All depends how much work you want to do. I've always waxed everything myself. That way I know what kind of job is getting done. I used to show trucks (big trucks--last one was a 1981 Kenworth W900A extended hood, 90" Doonan sleeper, 320" wheelbase, etc--sold it for just under $100,000--and no, I didn't make much of a profit) and I'd always do the detailing myself. It would take around a week (of 18 hour days) to get the truck ready (inside and out) for a show, but I've got some cool trophies to show for it.
If you've got the time, do it yourself.
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01:43 PM
deceler8 Member
Posts: 2139 From: Sioux City, Iowa USA Registered: Sep 1999
Over the past 25 years, I've tried just about every kind of wax there is, from cheap stuff to very expensive, from paste to liquid, machine applied vs. hand rubbed...wanna know what I think is best of all and what I keep coming back to...
J-Wax Kit Paste...Low price, easy to apply, clearcoat safe, lasts a long time, easy to remove, and nothing beats carnauba for shine.
I had the Little Black Toy done once, Total= $135.00 Professional detail shop wash,wax and buff= $100, Black cars extra $35 and I must say it did look SWEEEEEEEET!! and it made it alot easier for me to keep it clean and looking good . But I must say I love doing it myself. It just makes you feel better about your car when you can say I did it myself!!!!
I know $65 is a good price. But since I am not competing in any competions, and I have a white car (glossiness is apparent, but not as much as darker colors) I think I would rather use the car wax and do it myself. Save me $45.
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08:22 PM
DXR_DAD Member
Posts: 2440 From: so. san francisco, ca Registered: Mar 99
I have been using a polish system from www.zainobros.com Yes it is expensive, But it goes on and off very easily, and will outlast most anything on the market. Dried on bugs and tar come off without having to use another product. Very satisfied.
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02:14 AM
Oreif Member
Posts: 16460 From: Schaumburg, IL Registered: Jan 2000
I hand buffed my car with the Meguires Deep Crystal 3-step system. Cost me $15.00 and about 3 hours on a nice Saturday afternoon! Now I just use the polish once a year and wax it once a month.
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02:16 AM
filthyscarecrow Member
Posts: 637 From: minneapolis, MN USA Registered: Jul 2000
i worked in a detail shop for a while. the trick is the clay. they use clay to clean the paint first, then they wax it. the clay removes ANY contaminants in the paint. dust that a car wash can't touch. the finish? smooth as silk. and you can get yours for just 15.99. seriously though it works...
------------------ me go fast.
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02:31 AM
PFF
System Bot
RossT Member
Posts: 3038 From: Bismarck, North Dakota Registered: May 99
I use a clay bar, it really works nicely. But you do have to be very careful to keep it clean. If your clay bar picks up a piece of sand, it will scratch the *ell out of you paint.
Oreif: I notice that you like to stay up late!! I am at work so I got an excuse!!