the best detailers.... Shout Out!!

[dr_detail]

This is in response to previous threads & posts...

Who picks these detailers???
What makes them the "Top Detailers"??
What are the standards with witch they are judged??
How come I wasn't called??

I am Arrogant, I am Smug and I am Self-righteous... And I am willing to put my skills, experience, and wisdom where everyones mouth seems to be. I am so !@#$%^ sick of all the BS - Who's The Best Detailer. So and So's the the best 'cause he charges more than anyone else, or has all these fancy gadgets, or takes longer than anyone else, or has some marketing or advertising guru backing him, or has suckers with more $$$$ than brains lining up. This ones the best because he uses this product, or that product, or even makes his own. Oh, this one must be the best, just look at the high deff images.

So here goes -- Send this to AutoWeek, Car and Driver, HotRod Magazine, Robb Report, Meguires, AutoMagic, Mothers, Mark V, Poorboys, AutoGlym, Zymol, Zaino, 3M, anyone and everyone who wants in. I am always up for this type of challenge.

So here goes again my standing offer to any and all - I Am willing to go head to head with any of these so called "top detailers." Lets get together -- bring in a news crew - heck bring in three or four (lets document it --(ABC, NBC, FOX, CNN, BBC, SpeedVision, etc. hope you'll are listening) . Bring in however many we need of same year, same make, close in mileage, in service, standard black and white police cars freshly pulled from any metro police departments motorpool. We'll each have 24 hours total time to perform our magic (every entrant will be allowed one assistant) and demonstrate our skills. Lets just see who's really the best of the best when it comes to detailing. Lets get a panel of unbiased judges ranging from celeb millionaires and avid collectors (Lenno's Got Plenty of time now that he's retired - wink wink) to daily commuters who haven't ever washed their jalopy. Somehow we will need to set-up a standardized judging form, based on a point system - but that can be worked out.

I might get Blown Away and end up going home with my tail between my legs -- but I doubt it.

Pass this around, post it on Myspace, Twitter it, RSS feed it, whatever -- let do this thing though and make it an annual event open to all who think they got what it takes.

Then, and only then will we truly know who is has the bragging rights to honestly call themselves THE BEST DETAILER!!

And until this Mega-Event Happens maybe we can stick to "He (or She) does a __________* job detailing."

Best Regards,

A. Stern

Beautification Specialist/Owner

- - - - - - - - - - -
Custom Auto Detail
www.customautodetail.com


*fill in this blank with a positive adjective

 

[GearHead_1]

You detail, I'll be one of the judges. Oh wait we probably need a celebrity name for this job. We'll need to have PoorBoy fill this roll. Physically I'm not up to the challenge these days (I wish I were) but I would like to see this happen. I really could lend a critical eye, especially if Troy is flying the judges to Florida and putting us up. I can see it all now, The World Detailer's Challenge, sponsored by Detail City and Power Block TV.

 

[Troy@Protekt]

I know I could hold my own with the best of them. Especially if speed were a factor but I'm not going to accept any challenges. Not because I'm scared, but being known as one of the best detailers is just not that important to me.

As far as sponsoring this event, I will leave that up to someone else too. Sounds interesting though.

 

[Garry Dean]

wow

 

[GearHead_1]

As far as sponsoring this event, I will leave that up to someone else too.

Okay, AutoGeek and The Speed Channel with a supporting cast of PoorBoys, Meguiar's, Merzerma and the list goes on. Of course I still want to be flown to Florida.

Troy, I would never suppose to tell you how to spend marketing dollars but my Dad always told me, "don't stumble over dollars picking up pennies." You get the magazine, manufacturer or deep pocket sponsor to front the $$$ and you provide the incidentals like materials or a place to have the competition, let them pick up the prizes, you provide the invitations, product and web support. You instantly become the defacto authority. Think about this, The First Annual World Detailing Challenge sponsored DetailCity.org/com as the experts behind the challenge. I can see you getting some mileage out of that.

Okay, I'm just dreaming, looking for a free ride to Florida. Maybe AG could do something like this during their annual Detail Fest. You could do it by invitation or could get some mileage out of the event by using a contest with before and after pictures in order to qualify for the competition. You could use an open product method (use what you brought) or provide a list of products to choose from (involving more product sponsors providing their products) while limiting the detailer to a given number of products to use on the detail once they've seen what was in front of them. I think this would be cool.

 

[Beemerboy]

Aaron...count me in and make sure that list of autoweek detailers are there as well...I want to make sure that if I'm going to kick someone to the curb...that's its with detailers that have some credentials:rofl


How's that for ego?

Also one last thing...make sure that LD from your area is there..he can show off speed washing

 

[dr_detail]

You get the magazine, manufacturer or deep pocket sponsor to front the $$$ and you provide the incidentals like materials or a place to have the competition, let them pick up the prizes, you provide the invitations, product and web support. You instantly become the defacto authority. Think about this, The First Annual World Detailing Challenge sponsored DetailCity.org/com as the experts behind the challenge....

You could do it by invitation... You could use an open product method (use what you brought) or provide a list of products to choose from (involving more product sponsors providing their products) while limiting the detailer to a given number of products to use on the detail once they've seen what was in front of them. I think this would be cool.

I'm thinking a $50 entrant fee -- and any and all manufactures are welcome to be sponsors if they are willing to give up free products and at least $10K in sponsor money. We might generators, pressure washers, buffers, etc (Honda, Landau, Cat, Makita, Flex, Porter Cable -- you guys listing) more sponsor oppertunities $10K per whack, maybe even display areas -- can we say $150/sqft? This would have to be held someplace that has an extreemly large convention facility, and renting those places isn't cheap

Oh and if this generates a profit I will want my cut.... hell now that I think more about this -- Forget being the best, maybe I might do better as being the promoter -- This could raise quite a bit of hype, hoopla and $$$$$$

 

[audiboy]

Really, who cares? Why can't anyone settle with just knowing their work is top notch anymore? I know I'm better than a lot of people with a lot of things, especially with aircraft mechanics, but I'm not going to scream and stomp my feet if someone else less deserving gets an award over me.

 

[Meghan]

Very interesting thread, I am always amazed at how they come with with these list of the best detailers... after hearing how they really came up with that list I laughed! I would love to see some sort of a Detail Duel, with real detailers judged by those who really know what they are looking for! I am game for jumping in on this, what do you guys think about Detail Fest 2010? Of course we will supply the prize, and we could round up judges, and with all the vendors at Detail Fest, that would not be hard to find professionals that know whats up!

 

[Poorboy]

Was waiting for you to comment on the last thread Doc ...:lol2: I think it's pretty rediculous ... yes I said rediculous to rate detailers !!! I'd like to know how many of these "rated" detailers have detailed National Show winners :notme: ... and in my wildest dreams or nightmares, would i have stopped to pose or take pictures of clients cars when i was detailing. (me retired from the game ) It is one thing for enthusiasts or hobbiest to do this, but as you know, you can't make a living stopping to take pictures.
Another note would be that it would be impossible to get 2,3 or 10 cars that have the same finish, abuse, or defects to make this even possible.
Again who ever thought of this rating system needs to get a new job or hobby

end rant :burn::blabla::nana::rant::kick::bonk::boot"picture""picture":winner::wall

 

[Beemerboy]

Was waiting for you to comment on the last thread Doc ...:lol2: I think it's pretty stupid ... yes I said STUPID to rate detailers !!! I'd like to know how many of these "rated" detailers have detailed National Show winners :notme: ... and in my wildest dreams or nightmares, would i have stopped to pose or take pictures of clients cars when i was detailing. (me retired from the game ) It is one thing for enthusiasts or hobbiest to do this, but as you know, you can't make a living stopping to take pictures.
Another note would be that it would be impossible to get 2,3 or 10 cars that have the same finish, abuse, or defects to make this even possible.
Again who ever thought of this rating system needs to get a new job or hobby

end rant :burn::blabla::nana::rant::kick::bonk::boot"picture""picture":winner::wall

Steve

you missed these icon :rofl:rockon:inspector:

 

[Poorboy]

Steve

you missed these icon :rofl:rockon:inspector:

can't get enough sarcasm with those

 

[GearHead_1]

you can't make a living stopping to take pictures.

Interesting perspective, in many fields/technologies/trades taking pictures is called advertising. Good marketing is about working smarter not harder.

Though there is some truth in what you say about getting cars with equally poor finishes, many competitions have obstacles that aren't exact duplicates, mogul skiing or open water racing comes to mind. I think you could find a fleet of cars that a few detailer's would agree were equally in need.

As far as a need to be ranked, absolutely isn't a need. For me however, I always tried to get every advanced certification, certificate or award I could get within my field. Having the certification didn't mean I was the best but I sure questioned those who couldn't get the certificate. Sometimes the award is simply eye wash but if it gave me any advantage on the competition in the customers eyes I was for it.

This is certainly something that could be pulled off. Would you have all of the best detailer's in the same house at the same time? No way but it would be a place to start and could grow legs of its own. Egos are a marvelous thing.

 

[RaskyR1]

While I think ranking of detailers is silly, I do think this could be fun, and probably a great way to learn new things seeing others working side by side.

I'd be down for doing something like this....just as long as airfare and hotel are included.

 

[Poorboy]

Interesting perspective, in many fields/technologies/trades taking pictures is called advertising. Good marketing is about working smarter not harder.

Though there is some truth in what you say about getting cars with equally poor finishes, many competitions have obstacles that aren't exact duplicates, mogul skiing or open water racing comes to mind. I think you could find a fleet of cars that a few detailer's would agree were equally in need.

As far as a need to be ranked, absolutely isn't a need. For me however, I always tried to get every advanced certification, certificate or award I could get within my field. Having the certification didn't mean I was the best but I sure questioned those who couldn't get the certificate. Sometimes the award is simply eye wash but if it gave me any advantage on the competition in the customers eyes I was for it.

This is certainly something that could be pulled off. Would you have all of the best detailer's in the same house at the same time? No way but it would be a place to start and could grow legs of its own. Egos are a marvelous thing.

i guess I was too busy detailing to think about needing more business, could be the exception to the rule :hmmm: ... again this is car detailing not brain surgery, anyone can do it :notme: ... whether it's a full detail or a "wash and wax" no degree is needed, no certification, no license ..etc ...:inspector: and I have to tell you after 20+ years of car shows, that you will never find the best detailers to bring to an event, because they are all around in all shapes and forms. Just because someone puts up a web site and takes pictures, just means that they want to show off their work or are looking for more business. If I had to pick one of the best detailers I've ever seen, it would awd330. if you saw her daily driver BMW that has dogs driven in it and has been up and down the east coast, you would be blown away :wow: would she enter a contest? not on your life, but would she stop what she's doing to give someone in need a hand, you bet :bigups
I have seen pictures and first hand accounts from some people in the on-line community and there are some good detailers out there... assout:

 

[Beemerboy]

can't get enough sarcasm with those

Were I think that your opinion about this idea being stupid (your words) is somewhat valid. I see this more of a educational / sponsored event.

Meaning that the sponsors would promote there lines and do the advertising of the event. It would be to draw new people in and teach about detailing, sell product really, and then a show cases of professional and amateurs in a mocked up (my words) competition of detailing


As for the best of the best sure it would be hard to find two cars that are identical in condition, but for competition purposes they don't have to be really, meaning the judging is bench marked against original and finished condition. The panel of judges would be the ones to select the cars for competition so to level the playing field. This would be for paint correction only, unless you broke it down to exterior and interior competition.


All that said do I think I need or want the recognition of being the best detailer? In Sonoma County YES! why? because of the local visibility it would bring me, on a national level for me no but if I had a fixed location and was full time yes!

What would it mean? that I have bragging rights and a fancy award that I could hang on the wall. It could also bring national awareness of your talent. I'm sure that Autoweek article brought that to those top 9 detailers ..look how many jumped on me about questioning this guy about a 16 hour detail. One would think that I had smacked the higher power in the face

Lastly the event would be fun IMO again from education and being around like minded people.

 

[Meghan]

I am all for it, seems like a great idea, and yes fun and educational. Isnt that why we are all here to enjoy our jobs, and share information with each other. I cannot see not supporting any event or opportunity to do so, so count me in! Heck we will even sponsor the products, PM me with your ideas and we will put something together for detail fest. I would love to see some cars in bad shape that owners have given up on, then you guys bring them back to life! :wow:

 

[GearHead_1]

I just see too many wins in doing something like this. Anything that brings a greater appreciation to the niche market quality detailer's work in is a good thing. Anything that brings a little more recognition to quality products is good for the business. Putting the names of quality manufacturer's in front of the masses, opens eyes and the wallets of new customers. Steve, I respect your opinion but I don't see your point. The only thing I see here that is "stupid" is watching someone else pick up customers that quality business owners need for themselves. Exposure is good.

 

[Beemerboy]

I am all for it, seems like a great idea, and yes fun and educational. Isnt that why we are all here to enjoy our jobs, and share information with each other. I cannot see not supporting any event or opportunity to do so, so count me in! Heck we will even sponsor the products, PM me with your ideas and we will put something together for detail fest. I would love to see some cars in bad shape that owners have given up on, then you guys bring them back to life! :wow:

Megan,

Its great that AG would want to sponsor something like this, but your motivation is from selling products and increasing your market gain...Not that its a bad thing but your a tad over zealous about the sponsor thing, you've mentioned if twice in this thread:rofl

 

[Poorboy]

I just see too many wins in doing something like this. Anything that brings a greater appreciation to the niche market quality detailer's work in is a good thing. Anything that brings a little more recognition to quality products is good for the business. Putting the names of quality manufacturer's in front of the masses, opens eyes and the wallets of new customers. Steve, I respect your opinion but I don't see your point. The only thing I see here that is "stupid" is watching someone else pick up customers that quality business owners need for themselves. Exposure is good.

ranking and ratings are too subjective to be judged ... who would say who could be in it and who could not? would everyone be invited ... what would be the process of elimination? can you remove a swirl or scratch? would everyone be using the same products? same pads? same machines? would all cars have the same paint? made on the same day?
too many variables !!!

ok maybe the word stupid is too harsh ... and yes exposure is good but to make it a competition, have ratings?