What made life easier?

[AustrianOak82]

I wanted to start a thread for those of you that own a detailing business, like myself. But it also goes for everyone that loves the hobby. I have come across a number of things that have really made my life easier and I wanted to share. I also wanted to get some things/tips from everyone else out there on things that have made their life easier. I am always looking for that something to reduce time and effort, while not sacrificing the job. I figure maybe we can all benefit from this post. I don't mean to name brands but it's pertinent I guess.

Here are mine:

1. VX5000 steamer - Use it for everything that is cleaning. It takes a beating and keeps coming back.

2. Waterless wash - I use if for everything from claying to washing to general cleaning. Has really cut down on time and effort over the years. When bought diluted, very reasonable in price.

3. GG Pad/Cloth Cleaner - Works exceptionally well at getting wax out of pads and towels. Makes cleaning a lot easier.

4. Rupes Swirl Light - Rather than dragging out my LED, halogen, phone and other lights, this little guy works wonders for spotting swirls.

5. GG glass towels - I spent years trying to find the perfect glass cleaner. I finally tried these and found out it was never the cleaner, it was the towels. These work so well, even with cheap ammonia-free cleaner.

6. D151 - Great all in one. I use it daily and it's a great money maker. Great combo of correction and shine.

6. Werner platform - Picked up a platform for $60.00 and now use it all the time. Whether it's holding my snail fans or holding other stuff, or hold me so I can do roofs, it's been a real winner.

[trekkeruss]

There's one thing that would make my detailing life so much easier: a garage. I wish I had one!

[AustrianOak82]

There's one thing that would make my detailing life so much easier: a garage. I wish I had one!
I know the feeling. I was in my garage for a while.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[Paul A.]

Fitting into both themes...

I do have a garage but just this year bought a pop up canopy. Washing, drying, iron decon, claying/nanoskin and finally a good blow dry outside under the canopy and out of the FL sun has made my life sooooo much easier. No runoff waterspots and a perfectly dry, clean vehicle to then pull in to the garage and go to town at Correctionville!

I'll second the mini swirl finder light too! I have the Flex unit and toss it in my pocket as i cut and buff around the vehicle. Yup, still have my old trusty halogens but use that mini on every section.

I'll also toss in my foam gun. I can't remember the last time i did a traditional 2 bucket wash and love just lathering my subject up and gently wiping her clean! I still use 2 buckets but a clean rinse bucket for each side.

[RaskyR1]

This! :)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/shop/IMG_23861280x956.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Raskyr1/media/shop/IMG_23861280x956.jpg.html)

[fly07sti]

This! :)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i288/Raskyr1/shop/IMG_23861280x956.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Raskyr1/media/shop/IMG_23861280x956.jpg.html)

Nice! What's the load capacity Chad? And if you could let me know where I can get one.

[RaskyR1]

Nice! What's the load capacity Chad? And if you could let me know where I can get one.


6000lbs

You can get this style lift from many different manufactures as they all use the same/similar frame structure. BendPak would be the nicer but more expensive unit. You can also look at Atlas, Direct-Left, Titan, Dannmar, ect...

My current unit is a Direct-Lift Pro 6MR (http://www.directlift.com/Mid-Rise-Lift-Pro-6MR-P46C11.aspx). I went with the Direct-Lift as there was a distributor just a couple miles from me. I'm actually selling this one and will be installing an Atlas FM9SL (http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/FM9SL-In-Ground-Lift) in my new garage once it gets under way. ;)

[Hoytman]

Two very large municipal garages near me ripped out all of their in-ground lifts and went to bolt down style, because of maintenance issues. Just something to think about, but they weren't scissor lifts either that got ripped out.

[fly07sti]

6000lbs

You can get this style lift from many different manufactures as they all use the same/similar frame structure. BendPak would be the nicer but more expensive unit. You can also look at Atlas, Direct-Left, Titan, Dannmar, ect...

My current unit is a Direct-Lift Pro 6MR (http://www.directlift.com/Mid-Rise-Lift-Pro-6MR-P46C11.aspx). I went with the Direct-Lift as there was a distributor just a couple miles from me. I'm actually selling this one and will be installing an Atlas FM9SL (http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/FM9SL-In-Ground-Lift) in my new garage once it gets under way. ;)

Thank you.

[RaskyR1]

Two very large municipal garages near me ripped out all of their in-ground lifts and went to bolt down style, because of maintenance issues. Just something to think about, but they weren't scissor lifts either that got ripped out.

Yeah, I considered that. The pump and motor are all in the control unit above ground so that's a plus. I debated between this one and the SLP-7K (http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-SLP-7K-Full-Rise-Scissor-Lift). Either way I was going to flush mount the unit but the other unit is cheaper and lifts 9000lbs vs. 7000lbs. Mine won't see near the use as a service shop either. I like my Direct-Lift but it won't lift a Tesla and a few other cars I've done were a stretch too.


Now that I think about it. I should talk with my architect and see if the rafters can support lifting each side unit out if I rigged up some kind of hoist for servicing. Each weighs about 1000lbs.

[FUNX650]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/image1490.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/97333)

I'll never be able to thank her enough!

Bob

[AustrianOak82]

Figured I'd bump this and get some more ideas.

[AutowerxDetailing]

Things that have made life easier:

Since switching from D151 to HD Speed we've been able to get better and more consistent results from our AIO packages. We also save time because it seems to work better in a variety of conditions. Speed works and looks significantly better on darker vehicles. It also wipes off like a dream compared to D151.

Having multiple machines. When you are trying to be efficient having multiple polishers, ready to go, with different size backing plates is essential. I have a team of 3 guys, including me, so we have 3 Rupes polishers, several other 8mm DA's and a rotary (in case of emergency), as well as some pneumatic sanders/polishers. The ability to switch back and forth between smaller/larger pads by switching machines instead of switching backing plates saves a lot of time.

Air compressor. If you are not currently using an air compressor you are not currently getting the best results for your interior details. Sure, maybe it will look clean but you are not blowing out dirt and debris from the unseen cracks and crevices throughout the vehicle. Using air simply gets an interior cleaner and gets the job done faster. It also enables the usage of a Tornador as well as for blowing out microfiber pads while polishing.

[Paul A.]

The simplest and most profound thing that made my detailing life easier was going from hand methods to the PC 7336 many years ago. We all know that but when i ponder my answer to that question i run through several tools, methods, products, etc over the years since and always come all the way back to that.

That is, by far, the single biggest, most impactful answer for me.

[Muddyoldgoat]

I was trying to link to it but can't find it now.

I saw a post awhile back for a home made pad washer. The guy cut drain holes in a 5gal bucket and the raised a grit guard using legs made out of wood.
Soak the pad... Place the pad on the guard and pressure wash. Dirty water drains out the bottom of the bucket.
I already have a pad washer but liked the simplicity of this one. I made it and not only is it fast and easy but it gets the pads very clean. Squeeze the water out and spin or air dry.