south florida detailing for DIY

[lore2486]

Hey guys I figured I give something back to the community that has helped me so much and kept me entertained for years.

So here is the story, for the longest time I wanted to get my car detailed and coated by the pros but every time I asked for a quote it ended up being in the thousands. While I understand its an art and their knowledge is worth it. I just could not get myself to spend that much on my cars paint specially being a lease. In the end I decided to spend some time and learn it myself, I bought all the equipment 2 DA polishers all sorts of polish/finish/compounding/tapes/Cquartz. in the end I spend about the same it would have cost me to get 1 car done but I had all 3 cars and they came out Great.

i would like to offer anyone local who wants to get their car done (polished and coated) the opportunity to do so if they are willing to put in the time and help me do it. Keep in mind it could take up to 12 hours depending on how bad your paint is but the end results are worth it. I am by no means an expert and i do this as a hobby. The only thing you would need to bring is the coating (cquartz preferred but opti coat works too) that you would like to use and maybe some pads depending on how mine are. I have all the other polish from menzerna/chemical guys/rupes to get rid of any paint imperfections before the coating. I'm not doing this to make money but i wont deny any donations or beers

If you are interested let me know via pm so we can work the schedule out.

here is some of my work all polished and coated with Cquartz except for GTS i used opti coat for that one.

[Schwarz]

Looks like they came out great judging by the photos. Good job.

[lore2486]

Originally Posted by Schwarz

Looks like they came out great judging by the photos. Good job.

thanks, I spent a lot of time on them and I realized I enjoyed doing it hence this post.

[Schwarz]

I always enjoyed washing my car. It's a form of therapy really.

[DBV]

Beautiful results man!

I'd be all over this if I lived closer. Unfortunately I'm about 3+ hours away...

[lore2486]

Originally Posted by DBV

Beautiful results man!

I'd be all over this if I lived closer. Unfortunately I'm about 3+ hours away...

Thanks! If you ever come down here hit me up

[su_root]

Nice job. Its cool to see someone willing to donate their time. I'll shoot you a PM in a few thousand when my car is due for a maintenance polish.

And yes, professional detail shops are a bit overpriced.

[lore2486]

Originally Posted by su_root

Nice job. Its cool to see someone willing to donate their time. I'll shoot you a PM in a few thousand when my car is due for a maintenance polish.

And yes, professional detail shops are a bit overpriced.

For sure send me pm when you ready.

[Allensjourney]

Originally Posted by lore2486

For sure send me pm when you ready.

Looks flawless...hitting you up now.

[lore2486]

Originally Posted by Allensjourney

Looks flawless...hitting you up now.

Pmed back.

[TurboSid]

Dude I will take you up on the offer soon as I find a free weekend lol

My car needs some TLC for sure

[lore2486]

Originally Posted by TurboSid

Dude I will take you up on the offer soon as I find a free weekend lol

My car needs some TLC for sure

found this company called tevo creation their ceramic seal looks sick. maybe we can use that one on your car.

[TrevorM3]

(helpful hint)

make sure to clay before you polish, don't want to be buffing imperfections laying on top of the paint.

also, not sure how aggressive you are with your buffing/polishing you will be doing, but be very wary of strike-thru.

[lore2486]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

(helpful hint)

make sure to clay before you polish, don't want to be buffing imperfections laying on top of the paint.

also, not sure how aggressive you are with your buffing/polishing you will be doing, but be very wary of strike-thru.

yeah i use nano skin auto scrub pads to decontaminate the car as well as ironx or fallout remover. in regards to the agressiveness it depends on the cars imperfections and the desired end result. the most abrasive i have is M105 which i use on a case by case basis and finish that off with some menzerna 4k or 4.5k. i have a wide range of compounders and polish from chemical guys V line (not that great) to Rupes and menzerna.

i also just bought carpro's new essence which i have yet to try but seems promising because of its permanent filling properties. As always the goal is to conserve as much clear coat as possible by using the least aggressive product and pad combination that will work for the job.

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by lore2486

yeah i use nano skin auto scrub pads to decontaminate the car as well as ironx or fallout remover. in regards to the agressiveness it depends on the cars imperfections and the desired end result. the most abrasive i have is M105 which i use on a case by case basis and finish that off with some menzerna 4k or 4.5k. i have a wide range of compounders and polish from chemical guys V line (not that great) to Rupes and menzerna.

i also just bought carpro's new essence which i have yet to try but seems promising because of its permanent filling properties. As always the goal is to conserve as much clear coat as possible by using the least aggressive product and pad combination that will work for the job.

i use to use m105 but the dust killed me. I switched to m100.

Don't worry about that clear man, buff away. It's got plenty. I wetsanded my fathers m5 (except roof) to cut out the orange peel. If you're feeling ballsy, do that. Your YMB will pop beyond what you can comprehend.

[lore2486]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

i use to use m105 but the dust killed me. I switched to m100.

Don't worry about that clear man, buff away. It's got plenty. I wetsanded my fathers m5 (except roof) to cut out the orange peel. If you're feeling ballsy, do that. Your YMB will pop beyond what you can comprehend.

Any pics of final result? I had to wetsand one of my quarter pannels to get rid of some deep scratches caused by valet. Forsure these car have thick clear but i have no way to measure acurately.

[TrevorM3]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127257163@N02/


first few pics. hard to capture on white. if you wanna stop by one day and check it out in person lmk!

[lore2486]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127257163@N02/


first few pics. hard to capture on white. if you wanna stop by one day and check it out in person lmk!

Looks clean! I might have to do this on mine although i dont mind the orange peel so much.

[TrevorM3]

heh, the OP on bmw and merc's irk me.. the darker the color, the better the result. any detailing questions shoot me a pm. happy detailing brother!


are you coming to the meet next month?

[Amgeater2]

I am down lets do it want to learn also !! what bottle I need to buy the 30ml or 50ml ?

[lore2486]

Originally Posted by Amgeater2

I am down lets do it want to learn also !! what bottle I need to buy the 30ml or 50ml ?

Depends what car you are doing. with 30ml i did 1 full coat on my m4 and 1 more coat of everything but bumpers. you can also consider opticoat pro which leaves a smoother surface (more like a wax) but atleast on the GTS it looked less glossy although it could be due to the color. I like them both and so far both have hold up 6 month+ Ill pm you my number so we can coordinate.

Ill be doig a mini for a forum member this sunday and will be posting before and after shots.

[Amgeater2]

Originally Posted by lore2486

Depends what car you are doing. with 30ml i did 1 full coat on my m4 and 1 more coat of everything but bumpers. you can also consider opticoat pro which leaves a smoother surface (more like a wax) but atleast on the GTS it looked less glossy although it could be due to the color. I like them both and so far both have hold up 6 month+ Ill pm you my number so we can coordinate.

Ill be doig a mini for a forum member this sunday and will be posting before and after shots.

Cool Thanks Ill pick the 50ml up