Pro-Techt : Bill decided to leave after members complained to the Webmaster about his conduct and a debate ensued .by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Gina : I'm not saying it is easy or will work every time , but salesmanship is what's needed . Treat price demands asobjections to be overcome and not as arguments to be refuted : Example : Phone caller : ....Why can't you give me a price instead of my having to come in for an estimate . Detailer : We don't go the " estimate " route. We first examineby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Larry : I'm not going say much when a man is not here to defend himself . The forum goes through slow periods sometimes. I like to think that the quality of information, humorous comments and so on are more important than the sheer volume of posts . If you get bored, I recommend reading the hardback edition of "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand . If you are asby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Ketch- ( Assuming you were taking issue with my post ) If you go back and re-read my post, you'll see that I was talking about the ease of washing off bugs if there is a lot of wax or sealant on the surfaces--- ---NOT claiming that wax prevents damage from bugs that stay on the surface. And while I'm thinking about it, Here are some tools to consider for bug and tar remby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
I'd like to add that there are ways to prevent bugs from sticking to the surfaces as well : Meguiar's recommends using 3 or 4 extra coats of wax to keep bugs from getting as much of a hold on the paint. I just applied a coat of Zaino's Z-AIO and one coat of Z2 Pro over it and found I could wash the bugs off with easier than before . An old truck driver trick isby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Members : I think it would be great to make a compilation of tips on Bug and Tar Removal . So far, the only compilation I've edited is the one on Glass Cleaning. If you like the idea, post your bug and tar removing methods here and we'll see what happens. I'll start it off : NOTE- Before removing bugs and tar, wash the vehicle. That way, you won't end up scrapingby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Everyone : Are there any new developments in glass cleaning. Add your tips now if you wish... Doug Here's the Glass Cleaning Compendium , reprinted for everyone's convenience : Re: Glass cleaning--Accumulated Wisdom Posted by: Doug Delmont (IP Logged) Date: June 01, 2007 11:48AM Here is a quote of Ron Ketcham from a past thread : " Dedicated surgical towels, washby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
If the part is plastic, I'd use the APC and a stiff brush or the Meg. HD Vinyl Cleaner or equivalent . Dougby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Oops, I misunderstood the question. What happened here is NuFinish, a polymer sealant containing cleaners was applied to a flat black metal surface -correct ? The best way to remove the mess would probably be to brush on mineral spirits or a Naptha-based product like PPG Acrilikleen or Prepsol . Then towel off the dissolved sealant. Do this At Your Own Risk, of course. Otherwisby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud : If you restored half a headlight in front of the customer, you'd run the risk of teaching him how to do it himself . Also, he might consider it manipulative to put him in the position of either buying your service or driving around with a funny-looking car . Thirdly, by doing half a headlight free, you imply to the customer that the job is easy and costs you nothing. Thaby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
GTR : The best way I've heard of to sell headlight restoration is to mount a "before" and an "after" headlight on a board . Do it neatly and have neatly-lettered descriptions on the display as well . Dougby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Use a toothbrush or other brush and all purpose cleaner. Meguiar's Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner works too. As a last resort, use laquer thinner but test first in one spot. Apply protectant , special paint, or a dye such as Forever Black or Griot's bumper dye if need be to cover any permanent discoloration.by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
The smart phone's are popular partly because of unlimited data plans. Those genorous plans appear to be on their way out Even with the unlimited data, providers are now throttling ( slowing ) the service of heavy data users . I wonder how easy it will be to run a business out of a smart phone if the data allowance runs out fast . If you have cable internet at 600 dollars aby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Ruling out experienced detailers sounds questionable to me. Presumably, an experienced detailer can be expected to be able to work fast, have endurance, tolerate heat and sun and have some knowlege . You can train such a person to use your system unless he's stubborn. Maybe he can teach you some tricks too ? Do any of you require new hires to watch training videos and take a tesby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
In regard to coupons : Detailing services vary in quality, thoroughness, price and convenience . For this reason, a discount coupon may not impress a prospective customer very much. It isn't like discounting a known quantity ; a case of Mobil brand motor oil, a box of Kleenex . The customer may suspect that the prices are jacked up to compensate for the coupon savings . By contby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
GTR : As I've said before, the key to getting and keeping dealer accounts is to make an arrangement that benefits both parties. Forget your artistic integrity and be flexible about the meaning of " detailing " . Try to figure out what a given dealer wants. Then set a price to give him what he wants . Write up a clear agreement for you both to sign. Such an agreementby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
GTR : The question isn't whether Google can pay off. It is a question of where best to spend your advertising dollars . Passages From The Past : Here are some ideas taken from an article on marketing, written by a guy named Bud Abraham : * Direct Mailing to Your Customer List. If you have these kinds of customers on your mailing list then you should be mailing to them on a reguby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
GTR : When someone asks for a quote without giving you a chance to present your program to him, it does not pay to respond with a price . If you state a price, you validate his notion that detailing services are similar, with price being the important variable . Always insist on examining the vehicle to determine its needs before quoting a final price. If you still wish to quote prby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
The best way to prevent wicking is to remove the stain entirely . Gina mentioned disassembly and cleaning of the padding . 1) In some cases, repeated extraction will remove the stain entirely by getting it all to wick up to the surface to be extracted . To try this, add a little OxyKleen or equivalent to your extractor water . 2) In other cases, repeated wet rubbing with APC and whby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Okay, Ketch . You are right on this one , but I may leave the forum for awhile anyway ( Somehow I don't think that will disappoint you LOL ) . Dougby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bill gets the last word once again !!!!!!!!by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bill makes sure he gets the last word once again !by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Pro-Techt : Meguiar's trainer " Ron " says : If you shine a flashlight at the paint and see tiny scratches that appear to radiate out from the spot of light, those are random scratches called cobwebbing or micro-marring or micro-scratches . If the paint has circular swirl patterns scratched into it , those are swirl marks or " holograms " . AutoMagic's tby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Paul- Most want moderation due to one person and that doesn't count those who got tired of Bill D's stuff and are gone !by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Larry A : I think almost everyone still here has numerous problems with Bill's posts : tiresome long diatribes, ideas that are just plain wrong, personal insults, vulger words, repetition, a seeming objective of just proving you can't shut him up, confusing cut and paste quotes, and then there's that AT-5, which he posts interminably about . The product he then suggestby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Ketch- I know of one member who isn't posting now because of Bill . I regret voting Chris Gaines off of the island years ago because he was provoked, but I think it would be better here without Bill, too. Not something I vote for lightly .by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Spot on, Profile !by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
I'm posting this once more because Bill seems to have misunderstood : Zaino is not a " wax " . It is a sealant, labeled " Polish " . I've used it in multiple coats and it does build up in layers of ...get ready...protection . Try it for yourself and you'll see that subsequent coats stick and last . Meguiar's recommends 3 or 4 several coats of #26 Yby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
These spray paint and sharpie tests are worthless. YouTube : Ugh ! Malms's site debunks hokey stunts involving setting lighter fluid on fire and exposing products to hydrochloric acid and ammonia. Reputable companies such as Meguiar's and AutoMagic don't pull stunts . Meguiar's and AM are used by pro detailers. Griot's and Zaino win car shows . Mby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Let me second the apology to new members. Bill has worn out his welcome .by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts