Finding a reputable, professional detailer?

[BigDogg795]

In service industries, I've always been told to look at the results of a companies work in order to tell how good or bad they are...being in Suffolk County, Long Island, there are just as many fly by night operations as there are community fixtures. It seems everybody and their brother is a "detailer"; and it seems every carwash offers a detailing.

The three years of sprinklers hitting my truck and having the sun bake in the minerals hasn't done much for my paint job. Nor have my half hearted attempts to remove them worked either. Obviously, given the affluency of some neighborhoods, I can find a detailer that will charge me $100, and I'll find one that charges $50 an hour. More obviously, I'd like to pay the lowest price and get the best job possible (mutually exclusive, I realize).

Has anybody found a good, reputable detailer in Suffolk? Short of that, what questions can I ask, or what should I see in a potential company to ensure they at least know what the hell are they doing?

[never2fast]

talk to the quality paint shops in your area. Most of the time they know of someone that is a professional. Detailing can be "classified" in many different ways. Some people call themselves detailers and they don't even own a rotary buffer. Depending on the color of your truck, you could get someone to do the outside for $100 and be out of there in an hour, but you won't be totaly happy. Expect to spend $150-200 just for the outside for a good job. Remember there is only so much you can do to the paint, and if you want that flawless showroom shine expect to spend upwards of $400. You could always ask for references and inspect their work.

[FastBlak]

I agree with talking to a paint shop.

[96grimreaper]

Your best bet is talk to a paint shop or talk to some of the hot rod/custom shops around the area. You are right that anyone with a porter cable will call themselves a detailer. Which really hurts when actual detailers like myself are already low on work. Like never2fast said, if you are wanting it to look fairly new you should expect to spend around $400. My experience with mineral deposits from sprinklers is a buffer won't always get them out, sometimes it takes wet sanding.

You may try looking around on detail sites and asking if there are any reputable detailers in the area.

[BretFraz]

Howdy,

Just joined the forum and saw this thread. For the OP, if you are still looking for a detailer, try these guys: http://www.giasdetailing.com/

Very highly regarded mobile and fixed shop detailers on LI. They've been in business many years and are on the forefront of current detailing techniques and products.

I have no connection or relationship with them, I don't know them personally, just know them by reputation and their involvement in the detailing industry.

Good luck with your truck.