ts|s detailing: 06 Ford Fusion

**third_shift|studios** · 01-31-2010, 07:35 PM

Decided to give the daily driver some TLC. It was sunny and 25° today

made for a lot of fun sliding around the car while washing it.

ts|s Stage 3 detail:
complete interior cleaning/shampoo/leather treatment
2 step wash + clay bar
single step polish + sealant
(normally I would do the engine too, but didn't want to risk turning it into a block of ice)

Before/Afters

**third_shift|studios** · 01-31-2010, 07:35 PM

**SHines-IT** · 01-31-2010, 07:46 PM

Looks nice, keep up the good work.

**tatertot91** · 01-31-2010, 07:48 PM

You have too much time on your hands with all the pics
but it looks good

**third_shift|studios** · 02-01-2010, 06:15 AM

The power in the afters, comes from the befores

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

The power in the afters, comes from the befores

**1fastcamarosss11** · 02-01-2010, 09:34 AM

should i bring the ta down or are you coming up?

**third_shift|studios** · 02-01-2010, 10:03 AM

Might wanna come down-otherwise I'll markup my gas used LOL

**LSCyaL8R** · 02-01-2010, 10:41 AM

I need guidance from the master. seriously there should be a sticky on how to detail a car. sort of a for good results, go buy this and do this with it.

**third_shift|studios** · 02-01-2010, 12:08 PM

I could list my arsenal, but it's $3000 worth of stuff. I'm sure Goose has that much or more. I would truely suggest getting in touch with a high quality local detailer and shelling out $ on a complete job (interior/exterior). Then work on maintaining it properly.

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

I could list my arsenal, but it's $3000 worth of stuff. I'm sure Goose has that much or more. I would truely suggest getting in touch with a high quality local detailer and shelling out $ on a complete job (interior/exterior). Then work on maintaining it properly.

True that, I bet I have at least $1,500 worth of detailing shit in my garage... All though, what's a good product to shampoo the carpet with? Only thing I don't have, lol.

**third_shift|studios** · 02-01-2010, 12:30 PM

There is a great video on youtube that will explain that. It's a multi-step process. Here is the link.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVPqzc0KM00&feature=channel[/ame]

**LSCyaL8R** · 02-01-2010, 12:53 PM

What would a job like that cost?

I'm all for not breaking my back doing something i'm not good with lol.

My problem is that I really don't trust a lot of the places around me. I'd have no idea how to track down "the good guys" I feel like a lot of the places near me prey on the more money than brains people I live around and charge a lot of money to have an immigrant worker just do a basic wash and wax on a car.

If i knew I was spending 200 bucks or so to have a pro do a great job on my car that i would be proud to attend shows with and maintain with excellent waxes then yes, i'd have no problem shelling out the money.

Any idea how I can find the best detailers in my area?

**third_shift|studios** · 02-01-2010, 12:59 PM

Start here:
http://www.autopia.org/find-professi...elinks.php?c=7

my other suggestion is to get a recommendation from a quality painter in town.

Likewise, ask local car forms, and very important make sure they have proof such as a website that shows before/afters.

Expect to drop about $300±

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 01:12 PM

That's a great site, browse the forum and you will learn allot. At the very least, learn to do the wash properly and hire someone every quarter to do the more serious work.

**LSCyaL8R** · 02-01-2010, 03:14 PM

wow this stuff can get pricey quick! Looks like the place near me won't even quote a swissvax treatment on the website. They need to measure the paint first ($150 alone) i'm thinking 300.... maybe 500 if i'm in a great mood. I garage the car and that costs me 1200 a year + 1100 or so for insurance.... so the car costs 2300 without me even driving it.... Logic tells me having perfect paint when it is out should be worth it.... but parting with that money is oh so difficult.

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by LSCyaL8R

wow this stuff can get pricey quick! Looks like the place near me won't even quote a swissvax treatment on the website. They need to measure the paint first ($150 alone) i'm thinking 300.... maybe 500 if i'm in a great mood. I garage the car and that costs me 1200 a year + 1100 or so for insurance.... so the car costs 2300 without me even driving it.... Logic tells me having perfect paint when it is out should be worth it.... but parting with that money is oh so difficult.

Ummm, find someone else. I use Swissvax from time to time... Yea, it's pricey and worth it on a car that's not driven much. But for them to measure the paint and charge you for it, is crazy. They should be doing that during inspection if they choose to measure paint.

**LSCyaL8R** · 02-01-2010, 03:56 PM

lol... welcome to NY the city with the highest cost of living in the united states. in fact... one of the most expensive cities on earth!!! It doesn't surprise me one bit that a reputable shop charges for everything. Consider the number of bentleys, maybachs, aston martins, ferraris, lambos etc that call NY home and they end up with tons of customers that would go for the top treatment once a month. I saw some prices north of 1200 dollars. for a 1 day affair.... For that much I can ship TSS to my door and have him do it for me and feed him and put him up for the night and send him back home. Prob end up with better results too

**SHines-IT** · 02-01-2010, 04:10 PM

Polishing a car like that every month, over a few years would yield a very thin layer of clear coat. Paint measure, never used one mind you. From what I seen, is a little tool they randomly select different spots and scan. Mostly lets them know consistency, and if there's a possible repaint. Lets them know how much they have to play with. I would really only worry about that, if I was wet sanding or use a really damn abrasive polish. I really only polish my car once every 6-8 months, maybe spot polish if there's a scratch. But I mostly reply my wax when needed.