Chicago Auto Pros on YouTube stunned me recently by estimating a standard inside and out detail to take 6 to 8 hours . Many people have bragged to me that they could detail a car in 3.5 hours or some other fast time . I've talked to pros who did wholesale dealer work and it took 6 hours including engine cleaning . I think Chicago auto pros has about nailed it . If you want to do a gby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
There are foggers and ozone machines for removing smells from cars and there are countless sprays and liquids for sale that are designed to kill odor-causing bacteria, neutralize pet urine or simply hide odors . One principle applies here : "As a rule of thumb, the only way to get rid of an odor permanently is to remove the source of the odor " . In some cases, you mayby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
New Resources : Unlike in the past, there are now some dynamite YouTube channels devoted to detailing . Unfortunately, YouTube is now junked up with advertising and you must buy premium service to make YouTube enjoyable and ad-free . ( The site has defenses against ad-blockers you download off the Web ) . Channels worth exploring include - Apex Detail , whose Web Site is :by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Some " Rules of Thumb " and clever sayings : 1) You always over-estimate profits and underestimate expenses . 2) Everything you do to a car adds to the overall effect you are going for . 3) Experience will teach you to start off with a product strong enough to do the job . 4) " Dealers do not want to pay you very little . They want to pay nothing ! "by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Questions to ask yourself before going pro : 1) Will I go mobile, fixed location or both ? 2) How will the weather in my area affect my business ? 3) Do people in my area have a desire for a detailer or do dealers in my area represent most of the market ? 4) How much will it cost to get started and where can I borrow money if I need it ? 5) What will my monthly expenses ( the &by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
I haven't tried the expensive ceramic coatings and have no intention of doing so . Some of them cannot be removed without a sander ! Modern paints normally hold up well enough so it is hard to justify the expense and labor required to coat a car . " Ceramic waxes " are another matter entirely . I see no reason to believe that the latest " breakthrough " cby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Quality Control Inspection : The last task in a detailing job is a final check to see that everything was done and that it was done correctly . Make a checklist to mark off as you do the inspection . Have a kit handy for touching up missed areas . First, Check the interior from various angles and do anything minor that still needs doing : Adjust the seats so they are even . Aimby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Here is a list of tools that may be useful for pros and amateurs alike : 1) Long-handled Boar's hair truck brush . 2) Long-handled mop . 3) Mitt 4) Wheel brush 5) Wheel well / fender brush 6) Tire Brush 7) Bug Getter and 3M Dobie 8) Scotchbrite delicate scrubbers ( pink ) 9) Paint brushes, soft detailing brushes, toothbrushes 10) plastic putty knife and plastic razor blby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Cars are often contaminated with biohazards . Carpets and floor mats as well as steering wheels , shifters and door handles can be loaded with bacteria . The bacteria grow especially well if people eat in the car because bacteria feed on food residues . You may wish to wear a protective mask while vacuuming . Gloves are always a good idea . Another hazard detailers face is metalby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Thinking of going professional ? Here are some marketing ideas various forum members contributed in the past : * Doing six jobs for free to start the referral process. * Sending press releases to local newspapers. * Having your vehicles lettered and decorated professionally. * Passing out business cards and asking for referrals from doormen, garages, parts shops, speed shops, employeeby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
If you shine a flashlight at the paint and see tiny scratches that appear to radiate out from the spot of light, those are random scratches called cobwebbing or micro-marring or micro-scratches . If the paint has circular swirl patterns scratched into it , those are swirl marks or " holograms " . To get an accurate view of the paint, first wash the car and remove as much waxby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Some spotting is simply temporary and caused by failing to wipe the windows dry. Some damage is caused by acid rain etching the surface. Classic water spots are caused by minerals that are left behind as water drops dry . I've used white vinegar, which is mildly acidic, to remove water spots . This method is often recommended but didn't work well for me . Griotsgarage.com and zainby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Each of these product types is accompanied by an example : 1) Household window multi-surface cleaner ( Windex Multi-task Orange ) 2) Auto Glass Cleaner ( Invisible Glass ) 3) Ammonia ( Parson's Ammonia ) 4) Glass polish ( Auto Glym Glass Polish ) 5) Carpet Spot Remover ( L.A.'s Totally Awesome ) 6) Carpet Shampoo ( AM Carpet Shampoo ) 7) Special Stain Removal Kit 8) Carby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Sometimes you can speed things up by : 1) Using a one-step wax product. 2) Wiping off the engine by hand instead of washing it. 3) NOT dressing the interior or engine unless the customer wants it done. 4) Packing your Interior Cleaning Kit in a tub, carry-all or bucket you take into the car with you so everything is at hand. 5) Making only one trip around the interior, wiping every panel andby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Here are some of the step-by-step procedures used by past forum members : FULL DETAIL PROCEDURE De-trash and Vacuum, Remove Stickers Equipment : vacuum cleaner, carpet brush, trash can, pre-spotter chemical, razor blades, clear plastic bag ( for owner property ). Remove exterior debris from hood surrounds, etc. Remove trash Brush and vacuum . Remove floor mats Pre-spot carpet staby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Vinyl can take a lot of punishment . That's why it is used to make interior door panels, parts of seat trim and dashboards . Vinyl is not, however, impervious to harsh chemicals, so anything you use on it should be properly labeled and possibly even tested on a junked panel . You can avoid big problems by spot testing a chemical on an inconspicuous area of the vinyl too . Avoid getby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud - I had hoped that this " tutorials " thread experiment would spur interest in the forum . If it has, the software glitch that is erroneously holding the posts for a non-existant moderator has silenced everybody . Let's hope Paul can get to the bottom of it ...by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Bud- I wrote to you after the heart attack scare . I'm still around but my posts were not being put up here . Are you still emailing ? Hope all's well . Dougby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
You can dry carpets and upholstery by running the car's heater with the rear windows open an inch or so and by setting a utility heater on the seat facing sideways . Professional air movers are sold for this purpose too .by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Most leather seats are only leather where they contact the body , the rest of the seat being vinyl-covered . Most leather surfaces are coated with a plasticy protective material . The protective stuff isn't completely impermeable, so it is possible for leather conditioners to penetrate . Quote from Boss Auto Detailing : "Coated leather is called “coated” because it does in fact hby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
After the stain removal step, the carpets are ready for cleaning . The standard method is extraction and the more powerful the extractor, the better . Professional carpet cleaners have truck-mounted equipment that is phenomenal . You can brush shampoo or another chemical into the carpet first and then extract . You may choose to extract with plain water or with a chemical solutioby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
The vinyl kick panels get badly scuffed by shoes . Normal cleaning may not remove all of the marks . You'll want to have a stiff brush, towels and maybe sponges on hand . The products to try, in order of harshness are : Zaino LeatherSoft : Griot's Garage Interior Cleaner Windex Multi-task Orange Meguiar's Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner Simple Green all purpose cby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Avoid bending, and possibly breaking, the fragile plastic vent parts . Use some or all of the following procedure to get them dust free and clean : 1) Blast the vents with compressed air to blow dirt down into the vent and out . You can try an aerosol duster made for computer keyboards too. 2) Vacuum with a brush attachment or use a soft hand-held brush along with the vacuum cleanerby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Use only microfiber towels on plastic lenses because even a soft brush can put micro-scratches into them . See YouTube videos by AmmoNYC , Chicago Auto Pros , Apex Detail etc. for more info . Never spray any product directly onto instrument lenses, and keep compressed air away because you can blow dirt behind the lenses where it will become trapped . Spray a little window cleaner thatby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Many motorists choose to hang a little pine tree or other solid air freshener in their cars . Others spray an odor -masking aerosol into the carpets . That is a matter of personal preference . Be cautious about liquid air fresheners, however, because some can damage interior materials . Pro detailers face a different set of considerations when it comes to such products . The customerby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Rubber pet hair brushes are sold in various departments at various stores . In some cases, spraying distilled water on the carpet to neutralize any static cling and raking the hair out with your rubber gloves will work . Lint rollers made by companies such as 3M are useful on pet hair too . Some detailers pick out stubborn hairs one at a time if nothing else works . Theby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Vacuuming Tips : CAUTION : Avoid scratching the gauge lenses in the dash . Don't brush the clear plastic or bump it with the vacuum nozzle . ChrisFix on YouTube advises only using water on a slightly damp microfiber towel to dust dash lenses . My procedure involves a combination of vacuuming with an attachment made for cars and brushing with three or more different brushes . I uby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Friends , Feel free to consult this old thread link for info on specific products : And this : This one too : More !by Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
Vinyl or rubber floor mats can be hung from clamps, sprayed with All Purpose Cleaner , brushed and then rinsed or pressure washed . Most carpeted mats can survive the same procedure . Some commercial car washes put the mats through a special floor mat shampooing machine . Stains in carpeted mats can be removed by using the same methods used on the carpets . Don't dress matsby Doug Delmont - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts