What makes a great Click N Brag???

I like

1. a product listing tools, pads and chemicals

2. I like a few in focus photo's from before starting, before each step, and the final product

3. I like to be talked through the detail along the way- why the person did what they did and if something worked especially well or poorly

4. I like to know if there was a positive or negative surprise in working on the car.

5. Unless the video is done well I would just assume skip it. I can't edit video so I don't include any.

6. I also really appreciate useful tips that I can incorporate into my details.



That's about it.
 
Threads I like:



daily drivers

anything with a significant before and after

interior detailing



I no longer click on the exotics or any new car threads. most of them already look nice even before the detail. so you took out a few swirls on a new ferrari, woopty doo.



what I hate the most is the exaggeration that goes on in many thread titles. "trashed lambo" or "hammered porsche" then I click on the thread expecting tar, scuffs, oxidation, the aftermath of a brillo pad washed car, or anything that is more than just everyday surface scratches and all I see a car with some moderate swirls.
 


Detailer’s Domain for me is a good example. It shows what was done, how and with what products and tools, along with a few (operative word here) photographs for illustration.



An instructional post as opposed to an advertisement...
 
DS8 said:
Threads I like:



daily drivers

anything with a significant before and after

interior detailing



I no longer click on the exotics or any new car threads. most of them already look nice even before the detail. so you took out a few swirls on a new ferrari, woopty doo.



what I hate the most is the exaggeration that goes on in many thread titles. "trashed lambo" or "hammered porsche" then I click on the thread expecting tar, scuffs, oxidation, the aftermath of a brillo pad washed car, or anything that is more than just everyday surface scratches and all I see a car with some moderate swirls.
Click to expand...





Only 16 replies............................. tell us how you feel.................... well here we go AGAIN. Here are a few "Exotics" with just minor swirls.





From scoured.





old023.jpg






To this.





DH030.jpg






DH056.jpg






Here is a Ferrari with "Woopty do" scratches.





new028.jpg






HouseGT3RSCook3557-31-10040.jpg






Just some surfaces wash marring here.





HouseGT3RSCook3557-31-10038.jpg






These scratches look like a "One step" to me..........................





HouseGT3RSCook3557-31-10034.jpg






More marring you could fix with some "Hand polish".





ByronJohnsonNSX5-31-10039.jpg






A little glaze would fix this up.





IMG_3679.jpg






This thread once again Dave stirred up the poo, sorry to some of you I do not have a 1997 Suburban with manure dumped in the back, and McDonalds fries stuck to the headliner(Just one of the many vehicles I did in the not so recent past like 1994-2000 to be accurate) and even though I have explained many times(Too many to count) why I do not have a step by step tutorial of pad speed, atmospheric temps and what music is playing in the shop and how many drops of the latest whizbang product I utilized................................... this info sure seems to be important to some as they mention it directly(Mush mouth..............suprised you commented on this thread..............).



Memo to some......................... if you do not have a pristine exotic to work on today..................market yourself to get one and be silent, do your own research and learn the craft and quit bashing those(Like myself) who depend on their business for their sole income. This thread is class warfare defined once again...............good job, Ken @ Autowerks had it right as this is another useless thread.
 
TOGWT said:


Detailer’s Domain for me is a good example. It shows what was done, how and with what products and tools, along with a few (operative word here) photographs for illustration.



An instructional post as opposed to an advertisement...[/COLOR]
Click to expand...






Really Jon, I like Phil but he is showcasing products he sells on a e-commerce website so his write -up would just be for the good of the community? the bias here is just as bad as the liberal media at the present moment.............and info for free..................I have covered what you are about many times have I not(Your hypocrisy in this matter is unbelievable).



Remember kids.................I USE to post everything I did, but some of you here called me a schill and I was also burned locally in my market with being free and easy with my knowledge as no good deed goes unpunished.





I will put up the nice cars in spite of some of you, as there are people who enjoy them and that is a fact.
 
How do you really feel Bob?

Aren't we (the poor unwashed masses of car wash boys) entitled to our opinion? Let me answer that - yes, hell yes, we are.

Everybody knows you do excellant work and you do very high dollar cars, that's great, I wish you the best and hope you live long and prosper as ol Spock would say.

But, the question was - what makes a great C&B - in other words, what in your opinion makes it?

I don't think David was stirring the pot or pointing any fingers, certainly not at any one person.



You know you can't please everybody and some of us would rather see details that we can relate to our own business.
 
Mush-Mouth said:
I agree with ^^^



Detailing a new exotic with some swirls just wastes forum bandwidth. I bet most people could care less unless it is a complete dissaster. And show me what you did, with what products or I'm clicking the back button. I know this isn't rocket science and most of the pros are pretty much using the same products, but I still like to read more then just a bunch of before and after pictures of swirls.
Click to expand...



I can agree to an extent, but we've all done dirty interior jobs and details before. If the title says McLaren F1, I'm much more likely to click on it to read than if it said 1996 Ford Contour.



When someone works on a uber rare car though, I do appreciate when they mention if the paint was hard or soft, finicky? That's helpful for future if I go to quote a similar job.
 
I will say after stopping in at Luci's shop and seeing first hand how bad these defects are on these brand new exotics, I definitely have to agree with Bob on the daily driver bit. Not only are these brand new exotics riddled with heavy defects, but they are VERY low to the ground with much more challenging panels to polish.



Personally I don't really care what the car is, I just like seeing great transformations taking place. :)
 
David Fermani said:
64 members and 330 views, but only 16 responders (so far).



There's always a steady flow of people reading the Click N Brags. You're obviously clicking on these threads, but what is preventing your from giving your input?



WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WHEN YOU READ THOUGH THIS FORUM????
Click to expand...



We need to remember that what we, as detailers, are looking for in a C&B might be different from what a visitor here is looking for. And we aren't hearing from those visitors about what they are looking for. I resisted posting my work for a long time in large part because I don't seek the back slapping of my peers, though I do appreciate the referrals when someone seeks a detailer in my area. I don't work on super cars every day. I do a lot of daily and weekend drivers. My posts serve more as a sampling of my work for potential customers than to "brag" and it has been effective. Everyone has a different objective when they post. For those looking for approval from everyone here this thread can help them focus on grabbing that attention.





For the record: I will always be clicking on Rasky's C&Bs from now on.:eyebrows:
 
•The vehicle being worked on? Anything's fine if it needs actual rejuvenation of any sort.

•The condition of the vehicle? Radical recoveries are more fun. A few nice exotics once in a while. Mid-range cars with nice recoveries are fun.

•Level of transformation? I like more drastic before's and after's. I like to see stuff taken apart... emblems removed, wheels, etc. Also, it is nice to see a few images from the interior, exterior, engine bay, wheels, door jambs, everything!

•Catchy title? Makes no difference.

•Time spent on vehicle? Nice to hear about if it concerns radical resto's.

•Before & after pictures documenting the improvement? Yes, but would rather see a greater number of different shots of various vehicle components than hundreds of swirl shots.

•Full explanation of the process & products used? Yes, the best are the ones where the poster has a sort of set "system" of listing all products

•Pictures of you/assistant working on the vehicle? Why not?

•High quality pictures? Does make a difference.

•Amount of pictures (extensive/moderate)? More, but of distinct processes, rather than extensive "condition" shots.

•Video – yes or no? In some cases... especially from those who have it down pat.

•Full sun pictures? One or two at the end to show that "**** it really looks great!"

•Background description of vehicle? A bit, especially for unique cars.

•How the client was attained? Eh...

•Cost of detail listed? Eh...



It's also interesting to see nice shops in the background for insight as to how people are setting up their lighting,

etc. Nice to see it all in action, even the microscopes and that sort of o.t.t. stuff!
 
Nice thread. It does help with those who are amateurs at posting our work. Personally I like anything that appeals to the novice and pro alike.
 
Auto Concierge said:
Only 16 replies............................. tell us how you feel.................... well here we go AGAIN. Here are a few "Exotics" with just minor swirls.





From scoured.







To this.





Here is a Ferrari with "Woopty do" scratches.







Just some surfaces wash marring here.







These scratches look like a "One step" to me..........................





More marring you could fix with some "Hand polish".





A little glaze would fix this up.



This thread once again Dave stirred up the poo, sorry to some of you I do not have a 1997 Suburban with manure dumped in the back, and McDonalds fries stuck to the headliner(Just one of the many vehicles I did in the not so recent past like 1994-2000 to be accurate) and even though I have explained many times(Too many to count) why I do not have a step by step tutorial of pad speed, atmospheric temps and what music is playing in the shop and how many drops of the latest whizbang product I utilized................................... this info sure seems to be important to some as they mention it directly(Mush mouth..............suprised you commented on this thread..............).



Memo to some......................... if you do not have a pristine exotic to work on today..................market yourself to get one and be silent, do your own research and learn the craft and quit bashing those(Like myself) who depend on their business for their sole income. This thread is class warfare defined once again...............good job, Ken @ Autowerks had it right as this is another useless thread.
Click to expand...





sounds like I rustled some feathers. whats wrong with 16 posts? you prefer to post more often, I prefer to lurk. this thread is all about our preferences.



if you noticed the first thing i sad was:



Threads I like:



daily drivers

anything with a significant before and after

interior detailing
Click to expand...



you definitely seem upset about the second part of my post. you went on to post only exceptions. I'm sure for every car you posted you have done 10 easy-peasy 1 step exotics. those kinds of jobs are no longer impressive to me because this board is saturated with them. those threads are a dime a dozen. what irks me though is the misuse of "hammered", "trashed" or any other variant. I am not saying it happens in every thread, or that you yourself exaggerate, but exaggeration does occur. I actually like the true "hammered" threads. Again this thread is about what we like in click in brag threads. excuse me for voicing my opinion.
 
Auto Concierge said:




This thread once again Dave stirred up the poo, sorry to some of you I do not have a 1997 Suburban with manure dumped in the back, and McDonalds fries stuck to the headliner(Just one of the many vehicles I did in the not so recent past like 1994-2000 to be accurate) and even though I have explained many times(Too many to count) why I do not have a step by step tutorial of pad speed, atmospheric temps and what music is playing in the shop and how many drops of the latest whizbang product I utilized................................... this info sure seems to be important to some as they mention it directly(Mush mouth..............suprised you commented on this thread..............).



Memo to some......................... if you do not have a pristine exotic to work on today..................market yourself to get one and be silent, do your own research and learn the craft and quit bashing those(Like myself) who depend on their business for their sole income. This thread is class warfare defined once again...............good job, Ken @ Autowerks had it right as this is another useless thread.
Click to expand...




I've only worked on one exotic that was is very good shape, every other one only looked good from afar, just as you showed in your pictures. Just because it's an exotic doesn't mean it's an easy job, that notion is ridiculous and can only be said by someone who hasn't worked on any or many. Exotics are often worse off because the owner is constantly "wiping down" the car to keep it clean and shiny, not realizing all the damage he's doing in the process. A daily doesn't get this treatment because, well, it's a daily and won't be constantly getting wiped down, not to say dailies aren't harmed in other ways but we all know that.



To others, hating on someone that works almost exclusively on exotics is just that, hating. If you can only get minivans to work on, great for you, but don't bash on anyone who gets exotics to work on. Fact of the matter is, noone who does this for a living would turn down an exotic to work on unless they are not sure of their skills and fear damaging the car and having to pay a grip to fix it. I don't know of anyone to goes out marketing to just get that beat up minivan.



I think it's hypocritical for "some" people to bash posts as advertisements and some big names around here do just that, and have not tried to hide that fact. So what? Get your business, that's what it's all about. If you use it as marketing, great, if you don't and just want to post "how to's", that's great too. I think envy and jealousy play too big a role in the detailing arena.



Back to the thread topic. When I first got to this forum, I read everything Todd Helme put out, and reread, and reread some more, never seen such extensive and time consuming posts than what he did and still does. Nowadays, I make sure I check out Bob's threads as he's straight to the point, shows clear before and afters, includes full on sun/lighting shots (some people don't), and his work is the best around. And sure, seeing the eye candy he's working on that day doesn't hurt, but it's truly impressive the turnarounds he makes on those "easy exotics".
 
Automania said:
My goodness the testosterone levels in here are very high! we have managed to turn a perfectly good thread into a BALLS BUSTING DEBATE
Click to expand...



careful, mr high and mighty on his prancing pony might look down on your low post count.
 
DS8 said:
careful, mr high and mighty on his prancing pony might look down on your low post count.
Click to expand...





Mr "High n Mighty" was quoting Dave Fermani on how many posts were made up to the point where I had to point out this is "Have click n brags jumped the shark" part deux, always a good idea to notice the small or obvious details...................you know like doing a proper detail.



Here is what in my opinion constitutes a good or really good write up.





1. Quality

2. No embellishment

3. Pics that show correction(Paint/leather/trim....etc)

4. Vehicle does not matter as long as the above is demonstrated.



This thread was benign until the "Usual suspects" came in with the " I am a lowly detailer and guys in sunny California are doing exotics while getting a tan card" was pulled.



Why cannot someone just worry about growing their business no matter how it is formed? I like working on nice cars................ and I even admit to liking attractive women(Happily married so don't go there) nice homes, anything done or built with quality and craftsmanship in mind. If you live in a region of the USA that is not swimming with nice cars this is not my or your fault..........it just is, like am I fortunate in the sense that I do not reside in a third world country(Yes I am) but the world is envious of the USA just like the displayed envy on this thread.



I will say it AGAIN, I am a carguy.............so if you do mini-vans or other crapbox vehicles that is enough because that is honest hard work, but I PAID MY DUES in spades a longtime ago so nobody has the right to judge me nor I them.
 
This is exactly why I quit posting threads on here. I Its been 2 months since the last C&B I did. Its a complete waste of time. No matter how good of a detail you do or what type vehicle you do, it boils down to who is posting it. Some people are way better at marketing and expressing their detail. Even if they embellish it or exaggerate the level of work. This forum and industry has turned simply into politics. No matter what members post on here, there opinions are null and void. It only matters what the quest who are not members would say. There are 1000:1 quests to members looking at threads. Most members who comment simply congratulate. Which leads back to the last version of this thread, where I argued its all arrogance and ego. This whole industry has become back stabbing politics. Unless your part of the super friends club, no one will give two ***** what someone says or the threads they post. I have heard plenty of members that I see on forums/online act like they are best friends to one another and then in person will bash the crap out of them.



If a potential customer finds me on here, they will be able to see plenty of my work that I have done. Enough to the point they can go to my website and contact me.



So David, if your out to make the C&B better, its a losing battle. No matter what anyone does, you will have the group that only looks at higher end cars, the group that only cares about dramatic differences, groups that only care about the C&B that post product/procedures and the super friends group who only venture into their friends threads or other big name people.



My two cents...



-Mike
 
David Fermani said:
64 members and 330 views, but only 16 responders (so far).



There's always a steady flow of people reading the Click N Brags. You're obviously clicking on these threads, but what is preventing your from giving your input?



WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WHEN YOU READ THOUGH THIS FORUM????



WHAT ARE YOUR HOT BUTTONS????
Click to expand...



This thought.... I think it looks odd (and a little insecure) when the OP bumps the thread before anyone has responded, or asks why people haven't. Let people respond or not respond. Otherwise it looks needy. Just my opinion.
 
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