Man, there's a new auto detailing shop that recently opened up about two blocks from my house. I have passed it many times, but the other day I thought I'd pop in and check it out.

I went in and explained what I wanted (to remove micro-scratches). The gentleman (barely spoke English) assisted me (with the help of his daughter who did speak English). He noticed my car out in the parking lot and asked if that was my car. I said yea. So he grabbed a brick of clay and some spray stuff and went out to my car.

He sprayed a little of the spray on the car, then proceeded to apply the clay. Then wiped it clean. He wanted me to note how much smoother the area he did compared to the part of the car he did nothing to.

Well, it was smoother, however it was sunny and very easy to see the still existing micro-scratches. I pointed that out to him. So we went back inside and he showed me some other products to be used with a buffer. I had my buffer with me and probably would have bought one of the sponge pads, but apparently I'd thrown out the key not knowing exactly what it went to (I hadn't used the buffer in a LONG time and vaguely recall throwing away the key since I didn't know what it was or what it went to.

So I left disappointed. As I was driving home, it occurred to me that he used the clay on a car that hadn't been washed! I'm new at this, but one thing I DO know, is that you NEVER do anything to an unwashed car! First you wash it and THEN you can apply wax etc. So he ultimately lost me as a future customer no matter how good the 3D products are.

So in closing... as the title reflects, experts aren't always what they claim. At least I would have bought some of the Meguire products that some of you folks suggested to me had the store sold them... oh well.

 

there will be a "FOR RENT" sign in the window of this business within a year. Word spreads fast about stuff like this.

 

I suspect you're right... word of mouth is going to kill his business!

 

And now you have a unprotected spot where he did that clay bar rubbing.

 

Well, with the help of this forum, I suspect I can fix that!