"Firewrx234" (firewrx234)
09/05/2013 at 11:43 • Filed to: Detailing q's
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"Firewrx234" (firewrx234)
09/05/2013 at 11:43 • Filed to: Detailing q's | 0
| 21 |
So, a year ago, then fiance - now wife, bought me a full detail for my car. Now I just got around to using the certificate and I've got a couple of etiquette q's.
First, I'm getting a full detail for my car, inside and out, and is it best to have the car clean before showing up? I'm thinking yes and going to clean it up a bit before I bring it anyway but just curious.
Second, at what point should I feel ashamed of getting a car detailed? (Read: car isn't as purty as she used to be and I almost feel silly bringing my dinged and battered 1999 Grand Prix to get detailed)
Thanks for the answers in advance!
Party-vi
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:46 |
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I thought a full detail included cleaning o_O
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Firewrx234
> Party-vi
09/05/2013 at 11:47 |
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It does but said car is commonly parked under a tree where evil birds from hell have decided said car is a beautiful red toilet.
Z_Stig
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:48 |
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1. The detailer will most likely wash it again according to their preferences, but sure, it won't hurt if you clean it beforehand.
2. I know this feeling. But a good detail will only make it look better, if only a small amount. Plus, it's already paid for!
Casper
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:48 |
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I just let them clean it too. It's sorta what I'm paying for (within reason obviously). If I were you, I would make sure anything valuable is out of the car though. Get any money, electronics, etc, out before you go so it doesn't disappear.
HammerheadFistpunch
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:49 |
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DE-clutter and remove personal items only, don't go nuts. Also, never be ashamed to take good care of things that matter to you (car, tools...wife)
Bird
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:50 |
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I wouldn't bring it in with French Fries on the floor, but you don't need to wash it first. Thats the first step to any detail. They won't think badly of you for bringing in a dirty car.
As far the car not being what it used to be, that's the best time for the detail. If they're good, they will clean things that you didn't know were dirty. My girlfriend and I usually take care of our own cars, but we have a guy that does them occasionally. He did my girlfriends old Focus before she sold it, and I swear it made the car worth another $500. A good detailer will go through the interior with brushes to pull all the dust out of the cracks, and do little things like that. You wouldn't really notice all by itself, but those details are what can shave years off a car's appearance.
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Party-vi
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:51 |
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Not your problem - let the professionals handle it.
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Firewrx234
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/05/2013 at 11:52 |
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I agree, I see my car as awesome and worth keeping in shape. However others, who don't understand what it is, ask "Why do you try to take care of it, it'll never be a show car". It's just disheartening is all.
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Z_Stig
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/05/2013 at 11:52 |
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Not necessarily in that order.....LOL
kouryuuk
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:53 |
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I can't speak for other detailers but here is what I prefer.
I want the car to come in as is, you are bringing it to me to clean it and I will do that no matter how dirty it is. This also gives me more information on the car, does it sit under trees or a particularly mean bird? are the door seals and other assorted black trim in good condition? Are there any bugs? Any problem areas I should look out for?
Bringing in your car dirty helps me get a lot of useful information that I can later use to decide what products to use and where along the process to use them so that they are more effective. For example if you have bird and tree droppings on your car, I might use a tougher sealant that might not be as glossy but will look better longer and more importantly protect your car longer.
NEVER BE ASHAMED TO GET YOUR CAR DETAILED, IT'S YOUR CAR.
If you love your car enough to pay to get it detailed than it doesn't matter what it is or how old it is, It is my job as a detailer to make your car look it's best and protect it going forward, regardless of what kind of car or how old it is or what shape it's in.
If any detailer looks at you funny because you are bringing in a 1989 Tempo with optional AWD then leave because they don't deserve your business.
BJ
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:54 |
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For the outside, don't be too concerned about the state. If there is a LOT of bird poop, maybe hose it down quickly. You'll want to mention the birds to the detailer, it may affect their choice of wax or treatments (depending on the value of the service that was purchased).
For the inside, tidy up a bit - pick up the trash, take out all non-essential bits (iPod cables, etc) and put things back in their place (maps into glovebox, etc). This makes it easier to get down to the business of cleaning.
And, if you're still really unsure about it, you could always check with the guys on /r/AutoDetailing .
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HammerheadFistpunch
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:54 |
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screw that...watch the hilarious[ly bad] johnny lingo. (sweet drum intro though)
The value of something is the value you place on it.
ddavidn
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:57 |
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I once brought in my 1989 Mazda MPV to be detailed. Why? Well, it had been sitting in a yard for about two years and smelled of mold and mildew, and was pretty dirty. But, it was a rainy winter in Washington and I asked them if they wanted to do it. They charged me an "extra dirty" fee, said they were only doing it because it was rainy, and I was actually pretty happy with the results. I did de-clutter it before taking it in. I was ashamed, but they made me feel all right, saying there was nothing I could have done to help the process. I'd just take it, tell them you're ashamed, and ask them to make it look like it just came off the showroom floor.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 11:58 |
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A little dirty is fine, but I would be embarrassed to take it do the detailer if it was absolutely filthy (in or out). In the end, you're paying for their time, and the less time it takes in the initial wash means the more time they might spend on fine detail work. Also, if they know you care about your car, I think they'll probably do a better job as well.
Moving any loose stuff from the interior into a box in the trunk is a good idea, too.
Don't be ashamed - you'll love the results.
lonestranger
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 12:18 |
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I used to work as a professional detailer, both for a new car dealer, and later at an independent shop.
As far as etiquette goes, for the most part, it's their job to be nice to you the customer, not the other way around. That being said, a detailer will likely be more thorough, more careful, and take more pride in working on a pleasant person's car than the one belonging to a jerk. It's just human nature.
There are simple things a customer can do to keep the detailer happy.
Be on time. If you've made an appointment time, have your car there on time or early.
In the case of an interior job, take all of your loose crap out and keep it at home. Other than things like floor mats and your registration papers, if it's not bolted down, remove it. Where I worked, we cleaned the trunk, glove box, door pockets, under seats, etc. We had to remove all of the junk, bag it in old grocery bags, and then pile them in the trunk. The less time doing that, the more time we could spend detailing, and the better chance that your belongings won't be damaged or lost. Most of us aren't thieves (believe it or not), but shit happens.
With exterior jobs, you don't necessarily need to wash it beforehand. The shop will have to re-wash it "their way" anyway. The exception is if there is a particular special issue with your paint that you need to discuss with the shop. For instance, if you have particularly bad scratches, the shop will have to determine how much work (and cost) is involved, and discuss your expectations of the finished result. If it's dirty, we can't properly examine the car. On that point, if there's a loose or damaged trim piece or something that you know of, let them know beforehand so that they don't damage it further.
On the subject of expectations, be sure to communicate them before leaving your car at the shop. Either when making the appointment or when dropping the car off, ensure that both you and the shop agree on cost, when it will be ready to pick up, and what work will be done. Especially if there's a particular scratch, contamination, stain, or smell that you want removed, be sure to notify the shop that it's important to you. These special areas often need special time and effort to remove, and might be impossible to fully remove. Avoid disappointment. Nothing makes a detailer happier than a satisfied customer.
That's all I can think of for now. Enjoy your refreshed ride!
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lonestranger
> kouryuuk
09/05/2013 at 12:23 |
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Well said.
And personally, I'd be particularly interested in the customer with a 1989 Tempo with optional AWD.
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lonestranger
> Bird
09/05/2013 at 12:35 |
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Every car has french fries somewhere. Some are just harder to find than others. It's like playing "Where's Waldo?"
Squid
> Firewrx234
09/05/2013 at 12:42 |
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Just to parrot the other guys, take all of your personal belongings and trash out of your interior. Boom done. They are going to wash it and do all that nice detailing stuff that they are wizards at. A good detailer will make the car pop no matter what. the exterior being dirty isn't a big deal but the interior being all exploded with your stuff kind of is.
A good detail is a nice point to keep the wash and wax ritual up and make your car look good for a long time. never be ashamed to want to make your car look nice.
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Bird
> lonestranger
09/05/2013 at 12:55 |
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I guess you're right about that. I've taken the carpet out of a few cars, and there's usually one somewhere. Also, I am 100% sure McDonald's fries will be discovered by an archaeologist 1000 years from now in an almost perfectly preserved state.
Ferrero1911
> Bird
09/05/2013 at 14:03 |
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My car doesn't have any French fries. No eating in the car!
George McNally
> lonestranger
09/05/2013 at 16:48 |
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I had one of those for 8 years....an 89 with the 4 cylinder and AWD. Nice car for what it was,although it was kinda slow with only 88 horsepower