So I'm almost guarantee a job at a detailer- What can I learn in a month

G

GoonOnfire

New member
hey guys, I am new to this forum but I figured that this would be an appropriate time to create a username here.



So, my goal of working from home is still in the works, if it goes as planned I'm golden but its that time where I thought to myself "If this is taking so much time, I can handle another job too." So I went out and went to the first auto detailer I could find that was near by, and sure enough the guy who worked there was just getting back from lunch and approached me just as I pulled in. I asked him if they were hiring and that I really wanted to work at a place like this because of how much I love cars, and he told me that in a months time, business will pick up, and that they will need more people. We got off to a really good start, and because of that I believe he will hire me.





So in a months time, what can I learn to be prepared for a detailer job?



Now trust me, I know I could not consider myself a detailer obviously because I've only done my friends/parents cars + mine, but you need to start somewhere.





So any advice?



Thanks!
 
Get some rotary skills, but beyond that, the shop will likely have its own "ways" to do everything, so in most cases they will want you to forget all you learned (and they'll say its wrong).
 
Lol, alright I'll keep that in mind!



While re-reading my post, and then reading all of the posts on this forum of guys fixing lambo's, BMW's and Gtr's, I wanted to say that I hope I didn't come off as too clueless. I understand that detailing takes a long time to get good at, so I just thought I'd point out that by no means was I trying to make it seem like a "1 month to learn" deal.
 
It all depends on the shop, I'm generalising but 99 out of 100 shops are not what you'd call Autopian, just places for everyday folks to get their cars cleaned and shined up.
 
Depends on the shop. Is it a high volume place where most details are wash, 1 step buff, wax and interior? or is it high end cars with picky owners and deep pockets? My guess would be the former not the latter. That said, be prepared to clean some of the most disgusting interiors you have ever seen. On the bright side, you'll have some amazing before & after pics! Dig deep, stick with it and learn all you can. This is boot camp, once you learn the basics, you'll be ready to specialize (if you so choose).

Good luck!
 
JuneBug said:
Depends on the shop. Is it a high volume place where most details are wash, 1 step buff, wax and interior? or is it high end cars with picky owners and deep pockets? My guess would be the former not the latter. That said, be prepared to clean some of the most disgusting interiors you have ever seen. On the bright side, you'll have some amazing before & after pics! Dig deep, stick with it and learn all you can. This is boot camp, once you learn the basics, you'll be ready to specialize (if you so choose).

Good luck!
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Thanks a lot for the advice everyone! I would love to do the before and after pictures, and as you guys said waxing/buffing is huge so the next warm day I get I'll do it!



here is the site



All Pro Detail - Bucks & Philly's Finest Detail Shop, Auto Detailing Phila, Car Detailing Phila, Car Wash Phila, Car Detailing Newtown 18940, Richboro 18954 Langhorne 19047, Willow Grove 19090, Abington Jenkintown 19001, Auto Detailing Pa, Bucks Coun
 
Very tough to say how they will approach the detailing side of their business from that site. I would definitely try to pick up any experience you can with PDR, though.
 
Picus said:
Very tough to say how they will approach the detailing side of their business from that site. I would definitely try to pick up any experience you can with PDR, though.
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....exactly what I was thinking.
 
What is his pay plan?

By the hour or by the car?

Let's say he pays by the car, and it's $30 a car, which is pretty much what the going rate for detail workers, some may be less, some more.

That's gonna mean you got to shove out at least three cars a day, four if you got some cream puffs, to make any money.

Which is why these kinds of shops do not do the kind of work the enthusists here expect.

Money, money, money!

Grumpy
 
My recommendation is to make sure you get really good at cleaning interiors. Unless you have experience with a machine already then you are most likely going to get put on interior duty or just initial wash work. I know I wouldn't put someone who just barely picked up a rotary a month ago on the polishing line. I'd put him on the interior side of things until he has learned the skills needed.



In the end it really depends on the type of operation they are running. Is it a 'Car Wash' or is it a 'Detail Shop'? At a car wash they are just going to go super fast to wipe down as much as they can and they aren't really interested in repairing damage. A detail shop is going to have customers dropping their cars off to be picked up in 8 hours or so. So at a car wash you don't really have to know a whole lot. They are going to either put a towel in your hand or a vacuum. At a detail shop they will be looking for a little more, so I would guess the interview would have given you more information.
 
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