Not quite as fancy as some of yours, but...

Hello all my Detailing Brethren,


I posted here once a long time ago but have not been around in some time.

A quick background on me, I have been working for a long time for a private automotive collector doing full restorations on mostly older vehicles like Cord, Duesenberg, Bentley, Rolls, and so forth. I have done everything from design, color choices, full paint and body, interior, full dis-assembly, and re-assembly as well as complete top to bottom detailing. I do mostly just the cosmetic work and leave the mechanics to the professionals.

I really wish I could show you some of my finer work but the gentleman I work for has a very strict thing about keeping his private collection private no acceptations so since I do enjoy what I do and do really really don't want to do anything to upset the situation if I can help it, I have to be a good boy and follow his rules.

Anywayz, enough shop talk. I finally bought a house and am kinda sorta trying to outfit the garage as my little Detailing Sanctuary to do some side jobs whenever something should pop up unexpected. Please keep in mind its still a work in progress, and not quite as fancy as some of your set ups are for sure, but I recon its getting a little further along as I go. I decided on purpose for the moment not to go forward with doing the floors, and finishing the walls only cause I am working towards moving into a small shop at some point in the near future where I can set up my own spray booth and do some custom graphics and such. Anyhow, here are a couple pix so far. Everything thus far is about a week old, and is about half what I got coming in slowly but surely. SO without further adieu, here is my private stash so far.

Craftsman 8' stainless work bench with two Gladiator Cabinets
Compaq Computer with up to date paint code software
Fridge for wax and other things as deemed necessary
and misc junk on top of my new cabinets that is gonna find a home really quick



60 gallon compressor
commercial hot water extractor
commercial wet/dry shop vac with three stage motor




New Buffer Rack
1 old crappy beater Chicago Rotary
2. New 3M Rotary
3. New Flex DA
4. New Cyclo



Spot Free, looking for a better set up but works for now. Sposed to run to 1000 gallons



Right cabinet has about half my bulk stuff, mostly Meguiar's.



And left cabinet stuff just came in today.



Like I say, its still a work in progress. I have 3 more pallets of stuff coming yet. So what do ya think for a small start on a private detail studio for now? Thoughts comments, and suggestions are all big time welcome.

Thank you all for checking out my small humble collection, and keep on keeping this great Forum one of the best I have had the pleasure of hanging out at by far.

 

I really like this. It's awesome. Being slightly OCD I love how organized everything is! Show us where you put your towels! Keep us updated!

 

*Picks up jaw* dude.....

 

This is very cool!

 

That's quite impressive! How is that new 3M rotary? Is it heavy? I think it weighs about a pound more then the Flex so I was wondering how noticeable that is.

 

impressive

 

Very tidy setup I must say. Are most of your components Gladiator?

 

that is legit.........

 

Heaven in a cabinet, outstanding setup!

 

Very nice set up and organized

 

You look like you're ready to start a detailing business with that much stuff.... wow man!

 

Do you mind me asking what you're using for paint software? Also, what's your lighting setup like?

 

Really professional looking. Better than my closet in my room setup lol. And I love those cabinets!!

 

Hey Everyone,

I thank you all so much for your kind words! They are very much appreciated.

Lets see if I can get some of your questions answered here.

RefPerfection,

Not a problem at all. I am currently using the next gen of the DPC Dupont ColorNet Global System which is able to track either by VIN or Camera Readings as well. I also have an updated version of the AquireRX as well.

As for lights I currently have 10 2 bulb fluorescents, 1500 watt dual bulb adjustable portable shop light set up with twin lights, 3M Sun Gun on back order, and a new high intensity black light which I am also waiting on but is the same one used by Crime Labs to help better detect stains and so forth in carpet and upholstery. My future plans if I really get into this more like I really want to, is to try to do some bidding for a couple of high intensity Hospital Surplus surgical lights which are not only bright as well as magnified, but are also on fully adjustable articulating arms to better direct light at where your working without having the lights in your way.

P1et,

The two big cabinets I got are Gladiator. The main reason I got them was both to try to find something fairly heavy duty to hold the 5 gallon bulk chemicals without sagging too much due to all the weight, try to keep a clan look without having everything sitting out in the open all the time, and to try to keep my pads somewhat clean as I struggled with what to do with both my pads, and MF for some time now and sadly still don't have much of a better idea as of yet. I know about the best option most guys are using is those plastic containers which no doubt do a fine job but I wish I could come up with a bit more professional looking kind of system if possible. Anywayz, getting back on track, the Gladiators are pretty nice quality cabinets and went together nice and easy. They are all metal, and heavy duty powder coated, have double magnetic doors, and decent locks as well so I am quite happy with them so far. The only thing non Gladiator is my work table which I got from Craftsman with the Stainless top which of course most Craftsman cabinets and so forth are pretty decent as my experience has been.

mrgolfrider,

For me, the 3M feels fairly light. Lighter to me than my old Dewalt anyway.Will see once I start spinning it across some good paint here shortly.

And maximus20895,

I thank you much for the props, and that is a very good question I am still working on is where to keep my MF. FOr the moment I kinda recycled my boys old 6 drawer dresser after he just got his new bedroom all laid out. It was taken form one of those kids Craftsman tool box style bedroom sets with all the diamond plate and so forth so it kinda matches and looks alright for now. I got my leftover surplus bulk chemicals on top which is wide enough to fit five 5 gallon jugs, and has 6 good sized drawers I can separate my MF in and keep them out of site, and away from getting dirty till I find a better solution. That ought to work for separating my glass MF, good polishing MF, wheel and engine towels, and so forth to hopefully keep from any chance of cross contamination. We shall see how it all works.

Also since I can't get much into my better work to show you all, I recon I'll throw up a couple pix of my ride and never ending work in progress. Its an 03 PT redone by me pretty much from scratch. I chopped and redid the suspension on custom air ride. Then did the Cadillac 3 stage Pearl White as a base and then added 7 coats of a custom mix of House of Kolor Kandy Tangerine before turning my attention to the flames. The Flames are hand laid out, done in House of Kolor Diamond Black and then air brushed gold, copper, silver, and gun metal streaks throughout with ice pearls to give it a kinda cool color changing effect, and then I finished up with a Viper Red hand pin stripe in front transitioning to Hugger Orange as you make your way back through the layout. Something kinda cool and different I recon. I still have more to do on it one of these days.

The interior is 2 tone leather in slate and orange to match. Did the sound system also with matching dash, and amp rack accents painted to match as well.

Anywayz here she its so far to show a small bit of my work.







You Guys go easy, don't work too hard out there, and I'll catch you all later.

Candyman

 

damn....did not think i would ever say this statement but nice pt cruiser.....your collection looks great motivating me to reorganize

 

great setup , you must love the megs glass cleaner 5 gallons makes 50+ , thats a sh*t load of windows

 

Your garage is heavenly, I hope to one day aspire to that level.

 

What a great garage, looks like heaven to me.

 

Sweet set up I wish I could order by pallett

 

Very nice neat set up!