Car Care and Detailing Dreams

[vague_one]

My second detailing session this Sunday or rather my First multi stage non pro session...

The Goth Mobile was treated to her first 'reasonably priced' set of goodies (the ones bought from hyper last week) all in one go...

Since I am not used to putting all the muscles in my body to use at the SAME TIME..and since I have been specifically advised not to use any kind of MACHINE on the car just yet...so I decided to engage a different kind of an 'ORBITAL'...nopes not the kind that runs on electricity but the one that runs on two legs...An orbital who used to look after the cleaning of my cars in the good ol days and who has a couple of years polishing experience in 'Deinfa Motors'...Not a detailing expert from this thread's standard but I am teaching him (as I am learning myself)...

Well he didn't show up...got tired of waiting so at 11:30 am on Sunday, decided to take the plunge on my own...

First shock...the pipe was too small, wouldn't reach the car and the chowkidar was out and I couldn't find the extension...damn was getting late as I had a lunch commitment at 2. So out came a clean pail, the newly procured foam and I the wash started purely by hand. By the time the car was rinsed I had this jabbing pain in my lower back...oh crap ub car wash kartey hoey bhee wieght lifting support belt pehenee parey gee kya??? Well stood there for a minute or two supporting my poor ol back...saw the water drying up in patches...forgot my back and rushed to get the shampoo stage started.

Got the Armor All shampoo out (no wax off formula)...hmm 1 oz in 1 gallon...ok now which gallon...US or UK...checked the bottle...made in US...okay...so US gallon it is (US gallon is close to 4 liters while UK gallon is around 4.5 liters)...got my water proportions perfect...then how the &*^$$ do I measure the 1 oz...okay okay...the bottle was 16 oz and luckily it is a flat bottle...so I divided it into 16 parts by making markings with a pencil and poured one part into the water...shook the water to bring out the suds and soaked the foam well into it...

Using the two bucket method I then applied the shampoo to the whole car...and by this time my back was killing me and I was dreading the fact that after the shampoo I have to do three more rounds just to finish the wash (one to rinse off, two to dry)...oooh my back...allah mian kithay phasa diya jee...just when I was done with the shampoo...magically the chowkidar appeared with the extra bit of pipe...yesssss...the rinsing can be done with the water pipe now...

Quickly the water was turned on and the car was given a lovely wash with constant running water...oh what a beautiful sight as the white suds glided of the car...(and I did not have to bend to do it)...just when I was about to finish and get to the most difficult part which was drying the car up (I think taking off wax is easier then drying a car)...my ORBITAL showed up...I have never been so happy to see him before!!!

Well I handed him over the properly folded MF, instructed him on the use and sat down to enjoy a nice cig. Occasionally inspecting the drying up car. In less than 10 minutes the car was sparkly shiney...MUCH BETTER THAN ANY PUMP CAR WASH I HAVE WITNESSED...

Infact the shine was great...I got into an internal debate as to whether I should give it a cleaning wipe with BIG ORANGE or not...gave a call to V1 to take his opinion but his phone was off...oh yes his papers....hmmmm...what the hell...let's try the Big Orange wipe up before the wax...get used to multi coating...

So the bottle was taken out and sprayed on the same damp MF which was used for drying up (after making sure that it was particle free)...did a whole panel, give it a minute of breathing time and then wiped it with the other side...then handed over the cloth and the bottle to the orbital who then repeated the process on the entire car...

i must say a GOOD DECISION...this stage brought out a lacker like wet look to the paint...on touch the silkiness wasn't there ofcourse but it added a new dimension to an already shining and clean car...a look which cannot be defined but can only be experienced. Now this was a cleaner, imagine what Gloss would do?

After Big Orange the reasonably priced Wax was brought out...as instructed the Orbital applied a very very thin coat...and I must say he was an expert at it...my thin application (which I did last week) was 20 kg over weight compared to his coat...so I learn't the secret art of applying wax through my orbital...and I was surprized and happy that he told me two things that I had learn't of the net...'Bhai...hulka coat aisa ho kay sirf dry honay par nazar aey, lagatey waqt agur surface per wax nazar aya to is ka mutlab hai ka ziyada laga hai...paint sirf dhundla nazar ana chaheeyay" and the second thing he said was "naee garee hai is ko chund saal machine say door rakheeyay ga"...this was enough for me to re-establish my faith that alteast he knows his basics...basics which most of us "parha likhas" don't even know..

Well after the wax was applied...we did the interior (seat and door wipes only as I had done the interior two days ago using an Armor All disposable Wipe after the mirror installing guy at Honda had pretty much put dirty finger prints on the passenger side of the interior).

Gave the a good half an hour plus to dry up. It was 1:00 pm and we started with the buffing process. I opened the pack of Simonz disposable MF polishing cloth and took out one...Did half the boot and was very impressed with it as it was removing wax effortlessly. Did half the boot like that and then the remaining half with a detailer. Sprayed the detailer on the MF and wiped...hmmm it was actually a little more difficult with the detailer as the cloth started getting resistance (I guess it was because of the cloth), still decided to go ahead with it...wax off...turn to dry side and wipe again...wow...result was even better...satisfied with the boot after a microscopic inspection I handed over the cloth and the bottle to the orbital, who then did the rest of the car exactly how I done it.

Interestingly enough, since the disposable MF was a little tricky to handle damp, he added a dry cloth at the back so that he gets better grip and that pressure is applied evenly (ingenious)....in half an hour the car was like VA VA VOOM...

Then I sat down and did what I believe was the BEST EXPERIENCE of my life...the final wipe down...very slowly and bit by bit...I wiped the whole car with a dry MF...I was enjoying it so much that further decreased the speed, taking I don't know how long in each section...I just didn't want to stop...by this time I guess I was completely warmed up as well as I had no aches and no problem...It was way past my deadline but I just kept on going...I finished at 2:15 pm...So I guess I took around half an hour on this exhilirating experience...infact I'll go out on a limb and call IT EROTIC ...and the first time I actually experienced my car (or any car for that matter) as a SHE...

Up close, I swear I am not kidding, the paint was looking very much like the Red car pic V1 had posted in the thread starter...I felt proud!!!

Lit up a cig... admired the car...wanted to give a thank you call to V1 but no response...oh yes exams...

Wanted the coats to settle in and decided not to give it a final coat for alteast a day...so went to have a bath a very happy man.

I am getting there...

Sorry for writing suchhhhhh looooonnnnnggggg emails...but guys just want to share my experiences in detail because you guys have given me so much and in detail too...

For a shorter version...

1. Rinsed the car and applied Armor All Shampoo
2. Prepped the surface with Turtle Wax Big Orange APC
3. Wax
4. Removed Wax with Armor All Detailer (Wax and shine)
5.Final Wipe (a very slow one)
6. A day later, Wax enhancer was used as the final coat

Wash was done with a Foam
Drying up and Big Orange was done with an MF
Wax was taken off with a disposable Simonz polishing MF
Final Wipe was done with a dry MF
Final coat was done with a Simonz MF applicator Pad

Nice and Short...

Two incidents happened after my Exhilarating detailing session on Sunday

1. This one made me appreciate and realize the importance of multi coating and it's regular application.

As mentioned I went out to that lunch commitment, when I was parking the car a road side polish wala hawker approached me and wanted to polish the car...I laughed and said that I just spent hours in doing that myself...his reply was kay "thora hum say bhee karwalo" I laughed again and walked away. Later that evening when I was parking the car in my porch...I inspected the car for dust...and DAMN...there was this huge scratch (a deliberate one) on my boot staring at me.

Panic...Panic...controlled my self...wiped my hand on it and THANK GOD...realized that the scratch had not penetrated to the paint level. Quickly got the detailer out and spoosh spoosh sprayed on the affected area, wiped a couple of times and it became lighter...repeated the process and it almost blended back with the paint...decided to leave it for the next detailing session with a hunch that it will be gone with the next waxing. Decided to reconfirm this from V1 and luckily saw his missed call.

Gave a call to V1 and again helpful as usual Usman gave me some valuable advice and I was happy to know that I had taken the right steps. A new thing that I learned was that in the next session, I should apply heavy wax to the affected area and the scratch will be taken care of without any need for getting a scratch remover or anything...

The multi coats saved my paint.

2. This morning, Mr. D as usual didn't wipe the car (or did he ...khair anyways the car was way too dusty and it was very windy), I was already a couple of hours late for work, was thinking of driving to work just as it is as I had no time for a self wipe...when I spotted the biggest bird dropping on my car...Guys it was 2 inches wide in it's narrowest part and started all way from the mid right side of my hood covering the light and down to the bottom of the body kit...I fainted!!!

Khair...this I could not leave on the car...Big Orange or Detailer...Chose the detailer as Big Orange is an APC and I have some fresh coats of bling on the car...So out came the MF and the detailer... Dampened the MF, sprayed some heavy Detailer on the affected part, let the poo soak in it till it got soft...wiped it clean with the MF...and then I had to do the whole car.

The detailer wipe is not due till tomorrow, so I gave the rest of the car a wet wipe with a dry final wipe afterwards (so two complete body wipes)...reached the office quite late (in lunch hour)...with a car which had gotten a layer of dust on the way...go figure

Good thing is that I am getting used to doing the whole body myself...

Indeed you are gettin there.......an gettin there reaaal fast......amazed with the detailed write up, was a treat to read durin my lunch break, an ended your last post with tea.....was about to get up an write back later....but you made me sit down an have a go at it.......flawless performance....you may take a bow.....bravo bravo!!!! Hacer un buen trabajo!!!! What can I say thats left to be said.........just want to point out to all others who read through this..........read the procedure, read the fine details mentioned, read each an every step in detail.....everything has been described in this thread.....really want to applaud you mate, for reading up properly the details in the thread....have to do a summary on the main post as well....all within due time an after papers.....an JazakAllah for the call that day.......an its not me, its you all the way bro.......you did the effort, I just showed the way! An please treat yerself to a gooooood massage.....you deserve it.....will get back to you in detail later during my next break.....filhaal.....REESTEPEKA MA MAN! RESTEPEKA.

[imranhakro]

@Mistero:

bro where do u live? do u mind if i join u in ur next session???
My next session is due this weekend. Actually i don’t have any detailing lover in my friends circle so i feel bored while doing it alone.

Vague_one, accord7362,tayyab and all our other southern side brothers are enjoying group detailing sessions. Balkey ab to who get together bhi karengey after (Vague’s exams) in celebration of 300 pages of this thread.

[AK471]

Sir, JazakAllah once again....!!! Just a lil info on my detailing, I only do somthing if I can give it proper time.....ask tilsim who I had wait on me for nearly 2 months before I touched his car, ask Junaid whose after me to do his ride, which I know will require excessive checking with he PDM after every 5 secs or so of work done just so that his 16 year old lady wont start to erode paint......an Im puttin him off till after papers....ask Dr.Shaggy who wants his ride polished but Im holdin out till I`m in the grooove!!

@Vague .........Lol! I'd have no doubts on that even without asking the respected gents, basically there's a thought behind most of my moves, reason why I've been 'flagging" every now and then that my Humvier may move in to the Lahore streets anytime during winter, earlier or later, whichever, lol!

I truly understand, "tarkaawapan" is not a virtue by your esteemed "parlor", no doubts the brides want and need your due time and attention, only when you find yourselves in the right groove.

You see, people over here in our country think that it is just the time invested in something that should be awarded. It's not. It's both things, time AND quality of services. How often have we not left the gents parlor with a haircut like if one was cut as per the shape of any cooking pots back home, despite of the fact that the guy spent quite some time in doing it for us, yet the proper understanding of the "job required" was missing or misunderstood, and ............another 8 weeks to grow it back in shape again.

So, I fully agree with you, lest the standard of services can be guaranteed - to both your own as well as friend's/ customer's/MUREED's satisfaction - taking up a session of this type of work could turn pretty unpromising. Say, tea, without the "karak"! lol.

Inshallah, there'll be "karak", once - well, how do they put it - "Khoob guzre gi, jo mil batein ge deewaane do", lol.

Regards.

[tilsim]

I cant wait till a certain member comes here an replies with this

1. Wash- yar ghar aja, pani khulllla use kar lay, shampoo leta ayen, mai pass beth kar dekh lounga.....call it even??Acha chal coke bhi pila dounga aab ziyada na ban.

2. Clay bar- I can even write what he`s gona say to this lets just say BEEP BEEP BEEEEEP BEEP.

3. Polish- Teri pasand ki ice cream aur Liberty ka aik round

4. Wax- Yar tu ab har cheez kay paisay lay ga? Bhool gaya hai meni teri shaddi par kitnay kaam kiay thay ?

5. All the above- Haan to sara ikhata hi karna haina.....chal time bol kab aoun?? Waisay engine bhi kar dayen beech mai lagay hatoun..........thora sa hi to hota hai, na clay na polish na wax......iss mai kaunsa tunay talwarain chalani hain.........

oye???? tu baaz aa ja... lolx.. waise to i'm dead sure half the people you know said the same thing to you over the phone, so its not just me who should be embarrassed right now.. secondly, i aint the one to get embarrassed
besides i always just ask you with an (A) face, meri car bohat gandi he, kya kerna chahiye? and you say you know what i want... :D:D:D

[spiderman]

wow the thread is still going strong congratulations to vague one for taking it this far

[tilsim]

JazakAllah sir........aap nay to sudhar naa nahin hai, aur aap ko mai refuse bhi nahin kar sakta....to behes kiss baat ki?

thanx mate... wish ya best for your 300 pages..

[Mistero]

Doin a lil research,from time to time I`ll be asking questions an I need honest answers......do not be afraid to share your view......for starters lets try pricing......what sort of prices will you guys be willing to pay for the following services, assuming that quality of work will be as per my standard an care and that the best prods will be used, like Turtle Wax, Megauirs, Dodo Juice, 3M an beyond.

1. Car Wash (Simple water wash with car on ground, pressure washer, quality shampoo)

2. Clay Bar (Simple water wash with car on ground, pressure washer, quality shampoo, quality clay bar plus quality lube)

3. Polish (Simple water wash with car on ground, pressure washer, quality shampoo,quality polish with rotary etc.)

4. Wax (Simple water wash with car on ground, pressure washer, quality shampoo, quaity wax with rotary or orbital)

5. All the above

individually answer only for prices......like previously mentioned, work will be vague-approved!

WELL HOW ABOUT "BARTER"

I'll do the entire branding strategy for the set up including all logo, signage and marketing POS designs...the branding and marketing strategy and even the business planning...complete with an operations and management systems design with customer and job handling protocols...I mean lay the foundations of a future multi national brand ;p

I'll do if for free if you do it for free

Okay...jokes apart...for me to put a value to it...I need to look at the numbers...have tried to put a quick spread sheet (attached as Jepgs)...I know the product price may differ (will change with the actual product used) and I am a little inexperienced with product life cycle (so number of uses per item may be inaccurate)...but it gives a fair idea...

The resulting end figures in Jepg 2 give out what should be the 'fair' price for each stage...

Also most people should also understand...Labor is of the main essence here...it requires premium pricing. the longer the labor hours the lower will be the percentage of the cost of goods used in the total cost of the session.

[Mistero]

A lot will depend on:

a. what products will be used and what is each product's usage life or depreciation
b. How much is the Appliers time and labor worth (I have taken V1 as a standard in the sheet)...i mean no way would these rates be paid in labor to let's say A LABOR type labor...one would pay what 400 - 500/hour at most to a guy who comes on a cycle/bike or suzuki dabba...vs you would pay top dollar to who comes in a car as good as yours if not better (our built-in psyche)... better example would be getting a facial and cut from your neighborhood barber vs. Tariq Amin or Nabila dropping into your place for the works.

[Mistero]

@Mistero:

bro where do u live? do u mind if i join u in ur next session???
My next session is due this weekend. Actually i don’t have any detailing lover in my friends circle so i feel bored while doing it alone.

Vague_one, accord7362,tayyab and all our other southern side brothers are enjoying group detailing sessions. Balkey ab to who get together bhi karengey after (Vague’s exams) in celebration of 300 pages of this thread.

@Imran...I am near Nursery...

[khurum]

@vague g thxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
@imran g ajaoa wapisssssssssssssss join karloooo the best comment u gave
@accord broooo thankuuu sir gggggggggggggggggggggg
yuppp tricep nextttttttttttt

sir g only these twoooo kic nay foaming pay dihan nahi diaaaaaaaaaaaa the best was the start as foaming k baddd gare kafi soft hogai theeeeeeeeeee n i enjoyed whn it was doneeeeeee sirgggg instead of compounding i used swirl n scratch remover thre cutting ki n dodo tu baaap hay sabkaaaaaaaaaaaaa bas yhai kia

@junaiddddddd hath laylogay tu cf ki sheet kaun bhaijygaaaaaaa lolz
nice nice acha cover kia us faded paint kooo i knw must be looking coool same paper myry corolla k interior pay 2 saal say hay still the sameeeeee nvr got fade or anything exterior pay thra dust ka isssue ata hay ab all on u how u maintain

[junaid_gangs_89]

@junaiddddddd hath laylogay tu cf ki sheet kaun bhaijygaaaaaaa lolz
nice nice acha cover kia us faded paint kooo i knw must be looking coool same paper myry corolla k interior pay 2 saal say hay still the sameeeeee nvr got fade or anything exterior pay thra dust ka isssue ata hay ab all on u how u maintain

hey boy any plans of coming to Lahore ???

[raging_ravin]

Brother, there is no need to think like that........maybe youll ask an someone shying away from asking will also benefit......Im seriously telling you this.....Ive been made aware through a couple of friends that their friends wouldnt come here an ask somthing because they go like "nai yar usman kiya kahay ga! Fazool sa sawal kar diya hai, woh itna bara banda hai etc, etc" Im literally yer average guy mate......Im no JIN BABA to be afraid of........just a nerd with a lil itch to keep it shinning.........despite the times I have told people about swirls, there always is a "ALLAH KA WALI" who will text me, or mail me on how to take them out, an I do get back to them, people who are in touch through sms will acknowledge that.........lately Im a bit slow cuz of my studies....but I do give sometime everyday......now Mr.Ak-471 had made a very good request an Im slowly compliling the ultimate detailing sheet.....prices, products,everything....soon it will grace the thread an be regularly updated......so stay tuned for it!! Aur yeh to apnay bhooth hi jadeed soch larai hai, formula ka shampoo chuk liya hai aur mothers ki wax chor di....kan pokar loo....jitnay pages parhay hain unsay kata miti samhjay hoo!.......:P......thori methi methi hui.....maza aya?? Bro I prefer an always advise on non-dewaxing shampoos, they help you retain yer wax coating......no need to freet out on the purchase now.......dont go for a highly exp wax cuz your shampoo will remove any layer of wax you put on, buy a wax in the 400 to 500 range till you finish your shampoo......small bottle of Colour Magic or Hard Shell from Turtle Wax, Speed Auto Care Wax (large bottle) would come in this range.......next time hit the stores an go for Turtles Ice Shampoo or GC or Nxt from Megs or so forth.....umeed hay jawab say aap kay ilam mai izafa hoga.....JazakAllah!

Ilm me izaafa to ho hi raha hai Sachi bat yeh hai k kafi din se thread nahi parh raha, papers going. The PM conversation has depicted your personality well and i was really surprised by your down to earth attitude so that is the reason i simply asked the question ! without any hesitation.

Baray bhaiyya menay mothers ki wax isliye rakhdi wapis k abhi i dont consider myself qualified enough to do a (good) wax job, mene socha shampoo karne me to koi masla nahi, isliye wax chordi ... ghar aya to dekha k formula 1 ki hi wax pari hai ghar pe, sar pakar lia

so today mixed the shampoo in the water bucket of the car cleaning guy, then after he finished, i waxed my car with that formula 1 carnauba wax (i think it is not a good product) and wiped it off after it had dried out.

by the way, love your helpful attitude and insight for everyone's ride. love ur attention to your 'subjects'.

Jazak ALLAH ! (only word i have for you to consummate my feelings )

[khurum]

@ junaid broooo sure veryyyyy sooooon inshalllaaaaaaaaaaaah

[junaid_gangs_89]

@ junaid broooo sure veryyyyy sooooon inshalllaaaaaaaaaaaah

check ur PM...

[raging_ravin]

Mistero bhai's 'mehnat' is worth applause, read both the posts and enjoyed ! some nice pics would be a treat to watch !

shozi123's car looks really nice, and usman bhai ur insight into his car is worth respect !

junaid's margalla got an entirely new look by the CF, i personally dont like much modifications but the margalla looks really nice after the CF.

lastly, khurum bhai, i am following your work, and you are also one hard worker ! all 3 rides look really nice including the red one, which looks like a when a lollypop is licked ! awesome cars and awesome jobs done to them ! i guess amir bhai's advice of triceps will do wonders for your arms !

[vague_one]

@Vague .........Lol! I'd have no doubts on that even without asking the respected gents, basically there's a thought behind most of my moves, reason why I've been 'flagging" every now and then that my Humvier may move in to the Lahore streets anytime during winter, earlier or later, whichever, lol!

I truly understand, "tarkaawapan" is not a virtue by your esteemed "parlor", no doubts the brides want and need your due time and attention, only when you find yourselves in the right groove.

You see, people over here in our country think that it is just the time invested in something that should be awarded. It's not. It's both things, time AND quality of services. How often have we not left the gents parlor with a haircut like if one was cut as per the shape of any cooking pots back home, despite of the fact that the guy spent quite some time in doing it for us, yet the proper understanding of the "job required" was missing or misunderstood, and ............another 8 weeks to grow it back in shape again.

So, I fully agree with you, lest the standard of services can be guaranteed - to both your own as well as friend's/ customer's/MUREED's satisfaction - taking up a session of this type of work could turn pretty unpromising. Say, tea, without the "karak"! lol.

Inshallah, there'll be "karak", once - well, how do they put it - "Khoob guzre gi, jo mil batein ge deewaane do", lol.

Regards.

Sir, JazakAllah for the kind words........will be waiting to put the Karak into the humvier.....InshAllah!

[vague_one]

wow the thread is still going strong congratulations to vague one for taking it this far

JazakAllah bro!! Thank you soo very much for dropping by! Atay jatay raha karain.......aap ka hi brainchild hai !!!

[vague_one]

thanx mate... wish ya best for your 300 pages..

JazakAllah bro!

[vague_one]

WELL HOW ABOUT "BARTER"

I'll do the entire branding strategy for the set up including all logo, signage and marketing POS designs...the branding and marketing strategy and even the business planning...complete with an operations and management systems design with customer and job handling protocols...I mean lay the foundations of a future multi national brand ;p

I'll do if for free if you do it for free

Okay...jokes apart...for me to put a value to it...I need to look at the numbers...have tried to put a quick spread sheet (attached as Jepgs)...I know the product price may differ (will change with the actual product used) and I am a little inexperienced with product life cycle (so number of uses per item may be inaccurate)...but it gives a fair idea...

The resulting end figures in Jepg 2 give out what should be the 'fair' price for each stage...

Also most people should also understand...Labor is of the main essence here...it requires premium pricing. the longer the labor hours the lower will be the percentage of the cost of goods used in the total cost of the session.

Thats a heck of sheet youve made sir jee! Must be a hard man to please at the office eh? Barter accepted.....your cars due a session under my hands an yours combined......InshAllah in Jan! opinion noted an stored! JazakAllah for such a detailed an organized answer!!!

[vague_one]

A lot will depend on:

a. what products will be used and what is each product's usage life or depreciation
b. How much is the Appliers time and labor worth (I have taken V1 as a standard in the sheet)...i mean no way would these rates be paid in labor to let's say A LABOR type labor...one would pay what 400 - 500/hour at most to a guy who comes on a cycle/bike or suzuki dabba...vs you would pay top dollar to who comes in a car as good as yours if not better (our built-in psyche)... better example would be getting a facial and cut from your neighborhood barber vs. Tariq Amin or Nabila dropping into your place for the works.

Very nicely put sir........