<HTML>Brian--I would be surprised if you get a response but I would be interested in what they have to say about your comments. I think that is the mentality that people have about new cars. They have a clear coat to protect the paint so no need to wax.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>That is what the auto body guy claims in this article as well as using a rubbing compound for cleaning off difficult dirt and spots. Thought a lot of you might enjoy this. ;by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I bought a brand new car within the last week and one of the things that they wanted to sell me was an entire protection package. This was undercoating, leather and carpet protection and applying a Dupont protection on the paint. The person said it had teflon in it and I would not have to wax again. The brochure states it will keep my vehicles Showroom New "Paint Finish". Frby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I passed an electical companay van the other day and on it was written "licensed and insured". Now to the best of my knowledge you do not have to be licensed to detail, although I know a lot of detailers would like it, but I also know it is wise to be insured. My question is, do any of you put this on your advertising, business cards, company vehicles, etc. and do people actby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I haven't had a chance to try it yet as it is still pretty cold and I don't have a warm place to wash the car. I am also trying to locate some talcum powder that doesn't come in a pink container with a big fluffy poofer in it.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I was looking through some of members websites today that were on the PDTA and I came across one or two that offered a exterior wash for $X amount and then they offered that plus bug and tar removal (along with a polish and wax) for more $. I am sure that you get those people who expect to have the bugs and tar removed for just the exterior wash amount. How do you explain to them theby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Renny--The platting looks to be fine, just some light scratches from getting to close to the rim with the tire brush. I was going to give Jon's technique a shot to remove them but I have not had the chance yet.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks for the info Jon, very informative.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Is it possible to remove light scratches on chrome rims similar to the light scratches you would find on a painted surface of a car? If so what are some recommended products and the best way to do it?</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I was watching Spike TV today and there was a show on about the cars the celebrity's drive and they talked to a guy who does detailing for the stars and some of the tricks that he used. As I am always looking for tips and tricks I was rather interested but some of the things this guy used I thought were a little overkill. He of course went to the best baby store in town to get clby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I read on another forum that a detailer would not do engines because he did not believe in spraying water on on engine that was not his and then having to pay to fix it if something went wrong. Being new to this, that has me kind of concerned also but from what I have learned on this forum is if you cover up the proper parts and use water based cleaners and dressings you should be OK.by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>It is on the black piece between the front and back doors. From what you are saying, and what I was not wanting to hear, is it will need to be repainted. Is there anything that can be done to keep this from happening in the future? Is this a problem with Chrysler only or have you seen it on other makes also?</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I have a 99 Chrysler 300 M that has black paint around the windows. This is part of the car, it is not on the glass itself. but it seems to be fading. It almost looks like the paint is wearing off and you can start to see the primer beneath it. Can this be buffed back to a nice shiny black or what should I try first. I would post a pic if I knew how.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Jim and Brian--I think what you guys are doing with the PDTA is GREAT!! I for one being NEW to this industry can use all the help I can get. You two, among others, have given me some great information in helping me learn and the website is very HELPFULL. KEEP up THE good WORK!!!</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I was just curious if you are supposed to buff/polish fiberglass toppers or not.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks for the input. I picked up a foam pad from Mequiars and tried it on my own car and it seemed a little harder to control. It wanted to move around a little on its own. Is that normal? Also did the speed sound correct or do I need to increase it?</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Well after asking all kinds of questions about detailing and having grand dreams of doing high end cars I finally came back to reality and realized I don't know as much as I thought I did. Well I bought a Dewalt 849 and I couldn't wait to try it out. I sure as heck wasn't going to try it on my cars, what if I burned the paint . I instead talked my neighbor into lettingby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ketch--You bring up a good point about the cost of doing business. In that article that Brian posted it said that the Dr. Detroit was going to gross $200,000 that year, well how much expense do you think he had? Doing a full overhaul even with the addition of wood trim for $5000 has got to take up a lot of time. Is this realistic? If someone told me I could make $200K detailing cars Iby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud--I to am only interested in using a water based dressing, although I need to do more research on those. Will dressings do any damgage to belts, make them slip, electrical connections or any thing else?</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I have never detailed an engine before so I thought I would practice on mine first. After cleaning I wanted to try some dressing. What is the best way to apply the dressing. Do you spray it on and let it sit or do you put some on a rag and wipe it on. I wanted to put it on certain parts but it would have been difficult with a rag and I did not know if I should spray it on or not. Is tby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Solo: Hopefully this is a topic that I can actually contribute to rather than just asking questions. I to am in the computer field and am looking to get out of it. I want out because it does not excite me, it is a job not a career. Now that I have joined this forum and am gaining a little knowledge about the business it is all I think about while I am at my computer job. In other worby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud: As I am still learning a lot of the terminology, what do you mean by a product not being "bodyshop" safe other than they have no silicone or wax. What is bad about silicone or wax?</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Jim--There are now two Mark Hoffman's on this forum. It looks as if the new Mark Hoffmann has two n's in his last name, mine only has one. To answer your question; I was in town but no problem, I can make arrangements to stop in some other time. Is your email up and working?</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Jim--Sent an email last week to find out where you were located as I was going to be in the area but I did not get a reply. I will be back this weekend also.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I searched through some of the older posts and found some info on the waterblade but someone mentioned to look out for imitations. What is the difference between a real and an imitation? Also, are these a good thing to use on a vehicle. I also read where someone used one but it scratched the vehicle. Not sure if he used a real or an imitation.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Solo--Thanks for the info, I get the picture on the mat setup. The MSDS didn't occur to me until you mentioned it. I will have to make sure I get those also.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Solo--As I am in the process of learning about detailing I thought this was a great post. I have some questions for you and the others. 1. You mentioned that you use 2 large tarps and 4X4's for your containment mat. Do you have to drive over one of the 4X4's to get the vehicle on the mat and does this cause any problems with cars that sit close to the ground. 2. After yby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Do any of you use business cards and if you do, do you have a job title on them for yourself? For example: Mark's Detail shop Mark Hoffman Detail Specialist (or something similar) I asked my independant mechanic if he had any customers that asked him about detailing, he said that he does but there isn't really any quality detailers in the area. It turns out he used to detby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Brian--great pic, not quite sure I understood your last post though.</HTML>by Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I agree with you 100% Rob, I was just looking for some pointers about Porsche's that I am not familiar with. For example I was told to be careful and cover up the turbo if it has one before washing the engine. Also it was recommended that I do not use a silicone based dressing on the engine as it can get sucked into the air intake and get stuck on the oxygen sensor. There were soby Mark Hoffman - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts