in need of auto detailing tutoring

[cvkit17]

Naqi : I tell you what, we hold a full on 1-to-1 workshop specially for you with vr2turbo, cvkit and I'll provide the space and some of the tools. VR2 and cvkit will bring their tools too. Then all you need is pay us RM300 for full day session on how to clean the car, headlamp cleaning and all that good stuff. Heck, I'll throw in free coke drinks too.

psst vr2turbo, RM100 for me, RM200 for you and we con cvkit into coming and teaching for free

Yah! cvkit always like to experiment one woh! Like that, at least I buy him lunch loh!.....hahhahhahahahhahahhahahhahahahhahahhaa

No problem mia..I have a heart of buddha

 

[Izso]

yeah man, indeed i'm a newbie, which is why i'm asking. haha!

---------- Post added at 12:21 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------



i know in properly washing a car includes these crucial 4 steps:-

1.washing (to remove the loose debris on the car)
2.claying (to remove all the embedded debris that is in the paint)
3.polishing (to remove all the fine swirls and scratches that is on the paint and to purify the depth of the paint)
4.waxing (to seal the final product from the elements)

but the thing is, i always skipped step 3, due to lack of equipment.

i do have a washing mitt, microfiber cloths (around 10 of it i guess), clay bars, using the two buckets system, a pressure washer from Karcher, and wax and also soap from Turtle Wax. and everything is done by hand, once a month.

---------- Post added at 12:27 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 12:21 PM ----------



hahaha! when i'm free i'll let you guys know. and of course have the extra money. need to work part time first to collect some money. student maaaa hahahaha! thanks anyways guys, cant wait to be with you guys for a session or two. thanks Chris!

I was kidding about the money la. You want just join us for a TT someday (daytime) and we'll talk DIY detailing. CVKit and Vr2 are gila detailers. Not insane like s1Tl and fishbonezken but gila nonetheless.

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

yeah man, indeed i'm a newbie, which is why i'm asking. haha!

i know in properly washing a car includes these crucial 4 steps:-

1.washing (to remove the loose debris on the car)
2.claying (to remove all the embedded debris that is in the paint)
3.polishing (to remove all the fine swirls and scratches that is on the paint and to purify the depth of the paint)
4.waxing (to seal the final product from the elements)

but the thing is, i always skipped step 3, due to lack of equipment.

i do have a washing mitt, microfiber cloths (around 10 of it i guess), clay bars, using the two buckets system, a pressure washer from Karcher, and wax and also soap from Turtle Wax. and everything is done by hand, once a month.

---------- Post added at 12:27 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 12:21 PM ----------



hahaha! when i'm free i'll let you guys know. and of course have the extra money. need to work part time first to collect some money. student maaaa hahahaha! thanks anyways guys, cant wait to be with you guys for a session or two. thanks Chris!

If u come, u will know that polishing is not really one of the things u do frequently. As long as u wash your car on your own, polish once to remove all the swirls and fine scratches then maintain by waxing and sealing only. Each time u polish, u r cutting off the clear coat bit by bit.

But if u dun wash on your own frequently, like me. Sometimes I do send outside to wash, then swirls I don't really bother especially my car is silver or gold which is not that obvious.

Unless ur car is black

 

[DanzEterna]

learn from youtube can edi....

 

[vr2turbo]

If u come, u will know that polishing is not really one of the things u do frequently. As long as u wash your car on your own, polish once to remove all the swirls and fine scratches then maintain by waxing and sealing only. Each time u polish, u r cutting off the clear coat bit by bit.

But if u dun wash on your own frequently, like me. Sometimes I do send outside to wash, then swirls I don't really bother especially my car is silver or gold which is not that obvious.

Unless ur car is black

No brother, depends what you use to polish. Most of what we did for our cars so far, is more to paint cleaning, to clean the dirt off and make it shine. To compound or cut then need stronger tools and product to do that. Layman like us never like to remove too much and improper washing will create the swirls again...

---------- Post added at 04:25 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 04:22 PM ----------

I was kidding about the money la. You want just join us for a TT someday (daytime) and we'll talk DIY detailing. CVKit and Vr2 are gila detailers. Not insane like s1Tl and fishbonezken but gila nonetheless.

Hahaha..yah! as you can see we post many along with the comments.

We not so gila lah, only to bro Izso, because he is more towards engine mod that is why he see us detail is gila....hahhahaha

 

[g88]

dear ZTH forumers, I am very keen in learning on how to wash and detailing of cars. But, it seems quite hard for me to find any company offering workshops or classes as i need more hands on approach. I've been learning by myself through forums, mostly through videos in youtube. Been following and is a huge fan of Larry Kosilla of Ammo NYC. If any sifus out there provide such tutoring, please let me know a.s.a.p. Thank you in advance, and thank you admin, Mr. Tom for this great site. cheers everyone!

can you share your current hands on experience that you have tried yourself ? Perhaps from theory you understand and product/equipment you bought and PRACTICES that you have did/done so far ??

Or you prefer to pay or come for TT to try on OTHERS ppl car or test panel so you have more confident before you try on your own ride ?

---------- Post added at 04:42 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 04:37 PM ----------

I don't think you need lessons to learn detailing. You just need to hangout with detailer friends, chat with them and observe. Then get your gear out and do it yourself on your own car. If you're gonna go all out, get the following :

1. A DA polisher or a random orbital sander (with polishing pads x 2. Yellow and white).
2. At least 20 large pieces of microfiber clothes with their tags ripped out. Wetshine has some nice cloths.
3. 2 buckets, one for soap and one for pure water
4. Clay bar
5. A polishing compound and a wax. Sealant is optional
6. A washing mit
7. A pressure washer
8. Wheel cleaning brush
9. A good soapy neutral car wash like the Orsen bubble wash

Last thing you'll need is one helluva lot of stamina to work on your car.

Fuiyoo...this is truely a sifu level teaching....

You suggest is great but i think ( i think ah ) your list on input possible apply to someone whose already got deep poison into their nerve and wanted to venture into next/machinery level of detailing

I still remember i was 'maintaining' with HAND detailing got god many year...till started with very entry level random orbital detailing (that time there wasn't DA or Flex brand all :P) then into rotary before RETIRED :hmmmm: and now back to HAND again.....hehehe...

 

[vr2turbo]

Oops, another sifu appear......

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

No brother, depends what you use to polish. Most of what we did for our cars so far, is more to paint cleaning, to clean the dirt off and make it shine. To compound or cut then need stronger tools and product to do that. Layman like us never like to remove too much and improper washing will create the swirls again...

---------- Post added at 04:25 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 04:22 PM ----------



Hahaha..yah! as you can see we post many along with the comments.

We not so gila lah, only to bro Izso, because he is more towards engine mod that is why he see us detail is gila....hahhahaha

Maybe use hand polish is fine haha! Just dont cut.

Bro izso is mod gila.

 

[KenDiriwan]

Forum, youtube, personal car is a great way to start. Being white mice, your own car will go through all testing to built your own skills. But ask yourself, is this a hobby or going to be an occupation? It's gona drain you crazy just on one car for full detail package.

 

[naqi]

I was kidding about the money la. You want just join us for a TT someday (daytime) and we'll talk DIY detailing. CVKit and Vr2 are gila detailers. Not insane like s1Tl and fishbonezken but gila nonetheless.

that would be great! set time and place where everyone's available

---------- Post added at 10:12 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 10:08 PM ----------

learn from youtube can edi....

been learning from this guy in youtube, founder of Ammo NYC, Larry Kosilla. his explanations arevery thorough.

---------- Post added at 10:19 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 10:12 PM ----------

can you share your current hands on experience that you have tried yourself ? Perhaps from theory you understand and product/equipment you bought and PRACTICES that you have did/done so far ??

Or you prefer to pay or come for TT to try on OTHERS ppl car or test panel so you have more confident before you try on your own ride ?

okay, like i said, I'm a newbie in the world of automotive. and everything i learned and picked up through the years are either through youtube, or even forums like ZTH.
Basically i dont own, or even have the guts to play around with any buffing machines be it rotary or even dual action because i'm scared of messing it up (that's the art of diy right? haha) what i always do is wash, clay and wax it to seal it. and everything is done manually by hand so it's labour and time intensive. i learned the most out of Larry Kosilla of Ammo NYC. using most of his techniques. look it up on youtube for Drive Clean.

 

[g88]

that would be great! set time and place where everyone's available

---------- Post added at 10:12 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 10:08 PM ----------



been learning from this guy in youtube, founder of Ammo NYC, Larry Kosilla. his explanations arevery thorough.

---------- Post added at 10:19 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 10:12 PM ----------

can you share your current hands on experience that you have tried yourself ? Perhaps from theory you understand and product/equipment you bought and PRACTICES that you have did/done so far ??

Or you prefer to pay or come for TT to try on OTHERS ppl car or test panel so you have more confident before you try on your own ride ?

okay, like i said, I'm a newbie in the world of automotive. and everything i learned and picked up through the years are either through youtube, or even forums like ZTH.
Basically i dont own, or even have the guts to play around with any buffing machines be it rotary or even dual action because i'm scared of messing it up (that's the art of diy right? haha) what i always do is wash, clay and wax it to seal it. and everything is done manually by hand so it's labour and time intensive. i learned the most out of Larry Kosilla of Ammo NYC. using most of his techniques. look it up on youtube for Drive Clean.

Time to apply what you learn. Mistake will make you improve.

 

[vr2turbo]

Time to apply what you learn. Mistake will make you improve.

Yes, we always say learn from mistakes, but of course don't go make costly ones......hahhahahhaha

 

[KrisMas]

dear ZTH forumers, I am very keen in learning on how to wash and detailing of cars. But, it seems quite hard for me to find any company offering workshops or classes as i need more hands on approach. I've been learning by myself through forums, mostly through videos in youtube. Been following and is a huge fan of Larry Kosilla of Ammo NYC. If any sifus out there provide such tutoring, please let me know a.s.a.p. Thank you in advance, and thank you admin, Mr. Tom for this great site. cheers everyone!

Hi there naqi, looks like you're quite passionate about this. Larry@AMMO makes lots and lots of GREAT guides and his 'tutorials' are quite well accepted in the detailing communities to be good and unbiased guides. But nothing beats hands-on trials & experience. I've also learned quite a lot from his videos too.

It also seemed like you've done yourself quite an extensive research and readings...that's a very promising start.

Now, from hereon, the question would be where/how to go about?

The same question hit me when I started to develop this passion more than a decade ago. I was lucky to be able to meet our own world renowned Grandmaster @ Autodetailer and even luckier that he trusted me enough to 'teach' me a thing or two and showed/set me on a right path. From then on, I met more and more 'kakis' (as we call it) and, true to what had been said in previous posts, I've learned a lot after sitting down, chatting, debating, theorising, etc. during TTs then going back and trying/experimenting. We even have DITs (a Do-It-Together sessions), small gatherings and experimenting sessions, etc. - call it an 'experience-sharing' session. This helps to keep the knowledge coming in and kept the passion going strong.

What I'm trying to say is: first and foremost, join and get-together with other enthusiasts around here and, believe you me, there are quite a few. Secondly, getting a professional to tutor you or doing part-time in an established detailing centre would be the best, but you'd need to really search around for that. Just a note though: professional centres tend to be a *little* biased towards the 'business' side of detailing (if you know what I mean). But, if you do have that plan in the future, I guess that would be a good thing.

Looks like I'm just talking crap again and not really helping out am I.....

 

[Izso]

Fuiyo.. suddenly so many scary sifus come in liao. *poisonpoisonpoison*

You suggest is great but i think ( i think ah ) your list on input possible apply to someone whose already got deep poison into their nerve and wanted to venture into next/machinery level of detailing

I still remember i was 'maintaining' with HAND detailing got god many year...till started with very entry level random orbital detailing (that time there wasn't DA or Flex brand all :P) then into rotary before RETIRED :hmmmm: and now back to HAND again.....hehehe...

That's true. Hand method is a great place to start. But tiring maaaaah.. not everyone can bling a chrome exhaust pipe to mirror finish using hand like you leh!!

 

[vr2turbo]

Wah! another sifu appear....bro. kris......

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

Wah! another sifu appear....bro. kris......

He said he is not sifu, only friends are the one doing it leh haha! Or he is the on teaching that's why friends are the one doing haha!

 

[vr2turbo]

He said he is not sifu, only friends are the one doing it leh haha! Or he is the on teaching that's why friends are the one doing haha!

Part of his post...
The same question hit me when I started to develop this passion more than a decade ago. I was lucky to be able to meet our own world renowned Grandmaster @ Autodetailer and even luckier that he trusted me enough to 'teach' me a thing or two and showed/set me on a right path. From then on, I met more and more 'kakis' (as we call it) and, true to what had been said in previous posts, I've learned a lot after sitting down, chatting, debating, theorising, etc. during TTs then going back and trying/experimenting. We even have DITs (a Do-It-Together sessions), small gatherings and experimenting sessions, etc. - call it an 'experience-sharing' session. This helps to keep the knowledge coming in and kept the passion going strong.

Started means past, decade ago means 10 years already, learn under my sifu also, Autodetailer Grandmaster, so buy now he sifu or not?.....

 

[Supra_Fanatics]

Part of his post...
The same question hit me when I started to develop this passion more than a decade ago. I was lucky to be able to meet our own world renowned Grandmaster @ Autodetailer and even luckier that he trusted me enough to 'teach' me a thing or two and showed/set me on a right path. From then on, I met more and more 'kakis' (as we call it) and, true to what had been said in previous posts, I've learned a lot after sitting down, chatting, debating, theorising, etc. during TTs then going back and trying/experimenting. We even have DITs (a Do-It-Together sessions), small gatherings and experimenting sessions, etc. - call it an 'experience-sharing' session. This helps to keep the knowledge coming in and kept the passion going strong.

Started means past, decade ago means 10 years already, learn under my sifu also, Autodetailer Grandmaster, so buy now he sifu or not?.....

Oh both of u also same sifu, no wonder la. But my sifu is u already
Maybe he is now part of Autodetailer leh.

 

[KrisMas]

Aiyo...you guys ah....hahahah

I mean people like me, vr2, and others can never be a sifu la....how can we be one when we only do our own rides. We can't also teach cuz we only know what works for us and our cars using our own products only. We also can't show anything cuz....well....it'll be the same pictures of the same car over and over again.

But, there is a lack of transparency and information sharing from/by many of the pros (for their own good reasons actually) so, I try my best to help out enthusiasts/hobbyist any way I can/able, including organising (not conducting :rolleyes:) workshops/demos, sharing resources/suppliers, and even sharing my own tools and supplies so that 'newbies'/seasons hobbyists could enjoy detailing and also tools/products/accessories/etc. which aren't accessible to them. And, like I said, I learned a lot myself during those gatherings too. Anyway, detailing is fun....and fun stuffs needs to be shared.

---------- Post added at 04:33 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 04:27 PM ----------

Maybe he is now part of Autodetailer leh.

I don't see myself being able to go into commercialising this hobby of mine. Anyway, affiliation would create restrictions and further complications....that would take all the fun out of it....

 

[DarkAccoon]

Besides the tools and theory, practical is also important.

After trying on many different product brands on different cars, i can safely conclude (some may oppose this) that there is no ONE solution for all.

Different brand and even different color used may differ in the methods required to detail them. Soft clear coat, godlike hard clear coat, single stage paint, rubbishly re-painted surface just to name a few.

Also different brand of products, pads, machines play an important role as well. The key is to finding what works best for your style.

My experience along my journey, I have learned thru observing, evaluating, asking and also experienced being pushed awayby some (yeah, some 'sifu' can be a bit secretive on their trade for a good reason). There will also be people whom have their own proven method and may not agree with other methods as well.

Bottomline, detailing is a vast world and there is endless possibilities. Its up to you to explore it and do not give up too early if your machine polishing does not produce your expected result. Or if the holograms just refuse to go away.

Detail and have fun along the way.

Heck, I should not even say i tried many products since I am so poor and not able to afford most imported brands.