Detailing School

Todd Cooperider is an excellent detailer and a stand up guy! There are a few others out there as well. Autgeek has a 'bootcamp' that they do down here in Florida, and Renny Doyle has his detailing classes at Attention to Details/detailing success.

Check out all their websites, see what they offer and what you think is best for you.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them IMO.

Hope this helps!

 

I think you'd be wasting your money. Use the $1200 to buy a polisher and a bunch of products.
Autotopia has a lot of information.

Maybe buy a faded hood at a junk yard to familiarize yourself?

 

It's always a good idea to get training from skilled people in anything you want to pursue. It will shorten the learning curve and prevent a lot of mistakes, giving you a good start. I don't know about Esoteric's school but they are very knowledgeable. I have received advice from Todd in the past and he is very good at what he does.

 

That's an uphill battle of a career....

If you have to go this route, I would do as suggested here. Spend that money on products, some junkyard parts and start reading and watching YouTube videos. Find someone local who might let you follow him around a few times a month

 

chemical guys has a training program auto detailing seminars, machine polishing, color sanding, paint restoration, clay bar, business start-up, smart detailing univerity

 

Black is the best color to "work" on and the most challenging. Start with a clay bar and spray bottle, a set of foam pads and work your way through the compound/polish levels. Hard to say more with out seeing the paint. Invest in a good flood light from harbor freight too.

I haven't restored a black car in a very long time, while a ferrari is more likely to still be in better condition to the last black car I owned. I've had better results with synthetic products. Sealant first than for the wet look a good carnuba.

Everyone is going to develope at their own rate as to what works for them and as they see their results. I've never used a wool pad though, because I too enjoy it. Time consuming but a lot safer. Especially for black.

 

Read every article on this web page and follow every step on your own car.
Auto Detailing Guide - Detailed Image

Now do you still think you need to attend a detailing school or clinic? There is more free information out there than you can imagine!

 

Many years ago, to test products, and increase my detailing skills; a body shop provided me a free slightly damaged Porsche bonnet for my hands-on education. As mentioned above, lots (probably way too much info) available on-line, including YouTube.

 

I know exactly what you're saying. Even though you can learn much from watching videos or reading about techniques for detailing, having a pro teach you is even better. I don't think you'll find a better source than Todd Cooperider at Esoteric.

 

+599

If you can master black to where you look into it and it has no depth, you've mastered detailing in general.

 

No way I would pay 1200 bucks for a detail school. I suggest you find the right guy in your area. Hire him to do your car, ask him his hourly rate and ask him to tack on 2 hours to show you the finer points.

This is what I did and it worked out perfectly. I can maintain my own car in show car condition.

Bringing stuff back from the dead is easy, it's the finishing touch on the last few steps that takes the skill.

Part is knowing what to use when.

After that I attended a detail weekend at poorboys for like 5o buck and it included lunch and free products to try. Loads of knowledgable people and pros on hand to show you the ropes.

Once you know what your doing this is really very easy to get very near professional results with very few exception. Soft black or dark paint is way more difficult.

I have never gone by detail fest is suppose to be great as well