bit lost Help with detailing

[MajorKhan]

Hi MK7 GTD arriving next week, need a detailer around the Nottingham/Derby area or mobile........can you recommended one or are can you you do it???

[dragonfly]

Do it yourself!

[noobmonkey]

lol dragonfly - i agree with khan... if asking, he means he wants it properly by someone who does it for a living. (no dis-respect meant khan... as i'm in the same boat, i want to... by my finish is no-way near the professionals!)

[Black oil]

Tell you what though Major and noob-
Fair enough get a pro to give you a first 'base' detail but you'd be surprised what you can achieve.
I was a detailing newbie and a bit nervous of screwing it up but have had really good results doing it myself.
Only a complete numpty could mess it up.
So long as you're sympathetic,do some research,use appropriate products and take time and care it should be fine.Everybody has to start somewhere.
If you are going to try it then get the basics right and you'll be flying.Just make sure the car is really,really clean (done correctly) before you do anything else and give yourself plenty of time.
You will have to splash out on some goodies but will save a ton of money doing it yourself.
Personally I would only go to a pro detailer now if I had major paint issues that needed correcting.
It's great therapy and very fulfilling when finished.

[Ginge 35Edition]

Tell you what though Major and noob-
Fair enough get a pro to give you a first 'base' detail but you'd be surprised what you can achieve.
I was a detailing newbie and a bit nervous of screwing it up but have had really good results doing it myself.
Only a complete numpty could mess it up.
So long as you're sympathetic,do some research,use appropriate products and take time and care it should be fine.Everybody has to start somewhere.
If you are going to try it then get the basics right and you'll be flying.Just make sure the car is really,really clean (done correctly) before you do anything else and give yourself plenty of time.
You will have to splash out on some goodies but will save a ton of money doing it yourself.
Personally I would only go to a pro detailer now if I had major paint issues that needed correcting.
It's great therapy and very fulfilling when finished.

+1 guys, don't be afraid of laying hands on ya car.

[Mark V GTD]

I take the point you are making here - but are we talking power polishing to remove dealer PDI inflicted swirls, holograms etc or just a thorough clean? If its cleaning then I would certainly step up and do it but not so sure about applying a rotary action power polisher thingy to brand new car!

[Jimble]

I take the point you are making here - but are we talking power polishing to remove dealer PDI inflicted swirls, holograms etc or just a thorough clean? If its cleaning then I would certainly step up and do it but not so sure about applying a rotary action power polisher thingy to brand new car!

Yup, using a dual action polisher or DA is a doddle if you do a bit of research and will save you quite a bit of money, no problem using it on a brand new car, mine will be getting a good goin over when turns up! The GTI would've got it too but i only had it a month!

[Black oil]

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/car-care-blog/car-care/dual-action-polishers-rotary-polishers-difference/

Not trying to sell it to you but a quick read of this will explain the differences.
I wouldn't suggest you use a single action machine as it will burn through paint easily if used without care or knowledge but the DA gives you the same thing but is nowhere near as aggressive by means of spreading the work around.
Choice of polish makes a difference as well as some will 'cut' more than others.
Just think about what it is you are doing be it by hand or machine and you should be ok.
Your caution will work in your favour once you get going.

[Simon C]

Hi major khan,

I find myself in a similar position to you, my car comes Monday and following research on here I have decided to 'do it myself'. So following an evenings research on the forum, I set up an ebay account and ordered £62 worth of kit to get me started. It arrived yesterday.

For info, one of the main reasons i decided on this approach was because many of the forum regulars and insiders suggest new cars only get 30 mins worth of attention from a dealer. So you will never get your new car looking fab. Where as I suspect we both want our cars looking fab from new and all the time.

In terms of time and ease I thought I'd share this with you. Whilst I'm not the most practical chap in the world I tested the c2v3 sealing product on my girlfriends newly cleaned mini earlier. All I needed was my sealant, a application pad and microfibre towel for buffing up. I followed some forum tips and worked it through panel by panel. In total the application of the sealant took an hour. So I'm expecting the full clean, polish and seal of my new car to take about half a day. In fact I'm looking to do it Xmas day when back visiting my folks.....my dad is already roped in on this job.

As for success with the mini? Bit difficult to tell due to lighting. However, I think I did apply too much on the bonnet as I struggled to get rid of some of the smudges I left. I did not apply as much elsewhere and had no such issues. In fact, I think I need to do some more research so I know how to tell the application has been a success.

In sum, hopefully this gives you some confidence that there are others in the same boat as you and I for one are up for giving it a proper go myself. I suspect it will not be right from day 1. However, I plan to get better with this over Tim.

Best wishes
Si