Logic!!! How does "logic" apply to detailing, chemicals, marketing promotions, etc?

R

Ron Ketcham

Active member
Curious to hear from everyone regarding what is "logic" or "logical" thinking regarding the detailing of a vehicle, products, processes, etc.

Do you base your "logical" thinking on what you read on a forum, do you base it on some education in chemistry, do you base it on internet searches, do you base your "logic" on personal experiences in using products or your process?

Share with:dance all your "take" on the subject.

Grumpy
 
Ron Ketcham said:
Curious to hear from everyone regarding what is "logic" or "logical" thinking regarding the detailing of a vehicle, products, processes, etc.

Do you base your "logical" thinking on what you read on a forum, do you base it on some education in chemistry, do you base it on internet searches, do you base your "logic" on personal experiences in using products or your process?

Share with:dance all your "take" on the subject.

Grumpy
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This is a great question. On a professional level logic needs to be composed of experience, sound research/advice, and general cost vrs. return/results.



Chasing hype can be dangerous to the bottom line. Before incorporating a product/process I alwAys look at what I do not like currently. Is this product going to give better results faster for a better price? What type of learning curve will there be? Is there a collective opinion with proven results?



When it comes to marketing careful research is needed. While this is more general care must be taken to make sure what is working for like businesses.

The key is "like". service marketing is different than product. Groupon for example can kill you. Just do the numbers.



This is only based on doing it for sole income. You can easily "chase your tail"

As a hobby there is more room to experiment before doing it for money.



One thing that has stuck with me and I forget who said it. "Advice is always freely given but good advice you have to look for"

I always try to look for the credentials of where any advice comes from.
 
It's all of the above for me, not sure if logic is the right word as logic would actually be one of the factors along with the rest.



#1 is always experience with a product but doing research to consider methods of applications is helpful as well.



Logic is what comes into play during and between these process to come up with other methods of getting the most from them and formulating opinions on a product.



Also important is talking and listening to the manufacturer of the product.
 
I think that ‘logic’ would insist that you research a product before you use it and ensure that it is suitable for the use you intend it for. ‘Flavor of the month’ products are e usually marketing hype and could well turn out to be an illogical choice



Research



Always keep an open mind and I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you. Be pro-active and research others opinions and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon the factual information gained from research. Don’t regard any source as something you can entirely rely on, least of all marketing hype or brand loyalty.



Be cognizant that when you see something stated in the MSDS or written on a label, it doesn’t state the exact quantity used. Don't be steered or mislead by stated ingredients, just use them as a point of research.



I have always thought that the more facts and information you have at hand the easier it is to judge what information you are being given, all of which will help you to make an informed decision. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? In the final analysis; it’s your vehicle, your hard earned money and your choice.



Commercialism brings with it concerns of honesty and true representation. In other words, it’s difficult to know what is true when someone is motivated by income, i.e. directly targeted at product sales, more so than an unbiased opinion. One of the advantages of being independent and not having to answer to shareholders



Choose carefully whose advice you listen to, and more importantly what advice you act upon. The misinformation and myths that are so prevalent in the detail industry is the reason that detailers need to do research on their own. Treat all marketing claims as being just biased marketing claims and if you're lucky they will be based on truth and the company will operate ethically.



Materials Technology



Some of the materials and technologies that have changed detailing forever; Polymer sealants, Detailers clay, Microfiber towels, nanotechnology coatings, neutralized acid paint decontamination, and vinyl full body wraps



Automotive original equipment (OEM) technology is becoming more and more complex requiring educated and skilled technicians to work on them. As the materials used are constantly changing we must maintain our knowledge base and utilize the correct products and application methodologies to keep up with emerging technologies. It is very important to be able to recognise the various finishes and materials used as they all require different methodologies and products for proper care and maintenance.
 
One example of using logic is to just stop, sit down and think about the issue one is dealing with.

Let's say it's about built up brake dust.

The wheels have not been cleaned in at least 6 months and the vehicle has been driven over 5,000 miles.

Now, logic, when applied, tells one that the "brake dust" went on in "layers", a new layer every time the vehicle was driven, the wheels got hot due to driving and braking. This will cause the dust to ahere to the wheel.

Logic dictates that since the brake dust went on over time in layers, it will probably call for removing it in "layers".

Not a quicky cleaning with some off the shelf product in one application.

There may be a need for some "agitation" of the product so it can penetrate into the layers, etc.

Sounds so simple, yet it is an example of "using logic" before jumping in to a project.
 
What TOGWT posted :xyxthumbs



Ron Ketcham said:
One example of using logic is to just stop, sit down and think about the issue one is dealing with....Sounds so simple..."using logic" before jumping in to a project.
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I'm always pretty amazed that people don't approach things that way, and not just detailing :think:



While detailing *is* really pretty simple, I kinda cringe when somebody talks about "overthinking" it. IME most people underthink [darn] near everything.



When guys who've been doing this stuff for decades take the time to thoroughly think through how they're gonna do some task, often for the umpteenth time, well....[eh, I'm preaching to the choir here]...
 
After detailing for decades, logic comes naturally to me. Indentifying the problem is key prior to the initiation of correcting it. This goes for every aspect of the reconditioning process.
 
To me, detailing is just another form of troubleshooting. In order to effectively troubleshoot something, one must be able to thoroughly inspect and assess an issue to identify its cause, and apply their knowledge (or at least have the ability to go out and find the information they need so they can apply it) to correct the problem.



I worked in IT for a number of years doing tech support and handling help desk tickets and the "process" was exactly the same as it is for detailing; ultimately it's the same for ANY scenario in which the job involves problem solving. The only differences are the specific knowledge/skills/abilities required of the person for a given task, but the troubleshooter's job will always come back to the basic steps of inspect, assess, and rectify.
 
I wish my company's IT department was as regimented as I am in regards to problem solving. Call 5 different people and you get 5 different work arounds.
 
David Fermani said:
I wish my company's IT department was as regimented as I am in regards to problem solving. Call 5 different people and you get 5 different work arounds.
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Much like with some in the detailing industry ;) my experience has been that there are a lot of big egos and strong personalities in IT; regimentation can be difficult to achieve when everyone has their own habitual ways of doing things and/or are self taught and close-minded. It can sometimes be handy when people have a variety of approaches, but at the same time it can be a hassle.



We often note that when hiring employees for a detail shop, it is preferred that they have no experience so they can be trained to work within *our* regimented environment; the same holds true for IT, but that is harder to achieve in the tech industry since learning is often left up to the individual.
 
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