<HTML>Washing machine, soak mode, and I use 3D towel kleen, Ive never seen a towel cleaner that does not leave residue and breaks the dirt down so affectively. I even use this soap on my huck window towels. I then run the washer like normal after soaking. I dry the MF towels on "air fluff" mode. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Concours, What is your approach to using the tannin stain remover? I have used tannin products in the past with not much better results than using normal detergents. What is it that you do? Thanks Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Renny, Sounds really good. Could you break that down? I dont really understand how your services work, are you washing the car every two weeks? When do you detail? If you have any questions about my service, dont hesitate to ask. I might not be able to read your response for a few days, going to Vegas this morning. Thanks! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Where the heck do I do with a 5 gallon pail? Ive been pouring the stuff into gallon size containers with a stupid funnel and it spills everywhere! That reminds me of how dumb some califorina laws are becoming. For instance the new "spout" that is required on all small gasoline canisters. Dont they know that more gas is spilled with these stupid spouts and more gas vapors arby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Since this industry has no standards, I dont know if our 6 week detail falls under the "Express" service. We start the customer out with our full detail, a complete checklist is gone through and all said areas of the car are cleaned and detailed, then every 6 weeks we come back and do the same exact thing all over again. Of course in 6 week intervals, the job is much easier,by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ron, You know what, that is a good idea, and an idea that I have tried in the past to follow through with. I used to use an inspection sheet, its very similar to the one on my website under services, for some reason unknown to man, I just stopped using them. I just tell them the price after seeing the condition and that depends on how many steps the paint needs, are the headlby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud, I do understand that, but sometimes you can sell sell sell, and not get anywhere because the customer is close minded to quality, they associate detailing as if it were on par with getting an oil change, this shop charges $40 for a synthetic oil change and this shop charges $33 for an oil change, that type of thing. 70% of my phone calls dont involve price right off the bat, butby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Meguairs Endurance, crap on tires, excellent on rubber and trim. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>The repairs Ive seen from such professionals, in my opinion, havent been the greatest. Small areas could be done well, but you always run the risk of the stuff bleeding when you clean it. The bad repairs Ive seen involve the whole front of the seat or the entire back of the seat sprayed, and you cant clean the seat anymore or else it will bleed and run. But, a small area repair shouldby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Renny and Joe, As far as temp agencies, I tried them all, and they all said the same thing, "our insurance people said we cant send anyone because the liability is too high for your particular type of business". I was pretty bummed and swamped with work. Right now Im just biting the bullet and working non stop. The only company that will send workerby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud, that makes a lot of sense. I will try that one and dance around price unless it is absolutely needed. Thanks! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>My approach is laid back and honest. I tell them right off the bat, we are not the cheap service and to expect slightly higher prices than usual. I then compare our services with the typical other shop, without badmouthing, there is a time and place for the "other shop". Some issues we stress are safe chemicals, no carpet residue, paint correction, no cheap products, no shinby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>A very good idea if they get paid enough to begin with. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Renny, that is so awesome!!! Little bastards!!! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Door to door NICE AND CLASSY LOOKING flyers with pictures on them of cars and a self portrait. This way people become comfortable with you before meeting you. The best thing would be to briefly greet the people and hand them a flyer. I also wouldnt put prices on them, but thats just me, I think it keeps people interested. Just work on getting 1 job in the neighborhood and then you wiby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I tried the "discount" maintenance plans for a while until I realized, Im doing the customer a favor and raised my prices. The discounted price only works if you have no work, but after you become established, those jobs are not appetizing anymore. I see it this way, why discount your prices when you can be somewhere else detailing other cars for the shop rate you need/want.by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Joe, I would not even play around with products either. Just get the products designed for gelcoat and forget the normal car care products. I learned the hard way and now only use the 3m boat cleaner wax. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>The corporate parks are great and all, but I would get the people to pay upfront for services to be performed, this way the flakes wont ruin your days work. A monthly plan works best because if you just show up, you never know, you can do $500 or $70, and if it was $70, you just ruined your days work because you didnt schedule anything else. This is how its been for me anyway, i dontby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>If you have that going for you and are happy, why would you want to go mobile? Mobile detailing is a lot harder than having your garage set up and waiting for you. Lot of extra cost involved and the pickup you are talking about should be at least 3/4 ton to support the weight of your water tank(100 gallons=890pnds). Im not trying to discourage you, just letting you know some minor detby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Try using a clay bar, if that doesnt work you need to use a rotary polisher with the proper pads and products. If that doesnt work, you need to wetsand the area(lightly) to reach farther into the clear coat, then buff. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Well, its a tiring experience every day doing the grunt and office work. You guys with helpers, how has your training experience been. Do you have any systems set up to do this? Looking to hire as painlessly as possible (if that even exists,LOL) and soon. What are your thoughts? Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Jeeze, you should'nt have told her to take the medication. You should have said for her to get back in the car and stay there until the PCP wears off. "it will wear off in 4-6 hours, now beat it!" That would be awesome! Hollywood is 15 miles from me, are you telling me there are more nutjobs in Canada than in Los Angeles?!! Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>The waffle pads are made by 3m, from what I remember, they were used to provide foam cutting action while reducing excessive heat to the clear coat. Its all preference. I like the edge 2000 pads myself, but some people like the waffle. I used to use the waffes, but they dont last too long and 3m products are expensive. Pretty much everything 3m has is expensive be it some putty glaze,by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Im thinking about it, last year was pretty neat. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Anthony, I agree with you 100%, but Sam did far from "leveling" the clear coat with Klasse AIO, even if he used a rotary buffer. It sounds like the pad he used was not soft enough or the finish was contaminated with dirt while he was buffing in the Klasse. He will have to remove some paint to correct what he did, though, if thats what you mean. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thats funny, I like these guys that drive honda civics and are so picky!!!! Tell him that you didnt level the paint, the pad you used left behind the swirls. Dan Draper DRAPERSAUTOIMAGERY.com</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>This might sound a little off, but I think us detailers have a hard time with swirls because of the time it takes to do the job right. No way around it, it takes 4-5 hours of wetsanding and/or buffing to have no halograms and an even flat finish on a typical sedan. I dont know about you guys, but this is how long it takes me for flawless results on a darker colored car when the job beby Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks John, I just replaced all mine with those towels. I bought about 5 packs and it filled my towel bin. They are so damn cheap! Remember paying $220 for 200!</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>From what I understand after speaking with somebody in charge of a local city yard, as long as it looks like your trying to contain it your alright. A vacuboom would be sufficient.</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I agree with everything that guy Joe said!</HTML>by Dan - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts