Buffing...is it bad?

kannibul · 07-08-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

Hmm... be careful - that's awefully cheap... make sure they aren't using a glaze that fills the scratches in - after a few washes it will look like you put swirl marks back into your car but you just washe out the glaze. I also suspect the 9 month sealer is good if you never wash your car but once you start washing almost any sealer will start to come off. That's fine - just make sure you seal your car with a good wax - carnuba or synthetic (I think most would agree on a synthetic for a daily driver - carnuba for a constantly detailed vehicle).

Oh and just because someone works on really expensive cars doesn't mean the care about the longevity of their work - see the glaze info above...

Maybe...

But, this is the guy's site:

Auto Haven Mobile Detail, LLC

Check his photo gallery.

So...$275 is cheap?

NXTAZEE · 07-08-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

Maybe...

But, this is the guy's site:

Auto Haven Mobile Detail, LLC

Check his photo gallery.

So...$275 is cheap?

I looked at all of the photo's and none of them show his work. There are no sun shots or 50/50 pics like the one's above. Dark photos and photo's with out direct sun really show nothing. I'm not saying he isn't doing fantastic work, I'm just saying you should see for your self before you commit. $275 in and out is a very good deal if he knows what he is doing. Keep in mind that an exterior detail takes 6 - 8 hours to perform properly, plus another hour or more for the interior on a Z. So if he is going to do all this in a handful of hours I would be very concerned.

kannibul · 07-09-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

I looked at all of the photo's and none of them show his work. There are no sun shots or 50/50 pics like the one's above. Dark photos and photo's with out direct sun really show nothing. I'm not saying he isn't doing fantastic work, I'm just saying you should see for your self before you commit. $275 in and out is a very good deal if he knows what he is doing. Keep in mind that an exterior detail takes 6 - 8 hours to perform properly, plus another hour or more for the interior on a Z. So if he is going to do all this in a handful of hours I would be very concerned.

Hmm, that's exactly, what I assume he and his partner, are doing. If they are attacking it with 2 people that'd cut down on the labor time, so that knocks it to 3-4 hours given your timeframe listed, and he said it takes a couple hours - so maybe 3 hours isn't that far off.

I imagine with the high-dollar vehicles that he's worked on, probably aren't daily drivers (mine is also not), and were in good condition when he started (which mine is), so if it looked horrible when it was done, I'm sure he and his partner would be out of work.

I'll see if I can find out more about the products he's using, to see if there's a scratch filler to it or something.

NXTAZEE · 07-08-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

Hmm... be careful - that's awefully cheap... make sure they aren't using a glaze that fills the scratches in - after a few washes it will look like you put swirl marks back into your car but you just washe out the glaze. I also suspect the 9 month sealer is good if you never wash your car but once you start washing almost any sealer will start to come off. That's fine - just make sure you seal your car with a good wax - carnuba or synthetic (I think most would agree on a synthetic for a daily driver - carnuba for a constantly detailed vehicle).

Oh and just because someone works on really expensive cars doesn't mean the care about the longevity of their work - see the glaze info above...

Yes, very wise grasshopper.

FricFrac · 07-10-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Yes, very wise grasshopper.

Yea I just figured it out all by myself :P

Another thing that impressed me about the job NXTAZEE did on my friend's G35 was his concern for the longevity of the paint. Its easy to take the clear down but it takes skill and patients to take the optimal amount off to allow for multiple future compoundings. NXTAZEE takes measurements of the thickness of the paint to maximize the life of the paint and prevent clear coat failure. Something else to be aware of when shoping for a detailer....

kannibul · 07-09-2009, 08:44 AM

I sent them an email - wonder if I'll get a reply?

My apologies for asking this after we’ve already scheduled an appointment…

Could you give me some contact info for references of your work?

If it’s possible, can I see your work first-hand?

I know I’ve spoken a bit about the products you use (not Zaino, some Griot’s Garage), could you be specific about them?

This is the first detail for my 370z – this car is my “Porsche”, my “Lamborghini”, my “Corvette”…I want this to be the foundation for the life of the car. The paint is noted by many 370z owners as being soft and fairly fragile, and I don’t want to take any chances on it getting screwed up and having to have it repaired…again

NXTAZEE · 07-09-2009, 10:38 AM

Kannibul, asking for a reference is a wise move. You could also go over there and have a look at a vehicle that they have just finished detailing as well. I noticed that they used random orbit polishers in the pics. Thats reassuring, as this cuts down on the chances of swirling the paint and burning edges.

kannibul · 07-09-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Kannibul, asking for a reference is a wise move. You could also go over there and have a look at a vehicle that they have just finished detailing as well. I noticed that they used random orbit polishers in the pics. Thats reassuring, as this cuts down on the chances of swirling the paint and burning edges.

They replied back...since you seem to know a LOT more about it, I'll PM the info they sent to see if any of it makes sense to you

Thanks for the info...

nogoodname · 07-09-2009, 10:42 AM

True, random orbit polisher cuts down the chance to swirl.
There's a new model Porter Cable out now.

RITDR · 07-09-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname007

There's a new model Porter Cable out now.

Thanks for mentioning this....... maybe its time for me to upgrade mine.

NXTAZEE · 07-09-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RITDR

Thanks for mentioning this....... maybe its time for me to upgrade mine.

Have a look at Flex. They make a really nice machine.

nogoodname · 07-09-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RITDR

Thanks for mentioning this....... maybe its time for me to upgrade mine.

PM me if you need more info about it.

NXTAZEE · 07-09-2009, 11:46 AM

Just go to Autogeek.net. They have the Porter Cable as well as the Flex polishers.

RITDR · 07-09-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Just go to Autogeek.net. They have the Porter Cable as well as the Flex polishers.

Thanks, I'll check them out!

Celcius · 07-10-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname007

There's a new model Porter Cable out now.

I totally recommend it too. I still have the old one which isn't half bad, but my buddy let me use his new one for a while and it was so much lighter and easier to control it's hard to justify not upgrading. Your arms don't feel numb at the end of the day either.

07-09-2009, 10:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
NXTAZEE Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 530 Drives: 2010 370Z 7AT Rep Power: 17	Kannibul, asking for a reference is a wise move. You could also go over there and have a look at a vehicle that they have just finished detailing as well. I noticed that they used random orbit polishers in the pics. Thats reassuring, as this cuts down on the chances of swirling the paint and burning edges. __________________ 2010 Carbon Silver 370Z 7AT charcoal int. sports package \| Clear Bra \| Invidia Gemini CBE \| CF B-Pillars \| CF Fangs \| CF Z emblems \| Swift Springs \| 20mm & 25mm Spacers \| SPC Camber Arms \| Brushed Aluminum shift knob

07-09-2009, 11:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
NXTAZEE Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 530 Drives: 2010 370Z 7AT Rep Power: 17	Just go to Autogeek.net. They have the Porter Cable as well as the Flex polishers. __________________ 2010 Carbon Silver 370Z 7AT charcoal int. sports package \| Clear Bra \| Invidia Gemini CBE \| CF B-Pillars \| CF Fangs \| CF Z emblems \| Swift Springs \| 20mm & 25mm Spacers \| SPC Camber Arms \| Brushed Aluminum shift knob

07-09-2009, 08:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 267	I sent them an email - wonder if I'll get a reply? My apologies for asking this after we’ve already scheduled an appointment… Could you give me some contact info for references of your work? If it’s possible, can I see your work first-hand? I know I’ve spoken a bit about the products you use (not Zaino, some Griot’s Garage), could you be specific about them? This is the first detail for my 370z – this car is my “Porsche”, my “Lamborghini”, my “Corvette”…I want this to be the foundation for the life of the car. The paint is noted by many 370z owners as being soft and fairly fragile, and I don’t want to take any chances on it getting screwed up and having to have it repaired…again

07-09-2009, 10:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	True, random orbit polisher cuts down the chance to swirl. There's a new model Porter Cable out now.