Americas Top 10 Detailers?

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Americas Top 10 Detailers?


Was thinking yesterday, if we had to make a list of Americas top detailers, could be top 10 could be top 5, etc.


How would they be chosen?

What would the criteria be?



I know there's lots of great detailers out there but how can we tell or know they are truly great?



Name some criteria.



:)
 
Meanwhile back on the cyber farm...


Now that this thread is visible... see this thread --> forum problem


How about some of our forum regulars, heck even new guys, share their thoughts on what kind of criteria could be used to determine who is top dog in this industry? Or rather a selection of the top dogS


Me?

I think it's all to easy for someone to simply take a picture of a shiny car and post it to Facebook and let everyone assume their great.


Facebook is a horrible interface to share before, during and after at least as compared to how you can do it on a forum simply due to the ability to format text and pictures in a linear fashion. There's simply no there there on FB.

Videos? Some are good but most don't show the entire project, as in the before, process including pads, products, tools used, and then the after.

What I do know is when I consistently see a person take the time to put the buffer down, take pictures of the process and then later create a thorough write-up on a forum like this or Autopia or DetailWorld, then I can see from their posting history AND their pictures the person really knows what they are doing.


Then there's the topic of classes. I teach classes and damn good ones. I know when someone takes my class that when they leave THEY KNOW HOW TO DETAIL A CAR. And I mean from start to finish, washing, decontaminating, correction, coatings, waxes, sealants, glass polishing, engine detailing, plastic restoration, headlight restoration and just as important - when to do a one-step production detail for daily drivers and when to do multiple step process for SIVs or special interest vehicles.

I've had enough people take my class that have taken other classes that I know not all classes are equal.


Then there's the IDA. I'm a member and believe in and support the organization and the idea behind it but I also know there are many talented pro detailers that are not members so it alone cannot be a criteria to make a judgment call.


So what are some criteria that would enable a person behind a computer or a cell phone to judge who is the real deal and who is a keyboard detailer.


:)
 
I have to agree with pretty much all of what you said. I'll add, though, posting pictures of the "after" doesn't really speak much, as it's far too easy to make something look good with lighting, angle, etc.

I have a pic of a hood that looks great! Nice depth, reflection, detail. Looks nice. But, stand on the other side of it, with the sun glaring down on it, and whoa. Different story altogether.

It helps to have several before/during/after pics. Some nice 50/50 (though I'm not keen on doing those anymore) also help.

IDA certification would surely help.
 
Mike,

Given a choice, I would prefer to judge a detail job in person. We judge with our eyes and pics sometimes are misleading. But we also critique/judge with touch & hearing (were decontaminants properly removed? If not, we can feel AND hear the contaminants) and sometimes smell (e.g. was the car turned over with interior smelling like chemicals or a pleasant, inviting smell?) A car can look really shiny but that doesn't mean the paint is 100% clean. But given the question of criteria to enable a person behind a computer or a cell phone to judge who is the real deal and who is a keyboard detailer:

1. Photographic evidence of the vehicle's pre-detail condition (horizontal panels, vertical panels, wheels/tires, interior, engine, glass, headlights). Pics must be from multiple angles.

2. As the detailer moves from step to step, he/she documents what was done and how, and supplies photographic evidence during/after each process (as you do in your posts). Paint correction pics are ideally taken with a swirl finder (both before and after).

3. Final pics taken in the sun, and in the shade - again from multiple angles.

4. It would also be interesting for the detailer to indicate what products were used, and how long each process took. I am not suggesting the longer you take the better you are, but we all know it takes a "certain" time to do it right. It's unlikely you're going to paint-correct an entire vehicle in 30 mins.

ScottH
 
For me, the #1 criteria is simple. Experience.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have been around and or worked alongside some truly experienced detailers such as Mike Phillips, Michael Stoops, Mike Pennington, Derek Bemiss, Jason Rose, Mel Craig, Darren Priest, Bob from TNOG [RIP Bob, thanks for schooling me about polishing back when I knew nothing. I’ll never forget you my friend]

People of that caliber have lots in common, but 1 thing especially without a doubt and that’s experience. My hats off to the true Big Dogs.
 
Will this be a new show on Velocity Channel? America's Best Detailers?
 
Detailers like Siempre Charlo and FelipeTV deserve mention as well.. Because they’ve displayed some amazing results on vehicles that alot of people would deem undesirable or beneath their “standards” to work on... Some people must think that the daily life of a detailer involves nothing but Bentleys or something. Lol.

Just look up Siempre Charlo on YT. IMO there’s no way you can’t respect his work. Props to all the unsung detailers out there busting their hump and earning an honest living.
 
Wow this will be tough to make a call. IMO NO MATTER what you do or what criteria you use there will always be someone that will be upset or might disagree with you. That is a challenge in itself.

If there was a criteria that I would consider at least would be the detailer is a full time detailer or works for one as his main source of income. I know what I just said may raise a STINK. I am a hobbyist and love detailing on the side. Many times I will detail for free. Others for a nominal fee. I will detail maybe about 10 cars for the year. I detail cars from Ferrari, Range Rovers, Bentley's, Lambo's to classic cars and regular rides. Do I think I have pretty good knowledge of detailing? ABSOLUTELY YES! I also consider myself to be a very good detailer too.

Do I think I deserve to be considered ever in the Top 10? NO!

I am passionate and love detailing. I have all the tools and product to consider myself a good detailer. But again, it's for a HOBBY. The guys that do it for a living to pay their mortgage, family, bills and business deserve it more than I do.

IMO RUNNING a business ITSELF is a HUGE important FACTOR. My point being if you are the most talented detailer but can't run a business; to me shows that you are not good to the OTHER factors of detailing. SUCCESS should be considered a factor. Running a business is a HUGE CHALLENGE itself. How much of a scoring percentage is something up to the judges.

IMO I SHOULD NOT COUNT as well as everyone similar to me. If you want, make a side bar of the TOP 10 Hobbyist Detailers.

FULL TIME detailers whether they be Independent Contractors, Business owners or work for a business should be the factor.

Being a detailer is great. Running a business as a Detailer is very hard to do.

But a Top 10 Detailer would be AWESOME! Just count me out on this one and others similar to me. If you add a HOBBYIST Top 10 Detailer, then count me in!

I hope I don't make people mad but again, this is MY OPINION!
 
Curious to see where this goes! But I think you hit the nail on the head. Giving back to the community by offering help or giving advice on personal experiences, running a successful business and or teaching classes etc all play a big part. I for one have a few in my head that make the list and I personally can say have motivated me and helped me along the way. I could only dream to be at that level someday!
 
IMO, it comes down to saving paint first and foremost. I've seen some saves and I'm blown away with this:xyxthumbs:
 
Klasse Act said:

IMO, it comes down to saving paint first and foremost. I've seen some saves and I'm blown away with this:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

i agree. I like that - it’s good and it’s simple down to the core about the paint side of Car Detailing. Of course there’s other aspects like interior detailing etc.


Now back to the question of what are good criteria to judge people by?

2 pictures in a FB post?

A video?

A forum write-up?

Pictures on a personal or business website?


:)
 
Mike,

•Besides the excellent points that
you’ve already put forward;

•I would think that a Detailer that meets, or
exceeds, the criteria set forth by The duPont
Registry—in order to be selected to their
”Elite Detailer Alliance”—should dovetail
nicely into being considered one of America’s
Top 10 Detailers.

With that in mind...
•Besides yourself, Mike, the following
Professional Detailers, among others,
come to mind (some are members of
the AGO forum):

-Presidential Details
-Tru Shine
-Auto Concierge


Note:
@Jeff Suggs: Better luck next time...



Bob
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
If there was a criteria that I would consider at least would be the detailer is a full time detailer or works for one as his main source of income.
Click to expand...

I like that. And that criteria would take me and a lot of other people out of the running.

If the definition of, “detailer”, means full time paid professional then this would be a very specific group of oriole that could be identified.

Then out of this group - what criteria could be used as a standard or to judge them by assuming the group of oriole doing the judging are “we” the masses looking at a phone, tablet or computer screen.

Tough nut to crack.

:)
 
I think a well judged competition, with the country divided into sections, with a final championship of the ten selected to be held at detail Fest would be a real hit with the people, and a better way to value their skills. To just pick Detailers from some unstructured, random personal opinions would prove nothing.

To be a top ten detailer from hundreds of detailers in the country would be one Hell of an honor!
 
Pictures mean nothing IMO, they can easily hide what's really going on. Social media presence doesn't mean anything either, that's purely marketing savvy and technical know-how. Also working on almost perfect cars and taking out a few blemishes here and there doesn't mean anything to me either. Take a trashed up, swirled up mess of a car, regardless what kind of car it is, and turn it into close to show room fresh without compromising the paint and I'll be impressed.

The best of the best know the products they are working with and know how to extract every bit of potential out of them. They also know and have experience enough to know how certain combinations of pads, polishes, and polishers will work especially on any given type of paint they are presented with. The best detailers remember that detailing is more than just paint correction, it's called "detailing" for a reason. I see many miss the small details in detailing and think polishing paint is all there is to it.
 
Judging detailing is very subjective making it difficult to determine the 10 best detailers. I may prefer the look of a glossy coated paint sealant/coating. The next guy may prefer a glow of a wax. I like low shine matte tires. The next guy may prefer high shine tires.

I would say the only fair way to objectively assess the skills of detailers would be to have a contest that is judged blindly. Each contestant gets two/three cars to detail over the course of two-three weeks. All contestants get the same make, model, color cars. Each car gets driven in exactly the same conditions. Set up the same paint defects in each car. I.E. set up holograms and sanding marks. Soil the carpets with controlled stains. Then put the cars on display in one location for other professional detailers to judge, but don’t let the judges know who’s work is who’s. The judges score each car on many categories. The detailer with the highest point total wins.
 
Integrity, excellent character, morals, customer service, standards. (no bs/smoke and mirrors) Putting the industry, your fellow colleagues and clients/customers in a positive light in all aspects of the business.
Skill. Experience. Results. Commitment to continuing education/methods/products/etc to stay on top of current technology/techniques.
Never forget where you came from...(don't get a big head)
 
rangerbay said:
I think a well judged competition, with the country divided into sections, with a final championship of the ten selected to be held at detail Fest would be a real hit with the people, and a better way to value their skills. To just pick Detailers from some unstructured, random personal opinions would prove nothing.

To be a top ten detailer from hundreds of detailers in the country would be one Hell of an honor!
Click to expand...

I agree with a competition. There should be multiple categories of competition.

1. Efficiency and value for the customer while turning a profit. Showing methods for making a detailing business successful while delighting your customers.
2. Ability to restore a disaster back to beauty. Clean up a mess and make it look pretty again.
3. Ability to produce a show car finish worthy of competition and the highest level of scrutiny.

etc., etc.
 
IMO the best detailers would have a perfect balance of Quality of work, price, timeliness and customer accommodation. Those are things I as a customer would want.

At a business conference I learned that the key to service excellence is: Provide a perfect product/service, do it in a timely manner, and show the customer you care about them.
 
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