I Just passed all 10 of my IDA exams!!!!!!

B

Billy Baldone

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Wooo Hooo!!!! Next step is I need to sign up to get my SV certification with Jason Rose in Denver next month. What can I expect in the SV part of the process?
 
Thank you. Im pretty excited. I will be the first IDA certified detailer in the state when we move there in Feb.
 
Billy Baldone said:
Wooo Hooo!!!!
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Congratulations :cheers:

Billy Baldone said:
Im pretty excited.
I will be the first IDA certified detailer in
the state when we move there in Feb.
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The World is Your Oyster:

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Bob
 
Congrats I wanna do this one day, had no idea there were 10 exams, and you have to do a hands on test still, good luck on phase 2. I need to research how much I'd need to read up on to be able to even attempt to take these. I like they give you 2 attempts at each exam lol. So you take them online and it's an ethic system that you don't have outside help, and you only use reference material? So like, you can write down as much as you can think of on the 10 subjects then use that during the tests? I would laugh at the thought of online testing and relying on an "honor system" for most certifications. But Detailers tend to be really stand up people, so I think this is a pretty cool setup they have.

I just quickly read over IDA's page so maybe I'm off base here, but that's what it sounds like to me any ways. I can really take these tests at 3AM in my room while I'm eating tacos? I'm there :D
 
That's a great question. Being a member, so far, has gotten me access to some of the best detailers in the world. And for someone just starting a new small business, like myself, being able to reach out to any member for mentoring, or just random questions is an invaluable resource. As far actual customers go, It's kind of like being an ASE certified mechanic. Most customers don't know what ASE actually means, but by seeing the logo, they at least know their mechanic went through the proper training. The detailing industry isn't there yet, but it should be in the near future. I want customers with cars that cost as much as a house to have a little piece of mind,knowing that the guy spending hours upon hours in and out of their car, at least has clue what they are doing.
 
Where can you find information on the process for IDA Certification?
 
I'm not good at linking, but google IDA detailing. it will come right up. Also I had quite a few Aunts and Uncles that built AMC's in Kenosha Wisconsin back in the day. I have dreams of grandeur of one day owning an LS swapped Gremlin X
 
Great news, glad to hear you are doing this and helping out the name of IDA!
 
theamcguy said:
Where can you find information on the process for IDA Certification?
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Billy Baldone said:
I'm not good at linking, but google IDA detailing. it will come right up.
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What Billy is talking about is a series of articles Prentice St. Clair wrote for CarWashMag.com way back in 2013. I believe Prentice was also key in writing the original written tests, that's the Certified Detailer online tests. While these articles "did" provide the majority of the information on the tests, the tests have been updated and I believe there are now questions that have been added that due to the changing technology in this industry, the old articles Prentice wrote no longer cover all topics.

I'm on a couple of IDA committees including the Certification Committee. At the last meeting, the topic of providing the information for the written tests came up and it's an interesting topic. The big picture idea is anyone taking the test should actually "know" of have the knowledge of what they are doing as a detailer and thus should know the answers for the questions that are asked.

The issue with this idea is the questions cover a very wide spectrum of topics and there's no universal source for legitimate detailing information so some people take the tests with ease while others struggle.


I've set a goal for myself to write a book not for the IDA test, but for the knowledge anyone that wants to become a "Professional Detailer" should know in order to do the job correctly and safely.



:)













Also I had quite a few Aunts and Uncles that built AMC's in Kenosha Wisconsin back in the day. I have dreams of grandeur of one day owning an LS swapped Gremlin X[/QUOTE]
 
Mike Phillips said:
What Billy is talking about is a series of articles Prentice St. Clair wrote for CarWashMag.com way back in 2013. I believe Prentice was also key in writing the original written tests, that's the Certified Detailer online tests.
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[/QUOTE]

Hi Mike, is Prentice St. Clair the gentleman that was part of the episode of Competition Ready that we were in @the Los Angeles Convention Center?
A name like that is hard to forget + as knowledgeable as he was it wouldn’t surprise me if it was him...

I also remember meeting Justin Labato that day. The very 1st thing I said to him was “nice shirt” [IDA buttoned shirt] which resulted in a huge grin from him. Great guys everyone that was there that day. 1 of the best days Ever.
 
RZJZA80 said:
What does IDA certification do for you business wise?
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Here is my take on the subject. Back in 1996 when I got out of the Marines I decided to go to one of the best Mobile Electronics (and one of very few at the time) schools out there and while there I would get my MECP (Mobile Electronics Certification Program) cert. The school was RITOP Rich Infferrara (SP) team of professionals. Just look him up in the car audio space, he is known as the godfather of car audio. Anyway back to the subject.

After graduating second in my class and missing only 1 question on the test I go out into the world to be the best installer out there. LOL

2 problems I have with a certificate like that are these

1. If the customer base has no clue what that is it means VERY little to them. HOW MANY OF YOU KNEW WHAT MECP was? ASE is much bigger and has a bunch of marketing that I doubt IDA ever will and MECP ever did.
2. (And this isnt to say anything nasty about the OP cause I have no clue how good of a detailer you are, I have never met you) Just passing the MECP tests (Cause you could take the test without actually going to a school such as I did) says absolutely nothing about how you actually practice your chosen craft.

The reason for #2 is because I worked in the field for over 15 years and saw many MANY certified installers that HACKED THE CRAP out of the cars they were doing. Customers didnt care as long as the price was CHEAP. lol.

IMO and ONLY IMO when I am shopping for someone to do some work for me certificates have VERY little clout in my decision making. The person / people doing the work and their reputation from real life experience means much more to me.
 
I see if you buy the group of test it's only $400. Since you get 1 free retest for each I'm pondering paying for it and taking them with zero studying to see if I can pass. Worst case I waste my time, fail them and have to study to re-take. 10-20 questions each and you need 80%+ to pass.

Here's a question for anyone who's got the certification. I was looking to buy some random company shirts so I have can wear them when I'm detailing a customers car. I noticed IGL and 2 others (can't recall those 2 off the top of my head) have shirts I can buy that have IDA badges on them. I just added the button up IGL one to my cart and it let me get to check out. Both other companies I got to the checkout too (didn't ordered though) I'm guessing IDA would frown upon a non certified schmoe like me wearing one of these? I figured they wouldn't even be available to non IDA dudes. Should I be able to buy these?

last question, they're pretty vague on phase 2. So I pass the tests, then I can contact a local trainer to set up a skills assessment thingy. What does this cost? Or does it vary? It's $400 for the tests but have no idea what it'll cost me beyond that to get my certification. I'm very interested in doing this though.
 
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