“God is the details” and it’s often the small things that make the difference between a good detailer and an outstanding one. Once your paint is polished and protected look to the finer details; wheel wells, brake callipers, wheel lug nuts, glass surfaces, tyres and the exhaust tips and the interior: brake pedals, control knobs, instrument cluster, door kick-plates, seatbelts, buckles and retractors.
Automotive Detailing
Auto detailing is the practice of performing an extremely thorough cleaning of an automobile, both inside and out. Paint renovation is the removal of surface scratches and blemishes by 'levelling' the paint with a rotary machine, and the application of a wax or paint sealant to produce a show-quality level of detail. It can be practised for personal satisfaction, and it is also performed to prepare a car for a Concours d'Elegance, a car show that features the appearance of cars.
Detailing
Is an essential part of the maintaining the appearance of a vehicle. The objective when detailing a vehicle is to make a vehicle look as good as it can. In many cases make it look better than it was when new. Detailing can take a lot of time, but the results are always worth the effort.
Proper detailing will also protect a vehicle from environmental hazards that can rob life away from your vehicle. In order to attain and maintain an optically perfect shine, you must protect it from natural deterioration and dullness that occurs over time.
Many people seem to think that being a professional detailer must be the coolest job ever, and in some ways it is. Working on both everyday driver vehicles and amazing exotic cars day in day out and doing something you love to do for a living is pretty awesome, but there is also a harsh reality to being a detailer that you should be clear about from the very beginning. If you think that detailing is just a job think again because it isn’t. It’s more like a lifestyle choice, and the spirit of what it involves will need to run deep into your veins if you are to succeed and thrive as a detailer. If you know deep inside that you will work as hard as it takes no matter what, and that paying attention to minute details appeals to you even though it will be extremely challenging then this type of commitment will help you to succeed
A detailer combines chemicals, equipment as well as knowledge of the materials used in automotive manufacturing (vehicle surfaces). ‘Chemicals’, refers to the cleaning and protection products used, ‘equipment,’ refers to the tools used, for example, random orbital polishers, high-speed rotary polishers, extractors and power washers, to name but a few. Vehicle surfaces require a basic understanding of chemistry and how to rejuvenate and protect each of the many and varied material surfaces, regardless of its specific surface composition making objective observations based upon experience, the results obtained and adjusting the techniques and products used as necessary.
What detailers should know and what skills are required?
Elements of exterior detailing include claying, polishing, and waxing. Interior detailing involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. Engine detailing involves cleaning the engine bay area of dirt and grease by using degreasers and/or safe solvent, d-limonene citrus-based cleaners
A detailer combines chemicals, equipment as well as knowledge of the materials used in automotive manufacturing (vehicle surfaces). ‘Chemicals’, refers to the cleaning and protection products used, ‘equipment,’ refers to the tools used, for example, random orbital polishers, high-speed rotary polishers, extractors and power washers, to name but a few.
Vehicle surfaces require a basic understanding of chemistry and how to rejuvenate and protect each of the many and varied material surfaces, regardless of its specific surface composition making objective observations based upon experience, the results obtained and adjusting the techniques and products used as necessary. Besides experience, this can be gleaned by reading and learning from the various detailing forums on the Internet.
Detailing also takes a willingness to experiment, which usually means deviating from the product manufacturers directions, making objectives observations based upon experience and adjusting the techniques used as necessary, always keeping an open mind on manufacturer’s claims for their products.
It requires -
Knowledge of paint technology and the differences between single stage and multiple stage paint
Knowledge of clear coats and their reactions to different types of compounds and polishes
Ability to appropriately choose proper equipment, pads, and match chemicals to different materials
Knowledge of various types of fabrics, carbon fibre, leather finishes and other very different surfaces
A detailer possess the following personal traits
• A good work-ethic
• Ability to concentrate
• Patience
• Attention to finite details
• Determination
• Ability to be persuasive
• Good judgment
• Physical dexterity and stamina
• Integrity
• Mechanical aptitude
Training
The following courses will help you develop skills that are helpful in an auto detailing
• Language skills — being able to communicate properly is essential in this business. English classes teach you how to speak clearly and directly. They also give you reading skills that are important for business endeavours. Spanish is important since some of your fellow employees and many of your customers may be of Spanish origin.
• Mathematics — you will need to have basic math skills to work out ratio’s when mixing chemicals. Math classes teach you how to analyze costs and manage accounts.
• Automotive shop — any classes in basic mechanics will help you develop skills for working with cars.
• Computer science — most medium- to large-sized businesses use computers.
• Chemistry - understanding basic chemistry; pH values and the safe handling and disposal of chemicals is very necessary for this business. You need to have a basic understanding of the many chemical solutions you work with and how they function.
Formal Education
• Community colleges offer a variety of courses that help prepare students for careers in business. These include business administration, accounting, bookkeeping, sales, and marketing.
• Manufacturers of car care products offer training seminars specifically for auto detailers.
• There are also industry consultants and several Internet forums offering a great deal of valuable information.
Detailing knowledge
Knowledge; takes an open mind, a willingness to learn and experiment, while taking time to learn from others
• Become active on an Internet detailing forum as they discuss detailing products and their proper application methodology.
• There are various DVD available (check with a detailing forum for titles/subjects available
• Some detailers have a real talent when it comes to paint renovation, some are experts when it comes to interior detailing
• Knowledge of new technology and application methods also made detailer’s more in demand with both employers and clients.
• Don't ever stop learning
· Experience; it takes time to learn how to use the various tools correctly along with the appropriate products.
Job training
• Auto detailers should have at least three to six months of on-the-job training. Depending on their aptitude, it can take at least one year to become a competent detailer. Most shops prefer to employ non-experienced personnel, finding these individuals easier to train. New trainees learn by a combination of observation and informal instruction. Their work should be closely supervised until they are proficient.
• An important aspect of training is learning the materials to be worked on and how each of the chemical solutions will affect these materials. Most chemicals can damage as well as clean. A degreaser, for example, may be used to take off dirt and grease in an engine, but it can damage carpets, vinyl, or leather.
• Learning to operate a mechanical polisher is a critical skill as improper use can damage the paint.
Hours
Detailing businesses are usually open 10 to 12 hours a day. Those located in business districts may open only Monday through Friday, while those in residential areas often are the busiest on weekends. In general, detailers work 60 to 70 hours a week.
Prospects for Success
Auto detailing presents vast opportunities for motivated individuals. It is an industry in its infancy. Only about 20 percent of the population knows what auto detailing is, and less than 15 percent have purchased detailing services. Yet, auto detailing is a huge industry. The biggest challenge for the industry is educating the public.
As the number of detail shops continues to grow, the public slowly is becoming aware of the service. The average price of a new car is over $30,000. That level of investment warrants maintaining the resale value by maintaining and protecting the exterior and interior of the vehicle.
People are keeping their cars an average of nearly nine years. During this time, they need more services than washing, waxing, and vacuuming the inside i.e. specialist services such as Paintless dent repair (PDR) carpet dyeing, paint surface renovation, leather dying and repair, etc
Material data sheets (MSDS)
An MSDS is required under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. The MSDS is a detailed informational document prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical. It describes the physical and chemical properties of the product. MSDS’s contain useful information such as flash point, toxicity, procedures for spills and leaks, and storage guidelines.
Information included in a Material Safety Data Sheet aids in the selection of safe products, helps you understand the potential health and physical hazards of a chemical and describes how to respond effectively to exposure situations. Although there is an effort currently underway to standardize MSDS’s the quality of individual MSDS’s vary. An MSDS may be useful but it cannot substitute for prudent practices and comprehensive risk management.
A Material Safety Data Sheet should be available for every chemical you use. Read these and follow the recommendations for safe use and disposal of the material. The target audience for information in an MSDS is the occupation worker who may be exposed to chemicals at work. However, much of the information is also relevant to consumers.
Read the manufacturer's application instructions and then obtain and read the MSDS sheet to ascertain the chemicals used. Although it should be said that an MSDS is a document that contains details of the hazards associated with a particular chemical and provides information regarding its safe use. The MSDS is required to state the chemical's risks, safety and impact on the environment.
A Material Safety Data Sheet is a fact sheet developed by manufacturers describing the chemical properties of a product. Material Safety Data Sheets include brand-specific information such as physical data (solid, liquid, colour, melting point, flash point, etc.), health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, handling, disposal, personal protection and spill/leak procedures.
How to Read a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_012.cfm
Chemical Information (MSDS) A-Z- http://www.ehso.com/msds.php
Definitions of Terms Used in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - http://www.ehso.com/msdsdefs.php
Environmental Commitment
You should never assume that aqueous solutions can be disposed of untreated via the storm drainage system. Pending regulations are in place (Clean Water Act and Ground Water Pollution) to limit the amount of contaminated water that is allowed to be discharged into stormwater systems (i.e. street vehicle washing)
Always responsibly dispose of all non-biodegradable materials from your vehicle cleaning in a responsible manner. Waste run-off must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental control regulations.
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