How did you get trained?

2 and 3
- The car dealership was a good experience but to take it to the next level, it has been #2 and this forum!
 
2 and 3. I was fortunate to work at a dealership with an actual detailer. Not a hack at all. What I learned there, and here has made me who I am now. Not a pro, but trying to be everyday.
 
#2 mostly thanks to all you good folks here at AGO and a day long class at Meguiars.
Not a pro, just a hobbyist who's proud of my progress so far.
 
Very interesting.

85% of you are self-taught. Not what I expected.

Pre-Internet, it's hard to imagine someone self-teaching themself.

I think the web has revolutionized car detailing.

Just 10 years ago, you bought a Dewalt buffer, some pads, read the manual and "winged it."

Now you can watch vids on autogeek and youtube and polish like a pro in hours.

Amazing.
 
3000rpm said:
Very interesting.

85% of you are self-taught. Not what I expected.

Pre-Internet, it's hard to imagine someone self-teaching themself.

I think the web has revolutionized car detailing.

Just 10 years ago, you bought a Dewalt buffer, some pads, read the manual and "winged it."

Now you can watch vids on autogeek and youtube and polish like a pro in hours.

Amazing.
Click to expand...

Watch every video you can and take in every bit of information. Get some junk panels to practice on, and when you are done go and watch the videos again to compare your technique. It doesn't come the first time, so don't be disappointed.
 
I'm 3, 2 and 4 in that order. I first learned how to "use" a rotary at the local Lexus dealership about 12 years ago. I kept detailing after I left. I also own an office cleaning company and do that for my main source of income. I was presented with the opportunity to work for a detailing/tinting/paint protection shop. I've been doing that and the office cleaning for awhile now.

I have to second the practice panel advice. I went to the local junkyard and got an old Miata trunk lid and a headlight off an old Ford Taurus and have tried my hand at wetsanding and headlight restoration.

I would really like to work in a body shop doing repair work and painting.

My wife just earned her Masters Degree and when she get's a job in her career field I'm probably going the body shop route and hire a few more employees to cover the cleaning biz.

Thanks for listening. Now back to your regular programming.
 
#2 I have always enjoyed detailing my vehicles and it has expanded into a part-time business. While I may have acquired tools and products I do considerable myself far from being a professional.

One of the first things that I learned after joining this forum was how much I did not know. I enjoy learning and read as much as possible. However, as many have said it is the trial and error approach that has taught me the most. Purchased a Makita polisher recently and plan to spend a few months practicing (part -time remember) before using it on my truck.
 
3000rpm said:
It seems there's 4 ways of "going pro":

1. Attend a school (RightLook, TotalPros, Detail King, Detailing Success, etc.).
2. Self-taught: trial and error, research online, etc.
3. Work at a car dealership.
4. Work at a detail shop.

Where did the pros here get their training?
Click to expand...

#2 for twenty years then #1 5 years ago with Renny Doyle.

About 6 years ago I started attending as many detailing events as possible ( mobile tech expo, SEMA, Nace and Autogeek ) Though some were not totally detailing related there were at least a few vendors at each.
By attending such shows I have gotten to meet many great people in the industry (Renny, Joe Fernandez, Mike Phillips, Jason Rose and many more) and have become close friends with many of them.
Last year I attended Geekfeast and meet a bunch more of Pro's even meet Sea Jay and he only lives 30 min from me.

Back in 1986 when I started there was no internet so most research was limited to local distributor. Forums and You-tubes are a great way to research products and techniques but there is no substitution for hands on training.
If going to one of the schools listed is not an option getting together with a few other detailers (not your competition ) and spending a day working together is great training also I have done this a few times.
 
2.
3.
&
4.

This month i will be starting Luxury Auto Spa, A Pro, no but think I;m good enough to make some money and plus i enjoy the work. Currently working for BMW and Mercedes
 
#2 for me.

I am no pro. Just an enthusiast. :xyxthumbs:
 
There was no one to teach me but myself, so I guess I'll go with self taught!

:)
 
rider9195 said:
Watch every video you can and take in every bit of information. Get some junk panels to practice on, and when you are done go and watch the videos again to compare your technique. It doesn't come the first time, so don't be disappointed.
Click to expand...

Without a paint depth gauge I can't see how you can comfortably buff a car out. I don't care how many junk panels I have buffed out I may think I'm doing it ok and right but really I could be just 5 extra seconds from burning through the paint...but since I havent burned through the paint I feel I'm doing it 'right'..that to me is false confidence.

I believe this is still a great way to learn but you can't build great confidence in it. See I am self taught and for that fact I will not call myself a professional even though this is what I do everyday. I constantly wonder am I doing this correct? Is there a better way to be doing this? My main concern is high speed buffing. I have been to AG's class but I need 'one on one'. We worked on flat panels not curved panels or anything like that. Each year during the winter I keep telling myself I am going to go to work for another well established detail shop and learn the 'ins and outs' of detailing and try to get a better Idea how to buff cars using a high speed buffer....This is why I bought myself a new flex that came in today!!!

Just my 2 cents.:xyxthumbs:
 
ShineTimeDetail said:
Without a paint depth gauge I can't see how you can comfortably buff a car out. I don't care how many junk panels I have buffed out I may think I'm doing it ok and right but really I could be just 5 extra seconds from burning through the paint...but since I havent burned through the paint I feel I'm doing it 'right'..that to me is false confidence.

I believe this is still a great way to learn but you can't build great confidence in it. See I am self taught and for that fact I will not call myself a professional even though this is what I do everyday. I constantly wonder am I doing this correct? Is there a better way to be doing this? My main concern is high speed buffing. I have been to AG's class but I need 'one on one'. We worked on flat panels not curved panels or anything like that. Each year during the winter I keep telling myself I am going to go to work for another well established detail shop and learn the 'ins and outs' of detailing and try to get a better Idea how to buff cars using a high speed buffer....This is why I bought myself a new flex that came in today!!!

Just my 2 cents.:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

In all reality...taking a reading on a single panel doesn't tell you anything. You are simply measuring the combination of primer, paint, and clear coat. That reading doesn't tell you a single thing about how close to burning paint you are.

The only way to truly make it worth while, is to take tons of readings. By doing that, you can then see where the paint is much thicker, in comparison to where the paint is thin. Then you would have a better idea of maybe what areas to avoid, or go easy on, tape off, etc. In that sense, a gauge is useful.

Getting a thick paint reading doesn't mean you can go nuts on the panel. If you're dealing with a single panel, and don't have the whole car to take readings on to collect your data...then the reading is really pointless unless it's extremely thin. There may be one coat of clear on top of that thick paint...and you'd never know.

Unless you painted the vehicle yourself, or know for sure how many coats of clear there are...it's always a gamble. Readings from a paint gauge are simply guidelines. But, the readings can screw you over with a false sense of safety, just as much as they can help you.
 
2 and 4

I dont meant to bag on RightLook but my former boss was trained by them and I did not learn anything special other than basic washes and waxes (while doing mobile details for 5 years). I think learning by yourself if rewarding, however if I lived closer I would take AG classes in a heartbeat!

It was because of AG and this wonderful forum that I learned what real detailing was, and ever since then I have strived for the best product and equipment. A lot of trial and error with the rotary (junk panels). Not a pro but I can certainly hold my own now. Detailing would not be fun if I knew everything. :xyxthumbs:
 
Okay, I got 66 responses across 4 detailing message boards.

The results:
training_nourl.png
 
not pro by far #2 and working with a buddy learning his techniques. i want to go and take the AG class very soon. this site i learn alot from most definitely
 
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