Experience vs. Training

S

SickOfItAll

New member
While obviously enough experience will hopefully lead most people to the point where they don't need any training - what kind of learning curve would most of you say is involved, based on your own experiences?



Can an enthusiast detailer simply start investing in a more varied supply of products, stock up, practice on a half dozen to a dozen friends' cars to get a feel for various paint conditions, and then be considered competent? Or is proper training really essential? How many of you mobile guys have had any formal training?



I'm not really talking about ROB, polishing/blemish removal, and wetsanding here - those require a LOT more practice (I would think, I really have no experience in any of those but minor blemish removal), and formal training would be a GREAT asset - even moreso with a rotary. I'm mostly referring to basic wash/glaze/wax and interior detailing, along with engines/wheels/etc. - the basics. More involved techniques require more knowledge and experience, that goes without saying. Any opinions on the topic? Some background info would also be nice - how many of you simply started doing mobile detailing on the side? How many came from a detail shop to doing it yourself? And for the shop owners - how much experience did you have before that?
 
SickOfItAll said:
While obviously enough experience will hopefully lead most people to the point where they don't need any training - what kind of learning curve would most of you say is involved, based on your own experiences?



Can an enthusiast detailer simply start investing in a more varied supply of products, stock up, practice on a half dozen to a dozen friends' cars to get a feel for various paint conditions, and then be considered competent? Or is proper training really essential? How many of you mobile guys have had any formal training?



I'm not really talking about ROB, polishing/blemish removal, and wetsanding here - those require a LOT more practice (I would think, I really have no experience in any of those but minor blemish removal), and formal training would be a GREAT asset - even moreso with a rotary. I'm mostly referring to basic wash/glaze/wax and interior detailing, along with engines/wheels/etc. - the basics. More involved techniques require more knowledge and experience, that goes without saying. Any opinions on the topic? Some background info would also be nice - how many of you simply started doing mobile detailing on the side? How many came from a detail shop to doing it yourself? And for the shop owners - how much experience did you have before that?
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IMHO there is no susbstitute for being thoroughly educated BEFORE starting out detailing. I have been blasted in the past on this forum for this opinion but I hold it none the less. Knowing the proper techniques and procedures will not only yield consistant, professional results but will improve speed and productivity resulting in increased profits. Not to mention that knowing how the products you are using affect the vehicle(s) you will work (and YOU) on today, and in the future is equally important. I am not saying that you can't be a very competent detailer by learning yourself but is that really fair to the people you will be working with to make their vehicle your "guinea pig"? If you had a choice of having someone who took the time to learn the proper processes and procedures and knowledge of chemicals or someone who is learning through trial and error which would you choose to work on your car? There isn't even a question you would prefer the trained technician. Start by reading every book you can find on detailing written in the last 5 years (anything older may contain outdated information). Subscribe to the detailing trade magazines and forums like this and seek professional trianing if available in your area. Preparation is key and you don't want to have to spend years learning what doesn't work when you can learn what does right from the get go. I speak from experience as I was mainly self taught for the first two years in business and once I received proper training the third year I was faster, more productive and got better results. Good luck.
 
I did not have the luxury to get formal training. I got layoff from my tech job and needed to get something going quick. I study everything I could get my hands on, pick up those Rightlook videos. I don’t know everything about detailing but I feel I am the best in my town. If I had to do it all over again I would try to get a job at a detailing shop first.
 
Wash_Me said:
I did not have the luxury to get formal training. I got layoff from my tech job and needed to get something going quick. I study everything I could get my hands on, pick up those Rightlook videos. I don’t know everything about detailing but I feel I am the best in my town. If I had to do it all over again I would try to get a job at a detailing shop first.
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How are those rightlook videos? I met one of the guys who did them at the Car Care Expo in Las Vegas in May and he seemed to have a pretty good handle on what this business is about. If they're any good they might be good to give a new employee to watch before I have to start training them.
 
ShineShop said:
How are those rightlook videos? I met one of the guys who did them at the Car Care Expo in Las Vegas in May and he seemed to have a pretty good handle on what this business is about. If they're any good they might be good to give a new employee to watch before I have to start training them.
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For someone that does not know anything about car detailing or just getting into the business the videos are great.
 
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