My day at Manheim Auto Auction.......

[CARWAX]

I recently went to the auction to help a friend do some pin striping on some cars/trucks.When we were done, I asked him to go with me into the detail area, as I still do some detailing,I wanted to see the setup.



In the front of the doors was the wash bay.Typical of the area, trash everywhere, standing water,and the clean up guys were in the middle of prepping some cars.



When done washing, the cars were simply pulled forward, and some more people began to clean out the interior.As they were doing this,the cars simply drip dried.Now, there were to lines of vehicles,so the samething was being done in two rows.

As soon as they were done removing the debris, the had at least five Therminator extractors to clean the interiors.



When this was finished, the vehicle was pulled forward, and then the detailer simply took his bottle of blue poilsh/compound and put it on the vehicle.The cars were still wet from the wash bay!



As soon as the buffing was done,(with wool pads) the cars/truck were pulled forward again, and wiped down,and windows were done, and tire dressing was put on.



I was told by my friend that they can do at least 50 cars/trucks/vans a day with this system.I simply said these people work very hard.On a good day, I could only do 3 details a day at my former dealership.Many of these vehicles were pig stighs also.I am sure these cars are the same.



So, after seeing this high volume operation, and how hard some people work,I can only be amused as I see some of these "dirty" cars the so called detailers here work on.And I am amazed at the price you get to clean these already clean cars.



So, if you ever get the opportunity, go check out a auction,or a detail shop,and see how it is done!Then you will appreciate your customers.

 

[Scottwax]

They must have buffed the black Mercedes I saw today.

Horrible rotary swirls and burnt paint, it was so beautiful after all their hard work.

 

[RTexasF]

Sounds more like a hack job to get the vehicles sold, not detailing in my book.

 

[Bigpoppa3346]

The work they do is total garbage. Compounding with a wool pad and not finishing with a final polish? Unacceptable.

 

[imported_paradigm]

So, after seeing this high volume operation, and how hard some people work,I can only be amused as I see some of these "dirty" cars the so called detailers here work on.And I am amazed at the price you get to clean these already clean cars.

interesting perspective you have. the quote above sounds like:



1. you have no idea what is involved with a quality detail if you refer to many of the experts here as "so called detailers"

2. you do not realize high volume has nothing to do with QUALITY

3. the phrase "you get what you pay for" comes to mind...



if i misinterpreted the quote above, please correct me.

 

[Bigpoppa3346]

interesting perspective you have. the quote above sounds like:



1. you have no idea what is involved with a quality detail if you refer to many of the experts here as "so called detailers"

2. you do not realize high volume has nothing to do with QUALITY

3. the phrase "you get what you pay for" comes to mind...



if i misinterpreted the quote above, please correct me.

Totally agree. This guy has absolutely no clue about proper detailing if he thinks that what he posted is even remotely acceptable work.

 

[David Fermani]

interesting perspective you have. the quote above sounds like:



1. you have no idea what is involved with a quality detail if you refer to many of the experts here as "so called detailers"

2. you do not realize high volume has nothing to do with QUALITY

3. the phrase "you get what you pay for" comes to mind...



if i misinterpreted the quote above, please correct me.

Are you saying that you can't produce quality and high volume at the same time? If so, you're completely wrong. As far as the auction environment is concerned, there isn't an auction out there that mandates quality in their detailing. Even the Barrett Jackson auction (different)has cars running through it all "hacked up". If the end user/customer/buyer isn't wanting quality, then why do it? The auction doesn't need to concentrate on quality, they concentrate how many cars they can do in a day. Dealers aren't turning them down if they have swirls in the paint or the carpets are soaked with water. So yes, they get what they pay for = $0.

 

[imported_paradigm]

no, DF...i am saying that what the OP stated implies that high volume automatically = quality. i definitely understand that some people/shops are capable of both, but insulting autopians by saying the "so called detailers here" and he is "amused" at us after seeing the "high volume operations, and how hard some people work" is ridiculous. to use the reverse logic, he is stating that since autopians usually work slower and do less cars, then the quality is less and we do not work as hard as "some people work".



again, perhaps i am reading the OP's statements incorrectly, but it seems to translate to simple trolling and bashing on autopians.

 

[PhaRO]

So, after seeing this high volume operation, and how hard some people work,I can only be amused as I see some of these "dirty" cars the so called detailers here work on.And I am amazed at the price you get to clean these already clean cars.

Many of the detailers here are not getting paid to clean already clean cars. They are getting paid to DETAIL clean (or dirty) cars. A car can be clean and still look terrible. This is especially true with the exteriors. There is also a huge difference between a coverup approach to detailing and a corrective approach. Buffing out a car with a rotary and a single product is a horrible approach IMO. You will correct some problems and create others in the process. After a washing or two the finish will look horrible. Buffer tracks (swirls) will be everywhere. I also suspect there is very little concern on the person buffing about how much clear is taken off so clearcoat failure may happen. Churning out dozens of cars a day is certainly hard work. Good thing hard work isn't the only thing people get paid for.

 

[RTexasF]

no, DF...i am saying that what the OP stated implies that high volume automatically = quality. i definitely understand that some people/shops are capable of both, but insulting autopians by saying the "so called detailers here" and he is "amused" at us after seeing the "high volume operations, and how hard some people work" is ridiculous. to use the reverse logic, he is stating that since autopians usually work slower and do less cars, then the quality is less and we do not work as hard as "some people work".



again, perhaps i am reading the OP's statements incorrectly, but it seems to translate to simple trolling and bashing on autopians.

That's the way I take it too. A slap in the face to members here.

 

[Flexin]

To start off. I own a detail shop. I do retail and dealer work. I also have my dealers license now so I have been to the auction a few times.



All they are doing is preping or cleaning the cars. It makes it easier to sell. The dealer get a better look at the car with it clean. But your wrong if you think that is detailing. The cars go from the auction to the mechanic then to the detail bar or sent out to the another detail shop. These cars are not even close to being detail when they enter the auction. They guys doing these cars don't have the time to detail a car. Lets look at the numbers.



At least 50 cars per day. You didn't say how many people were working these two lines but it doesn't matter to me. Lets say they are putting in a 10 hour day.



50 cars a day

2 lanes = 25 cars per lane.

10 hours/day = 2.5 cars per hour per lane. (3.125 in an 8 hour day)

60 minutes in a hour. 2.5 cars per hour = 24 minutes per car. (19.2 minutes in an 8 hour day)



So on a good day they have 24 minutes to wash body and rims, vacuum and extract the interior, buff the paint with a one step product, clean windows and dress tires. Lets say they had 1 person per tire so they dressed them in a minute. that leaves 23 minutes for everything else. That leaves 5.75 minutes to wash the car. 5.75 minutes to vacuum and extract the interior. 5.75 to buff the paint. 5.75 to clean the windows. Thats amazing in it self. But you didn't say anything about detailing the interior. Detailing the dash. Cleaning the coffee/pop mix gel out of the cup holders. The drinks spilled into the map holders. The three pieces of gum stuck to the carpet. The spare tire well. Or engine. :idea Lets make all thats left (and I didn't name all that could be wrong) one job. That now gives you 4.6 minutes for each job (wash/vac and extract/buff/windows/and all the rest).



I'll I have to say is DAMN. If in those 24 minutes max these people are doing the same level of work the "so called detailers" on this site are doing. I will pay for their airfare and a place to live here. Include lunch 4 weeks vacation to start and $45000/year.



James

 

[imported_rydawg1]

I have an auto sales business also. I have seen and fixed the worst of the hacked vehicles. I have done thousands of them and I can tell they are all the same....Hacked!



Most buyers of these wonderful swirled cars think of it as an easy fix...."Oh it just needs wax" and it will be brand new! Sad Sad Sad!!!!



It keeps most of us skilled detailers in business though!



Funny part is though! When I buy cars, I will look for untouched and unmolested cars, but they bring in more money than a newly buffed/swirled car! Someday they will realize they are wasting there money and time.

 

[David Fermani]

There is also a huge difference between a coverup approach to detailing and a corrective approach. Buffing out a car with a rotary and a single product is a horrible approach IMO. You will correct some problems and create others in the process. After a washing or two the finish will look horrible. Buffer tracks (swirls) will be everywhere. I also suspect there is very little concern on the person buffing about how much clear is taken off so clearcoat failure may happen.

Covering up a condition on the paint is one thing, but 1 step polishing a vehicle is acceptable and advantageous if that's what the car needs. If done correctly(without a wool pad), swirls won't occur and the paint will look deeper(correction). Alot of the 1 step products have similar protection as a basic carnuba wax and lasts about the same time frame. Also, 1-step buffing(done correctly) won't remove any paint. There's different schools of thought involved, it all depends on the outcome your reaching for. I've corrected 1000's of auction cars that were just wool padded. Most of the them just needed proper finishing(glazing/polishing). The products/process I used, lasted atleast 90 days(protection wise) and swirls never came back.

 

[CERTAUTO]

You are a bit wrong in saying that they did a hack job i am a dealer and attend manheim on a regular basis the cars that come out of there are by far not great but trust me ive seen much worse from so called professionals in my area... Also the whole town of manheim is related to the automotived industry there are many great detail shops there and if you want to see a great detail come from a high volume shop look at Adcock brothers cars when your at manheim again they do a huge volume and the cars look great

 

[TortoiseAWD]

So, after seeing this high volume operation, and how hard some people work,I can only be amused as I see some of these "dirty" cars the so called detailers here work on.And I am amazed at the price you get to clean these already clean cars.

Man, I wish I'd seen this thread sooner . . .



What was the purpose of the original post? I've read it several times, CARWAX, and the only point seems to be to look down your nose at some of our members. So-called detailers? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Does that little put-down make you feel better about the hack work you do at the dealership? Let me guess: a broom for the wash, dunked in a barrel of dirty water that's been used for every other car that day, filthy shop towels to dry, greasy silicone oils on the tires and dash, all followed up with a full-of-fillers one-step on a rotary that will hide all your shoddy work, right? To paraphrase, I can only be amused as I see some of these "prepped" cars the so-called dealership detailers work on.



What, does that offend you? It's really no different from what you did, though, is it? I made assumptions about how hard you labor and the quality of your work, and then I worked it into a sarcastic insult. This is an example of how NOT to behave on Autopia.



I'm closing this thread, because I really don't see how anything useful will come from it.

Tort

(moderator)