just seeing if anyone on here could recommend a good place to get my stang detailed. Im in staten island NY and i was hoping NOT to go into brooklyn for it (seeing as how i hate that borough for all my life). ive never used a buffer in my life so getting it professionally done is a MUST.

 

For the kind of money a detail shop charges try a body shop.Sometimes they get slow and some the guys that work there can run a buffer better than pro-detailers.Plus they have better cleaning chemicals,compounds and polishes.

 

def try a auto body shop they do much better work...but if you buy the right buffer/polisher you might be surprised what a good job you can do..

 

Porter Cable 7424

 

I'm sure you can do as good of a job as them, do a practice run on a friend's car. Personally, unless you are using heavy abrasives, I don't think you run the risk of burning through your paint. Just keep the thing moving and don't ride on the edges of the paint.

I've heard the Porter-Cable's are the way to go, the generic buffers from parts stores are junk.

 

I live on SI as well. I would strongly recommend Euro Auto Spa on Hylan. They are a little past Jefferson Ave if you are coming from the bridge. He charges under $100. Otherwise Tidy is great as well. They are one block before Euro. I have had great experience with both of them.

 

yea imgonna check out those 2 places u mentioned. i just got it washed here in annadale at the hand wash joint. as it was getting its well needed bath there was a subaru outback getting "detailed". HOLY JESUS!! they were compounding it without washing it. person drove it off the street dirty as hell and they just started with the buffers. dropping pads face down on the salt filled asphault and so on. i couldnt believe my eyes. i checked out that Porter Cable 7424 and from what i saw at the local car wash, im leaning towards doing it myself. i just put my old car back on the road (95 grand marquis) and i think i may just practice on that since i dont care what it looks like AT ALL. thanks everyone for the advice

 

That is why I do my own. You know it is done right and you take pride in th job when you are done.

I use Griot's garage http://griotsgarage.com. When I bought mine, they sold the porter cable. They now have a less expensive buffer. I have used it, it is nice. They have a whole system of pads and polishes with detailed instructions on how to use it. The system is safe if you follow the directions. The key is use a Random Orbital not a direct drive. Also, you should always paint clay prior to using it. This removes the stuck on debris before the orbital pushes it around in circles on your paint.

I practice on my truck and van while I am waiting on my GT500. My truck as 95,000 miles on it and the paint looks better than showroom. It is really easy and actually saves time waxing. I always use it for applying wax now instead of by hand.

edit: You will really need to avoid careless buffing with that black car. When they give it back to you it will look great. The scratches they put in it will be hidden by the wax. After a few washes the wax will wear down a little and the swirl marks will become prominent. Nobody cares as much about your car as you do.

Also, Griots Garage does tech sessions in certain cities each year. You can go to those and have them show you how to use the products. I went to one and found it very helpful.

disclaimer: Sorry if I turn you on to Griots and you end up spending a ton of money on their stuff. It can be addicting.

 

Body shops are getting more into the detailing business. The shop i deal with and work at, have a Full Detail Center and about once a year i get mine done with proper paint touch ups and necessary buffing. Most of the areas on the car need not get buffed;- whilst i do the clay myself. She's an 05 (the Roush) and shows like a new car. Factory inconsistencies in the paint can be remedied as well in the process.

With the GT500, no one goes near that one only my body shop - spot wash and when i clayed her the day after she came from the delivery truck, it was amazing what came off of a new car!

Yes, it is best to do the detailing work yourself and by hand. Both mine only see a pure American cotton towel with detail spray to their paint. This greatly helps reduce swirl marks.