How to dress for detail work?

Romans5.8 said:
Another "If it were me" response from me, BUT;

If I was a pro, I'd invest in a handful of nice looking polos or oxford style shirts in a nice, neutral color with my logo on it. That along with slacks and tennis shoes. Looks professional yet casual. Also looks like you're the boss, not the grunt of the company. People want to do business with the boss (even if you are the only one- they don't know that!). So, when networking, going to car shows, even running to the bank or grocery shopping, I'd wear that as my 'uniform'. Taking every opportunity to network to people looking professional. You yourself should also be clean cut, shaven or trimmed, and appearing clean and professional (if you look scruffy, whose gonna want you to clean their stuff?). If you aren't networking and marketing your business while running your errands, then you are losing business to the guy who is!

I can speak to the comfort and utility of the 'above'. I'm a Pastor, so people expect me to look professional and I expect that of myself! (As I'm not one of those hip urban Pastors who has a soul patch and preaches in a graphic T-Shirt and bluejeans, hehhe). But wearing a jacket and tie can be cumbersome AND pricey to maintain when you are dealing with funeral homes, nursing homes, hospitals, or even just visiting parishioners homes and places of work. So during the week, when I'm not leading worship or in a meeting or doing some other sort of 'at the church' type work, I often wear slacks, a polo or short-sleeve collared shirt, and a nice neutral colored (brown) pair of tennis shoes. It looks nice, but it's not a big deal to get something spilled onto you or get a stain, and it doesn't look AWFUL and wrinkled at the end of a long day. It's also very comfortable!

When 'working', I think T-Shirts with your logo and pants that don't require a belt (aka waist-mounted paint scratcher) and foregoing rings, watches, etc., is a wise choice.

To answer the question personally, I'd detail in my underwear if I could! Hehe, okay maybe not. I just detail in whatever I'm wearing, sans belt/watch/ring/pocket contents. But I just do it for myself!
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I agree with Roman's recommendations.

It's also not a bad idea to have two sets of clothing and shoes with you. One set to meet customers in, another for work.
 
Bill1234 said:
I have 2 black polo shirts and 3 pairs of simple black cargo pants. My belt has a smoothed bucket and would be very close to my waste, should be fine =)
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Wear an apron if you insists on wearing a belt, or put the buckle to the side or back.
 
hamlyn said:
I agree with Roman's recommendations.

It's also not a bad idea to have two sets of clothing and shoes with you. One set to meet customers in, another for work.
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Theres a 99 percent chance I will not leave my house, however, that statement is a good idea
 
Bill1234 said:
I have 2 black polo shirts and 3 pairs of simple black cargo pants. My belt has a smoothed bucket and would be very close to my waste, should be fine =)
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Unless your belt buckles sit taller on your waist than the car you are detailing, I don't think they know not to touch the car.
 
Bill1234 said:
Theres a 99 percent chance I will not leave my house, however, that statement is a good idea
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Yea!

I wear a dress shirt and tie to work, but always keep a spare shirt and a jacket, just in case. I probably use them once a year, if that. But better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them. It doesn't cost to have them available.
 
hamlyn said:
Yea!

I wear a dress shirt and tie to work, but always keep a spare shirt and a jacket, just in case. I probably use them once a year, if that. But better to have them and not need them, than to need them and not have them. It doesn't cost to have them available.
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I have an extra shirt, jacket, and a couple extra ties and polos in my office. Does come in handy now and then!
 
Evan.J said:
Depending on where I am doing work will depend on what I wear.

If I'm at home its all about comfort. If I'm out on a job its all about looking professional so kaki shorts and a polo shirt with my logo.
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:iagree:This is what I would do. In my job, they order me uniforms. Blue shorts and grey/blue working shirt!!! with the name of the shop and my name on it.
 
I always wear an apron. It is how I got trained from the very beginning. When I put my apron on it establishes me as the Detailer and the "Detailer" is going to go sand, buff, polish paint.

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I usually have on military style BDU's they have panel sewn in on the inside of the pants where you can put in some padding in the knee area. And they make some pretty spiffy ones in different weights if you are a pro. Nice for concealed carry also if you have a permit. I am barley considered an amateur so I wear a ratty old tee shirt. There is a place on the net based in LA that has them on sale most of the time.
 
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I make sure I am always wearing shorts/pants with no metal or anything on then while I am working on cars, that way if I am leaning on a car while working on it I am certain not to scratch or do anything to the paint. So most of the time I am wearing athletic shorts or warm up pants and a moisture wicking shirt. I tried an apron at first, and it was just a pain while crawling around so that didn't last long. Just stick to soft clothing.
 
Meticulous-Detail said:
I wear khaki cargo pants or shorts with my company T-Shirt and nothing that will scratch paint.
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Exactly.

If you have to lean against the car to reach the middle of a hood, trunklid or roof, then you want soft cotton touching the car and covering your belt loops on your paints.

Besides the soft cotton t-shirt, like a Haynes, etc. the rest is personal preference. I prefer to only wear Nike Mid-tops with an air sole for good ankle support and impact reduction.

There's something to be said for looking professional so a t-shirt with a company logo for sure but at the same time, what's really important is how the car looks, not you.

So dress for success and success is defined at being able to do your best work while also looking like you take your work seriously.


:)
 
I usually wear black "windbreaker" type pants when it is cold & black shorts when it is warm, and a shirt with my logo on it. I also have various hats with my logo on them as well.
 
Good idea for a thread.
Does anyone know if they make an apron that has something to hold a power cord in place on your shoulder.
 
I always wear comfortable shoes, never really work boots. No rings or any accessory for that matter

Always have a nice polo and khakis or something in my office for when I "might" need to look professional.

When doing almost any polishing on Exotics or collectables, I wear sweatpants. Especially if I've already met the customer.

Doesn't seem the most professional, but when you work with expensive vehicles, and work long hours, you can't beat comfort and safety.
 
Running shoes with air insoles. My feet never hurt even after 12-14 hour days.

Sweat/fleece/windbreaker type pants (black).

Comfortable shirt (even polos look nice with adidas fleece type pants), or sweat shirt.

I'm going to be moving around not sitting behind a desk, sure some other "costume" might look "more professional" but I can tell you there has been more damage done to cars by individuals "looking professional" than not (think dealerships and hand car wash places). It's really just a projection of how you want people to think about you and your business and not a reflection of your work.

I just make sure not to wear anything with holes or obvious stains. I like to be comfortable and the peace of mind of wearing nothing that will harm an surface inside or out.
 
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