Halo! Can I share my thoughts?
I'm not a detailer, just an ordinary dude who doesn't support the government and linger in ZTH.
First time washing my car? Forgot..it was damn long ago. How did I do it? Wash car only mah...whack only la..like how I wash myself. Shampoo on head then rub like retarded person and then take the soap in hand, rub rub rub until bubbles everywhere then scrub myself like a chimpanzee. Drying? Wat drying? Ohhh..I use the doggy style and then just simply wipe with a towel. Dats how I washed cars previously, minus the doggy style part
So how the heck a dude like me started to care? A person who thought wax and polish are the same, just the material and method maybe different, believe that all shampoo and detergent are the same, all cloths have no differences, all paint same same lorhh..
I started to care when I got a new ride. Well I was using my family car previously so heck care bout the exterior..it's already like hell when it landed on my hand. I only take care of the hardware parts to keep it running good.
When I got my new ride, what I prepared - went to Tesco and bought a car shampoo, 3 normal cloths, and a 2 in 1 polish and wax Formalhero product (hey I get polish and wax together in a bottle, how great is that? Even though I don't even know the difference between polish and wax dat time)
So how I wash the new car? Same ol method. Whack only but this time dry it good coz at least I know what is watermark haha.
Then, one fine day, I clicked into car detailing room in some forums too actually wanted to know what the heck is that. Yes I was noob and dint even care what is car detailing. I only surf the hardware and software discussions. Sorry for being noob lol. What I saw was mesmerizing. I had thought to myself "wtf they can actually do thaaaaaaat?" From that day onwards, I started to have interests in car detailing. I started to google here and there to learn more about detailing. Products, equipments, methods, results, etc.
If it is not because of the postings by detailers out there, I would still be the same. Whack only!!
Being a newbie in this, I started to realize that many car detailers only use some specific type of products or brands. So I thought to myself, aren't there any good brand beside these? We always heard how good is meguairs, optimum, 3M, etc. All these are considered premium brands aren't they? Ok so I know these product works. But how about other products, mostly locals, that we can easily purchase at hypermarkets easily? Do they work? Can they produce the same result? If they aren't good, why are they still selling? I have these thought in mind because as an ordinary Opposition supporter, I can't afford all the premium products. One bottle of wax maybe still ok. But full range in a hand of a noob? Forget it.
Before purchasing any product to start my enthusiasm in detailing, I have gone through many articles and forums. But I did made a mistake as well, after all the readings. I bought the wrong ROB. Not to say it is not good, but I could have get something better. Something more useful and viable. Never mind I thought to myself, I'll just have to read more and dig deeper, while do some simple hands on. Then I came across fishbonezken's site and saw the comparison test he made between OTC products and premium products (kudos to you man. Erm, I mean, fish). He proved that of all the products, knowing what kind, rather than brand, to do the work and produce the result we want is more important. For example, one just can't use wax to do paint correction. It just doesn't work no matter which brand.
So my answer to Seech's question. Well it's not really a question but it is answerable. Theoretical and practical detailer. Yes I would say it exist, but not pretty much as he described..(he then described that most people move from theoretical to practical). My opinion: no one would be a theoretical detailer forever, unless he quits in the middle of the making. Seech mentioned that theoretical detailers would always try products, keen to know and get the new stuffs, want to know this and that, and keep on pushing oneself to get the ultimate product. I would say that we are all theoretical detailers then. Why? It's our passion!! We love doing this! We love detailing cars even though our neighbour thinks that we are crazy caring our car more than anything. When we are passionate, we become curious. That's what all great humans are made right?
Then move to practical detailers. Of course, a dude like me now know what is what. What is the difference between bug and tar remover and degreaser. What is wax. What is polish. What is coating. What are the do and donts. So it's time to hands on! When one has the hands on experience enough to detail a car while playing candy crush, he's pro. Means he knows most of the method already. For someone this experienced, every brands are quite the same. Of course, there are differences between products but it doesn't mean some are bad. It is just "not so good" or "not good enough". With combined knowledge about products (theory) and workmanship (practical) borne a great detailer, like all of you guys here.
I would conclude that a detailer is a combination of both theoretical and practical. If one side is heavier than the other, it wouldn't be great isn't it? Just like someone who tells us he knows how to do it, but workmanship shit. Worthless. Of course, we are all result orientated. We keep on improving ourselves to yield better results. But the learning process to achieve that is priceless.
I would like to add two more types of detailers : one that does it for a living and one that only do it for own satisfaction. What are the differences?
For own satisfaction and passion: usually love to try new products and methods. All range of products. They do it as a hobby, and keep their car shiny and protected.
For a living: many types out there. Some are there just to earn $$$, without caring much what is exactly detailing. They use big brand names and promotions to lure customers. They do it for money more than passion. The others, do it for both passion and living. In this category I believe there are two types. One that would like to try new stuffs to improve, and one that stick to methods and products he is comfortable with, afraid of risking customers car and his reputation. I would say that there isn't any good and bad between these two. In the end, the result speaks itself right?
So why we often see luxurious or expensive cars being detailed? What's the difference in paint between Japanese cars and continental cars? Is the continental car paint is so much different than their counterparts that it needs much more attention and care? IMHO, no. We don't usually see lower priced car being detailed by gurus because of the fee. I haven't seen a kancil being detailed. If that dude can only afford a kancil, I don't think he can afford a thorough car detailing. Frankly speaking, I myself can't afford one, that's why I DIY to keep myself satisfied and do it as a hobby.
A car is a car. A job is a job. I believe to all detailers out there, they are the same. Give them an EX5, they'll do it. Give them an Optimus Prime, they'll do it! Cheers guys.
