My first detailing job

Ok, i just did my first detailing job to basically get my feet in the water of car detailing, sorry for the lack of interior pictures but can you please comment on the body.

Ok so the car was a 2002 Corolla Ascent Wagon that i did for a low 40 bucks, just to cover costs plus a bit.

from this picture you cant see the shine cause the camera hates sun glare but you can see the basic body of the corolla.
http://img94.exs.cx/img94/7150/0000288medium3ed.th.jpg (http://img94.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img94&image=0000288medium3ed.jpg)

A view of some of the chemicals i use. The turtle wax is brilliant.
http://img94.exs.cx/img94/7236/0000286medium8gr.th.jpg (http://img94.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img94&image=0000286medium8gr.jpg)

A nice view out of the suns glare, the turtle wax is once again champion here.
http://img94.exs.cx/img94/5038/0000287medium7cc.th.jpg (http://img94.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img94&image=0000287medium7cc.jpg)

Hey ! i can see my project car there.
http://img94.exs.cx/img94/2551/0000300medium0dr.th.jpg (http://img94.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img94&image=0000300medium0dr.jpg)

This bonnet was the source of sooo much faded paint and horrible scratches that it took alot of elbow grease to get it nice and clean, i need a rotary buffer.
http://img94.exs.cx/img94/6661/0000302medium5zi.th.jpg (http://img94.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img94&image=0000302medium5zi.jpg)

So any questions, comments or critisism, please post as i need the advice.

Nice shine.

TS out

Looks really nice

2002 with faded paint that sucks

good job
i would try using megiuers it works great

avoid armol all

Well for 40 bucks you gave that thing a hell of a bargain job! Heck Ill pay you 40 bucks for every car you turn out for me if there gonna look like that :)

:iagree: it does look good. It's hard to tell but the wheel wells still look a little brown, spray them with that foam tire shine.

i need a rotary buffer.

Have you ever used one? If not don't bother unless you have shitty cars to practice on. Your more likely to do more bad than good, but white is a hard color to mess up. With newer cars I like to polish them with a rotary getting all that shitty orange peel out. Then use a DA or random orbit buffer until it needs a rotary a few yrs down the road. This little guy works very well http://www.topoftheline.com/tolae/porter-cable-polisher.html

Clay bars work wonders. Put your hand in a plastic bag and rub the paint lightly before and after to feel the difference. You will be amazed. If you drop the bar on the ground throw it out as it will pick up things that will scratch paint. Break new bars in 3 working with one piece at a time.

Try using a orbital buffer to get used to a machine then dabble with the power polishers. Since your new I would suggest buying a variable speed controlled polisher , set the dial for the desired rpm's and this will minimize mistakes and will help you learn quicker. Each step you use in compounding use a different polish pad or bonnet and try to follow the aero dynamics of the car/truck to ensure an even shine also I suggest 1/3 over laps with the polisher/buffer when applying compounds. Tough scratches and scuffs need atention before doing whole sections repair them one at a time untill they are to your satisfaction then do the rest of the section to even out the work. I have a detailed description of power polishing and contament removal if your interested pm me and I will send you a copy.

I rated the products you use as 6/10. I think you did an excellent job 100% , but your products are expensive and basic. I really like the job you did and I think your job will look tons better with a better wax and vinyl care system. When you get your polisher I would suggest trying something synthetic for the compounds such as 3m wax lines. Synthetics are carnuba free and tend to do a more permanent job. Hey you want a job? Im hiring!

I rated the products you use as 6/10. I think you did an excellent job 100% , but your products are expensive and basic. I really like the job you did and I think your job will look tons better with a better wax and vinyl care system. When you get your polisher I would suggest trying something synthetic for the compounds such as 3m wax lines. Synthetics are carnuba free and tend to do a more permanent job. Hey you want a job? Im hiring!
hmm, so totally synthetics are much better? ok, from what i read carnuaba waxes couldnt be beaten for deep glossy shines (although this book was 20 years old) cool, ill look into 3m stuff then, and lol, im really looking around my area for detailing jobs, i might practice some more on friends and family cars and then appply with a little portfolio to some of the local car detailing shops, your hiring? do you own your own business, if so thats so cool, id love to do that, but until then i think australia has enough car detailing businesses. and those arent all the products i have, i forgot to show the polish, i cant remember what it was, its in the garage, its the No. 1 polish, can remember what brand though, i also have some meguires final detail, id like to use my carpet shampooer but it sucks ass and the ryobi industrial vac does a good enough job. thanks everyone for the comments, ill have to buy some more products soon. regards. Chris.

Carnuba's only last a short while, few weeks at the most. While polymer's can last up to a couple of months.

This stuff works very well - http://www.topoftheline.com/16ozmaxpains.html

At our shop we do some detailing, trying to stray away from it now due to the time involved. We mostly use 3M & Hi Temp products and many others not available in the store.

Jackassi its like deja vu please dont kill me.
The paint sealant I use is a synthetic polymer based sealant and It has proven to me and my customers to last years. Ming can last years and so can Diamond coat as well as my personal fave Pearl Guard. Lasts years meaning without reaplications and even without proper care for the paint finish. This doesnt mean its bullet proof and scratch proof it doesnt mean its invinceable but it will bead or sheet for years and the UV inhibitors last Forever. 3m products are great! I dont use them myself but suggest them from my experiences with them , very user friendly products. They are one of only a few compound lines to be bodyshop friendly with a non silicone compound/polish linup. Please ,please dont kick my ass jackassi! Just a difference in opinion.

Will that sealant also repel Laser Radar and absorb Radar waves? lol just kiddin. I will concur that that pearl guard lasts a long time even though I have been using it just over a year. I have talked to alot of other detailers in the area who have hooked up with protec seal over the years and they say the same thing. I did also talk to one detailing guy that hates it.
Markgase2000 wanna race your GA against my Mustang? NO? Good. lol Ill pop in on thursday I had some questions about the pro pack you installed I found a piece of tar by where my left foot sits what can i use to take it off should i just let you do it?