Detailing doesn't have to be done at a dealership, does it.
08-19-2011, 11:02 AM
#1
Detailing doesn't have to be done at a dealership, does it.
Just being over-protective, I know. I have some vouchers for discounted detailing, and am basically wondering if people in this business are familiar enough with rotaries and flooding. Mine is a 2009 r3, so I'm aware that flooding a series 2 requires some effort, they're more reliable than series 1. Sure, I'd be happy to do it at a dealership, but 200$ cdn is steep.
I brought my Mazda 3 for detailing to these places, and was never under the impression that they were unintelligent, or without knowledge. I take it instructions are necessary, and fine if kept at:
Make sure only on rpm bar is on, if car is moved, prior to shut off give gas to 6000 rpm and turn off ignition.
I brought my Mazda 3 for detailing to these places, and was never under the impression that they were unintelligent, or without knowledge. I take it instructions are necessary, and fine if kept at:
Make sure only on rpm bar is on, if car is moved, prior to shut off give gas to 6000 rpm and turn off ignition.
08-19-2011, 12:01 PM
#2
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Totally understand your situation I'm the same way myself! I would honestly just detail your car yourself I dont trust anyone touching my car. I have an R3 and just buy a **** load of cleaning products and clean her myself my self full filling at the end of the day and you will also know if you cleaned her properly.
08-19-2011, 01:17 PM
#3
you can get your car detailed anywhere. Don't worry about the flooding. You should have no problems.
As much as I love doing the hard work myself, I've just been too busy lately. So, I may have to take my baby somewhere and deal with the thought of someone else putting their grubby, greedy hands all over her...
As much as I love doing the hard work myself, I've just been too busy lately. So, I may have to take my baby somewhere and deal with the thought of someone else putting their grubby, greedy hands all over her...
08-19-2011, 02:03 PM
#4
Super Moderator
prior to shut off give gas to 6000 rpm and turn off ignition
Certainly NOT from Mazda or anyone else here who knows anything about rotaries.
IF all your Two Red Zone bars are OFF your coolant is at 158F or above, there is NO issue with flooding...in fact I have heard of NO Series II actually flooding at all...I turn mine off (at idle RPM) with ONE out above 104F (Variable Red Zone) all the time and it has never flooded.
Please stop this juvenile revving engine before turnoff BS.
BTW..There is No way in hell I would leave my car with anyone to 'detail'...find the time.
08-19-2011, 07:21 PM
#5
2009 RX-8 Touring
I rev the engine before shutting it off if I move it only a few feet, because the choke is still partially enabled and I want to flush the remaining fuel from the combustion chambers. If I drive it at all, though, I don't bother revving.
08-20-2011, 07:32 AM
#7
Living is best Modified.
What Ash said. I never flooded my engine. Never. I've tried to. Yes, I tried to flood my engime- Im a firm believer of knowing what to do when !@#$ happens by experience. Whether jump another car, or change a tire. **** happens. I'd like to atleast recognize how to change my diaper 
I detail my rx-8 personally. It's an investment, yes. At the same time you'll find it gratifying. You'll definitely want to look at show and shine section of the RX-8 forums.
Taking care of your car can be as little as "Cleaning out all the junk - paper, mcdonalds, bags, etc. Add a little smelly trees. Good to go." to buying orbital buffers (Not the ones you find at walmart, or AutoZone) and clearing away old wax, polishing your (Clear Coat) until it shines light like a diamond, adding a sealant and then waxing. The investment - time to learn, time to do and money spent is also directly related to what your car care means to you.
I'm more of the latter, as I stay up in the middle of the night to wash my car because I don't want the water to dry on the paint, leaving water marks. It's hot and humid weather here. Mind you, i'm not crazy about spending my 100 degree days outside without shade.
Like spending quality time with the car without actually using gas.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-show-shine-26/
Also, Autogeek.net is One of the better walmart-ish sites for car care and detailing.
If you want to know your car is taken car of, you'll want to do it yourself. Or find a detailer has the time and seem to know what they're talking about. Many dealership "detailers" leave horrible paint finishes afterwards - paint swirls, holograms, burning the paint. Don't think for a section this is always because of lack of care and knowledge. Want to see what I mean? Goto a dealership lot, a big pretty dealership. Find a dark-colored car. Look at the sunlight reflecting. Can you see hair-line swirls? Can you see a 3d effect hologram that seems to stream across the car in arcs? does the paint seem off colored, or off in any way that's unusual to the rest of the car?
These detailers are also forced to revolve cars in and out, or use tools they don't like, use products that they don't like. Try and get the detailer one on one. Talk to him or her. See their opinion - most will be straight forward and tell you "I use X here, but at home I use X". Prod if you need to. If you can't find the person details off-time, don't bother.
Hologramming: Poor Non-RX8 car
I detail my rx-8 personally. It's an investment, yes. At the same time you'll find it gratifying. You'll definitely want to look at show and shine section of the RX-8 forums.
Taking care of your car can be as little as "Cleaning out all the junk - paper, mcdonalds, bags, etc. Add a little smelly trees. Good to go." to buying orbital buffers (Not the ones you find at walmart, or AutoZone) and clearing away old wax, polishing your (Clear Coat) until it shines light like a diamond, adding a sealant and then waxing. The investment - time to learn, time to do and money spent is also directly related to what your car care means to you.
I'm more of the latter, as I stay up in the middle of the night to wash my car because I don't want the water to dry on the paint, leaving water marks. It's hot and humid weather here. Mind you, i'm not crazy about spending my 100 degree days outside without shade.
Like spending quality time with the car without actually using gas.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-show-shine-26/
Also, Autogeek.net is One of the better walmart-ish sites for car care and detailing.
If you want to know your car is taken car of, you'll want to do it yourself. Or find a detailer has the time and seem to know what they're talking about. Many dealership "detailers" leave horrible paint finishes afterwards - paint swirls, holograms, burning the paint. Don't think for a section this is always because of lack of care and knowledge. Want to see what I mean? Goto a dealership lot, a big pretty dealership. Find a dark-colored car. Look at the sunlight reflecting. Can you see hair-line swirls? Can you see a 3d effect hologram that seems to stream across the car in arcs? does the paint seem off colored, or off in any way that's unusual to the rest of the car?
These detailers are also forced to revolve cars in and out, or use tools they don't like, use products that they don't like. Try and get the detailer one on one. Talk to him or her. See their opinion - most will be straight forward and tell you "I use X here, but at home I use X". Prod if you need to. If you can't find the person details off-time, don't bother.
Hologramming: Poor Non-RX8 car
Last edited by RogueTadhg; 08-20-2011 at 09:17 PM.
08-20-2011, 07:55 AM
#8
It's just noob paranoia. Don't worry about flooding etc if your car is well kept, especially a sII. Some badly serviced sI still running on the earlier reflashes may, perhaps, occasionally, under the right circumstances, flood.
08-20-2011, 08:42 PM
#9
Yeah, like I specifically said, I'm aware of the challenges when trying to flood a series 2. Call me nervous, but I take every chance to avoid tempting fate. And yeah, it was a Mazda dealer guy who initially told me to always rev the engine for shutdown, which seemed unnecessary, so I did not do it generally at all. Maybe he just was to conditioned to thinking they are all like early series 1. Whatever.
As for cleaning, I have in the past washed the car 2ce a week, so generally it's not a question of time, really. Thing is, I don't know a thing about waxing, or cleaning rims and that stuff. I really want her to look DAMN impressive. I guess I should spend time reading about the next step in cleaning, but wouldn't know where to start. Recommend some stuff for me. And yes, I'm a noob, kindy assume nothing.
As for cleaning, I have in the past washed the car 2ce a week, so generally it's not a question of time, really. Thing is, I don't know a thing about waxing, or cleaning rims and that stuff. I really want her to look DAMN impressive. I guess I should spend time reading about the next step in cleaning, but wouldn't know where to start. Recommend some stuff for me. And yes, I'm a noob, kindy assume nothing.
08-20-2011, 10:13 PM
#10
Living is best Modified.
@Diomedes: There's a lot of instructions on cleaning your car, especially on the internet. There's a lot of directions to 'detail' a car. If you spend any real amount of time reading about detail - it gets complicated. Overly complicated and confusing. Detailing a car means attention to detail. You'll probably learn a lot about the car just by detailing.
However, there's one piece of information I would like to share with you: A cool (Temperature) car is the best time to detail. Try to do it in the shade, in a garage if you have the space.
Hell, Goto an autoparts store and look at all the products that you can buy for your car - windows, Aluminum/chrome/painted wheels/rims, paint, black paint, leather seats, plastic, hose attachments, buckets... You'll find products from Meguiars, Mothers, Turtle Wax, Armor All. These are the top names in the stores. This does NOT mean they work the best.
I won't lie when I say that if you goto a car show, even a medicore "Classic Car" meet. Look at the paint. Examine the clear coat for hair light spider webs. Find a car without those hair line scratches and find the owner. Talk to him, no one else matters - When it comes to paint maintenance, polishing and waxing.
Again, look at the section for this: RX-8 Show and Shine. It covers all car care. While it doesn't have to be RX-8s, it's nice to know that this is discussed and rx-8 users know the topic if relevant to their needs
There's a lot of information everywhere. It'll take time, it'll take you asking questions. Most of all the best thing to remember when detail your car is this: Have fun with it. Do it in fun. Open a beer, sit with friends and wash your car.
Washing:
Most people use the two-bucket method of washing a car. Even that technology has been upgraded to include inserts. Grit Guards. The cover the bottom of the bucket to allow the dirt to seep through the insert. Agitate the top of the guard to loosen anything that may be on your sponge, mit or towels.
Shoot. I might as well give you an example of just hoses
-------------------------------------
Washing your car means with water. Starting right from the gate you can choose to either purify the water that comes out of the hose - or not. Minerals, calcium, hard water will get on the car.
Hoses, also, can be cheap. While not needed to drop 40 dollars on a hose, it's frustrating to try to untangle a hose that's melting and feels soft to the touch.
Attachments for hoses:
1. Fire Hose nozzle. Water is force through depending on how the turns. Expensive, inaccurate at times. But the best quality spray overall.
2. Hose Nozzles. You squeeze the end and water comes out!
3. Brushes. Would you wet a broom and wash your car with it? Exactly what you are doing if you pick this up. Don't tell me if you do this way.
4. Micro Fiber mitts.
5. Cheap Soap guns. Its fast, Touchless soap soaking. Usually has a tension spring of some sort. It's messy and wastes product.
6. Foam guns. Spectacular. It works really the well as the pre-wash to soak in the clean and lift off the road grime.
7. Valves. Instead of walking back to the end of the hose to turn off the water, you can use this to turn it off. I can't justify this attachment unless you need to walk a long way.
I have to go. I'll try to update this later.
However, there's one piece of information I would like to share with you: A cool (Temperature) car is the best time to detail. Try to do it in the shade, in a garage if you have the space.
Hell, Goto an autoparts store and look at all the products that you can buy for your car - windows, Aluminum/chrome/painted wheels/rims, paint, black paint, leather seats, plastic, hose attachments, buckets... You'll find products from Meguiars, Mothers, Turtle Wax, Armor All. These are the top names in the stores. This does NOT mean they work the best.
I won't lie when I say that if you goto a car show, even a medicore "Classic Car" meet. Look at the paint. Examine the clear coat for hair light spider webs. Find a car without those hair line scratches and find the owner. Talk to him, no one else matters - When it comes to paint maintenance, polishing and waxing.
Again, look at the section for this: RX-8 Show and Shine. It covers all car care. While it doesn't have to be RX-8s, it's nice to know that this is discussed and rx-8 users know the topic if relevant to their needs
There's a lot of information everywhere. It'll take time, it'll take you asking questions. Most of all the best thing to remember when detail your car is this: Have fun with it. Do it in fun. Open a beer, sit with friends and wash your car.
Washing:
Most people use the two-bucket method of washing a car. Even that technology has been upgraded to include inserts. Grit Guards. The cover the bottom of the bucket to allow the dirt to seep through the insert. Agitate the top of the guard to loosen anything that may be on your sponge, mit or towels.
Shoot. I might as well give you an example of just hoses
-------------------------------------
Washing your car means with water. Starting right from the gate you can choose to either purify the water that comes out of the hose - or not. Minerals, calcium, hard water will get on the car.
Hoses, also, can be cheap. While not needed to drop 40 dollars on a hose, it's frustrating to try to untangle a hose that's melting and feels soft to the touch.
Attachments for hoses:
1. Fire Hose nozzle. Water is force through depending on how the turns. Expensive, inaccurate at times. But the best quality spray overall.
2. Hose Nozzles. You squeeze the end and water comes out!
3. Brushes. Would you wet a broom and wash your car with it? Exactly what you are doing if you pick this up. Don't tell me if you do this way.
4. Micro Fiber mitts.
5. Cheap Soap guns. Its fast, Touchless soap soaking. Usually has a tension spring of some sort. It's messy and wastes product.
6. Foam guns. Spectacular. It works really the well as the pre-wash to soak in the clean and lift off the road grime.
7. Valves. Instead of walking back to the end of the hose to turn off the water, you can use this to turn it off. I can't justify this attachment unless you need to walk a long way.
I have to go. I'll try to update this later.
08-20-2011, 10:23 PM
#11
It is possible to flood an S2, there are videos on youtube of flooded S2's. Back in 2010 when I was thinking about trading in my 8 for an R3 at a Toyota dealership, the r3 had a weak battery and I'm pretty sure they flooded it because even after the battery change, it wouldn't start.
But you shouldn't worry, you're probably okay. Personally I would detail the car myself, buy a buffer for like $50-100 at Home Depot and buy some cleaning supplies and do it yourself. You'll get the satisfaction from doing the work yourself and you'd never have to worry about them doing a bad job or messing up your finish.
08-21-2011, 09:09 AM
#12
Living is best Modified.
Washing:
Most people use the two-bucket method of washing a car. Even that technology has been upgraded to include inserts. Grit Guards. The cover the bottom of the bucket to allow the dirt to seep through the insert. Agitate the top of the guard to loosen anything that may be on your sponge, mit or towels.
What you'll need for just a simple wash and wax (From the store):
2 buckets.
1 Hose.
1 sponge or fibre cloth.
1 Meguiars Car wash and wax solution.
20 micro fibre cloth.
One bucket is the Rinse the other is the Wash. One with plain water, the other with wash water.
1. Dip the mitt/sponge into the wash water.
2. Wash the roof (Dirty water flows down hill)
3. Put in the Rinse water to remove the top contaiments.
4. Squeeze above the water. Don't squeeze in the Rinse water, you'll suck up the dirty water.
5. Put in wash water.
6. Continue to wash.
Repeat until done.
Most people use the two-bucket method of washing a car. Even that technology has been upgraded to include inserts. Grit Guards. The cover the bottom of the bucket to allow the dirt to seep through the insert. Agitate the top of the guard to loosen anything that may be on your sponge, mit or towels.
What you'll need for just a simple wash and wax (From the store):
2 buckets.
1 Hose.
1 sponge or fibre cloth.
1 Meguiars Car wash and wax solution.
20 micro fibre cloth.
One bucket is the Rinse the other is the Wash. One with plain water, the other with wash water.
1. Dip the mitt/sponge into the wash water.
2. Wash the roof (Dirty water flows down hill)
3. Put in the Rinse water to remove the top contaiments.
4. Squeeze above the water. Don't squeeze in the Rinse water, you'll suck up the dirty water.
5. Put in wash water.
6. Continue to wash.
Repeat until done.
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