Do you journal your detailing activity?

[Lance Mark]

With various combinations of tools, pads, polishes, LSPs and the methods to use these products, do you journal this as well as results?

In fact, posts here are a journal of sorts for me.

I'm thinking about recording

• Before pics
• Pre project plan
• Date, times, temps
• Tools, pads, and products used
• Methods
• Challenges I had or didn't expect
• Results, pics

A lot of years back, I had aspirations of being a mad scientist. This all has me feeling like I'm back in the lab again.

[2black1s]

I have never journaled my detailing activities but I do journal everything else done to any of my vehicles...

For example, I keep the following data for my bike...
- General/Miscellaneous Information Record
- Maintenance Record
- Modification Record
- Repair Record

Here's an example with an excerpt from of one of those...

[Bruno Soares]

I don’t. Takes me long enough to just get it done, to add more steps that aren’t a must would only make me dread the process even more.

[Bill D]

I don't but I keep my maintenance receipts in an envelope in my desk.

[psnt1ol]

With various combinations of tools, pads, polishes, LSPs and the methods to use these products, do you journal this as well as results?

In fact, posts here are a journal of sorts for me.

I'm thinking about recording

• Before pics
• Pre project plan
• Date, times, temps
• Tools, pads, and products used
• Methods
• Challenges I had or didn't expect
• Results, pics

A lot of years back, I had aspirations of being a mad scientist. This all has me feeling like I'm back in the lab again.

LOL !!! Many of us here are "Mad Scientist" or "Bench chemist". We as a community has a tendency to experiment with a product outside the range of what it was intended for. Sometimes we find great success and other times not so much.

Documentation takes time and preparations. I generally dont do it unless it is something interesting.

[Big Dave]

I keep a note pad in the garage, with a separate list for the FJ and Qashqai. I later put that info onto a spreadsheet. I keep it basic, the date, what I did, and what products I used. I realized just using my memory wasn't good enough to track what I'd used on what vehicle, and what longevity I was getting out of it. Also stops me from wasting product by putting something on top of something else that won't work, or last.

Sent from my F8331 using Tapatalk

[MisterSnoop]

Not with the paint correction/sealant stuff. Doesn't happen that often and I take pictures so I can go back and find the date if I need it. I do it for some items like interior clean/303/leather 3-in-1, etc. as it's not as obvious how long ago it was done compared to say washing.

[PaulMys]

I have never journaled my detailing activities but I do journal everything else done to any of my vehicles...

For example, I keep the following data for my bike...
- General/Miscellaneous Information Record
- Maintenance Record
- Modification Record
- Repair Record

Here's an example with an excerpt from of one of those...

I'm the same way, John.

Full maintenance records on each vehicle. Plus, I keep a notebook in the shed of lawn equipment maintenance. And I install hour meters on the bigger machines like my snow blower and riding mower.


As for detailing? No. I have found what works best for me. No need to document it. IMO.