ShineShop's Best Practices...ONLY COME HERE IF YOU CAN BE CIVIL

[Mr. Clean]

Originally posted by Accumulator

Mr. Clean- There must be a lot of different variables in play when it comes to home carpet extraction. I've had insufficiently cleaned and/or too-wet carpet from both portable and truck-mounted systems. Feel the suction on many truck-mounted units and you'll probably about the idea that it's the only way to go.

Accumulator, another case of internet miscommunication My comment wasn't meant to imply that truck mounted is unquestionably superior to portable extractors. But rather to point out how for every group (person) who says my way/method is superior, there will be another group to voice a differening (and possibly equally credible) view.



Another possible way to view this is the tool is only as good as the operator.



Oh, BTW, I love the "snarky" reference and it is a real word:

adj. Slang Irritable or short-tempered; irascible

 

[Accumulator]

Mr. Clean- Heh heh, I did think my earlier post bordered on irascible. I must've already used up my allotment of $0.67 words for this thread when I came up with "snarky"



And yeah, I did misconstrue the truck/portable extractor bit and yeah#2 about it being the operator at least as much as the tool when the tools are comparable.



There really *is* a lot of contradictory info about carpet care out there. Same ole same ole- gotta do whatever research you deem appropriate and make your own decision as objectively as you can, based on criteria that's appropriate/relevent to your situation.

 

[safetyman2010]

Mr. Clean- Heh heh, I did think my earlier post bordered on irascible. I must've already used up my allotment of $0.67 words for this thread when I came up with "snarky"



And yeah, I did misconstrue the truck/portable extractor bit and yeah#2 about it being the operator at least as much as the tool when the tools are comparable.



There really *is* a lot of contradictory info about carpet care out there. Same ole same ole- gotta do whatever research you deem appropriate and make your own decision as objectively as you can, based on criteria that's appropriate/relevent to your situation.

My father used to tell me not to get "snarky" with him when I was a younger man! I have pretty thick skin so you didn't offend me and I try not to get adversarial in situations like this. It's a free exchange of ideas - not a pissing contest.



Here is some information related to the subject that shows the accepted forms of carpet cleaning form the national trade organization:



http://www.carpet-rug.com/drill_down_2.cfm?page=14&sub=3&requesttimeout=350

 

[Scottwax]

I don't agree with the whole "some people can't afford it" argument. If you can't afford to operate a business properly then perhaps you shouldn't open one. We often hear detailers whine about all the hackers that open and close up shop every day and IMHO that is the biggest reason they do. People open businesses every day that they cannot afford to open or operate properly. I could care less if someone is mobile, fixed location or both. If you can't afford the proper equipment, supplies and training to open a business then you shouldn't be opening one (detailing or otherwise). Tolerance for that kind of BS is what has been killing the detailing industry for the last 25 years.

That is why I said those who can't afford it initially should still educate themselves using the internet, books and magazines since the cost is much lower. They also should learn on their own cars or friend's cars too.



When I started detailing 12 years ago, I already had a good understanding of the business end (several years in restaurant management running stores that were exceeding $1.2 million anually in the late 80's and early 90's) and also the actual detailing. I spent a lot of time educating myself on the proper techniques and learning about various product lines. I eased into it gradually, working part time as a waiter until I could get my business up and running with enough income to support myself and my two kids. I did this while raising my two boys on my own because their mother moved out of state.



If I had to pay for a formal training seminar back then, no way could I afford to have done it. Like I said, I also took advantage of free training through the Meguiar's portable classroom that would end up in Dallas occasionally. I think, based on my modest beginnings in the business, I have done pretty well for myself. I went full time in April 1994 and I still have regular customers from before then. I must be doing something right, even without some sort of formalized training seminar. 94% of my business is repeat or referral. Other than a yellow pages listing and my website, I do no advertising and haven't since 1996-7. While formal training would have probably helped me get to full time detailing more quickly, I did do everything I could to learn about detailing. Honestly, I wasn't even aware back then there was any formal training!



The problem I see is people thinking because they can wash and wax their own car successfully, that they have what it takes to do it professionally without bothering to learn anything more than they already know. You also have people who have been trained yet don't have enough integrity to do the work they are capable of and that their customer's are paying for. Even high end dealers have hacks working for them. I see more than my fair share of rotary swirled brand new cars that were swirl free prior to makeready and I am sure you do to.



I don't know what the answer is. As long as customers are willing to trade quality for a cheap price and someone is willing to do the work, I don't see how you can stop it.

:nixweiss

 

[Accumulator]

..I have pretty thick skin so you didn't offend me and I try not to get adversarial in situations like this. It's a free exchange of ideas - not a pissing contest.

Glad to hear I didn't give offense. And yeah, it's not a contest (of any kind).



I must admit I sorta knee-jerk when I think somebody is using "professionalism" as a form of self-validation. I've just known *so* many "successful professionals", in so many fields, who are hopelessly incompetent and have likewise known many "amateurs" who are as good as it gets. I certainly don't mean to paint the *competent* pros with the same brush that I use on the incompetent ones.



That link to the CRI was a good summary of carpet care.



Scottwax- If everybody went about things the way you do this would be a different world

 

[zainoshine]

Well this looks like a good place to post....



I'm new to this site and I'm going to start detailing cars for other people in Spring. It seems like you guys are debating about certain things involved, and I just want to know that if I do certain things, would they be wrong?



Using Menzerna products, yes or no?

Using a 6.5 HP Shop Vac from Sears, yes or no?

Using a PC 7424?

What should I use to clean carpets? I don't have and can't afford an extractor because I'm only fifteen and plan on investing less than $600 in this...I only plan to do 60 cars a year, or 2 a weekend for 30 weekends.



I want to do this right, so what kind of permits do I need? I'm going to be a mobile detailer, and the only thing that really needs to be flushed away into the sewer system is biodegradeable car wash, so do I need a "haz-mat"?



Can you guys give me any tips on starting out and your opinion on Menzerna and the PC?



Also, which pads should I use? I know I could do a search, but I want to get YOUR opinion on it. How long do they last, and how often should I switch them? What's the proper care for them? The Sonus pad review says their warranty'd for 10 uses? That's it?



Thanks,

Carl

 

[Scottwax]

Well this looks like a good place to post....



I'm new to this site and I'm going to start detailing cars for other people in Spring. It seems like you guys are debating about certain things involved, and I just want to know that if I do certain things, would they be wrong?



Using Menzerna products, yes or no?

Using a 6.5 HP Shop Vac from Sears, yes or no?

Using a PC 7424?

What should I use to clean carpets? I don't have and can't afford an extractor because I'm only fifteen and plan on investing less than $600 in this...I only plan to do 60 cars a year, or 2 a weekend for 30 weekends.



I want to do this right, so what kind of permits do I need? I'm going to be a mobile detailer, and the only thing that really needs to be flushed away into the sewer system is biodegradeable car wash, so do I need a "haz-mat"?



Can you guys give me any tips on starting out and your opinion on Menzerna and the PC?



Also, which pads should I use? I know I could do a search, but I want to get YOUR opinion on it. How long do they last, and how often should I switch them? What's the proper care for them? The Sonus pad review says their warranty'd for 10 uses? That's it?



Thanks,

Carl

Carl-this is the wrong thread to start this conversation. You really should start your own thread.



If you want opinions, a search is going to get it for you much more quickly than waiting for others to see your thread and post in it. You need to do a thorough search of this forum, find the answers to most of your questions and then start a more focused thread.