I guess need to go with a torchlight to check for bad coatings?
EJB, correct me if I am wrong but I am guessing the places that MOST 'detailers' would jiak zua (and for us to catch) are:
- Top Roof
- Side Skirt
- Front Bumper
I tend to carry a portable torch with me everywhere I go in the event I need it (spoilt public toilet lights etc) and often I do, like checking undercarriage (on CTE) for flapping sounds, and finding things in the car where cabin lights don't reach.
So yes, I do use the torchlight to shine at different angles to check the coating evenness and also fine lines. Light at different angles yields different views, so a torch helps. That's what I did at EA detailer, I carried torch in my bag, so after seeing the end result, I began to check carefully, and found it unsatisfactory.
You can ask Smart Details, the first time I went, I also personally check the car, very minor defects which could be rectified in a few minutes. Though it's not what I expected, but honestly they met a standard which I would call it 'proud' vs what a lot of other detailers would give or told me they can't do over the chat/phone.
My original coating from EA, they missed out the door area, some patches, uneven and looks like nothing was done on it. Infact, I DIY wash and wax looked better.
The fine lines appear mostly at the boot, doors and top somehow, the bonnet, not so much, I guess detailers try to make it look nice at the bonnet and everybody just forgets about the rest of the car?
Top wise, it's hard to cut and achieve perfection as most of us aren't taller than the car, so I tend to close an eye there also.
I sent in my car last week as water marks had started to eat into my bonnet coating after 1.5 years - due to rain drying after driving and the engine bay is hot. At certain angles with light, you can see it, and at certain angles you can't, so a torchlight helps.
When Smart Details delivered, he was able to tell me how bad each part was and where he spent more time - which is true, because I wash the car weekly and I know exactly where the problems are. In short, he was able to catch the details.
My sis under my recommendation also sent her Harrier to Smart Details, red, turned out nice.
I don't go to others because I found a workshop that can deliver what I expect (or close to) and the reason I chose them was when I talked to the boss, the first reply was 'come on over, let me see the car first then I can advise you if what you want, I can do it' - not 'aiyah, what you want cannot la, impossible'.
I really dunno how some can call themselves detailers these days... I rather call them 'hit-n-run'.
Don't want too long a downtime, fetch kids and stuff, can go crazy one.
20c only.
