Who is going to Mobile Tech Expo?

Ronkh

Ronkh

Wax Waster
As the title asks...........

I was thinking of doing a run up on Thurs.

Anyone up for lunch ?
 
I'll be there! And would love to have lunch or dinner one of those nights. Let me know if you're going and I can check our schedule.
 
I'm trying to decide between Friday or Saturday. Anyone up for dinner Friday night? I think I will have some new Poorboy's World gear to give out.
 
I took several detailing classes Thursday, and a few more Friday. The class I enjoyed the most was the Rupes Nano system introduction, with Todd Helme and Jason Rose.

Friday the Expo floor opened and I actually got to use the Rupes Nano, and it is a great tool! Also tried the Mark II versions of the 21 & 15.

Stopped by the Optimum booth and said 'hello' to Dr. G and tried out the Zentool Mini. It was not bad, and at $199 a good tool for the money.

Stopped by the Autogeek booth and said 'hello' to Nick, but did not try out the GG Boss system.

There were lots of companies selling PDR tools - wow they have a lot of tools to use on those dents! 100's of different rods - some with 'picks' & some with spades, dollies, hammers, lights and light stands (I was drooling over these - they would work great with my LED lights! And they have wheels!). I watched some of the Dent Olympics, and I am amazed every time I a PDR person work!

There were also several companies selling portable, inflatable work spaces, and these things are amazing! Some can be used as a portable paint booth (with air filtration included), can be heated or cooled, and are about 20 feet long, so they would fit in a driveway Some required constant air (like a bounce house), but one was sealed so you blow it up and remove the air unit. And they set up in about 10 minutes!

A very cool experience, and I will plan to attend next year.
 
As per request. I only took pictures with me in them sorry. :)

me-and-the-rupes-boys.jpgme-and-yvan.jpgmen-and-dr-g.jpg
Me with the Rupes boys - I finally met Yvan - Dr.G learning how to buff paint from the master. :redface:

I've been to a couple of these years ago so it wasn't really new to me. That's the reason there are no other pictures.
 
By the way, got to play with the Rupes Mark II...... Awesome machine! I have 2 Zentools so I can't justify getting one right now but it's on my wish list. I strayed from Rupes because I wanted more power. This new machine has all you will ever need. Felt so nice and smooth too. :bigups
 
Did you try the Rupes Nano system with the long and short extension? I'm planning to buy the long version, it just seems like it would be more useful. Any thoughts?
 
I didn't hang out at that booth long enough. Other guys were playing with them.

To be honest, the nanos just don't interest me much. I've got 3" for my da and rotary and I'm good with that.
 
I went up Friday morning and stayed to Saturday evening.
Friday I got to spend some informative time with Jason Rose, Todd Helme, Mike Stoops, Corey Caruth, Tom Palancia, to name a few and all the awesome folks from the IDA.
Saturday I took the IDA Skills Validation test. This is a hands on test with four vehicles and four IDA CD-SV, RT folks. The test covers Prep-Wash, interior, Exterior & Final Prep.

I'm proud to say I passed with flying colors.

Mike Moore, CD-SV
IDA-CD-SV-small.png
 
Merlin said:
I went up Friday morning and stayed to Saturday evening.
Friday I got to spend some informative time with Jason Rose, Todd Helme, Mike Stoops, Corey Caruth, Tom Palancia, to name a few and all the awesome folks from the IDA.
Saturday I took the IDA Skills Validation test. This is a hands on test with four vehicles and four IDA CD-SV, RT folks. The test covers Prep-Wash, interior, Exterior & Final Prep.

I'm proud to say I passed with flying colors.

Mike Moore, CD-SV
IDA-CD-SV-small.png
Click to expand...


I've known your work for many years..... For some reason, you having to test to pass the ida test I find both amusing and unnecessary. But I guess the cert adds eyeball credibility.
 
Ronkh said:
I've known your work for many years..... For some reason, you having to test to pass the ida test I find both amusing and unnecessary. But I guess the cert adds eyeball credibility.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your kind words. I feel the IDA adds credibility to our trade. IMHO the CD-SV tests separate what we do from the "Bucket Brigade".
Truthfully, the tests were more than I expected. An example...Identify Tannin and Protein stains. Then correctly remove w/process & products etc.
Each test was about 30-40 "items" (that the RT's scored you on) that you had to do without any assistance from the RT that administered the exam.
The "Hands on" (no assistance) Skill Validated test (in front of the RT) can be taken after you complete the ten exams to become a Certified Detailer.
Just a FYI - Jason Rose was there with me on Saturday. He was also taking the same Skills Validation (SV) tests from the same IDA CD-SV, RT folks.
 
Merlin said:
Thank you for your kind words. I feel the IDA adds credibility to our trade. IMHO the CD-SV tests separate what we do from the "Bucket Brigade".
Truthfully, the tests were more than I expected. An example...Identify Tannin and Protein stains. Then correctly remove w/process & products etc.
Each test was about 30-40 "items" (that the RT's scored you on) that you had to do without any assistance from the RT that administered the exam.
The "Hands on" (no assistance) Skill Validated test (in front of the RT) can be taken after you complete the ten exams to become a Certified Detailer.
Just a FYI - Jason Rose was there with me on Saturday. He was also taking the same Skills Validation (SV) tests from the same IDA CD-SV, RT folks.
Click to expand...


I know it adds credibility to customers, but I got a hard time wrapping my head around someone testing you, now Jason as well.
 
Ronkh said:
I know it adds credibility to customers, but I got a hard time wrapping my head around someone testing you, now Jason as well.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's just for customers. Most customers (at this time...more on that later) don't even know what the IDA is.
Consumers do know what an ASE mechanic is. IMHO, In our industry the CD-SV cert separates the wheat from the chaff.
Certifications do not make the detailer. I do not feel having these IDA certs will bring a single new client to my doorstep.
What I do feel is that having these certs will insure the detailer has the basic knowledge to correctly undertake the tasks.
As in many professions...certs may get you in the door, but your abilities once you are in the door, are what keep you inside.
 
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