Autopia Certified Detailers

[stilez]

I think pretty much everyone here has stated some solid points.



In the end, I do believe it is the basics that need to get across in order to pass some sort of certification. I know personally that after reading the articles on www.bettercarcare.com and watching the Meguiar's videos, I have developed a much better grip on the art of detailing.



Obviously since reading, you develop slight tweaks to each process to make it work better for you but also get the job done properly, but in the end, you understand what makes the product work and how to use it.



For instance, the simple fact of claybarring a car with a lubricant in a front to back motion. I've talked to 'claimed' detailers who use no lube (just a wet surface) and move the clay in circles. They use it on waxed surfaces and so on (without knowledge of removing the wax). People may think this is crazy and impossible, but idiots like this do exist. I'm glad that probably the majority of this forum knows the correct methods of claying and why to use lube and go from front to back in order to not induce more swirl marks or marring of the surface.



That's just an example, but in the end it comes back to the basics.



Yes you have to prove your work, but I know I'd MUCH rather see a certification of some sort from someone doing any sort of practice for me. I don't think ultimately that a certification would lead to political issues moreso than we have now already. Everyone has their tricks that they argue work and people debate back and forth. It's part of life, but I DO think something like this could be put together and brought to life.

 

[Bobby G]

I was looking through the whos on-line, and someone was looking at this old thread, so i thought i would bring it back to life:



I have a question on this. Pretty much directed toward David.



Anyhow, being that you are the ring leader of this group, what would it take from us professionals to get you interested in taking your time to create this sort of certification? I mean if we all paid $100 wether we pass or fail, that may help you to be compensated (and help cover some of the operating costs of this place) I really think that a certification program that is both difficult and exclusive would be something that could really add to the industry, and the marketability of true "detail" shops over the quick swirl shops.



I would love to have a part in making this happen, even if it was just in the form of feedback or $ backing to get the ball rolling



Mike

Mike,



This ideas has been tossed around before. There are two possible ways to do this:



1. Hold classes and make the students take exams; or



2. Put courses online and make students take exams.



Any way you slice it, I won't put my name on a certification unless people go through the education and can pass a basic knowledge test.



What you're asking is for me to put a few hundred hours into the development of a training program. Is it worth it? Who is going to care about the certification? Customers?



Speak to me!



David

 

[stilez]

David,



I think this idea has a huge growth potential. This is a chance to get those garbage detailers out of the scene. Just think about the guys at the country club chatting over it:



A- "Oh yeah, my SL55 AMG is being detailed today"

B- "Is your detailer Autopian Certified?"

A- "Absolutely, I wouldn't trust anyone else"



I think online classes would be a great course of action. If you could offer a weekend hardcore detailing class out in Cali, I think I'd buy plane tickets just to take the course with you and meet the man himself. I think the online approach would be much more convinient though.



Make sure to have a special section on buffer swirls. I am sick and tired of seeing these . But then again, other peoples mistakes do keep us in business.

 

[METICULOUSMAN]

Hey All, I think that was me lookig this up in the search engine. I was curious to see what license I can obtain for detailing? I know there is someone in my area (i was told) is a licensed detailer. Hope im not stepping on any toes here but I would like to know how I can go about this. Be Well

 

[tpgsr]

Hi david, thanks for such a quick reply (especially with all of the server trouble) I would never ask just you to throw down that much of your personal time, I am sure that there are others like me that have a pretty decent knowledge base, and are willing to help. The reason that I would like to see something like this go through, is every profession has a training or certification board. Even exterminators can be certified. Doctors must be certified, it is just one of those pieces of paper that customer like to see. Being a detailer i see it in another light. No longer am i just a detailer, but i am actually certified, I know in my heart and mind that i took a rigerous exam, and i passed. Even if it doesn't mean something to my customers, it will mean something to me!



If it meant me flying to california and spending a week or so at a time to get data and facts and everything together, i know that there could be some way to work it out. Maybe take all of the knowledge contained in your ebook, and expand it to a whole new level comprising of all sorts of chemistry and situations etc... then base the final test on all of the data that is contained within the book that potential takers would hve to purchase and read. The test would have to be timed like the Microsoft certification exams, that way you know that people arent just looking up the answers in their text. Maybe even make a section short answer as to see that they are putting it in their own words! Who grades these exams? Well, it would be a combination of the computer and those that have previously passed the exam. In the culinary world, Once you are a CMC (certified Master Chef) you have to commit to grading other test takers, and paying an anual dues for a newsletter, and other little things. I believe that this could really be a way to bring the community of top notch, high end, enthusiast professional detailers together in a way that is unsurpassed, and impossible to rival. It would create a nationwide network, not just of detailers, but of certified detailers. You aren't recomending your customer that is moving away to just anyone, but someone that you may have met, and trust by the bond of the elite certificate that they hold.





That is why i think that this is a great idea, and that is why i would start it, finance it, promote it, create it, see it through, and keep it together. Even if i had to do it all myself. But i doubt that to be the case, because judging on this thread, and others i have read I believe that the professional, and even alot of the enthusiast community is 100% behind this idea! Getting DavidB to cak it, well that would be like having Michael Jordan coaching a High School basket ball team , in his own gym... I think you get what i mean. You ahve built this amazing community, and a store, and even a learning site to go along with it. I think that certifications could go a long way in furthering the stronghold autopia has on the detailing world!



All for now.

Michael