General > Detailing

Winter Protection Detailing

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swf7y:
I'm looking to get my car protected for the winter. Now, I'm actually a newbie to detailing so have been looking at getting it done by a pro. I've come accross a company called Autocare which is quite local to me (Solihull) who have quoted me £105 for the following:

1.    Rinse exterior bodywork, wheels and arches to remove loose grit
2.    Treat above with biodegradable pre wash to remove traffic film,
grease, and heavier grime.
3.    Rinse exterior bodywork, wheels and arches.
4.    Wash exterior bodywork with ph neutral shampoo and conditioner using
lambs wool wash mitt and two bucket method (buckets with grit guard)
5.    Rinse then dry bodywork with micro fiber towel.
6.    Clean wheels with non acid wheel cleaner, rinse then dry.
7.    Contamination removal bar used for paintwork to draw out tree sap,
brake dust and tar spots to leave a smooth to the touch finish.
8.    Apply by hand non wax paint work sealant allows for maximum
repellency     of dirt and reduces the static charge on your vehicle
surface.
9.    Apply wax by hand giving your car a durable protection for the
winter
10.    Alloy wheels have sealant applied by hand to protect against winter
road grime.

They will come out to my house and carry out the work.

Can anyone tell me if this is a fair price and if the above procedure will be sufficient or should I ask for anything else to be done?

Thanks

stealthwolf:
Simplifying those steps

1. Rinse
2. Snowfoam or TFR
3. Rinse
4. 2BM wash
5. Rinse and dry
6. Wash wheels, rinse, dry
7. Claying
8. Sealant
9. Wax
10. Wheel sealant.

TBH I've done that to my own car and it doesn't take much work. Honestly, you could probably buy all you need for £100-150 and then do the work yourself if you want. You'll take more care, learn how to detail and hence in the long term, save money.

Things I would ask about:

- polishing - not necessarily paintwork correction but even a pass with a polisher and say lime prime or menzerna final finish would bring the shine out. This is the one important step they've seemed to missed out and IMO is an important part.

- rubber/window/plastics - will they pay attention to these? Windows can be clayed and cleaned. Rubber and plastics can be cleaned and dressed. They're small points but that's the point of detailing - you pay attention to detail, rather than going over the car with a sponge and single bucket!!!

- exhaust - again, small point but as above, will they clean them too?

- door and boot shuts. Will they do this? Also needs washing, drying, dressing and sealing. Helps keep the car protected (they are vulnerable areas as you get in and out of the car!) and also helps the car look clean.

- tyre dressing - don't know if this was mentioned but no point in having shiny alloys if the wheels haven't been dressed.

Ask about the above, the prices involved. I know Greeners has used Gaz from Detail My Ride. I don't know whether he or your company have insurance - what will happen if they damage the car? Personally have used Midland Detailing in Dudley as Autoperfection were a tad too far for me but both of those should be good as well.

swf7y:
Thanks for the reply Stealth. I would prefer to do it myself but like I say, I've never done it before and more importantly I don't have a garage so if the heavens decide to open, I'll be in a spot of bother!  :confused:

I'll ask him about the points you have mentioned  :happy2:

stealthwolf:
It depends on what facilities you have. Ideally a garage wide enough do you could open both doors fully means you could wash the car outside and do everything else inside. A driveway means you can detail uninhibited by traffic. Or if you're like me and have neither of those things, detail by getting up at 5am on a sunday morning and getting all done before the traffic hits by 9am or so.

If they are detailers, I'd expect them to have their own unit where they can pay close attention to the car without the bothersomeness of the weather, dirt from passing traffic etc.

swf7y:
I do have a driveway so that helps. I've been on the midland detailing website and they seem to have a special offer on. Might try and give them a ring tomorrow.  :happy2:

If it starts to rain in the middle of polishing/waxing etc, what do you do? Just leave it and go back to it later?

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