experience

9

91slicktop

New member
As a professional, where did you get your experience? Did you go to seminars? Take classes? Learn on your own with trial and error? I'm trying to determine the best route to take to learn as much as I can and get some more experience under my belt. I'm having a hard time when I come across certain situations where I am uncertain on the best route to take to resolve the issue... I guess due time will help with that, I hope!
 
I have had a serious combo meal. Hands on with pros, classes, trail and error, forums, magazines, books, etc. I just make it a point to not tackle something I am unsure of. Making friends with some experienced hands is good because you can call if ever in a pinch. Best of luck!
 
I'd say the best way to learn detailing is to get a job at a reputable detail shop in your area. You'll be able to see the right and possibly the wrong way of doing things. You'll also get an inside edge on running a business.
 
IMO the best way to gain experience is by actually doing it....



Use your car, your families cars and anyone related to you to learn new things on. Never try something for the first time on a clients car.



And I have a different approach about trying something your unsure of, you should go for it otherwise how will you know what it takes to get it taken care of. I love challenges.:2thumbs:
 
JoshVette said:
And I have a different approach about trying something your unsure of, you should go for it otherwise how will you know what it takes to get it taken care of. I love challenges.:2thumbs:
Click to expand...





I agree with this one!!!
 
I worked at a dealership cleaning cars for a year and a half as well as with private detailers that the dealership used. I know that dealerships don't have the best reputation but I've worked under the eye of professionals with 20+ and 30+ years of experience. I worked on TONS of used and auction cars with the most horrific paint. It spent a lot of time honing my skills with a rotary and learned various techniques on all different scenarios.



While I do agree that reading is a very useful tool, you need to go out and apply that knowledge.



Start with your car, your families car, your friends car (that wont kill you if you burn their paint:bat).
 
Learned on my 3 cars. 2 had the works. Oxidation, brillo pad swirling, etc. After spending more than a couple days on each, I got the PC down to exactly where I want it. Looking to take on a rotary but thats for later :)
 
Everything I learned about detailing I learned on Autopia....ok, sorry but someone had to put that in there.



In all seriousness, I had a job at an auto body shop in my early teens working PT during the week and 40+ hrs during summers. I was fortunate to work with a gentleman who was in the body industry for over 30 years and very reputable. When I was 17 I got a summer job at a detailing shop where I learned the art of detailing interiors, exteriors and all that good stuff. I love to read and experience with new techniques that I read about. Honestly, that's what this industry is to me, a truly in depth learning experience, things are always being improved and it's exciting to see what I learned 7 years ago to what I'm doing today.
 
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