Recommended auto detailing?

[shawnsun]

Did some search on the forum but didn't find any discussion.
Any recommended auto detailing in San Diego area?

Thanks!
Shawn

[kleggo]

my recommendation?
DIY.
no one will do it as well as you can.
it's just a time vs $$$$ ROI calculation.
for me, I'd still rather spend 8 hours of "labor of love" vs $300+.

that said, we just had a car "detailed" by the P car dealer in carlsbad since we got a coupon in the mail and maya doesn't share my love for cleaning / polishing.
they did OK, well worth the $85.

[lrayner]

+1 on the DIY, especially if you are considering having them "detail" the interior by spraying armorall on everything until it drips. I have had two cars (slow learner, once should have been enough...) where the instrument cluster was clouded from too much armorall. LLoyds in Carlsbad Car Country does a decent job of exterior detailing.

[928mark]

If you're in the North County Coastal area, I would totally recommend Lloyd's Auto Specialties in Carlsbad, (760) 930-9627. I have taken all my cars there and found they do a great job at a reasonable price. I've recommended my friends and they have been happy also. Talk to Ed, he is the owner and he'll make sure your happy. Feel free to tell him I sent you.

Mark Matsumoto
1991 928GT

[shawnsun]

Thanks guys!
Unfortunately, I live in downtown San Diego.
How long does it usually take for DIY exterior detailing? As I live in downtown condo, we don't have garage that would allow for water hosing my car, any recommendation as how to clean the car without water hose?

Shawn

[Jad]

I always just use a bucket of water, wet towel and then dry with a towel. I can detail a well maintained car in a couple hours, but that can easily double if the car has been neglected, all day if it is really a mess.

[kjr914]

Shawn,
5 Point Detail is pretty good. A friend who was in detailing biz recommended them. They do mobile detailing, so you can get them to do it in the work parking lot, which is what I often do. Or they have a place in Mission Valley Mall in the underground parking deck and are open on Saturdays. I've used them for several years. If you talk to Adam, the owner, tell him I sent you (thanks!).

Keith

3/11/16 edit:
Haven't used them in a couple of years (not related to my satisfaction with the work they did for me, but due to my own schedule, etc). They've moved to Kearny Villa Rd, as mentioned below. Here's the website:
http://5pointdetail.com

[Steve Grosekemper]

Shawn,

All good info but in order to be able to do the quick water only rinse off you need a good base to start with so here are a few options.
And when you are downtown with limited time and recourses the pros are the way to go.
Just a bit east of the Village at 2719 Market Street is Pacific Coast Detail Center. Very high end detail $$. I have never used them but know of others who have.
I bit closer to downtown is Miguel's Auto Detailing. (17th Street between G and Market) Only a guy and his wife and his english is a bit iffy... But very good work for the money. I have used him on more occasions than I can count. I would start with a simple wash/wax which includes windows and vacuum.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

[Robertsmania]

This thread is a little old but I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for a shop that specializes in black cars?

A while back I remember seeing an ad for one, but when I search now I can't find it.

My car has a couple scratches, some opr from track days and would clearly benefit from a clay bar and polish detail beyond what I would feel confident about doing at home.

[Techno Duck]

Kris, if your not far from PB i have used Trophy Auto Spa, just off Grand Ave and Ingraham. They did a great job on my daily which is a black '03 5-series. The car had never had a proper detailing done and just completed 3k miles from NY to San Diego. I had them do mid level paint correction followed by Klasse paint sealant. Forgot what they charged but it was reasonable for the size of the car and the guy did not try and up sell me. I was tempted to do a paint coating but read some reports of the coating appearing cracked, especially with black cars after some time. I just plan to have the sealant redone every year. I don't mind washing my cars myself but i hate polishing and waxing...

I had them do the interior of my 911after i bought it (which had 160k+ miles worth of dust and french fries under the seat) and plan to have them do the exterior as well in the coming weeks.

There are alot of good places around Kearny Mesa i have read about also, but being able to drop the car off and walk back to my place made me stay local.

[JayG]

5 Point detail on Kearny Villa Rd is really good. They are also an advertiser in Windblown Witness

[Amail]

Anybody in North County, my son Jeremy runs a mobile detailing business. His website is http://www.onthegomobiledetailing.com/. Of course I'm biased, but I've never seen a disappointed customer!

[kleggo]

This thread is a little old but I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for a shop that specializes in black cars?

A while back I remember seeing an ad for one, but when I search now I can't find it.

My car has a couple scratches, some opr from track days and would clearly benefit from a clay bar and polish detail beyond what I would feel confident about doing at home.

IMO
color is not a concern
a good detailer will do fine work on meisen blau or basalt black.
and as you see above, I DIY.