| Author | Message | ||
| Steve Schwartz (Fastred355)
New member Username: Fastred355 Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2003 |
Rick, I have only used him for full details. You can always call Ed and see what other service he will do. STEVE | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2148 Registered: 12-2002 |
Thanks guys, Dom, Ill be at Crystal Cove this saturday so maybe we can chat about it then. The big problem with my car is not so much its color, but that its parked outside...It also tends to get hit by some mist from the sprinklers every morning. I dont need a show quality shine, just to keep it generally more clean. BTW, Dom, were you driving on Jamboree (crossing Walnut) last evening? I saw a very nice looking black 164. I didnt look at the time but I was comming home from the gym around 6:15/6:30ish. The only other 164 I ever see (white, however) belongs to a guy in my neighborhood who also owns a black Alfa Spider, and a red GTV6. He must be an Italian car freak so one of these days Im going to go talk to him  | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 480 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jordan, I have the same problem with my daily driver Alfa 164, which gets parked outside at home and work (It is a black car). MY procedure is: When I do a full wash and wax, I use Mother's reflections. I haven't had the time to do the full paint prep on this car in a long time, so the reflections does a good job of hiding some swirls, plus it lasts a long time. In between (couple times a week), I use a california car duster every couple of days, followed by a quick detail spray (Mothers, meguiars, etc.). Warning: The california car duster can easily introduce it's own swirls if not used carefully. If I neglect the duster/quick wax, and my car gets really bad, then I do a quick wash, followed by either a quick detail spray, or just a coat of S100 wax (takes a little longer, but not much). This procedure keeps my car looking decent (i.e. at least as good as 90% of the cars out there), though not show quality. Since my car is a black car, the swirls really show up, and seem to get more numerous by the hour  But, I just don't have the time to really give her the full treatment. I use the same procedure for my wife's car. If you want, give me a call, or we can chat about it sometime at crystal cove. Dom | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 971 Registered: 2-2003 |
Brian is spot on with the Autoglym leather care products. I find their dressings (vinyl, leather, wheels, etc) are very good. Jordan, I'll send you an indepth e-mail tonight once I get home. Practice makes improvement and will turn into routine. I'm too shocked by how many show cars allow their interiors to go south in a handbasket. There is nothing like a quality interior with wrinkles and a nice patina! I'm a fan of preservation, not restoration. Sunny | ||
| Brian W (Jetx)
Junior Member Username: Jetx Post Number: 171 Registered: 6-2003 |
what's impossible to keep clean on your car Jordan? My last Ferrari was white, it always looked clean, and like Sunny, minimal effort. I tend to clean my car twice a month (unless it gets really dirty) with heavy detailing every other month (it is a convertible, so interior gets dirty). I'm a big user of AutoGlym products, with a few supplements from Meguiars/3M. This stuff was included in many new Jaguar/Aston Martin/ and Ferrari at one time. It's from England, but there is a company in Newport Beach (a detailing shop) that sells the stuff. The Super Resin Polish is awesome, and Extra Gloss Coat works wonders too. And I love their leather care cream. Going to Monterey and seeing how many cars had neglected leather (dried and cracked) shocked me. | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2146 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hey Sunny, can you let me know your routine and what products you use? Especially with my white car, its nearly impossible to keep clean even with a once a week wash. | ||
| Brian W (Jetx)
Junior Member Username: Jetx Post Number: 169 Registered: 6-2003 |
Rick , you shouldn't need a wax everytime. Waxing more than once every couple of months shouldn't be necessary. If it is, you're stripping the wax off when the car is washed and that's not good. If your car looks dull after a wash or after a month or so after waxing, you got crappy wax. And if a detail guy is using crappy wax, he's probably doing a poor job of keeping your car up. | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 970 Registered: 2-2003 |
Rick, I would be happy to show you my routine if your interested in doing it yourself. Even with a 7 year old black daily driver (2k miles/month), I only need to wipe down once or twice a week and wash once a month. The paint is still pristine and has less friction than glass. Any of the FDC locals could vouch for me. I've won several best in class awards at shows throughout 2002, and taken second place only once to a never driven garage queen. Unless you pay an outrageous sum, I'm guessing several hundred per visit, no one is going to give your car(s) the attention to detail that you would be capable of doing. I have to agree with Bart, unless time is more important than money. Once you get the car to a certain level, your not spending hours a day getting it clean, its a 20 minute wipe down as necessary is what is most important (besides selecting the right products for your needs and using a very high quality cover). If I wasn't moving to San Diego, I'd volunteer to help for the pleasure of doing so.       | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2144 Registered: 12-2002 |
Anytime, Bart! I couldnt think of a better way to spend a day. | ||
| Bart Duesler (The_bart)
Member Username: The_bart Post Number: 386 Registered: 1-2003 |
Jordan, Watch it or your wish can come true. Bart | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2142 Registered: 12-2002 |
Or allow me to wash your cars...It is an all day process (20 minutes to wash and all day to stare and artistically photograph). However I am fairly cheap (free) and I will travel! I do require a ride in my "work" though | ||
| Bart Duesler (The_bart)
Member Username: The_bart Post Number: 384 Registered: 1-2003 |
I had a detailer. It is costing me a new dash. Good Luck Wash your own car. | ||
| rick ramage (720)
Junior Member Username: 720 Post Number: 99 Registered: 7-2003 |
hi steve, sometimes i need a really good wash/wax and mini-detail. other times all i need is a simple wash with a quick coat of wax just to make things pop. do you know if ed offers a full range of services? or does he basically do full details only? | ||
| Steve Schwartz (Fastred355)
New member Username: Fastred355 Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2003 |
I have someone I have been useing for 10 years. He comes to the house, two guys, spends all day, and is reasonable. He is in the Burbank area and travels. His name is Ed (818)500-0796. He returns messages. STEVE | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 963 Registered: 2-2003 |
Rick, as an alternate workout, you could detail your cars. | ||
| Bill Rose (Superbimmer)
Junior Member Username: Superbimmer Post Number: 57 Registered: 1-2003 |
I know a REALLY GOOD detailer, who specializes in high-end cars (mostly Ferraris and Lambos) In fact, he detailed the F40, F50 and Enzo that appeared at the FCA's USGP gathering in Encinitas. Whether he would drive to Pasadena, I don't know ... but he has flown to Salt Lake City to detail a collection. I've used him several times before major concours ... Jeff, of Mirror Image Detailing. For him, detailing is at least a full day on the car ... sometimes 2 days! If interested, email me :-D | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Intermediate Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 1381 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rick, JL has a guy... don't know if he will go to the pasadena area, though. check with him. | ||
| rick ramage (720)
Junior Member Username: 720 Post Number: 96 Registered: 7-2003 |
can anybody recommend a REALLY good car wash and auto detail guy who will come to my house on a regular basis? i live in the pasadena area. thanks |