Oh, so you're a Detailer? You work for a dealership? - Page 3

artikxscout · 09-23-09, 04:12

It's kind of funny you mention that too Scott. Dealership do wonders to their cars on the lot, but I've seen couple cars that roll off the Showroom looking perfect. Maybe they just don't to spend money on the cars that they just want to liquidate. ::shrugs::

Shaun Carollo · 09-23-09, 05:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakky

How funny would it be to have two separate business entities, one your premium, and another your quick detailer. Anyone that says you cost too much, you give them "the other guy's" card. Show up the next day, don't even wash the car, just go to town with a wool pad, vac'n'spray the interior. When they complain they don't like the $79 job, give them "the other guy's" card.

How did you figure out my master plan?! Being fixed and mobile, I need to look into this, it could work out perfect!

vtec92civic · 09-23-09, 05:53

Wow . . . . now that is what i'm talking about! I would have tossed the wrench and laughed at him in the process. Don't feel bad about what you charge because we go through the same stuff over here along with everyone else.

Dealership people think they know it all. Their cleaning skills speak for itself just look at the condition of most all the cars on the lot . . . . even the brand spanking new ones. It's sad that someone like that young kid decided to try and insult your intelligence . . . . . carry on with what you do and don't mind his stupidity.

brwill2005 · 09-23-09, 06:04

This situation is just a fact about the detailing business. Everyone and their brother with some soap and rags is an auto detailer. I do not even worry about it anymore. What I do, is try to differentiate myself from these idiots, and show people what a real professional detail company is all about. This does not mean that I have to spend 50 hours on a car perfecting the paint. What it does mean , is offering top notch service and a great value.

lawrencea · 09-23-09, 06:19

I work for a Toyota dealership. I donot detail cars there. Ive seen a lot of detailers work and I have to say that are detailer is one of the best.When he buffs he used megs #151 most of the time with a foam pad. He uses a paste wax and he clays most of the cars . His cars come out swirl free with a lot of depth and gloss.

Setec Astronomy · 09-23-09, 07:11

I'm glad I'm perhaps not the only one who's been frustrated by all the threads that start "Hi, I've washed my cars a few times and it's kind of fun, so I've decided to start a detailing business. Can you guys tell me what to buy and how to do it? I'm opening next Monday."

HiMyNameIsSean · 09-23-09, 08:46

I just hope you guys don't just toss every young kid that wants to start a detailing business into the same category. There's some of us who have a true love for it, and a will to learn.

Just my .02

JimmyCutlass · 09-23-09, 08:53

I am seventeen, I have only had my license since January and had my own car since April. I have started my own detailing business. Even I know exactly what you guys mean.

I am pretty good with my DA and can do a fair bit of paint correction. I am slowly getting the hang of my new Harbor Freight rotary (taking it one step at a time), I use mostly Meg's Detailer Line/Mirror Glaze products and do top notch work

When I hand out my business cards and show pictures of my work or my car to others they tell me how they can bring it to the car wash for ~$15 instead of pay me $150. They seriously don't know the difference between the services they will receive at their typical car wash and what I offer.

When I showed one guy at school the 50/50 of my parents' Saturn hood and trunk lid (intentionally half corrected to showcase my work) after some loving with my rotary, G110, M105/M205 and M16 he assumed that I put a layer of wax on one side and not the other. The lack of swirls and RIDS was a result of a layer of wax.

I think we all wish it was that easy.

Everyone thinks they can match the skills of a young detailer and everyone thinks they can get the same job done that I do for under $50.

Good luck I tell them, you are better off going to them first so there is more damage for me to fix.

Got_Leather · 09-23-09, 08:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrencea

I work for a Toyota dealership. I donot detail cars there. Ive seen a lot of detailers work and I have to say that are detailer is one of the best.When he buffs he used megs #151 most of the time with a foam pad. He uses a paste wax and he clays most of the cars . His cars come out swirl free with a lot of depth and gloss.

Ummmm, do what now??

cgc · 09-23-09, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd@bsaw

We then got into a discussion on how much I charge for a detail and he replied, "Wow, you're really ripping people off."

He walked away laughing and it took all my strength to not throw a wrench at the back of his head.

Now I didn't read all of these posts....and I'm in the process of starting a small detail business...BUT....I'm not stupid enough to think I know it all or that someone down the block may know more. I do and will continue to consider myself a student in this "art".

That being said....At the point where he made that comment and walked away, "thats probably the best thing you've done all day..."
I'm not real patient for anyone coming on my property and being flat out insulting.

rusty bumper · 09-23-09, 09:27

Scottwax...

Do most of those dealership hack jobs require a rotary to fix, or do you use the DA polisher?

Scottwax · 09-23-09, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusty bumper

Scottwax...

Do most of those dealership hack jobs require a rotary to fix, or do you use the DA polisher?

Rotary on all of those...although the jet black BMW 550 was a combination of rotary and DA due to the ridiculously soft paint. When doing any real correction, I reach for my rotary first.