how to explain how filling is bad to customers

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baseballlover1

New member
There is a detailing shop that not only says they fill swirl marks, they boast about it. They say that they do not hurt the clear coat by taking it down or anything. Even though you cant remove oxidation by filling products, they fill swirls. I was wondering, how i would compare removing and just filling other then the obvious "i remove, he just quick fixes it". Any ideas?
 
I think filling has it's place

and I think they are being honest about what they are doing (not boasting)

they are also correct about not removing CC



the problem is when people think that they are removing them and thay are just hidding them



any way..

just explain that fillers are just a tempory bandaids

and your detailing skills actually fix the problem not hide them
 
If it's a woman customer, tell her it's like concealer vs. a trip to the spa. It looks good for a night, but it's not substitute for the real deal.



I tell men it's like wallpapering over a cracked wall, whereas my approach is like going in with tape and spackle.
 
Well there are two ways of filling



Conventional filling that washes out

Permanent filling that seals the paint and the fillers do not wash out



Conventional products - 3M imperial glaze

Permanent products - Glare, Permagard, Toughseal and a couple other brands
 
You know, for some people that is perfectly fine. Not my preferred way of doing things but if someone wants a quick clean up to turn their car into the dealer or leasing company, they are flat not going to pay for full correction. It would be a waste of money.



As long as they are honest about it and you educate customers why your way is better, I bet there is enough business for both of you.
 
exactly...fillers have their place



what I dont like is the misunderstanding that the finish is perfected by so and so down the street for 100 when I am 300+....so they might as well save money...



I have explained the differences quite a few times and only won over a few...
 
besides...are you doing to compound and polish out someones car to perfection every 6 months with something like PG, IP, FpII, or are you going to perfect it once, then make it "look" perfected every three months to save their clearcoat and a future repaint...fillers have their place...but I agree with scott be honest about it
 
toyotaguy said:
besides...are you doing to compound and polish out someones car to perfection every 6 months with something like PG, IP, FpII, or are you going to perfect it once, then make it "look" perfected every three months to save their clearcoat and a future repaint...fillers have their place...but I agree with scott be honest about it
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So why not educate the client and have them properly care for the car? It's not like two bucket washing is a big deal...



Polishing a car just doesn't remove enough clear to really concern over, wetsanding will though.



You guys make it sound like it's taking a knife to the clear or something...:lol
 
who is to say they have enough time to two bucket, or even wash themselves for that matter, or even care to do it themselves...maybe they would rather pay someone else to just detail it every once in a while, and take it to the local car wash in between because its cheap...two sides to every coin i guess...
 
toyotaguy said:
who is to say they have enough time to two bucket, or even wash themselves for that matter, or even care to do it themselves...maybe they would rather pay someone else to just detail it every once in a while, and take it to the local car wash in between because its cheap...two sides to every coin i guess...
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I think this fits the bill for 99% of the people. Most people who pay to have their vehices detailed aren't enthusiasts & the difference is nominal. It's a shame that the driving force behind our business is one of cost effectiveness, not perfection. From what I've read, most people that even wash their vehicles, don't do it themselves and the one's that do, they won't even pay $1-2 more for a better car wash, better yet a proper detail. Leasing is probably the biggest threat that's holding our profession down, not low price glorified car wash detailers. When you find someone that is passionate about vehicle maintainence, do whatever you can to keep them, because their a diamond in the rough.
 
Contrary to the above, when I polished out the black prosche the other day, the owner was very interested in washing the car himself the right way. I sent him links to quality wash mits, (left one with him) grit guards for his home depot buckets and WW drying towels. Of course I have also had clients that where not interested.
 
gmblack3a said:
Contrary to the above, when I polished out the black prosche the other day, the owner was very interested in washing the car himself the right way. I sent him links to quality wash mits, (left one with him) grit guards for his home depot buckets and WW drying towels. Of course I have also had clients that where not interested.
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I'd say about 10-15% of my customers are actually interested in taking care of their cars themselves and willing to spend the time necessary to properly wash their car. Just not a high priority for a lot of people as long as their car is shiny. I do have customers who either have me wash their cars regularly or want me to teach them how to do it. Their cars I can maintain at a constant high level. Those who call me out every 6 months after running their car through tunnel washes or let the dealer wash it, pretty much have to polish their cars every time I see them. Job security, amirite? ;)
 
As a detailer and a new car owner (with a hurd of cats) I have pondered the question of: do I polish out (FFII with PC) every few months to rid myself of cat scratch fever, OR do I just fill and go? I Know what ya'll are thinking - find kitty a new home, and brothers - I am trying!
 
DieselMDX said:
what is the most filling glaze/polish on the market?
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Whatever Hendrick Lexus in Charlotte NC used on my Denali XL. That's not just some smart-@$$ed reply either, I wish I knew what it was.
 
rmg, race glaze, megs 66, a some others come to mind...liquid luster does, but that stuff flat out sucks to apply and remove in any situation besides ideal...(no sun, no wind, not too hot of a day, etc...i have tried it in three situations, and its staying in my collection box...LOL)



June -= FPII on PC - you can polish out your car every month for 10 years with that combo and still be left with clear...one of the megs reps said something like useing 83 and a yellow pad on the pc and you can polish over 20 times before needing a repaint...FPII is MUCH less abrasive...
 
If the paint in question is very thin or very finicky, fillers can help reduce the appearances of defects without damaging the paint. A combo of mild abrasives and fillers would work best.

Put on a durable wax or sealant over it to help 'lock-in' fillers longer.

As other members of the forum mentioned, it is critical that you explain and be honest of what process you would execute on the customer's car.



Fillers are not evil :) . There is a time and place for them.
 
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