Detailing Clinic Advice

Z

ZaneO

New member
I am thinking about putting on a couple of detailing clinics for some local car clubs and enthusiasts.



I was going to teach about proper supplies (ie. wash mitts, towels, etc.), and I was also going to do some process/technique demonstration of the full detailing process including some hands-on time for the participants.



I would like any advice and input from those of you who have hosted detailing days and/or clinics.



Thanks!
 
Well, I have never hosted one...but I have been at one...and I think you definitely want to give a big-picture overview, since your audience may be clueless. Something about how thin and easily damaged paint is, and something like the Meg's 5-step overview. Something else you might want to think about is a good-practice regimen that is not quite Autopian-extreme...for the guy who washes his car once a week, and waxes it once every 3 months in an hour...the guy that will never go Autopian, but can be given some good practices for regular wash and occasional cleaner-waxes.
 
one thing is you should let those who plan to attend know what level you will be teaching at. Complete newbie or semi experienced. I say this cause I went to one recently and it was for someone completely new to detailing.



Although, from being there, I'd say show them a good wash with good technique. Definitely introduce them to microfiber. Clay bar. Polish. Wax. The basic things I suupose. also at the clinic i went to, they had a PC that everyone was able to use. fortunately the guy who set it up had a beater for people to practice on. Also there was a charge, for the shop we used and for the pizza we ordered. Only like.. 5 bucks if i remember correctly.



One thing that wasn't really stressed at the one i attended was swirls and fine scratches. I'm sure if you show it to them, they might get extreme. I say this because the swirls is what got me into all of this.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
you might want to think about is a good-practice regimen that is not quite Autopian-extreme...for the guy who washes his car once a week, and waxes it once every 3 months in an hour...the guy that will never go Autopian, but can be given some good practices for regular wash and occasional cleaner-waxes.
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i agree. us autopians are a little too extreme sometimes, NOT! :laugh: :LOLOL
 
Ive never hosted one, but if i were to goto one, i would like detailed explanations on wheel cleaners. What ones can be diluted, what ones for what wheels, heard someone say they use wheel cleaner diluted to clean waterspots on glass too.



It would be also interesting to me, to have someone go over an engine detail. Ive yet to do one, water and computers-eek.



Before i start detailing i clean everything down that i will be setting a towel onto. If a towel bumps a tire or if it swings under a wheel well, i get a new one.



All i can think of right now.



Good luck :)
 
When I hosted mine for a local forum we aimed at completing the day in about 4 hours....we ended up going ALL day into the evening. I liked it, but be prepared for the long haul.



We charged $15 a head for the use the polish as well as all the drinks and pizza that you wanted. I think I broke even.....



We covered:

washing/dryiing techniques/materials

MF

how swirls are induced

claying

difference between bonded contaminants vs below surface defects

difference between polishers

The use of the PC (everyone was allowed to use the polisher)

engine detailing



Things that I would recommend...



-Make sure everyone who wants to have their car demoed on brings it CLEAN. You will not have time to wash.



-Have plenty of QD and MF's to go around



-I allowed everyone to use clay, this was a big deal with everyone for some reason. :nixweis Have plenty on hand if you plan on doing this



- Get PLENTY of pizza and drinks, some people can eat!!!



-Definitely demo an engine detail, everyone was really interested in this too.



-Make sure you have plenty of PC pads clean and ready to go



-I made a visual aid with a cross-section of a painted panel, I would highly recommed this. You can really show exactly *what* swirls are and also how bird bombs, sap, etc sit on top of the paint.



I will add to this as I think of things. I really enjoyed doing this and meeting the people was really cool.



TAKE PICS!!!!! :)
 
Setec Astronomy said:
...I think you definitely want to give a big-picture overview, since your audience may be clueless. Something about how thin and easily damaged paint is, and something like the Meg's 5-step overview....
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Excellent suggestions. I’ve been to a couple of Meguiar’s Saturday clinics and Mike Phillips does a great job doing this. Besides his wealth of knowledge and experience the slides he shows are terrific.



I think it’s really important to show people about paint film. Too many people only seem to care about chemicals, tools and techniques but have no idea what they’re working on or trying to accomplish with a given product or process.



Even if you don’t have a projector or anything like that some kind of graphics would go a long way to get your point across. Maybe some kind of Xeroxed handouts. The Griot’s catalogs have some good graphics, you could pass them around. Most car guys have a couple dozen of them stacked up anyway, if you don’t wait a week and you will. ;)





PC.
 
Yeah, definitely talk about how thin the clear is, how some clear is hard, soft, scratch-sensitive, etc.



It will amaze you how little some people actually know about "wax." :D
 
That is some great info. and help!



I had planned on spending the first 30 minutes to an hour addressing proper supplies such as mitts, towels (including MF), etc. and using diagrams of paint contamination/swirls. Then I planned on demonstrating claying and letting them have the opportunity to try. From there, I didn't know how in-depth I wanted to go as far as deep polishing, etc. And I was going to finish up with rubber/vinyl dressing and waxing/sealing.



I think for this first time, I am going to focus more on the basic to intermediate level.



I planned on making an outline, and I'll let you guys critique it.



:)



EDIT: I just had an idea. I might try to find a used hood from a body shop or something like that to bring in to show different steps on and let people practice on that. I think that would allow a more complete demonstration. Then maybe we could work on a whole car.
 
I'd definitly try to get a hood from a bodyshop or junkyard.

Where are you hosting this ? At a shop ? At home ?....I went to a clinic last year at a shop. It went all day and I thought only 10 people were going to show, but when I pulled up, there were like 50 heads. My concern is if you do it in your driveway or something.....well your bathroom might not look so pretty at the end of the day. I have no idea why I'm thinking about that of all things.
 
SK2003TypeS said:
I'd definitly try to get a hood from a bodyshop or junkyard.

Where are you hosting this ? At a shop ? At home ?....I went to a clinic last year at a shop. It went all day and I thought only 10 people were going to show, but when I pulled up, there were like 50 heads. My concern is if you do it in your driveway or something.....well your bathroom might not look so pretty at the end of the day. I have no idea why I'm thinking about that of all things.
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:lol



I am hosting it in a shop.



To cover my time and expenses, I am thinking about getting pre-payment for those planning to attend...if others end up showing up, that's fine. I just don't want to get stuck with all the costs and not have anyone show up.
 
ZaneO said:
:lol



I am hosting it in a shop.



To cover my time and expenses, I am thinking about getting pre-payment for those planning to attend...if others end up showing up, that's fine. I just don't want to get stuck with all the costs and not have anyone show up.
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Yeah, I had them pay BEFORE I started. If they came late, they still paid. That was the only way that I knew of to be fair.
 
Ok, kool. After a long day of teaching people how to detail, just wanted to make sure you didn't have to detail your bathroom. :chuckle:



As for paying, I'd definitly pay a few bucks for a clinic. The one I was at last year was free and provided bagels, donuts, coffee, etc. I got lucky. I'm probably going to stop by his shop one of these days to give him some business and get a ding pulled. :sadpace:
 
Well, the thing I'm worried about is a bunch of people saying that they'll come...I go buy all the supplies, food, water, etc....then no one shows. I would be furious. I figure the best way around that problem is pre-payment before I make expenditures.
 
This may seem like an insignificant thing , but.......

No one has mentioned anything about interiors , i.e. leather and windows.

I can't tell you how many cars I've detailed that had dry , cracked leather seats and a nice Armor All haze all over the inside window where the window meets the dash --- (you know , that easy to reach place).

Also, correct application of tire dressing. A lot of weekend washers like to use the spray-and-leave aerosol stuff without notice of the horrendous overspray on the body panels of a freshly cleaned car.



Convertible top cleaning may also be something you might want to touch upon.



Just my 2 cents. Thanks for listening.
 
Man, I thought it would be counter productive to teach people how to not rely on you....



Maybe they'll see it's not easy and pay someone else to do it. =)
 
darkdan said:
Man, I thought it would be counter productive to teach people how to not rely on you....



Maybe they'll see it's not easy and pay someone else to do it. =)
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I think that people appreciate the learning opportunity. I also think it allows them to see the depth and talent needed to do the job correctly...let's me demonstrate my ability and knowledge :)
 
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