fair enough. I'm gonna have a word with the guys at Bilt Hamber later on and see what they recommend.

After three days I'd be surprised if there's anything in the paint that wouldn't just wash off with a good-quality shampoo...

Rob.

But you have no idea how long it was sat dockside or what it's picked up so it doesn't hurt to do it as long as you do it right.

Have to say on a new car I'd be tempted to pay a pro with insurance.

But you have no idea how long it was sat dockside or what it's picked up so it doesn't hurt to do it as long as you do it right.

True on the former.

On the latter - of course you do, you wash the car and then inspect the paintwork...so you *do* have an idea of what it's picked up, and from that you can then determine whether you need to clay it...

Rob.

Have to say on a new car I'd be tempted to pay a pro with insurance.

What makes you say that, out of interest? Surely the best person to detail your car is you? You can't be sure of what happens when you hand the keys over, and I can't see why you would need a pro to do anything in the first place that isn't achievable by yourself? I can't see what damage you could do to your car with soap, clay, wax & polish as none of them are abrasive at all? The worst I can see happening is you either put too much wax/polish on so it takes ages to buff off or you drop the bucket on the paintwork?

Am I missing something??

Edited 6 September, 200817 yr by Bigw2069
Fixed quote

And to be fair, my car was sitting around at the dealers for about 6 weeks until september 1st rolled round.

What makes you say that, out of interest? Surely the best person to detail your car is you? You can't be sure of what happens when you hand the keys over, and I can't see why you would need a pro to do anything in the first place that isn't achievable by yourself? I can't see what damage you could do to your car with soap, clay, wax & polish as none of them are abrasive at all? The worst I can see happening is you either put too much wax/polish on so it takes ages to buff off or you drop the bucket on the paintwork?

Am I missing something??

Because clay can mar and they have perfected the technique with the machines and the polishes. They do cars day in day out and know what to use on it and how things work/look/last. Also they don't just use off the shelf polishes etc they use items aimed at bodyshops and detailing outfits.

Most importantly, if they pick up some grit or badly mar they car or burn through the paint because they didn't get a paint depth reading right they will either have insurance to get it fixed from or you could have legal come back on them.

There are a list of good ones on DW and a few on here that might be in your area.

Edited 6 September, 200817 yr by Bigw2069
Fixed quote

True on the former.

On the latter - of course you do, you wash the car and then inspect the paintwork...so you *do* have an idea of what it's picked up, and from that you can then determine whether you need to clay it...

Rob.

True, but small amounts of industrial fall out can only become obvious when they start to rust.