MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - Bad "Pro" Detailing

bee1000n · #1 08-09-2008, 01:12 PM

So the mobile detail guy comes by work 2 weeks ago and offers to clay, polish and wax, plus steam clean the engine for $200. I know I'm not getting the proverbial show-car detailing for that price, but I figure he'll get most of the swirls out and my engine will be clean.

It wasn't a great job. When I paid him I noticed his guys hadn't done that great a job on the swirls, and the trim was super glossy wet black. The next day in bright sunshine I noticed some holograms and tried to fill them with Hydro to not much effect. (Prior to him touching the car, it had light swirls only.)

Today, after rinsing the car down (long line at the DIY wash, so no bucket washing this morning) I realized just how awful the job was. There are trails of holograms from his rotary all over the roof. I'm sure the PW part looks bad, too, but black makes it really obvious.

On top of that nonsense, after the glossy trim sauce wore off I now see polish residune on all my arches. I'm going to try to track him down for a refund next week, then head up to Show Car Detailing's next clinic to learn how to properly repair the damage.

ofioliti · #2 08-09-2008, 01:53 PM

What the hey??!

I hope those "holograms" are just poorly removed dried out wax! Did you try buffing them out?

Sorry to hear about that.

Wolfeee · #3 08-09-2008, 02:40 PM

Oh No! I would be FURIOUS!!! I so hope you get it fixed soon! I am feeling for you!!

RJKimbell · #4 08-09-2008, 05:06 PM

I'd do more than "track him down", I'd make him a "SPEED BUMP!!".
Good Lord, I've never seen such an awful job.

I had my Durango done for $275, I admit I was cringing when I heard the buffer come on, but I was pleasantly surprised, when there were NO Swirls left behind, Black Paint too. I commented on how good it looked and that I was uncomfortable in the house when I heard the buffer. He said the trick is to keep things moving and WET.

Yours looks like he used sand paper...SORRY. I really hope you get a TOTAL Refund and let him know that you will be putting the "word" out that HE does "Unprofessional" work!!

kenchan · #5 08-09-2008, 05:33 PM

yah, some novice using a orbital a few times thinkin they
are pro's.

bobj · #6 08-09-2008, 05:56 PM

That looks like an orbital, not a random orbit, he used.

kenchan · #7 08-09-2008, 06:11 PM

it reminds me of those direct drives with cotton bonnets.

bee1000n · #8 08-09-2008, 06:47 PM

It was a rotary with a wool pad from what I saw. He had some guys doing most of the labor from what I could tell. I think he figures he can have them clay the cars then go over them with polish on the rotary and then wax and everything will be fine. I knew it wouldn't be up to a high standard of correction, but I certainly didn't expect damage to be done.

When he returned the car at 5:30 p.m. in the "golden hour" light it looked great. It's not until I saw it in direct sun that I saw the real results.

No, it's not dried wax, though it does look like it in the pics. The day after his work, I QD'd the car and put Hydro on, hoping it would remove the holograms. It didn't (clearly).

ngweibing · #9 08-09-2008, 07:01 PM

omg... i feel the pain.

.hope u get refund or some remedy..

ofioliti · #10 08-09-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bee1000n

....
No, it's not dried wax, though it does look like it in the pics. The day after his work, I QD'd the car and put Hydro on, hoping it would remove the holograms. It didn't (clearly).

What are you going to do? (About the "detailer".)

kenchan · #11 08-09-2008, 07:55 PM

yeh, best time to check the work is in the morning sun, imho. it's not
super bright like during the day so every little imperfection will show.
and it's a clearer whiter light than dusk.

ScottRiqui · #12 08-09-2008, 08:02 PM

Wait - you're *not* supposed to polish the car with a rock?? Clearly, this guy didn't get the memo.

MLPearson79 · #13 08-09-2008, 08:08 PM

OMFG. This guy would be running for his life if that were my MINI...

JCR1960 · #14 08-09-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bee1000n

So the mobile detail guy comes by work 2 weeks ago and offers to clay, polish and wax, plus steam clean the engine for $200. I know I'm not getting the proverbial show-car detailing for that price, but I figure he'll get most of the swirls out and my engine will be clean.

It wasn't a great job. When I paid him I noticed his guys hadn't done that great a job on the swirls, and the trim was super glossy wet black. The next day in bright sunshine I noticed some holograms and tried to fill them with Hydro to not much effect. (Prior to him touching the car, it had light swirls only.)

.....I'm going to try to track him down for a refund next week,....

Has anyone else used that mobile detail guy to detail their vehicles where you work?

Anyway that is a horrible even an unprofessional job they did to your MINI and I hope you get a complete refund for the shoddy work that was done.That crappy "detailing" would tick me off to no end!!

**OctaneGuy** · #15 08-09-2008, 11:48 PM

Actually what you are seeing here is "typical" production detailer work. I tell this all the time to my customers and those on this forum---interview your detailer first! If your detailer thinks that a wool pad on a rotary is the best solution for your paint, ask him why? You don't need wool to remove swirls unless you're trying to get done in a hurry, and even so, ask what products he's using and what they are for.

Sorry you had to learn this the hard way.

Richard (currently in MITM 2008)

CR&PW&JB · #16 08-10-2008, 04:34 AM

That is all.