Exterior detailing

[SteveD]

I have a friend of mine who is a car care specialist at Griot’s Garage in Tacoma, WA. For any car enthusiast, this is the place to visit. Check out www.griotsgarage.com

Claire has been working for Griot’s Garage for 5 years and is an expert in car detailing. She is very knowledgeable about car care products and would be happy to advise anyone on what and how to detail their car. Visit her at the store or make a car care school appointment with her. You will have a chance to bring your car in and ask questions. Claire will demonstrate products and answer any questions you may have. Email her at [email protected] or call the retail store at 253.922.2200. You can also reach her on her cell at 253.209.8108.

Claire also finds enjoyment detailing outside of her full time job at Griot’s. She offers private detail services where she will come out to your home and detail your car. All she requires is a workable garage space and adequate light. She is a true car care perfectionist and mostly focuses on exterior rather than interior services. If your car is well maintained, she is fine with doing an interior job. Since Claire is a mobile detailer, she will come to you provided you don’t live too far away. Travel time and services are negotiable depending on where you live, what you need and the condition of the car.

Once you schedule an appointment with her, she is happy to tell you the best products she plans to use on your car. Once the detail is complete, you can purchase all the Griot’s products you need to maintain your car either in the store or online.

From personal experience, Claire had me come in with my Tesla so she could assess the paint and advise me on the best way to move forward. I decided to have Claire detail it. Cost was discussed at this point. We then scheduled a date to have it detailed. She used a Rinseless wash method on my car, did a full decontamination process on the paint and glass using a surface prep mitt (also known as a clay bar process), applied a synthetic wax to the paint surface, cleaned and dressed my wheels and tires and applied glass sealant. Claire only uses detailing products exclusive to Griot’s Garage.

Claire is great to work with. She is professional and offers a wealth of knowledge. She is passionate about cars and delivers excellent customer service! I would highly recommend utilizing her services both at the Flagship retail store or for detailing.

 

[JPP]

Interesting--before we abandoned Lexus vehicles starting in 2013, I did all of our car care/detaining exclusively with Griot's Garage products. Really great stuff, thoughtful, responsive company, 'small business owner'. When I got my 2013 S85, I had heard about these aftermarket clear coat treatments. Met my go to guru Joe T @ OCD, and he did OptiCoat Pro on my 2013 S, then used cQuartz on my wife's 2015 black S, then cQuartz Finest Reserve on my 2018 P3D+. No further need to wax, polish, detail, clay bar, Speed Shine, orbital, etc, etc. I figure that I am actually saving $$ (and a whole lot of time) now that I have 'evolved'. To each his own, and if I was a 'traditionalist' I probably would still use Griot's Garage products. YMMV.

 

[SteveD]

Actually JPP, I did cQuartz on my Tesla too but even with cQuartz some maintenance is necessary. I've had my car for a year now. Living in the Northwest, I hand wash my car in the summer and fall but as colder rainy weather sets in using the Rinseless wash is a big help. I was surprised how much the surface prep mitt (clay bar) picked up tiny grit after washing the car. I could physically feel the tiny grit on the surface. I think the Griot's products compliment the cQuartz treatment vs replaces the treatment. If you have a detail shop that does all of your work, that's great!

 

[jkoya]

I bought a Griot's Random Orbital a few years ago and it's still working like new. Had to use it to remove water spots on the rear windshield when polishing by hand didn't work. Thanks for the info in your post !!!

 

[JPP]

Actually JPP, I did cQuartz on my Tesla too but even with cQuartz some maintenance is necessary. I've had my car for a year now. Living in the Northwest, I hand wash my car in the summer and fall but as colder rainy weather sets in using the Rinseless wash is a big help. I was surprised how much the surface prep mitt (clay bar) picked up tiny grit after washing the car. I could physically feel the tiny grit on the surface. I think the Griot's products compliment the cQuartz treatment vs replaces the treatment. If you have a detail shop that does all of your work, that's great!

Thx for the feedback. I used to clay our black Lexus' often. Winter car care is a real challenge, and the sand and salt is a killer (I am a transplant from the Boston area). I do find that if I keep our Teslas clean (wash 1-2 times/week) that the paint surface is still pretty smooth, so no clay bar or Speed Shine. And FWIW every 2 years I bring our cars back to Joe for a 'tune up'--very light correction and then a re-coat. All good.

 

[SteveD]

I bought a Griot's Random Orbital a few years ago and it's still working like new. Had to use it to remove water spots on the rear windshield when polishing by hand didn't work. Thanks for the info in your post !!!

Jkoya,
You might want to check in with Claire for some advice on the product. She did a demo on my KIA that had badly rain-etched windows and it came off pretty well. She is doing a full detail at my home next week and will remove all the etching on glass and body. I know Griot's have some on-line demos of their products. When I was last at the shop with Claire she was saying that there is a trade-in promo going on regarding their polishers. It sounded like a great deal. I don't have one myself. And BTW, I don't work for the company, just friends with Claire and admire her work. I can attest to the high quality products at Griot's.

 

[jkoya]

When I was last at the shop with Claire she was saying that there is a trade-in promo going on regarding their polishers. It sounded like a great deal.

Thanks for the info on the trade in program - much appreciated !!! I'll contact Claire for the details. Mine is an older one with an adjustable handle, but I see they are all fixed handles now.... Thanks again !