd stay away from big volume Detailers too. They are about production rather than attention.

 

I've recently started using a mobile detailer. He doesn't come equipped with cameras (that I know of) to inspect the paint; it's a truck, not a lambo, but he has all the tools to do a great job. He doesn't bring his own water or generator, I supply both of those outlets.

He's a really nice guy and will do other things like yard work, oil changes, pressure washing etc. I leave him at the house if I need to run errands, it makes life super simple.

 

the guy recommended by the local body shop, which also hires him to do all their detailing, is completely self sufficient. His vehicle includes a water tank which contains a PH neutral water and is filtered to trap any impurities, pressure washer, generator, etc.

I offered to let him use my water spigot and respectfully declined stating he wouldn't use that untreated/unfiltered water to wash my vehicle.

One of the first things he did when he came to look at my vehicle was run his hand across the finish. He immediately realized the vehicle had never been clay barred since new and after a proper wash and dry, that is where he said he would need to start. This would remove any impurities trapped on the paint prior to performing any cleaning, polishing or waxing

 

Sounds like a solid guy with a good service. Traditionally I detail my own stuff, weather it be cutting and polishing out fine scratches or just a good waxing or freshening up the paint.

Typically the truck will need to be;
Washed
clay bar
washed again
If doing paint correction then its starts here. Dual action polisher or rotary.
Washed again
Waxed
Detail sprayed + wiped down

I generally break it up over a few days I'll wash and clay, use spray detail to clay to leave some protection.

Then wash, polish, wax.

There are some other productions out there now as well called http://www.opti-coat.net/content/52/...r_coating.html which basically when prepped form a second clear coat on your vehicle.

I have the above on my Porsche and the durability of the stuff is amazing.

 

Your point is well taken. I probably should have mentioned the paint is still in excellent condition - not much corrective action needed except for the black B-pillars which do have light swirl marks.

 

just don't let anyone use a high speed buffer on your truck. too much new technology out there to risk the swirls.
check out products by Rupes

 

Again point well taken. Based on the current condition of the paint, he said there wouldn't be any reason or need to use any power buffer/polisher - hand only

I thought it was interesting that he uses a foam cannon to apply the soap to the vehicle. He doesn't believe in using any buckets whatsoever as they only trap contaminates and promote scratches in the paint finish

 

Good point, hadn't thought of that. You just don't see that here in the great white north