How to become professional detailer?

mr3000

New member
Hi, I'm wondering how I'd go about becoming a professional detailer, any schooling/certifications needed?....any imput would be greatly appreciated!
 
hmmm i would say hands one exsperiance. i never did the trainings and things. i started at ahigh volume shop, then went to a dealership, over the years you get the exsperiance, knowledge, to do it! lots and lots of practice!!!!!! if you look there area alot of places that will train you, but remember you learn the basics. one you get down the basics then move foward, as you progress your cleanup ablities will come your own style. there are so many great detailers out there, so many who have there own styles, chemical choice, there are so many things but all in all the one thing every great detailer has done is put his time in!!!!!!
 
remember a professional is some that makes a living off a skill or trade (thats why quality counts). as far as training alot of buisness that sell products offer training. dealerships pay cheap but to start off you need the experiance. dealerships will also give you one after another, also picky cusomers will also teach you their needs that will set you a head of other detailers.
 
If you don't have the opportunity to learn hands on from a professional, you're in the right place to get a base knowledge online. I think the most important part of detailing is paying attention to "details" (excuse the pun ;)), but even more importantly it's how you polish a car. Polishing a car can make or break a detail and being that it's the key to an excellent detail, it's also the most difficult to achieve. Go to the junkyard and buy an old hood or something. Use this to test speeds, polishes and their grades, etc. Don't worry about making them shine on this one, just test the waters and look at things like how much clear comes off in two or three passes with X pad and X polish, then try a burn through to get a feel of how long you can actually polish. In other words, get to know the tools first before you start to bring out a showroom shine. The on the 2nd one, now that you have a feel of how much pressure, polish, etc. to use, you can practice on making it shine. Once you get the hang of it, it's not so difficult, but that takes time and don't forget that every car is different! Hope that helps! ;)
 
Some good advice, but mostly technical. If you are going to own the business, then you must be a business person, not a technician.



There are some great business books and some detail training facilities also provide very good and solid business and marketing training as well.



For example, we will soon offer tinting, but I can't tint at all and have no interest in tinting. However, we will offer it with very high quality and I'll make money from it.



You need to sit down and write up, even if basic, a business plan. This helps you focus your company and avoid spending here and there and hoping you hit your target.



This is just a brief response..there is more. PM or email me if you want to discuss further.



Good luck,



Rob Regan

Santa Barbara, CA
 
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