Good video as always Pete.. don't doubt that a 'top end' two stage result is desired by some (me included!).. but there is also a market for those who want their car looking 'shiny' via an enhancement and customer needs can be met at £3-400.. As you said at the end.. in a needs assessment it becomes clear whether a customer is wanting perfection or intends to maintain that.. if not.. extra clearcoat will be wasted and pro coatings will do little to prevent it returning to it's prior state.. A good detailer will always be able to separate their OCD and ego from the needs of the customer. Great to see you being so transparent about this.
Thanks for the comment. I totally agree with you, and that’s exactly what a client should invest that budget in a decent enhancement and sealant rather than a substandard coating. We have load of clients that will get a minor correction and a decent sealant at that money and it means they haven’t had to skimp on the quality of service and get a protection product that won’t offer up the results they might be expecting or suit their lifestyle/usages of the vehicle.
Normally big fan of your videos Pete but unfortunately I'm not in complete agreement with statements made here. Below 500 quid coatings are a thing and it's something we do offer, you state that corners would be cut with that. I can tell u we don't. An enhancement and an entry level coating can certainly be done to that budget. Yes it's not perfect. I think a better statement here really would have been "you get what you pay for. Is a 500 quid coating job going to stand up to a 1500 quid job? No". There is entry level coatings that will crap all over waxes or sealants and don't cost a bomb. They can suit some budgets better and still veer on the coating side due to hardness and durability. Completely agree that the term ceramic is a watered down mess but customer should have confidence in their detailer picking products right for them. I'd worry that ur statements would give the feeling of "if I'm not spending 500 quid then it's not going to be a good job" and that's not true. I'd refer back to ur mini video with Andy, that's not an expensive detail and potentially sub 500, an entry level coating could have been added there and still had a fantastic result and a happy customer. Hope this doesn't come across as negative, love discussion, just not in agreement here but completely respect ur views.
Hi Marc, it was hard to convey exactly what I meant. Basically a client should consider what the level of service is they are getting when pricing round and that the question of “how much” is the wrong way to think about it. We have coating options also starting at £500, but when you hear quotes of £2-300 at that point it should be a red flag to the client. My real message here is that if you are considering a coating, you should consider what the level of work that’s included beforehand entails, what the product you are having applied is and also the relative experience and professionalism of the business you are choosing plays in it too. We will maybe do a quick follow up video to this to answer anyone’s concerns at all.
Great video as always Pete, good honest information, help and advice! Is there a video on ceramic coating ongoing maintenance/wash process as you touched on at the end for those considering this? Or even a quick comment on what's involved? Thanks
If you have a look at our Instagram page we have a how to wash story at the top of the page. We are going to make a full ceramic aftercare video in the coming weeks though!
What's your thoughts on correcting ara crystal blue RS3 Pete? Might have a go at tackling it myself with the DA. Also, can you use iron fallout remover on PPF? All lower panels on my RS3 have PPF.
Audis of this generation are pretty straightforward to work with. If you are working with a 12mm throw DA use Meguiars microfibre pads to give some bite and just prepare to put the time in. They finish down very well so refining will be minimal. You shouldn’t have an issue with fallout on PPF as long as you do it out of direct sun and don’t allow it to dry at all.
Just the regular iron decon, which there wasn’t enough of to show a reaction and no tar and all, the car had been wrapped from new and only very recently had the wrap removed so aside from minimal remaining glue the car was pretty contamination free thankfully! It’s something we assess on each car, there is no benefit to just doing steps without the need of it.
