Just built website..looking for opinions.

N

newpassatt

New member
Although I'm a newer member here, I've already learned a BUNCH of things. I do, however, have a question that after performing a search, I haven't been able to find an answer for.



Every spring I spend more time than I want to buffing black streaks off the sides of my RV.

Any suggestions on the best/easiest way to clean the streaks?

Any suggestions on maintenance to help prevent these streaks would be great, as well.





Thanks.
 
Depending on what is causing the streaks I would think your first and best bet would be to use either clay or a polish but I have no idea what they are from.



Depends on what is causing them if you want to know how to prevent them. My dad had a problem with marks on his camper but it was much smaller than yours, I think it was from the chaulk insulation.
 
Let me guess, the worse streaks are below the windows?



The rubber window seals are oxidizing and that is what is running down the sides.



What are the sides of the RV made of, painted aluminum or gelcoat?



What is the age of the vehicle?



If the sides are gelcoat and white, have they started to exhibit some "yellowing"/



Maybe I can give you some easy ways to handle this, a heck of a lot easier than claying and all that.



:cool:
 
Well if you do know of a way to stop it and sort of prevent it from happening again let me know, I know a few people who would like this info. I could get a pretty penny for taking care of this little cosmetic problem.
 
Ron - often times it's the aluminum window trim and aluminum hardware where the fiberglass panels are assembled. The Al oxidizes and streaks down the vertical surfaces.



I've seen it several times, and it's really noticable on white RV's.



I'd suggest a good one step type of product (with some real cleaners in it), a cheapie random orbital, and some foam bonnets.



My brother does his 40 footer that way. With a step ladder, it 's a full day's work.
 
You are right about the aluminum, but it is the seals that contribute the majority.



Our AutoPreservation Shops do about 10 motor coachs and RV's a month.



The wet them down and then apply the "A" product from the ABC system with a truck brush, let it soak and agitate with the brush(this ain't a clearcoat, so no problems with the truck brush), and then rinse off. All are pretty well gone, then wash with the "C", pH7 shampoo.



Apply our Trim and Molding to all the rubber seals to seal them up and then with a D/A and foam pad apply the OEM One Step, this removes the last of the streaking while sealing it up, both painted aluminum or gelcoat.



Then wipe the sucker off. It's done,



The spend around 3 hours on a 40 footer,one man.That does not include the interior and other areas.



With the OEM on the surface, future streaks that may occur usually wash off with just a carwash shampoo. This does have to reapplied every 6 months to a year to maintain a seal on the surface.



:bounce
 
ron's right about the rubber seals usually being the culprit. i find this on white cars also, but not as bad as an rv. i simply use a product called Black Streak Remover. i buy it at Walmart in the automotive/boating section. simply spray it on the streaks after wetting down the vehicle then wash as usual. done, they're gone, but not permanently. this is pretty simple and my customers are always pleased with the results.:bounce
 
Thanks for the replies. The most streaking occurs under the windows, and near the roof line.



I guess the consensus determined that I'll just have to deal with it on a regular basis with good ole elbow grease and basic products....Although I will look into the ABC products.



Thanks.
 
I have had good luck on my 6x10 trailer using Klasse AIO and my Porter Cable. Since my trailer has no windows I dont get the problems with the rubber seals but the Aluminum roof does Oxidize and stain the sides. I put a coat of AIO on twice a year with the buffer and it has completely stopped the staining from occuring. A couple coats of SG would help as well. Best of all it shines better than the new ones on the local sales lot. If you have a Porter cable it would speed things up since the RV is presumably pretty large. But the good news is AIO is real easy to remove.
 
Well, after a year in business I have been slacking on having a REAL website built. When I started my business, one of the first things I bought was a domain name, so Ive always had that forwarded to a local forum where I post all my work to temporarily direct people to my work that way. I just recently had the brilliant idea(dont ask why not sooner) to just go ahead and build my own using a free site builder.

I put the site together over a period of about a day, and I am still adding more content. Remember, its a FREE builder and I dont build sites for a living, so dont be too harsh! haha!

Let me know what you guys think?!? :wavey

www.presidentialdetailing.net
 
Looks great Billy! I've been waiting for my "friend" to build me a site for some time now and after seeing this maybe I should just do it myself! :)



The site was a little slow to load and I'd maybe clean up you pricing list a little when you get a chance. Other than that I think it looks great! :thumbup:
 
RaskyR1 said:
Looks great Billy! I've been waiting for my "friend" to build me a site for some time now and after seeing this maybe I should just do it myself! :)



The site was a little slow to load and I'd maybe clean up you pricing list a little when you get a chance. Other than that I think it looks great! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

thanks Rasky! Yeah, the services page i still want to work on. I havent figured out the best solution, maybe I will make individual pages for each package. I want to keep the list though so that someone can tell I am not just the average joe detailer without knowing who I am.
 
Little comments:

Watch your grammar in the "About Us" section. Example: Being a car enthusiast ourselves, we take the time to meet and exceed or clients demanding expectations. There are a couple of little things like that in there.

I don't see any point in naming all the products you use for each service. You should know what you're doing and select the right product for the right job. Your clients probably don't know or care what you're using to presoak the car. You might make a more general statement that you use high quality professional products from manufacturers such as Meguairs, Blackfire, P21S, and Einszett.

In portfolio, can you change the word "Link" to "Full Article" and then remove the statement at the tops saying to click "link" for the full article? Also, I wouldn't link to a detailing board. Instead, convert these articles to HTML and save them at your domain. A lot of times articles on boards get responses like "how did it get that bad?" or "that floor was disgusting". Your clients might not like that...

The website in general is very nicely done and presents your services well. Good job!
 
wfedwar said:
Little comments:

Watch your grammar in the "About Us" section. Example: Being a car enthusiast ourselves, we take the time to meet and exceed or clients demanding expectations. There are a couple of little things like that in there.

I don't see any point in naming all the products you use for each service. You should know what you're doing and select the right product for the right job. Your clients probably don't know or care what you're using to presoak the car. You might make a more general statement that you use high quality professional products from manufacturers such as Meguairs, Blackfire, P21S, and Einszett.

In portfolio, can you change the word "Link" to "Full Article" and then remove the statement at the tops saying to click "link" for the full article? Also, I wouldn't link to a detailing board. Instead, convert these articles to HTML and save them at your domain. A lot of times articles on boards get responses like "how did it get that bad?" or "that floor was disgusting". Your clients might not like that...

The website in general is very nicely done and presents your services well. Good job!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Ill fix the grammar, I was just more focused on getting something up there to fill the void. haha!

Point taken on the products, Ill just list the procedures.

As for the "link" I have tried to change it, but I dont think it will let me(downside of site builders), which is also the reason I put that text on the top. Good idea with the html, Ill look into that!

Thanks for the compliments and suggestions! Just what I needed!
 
presidential_detail said:
thanks Rasky! Yeah, the services page i still want to work on. I havent figured out the best solution, maybe I will make individual pages for each package. I want to keep the list though so that someone can tell I am not just the average joe detailer without knowing who I am.
Click to expand...

Well your work tells us you're not an average joe! ;)

I think the layout (outline) of the services just needs to be structured a little cleaner so that it's easier to read and more pleasant to the eye. I'm also not sure the actual product need to be listed either as you may decide to use something else down the road, plus most customers have no idea what they are anyway. Instead just describe the type of product you will be using rather than the actual product name. :smile:


Keep up the good work Billy and let us know when you've made changes to it! :thumbup:
 
Your site looks great. Maybe it was just me, but the font seemed a little small. Is there a way that you could make it just a tad bigger?
 
Billy,

First, you have a really great start on a website. I've worked with professional design agencies who couldn't do this much work in a month let alone in a day. Well done.

I agree with the comments above about not listing your products, but I think you should make a strong statement about using only the finest professional products available on the market. That gives you more flexibility to change products to suit your needs without running contrary to your website claims.

You might simplify your services page by having the main "services" page have a block for each of the packages: Concours, Premium, Gold, Economy. Have a jump page take the viewer to each of the package detail pages. Also, a smaller point but you might consider renaming your packages along the same theme: Concours doesn't go with premium, gold, or economy. Even if you don't rename the packages I wouldn't use the word "economy."

On your main page - I love your logo. Consider removing the wheel and the mirror type. They are so light they detract from recognizing your logo. Also, try to give yourself a little more space between the logo and your jump links (home, services, etc.)

Regarding your fonts I would try to make your body text at least one maybe two points larger. I would also change the body copy to a serif font (like Times New Roman). Serif fonts are easier to read in body copy than the sans serif you used.

Sans serif fonts are great for headlines and so I wouldn't change what you have there. However, you should be consistent with the treatment. Some are all caps, some upper/lower, and some have all caps with an odd lower cap in the middle of the word. Simple upper/lower case san serif is a good readable combination. Also have your headline blocks all the same: most are yellow box, but one is red.

Again, great start on your first web page! :thumbup:
 
Nice job, Billy!

I agree with the previous suggestions:

- Check the grammar (bear with us; clients' vehicles, etc.)
- Increase the font size. (I'm an old dude.)
- The reflection behind your logo is distracting and doesn't seem to fit the design.
- Rewrite the process descriptions to speak to premium car owners, rather than to us forum members.

But, mostly, congratulations on pulling down those prices in Tampa! Looks like you've got a very successful business going. Best of luck!
 
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