<HTML>Thanks, I actually just borrowed the book from the library! I had a discussion with the general manager at the bodyshop today, and he said because the paint on the car was very slightly faded and because red is not a natural color, they did a base coat with tinted clearcoats to match the red that was on the car. He said a little color will be normal, and reassured me that I can buffby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I just detailed my first bike today- a Burgman 650, and I've got a couple of questions for you. What do you use to clean 1. rubber on the kickboards (for scooters) 2. seats 3. tires (since the brakes aren't concealed like cars) I used my Mother's Back to Black for the rubber, trim and seats, and it didn't seem sticky, but I want to make sure I do it right to avoiby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks a lot, Steve, for your input! I took it to LaMettry's because its right next to Minnesota's #1 Toyota dealership, and at least I thought the dealership took their business there. The shop had certificates from other makers like Audi, Mercedes, Toyota, Lexus, Jaguar... But I definately will next time get a recommendation from somebody at Toyota. I thought this shop woby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>What do you guys charge to do hearses and limos? Anne</HTML>by Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I agree with you on that! My own car's paint has unfixable damage and mismatched paint. The car still looks fabulous, only at a small distance though. It is embarrassing that you clean other people's car but cannot to a darn thing about your own! That's why I'm thinking of buying a new business car and hiding my own around clients until its repainted. ;-) I donby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks for the information! My vehicle was manufactured 12/94. It is the Renaissiance Red, if that helps. There might have been two red variations... Anne</HTML>by Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Its a 1995 Toyota Celica GT. I don't know if the car was supposed to come with tinted clearcoat; to me it seems like the bodyshop likes to use that method for painting, regardless of the situation. I feel like I'm being lied to, and they're going to cheat me out a properly done job because its an 11 year old car with a slightly darker front clip. The car certainly doesby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>How much is a little color? I did an area of about 3-6 inches in diameter, and the pad is full of red. I thought it was just non-clears that you got color from, and not any clearcoats. How can I be sure it is clearcoated? What precautions should I use for this type of clearcoat? Anne</HTML>by Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I agree! They just called me and said they won't fix it because what I'm experiencing is a tinted clearcoat, and everytime I buff I will see color. The rest of the car has clearcoat, because when I buff I never get color. They went from telling me they don't have a clue that they did to oh, yeah, you just have a tinted clearcoat and this is what happens. What is your oby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>It was done exactly a year ago by a lovely chain-store shop called LaMettry's. They are certified by various expensive car makers, although now that I look at that stuff and the positive feedback from their customers, I see that all the papers are old! I decided instead of waiting for an answer to go into the body shop and ask them about the clearcoat. They assured me they had pby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I have an important question. I was buffing my new fender yesterday because it had some scratches in it, and I got a lot of red on my pad from the car! To me, that would signal there is no clearcoat on the car. Before I yell at the bodyshop for this major error, is there something else it could be? Could it have just that much oxidation? Overspray? BTW this is the first time I'veby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I am looking for a safe engine degreaser to use. I know from a couple of articles I read to be extremely careful of ingredients because it will wreck rubber and hurt aluminum. I need a nice degreaser to spray on, and I also need to know how to clean caked on radiator fluid to get my own engine compartment clean since I had a radiator hose blow on me last fall and the engine compartmby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I was wondering if anyone has tried- 1) Michelin Brake Dust Repellent 2) Turtle Wax ICE wax (apparently goes on clear, no white dust) 3) Rain-X spray on Bug & Tar Deflector (spray on the car and the bugs and tar come out a lot easier, they claim) I was thinking of doing the Repellent as an add-on if it worked and same with the Rain-X Deflector, and I just wanted to know how thby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Nice pictures! Jerry- I think it also might depend on which lighting you're using; they have a blueish (forgot the selling name) bulb and a daylight bulb. Daylight is a softer yellow light and the blueish is more of a white light. For my garage I think the replacements are all daylight, and I will let you know how my pictures turn out! Anne</HTML>by Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Yes, I agree with you- accepting plastic is the way to go! I think the bank I was looking at charges around 3%, so its not too bad. I don't think they charge for statements; I think its just the original transaction. I will be talking with them come Monday... I can also do checks, and I just might discourage cash depending on how it goes because I really don't want to have tby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks, you two, for your advice! I am planning on checking with a couple of the local banks here that offer merchant services. I have not registered my business name yet (next week!), and I don't need a state tax ID but I think I will get the EIN for banking purposes. I forgot about having to carry cash around, and its something I hate to do too. I thought plastic would be easiby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ben, Have you read Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up Your Own Automobile Detailing Business? It is an excellent resource, and it walks you through all the things you need to know if you are going to have a serious business- business plan, financing, taxes, registration, resources, etc. I am just starting out on my own too, and I found this book an excellent add-on to this forum.by Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Yes, I've given all that a lot of thought! Right now I have no choice but to do this as a full-time job, and I am prepared for the commitment. I think cash would be the easiest way to go, but like I said I know most people carry plastic, not paper. It sounds messy to get into accepting plastic, and I might be able to accept checks if I make sure I have coverage for bounced checkby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I'm just starting my business out of the garage, and I was wondering how you guys accept payments from customers? I've done some research and I know it can be really tough to get a merchant account for accepting credit cards, and some of those services charge a bit of money for using them. I also know the risk of accepting checks, and I am debating whether or not it wouldby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks for reading the website! I agree with you, all that glitters is not gold. It sounded way too good to be true, and I just needed someone else to confirm it. I'll check into the schools you mentioned too. I think it would be in my best interest to try and get some sort of certificate to post, but more important I want to learn all those extra services for extra cash. Is itby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Yes, you are right! I am currently reading some books about doing sales pitches, and the art of enterpreneurship, and women owning small businesses. I know I have to have the perfect sales pitch, and stand behind my words. If they don't still believe I can do an excellent detail job, I can offer to show them and I'm currently stacking my library up of my before and after shoby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Has anyone ever heard of M.A.R.S. International, aka Miracle Appearance Reconditioning Specialist International, Inc.? They are offering training in sales, service, repairing and detail add on training. It looks to be a franchise, and they are offering you salary and three+ week training in Texas. I was wondering if this is a too good to be true offer, or if it would be something seriby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I'm sorry, I thought I read something else. Sorry! I really appreciate your advice, these are two areas I never thought of targeting. If my list keeps growing like it is, I'll need a database! Has anyone ever tried to get county officials, or advertising at, say the department of motor vehicles where you go to pick up your car tabs? I thought it would be a great opportunityby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Exactly, its not about being female, and it never should be!! Maybe its not so much that I'm female as I look young and I'm short. I just want to know why people tell me I should detail their cars and then only chuckle when I accept. I think it will help greatly when I have my business cards and brochures made up, then when they chuckle I can give it to them with the seriousby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Cocoursgarage- no it shouldn't matter that I'm a woman but people treat me differently because of this. I had a couple of guys take advantage of that a couple of years ago at a dealership and underpaid me, and it had nothing to do with skill level (the head detailer had a chat with me). I had someone yesterday when I mentioned I was a detailer he said I could do his truck, aby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I worked with Wizards a couple of years ago and the product was a pleasure to work with! It went on easier than Meguiars, 3M and Mothers, and it smelled the best of anything I've tried. As for the shine, I didn't seem to notice much difference but its been awhile and my memory is a little fuzzy. As for their buffing compounds, the stuff I tried was a lighter compound than I&by Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>What's in a name anyways??? What I mean is, is it better to go for a single, easy name like "Ben's Detailing" or does it pay to use a more suggestive name like "Showroom Specialties Auto Detailing"? I guess using a name in the title is more personable, or would people have more trust in a descriptive name instead? I've been trying to come up with a nby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks, Frank, for your insight! I do plan on talking to the general managers wherever I can, and wherever I cannot I will leave a flyer and business cards. I plan on tackling both sides of the fence- the higher paid customers and the average joe. I'd also like to see what I can do about the women market sector; since I'm a woman I'd think they'd be even more recby Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I also want to know where the best place to get training on the selling extras, such as carpet dyeing, clear bra and PDR. How is Ding King for classes? Thanks! Anne</HTML>by Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I know a few of you were a little annoyed I never posted a picture, but this is a professional detailing forum, not a dating site! I'm sorry I ever got involved with such a thread, and I'm sorry I didn't stick up for myself. although I'm not bad looking, I am not comfortable doing personal pictures! I'm a detailer, not a model! Please forget about the past!by Anne Springer - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts