<HTML>Cool Brian, sounds like you are having fun since selling your business!!! Do you drive the car, or are you more of the engineer/builder? Hope all is well. Ive been getting into welding and fabricating some stuff for bitchen detail rigs, its way funner than detailing!!! I need to stop by and shoot it. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>It turns out that the guy was totally happy with the last job. The customer corrected me and the job lasted around 5 months, boy time flies!! Its just usual me being overly critical, but it wouldnt be fun unless we all had that personality. Im not sure what year the boat is, but it is BADDD!!! Joe, you would love this boat, it has two, yes two, 454 ci engines which are both fully bby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hi, I have a question for you guys that do boats. I use meguairs (I forget the number) gel coat compound for boats, blue bottle, super abrasive. The problem Im having is with very faded and blotchy surfaces. The compound produces a nice high gloss and removes all dullness, but sometimes it seems to last only 2 months and we even use a boat wax to protect it. We had better luck when weby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I have tried a few different name brands in the past 6 years and have come to the conclusion that menzerna make the finest out there. There are others on this forum that also agree. I am so completely thrilled that I found menzera. They really have helped me make more money by allowing me to get done quicker and easier. For example, yesterday, we buffed a blue porche, did a what normaby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>All I know is when Im dropping into a nice double up bowl with the reef boiling up in front of me as I crouch and I shoot into the pit for a nice 8 seconds. My friends yell, "he's da big kahuna,yeehaaa"!! No really, if your name sticks with people, while you always strive to make customers friends, then I don't see a problem. If you are still worried about your nby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks for the suggestions guys. Since I already use quickbooks, I think I will stay with them and add the CRM software. It's also relatively cheap for the program. Thanks Scott and New Again. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>This is something that is different from person to person. You may want to spend the $500 thats added to your financing and not worry about bird dropping damage, acid rain, hard water spots, carpet stains etc.. because it should be covered under warranty. Look at the contract carefully and see what will be covered. If damage isnt covered, I would pass since you can perform all of theby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hello all! I was wondering what computer software has kept you all happy. Im looking for something that can remind me when to call customers. Im using quickbooks for the bookkeeping, but am looking for a customer management program. Any luck? Thanks, Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey, your in Torrance this friday arent you buddy ole pal? Looks like your stuck going to lunch with me right? Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>If you want to use that stuff, only use it on chrome wheels and have your pressure washer on and ready to fire so you can rinse it off within 30 seconds. On chrome wheels that are too far gone, it saves a lot of time spent with a 0000 metal wool pad. For all other wheels, Ron makes a good wheel cleaner, custom wheel cleaner. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.COM</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I had a little incident with a city inspector. He was really nice about it, but it still creeped me out enough to start following the rules. We were prepping a car in a driveway (in a secluded part of Palos Verdes!) and our water had not touched the gutter, people up the street were watering, but it appeared as if it was our water. The inspector followed the water flowing down the strby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>We apply NXT sealant on all full details, it wipes clean off when you apply with the DA. If the customer accidentally gets some hard water on the windows, no harm done. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I usually charge a few more dollars if its a new car prep service, where we seal the paint and apply fabric protector. $150-$200, but the car is brand new. Dude, I just bought a $2300 honda 5000watt generator for $600!!! Only 50 hours on it, yeah!!! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hello!!! For those of you that are incorporated, what befefits have you seen that make it worth the investment? Im thinking of doing it only to create a seperate credit file apart from my personal credit. Im insured for 2 million under my garage keepers policy, so liability is not an issue with incorporating. Im thinking business loans and credit worthiness is the main befefit. Anyby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Joe, this is just my opinion, but I think you can do much better by just showing up or calling up asking for an appointment to speak with them. To me the yellow page ads and pretty much all advertising not associated with face to face contact is worthless, at least for me. The quality customers come from the ones you hand pick. I like the idea of buying a list, you eliminate most erroby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Dean, I just checked out your site and it is excellent. Did you do that yourself? Its difficult to work in all those frames when doing your own site. Take care. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey thanks Dean! I acually think it could be better, but I dont have the skills to really make it the exact way I want it. Next time I am going to buy a template and fill in the blanks. You can find deals if you look. Once I found a years supply of clay for $250. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>If I find inexpensive clay, honestly, do you think I will tell anyone?!!LOL. I will buy all that stuff up. Its like a secret surf spot, no one is going to tell you where it is!!! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Jerry, To fix your problem when using a wool pad, you need a more abrasive product to use in between the wool pad stage and the swirl removal stage. Isnt fine cut compound and swirl remover almost the same abrasive level in the meguars line??? Sounds like your causing pad swirls and the swirl remover isnt abrasive enough to get rid of the pad swirls. Try your fine cut cleanerby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Nobody is to young to start a mobile detailing business. I was 15 when I started my business, Im 25 years old now and have a legitimate operation with solid clients. Of course you need to do your research and make sure the products and methods you use will be effective. This forum is a good place to look. I service the Palos Verdes area and their are plenty of cars in Los Angeles to dby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>You may have a cheapy pump designed for residential purposes. Quality pumps AR, CAT, GENERAL will usually accept gravity feed for commercial purposes. What kind of pressure washer are you running? Maybe I can help. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.COM</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Anthony, your probably right. I have decent fabricating skills I might as well use for building that project, I dont even need to add a heater, I agree with you that heated extractors dont help, it might help dry the carpets, but thats all. The thing that got me was the screen inside the drum that is removable, so the reclaim and extractor water is seperate from the big stuff. I maiby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>With all of our knowledge about reconditioning, we would be better off selling cars!!! No seriously, I am thinking about getting a dealer license. Thanks for all your comments!! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML> Im getting one the second after my wedding, when I have funds to throw. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.COM</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks for that info Anthony. Like I said Im super stoked on those new compounds. Ive actually had the menzerna polishes for 2 years sitting on my shelf, got a wild hair and decided to try them again. Glad I did!! Glad to hear the optimum spray wax works great, Im going to pick up a gallon. Thanks for those awesome pictures. Its a tough situation to get quality before and after shotsby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Im sold on the menzerna polishes. Ive been a meguars user for compounds and polishes until now. I just ordered some power gloss, cant wait to try that. Today I buffed the hood of a severely spider swirled black suburban, used the intensive polish w/ the high speed, green "in betweener" foam cutting pad, and wow, hardly any follow up swirls to deal with, just a quick couple pby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks guys, I guess I will charge her a percentage because I dont want to tie up $20000. Thanks! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.COM</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Hey guys I have a new one. A good customer wants me to sell her car since she does not want the hassle, its a mercedes that could easily fetch $23000. Have any of you done this type of thing before. I have sold many cars for myself, but never for profit. How do I charge her? I was thinking 5-10% I cant find any information on this matter and was wondering what you guys have done. Thanby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Have any of you used an answering service to take phone calls and record messages? Could be a good way to sell customers without energy involved. Any thoughts? Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Should be more than enough time with the tools you just mentioned. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts