<HTML>Super Dress-it all the way! You determine the gloss you want on your engines.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I would agree with Jim. If you can, keep it local. Also keep in mind the equipment will be used daily. Don't buy el cheapo and expect it to last to long. Your buffer and vac are probably the two most important purchases you'll make. Not that I'm partial "maybe a little" the Dewalt DW849 buffer is one of the best on the market. I've had mine 7yrs nowby Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I have learned one thing about windows, I hate doing them.... I do believe that the towel or cloth makes the biggest difference. I use Auto Magic's #64 Glass Cleaner with a blue surgical towel. I have never had a problem.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I am currently using the Erosteam 2000, I was very lucky to have been friends with the regional sales rep. I paid $1,100.00 for mine. They retail for about $2,000.00. You can find others out there cheaper but beware! Quality is everything, if it goes down, so does my business. Make sure you get a commercial unit...</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>The best way to dry an interior is not to get it wet! I know that sounds like a smart remark but I'm not trying to be. I use a steamer to do my interiors and love it.... When I don't have that option I go with the brush and towel method. It works great for those cars that only need a little scrub a dub dub. Another thing you could do if gas is not a problem, let the carby Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Shane, When I was detailing planes I had an 8.6 million dollar liability policy. That was the cost of the most expensive plane I had to work on. I currently have a 500,000 liability policy with 100,000 damage protection. I also have 3,500 dollar tool coverage. I am now paying $1,600.00 per yr. There is almost know way you can have a detail "shop" and not move custoby Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Shane, You are completely right but, what better way to expand you customer base than to wash 30+ cars a day for a while. I don't know anyone that does not what a few more customers to add to their pocket. That's when you hire someone and double your income.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I would pay one $6.50 per hr. Another I would pay per car, he was alot faster so I gave him the choice. Per car he was paid $3.50 each complete vehicle. He would make about $12.00 per hr on avarge, but I didn't mind in the least. </HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Rob, flat rate is the best way to go. Don't underestimate the time you think it should take! I learned the hard way on that on. It may be a smaller peice of equipment but as you will see, there are alot of time consuming parts to "Detail". P.S. Don't forget the underside... That's a no no... I know from exp. </HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>A car would take me about 25 min on my own. I would nornally have an employee for the day witch would cut it down to 15 min. I would put up a small "A" frame near the tent and also inside at the check in desk. Customers would drop off their keys at my tent and go in and work out. When I picked up their car I would put a "Being Detailed" cone in their spot so thby Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Brian, yes I did work for our local Auto Magic distributor as a trainer. I have gotten to work with some of the best in the business. When he sold the distributorship I also left. I loved training others, thats why I like this board so much.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Any multi-purpose cleaner or degreaser should do the trick.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>If you do use a bleach type cleaner, remember to neutralize the bleach after. That will help stop the bleach from doing any damage, just like a acid rim cleaner. Though they are different, they both reactivate when they get wet.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Tony, I hate to say this but..... I beleive a steam machine is the best thing in the world for cleaning intreriors. It's extreamly fast and compact. It does a better job on leather than any chem ever will. Headliners, seats, carpets dry in a matter of min. The reason I said I hate to say this is because you don't want to spend too much $$$$$, They are costly, butby Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Phil, If you like the idea of doing express details, I found it to work really well if you can stay in one location to do several customers. During the summer months i go into a health club parking lot and set up tent. A quick wash, vac spray wax gets me $39.95 a pop. In 6-8hrs you can make a nice pay day.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Waxes and polishes should be your biggest concern. Most solvent base products tend not to freeze. Airasoles (bad spell) are another prob. They tend not to work properly when they get to cold. Hey Byron..... Have you tried a small space heater? They work great inside vans. Also makes it nice to climb into on those chilly mornings.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Ron, I don't have a problem with Fords orange peal until one of my customers ask me to make it look like glass..... I got so sick of wet sanding through Fords factory peal I decided to raise the glass look price for them. I do love the amount of clear they put on their cars, but they make them look like you can slice and peal them.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML><img src="; <img src=";by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Oh well, Sorry webmaster..... Brian, you could AIM me with it if you get a chance.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>put a space or 2 in there, that way it will be an incomplete html. I should be able to figure it out from there.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>lol, I see</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Brian, Is there a tag there that I don't see? Or is it the blue square with a ? in it?</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>How do you post pic's on here?</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Well that didn't work... Haha</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>DirtyEngine.jpg CleanEngine.jpg</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>The only time you should use caution is when doing older cars that have distributor caps. Another idea it to say you clean and dress the engine rather than pressure wash. Also to play it safe, remember that not every car you do needs to be pressure washed, a hose some chem's and a brush will do just fine.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey thanks Brian, so far I would have to agree. This is a really cool idea!</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Pad has the right idea, also let the pad direction spin off the edge rather than against it.</HTML>by Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Trainning is the best way to go... You can pick up so many different tips that you will never learn from a book or video. If you do decide to get some trainning, start with a pad and paper by your side every day so you can write down questions as you come accross them. A good trainner should be able to answer your question or at least be able to get the answer some where else. Adaby Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey Tony, I have done quite a few planes and have to say, I hate them. Way to much surface area. As far as the boots go, the products I used to strip and dress them were called Shine Master & Shine Master Prep made by BF Goodwrench. Strip them with a rag then use a square wax app pad to apply the shine. Hey, I don't know if your doing windows or not but I made a lot ofby Shone Rowley - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts