Mercedes C-63 Exterior Detail

J

jlward1946

New member
I am a freshman in college, who is seeking employment as a part time auto detailer, at a local garage that specializes in BMW, Audi, Porsche. I myself consider myself to be an excellent detailer, having mastered many important skills(wet sanding, buffing, waxing, etc). I have been a member of Autopia for over 3 years, and am up to date in new detailing products and news. I have kept my past 98 M3 in fanatical shape, and have helped prepare several Audi's and BMW's for concourse shows.



My question is, how exactly do I seek employment in the detailing industry? Do I create a professional resume entailing all my detailing skills? Do I speak to the shop in person? What do you professional detailers look for, when hiring an employee? Thanks, I greatly appreciate your help!
 
Since I have never worked for a detailer myself, but only had my own company, I will tell you what I would look for.



1) Non smoker. No time for cigarette breaks, and most high end customers do not want smoke smell near their cars.



2) Good knowledge of detailing techniques, but not necessarily actual work experience. It is easier to train someone to detail your way than to retrain them to do it your way.



3) Examples of your work. If your car looks as good as you say, then make sure they come out to look at it.



4) Show that you are receptive to their techniques.



5) Stick with high end detailers. Low end types (those who rely primarily on used car lots) tend to develop bad habits due to the low pay per car and time constraints.



6) Your resume shouldn't require detailing work experience, but at least a good work history overall. If you are leaving jobs every few months, a detailer isn't going to take a chance on you. We set up appointments sometimes weeks in advance, so we count on our help being dependable. If you have prepped cars for shows, list the car owners as referrences.





Can't think of too much else right now. I have never been able to find good help. Everyone just wants a paycheck, and when it gets too hot or too cold for them, they leave.
 
scottwax - i couldn't have said it better myself.

m35power - you're the exact age group i look for in hiring someone, but like scott said - as mobile detailers in particular, we are looking for someone dependable, hard-working, trustworthy, and loyal.

labor costs me a fortune, but my workers are pretty much all of the things i look for in a worker, it's just hard to get them to be as precise as i tend to try to be. after all, detailing is MY passion - not necessarily theirs.;)
 
Going down your way this week, have an exhibit at the NADA in Nawleans.

I have chosen to drive down, allows me to visit some clients that have not had any personal contact with in a while, and goof off, play some golf (hard to do that in Cincy with the cold and snow).and in general make a working/playing trip.

Would like to stop and visit your place if you are open to that.

If you want me to stop by either before or after the show, drop me a mail at the office with how to get there, etc

ketch@autoint.com

Ketch
:up
 
I've been offered a couple jobs in detail shops at dealerships. Always when I have traded in a car I get offered a job. I used to think it was just the sales person kissing my butt until one of the detailers called me because he found my card in the car and complimented me. When I traded in the Mustang they didn't even have to touch it. They were fixing to back it onto the showroom floor before I was even out of the parking lot in my new car. So having a clean car when you go to apply says a lot for you. Once a mechanic at the Acura dealership told the manager about my car and I was offered a job while waiting for my car to be done. :)



I never took any of those jobs. I got a job for a detail shop once but I quit because I didn't agree with some of the tactics of the shop and the other "detailers". I don't believe that Armor All tire foam makes a good dash cleaner and they loved that technique. Anyway, I found that I made more money by myself anyway. Why work for 10 bucks an hour when you can go it alone and make 3 or 4 times that? Maybe if I was working at a high end detail shop that did BMWs and Porsches I would make more money but I still like having complete control over what I clean and what I don't.



I think Scott has the formula down pretty good though. Make sure you pick a shop that will pay you more than you can make doing it alone. Sometimes the experience is worth the pay cut but don't take a pay cut too long. ;)
 
All advice is good, until you have enough time under belt, although seems that you do. Go with a high end detail or mobile service that pays well! You don't want to be a slave to them. If you are a employee - nothing less than $15.00/hour, a subcontractor 50% at a set location, 60% out in the field (your drive time is worth the additional 10%). If you supply work vehicel, supplies etc, nothing less than 75% of gross! Best of luck finding this - only the very smart employer/contractors will pay this. Stick to your guns and don't settle for less.



I pay $50.00/a day base and 15% comission on anything grossed over $250.00 that day for a helper/trainee (we do more than detail) All subs are guranteed $50.00 mon. to fri. $65.00 on sat. base but receive a 75% commission which ever is greater. My question: why not go solo, as I ask all promissing service techs? As sooner or later you will be my competor!
 
Try Mobile Auto Detailing in Chantilly. The owners name is Randy, I don't know him personallly, but he does have a good operation going, from what I have heard. That way you can learn proper detailing, not some shade tree detailing. My feelings are, just because you can keep your personal car in good shape, that does not make you a detailer. A detailer needs to be able to spot problems, deal with problem paint, know how to remove certain stains, etc.... I always get people trying to show me their personal cars when I do interviews, it means nothing to me. If you look at my car, it's dirty, Im a little busy detailing for people that pay. Just my $.02 worth. If you have no luck, call me, I normally don't need part time help, but I am sure I can find you something.

Scott
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

My feelings are, just because you can keep your personal car in good shape, that does not make you a detailer</blockquote>

The same thing can be said for the "professionals". Just because someone pays you to clean their car does not make you a "Professional". 99% of the "professional" detailers I have met and talked too don't know their @$$ from a hole in the ground. One "professional" even told one of our board members that "sealants are not for daily drivers" Arrggggg :rolleyes:. They use the cheapest products they can find in gallon sizes to keep profits high and overhead low.

There are some good pro detailers, but they are in the minority not the majority.
 
i pretty much agree with what everyone else is saying and definently about your personal car. it doesnt take a good detailer to keep a brand new car looking good just a little maintence. not to mention you could have spent the last week detailing your car. a good detailer needs to be able to do a "good" detail in a timely manner also. i would suggest detailing one of there cars to show your work, yes for free. if it will get you the job it will pay off in the end. i know in my shop i dont hire anyone til i actually see the work they can do, how they do the job, and how long it takes them to do it. which requiers them detailing a car in my shop for free. although i have never not paid anyone for that job at least not anyone that i actually hired. iv also made people stop 5 min. after they started and thanked them for there time.



just my 2 cents.
 
Completed recently@ the shop, this car had a "few issues" as most cars now have from dealers handling the car.

Very understated color, this vehicle had some hard water etching and tree sap droppings, the car came in the week before for a spot repair(deep scratches on drivers side rear door which was spot sanded, levelled and touched up with factory touch up paint).

The owner stated this model has a few things different from the standard
C-63 such as Red calipers and 480 horsepower(going by the customer as I am not up on this model).

At the beginning......

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Dried out trim.

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Trunk riddled with hard water spots and tree sap spots.

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Another "dirty wheel" pic.

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More dry trim.

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Initial 50/50's of "C" pillar.

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After foam compounding stage, although not terrible "C" pillars if they are black always require some effort.

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Tree sap mark and marring on carbon decklid spoiler.

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Another view.

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Corrected trunklid.

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Close up of carbonfiber(the more carbon the better!!!!!).

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Cleaning the tow hook cover, as there was built up polish residue(dealer installed) inside and around the cover.

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Had about 12.5 hours on the car, time for sun pics as the car is now "as new". "C" pillars looking as they should.

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Brill that finish is Bob!! :hurray::hurray::hurray:

It almost looked like the wheels were powder coated with brakedust :-B
 
Looks fantastic. You really pay attention to the little details I've noticed. I guess thats what separates the men from the boys and why they call it detailing.

That car lift must be a great help, especially without outside posts to get in the way.
 
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