Delo91
05-01-2017, 11:03 PM
Hey guys! I've been reading a ton of stuff on this forum for a while now and have decided to take the plunge and get registered. So, here's to my first post! :dblthumb2:
In all seriousness though, here is my question...or novel...however you look at it. I have been working for a lower end dealership for quite some time now, and by lower end, I mean not a new car or "close to new" dealer. We have +/- 60 cars on the lot, and the majority are priced under $5,000 as a buy here pay here type setup. The cars are older and typically higher mileage with previous owners who had not paid too much attention do detail (excuse the pun) Some of the better vehicles get sent out to a somewhat local shop (we are in a country setting, about a 20 minute drive to the detail shop) and they come back looking nice. I wouldn't say they have a meticulous clean, however talking with the detailer he says he spends an average of 2-3 hours per car, and makes them "presentable" for putting them on the lot. They clean carpets, seats, plastics, glass, etc. also touching up some minor paint flaws on the body with a full exterior wash as well. I have a few years experience previously working for a Kia dealership cleaning new or very close to it vehicles. We used Huttons products. I wasn't crazy over their products, however for what I was cleaning they did the job. I have also cleaned vehicles as a side gig for friends and family. I have used OTC products and have experimented with various products until I found the ones that i've liked best. Products include RainX Glass Cleaner, Mothers VLR (LOVE this stuff - non greasy formula and leaves an awesome scent) Spray Nine as an APC and carpet stain remover (isn't the greatest for carpets but does the job with some arm power and a good scrubbing) I just really wish they offered RainX and VLR in larger quantities.
Many of the vehicles at work get left for me to clean. Tools available to me are a Mastercraft DA Polisher (used for a brush on heavy carpet stains) Rigid 6.5hp Vacuum, Aztec Hot Rod Extractor, an off brand 2,300PSI Hot/Cold Water Pressure Washer and obviously various brushes/MF Towels. My boss has been using chemicals for Tire Shine and Car Wash Shampoo he has purchased from the local Manheim Auto Auction. There's no name on this stuff so I couldn't tell ya who it's even made by, using it though it's definitely noticeable that this is pretty low grade stuff. For an APC he has a 5 Gallon Pail of Spray Nine, Glass Cleaner is a budget brand OTC Windex type solution. Carpet Solution is an OTC brand called Resolve (It actually does a pretty good job for what it is) and is what we use for spot treatments as well as solution for the extractor. Pretty limited supplies, Spray Nine is used for an engine degreaser as well as rim & tire cleaner (obviously with mediocre results) and the Tire Shine used for dressing interiors. This leaves a very greasy feel and the smell overtakes everything previously done on the interior. But what can you do when working with limited supplies?
As for my initial question. We are looking at going with some more professional cleaners and would love to hear every ones opinion. With doing lots of research, I am leaning towards Chemical Guys for an APC, Glass Cleaner, Interior Dressing, Carpet Spot Cleaner/Extractor Solution and Car Wash Soap. There's a CG Retailer not too far away from us so we could get supplies pretty easy without having to wait on shipping. There is also a more general retailer that carries "Big D's" (Never heard of them - how are their products?) Dr. Beasleys, some Sonax & Griot's Garage products. I'd like a Dressing that isn't too greasy but still leaves a nice shine. I can use the existing Tire Shine we have (my boss bought a WHOLE bunch) for dressing Tires and Engine Bays. I would also like to find a really good degreaser for Engine Bays as well as Rims (Is there a product that can do both?) With dealing in volume, I'd love to find a product that does a great job in the least time and not break the bank. This might be a bit of a contradiction, but it's the truth. That;s why I was leaning towards CG. Seem to have some good reviews and prices are along the same lines as the Big D's line supplied by the other retailer. I'd like to stay away from shipping if possible which is another reason I was leaning toward these brands.
I'm not 100% completely sold on those brands and i'd love to hear your opinions. I'm sure there's more and i'm leaving something out but I think i've covered the majority of it. I appreciate your replies!
In all seriousness though, here is my question...or novel...however you look at it. I have been working for a lower end dealership for quite some time now, and by lower end, I mean not a new car or "close to new" dealer. We have +/- 60 cars on the lot, and the majority are priced under $5,000 as a buy here pay here type setup. The cars are older and typically higher mileage with previous owners who had not paid too much attention do detail (excuse the pun) Some of the better vehicles get sent out to a somewhat local shop (we are in a country setting, about a 20 minute drive to the detail shop) and they come back looking nice. I wouldn't say they have a meticulous clean, however talking with the detailer he says he spends an average of 2-3 hours per car, and makes them "presentable" for putting them on the lot. They clean carpets, seats, plastics, glass, etc. also touching up some minor paint flaws on the body with a full exterior wash as well. I have a few years experience previously working for a Kia dealership cleaning new or very close to it vehicles. We used Huttons products. I wasn't crazy over their products, however for what I was cleaning they did the job. I have also cleaned vehicles as a side gig for friends and family. I have used OTC products and have experimented with various products until I found the ones that i've liked best. Products include RainX Glass Cleaner, Mothers VLR (LOVE this stuff - non greasy formula and leaves an awesome scent) Spray Nine as an APC and carpet stain remover (isn't the greatest for carpets but does the job with some arm power and a good scrubbing) I just really wish they offered RainX and VLR in larger quantities.
Many of the vehicles at work get left for me to clean. Tools available to me are a Mastercraft DA Polisher (used for a brush on heavy carpet stains) Rigid 6.5hp Vacuum, Aztec Hot Rod Extractor, an off brand 2,300PSI Hot/Cold Water Pressure Washer and obviously various brushes/MF Towels. My boss has been using chemicals for Tire Shine and Car Wash Shampoo he has purchased from the local Manheim Auto Auction. There's no name on this stuff so I couldn't tell ya who it's even made by, using it though it's definitely noticeable that this is pretty low grade stuff. For an APC he has a 5 Gallon Pail of Spray Nine, Glass Cleaner is a budget brand OTC Windex type solution. Carpet Solution is an OTC brand called Resolve (It actually does a pretty good job for what it is) and is what we use for spot treatments as well as solution for the extractor. Pretty limited supplies, Spray Nine is used for an engine degreaser as well as rim & tire cleaner (obviously with mediocre results) and the Tire Shine used for dressing interiors. This leaves a very greasy feel and the smell overtakes everything previously done on the interior. But what can you do when working with limited supplies?
As for my initial question. We are looking at going with some more professional cleaners and would love to hear every ones opinion. With doing lots of research, I am leaning towards Chemical Guys for an APC, Glass Cleaner, Interior Dressing, Carpet Spot Cleaner/Extractor Solution and Car Wash Soap. There's a CG Retailer not too far away from us so we could get supplies pretty easy without having to wait on shipping. There is also a more general retailer that carries "Big D's" (Never heard of them - how are their products?) Dr. Beasleys, some Sonax & Griot's Garage products. I'd like a Dressing that isn't too greasy but still leaves a nice shine. I can use the existing Tire Shine we have (my boss bought a WHOLE bunch) for dressing Tires and Engine Bays. I would also like to find a really good degreaser for Engine Bays as well as Rims (Is there a product that can do both?) With dealing in volume, I'd love to find a product that does a great job in the least time and not break the bank. This might be a bit of a contradiction, but it's the truth. That;s why I was leaning towards CG. Seem to have some good reviews and prices are along the same lines as the Big D's line supplied by the other retailer. I'd like to stay away from shipping if possible which is another reason I was leaning toward these brands.
I'm not 100% completely sold on those brands and i'd love to hear your opinions. I'm sure there's more and i'm leaving something out but I think i've covered the majority of it. I appreciate your replies!