Post your Detailing Accomplishments for 2004

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imported_mirrorfinishman

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When it comes to detailing; what new skills have you learned during this past year? What valuable information did you gain from the helpful members here at Autopia? Were there products that you started to use this year that allowed you to produce better results? Did you improve or upgrade your detailing process compared to the old way you did things before? If so, why not share your thoughts.



What were your Detailing Accomplishments for 2004?



One of the things that I accomplished this past year was to make sure that I allowed myself time to detail my own cars on a regular basis. Usually I would get around to thoroughly cleaning, polishing and waxing my own cars about three or four times a year, with the change of each season. However, since early last spring I have managed to completely detail my cars once a month. Now if I can only convince my customers that they should also have their cars detailed once a month. Now that would be a really cool accomplishment.
 
1. I learned how to use a PC and a Cyclo and incorporate them into my detailing routine with great success.



2. I raised my prices to bring me more in line with the competition. When I first started, I made the mistake of trying to compete on price so I couldn't raise my prices too quickly. Now that I have, no one has even complained and a few have told me I deserved to make more. :)



3. I tried a multitude of new products and combinations.
 
2004 brought a lot of changes for me. a new black truck. a desire to make it a shiny new black truck. the finding of this forum which fueled the obscession.

i have come a long way from turle wax once a year.

i have made detailing a hobby that gives results as soon as you start. it turns out that i am an immediate gratification kind of guy.

i have purchased way to many items to mention but a pc and all the pads and then some will let you knowthat i am totally hooked on the process. the finding of microfiber towels, waterblades, cardusters, along with waxes polishes and detail spray.



i promised myself that i would do something to my vehicle each and everyday that i was away from my family while working in alaska. i did not break that promise to myself. the only other thing that i wanted to do was to have a professional detail my truck to have some sort of comparison of how i have been doing to maintain the condition of my truck. alas, i needed a tree doctor more than a detail in late november. so that will have to wait until i get back in october of 2005. something to look forward to.

the last thing that i want to do is to learn to post pictures. am not new to technology but am really frightened and over comed by the process that it takes to do it.. will get over it but it will take time

happy holidays!!!
 
Late '04 has been huge for me. I found this site, and realized how very little I knew. I have always been obsessed with my vehicles, but now I am learning how to make the effort pay real dividends. I purchasd a PC 7336, pads, microfiber, and a myriad of chemicals and my truck has never looked better. Thanks for sharing so much information with us novices. My wife is considering a permanent move (for me) to the garage.
 
yep - a big year for me too. I bought a car for the first time in years after a series of company cars (which I never really cared about).



Owning a car made me want to keep it really shiny and that brought me here. Now I know the terminology and understand the importance of proper perperation. I think this is the biggest thing i have learned - proper preparation.



So I guess I too have moved on from "turtle wax once a year" (as per cwcad)



Merry Christmas everyone..
 
Biggest year for me so far...



-I grew my client base by more than 100%

-Damn near mastered the rotary polisher (there are always things to learn with it)

-Created a website, business cards, business plan, invoices, various flyers, and a basic logo

-Made my customers easily see the advantages of my services compared to the competition, even though my prices are a bit higher

-Tried and tested many new amazing products that blow away pretty much all consumer/bulk pro products.
 
This year I went from hobbiest to enthusiest.

Over came the fear of polishing machines!

Bought a PC and various pads. Doubled my product inventory.

Have more fun detailing now that I have learned so much from Autopia. My Results are more rewarding. :D
 
Got a PC, a few pads and saw an immediate improvement in the results. Got a bunch of new products and am figuring out what I need/use for my own purposes.
 
1. (well...already knew it but) take your time!

2. Always listen to your instincts. If it doesn't feel right then don't do it.

3. Use great moderation in applying wax.

4. Never be afraid of layering wax (yes I said layering!).

5. An excellent QD is the key for the maintenance of a deep layered, brilliant waxed resolution!!!

6. Do not cut corners when it comes to detailing and waxing; 10 out of ten times you will regret it.

7. If you don't have time to do it right, do not do it at all.
 
I learned how to clay my car and I registered here today. I think 2005 will be a big learning year. I am currently doing everything by hand, polishing and waxing (can get very tiring) and will be picking up a PC soon. I want to try it out on my vehicles for a while and get comfortable before doing it for anyone else with a PC.

Just by reading this website for the last few hours, I think I might have come close to doubling my knowledge in certain areas related to polishing. I currently use Meguiers and am thinking about trying out some new stuff and am looking forward to learning much more from this website in 2005.
 
MaThGr82 said:
Just by reading this website for the last few hours, I think I might have come close to doubling my knowledge in certain areas related to polishing. I currently use Meguiers and am thinking about trying out some new stuff and am looking forward to learning much more from this website in 2005.
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It's easy to see that the accomplishments posted are directly related to the information shared here at Autopia.



Another accomplishment for me in 2004 was establishing online detailing courses. The online courses were actually the result of my teaching adult auto and boat detailing classes at many of the local high schools, here in Southern New Jersey during the past ten years. Those courses take place in traditional classrooms, while the online classes are now being held in an online virtual classroom. The courses cover just about everything I have personally experienced as a professional detailer since I started my own detailing business in 1986. The online classes offer busy people an opportunity to learn the do-it-yourself approach to both automobile and boat detailing.
 
2004 was a big year for me.... I'd been away from autopia (and am still not as "regular" as I once was) for a year or so, and ended up having one of the longest and busiest detailing seasons I've ever had; more customers than any other year I've been doing this work, and mastered more advanced detailing tasks (PDR, paint repair, plastic/poly and glass repair) and I'm really looking forward to 2005.
 
MaThGr82- Welcome to Autopia!



For '04, I perfected (until the next improvement ;) ) my Non-marring Wash Technique, which now consists of the "mitt balloon via foamgun".



And I renewed my acquaintance with the rotary, using it to remove some *terrible* marring (everything from scratches to swirls to holograms) from the S8 following its "deer incident" repairs. Yep, I used it on *that car* right out of the box, over twenty years after my last rotary experience, turned out fine :bounce
 
I still need to successfully arrive at the "mitt balloon" without the aid of boosted water pressure :( Is that possible?
 
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