eforer

Hi, I have a black rx8. I am the second owner and although the mileage on my car is very low (8k) the first owner did a lousy job with the paint and it has a lot of haze, swirl marks and scratches. I'm looking for a top flight detail guy who can really do a good job with cutting compounds, wet sanding maybe even some touch ups. Anyone know anybody. I live in RI but would be willing to drive over an hour for the right detailer.

Clavius

Must be a curse of our B.Black cars (well used ones anyways) mine is the same. I'm going to be going to a local guy that I found via Autopia.com . He lives in Canton, MA and seems to know his stuff. Just havent had a chance to use him yet since anytime I'm getting ready to make a apointment life throws me a curve ball to suck that extra cash up I'd honestly suggest looking at Autopia.com in the Regional Forums and see if there is anyone that is highly recommended

eforer

I've been reading the autotopia site how-tos with great interest. My thinking is that a) the car needs professional help in terms of restoring the finish, b) the cost of the buffer + proper compounds, polishes, glazes and waxes will be more than the cost of a good detail job.

Someone who could do paintless dent removal would be a REAL plus. I know a great dent guy, but I'm not sure if he details.

altspace

iTrader: (2)

Astral and I are both connoisseurs of automotive detailing. You should come up to our spring clean meet. We're not far from you.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showt...hp?t=123653069

P.S. - I lived in Warwick as well for a couple years.

altspace

iTrader: (2)

Oh....and the link you meant to post is www.autopia-carcare.com

Here's a few more supply sites I purchase detailing products from.
www.autogeek.net
www.topoftheline.com
www.premiumautocare.com
www.prestostore.com

eforer

Sounds like fun. The cars paint was really abused by the first owner and or the company that stored it after it was repo'd from the first owner. I am having the guy that did the paintless dent removal on my Mercedes after I hit a deer do my mazda. He said it really will never be a "10" but thinks he can make it a strong "9." Thats what he said about my MB and I couldn't even see the damage that he repaired, so I'm hopeful that my 8 won't look like a swirl marked POS with golf ball dings for long!

Astral

eforer, I recommend Detailed Details. Someone I know used them just recently and he was very happy. They were really nice, did a great job and showed my friend what to do so he could do it himself. They are Autopians. I talked to one of the guys (SuperBuick on autopia.org) about what he used to do swirl removal, and he gave me some tips, so he has a handle on how to work with the harder Mazda paint.

They are also mobile. My friend had the job done in RI.

Astral

Yes, that's quite true. I've spent a fair amount already. Actually, what really drives up the "enthusiast detailer" cost is the experimentation and trial and error. For exampe, I went through several different pads for swirl removal, I tried four different waxes, different interior and plastic care products, etc. I am also trying different swirl removing compounds etc.
I would recommend getting dents taken care of before the detail. You don't have to do both at the same time. You're better off using two different people who excel at both tasks, rather someone who is mediocre at either. For example, I saw a dent remover guy use paper/shop towels to wipe down some parts of the work area w/ water--on a black car! That ain't right (swirl-inducing).

eforer

Yikes! I know the dent removal guy is dialed for dents, but I'll grill him a little more on the detailing side before I commit.

MrSuicideDoor

can i come?

Astral

yeah, come on by! we're a big mazda family!

Clavius

^Can a lowly BB come if he's able to oh btw I heard this weekend is going to be horrible but I pray I am wrong

Astral

yup. weather is looking good for saturday! sunday monday -- not so good though.

altspace

iTrader: (2)

Bring on the RX family! Saturday with a high of 51 and partly cloudy.

Clavius

Altspace pm me your address and cell and I'll see if I can make it. Gonna be a busy weekend for myself as it looks like all of a sudden but I'd love to attempt to make it cause I need to relax hardcore and washing my car just relaxes the hell out of me

Astral

thread link has address

Clavius

Oh jesh that is very damn close. I thought it was gonna be down on the Cape but now oi.. I'll try my best to show up my baby does need a wash and I need to relax a bit.

Astral

come by and feel the love!

Clavius

Oh totaly forgot what time is this all starting up at?? lol.. haha should of asked that sooner lmfao

Astral

some getting there for 9am (like me, if i can wake up in time), some will be there at 8:30am, some getting in 10-11

Clavius

I'll aim for a 10 am show up time lol.. just got home and yeah a bit grumpy and hence tired. Well I'll wake up a bit early and get all my gear together. I know my engine bay needs a good cleaning though and my rims which are covered in brake dust lol.

MrSuicideDoor

have fun today guys, i got called into work, ps: clavius, it's 9am and you're online you're gunna be late!

Clavius

haha no i wasnt.. I got there at 9:30am!! I drive like none other hehehe..

Was a great meet and Astral was the kind detailer helping everyone clean their car with all his fancy products haha

Though the question still remains we need a good detailer. Once I get a few extra bucks laying around gonna have that kid do my car up and if he's awsome I'll spread his word to all of you.

Astral

I mentioned in the thread already, check these guys out, http://detaileddetails.googlepages.com/services -- someone local I know was very happy with them, etc (see my post before)