<HTML>What kind/type of uniforms do you wear if you wear them? I opt for the embroidered polo and nice work pants. I know were're supposed to wear those aprons when working to keep clean but come on, how many acually wear them? I feel like a "Merry Maid" wearing these aprons. I worked with a bunch of detailers at the dealership and they wore tornn jeans, stained shirt, etc.by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>What has been everyones most profitable add-on service besides auto detailing? After hours and hours of research online I see there are a great many ways to add revenue to a detailing operation: Boats, PDR (paintless dent removal,) window tinting, windshield repair, carpet dyeing, interior repair, touch-up/spot painting, gold plating, etc.? For me it's been boats. This draws inby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>We have covered a great deal of topics when it comes to the detailing industry but haven't talked much about advertising. What gets people to your business? What forms of advertising has been most rewarding for your business? Do you all have referral programs? I think this will be a great topic for us all to discuss and sure will give each other great ideas and advice. For me,by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Rob: First of all, we aren't bickering and fighting...just expressing different opinions. That's what these forums are for, expressing opinions. Just like you said you viewed my website and liked it. But then you said my prices are too low (which they are) and that was your opinion. I like this feedback because it makes me a better businessperson and overall detailer. If yoby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud: You want my user name and password to Detail City? I don't really plan on going back to that site since the VB layout is a pain to navigate and everything is all unorganized. Plus, 90% of the post'ers are high school hot rodders who pay $90 for an 8oz bottle of "Never wax your car again" products. Just my $.02</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I wrote Auto Magic a letter last year for permission to rebottle with my label so I can start an online store for my website and some one from the company called back saying it's patent infringing. Any thought on a better approach?</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I tried this program and it wouldn't allow me to view my banking information. I think it has something to do with scripting.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thats why you have to have the OSHA inspectors in your pocket. KIDDING! Rod: I'm in the same boat you are. I'm at that plateau of what to do next. Work is gradually growing (mostly by word of mouth and website) so in the next few months I'll be hiring employees. You sound like my business, working in high end dealerships, my private garage and being mobile. Next monthby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Isn't it illegal to rebottle someone elses products and slapping your own name lable on there?</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I know this forum is held together by sponsors but is there any chance to get rid of the eBay motors pop-up? Very annoying when trying to read and type.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Robert: Thanks for the praise on my website! I have to keep pricing where they are for now since there are several "I'll wash & wax your car and make it look brand new for $50.00!!!" back alley detailers around here. I can, however, raise my prices when the general public is informed properly on what auto detailing really is and what is entailed. I'm adding aby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Oh, I thought I read in an earlier post you had a shop in Jersey.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Crates are excellent for spray bottles. If you have a van, get the bottle hangers that you use on the inside rear doors. I have a truck so I just use crates and also have a large storage bin that is bolted to the bed of the truck. You can use anything as long as it won't "jump" out of your truck when hitting a bump.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Gary: Good call. I use Auto Magic's XP Compound on the glass to which removes those nasty hard water spots. I still need to try the XP Polish though. What's your opinion on the XP polish?</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud: Thanks. I didn't know that.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Has anyone ever used Pledge to clean and dress the vinyl & plastics in the car's interior? I use this sometimes in my own vehicle and everything looks and feels great. Smells good too. I learned this from my instructor at Vo-Tech years ago. I read the back of the can and it states you can use it on vinyl, leather, ruber, plastics. Cleans and moisturizes. Anyone else do this?by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Spray and wipe has the same idea as Auto Magic's "Body Shine" and "Magic Mist," Meguiars "Quick Detailer" and Ardex's "Spot Delivery" right? I endorse these products for use on lightly dusted finishes only. They shouldn't take the place of water since scratching will be inevitable if the vehicle is in need of a washing. At theby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Gary: You detail boats? Where in Jersey are you?</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ben: It's just a way for rich people to be taken for a ride. Compare ingredients and I bet they have the ingredients as any other finishing wax. Look at these prices I've come across here on the internet: zymol destiny: $525.00 for 8 oz. zymol estate vintage: $1650.00 for 22 oz. zymol atlantique: $968.00 for 8 oz. This is totally rediculous. You can get the same resultsby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Jim: I have two huge flourescent bulb fixtures in my private shop. This ables me to see EVERY flaw in the finish. They get annoying when they're ready to burn out with their constant flashing. But for lighting, I believe this is the way to go.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I heard the same thing about the new Lexus models.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>For the headliner, try a foam cleanser and blot with a microfiber towel. Redo until stain is gone. Don't scrub.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Exactly. Dri Wash n' Guard should never be used by a professional. Without water, how do you detail the engine, jambs, hinges, etc? A customer of mine used to get his car done by a "professional mobile detailer' who used Dri Wash n' Guard. He said never again. It scratched and just left the car dirty where it was supposed to be "detailed." I can see thiby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Mark: At Toyota, we did what was called the "Sears Package" for the new cars. It included a paint sealant (sold with a 6 month warranty) and fabric protector. I'm pretty sure the sealant will hold up for the 6 months since that was the recommended warranty from the dealership. And plus, after reviews and reading from suppliers and throughout the internet/forums, the seby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud: Good topic. I find that I manage all 3, but customers instead of employees. Currently, I'm a one man show with a part time guy for the big boats. For the people part, I'm always calling customers to check up on their cars to see how everything is holding up, etc. Plus when they call for service, I try to educate them if they have questions about what I'm goingby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Just read another threat on Detail City's forum and someone had hazing under the clear. He used heat to remove it. Pretty neat trick I picked up at the Toyota dealership.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud: The white wool I use only for older finishes which aren't clear coated. This white wool pad sits in the back of the locker with other hardly used products, since I hardly ever see a finish that needs a heavy reconditioning. These are my favorite jobs though because when I finish, the car looks brand new...from an ugly, dull, neglected finish. The feeling of a superb job isby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I never buff a car in the sunlight, only in the shop.</HTML>by Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I'd like to get everyones insight and procedures on engine detailing. How far down do you clean? What cleaners do you use? What dressings you prefer. My procedure: *After a customer drops off his/her car, I let the engine cool down to the touch with the hood open. *If car is older, I spray WD-40 on the distributor & plugs. *Next I pressure was entire underside of the hoodby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Interesting. Is this the same system that they use the Trizact wetsanding paper? I read the brochure on this if I recall. I never knew you could use a DA for wetsanding. I attended Vo-Tech for Paint Refinishing and was told by my instructor that you should only use the rubber squeegie blocks for wetsanding. Which reminds me about something funny during that class. This was the firsby Brian Angelucci - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts