Girlfriend's mom wants me (noob) to detail her car...

[Texsox]

I am treating this as a relationship question more than detailing. Your relationship with them is more important than their Honda. It seems they are working on getting to know you. Congratulations, their daughter must like you.

Satisfy them and not you. Do they routinely have the vehicle detailed? If not, skip the paint correction for now and clean the hell out of the interior and have the paint shine defects and all. Think about door jams and fuel doors, stuff that will surprise them when they open it. Chances are they aren't laying awake at night worrying about the swirls in their soft paint but they do notice the grime in their cup holders and that stain on the floor mat.

Then tell them you noticed x, y, and z and next time you would like to fix those issues with . . . blah blah blah build up to the mega job and practice on other vehicles since you mention being nervous.

Impress them with how well you notice details, are conscientious, and that you are a long term kind of guy.


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[CleanFlow]

Originally Posted by Rsurfer

They will look at the interior more so then the exterior, so give it a little more attention. They will notice that there's no more dust on the vent louvers more so than if the grill on the exterior is clean.

This seems right, but the exterior is so much more fun!

Originally Posted by ctgrenade

If I'm understanding this right you're planning on doing the entire car in one day. Does that include doing the interior? If it does you might as well plan on working from 12:01 AM to 11:59 PM Sunday because there is no way you will be able to do an entire wash, clay, interior detail, paint correction and LSP in one day. Especially if you are (in your terms) a noob. What I would do instead is Bill's list but as far as paint correction just do a test spot on a flat surface like the hood or the roof and make that spot as flawless as you can get it. It would be counter-productive for you to try to correct the entire car if you can't perfect a test spot. If you run into RIDS (which is highly likely) after paint correction explain what they are and that the process to correct them is more involved and carries a much bigger risk. If they like how good the test spot looks they might let you have at it for a full correction (make sure they know how long it might take). Plus if they are gonna be present while you're working they're probably going to be asking a lot of questions about your process, what you're using, etc. This could be a good bonding exercise to get you and your GF's parents closer and break that indimidation ice. Maybe when you do the clay bar process demonstrate the baggie test or when you clean the interior put a strip of masking tape down on the dashboard to show a side by side comparison. If you do a good job here they could send some of their friend's cars your way or other family members.

I started on my car's exterior at 11:30am Saturday and had to stop at 6:00pm. In that time I got finished with tire wash, exterior wash, clay, tape masking, and did M105 on the front half of my car. I went ahead and did M205 on the hood just out of curiosity and the results are absolutely ridiculous! No holograms, no swirls, crazy reflection. I am much more comfortable with detailing now that I have a little more experience with the polisher.

As for Honda paint, the polisher isn't going to just eat right into the clear is it? Maybe I'm overplaying how soft it is and won't have a problem.

Originally Posted by Wheelzntoys

Concentrate on interior and use an AIO or 205 with white pad on outside and OCW.

Females notice scent and interior, men tend to notice more of exterior.

Does anything I have clean leather?
303 Aerospace Protectant
Meguiar's Interior Cleaning Wipes
Or do I just need to buy some OTC leather cleaner and then throw 303 on it?

Originally Posted by BobbyG

And you should be!

I have two daughters and had a friendly "chat" with a few boyfriends back in the day. I asked them to be respectable and if something goes wrong don't bother running because I will find you....and you'll only die tired.....



Good, so you're not completely new to detailing...

Basic steps in order are:

• Wash
• Clay
• Paint Correction & Polish
• Seal
• Wax

Advise

1. My first advise is to take a good look at the car and note any damage or deep scratches. Keep in mind that this car is nearly 7 years old and is a daily driver.
2. Take your time! Your main goal is to impress with quality, not a record setting pace.

Plan your attack and prepare accordingly.

I do my interiors first then the doors & door jambs.

Tires, wheels and wheel wells next.

• Wash the entire car
• Clay
• Wash again then dry.
• Tape off those pieces that could become stained from compounds and polishes.

These products work particularly well when used with the following pads.

• Meguiar's M105 - Orange and White foam pads

• Meguiar's M205 - White and Gray foam pads

Correct small sections and be careful the compounds and polishes don't dry out otherwise you'll impart additional defects to the finish.

I always suggest using 5 1/2" foam pads on this style of machine

• Lake Country Backing Plate
• Lake Country Flat Pads

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you.

• Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher
• Removing Swirls
• DA Trouble Shooting Guide
• Waxing With a DA Polisher
• How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher
• DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing
• How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher

Once the correction is complete wash each panel with CarPro Eraser to remove all of the polishing oils making the freshly polished paint ready for a protective layer or sealant or wax...

Finally

Inspect everything closely to ensure you've done a great job....

Good stuff. My setup works nicely with these guidelines.

Originally Posted by Texsox

I am treating this as a relationship question more than detailing. Your relationship with them is more important than their Honda. It seems they are working on getting to know you. Congratulations, their daughter must like you.

Satisfy them and not you. Do they routinely have the vehicle detailed? If not, skip the paint correction for now and clean the hell out of the interior and have the paint shine defects and all. Think about door jams and fuel doors, stuff that will surprise them when they open it. Chances are they aren't laying awake at night worrying about the swirls in their soft paint but they do notice the grime in their cup holders and that stain on the floor mat.

Then tell them you noticed x, y, and z and next time you would like to fix those issues with . . . blah blah blah build up to the mega job and practice on other vehicles since you mention being nervous.

Impress them with how well you notice details, are conscientious, and that you are a long term kind of guy.


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I like this. Swirls mean nothing to them. I'll put a huge focus on the interior. And all this give us time to chat. Good... Very good.

[Jomax]

An APC will clean leather really well.


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[Blackthorn One]

As far as Honda paint being soft, don't worry about it. Just start out with the white pad and a swirl remover and see how it goes. I've worked on Honda paint. It is softer than many others, but nothing to worry about. The work just goes faster, that's all. Easier to do is a nice thing. Stay away from edges though, as always.
If you remove a lot of the swirls, they will be impressed. Take pictures of the car clean before and after polishing so they can appreciate the results.
70-80% swirl removal will really impress them.

[CleanFlow]

Originally Posted by Blackthorn One

As far as Honda paint being soft, don't worry about it. Just start out with the white pad and a swirl remover and see how it goes. I've worked on Honda paint. It is softer than many others, but nothing to worry about. The work just goes faster, that's all. Easier to do is a nice thing. Stay away from edges though, as always.
If you remove a lot of the swirls, they will be impressed. Take pictures of the car clean before and after polishing so they can appreciate the results.
70-80% swirl removal will really impress them.

This is probably for the best. No need for M105 unless they specifically tell me to do it.

Thank you everybody for the tips and advice.

[y8s]

so far a positive experience then??

less intimidated by mom and dad?

[CleanFlow]

Originally Posted by y8s

so far a positive experience then??

less intimidated by mom and dad?

I went over today and things were pretty jovial. They offered to pay for the detailing but that's a no-go with how much they feed me. He saw my freshly detailied car and was much impressed. Now I have to find time to get to work.

[Klasse Act]

Don't sweat it, the paint is easier to work with and you'll make that thing look great, just make sure to post pics

[Flash Gordon]

I thought this was scheduled for yesterday, what happened?

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by Flash Gordon

I thought this was scheduled for yesterday, what happened?

+1