Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Aesthetics "Weapons of mass reflection"

As most of you know I'm REALLY into detailing, duh This year I've "upped the ante", both in my product line and my approach to getting new business. I'm not going to be really pushy as I don't want to drive anyone away, but I'm going to get ahold of more people personally, whether its email, PM's or conversations at meets. I actually started this by offering a "detailing seminar" at our Yearend Bash last year. Theres alot of people that are overwhelmed at the amount of products out there, what they do and how to apply them and in what order. I asked for a donor car and got one (Snakous) Once we started I started to field questions about what I was doing and hoped everyone who was there learned a little something and was able to see what I'm all about. In the past I wasn't very aggressive as I figured people knew how to get ahold of me, but starting this year I'm not going to do that! In addition to above mentioned ideas, I'm also going to go to some of the local "high end" car dealerships, like Auto Europe, Prestige Motors and Birmingham Auto. I'm sure these places have auto detailers knocking down their doors, but I'm going to go for it anyways, gotta try, right I'm also going to head over to Classic Auto and even though they sell cars for people, its something I feel they should offer and heres why. My Dad used to own a 90' Buick Reatta, silver w/ blue interior and he had it for sale there and when I went there to wax it, we got a couple more people checking it out and asking questions. This automatically brings people over to see what your doing, thus creating interest not only in the car, but what I'm doing So w/o further a do, may I present my "Weapons of mass reflections" for 2006'!

After a good hand carwash w/ Griots car wash soap, this is always the first step on everything


Over the past couple monthes doing some research, I've decided to use this for the next steps, yeah I said steps. This product will take care of both cleaning the paint as well as polishing it. It also offers protection, thats why its called Klasse "All in One" and is apart of my acrylic product line.


Next up in the process is this acrylic product, Klasse Sealant Glaze and it goes on after the surface is properly prepped (clay bar and Klasse AIO) This product produces great clarity or "pop". In addition, its durability is great, thus making it a possible "final step" in the process if you'd like


I mentioned "possible final step" previously because its good to "top" the Klasse SG with a quality caranuba and heres why. Caranuba offers addtional durability but adds depth to the paint rather then clarity, so this is why I suggest to people if they wanna go all out, let me "top" the previous steps with one of my MANY quality caranubas





...or maybe you want me to "top" it with a quality synthetic product, no problem! I will always have a connection to my past


For those who want nothing but the VERY best for their black, red or dark colored car, I offer you THE BOTTOM LINE, BEST PRODUCT OUT THERE! This is Pinnacle "Souveran" and is made out of some of the best products on earth, as well in a lab! Its not cheap, costing $70.00 a container, but does go on sale from time to time, thank God "Topping" a customers ride with this will cost an extra $10.00, a fair price to pay IMO for such a quality product. Check out the presentation for this...



LOOK!, I've just won the "wax lotto"


It even comes in a gold sack


Out of bag!


If all this wasn't enough I also have a couple tried and true "stand bys", just incase someone was to request them for some reason.

Mequiars "Medallion" premium paint cleaner


Mequiars "body shop" professional hand polish


This bottle has about 1 or 2 jobs left in it and I will say is one of the best products I've ever used and have nothing but good things to say about it, I present Griots Paint Sealant



So what do I charge, well its in my sig, but just to go into a bit more detail, heres what I do:

-Complete hand carwash
-Complete degreasing/detailing of the engine bay
-Complete interior cleaning/detailing
-Wheelwells cleaned and detailed
-Tires/wheels cleaned and detailed, polished if it applies
-Complete trunk cleaning/detailing
-Windows waxed
-Tire pressure and oil level checked and topped

Wax Packages broke down:
Package #1 includes the above plus clay barring and either:
-one coat of Klasse AIO or one coat of caranuba/synthetic

Package #2 includes clay barring, Klasse AIO and one coat of Klasse SG,caranuba or synthetic

Package #3 includes clay barring, AIO, SG and caranuba "topper" or synthetic

Package #4 includes clay barring, AIO, 2 coats of SG and the caranuba "topper". The 2 coats of SG really bring out even more "pop". I experimented on my Crossfire and couldn't believe my eyes

This is only a portion of my products as I have everything inhouse to do a complete detailing job. Many products I buy in bulk from Griots like their interior cleaner, wheel cleaner and Speed Shine (quick detailer). They (Griots) also have what I feel is the best leather treatment available, well, so far anyways as well as quality scents, again not cheap, but I don't corners! In closing I'd like to thank the people that have visited "The Compound" in the past and also extend an invitation to those coming to SZ06' to stop by here on your way down there, if you can and let me detail your car for you, giving you the "edge" in the competion I'd also like to hear some suggestions for growing my business even more, its very much appreciated as I really like to do this because not only do I get paid to do something I enjoy (can't put a price on that ) but seeing peoples reaction to their ride when they pick it up is priceless!

This spring/summer I think I'm gonna have to make a visit to the compound.

Roger,

You're not the ultimate detailer if you're doing it by hand.

I'll have to disagree with your claim that Pinnacle Souveran is the best out there for red, black and .

From what I have read Natty's Blue and Optimum Car Wax are extremely popular and used more than Souveran. (I'm sure price has something to do with it.)


Could your line be better? Definitely. Different producst for different colors and condition paint. But this qould be quite a huge investment to purchase "ideal" products for various colors/conditions.

As a single line to offer all customers, your line is excellent. (And if anyone wants your standby products over the Klasse twins, Souveran or S100 they're insane).

Quote:

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You're not the ultimate detailer if you're doing it by hand.

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I've been going back and forth about using a PC, but haven't pulled the trigger on it yet. When/if I do though, I'll be "practicing" on the Regal first The thing is though, how would you apply AIO/SG using the PC when it goes on so thin to begin with? IMO the wheel is for paint thats not in too good of shape to begin with, but maybe that will change if/when I get a PC One thing about doing it by hand is this, NO chance of burning the paint, especially on older cars where the paint is older. An example is my buddies 86' BMW 635 CSI, its fire engine red and has its original paint. Certain parts of the car you can see the orange colored primer showing on the edges, imagine what the PC could do to that if someone doesn't know what their doing Its not something I even wanna think about to be honest with you. Same goes for anodized window molding. I had an orbital buffer about 10 years ago to use on my 87' GN and it worked nicely, but a couple times I hit the drip rail and window trim and it took off the paint and that was just a low speed buffer, so you can understand my concern. To be honest with you though, I'm leaning towards the PC, but I see only using it where the paint isn't so good and I need to get everything I can out of it where higher speed and proper polish will do the trick. After that, hand waxing the cars finish is the way I'll go. To date, most of the cars I've done are on the newer side and the finishes are pretty good still, but your point is well taken Pete

I did notice that the pics you post of the cars you detail were all fairly new / well maintained.

PC noobness:
I had the same concerns as you - screwing up! But after a lot of reading, dummies can use a PC.

Thin waxes:
There are guys using Zaino with the PC, which is just as thin if not thinner than Klasse. It's a matter of learning the technique.

Pc on moulding/trim:
Painter's tape. Easy on, easy off, ease of mind.

PC on older paint:
Did you see the thread of the red car that the paint would come off on your hands when you touched it? Did you see the after pics? Impossible to get those kinds of results by hand.

How long would it take to get this (before):


To look like this (after):


You can't - it's near impossible. I've tried on dark green with a variety of polishes. You get to a certain level and just can't get it perfect.

That's the advantage of the PC - results, time, effort and amount of product used.


My PC is in the mail. As soon as I give it a go on the dark green I'll post before and after pics and PM you the link.

What the deuce is a PC?!

Porter Cable orbital buffer.

Have one, love it. So easy to use, so fast...it really helps the less dilligent among us keep a bit of polish on the car. It'll be the best thing you detailer-types will ever buy.