Have Click N Brags "Jumped the Shark"???????

One of the reasons I quit looking/posting on this forum was that all the C&B's was that it seems to be all about the high end cars. there was nothing said about the procedure and it was all about "Ooohh....look what high end cars I am doing" and it got very boring. Eye candy is one thing but there are a lot of people here that want to learn. This is the forum that I used to become a detailer and I could not have done it without the help of people on here. That feeling seems to have gone away. It seem sot be all about showing off the high end cars and not so much about the learning. My business is geared more towards the DD end of vehicles and I absolutely love it. Every once in a while I get a higher end car and it's fun but that's not what you learn on. Detailers that are learning need to see what DD's look like and what procedures are used. Just my two cents worth.
 
MachNU said:
With circular logic, it still boils down to perception of people. The people with the bigger names will always get more traffic, which in turns elevates their name more. When this happens it takes traffic from the little guys threads, who like you said, may have hit a home run. Then eventually it falls off the page, going unnoticed. It will never change.



Hell, I will use you and myself as an example. If we both did a high end car to a close to same detailing package(granted I do not know your packages, but just say usual basic 95% correction package), then made threads, yours hands down would be much more traffic. Because your track record is amazing. You have much more information out there and your camera skills are much better than mine. People have seen more of your threads and have an idea to what they can expect in your thread. We both may have done the exact same quality of work, but mine might not be as flashy or crisp high quality pictures as yours. Meaning if they do go into mine, they will breeze right threw it.



I have said this many times before, I use an old D50, which is a start DSLR, with the start basic lens. I am not the most camera savvy. I do not know fancy angels or ways to pose cars after. I just know to get 4 corner shots, few interior and some sun shots. I try to stay straight to the point on what I did and what the outcome is. Which, it does affect the traffic my threads get and they tend to fall off onto the mass amount of pages, unless I respond to someones comment I might have missed.



Its the nature of the beast, those with less rapport, experience and years in the business, will always be held to a higher level.
Click to expand...



The only flaw in your logic and thinking is not realizing that this is on purpose. People automatically associate my name with a potential quality post that is an entertaining read which is informative, and has great pics? Mission successful.



I've worked harder than many might realize to try to make my posts stand out. It's not enough to just have a working camera anymore. You have a D50? I have a Sony A200: an entry level D-SLR camera that has a spot on the sensor I can't seem to clear-up. I can promise your stock lens is better than mine as well.



I have a photography class, 2 photography books, one-on-one consultation with 4 different photographers, and the drive to make my pictures as good as possible under my belt as well. Additionally, I've taken college classes on automotive paint technology and application as well as a class on Color & Lighting and a Small Business class. All of these were done on purpose to better myself and image.



I release my write-ups strategically based on timing of events and other pro's posts. I've delayed posting a write-up for several days on multiple occasions because of what other posts may currently be popular (I remember Barry Theal posting a Ferrari that made me wait 3 days...).



Each write-up I post has been proof read, edited, altered, fixed, and smoothed out by at least 2 or three other people before it is posted. I want the words to come natural; my syntax to flow from the page into your mind with little to no effort. The 20 minutes you spend reading my work should fly by as you're entertained an enveloped into the transformation the car before you is making.





You don't feel you can easily compete with that? Good. I was hoping not.
 
Anzafin said:
+1



I've started to feel the Autopia has become snobbish.



- Antti -
Click to expand...



Really? Care to explain? I will say with certainly that the detailers on this site are much more experienced(cumulatively speaking) then any other on the net. Hands down. I wouldn't call that snobbish, but rather enlightening to our audience and in turn is what makes Autopia what it is. This forum is the only one that has a true purpose of spreading useful, non-decriminated and unbiased information to the masses. We aren't a sales machine with a rah, rah pitch-a-thon undertone.



There were eras on this forum that would certainly mimmick your perception, but 99.9999% of the posters here (especially the regulars) are here to help. I hope you take what I say at face value and continue to post.
 
I try to post comments whenever possible. Unfortunately, I do feel like the C&B section has become a little less interesting than it used to be.



When I first came here it was just to ogle over the awesome cars you guys detail. Ferraris, Lambos, Rolls Royce, etc... some real car porn here. It was awesome to look at those cars all cleaned up. I still love seeing how amazing you guys can make supercars that I will never even get to drive look.



Seeing all of those cars looking so clean motivated me to give it a shot. I started reading about products and techniques and seeing what was possible. Then I looked at the amateur section and LOVED it.. I loved seeing how a car like mine could be transformed by a little elbow grease. I'm never going to own a Ferrari and I doubt I'll ever be able to afford however much those kinds of details cost, but I love seeing what an amateur or a pro can do on a car like mine. I loved learning about what products or methods I could be using to improve the appearance of my car.



Then it became less about teaching and more about drumming up business, it seems. Tons of pictures of barely scuffed Bugattis without any description of product or method used. While it's fun to look at, as someone who's trying to get in to detailing as a hobby, you can only look at so many perfect supercars before you get a little bored with it. I'd rather look at an 80% correction on a 10 year old Toyota with a description of how to try to get similar results so I can both be entertained and learn something. This is why I love seeing Scottwax's posts (even though he can be a little slim on pictures sometimes) -- I know this is a professional that won't scoff when I ask if he'll clean up my Focus for me. And he'll take the time to answer my question about what he did, what he used, or why he did it.



I think of note for you professionals, teaching the amateurs a trick or two is also good for business, in my opinion. I've tried to polish my car and I've tried to clean under the hood, but my results are nowhere near the average pro's results. I overlook the little thing. I miss spots. I'm thrilled to be able to "maintain" my car, but I now know my limitations and why I should pay one of you guys to really take care of it.



I know I just rambled all over the place, but I'd like to encourage you guys to keep up the great work. If you wouldn't mind answering questions about products and techniques, that would be awesome.
 
Grimm said:
Really, that was a weak beef. The lack of any/good after shots was more what I was thinking of. I think I see that a lot more than lack of before shots. Like you said, they take nice shots before, but then take shady pictures after. Those are the ones that bug me a lot more than lack of before shots. it's more being picky than anything, but if you don't take before shots, it doesn't prove us that you actually did anything to the paint. It could have looked that good before you touched it (though I'm sure that's never the case), but we wouldn't know.
Click to expand...



If I am just doing a basic 1 DA polishing step on the paint, then there probably isn't much to see. The added depth and gloss may or may not show up in the pictures.
 
Unfortunatly, I do see a lot less traffic on some pretty amazing corrections unless you have a "name". I mean full write ups with full description of what was done and truly amazing tranformations that are just looked over. Other than that the big names still get big views for the most part no?
 
mikenap said:
Although this is true to some degree, take Bob Willis' (AutoConcierge) most recent post about the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Always produces stellar work, takes great pics, has a HUGE name, client base and following. The post is of a 500hp, very exclusive SUV, yet at this point it has over 200 views and only 6 replies, one of which is his. I think this points to what David says about C&B's losing some of their effectiveness, regardless of whether its a big fish, smaller guy or enthusiast posting his own cars. .
Click to expand...



Why should it stand out above others? It is an expensive vehicle by a well respected detailer but from the comments posted just seemed a basic detail on a vehicle in pretty good condition. It has comments about "Tough dirt build up on the lower rockers" but minimal process/product discussion, etc.



When you see Gary Dean using 3 polishes side by side on the same paint and showing the results in a real time video, that is interesting. I still miss Bryan's streaming work on TID.
 
I admit the following



  • posting my work where ever I can
  • copy and paste write ups





Im doing it, because I'm new to the detailing industry. Im doing you-tube videos on all my details. and I notice I'm not getting many hits either... maybe because I do a lot of Audis? Maybe my photos are not that great?



well whatever it is....Please let me know what you guys like to see!
 
Justin Murphy said:
To me, paint is paint. Give me a interior turnaround any day for a click and brag.
Click to expand...



Agree. Most C&B threads revolve around paint correction but not many interior revivals. Part of that is some here focus mainly on corrections and others charge enough that they just aren't getting the really nasty ones because people who let their cars get that bad balk at our prices.
 
I get it ......you guys are trying to keep it alive and real. My advice would be to look at the effort put forth here by those committed as exemplary!!! Time to step back and say.....this whole effort here is mostly a great success. The ideas and concepts displayed here at this forum are invaluable. To those who are starving and feel detailing is there saving grace, this forum is their FREE ticket and the key to their success. Always try to look at the glass as at least half full. Paintxpert
 
OverTimeDetail said:
Im doing it, because I'm new to the detailing industry. Im doing you-tube videos on all my details. and I notice I'm not getting many hits either... maybe because I do a lot of Audis? Maybe my photos are not that great?



well whatever it is....Please let me know what you guys like to see!
Click to expand...



You need to talk to Jeff Suggs. His videos are personally hand picked by the CEO of Youtube, and they are so good that he gets personally invited to the White House to do overspray removal..... :lol
 
Has this thread minimized people's chances for hitting a home run on their next C n B? Or will it make people think more creatively moving forward? I think, if anything, it may bring greater self awareness to some people's downfalls and open the door to greater opportunites.
 
Bunky said:
Why should it stand out above others? It is an expensive vehicle by a well respected detailer but from the comments posted just seemed a basic detail on a vehicle in pretty good condition. It has comments about "Tough dirt build up on the lower rockers" but minimal process/product discussion, etc.



When you see Gary Dean using 3 polishes side by side on the same paint and showing the results in a real time video, that is interesting. I still miss Bryan's streaming work on TID.
Click to expand...



Oh yes, the good ole days. I miss doing the live videos too. They where at time challenging, trying to answer questions and keeping the R/O moving. I did receive some what you might call negative feedback, some fellow detailers thought I was crazy for possibility subjecting myself to criticism from others and giving away techniques. So either I was brave, stupid or did not give a crap. :) I would do it again in a heartbeat.
 
gmblack3 said:
Oh yes, the good ole days. I miss doing the live videos too. They where at time challenging, trying to answer questions and keeping the R/O moving. I did receive some what you might call negative feedback, some fellow detailers thought I was crazy for possibility subjecting myself to criticism from others and giving away techniques. So either I was brave, stupid or did not give a crap. :) I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...



Im surprised how many detailing secrets you've revealed to me!



Since i was late to the game, I know my c'nb's are boring at times, i mean heck, on Rutledges Draggin Wagon, I posted that so others could just get a chance to see how he rolls. No true transformation shots and I wasnt expecting big posts or views. But for many of my customers, they dont anticipate any before or after pictures, and sadly the price i charge them doesnt equate for adding the extra time to ensure i get that right reflection/correction shot.



As was said before, since this forum is mainly detailers, it can get hard to rant and rave over before and afters when you are out in the field doing something similar. Yes we can share appreciation knowing what probably went behind making it that shiny, but as many have said, whats different there from what I use every other day?



As far as the clicknbrag section, i initially liked the idea of giving the rookie (i say that like I am an any different) a soapbox with the pros to maybe get some criticism, but it seems to have forced out the pros from posting. I just dont think its fair that someone who has learned from this site and wants to share what they have done be relegated to a section with no traffic (ie the rookie section or weekend warrior section.) I understand they may not have 100% correction and say good enough, but instead of just saying "meh" why cant we say, "maybe next time try such and such product" or "try working with a slower arm speed."
 
Bunky said:
Why should it stand out above others? It is an expensive vehicle by a well respected detailer but from the comments posted just seemed a basic detail on a vehicle in pretty good condition. It has comments about "Tough dirt build up on the lower rockers" but minimal process/product discussion, etc.



When you see Gary Dean using 3 polishes side by side on the same paint and showing the results in a real time video, that is interesting. I still miss Bryan's streaming work on TID.
Click to expand...





My point in singling out that particular detail was only as an example for people saying that only the "big names" get traffic anymore. Bob is definitely in that category, yet there was little response to his most recent C&B.
 
Some of the C&B's I enjoy most are the truly trashed cars or ones that people neglect for too long, then expect the detailer to rectify it. They might not be pretty, but they sure are entertaining.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top