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Someone asked why detailers focus on the technical aspects of detailing vs the business side. The simple answer is that they are "Technicians" more than they are "Businessmen/women." Check out the number of threads in each of these two areas: Professional Detailing General Discussion -...

Some of you here on Autopia might be interested in knowing how the "pros" here on the forum wash their cars by hand. Check out this link which visually and verbally describes the process most of the more verbal members of forum advocate: http://www.wikihow.com/Wash-a-Car-by-Hand Regards...

We have this huge excess inventory of several things that you all might be interested at a minimal cost: a. Velcro backer plates $1.00 b. Sheepskin polishing pads (bonnet style) 6" c. Misc 3" and 4" foam pads for which we have no use - cheap price d. Slightly used single sided and...

Many detailers believe that technical compentency will translate into business success. No question, a level of technical competency is absolutely necessary for success in the detail business, but it seldom soley ensures long term success. A detailer might be good at detailing cars. There...

On a more technical vein, may I ask you detailers and car enthusiasts what you use to scrub and clean interior vinyl, leather and hard surfaces? The tool, not the chemical. But speaking of chemicals what chemical (s) do you use to clean these surfaces with? Thank you Bud Abraham

Believe it was Franklin D Roosevelt that coined that phrase during the Great Depression or WW II. Almost every detailer I speak with these days says the same thing: "Times are really tough, unemployment is too high, business is lousey, it is this darn economy." In sone sense it is good...

Was having some thought-provoking discussions this week with collegues and detailers this week about a number of things related to the industry and thought I would run by those on the Autopia some of the questions and hope for some interesting answers: #1 - Are you a technician or a...

'You can prevent trouble by looking for potential problems. In my experience having owned and operated detail centres and dealing with detailers for years, is that complaints and claims from customers are not a result of damage caused in doing the detail. Conscientious and well trained...

"We have to learn to be a bit more human about our shortcomings which will make you a winner in people's minds." Just the other day I was having a conversation with a customer about an aspect of detailing. Before I knew it, the conversation shifted from the original discussion to which...

You hear slot about the detail industry has an image problem. Why do you think that is the case?

DETAILERS are always asking me why we spend so much time in our training focusing on what you might call "the anatomy" of a vehicle. "Lets just get out in the shop and show me how to detail." If I may, let's take the dental student studying to be a dentist. They work on teeth right...

For many years stain removing was not something detailers paid much attention to in their work. If they could not get a stain out with the normal shampoo process it stay on the carpets and/or fabric seats. And, even today with the industry moving more and more to retail trade, many detailers...

The Investor's Business Daily, has a feature, "Ten Secrets to Success" and one of them is: "Don't be Afraid to Innovate; be Different" These ten secrets are great strategies for succeeding not only in business, but in life too. Doing what everyone...

Nothing is more frustrating for a detailer than to spend a great deal of time and effort to clean an automobile carpet until it is perfect. But the next day you get a call or worse the customer returns telling you the carpet is almost as dirty as it was before you cleaned it. In cases this...

QUESTION: "If you know the technical work of a business can you operate a business that does technical work?"? What is your opinion on this question? Regards Bud Abraham

In my years in the detail business as a supplier and operator I have been fascinated by the amount of misinformation and "buzz-words" that fly around some fiction and some carrying a measure of truth. The newest such "buzz-word" being used by detail chemical companies and/or marketers is...

As promised, here is a summary of the information I obtained about the "no scratch/no maintenance clear coat paint technology we hear about today. The leader in the field is a company called, Nanovere that has a clear-coat that is not only scratch resistent, but also will clean itself. Their...

There are so many government regulations that affect a detail business a savvy owner will do well to know them, both Federal & State, the latter, which can be stricter. This primer and guide to laws and regulations, you should also consult NADA & ATD Federal Regulatory Compliance Chart Second...

Danny Detailer was worried. For the past 6 months his detail business revenues were really in trouble. So much so that he had to do something. He simply was not getting enough business in the door of his shop. Not a sophisticated businessman nor a master of finances he believed that he had...

Training has varied success with varied people as anyone in business with employees knows. But if you send a duck to an eagle school and what you will get is a very bored duck and a great many irritated eagles. The duck will sit in the eagle school rolling his eyes, telling all the other...