<HTML>I've never done one, but I do know that you should let your insurance agent know that you're going to work on planes. He'll have to add an endorsment & charge you more $$ because liability involving airplanes is excluded on a general liability policy. So, if you work on a plane and accidentally screw something up or damage an alaron or control line without knowing iby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I know whay you mean, Brian. I suggest you give it a shot. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how quick new biz starts coming your way. And since most of the network members are professionals, they either own high end cars or have clients that do. Plus, if the other members use their vehicles to drive clients in, like real estate or sales people, they'll want to have a nice,by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Gary...that's agreat market to get into. Is the sealant you use going to be a spray on or a polish? You should also see if the company that supplies the sealant also offers an interior protection product, then you can offer complete paint and leather/fabric protection for even bigger bucks. I've seen the spray stuff applied. It takes maybe 20 minutes per car and the companyby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I've joined a networking group called Local Business Network. I don't think there's any other states that have this yet, but you cn check out their site at . This organization consists of a chapter in just about every city in S.E. Michigan. Once you join a chapter, any other type of similar business is blocked from joining your chapter. Each chapter meets for 1 hour 2Xby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>If you're working on glass, you may want to try taking a rag or towel and pouring some lacquer on it and holding it over the sap. This should soften it up enough that you can take a plastic razor blade and get it off pretty easily. I use these plastic blades all the time. They may not always be as good as a regular blade, but they don't scratch. And yes, I've used regby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>First of all, how did you find out if the applicant is a single mom? If you asked her if she's married or divorced and has any kids, you've brokien the law. If she has volunteered that information without coaxing from you, then you can use it in making your decision. Discrimination would occur in this case, if you asked her a direct, forbidden question (there's severaby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks Brian & Pmack. I really appreciate your replies. I know that come next spring I'll be getting plenty of engine cleaning requests as well as undercarriage. We use salt on the roads here in Michigan, so almost everyone that gets their cars washed will pay the extra buck for undercarriage cleaning when they go through the car wash in the spring!! I figure I'll just pby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>My gosh, Pmack!!! That was a lot of work to discipline your paint, lol!!! But, once a finish starts to oxidize, it will always do so unless you keep on top of it constantly. My daughter has a black '89 Mercury Topaz with the same problem. I used my paint perfecting system on it last May and it's a little overdue for another treatment. They say the sealant will last 6 montby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Phil & Brian..I can see the validity of both your points about dressing v. non-dressing. I think a lot depends on the type of car & consumer that you're dealing with. If it's a high end, European car, then, I believe, those people will feel better about a dressed engine for a couple of reasons; 1) They really want to feel like they're buying a new car; 2) any diby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Yeah, Brian. I see what you mean about your cat. He's darn cute!!! And I'm sure he would just taunt the pit bull, mercilessly. Cats have a way of doing that do dogs!!! You know what they say, dogs have owners, cats have staff!! It must be nice to have some company that's low maintenance, doesn't cost much and doesn't talk back!!! Now, if only God could'by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Phil...what type of system are you using to do t/u work...airbrush, squeegee, dabber or fine artist brush? Or some combination thereof? I do all of them and agree that a decent t/u can be done in about 20 minutes on a front end with moderated damage. Of course, the damage will never be invisible due to the fact that once the clearcoat has been breached, and the paint surface chipped,by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>It looks good. I just wish it were bigger so we could get a better look.</HTML>by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Chain a pit bull to the roof!!! That should keep him away. A .22 works well, too. Just make sure the kids aren't around.</HTML>by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Brian-There's a magazine I subscribe to called Restyling. They have all kinds of sources you can get graphics from. Here's the address. I tried to link it, but I dunno if it'll work. Check it out!! As for Paint Bull, in order to properly use their system, you have to go through their training. It's not typical body shop painting. It involves some special techniby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I already do paint work, including touch-ups. It's profitable, but time consuming. Also, mixing it with detailing can cause hassles due to silicone in the air. So, for the most part, I will offer touch up and scratch repair. I'll check out the need for it and definitely add carpet dyeing if there's enough need. Bud, what kind of price can these dye jobs fetch at retaiby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I agree with you, Bud. These smocks are definitely the way to go. They cover and protect more (both your clothes and the car) than those aprons do. When I open my shop, my uniforms will consist of polo shirts that are either red, black or white (my business colors) that have checkered flag collar and sleeve piping. The shirts will have the company name and logo and employee name eitby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Why, Bud?</HTML>by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud...I appreciate your input. It's good to know I'm doing somehting right from time to time, lol!!! When I say I use the waterless for paint prep, if a customer or dealer says they have a car with scratches all over it or a severe case of road rash, I need to have a clean car to assess the damage. Sometimes, the prep dept. at the dealership can't always wash the car fby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Amen, Noah...Amen!!! Others have said it before and I'll say it again, Bud has been a great help to most of us here. He's kind enough to freely share his vast wealth of knowledge with us, make us think and try to encourage us to be nothing less than professional which makes for good business which translates into better reputations and higher profits for us!! Who can faultby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Now while I don't want to throw gasoline on the fire here, but I've used a waterless wash from which has proven to be a great product for me. I've used it working on dealer's cars and as a clean up wash in place of Final Inspection after doing a touch-up on a vehicle. I've also used it to prep cars for paint work and to clean door jambs, under deck lids, etcby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I like what you're saying, Bud. Let's face it...none of us details a vehicle the same way. We all find our own way of acheiving the same result...a nice, clean & shiny car that the customer will go ga-ga over, tell their friends and then come back to you every few weeks/months for follow up care. I don't think getting biz is the crux of the matter. Keeping it and dby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>As far as most retail customers not minding paying $125 & up...it seems to me for every one that don't mind, there's 10 that want to beat you up on your pricing. They seem to think that just because you're mobile you'll be willing to barter to a lower price....like you're hard up for work or something!!!</HTML>by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks DD. I was leaning that way. The shops in our area charge by the hour as well. The going rate being in the $30-35/hour range. Some shops won't even touch the deep scratches and will only do the light c/c variety. Because I have a paint background and ue several different t/u methods, I am able to handle the deep scratches as well. Now, getting people to understand why itby Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>What you say is true, bud. But, the menu card that I got those prices from has in big, bold letters at the top "DETAIL SHOP PACKAGE DEALS!" Then on the reverse side at the top: "ALA CARTE SRVICES". The point I should clarify is that there are a lot of car washes and small time operators passing off their services as "detailing" when in essence, they'by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Wow!!! That looks like an excellent wax. I like the S-100 Harley wax, but if that trade secret looks as good "live & in person" as it does in the pix, it's really an outstanding product. I'll definitely give it a try as the Benz/Beemer/Audi crowd I'll be servicing in my shop will want to be wowed and it looks like this stuff could easily fit the bill!!!by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>So, Jim...what're you gonna do with all those foam pads now? lol. I've also used foam pads and only rarely used a wool pad. But I recently took a wetsanding class and will be getting into using the wool pad more for follow up buffing. To be honest, I've been happy with the foam pads, but I'll give the woolies a fair shot.</HTML>by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Sweet!!! Looks like a great job, Jim!!! Even if the sun wasn't shining, it still is a beautiful job. No disguising quality, eh? Tell me, how comfortable are those seats? Would you wanna go on a nice long trip in this car? And can you even see out of the back window? Oh, and give us the technical, "how ya' did it, what'd ya' use" info, too!!</HTML>by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Great info, Jim!! Thanks for passing that along. Very nicely done, indeed!! Rod</HTML>by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Also at . Just go into the Auto Refinish area and you'll get more information than on most sites. It's as good as the Dupont site. No registration necessary.</HTML>by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Jerry...good to meet ya'. I'm in Novi, about 80 miles southeast of you which is about 1.5 hours away according to mapquest. Heck, we're practically neighbors, lol!! Rod</HTML>by Rod Wesley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts