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  1. #1

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    "Ming Mirror Finish"

    Hello! This is my first post (I can`t believe there`s an entire forum dedicated to auto detailing! Fantastic!), and I couldn`t find an answer to this...

    I`ll be purchasing a new vehicle later this year (2005 F150) and have started to think about car care ideas.

    When I was growing up in San Antonio we had a Ming that my Dad always talked highly about. Never thought about it much until now, 15 years later, now that I`m purchasing my own vehicle.
    The Ming process looks very interesting - what do you detailing pros think about it?

    Here`s a link to the SA Ming. It does bother me that all their pictures look 15 years old!
    http://www.mingsa.com/main_pages/Ming.htm

    Thanks in advance!

  2. #2
    groebuck's Avatar
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    Doesn`t look like they do anything anyone else could not do with a rotorary and some product..my advice - skip the snake oil and detail it yourself - (the new f150 is schweet!!)
    You have activated my special ability....

  3. #3
    Chris Y.'s Avatar
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    Anytime you see the claim, "eliminates waxing"...or something to that tune. Don`t walk, but RUN...

    But basically, it sounds like they are just polishing down with a rotary.

  4. #4
    TraderB's Avatar
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    It seems that no matter how much the paint finish is polished and sealed it will still oxidize if no protection from uv, acid rain, etc.... I don`t get the 3 year part but maybe the warranty states you must use a particular wash weekly (which may be a wash and wax?) (and sold by them?) Most of the time the fault is in the warranty like a $6 watch that says include $7.95 for shipping and handling for warranty repair.
    All things can be explained, it`s just that some things are harder to explain than others.

  5. #5
    TraderB's Avatar
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    Oh, and forgot to mention, they have to do the washing at $ cost to you ????????
    All things can be explained, it`s just that some things are harder to explain than others.

  6. #6
    57Chevy 57chevy's Avatar
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    I found it interesting that they do NOT mention anything about Clear Coats. It seems to me that in order to get to the paint surface you have to go throught he clear coat first. I`m not expert in automotive finishes but I would not want my clear coat removed to get to the paint underneath. I may be reading more into this than I should. Also, from some of the thread I`ve here unless you really know what you are doing heating the surface of you paint could quickly burn through the finish leaving you with more damage than good. Not sure I would want to put my new car or truck through this kind of treatment.

    I recommend reading more threads here at DC about proper vehicle car and learn to do it yourself. It`s worth the time and investment.

    2005 F-150 --- very nice ride.
    The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price.

  7. #7
    Beautification Specialist dr_detail's Avatar
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    I apologize first to any out here that are a Ming franchise, or work for one...

    In my years in this business, along the way, I did a eight month tour of duty at a Ming franchise. With three years of swirl free buffing experience under my belt, I took the challenge of the job I was offered and learned their process. I followed their method exactly as trained. Using the wet polishing pad, applying the product to the bonnet, buffing the small section, first this way, then that way, then back to this way. I rinsed the pads in the fancy washer (blowing circuits more times than I can count). I became quite good at the process, and even trained others. I became a whiz with the customers. What bothered me though was that no matter how hard I tried, the process left swirls. The only thing the Ming process has that others don`t, in my opinion, is the lack of a swirl free finish. It`s true, a well polished vehicle will stay shine free for at least a year without wax just with weekly hand washing. However, most new cars will not need to be buffed out with a machine for the first year unless one wishes to remove the factory orange peal, or one uses the spinning brush type of car wash. If removing the orange peal is your desire, I highly recommend not attempting this yourself, but hiring a professional who is experienced in color sanding.

    I suggest you save your money for a nice stereo and go down to the west-end or deep-ellum and have a good time showing off your new truck
    A happy customer tells a friend ... An unhappy one tells many friends !!!

    Gim-me a car with finns... :naughty and I`ll shows ya what detailin`s all about... :jump

  8. #8

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    Originally posted by dr_detail

    I suggest you save your money for a nice stereo and go down to the west-end or deep-ellum and have a good time showing off your new truck
    Thanks for the advice, all. That money saved will definitely get me a spray-in bedliner or a tonneau cover.

    Sounds like I just need to use some elbow grease and some of the products talked about around here to keep a nice shine on my new truck. But where should a newbie start? I see the Meguiars name thrown around a lot. I`m looking for some basic (but quality) products for washing, waxing, and tire/wheel cleaning. I`m pretty clueless on all of this, so I`m looking for info like "Definitely stay AWAY from this type of product.." or "A wax should always have THIS ingredient"....stuff like that.

    Is that vague enough?:-p

    Thanks again,
    James

  9. #9
    groebuck's Avatar
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    Since your truck is brand new you should have no problem maintaining the finsih. Start off by washing it with a good car wash soap (off the shelf Meg`s gold Class - from premiumautocare.com Four Star ultimate auto wash).

    Then Clay - a new vehicle will have rail dust from transport and the gunk it gets on it while on the lot.

    The (depending on what products you want - off the shelf or ordering from premiunautocare.com (use detailcity coupon code for 10% off).

    Off the shelf you can use the Meguiars Deep Crystal line - steps 1 2 and 3 if you like or do step one and 2 and finish off with Meguiars NxT tech wax (if you truck is not metaillic).

    If you want products off PAC then -

    Clay of course

    for a polish you can`t go wrong with Four Star ultimate Paint Cleaner or Poorboy`s Polish with Carnuba

    then follow up with a sealant - Four Star ultimate paint protection or Poorboy`s Ex or EX-P (ex has carnuba - EX-P does not).

    You can do three coats of ether (waiting 24 hours between coats)

    then for the final bling bling shine you can top that with a carnuba - PS21 or Trade Secret.
    You have activated my special ability....

  10. #10
    Long Time Member GearHead_1's Avatar
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    I remember seeing Ming Centers 20 years ago. I had no idea they were still in business.
    A society willing to trade liberty for temporary security deserves neither and will lose both
    ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

  11. #11
    Beautification Specialist dr_detail's Avatar
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    Originally posted by GearHead_1
    I remember seeing Ming Centers 20 years ago......
    OMG... I`ve been doin` this for how long... :boohoo :boohoo
    A happy customer tells a friend ... An unhappy one tells many friends !!!

    Gim-me a car with finns... :naughty and I`ll shows ya what detailin`s all about... :jump

  12. #12
    Detailing Hobbyist andriver's Avatar
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    I agree with groebuck. Maintain your new truck yourself. You will be happy and proud of your efforts.

  13. #13

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    Re: "Ming Mirror Finish"

    Originally posted by jdmclemore
    Hello! This is my first post (I can`t believe there`s an entire forum dedicated to auto detailing! Fantastic!), and I couldn`t find an answer to this...

    I`ll be purchasing a new vehicle later this year (2005 F150) and have started to think about car care ideas.

    When I was growing up in San Antonio we had a Ming that my Dad always talked highly about. Never thought about it much until now, 15 years later, now that I`m purchasing my own vehicle.
    The Ming process looks very interesting - what do you detailing pros think about it?

    Here`s a link to the SA Ming. It does bother me that all their pictures look 15 years old!
    http://www.mingsa.com/main_pages/Ming.htm

    Thanks in advance!

    Ming stinks as already noted.

    If you are interested I have a detailing buddy in the Arlington area who is an excellant detailer and will take care of your truck the right way. Let me know if you might be interested.

    Anthony
    "The Art & Science of Auto Detail"

  14. #14

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    Originally posted by groebuck
    Start off by washing it with a good car wash soap (off the shelf Meg`s gold Class - from premiumautocare.com Four Star ultimate auto wash).

    Then Clay - a new vehicle will have rail dust from transport and the gunk it gets on it while on the lot.

    The (depending on what products you want - off the shelf or ordering from premiunautocare.com (use detailcity coupon code for 10% off).

    Off the shelf you can use the Meguiars Deep Crystal line - steps 1 2 and 3 if you like or do step one and 2 and finish off with Meguiars NxT tech wax (if you truck is not metaillic).
    OK - I`ve done some reading (the Autopia Guide was great!) and I`m ready to buy a few products.

    The new vehicle isn`t til later this year, so I want to practice on my trade-in: a `95 Honda Civic, Black (Non-metallic). It`s been pretty neglected, never waxed, oxidizing...its pretty bad. Good news is I can`t make it look any worse!

    I`ll be doing everything by hand, and I want to purchase everything off the shelf here locally. I`m thinking Meg`s Gold Class wash, some kind of clay (does the lubricant usually come with the clay?), a polish (i guess that`s the Meg`s Deep Crystal recommended above?) and then a wax (the NxT?). I also plan on getting a CWB (my first acronym!) and some microfiber towels. I already have some brushes.

    So who sells what I`m looking for off the shelf? Is there one place that would sell all this?I`m in the big city, so I pretty much have all the stores around here.

    Any suggestions are welcome! Remember, I`m a newbie. So for now, I want something semi-simple. No 14-step preocedures please!

    Thanks...

  15. #15
    Beautification Specialist dr_detail's Avatar
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    off the shelf by hand.... my 2 cents ...

    Mothers Cleaner wax followed by Mothers Sealer Glaze... available at most Auto parts stores (Kragen, Auto Nation, Pep Boys, Cheif) nation wide... might also be available at Wallymart.
    A happy customer tells a friend ... An unhappy one tells many friends !!!

    Gim-me a car with finns... :naughty and I`ll shows ya what detailin`s all about... :jump

 

 
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