Detailing?

[dtavres]

I just picked up my car and it's in need of a good interior cleaning.

I just started my own business and it's been VERY busy, so I just can't spare the time to do an interior detail myself (plus, I doubt I could do as good a job as a professional), but my question is - is it sacrilege to have someone else detail my car?

PLEASE, don't reply with "It's up to you..." I'm looking for your OPINIONS :)

I feel like I should be the first one to detail the car, but again, I'm not an expert.

ALSO, I'm looking at a groupon for a local place that says they also do a wash and engine clean.

Should I do it?

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During complete interior and exterior details—which take place at Promenade Car Wash & Spa—crews save up to 50 gallons of water by cleaning vehicles with organic plant-derived products. See everything included in the complete detail here. They also use paint sealant to keep exterior color glossy, and clean ducts and engines to make them run more cleanly.
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Thanks all,
Dave

[Rich_NYS]

I feel like I should be the first one to detail the car, but again, I'm not an expert.

ALSO, I'm looking at a groupon for a local place that says they also do a wash and engine clean.

Should I do it?

Thanks all,
Dave

Dave,

I think you should be the first & only one to clean your car, and allow yourself to become "an expert" (you already have a great start with the cool story of your purchase experience.) Also, detailing it will allow you to become more "personal" with your car.

Rich

[Alan]

I have a different opinion than many. I've valeted my D (successfully; I'd do it again). I had a high school girls swim team wash her. They all enjoyed it. I got a clean car. They did a nice job. It wasn't a detail, but my point is, I don't think it's sacrilege. If you don't have the time, have it done.

I still agree with Rich that you should also find time to do it yourself, take the time to find your way around, and enjoy it... when you have time.

[David T]

I have a different opinion than many. I've valeted my D (successfully; I'd do it again). I had a high school girls swim team wash her. They all enjoyed it. I got a clean car. They did a nice job. It wasn't a detail, but my point is, I don't think it's sacrilege. If you don't have the time, have it done.

I still agree with Rich that you should also find time to do it yourself, take the time to find your way around, and enjoy it... when you have time.

Any good shop that can detail a "high end" car can do a Delorean. You will have to give them special instructions on how to care for the S/S. They will probably not have any experience with that. They will need 80# sandpaper and a blending pad. Got to keep the grain STRAIGHT! The only leather is the seating SURFACES, the pull straps, the steering wheel and, if a 5-speed, the shifter boot. The rest of the interior is vinyl or carpet.

[Nicholas R]

Any good shop that can detail a "high end" car can do a Delorean. You will have to give them special instructions on how to care for the S/S. They will probably not have any experience with that. They will need 80# sandpaper and a blending pad. Got to keep the grain STRAIGHT! The only leather is the seating SURFACES, the pull straps, the steering wheel and, if a 5-speed, the shifter boot. The rest of the interior is vinyl or carpet.

Since when is regraining stainless steel a standard part of a detail job??? And what business would offer it? Dave would you really let a shop that's never done a DeLorean before, come near your car with 80 grit sandpaper, after you just saying "go straight!"?? I think you'd have to be crazy to.

I'm not saying it's crazy to have a detailing place wash your car, but its crazy to think that they'd be qualified to regrain your car. Not even a blending pad; soft sponge only.

[Dangermouse]

The first time thoroughly cleaning out your new-to-you car is the time you find all those nuggets left by the POs, so I would certainly do that part myself. I would have no issue letting some of the hooters girls wash the car, or one of those detail places detail (aka valet) the interior - it's only carpet and leather.

However I wouldn't let a car-wash monkey anywhere near the engine with a pressure hose; not to say you can't wash the engine, but I'd recommend doing it somewhere that if it doesn't start again due to water in the plug wells or something, that it can stay put for a few hours while it dries out. Personally, I clean mine in the driveway while they are running so I can hear the engine note change if water starts to get where it shouldn't be.

[louielouie2000]

I just picked up my car and it's in need of a good interior cleaning.

I just started my own business and it's been VERY busy, so I just can't spare the time to do an interior detail myself (plus, I doubt I could do as good a job as a professional), but my question is - is it sacrilege to have someone else detail my car?

PLEASE, don't reply with "It's up to you..." I'm looking for your OPINIONS

I feel like I should be the first one to detail the car, but again, I'm not an expert.

ALSO, I'm looking at a groupon for a local place that says they also do a wash and engine clean.

Should I do it?

========
During complete interior and exterior details—which take place at Promenade Car Wash & Spa—crews save up to 50 gallons of water by cleaning vehicles with organic plant-derived products. See everything included in the complete detail here. They also use paint sealant to keep exterior color glossy, and clean ducts and engines to make them run more cleanly.
========

Thanks all,
Dave

If you don't even have time to wash the car, DeLorean ownership is going to be pretty sobering to you. These cars aren't exactly known for Camry-like ease of ownership.

In any event, I don't see any harm in taking the car to get detailed. Pretty much every dealer-listed DeLorean for sale has gone through that process. I don't think the interior could be harmed by letting someone go to town cleaning it. If you want to let them loose on the stainless or in the engine compartment, I'd definitely quiz them on exactly what products they use, and how they plan on applying them. For instance, depending on what substance they clean the stainless with, it could end up dirtying up the graining, or making the stainless look smudgy. Even worse, if they apply too much pressure while cleaning/polishing, they could bring out the dreaded "X" in the hood by deforming the stainless.

Under the engine compartment is where I'd be most reticent to let someone loose, though. High pressure water under there is definitely a no-no. At a minimum, there is risk of inundating your spark plug wells with water, and then your car will run like crap. Also, keeping water out of the engine valley beneath the intake is definitely recommended.

[sdg3205]

To me, part of the joy of ownership is cleaning and detailing. If it's something you wanted to do, you'd find time. I work 10-12 hrs a day. My wind-down time is going into the garage to wrench, or detail if I have no wrenching to do. If you can't find time, then maybe it's not important to you. If so, then yes get someone else to do it.

Don't spray the engine if you don't have to. Fill a spray bottle with water and do bits and pieces. Simple green is great as a detergent.

That's my opinion.

[Michael]

Since when is regraining stainless steel a standard part of a detail job??? And what business would offer it? Dave would you really let a shop that's never done a DeLorean before, come near your car with 80 grit sandpaper, after you just saying "go straight!"?? I think you'd have to be crazy to.

I'm not saying it's crazy to have a detailing place wash your car, but its crazy to think that they'd be qualified to regrain your car. Not even a blending pad; soft sponge only.

True Dat! On all points...what the heck is wrong with you David?

[Trstno1]

Just my 2cents-

I don't think I would let anyone touch my car outside of my presence. Especially not long enough to wield a vacuum hose, pull on my rear view mirror, fumble around with getting in/out of the car let alone get anywhere near my engine compartment with a power washer or harmful chemicals that could start eating all the new hoses I just replaced. I almost have palpitations thinking about it!!

I am a busy person like most, but definitely make the time to enjoy working on and cleaning my car. Living the dream comes with a great responsibility. You own a rare piece of history that should be cared for and watched closely. Do you think the queen of England would take the Crown Jewels to a local jeweler to get cleaned? No way no how.

Not to mention, wouldn't this be the vision that would constantly be going through your head while away from your car???