A friend of mine, currently in a recent model 911 Turbo, suggested that I take my car to a detailer twice a year like he does. His car is a daily driver (20-25k miles a year in all weather types), and he takes it for a full detailing at a local reputable classic cars shop ($225ish) twice a year... once before winter (November-ish) and once after (April-ish). At all other times he just sprays salt off it or runs it through a soft touch wash.

I have to admit, that 100k miles jet black Porsche still looks pretty much brand new.

Thoughts? Anyone here use detailers?

 

sorry, but I shy away from detailers. I do what a detailer would do, much more frequently than twice a year.. I'm pretty good with a PC , smr and polymer polishes.

 

It's ironic this thread. I myself am a detailer. It is not my full time job, life's dream, or otherwise the genesis of my existence. Rather, I enjoy detailing cars. It is, I suppose, a pastime. For years now, I've detailed vehicles for friends, family and colleagues just for the heck of it.

Sometime ago, someone suggested I start it up as a business. I shrugged them off given that I already have a full time, very demanding occupation. I now detail vehicles on the side, and have even come up with my own home based business....feel free to check it out at www.pebblebeachauto.com

Now for the irony. Would I ever take my car to a detailer? Heck no. I'm far too anal and meticulous to let someone else play with my pride and joy. I'm so meticulous that I'm often criticized by my significant other for being far too particular with customer cars. But again, its what I enjoy. There is nothing better than seeing the look of awe on a customers face when they come back to pick up their vehicle after I've worked my magic on it.

I'm rambling I know. I suppose my point is that there are good and not so good detailers out there. Pick selectively, and you'll be satisfied with the results.

Asif
PS-$225? I should reconsider my pricing schedule

 

The $225 package is quite complete. Engine bay, full interior (including shampoo and drying of all carpeting), underbody, even removing the wheels and cleaning out the insides. I know a local Porsche dealer sends its cars there to be detailed.

I'm like you. I've always done it myself. However, in the past, I owned a coupe and I had a garage. Right now I have neither. I've just wondered whether it'd be worth biting the bullet once or twice a year on this sort of thing, and/or what sorts of cleaning upper end detailing shops do that I might not be able to handle as easily.

 

First, There's nothing soft touch about a Soft Touch Car Wash. Trust me, I have a client that owns a couple of them.

For me I'd have to see the products they use, and the methods the employ before I'd ever leave my car with anyone. Just because he's open for business doesn't mean he knows what he's doing. Detailing is the easiest business for any knucklehead to open so be careful.

I do everything myself because i love it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by phoenix9999

 

my vote is with the others above...
i do it myself- then i know exactly what was done and with what product.
a pro is not going to spend as much time as you would, and they cant usually afford to use products such as zaino (too time intensive).
i guess if you have no other choice but a car wash or a detailer, the detailer would be the lesser of the two evils- but this would be a choice a long way away from just doing it myself!
even without a garage, not sure why you cant detail your car yourself a few times a year...