new to detailing

[dctv411]

I'm new to detailing, and I would like to know the basics. I have done a couple family cars and each time I notice a vast improvement on what I can see and clean, but I want to get into machine polishing, and all the different chemicals and techniques that proffesionals use. I want to make a business but because of my lack of experience I'm afraid I will mess something up. I would like to know if there is anything out there that offers detailing training like rightlooks or autogeeks, that can be done online and is free that goes really in depth like they do. I've only ben able to find different tutorials and videos for different things but there are a bunch of techniques shown that vary from person to person, but I still don't feel like i've really learned how to detail properly. So if anyone knows of a good website that has a good in depth tutorial or anything like that please, please respond with the info on it.

[Mike Phillips]

This video here goes over a TON of information...


Video: How to remove shallow RIDS and how to machine apply both a paint sealant and a finishing wax (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/48365-video-how-remove-shallow-rids-how-machine-apply-both-paint-sealant-finishing-wax.html)



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1241/PorterCable7424XP2.jpg


In this video, you'll see how to inspect and remove RIDS or Random Isolated Deeper Scratches using 4" Spot Repair Pads on a Porter Cable 7424XP DA Polisher.


How to remove shallow RIDS and how to machine
apply both a paint sealant and a finishing wax

How to remove shallow RIDS and how to machine...



This how-to video also covers,


RIDS - Random Isolated Deeper Scratches
Removing watches and any jewelery
Using a DA Polisher without the handle
Placing cord over shoulder
Priming the pad on a DA Polisher
Speed settings for removing isolated defects
Downward pressure needed for removing isolated defects
How to clean a pad on the fly
Where and why to mark your backing plate with a black mark
Rotating the body of the tool to keep the pad flat to a panel
Why to allow the pad to stop spinning before lifting the pad off the paint
How to swap backing plates from a 3.5" to a 5"
Machine waxing using 5.5" Hydro-Tech Crimson Finishing pads with Menzerna Power Lock
The "Kissing the Finish" Technique
How to do the Swipe Test to check if a wax or paint sealant is dry
How to remove dried paint sealant using a microfiber bonnet on a dry pad on a DA Polisher
How to clean a microfiber bonnet on the fly with your fingernails
How to apply a paste wax by machine - Souveran Paste Wax
How to carefully wipe a WOWO wax off by hand using Microfiber Gloves and plush Microfiber Towels
How and why to fold a microfiber towel 4-ways to wipe wax off
How to break-open a coat of wax and then creep out to carefully wipe off a coating of wax
How to do the "Final Wipe"
Screenshots
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/847/RIDSvideo01.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/847/RIDSvideo02.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/847/RIDSvideo03.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/847/RIDSvideo04.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/847/RIDSvideo05.jpg



On Autogeek.net

Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish
Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover (http://www.pinnaclewax.com/pin220.html)
Lake Country 5.5" Hydro-Tech Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/hydrotech-low-profile-pads.html)
Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax (http://www.pinnaclewax.com/souveran.html)
4" CCS Spot Repair Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/4inch-spot-buffs.html)
Indigo Microfiber Bonnets (http://www.autogeek.net/cobra-indigo-bonnets-2.html)
Microfiber Gloves (http://www.autogeek.net/micglovinbul.html)
Brinkmann Swirl Finder Light (http://www.pinnaclewax.com/brinkmann-light-special.html)
Menzerna Power Lock (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)
4" Hydro-Tech Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/hydro-tech-4inch-pads.html)
3" Hydro-Tech Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-hydro-tech-3-x-1-25-inch-foam-pads.html)



:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

In all the live broadcast video's we've done, if you watch them, all the way through I share tons of tips and technique related to the task at hand.


Full Length How-To Videos - Trashed Cars turned into Show Cars (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/52908-full-length-how-videos-trashed-cars-turned-into-show-cars.html)



"Creating Show Car Finishes One At A Time"


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1347/1939LincolnZephyr060.jpg


Because Autogeek now reaches a huge and very diverse audience coming to us from both the TV world and globally via multiple touchpoints on the Internet, to make it easy to find and watch the video recordings from all our live broadcasts car projects I've listed them in order of most recent to oldest in a single thread.

Full write-up with pictures and list of products used can be found in the links to the actual threads for each project car.



Pictures & Videos: 2006 Mustang by Ford - Show Car Shine by Autogeek! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/55073-pictures-videos-2006-mustang-ford-show-car-shine-autogeek.html)
Date: Thursday September 9th, 2012



Full length Live Broadcast Video

2006 Mustang by Ford - Show Car Finish by...




Video & Pictures: 2012 Black Camaro Convertible - Blackfire Show Car Makeover! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/53703-video-pictures-2012-black-camaro-convertible-blackfire-show-car-makeover.html)
Date: Thursday, August 23rd, 2012



Full length Live Broadcast Video


Autogeek's Thursday Night..." target="_blank">Autogeek's Thursday Night...





Video & Pictures: 1965 Fastback Mustang - Gtechniq EXO Show Car Makeover! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/53807-video-pictures-1965-fastback-mustang-gtechniq-exo-show-car-makeover.html)

Date: Thursday, August 9th, 2012




Live Broadcast
Here's the video we recorded during the live video broadcast, enjoy and share with your friends!


1965 Mustang Fastback..." target="_blank">1965 Mustang Fastback...





Video and Pictures: 2012 Fiat 500 - Chemical Guys Show Car Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/53273-video-pictures-2012-fiat-500-chemical-guys-show-car-makeover-autogeekonline-net.html)

Date: Thursday, June 24th, 2012


Here's the Live Video Broadcast recording from last night's Fiat 500 Clinic

Autogeeks Thursday Night Detail - Fiat 500 -...



Video & Pictures - GTechniq Makeover - 2012 High Voltage Yellow Scion tC 7.0 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/52900-video-pictures-gtechniq-makeover-2012-scion-tc-7-0-a.html)

Date: Thursday, July 19th, 2012



2012 High Voltage Yellow Scion - Gtechniq Show Car Makeover

2012 High Voltage Yellow Scion - Gtechniq Show...



Video and Pictures: 1968 Firebird Detailing Class at AutogeekOnline.net (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/52708-video-pictures-1968-firebird-detailing-class-autogeekonline-net.html)

Date: Thursday, July 12th, 2012


1968 Firebird Convertible - Remove Swirls & Create a Flawless Finish


1968 Firebird Convertible -..." target="_blank">1968 Firebird Convertible -...




Video and Pictures - Double Trouble with two 1967 Camaro Show Car Makeovers! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/51175-video-pictures-1967-camaro-ss-1941-plymouth-coupe-show-car-makeovers.html)

Date: Thursday, June 10th, 2012


Removing Swirls, Creating Show Car Finishes on Two 1967 Camaros

Removing Swirls, Creating..." target="_blank">Removing Swirls, Creating...



Video and Pictures - 1970 Mustang Mach 1 Detailing Clinic at AutogeekOnline.net (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/51494-video-pictures-1970-mustang-detailing-clinic-autogeekonline-net.html)

Date: Thursday, June 21st, 2012


Video from the Live Broadcast - 1970 Mustang Mach 1

1970 Mustang Mach 1 - How..." target="_blank">1970 Mustang Mach 1 - How...



Video and Pictures - 1967 AC Cobra and 1949 Packard Show Car Makeovers! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/50707-video-pictures-1967-ac-cobra-1949-packard-show-car-makeovers.html)

Date: Thursday, May 24th, 2012


1967 A.C. Cobra and 1949 Packard Show Car Makeovers!

Autogeek's Thursday Night..." target="_blank">Autogeek's Thursday Night...


Video and Pictures - Live Video Broadcast - 1947 Chevy & 1986 Porsche 928 - Extreme Makeovers (http://www.palmbeachmotoring.net/showcargarage/livefeed.html)

Date: Thursday, May 10th, 2012


1947 Chevy & 1986 Porsche 928 - Extreme Makeovers

1947 Chevy & 1986..." target="_blank">1947 Chevy & 1986...



Video and Pictures -
Live Broadcast Video - 1965 Plymouth Valiant - Extreme Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/49293-live-broadcast-video-1965-plymouth-valiant-extreme-makeover.html)

Date: Thursday, April, 26th 2012




1965 Plymouth Valiant - Extreme Makeover



Live Broadcast Video -..." target="_blank">Live Broadcast Video -...


:xyxthumbs:


:)

[Mike Phillips]

Here's another one...


1965 Mustang GT Fastback - Wetsanding - Live Broadcast (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/58597-1965-mustang-gt-fastback-wetsanding-live-broadcast.html)


Here's both Live Feed Videos...
There are tons of tips and techniques on how to machine wetsand, use a rotary buffer, use a Flex 3401 and apply Gtechniq C1 Crystal Lacquer throughout these two videos.




Part 1 - How to Wetsand, Cut and Buff a 1965...


Part 2 - How to Wetsand, Cut and Buff a 1965...




Here are some pictures from the processs...

Here we've already machine sanded the back of the car and are moving towards the front right before we went live...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_002.jpg



Per the owner's wishes, we did not sand the sides but we did remove the holograms and pigtails left behind from the first time this car was sanded and buffed. Pictured below is Tom aka ShineTimeDetail using the Flex 3401 with a Lake Country Orange Hybrid Cutting pad with the SONAX Fine Abrasive Paste.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_003.jpg



Here's Paul aka Sailfish hand sanding a curved portion of the hood by hand using Trizact disc folded and rolled to fit the curve...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_004.jpg


Getting busy with it...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_005.jpg



Here's Robert aka Impressions using a DeWALT 849X Rotary Buffer with a Lake Country Wool Pad and Meguiar's M100 Pro Speed Compound.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_006.jpg



Me using the Flex PE14 with a LC Wool Pad and Meguiar's M100 Pro Speed Compound...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_007.jpg


Ken and Louie wiping the sanding slurry off...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_008.jpg


Paul wiping compound residue off...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_009.jpg


This is Scott the guy that painted the car using the Flex 3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher with a Lake Country 5.5" Flat Pad with the SONAX Nano Polish.

Note: This one is my fault, luckily no harm came from this combination. I stay pretty busy playing team leader at these classes and sometimes mistakes happen and in this case I meant for these 5.5" pads to be used on Porter Cables, Meguiar's and Griot's DA Polishers. I think Scott wasn't sure of our "Detailer's Language". While the Flex 3401 is a DA Polisher it's not the same type or the type I intended for use with these pads. While these pads fit on the factory backing plate there is no room for error and you have to be very carefully with the edge of the backing plate so that it doesn't come into contact with the paint.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_010.jpg


Here's Tim aka 57BORNTOBEWILD talking with Robert while inspecting the paint after compounding. It's always good to have plenty of eyes inspecting to make sure 100% of the sanding marks are removed.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_011.jpg


Robert picking up a bead or strip of product using the 10 @ 10 Technique...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_012.jpg




Busy or a madhouse? :laughing:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_013.jpg


Scott the painter and Jon the owner discussing the results as Ken wipes some polish residue off the paint.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_014.jpg



Robert and I sharing M100 and coordinating the buff-out of the hood...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_015.jpg



Cool Camera Shot
I'm not sure who took this shot but I though it was cool when I was going through the pictures so it made it to this thread...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_016.jpg



Gtechniq C1 Crystal Lacquer
Jon had seen Hink's 1965 Mustang that we polished out during a previous project night here and Autogeek and was so impressed he asked about using the product on his car's paint so we did. In this shot you can see Italian Guy aka Chris carefully applying the C1 Crystal Lacquer with a soft cotton round applicator pad about the size of a silver dollar while other guys are carefully wiping the coating off...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_017.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_018.jpg



Here's Paul and John coating the back of the Mustang...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_019.jpg


Here's Jon the owner carefully wiping the excess coating off...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1676/1965_Mustang_Wetsand_Autogeek_020.jpg


:)

[cleanmycorolla]

Where are you located? Members here are pretty cool and wouldnt mind taking a saturday to help you so long as you supply some beer and pizza, I know I have helped out some local members in exchange for some pizza and some beers, and made some friends out of it too! Ask around I am sure someone would help based on where you are and if they're close to you.

Good luck!

[dctv411]

Well, considering I'm 16 I don't think the beer is an option, but I'm in the Centreville, VA area if anyone would be interested.