DFB's Garage

Klasse Act said:
Deyon, so looking back, how did you like using the method on a truely dirty car?

I know you personally have just gotten into RW and I can tell you I've washed my own cars using RW's for well over a decade now. I just pre-treat the hell out of the panel and use either my grout sponge/BRS/multiple towel method and just knock it out. I always make a little more product as well as make it a little stronger too

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I'm still not entirely sold on RW on a truly dirty car. Even though I was generous with the pre-treat, I have a feeling if I took the time to pre-rinse the car first, it may have been a different story, but as mentioned, I wanted to test the method to its fullest.

Keep in mind, I'm coming from 20 years of soap and water washing, and 10 years of foaming. So, I still have a lot to learn and get used to with rinse-less.
 
oneheadlite said:
Shoot man, you could start a YouTube channel if you could get past the hurdle of putting yourself out in front of folks; not just for detailing stuff but anything you're passionate about. Yours are threads on here I make sure to keep up on - your writing is clear and eloquent, and your knowledge and enthusiasm are evident. I'm mostly joking about starting on YouTube as I could see the stress being high on executing a video to the standards you operate at, as well as the whole being-on-the-other-side-of-the-camera thing; but in seriousness I'd watch whatever you put up.

I think/hope I've mentioned this in the past, but I really appreciate your openness and sharing of some your experiences with anxiety and depression. In today's world where it seems like everything is telling us to be perfect, I'm grateful for your sharing that reminds us - "Hey - we're all working through something, and that's ok."

Don't beat yourself up for having stayed where you're at - I worked at my first major job for 9 years, and when I put in my notice my stomach was in knots. Even though I was looking forward to the change, there's still comfort with the Devil You Know.

You mentioned the dealership looking for a detailer; the biggest thing I see on that would be the strong push for production vs perfection. (On that note, my first major job was as an Auto tech at a dealership; I left because it had grown enough to lose the "small dealer" feel and had turned into feeling like a money machine.). If you're doing it on the personal front, while your time is still valuable, extra hours put in above and beyond are working towards the satisfaction of a car leaving with your name on it delivered at a caliber that will impress anyone.
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dgage said:
:iagree: What the guy missing a headlite said. I love reading your posts and if you parlayed that to video, I’m sure you’d do well as long as you stay away from a sales agenda. I also understated that turning a passion into a job removes it as a release and enjoyment. But enjoying what you do means you don’t have a job or some such nonsense. :)
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I'm so confused at the moment, the "do it" / "don't do it" was on high repeat today. Secure money vs mental relief.

I fully understand dealer detailing would not be for me, that would probably be the highest level of detailing drudgery and I know it would kill the magic for me. Put it this way, I followed my gardening hobby as a teen into a career and look where that lead me. I have so much horticultural knowledge and skill in my hands, but I am bored to tears.

As for "selling" on Youtube, no way! I cringe at the blatant product placing and the "blinkers mode" that some Youtubers are guilty of. For example, a personality decided to sell their own line of products, then goes on to say their products are 100% the best on the market (even something as universal as a glass cleaner for god's sake) or that they "designed" the products themselves when in fact they are relabeled catalog products from contract manufactured. A certain Canadian "Geek" is guilty of that to the point of tackiness.

So, any DFB Youtube channel would be the extension of what I already do. I buy products out of intrigue, use them and then convey my thoughts. I have no sales agenda, if the reader/viewer is likewise intrigued and buys the product themselves, then great. If I hate the product, then perhaps I saved the person a few dollars.
 
Your integrity stands out. Don’t sell yourself short. There’s nearly 500 posts here.
 
DFB said:
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So, any DFB Youtube channel would be the extension of what I already do. I buy products out of intrigue, use them and then convey my thoughts. I have no sales agenda, if the reader/viewer is likewise intrigued and buys the product themselves, then great. If I hate the product, then perhaps I saved the person a few dollars.
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*Clicks like* *Clicks subscribe* :laughing: :dblthumb2:

Have you considered looking for a similar day job at a different employer? That way you could still use (and share) your talents, but hopefully somewhere they'd be better appreciated. Either at a different nursery, or grounds maintenance at a higher end place like a fancy hotel or golf course/country club? Then you could keep detailing for yourself.

Kinda like my shift when I left the dealership. I'd been there long enough and had worked my way up where back when the Audi R8 first came out, I was one of 2 technicians (out of 20+) that got sent to training to be certified to work on them (which meant only the 2 of us were allowed to service them). But the shop's focus on production and numbers went against where I stand as far as how people should be treated. They literally kept track of the lists of recommendations you made on cars. How many hours you worked vs how many flat rate hours you turned - and if you were below 115% efficiency, you got to sit down for meetings of what could be done differently. I HATED it.
The big turning point that made me look for a different job was when I was on a group that got sat down for the big efficiency talk. I decided if that number was so important to them, I'd just start clocking out earlier to make my numbers look better (punch card showed 40 hours on the nose, no matter how long I stayed to get the job done well). I then got all sorts of praise for how much better I was doing!
Around the same time the shop I had done some moonlighting at helping with their after hours racing stuff had their lead technician leave, opening up a spot on the payroll. Put in my notice and I've been here since 2010. At the dealership I was technician 119. Here, my name shows up on our yelp and google reviews from happy customers.

I still threaten to get a real job that's not fixing cars when I grow up, but thus far it's proven to be what I can do well. I also have no idea what else I'd do.

If you do think about production detailing for someone else, I'd suggest having an informal sit down with them and discuss time expectations, supplies, tools, etc. Any of the stuff that stands out that could sour your love of detailing as a hobby if it turned into your day job.

If you think about starting your own gig detailing, like I mentioned earlier - I think that being able to be in full control of the boat would make the little sacrifices you make in the name of a superior final product feel worth it. Versus getting stressed out from management scheduling more cars than you can comfortably work through because X job is only supposed to take X hours.
 
oneheadlite said:
*Clicks like* *Clicks subscribe* :laughing: :dblthumb2:

Have you considered looking for a similar day job at a different employer? That way you could still use (and share) your talents, but hopefully somewhere they'd be better appreciated. Either at a different nursery, or grounds maintenance at a higher end place like a fancy hotel or golf course/country club? Then you could keep detailing for yourself.

Kinda like my shift when I left the dealership. I'd been there long enough and had worked my way up where back when the Audi R8 first came out, I was one of 2 technicians (out of 20+) that got sent to training to be certified to work on them (which meant only the 2 of us were allowed to service them). But the shop's focus on production and numbers went against where I stand as far as how people should be treated. They literally kept track of the lists of recommendations you made on cars. How many hours you worked vs how many flat rate hours you turned - and if you were below 115% efficiency, you got to sit down for meetings of what could be done differently. I HATED it.
The big turning point that made me look for a different job was when I was on a group that got sat down for the big efficiency talk. I decided if that number was so important to them, I'd just start clocking out earlier to make my numbers look better (punch card showed 40 hours on the nose, no matter how long I stayed to get the job done well). I then got all sorts of praise for how much better I was doing!
Around the same time the shop I had done some moonlighting at helping with their after hours racing stuff had their lead technician leave, opening up a spot on the payroll. Put in my notice and I've been here since 2010. At the dealership I was technician 119. Here, my name shows up on our yelp and google reviews from happy customers.

I still threaten to get a real job that's not fixing cars when I grow up, but thus far it's proven to be what I can do well. I also have no idea what else I'd do.

If you do think about production detailing for someone else, I'd suggest having an informal sit down with them and discuss time expectations, supplies, tools, etc. Any of the stuff that stands out that could sour your love of detailing as a hobby if it turned into your day job.

If you think about starting your own gig detailing, like I mentioned earlier - I think that being able to be in full control of the boat would make the little sacrifices you make in the name of a superior final product feel worth it. Versus getting stressed out from management scheduling more cars than you can comfortably work through because X job is only supposed to take X hours.
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I hope this doesn't come across as a big brag or look how good I am, but it explains more of my story.

I started where I am while I was still at high school, part of my studies involved doing work placement/internship in the horticulture industry. I started there doing a half a day per week. When I finished high school, I begged for more hours and was put on for one day, then two days. I was extremely shy back then, still am to a degree to the point where I still get self-conscious approaching customers. This was what was holding them back from employing me full time. But then they started to notice my work ethic and results, progressing to 3 and then 4 days a week. While all this was happening over the course of a couple of years, I was studying horticulture part time and building my own gardening service to fill in the income gaps.

When I started there the place, and I'm not mincing words here, was a mess. Weeds in pots, weeds in the paths, poor quality or aged stock, and just a general sense of untidiness. You know the concept, you can't see what's under your own nose, I was new and seeing things differently to how they were. Over the years, my attention to detail lifted the expectations of what was possible and expected. I certainly wasn't the only one doing all this work, I had people working beside me, but my obsessive nature meant those co-workers couldn't keep up with me. Over the course of a few years, the weeds were gone, aged plants were removed at the appropriate times and overall, the place became neat, tidy and professional looking. This all culminated in the business winning best nursery in the state three years running. I think back to those times and the effort I put in to go over and above to help them win those awards, I shake my head at that. They would never say it, but I played a very large role in those awards. I'm proud of what I did, but the recognition never came and so the award was "theirs". I guess the recognition was in the form of them paying me.

Winning those awards three years running overall lifted the expectations of what was expected by management, and customers too. I can comfortably say that this nursery is one of the best in the state, one of the best in the country. The other two in town don't come close, and the large hardware chain store doesn't have the staff knowledge or the atmosphere. This year will mark 20 years working for this company, almost unheard of for someone of my 36 years of age. I was given a "promotion" about 15 months ago, some promises were made in terms of advancement, which I knew they would never happen, which has been proven so far. In a very basic way, it was a small pay rise only, perhaps acknowledging my displeasure, perhaps acknowledging the level of work I was already doing above and beyond my co-workers. In some ways, they have looked after me, in others, they have been absolutely terrible for my mental health. COVID really brought out the worst in them, which I know was born out of fear for the business, but the staff were treated as liabilities and so much was said and done that really has me wary and questioning everything they say these days.

So, that wall of text is to say that no, haven't looked elsewhere. Would it be a downgrade going to another nursery? Perhaps. Would it be a new challenge, a chance to lift and improve another business? Perhaps.
 
Took advantage of a Supercheap Auto club member sale last week on a Bissell Spot Clean -





I had one of these on the "one day" list, with a $81 discount, I thought now was good as any to pick one up.

This wont get much, if any use on my cars. For the occasional paid detail where the carpet mats are beyond what I can achieve with a brush, Tornador and vacuum, this machine will come in handy. Of course, it could also be used inside the house, but I have no interest in doing that. :lol I'm sure there are better machines, but for what I will be doing, it'll do fine.
 
^^ I bought one of those about 4 years ago. Love it. I've used it on our Accord's upholstery and it works great. I just wish the suction was a bit better. I've used it to clean the cloth seats in the dining room and kitchen. I've used it to clean up small spots on our carpet. I swear by these things.
 
Two cars in line for a wash today, the Ranger and XR6.

The Ranger needed nothing more than a quick once over inside and out, today I was adamant in using soap instead of rinse less. Don't ask why, I just wanted to play with soap. In the Ranger's case, I used Angelwax Fast Foam. Wheels were cleaned with NV Snow, tyres scrubbed with Wise Guy. Drying aid was Shine Supply Punch It. I wiped the interior over with Nexzett and cleaned the glass with NV Clarity. Tyres were dressing in Turtle Wax Graphene.

Onto the XR6, which did some daily work last week after its service. And no, they didn't wash it! They did ruin my perfectly clean windscreen by testing the wipers though.

I decided to try the Turtle Wax tyre cleaner on these PS3's, as mentioned in the past, these really do resist all attempts at cleaning this side of the harsh Stoner's Tarminator.





I hate this product by the way! While no rubber cleaner is particularly pleasant smelling, this product is horrible and smells not unlike hair removal cream. A disgusting scent that lingers for hours. But did it manage to strip the tyres clean..........no. :doh For me, I still prefer to use P&S Undressed, Brake Buster or Shine Supply Wise Guy for this role.

Cleaning the wheels, I used Koch Chemie GSF teamed with the Ultra Utility Brush. I bought that brush because it was something new and didn't think I would have an actual use for it, but I really like it!





Sticking with GSF for the wash, I'm reminded again what a brilliant product this is. I try different soaps in vain, this is the real deal when it comes to slickness, scent and foam quality. If you don't want to set fire to money like I do trying new or different products, just get some GSF and be done with it!







Drying aid of choice on the XR6 was Bead Maker. I don't know what it is, but Bead Maker just works so well on this paint, offering no excessive buffing or phaffing around with two towels. It just suits the paint and colour so well that I think this is what I will stick with on this car.

The glass was cleaned with Invisible Glass, interior wiped down with Paint Gloss, wheels and engine bay wiped with more Bead Maker and the tyres dressed with the excellent Koch Chemie PSS.

Last product to be used was Bowden's Snow Job.........................:lol



Yep, this is the next bin cleaner. I just didn't love it, nor did I think it warranted continued use. If this is the only soap you ever used, I think you would be more than happy. But, there are so many better soaps out there for the same or less money. I still maintain that Gyeon Bathe is the best soap available from a big box retailer. And that's without contemplating excellent choices in the form of Koch Chemie GSF, Carpro Reset, NV Snow, Optimum Car Shampoo, Shine Supply Shift, Adam's Car Shampoo, Angelwax Fast Foam........................................................................................
 
At least i was not the only one that thinks Snow Job is a dud, it does nothing pulls no dirt even if you go upto 200ml is a foam lance.



Ps, I hate when they test the wipers also! It's like yes i can tell thank you:mad:
 
+3 on Snow Job being a dud, but it was the first foam wash I'd tried, and I was using the foam "pea shooter" that came with my pressure washer. So I gave it the benefit of the doubt and didn't criticize it too much. Once I bought a proper foam cannon, that came with a free bottle of NV Snow, and I also bought some Carpro Lift, I realised what's worth the money, and what's not. Might go off roading this week, so I can play with the foam cannon again.

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Tasmania said:
At least i was not the only one that thinks Snow Job is a dud, it does nothing pulls no dirt even if you go upto 200ml is a foam lance.



Ps, I hate when they test the wipers also! It's like yes i can tell thank you:mad:
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Big Dave said:
+3 on Snow Job being a dud, but it was the first foam wash I'd tried, and I was using the foam "pea shooter" that came with my pressure washer. So I gave it the benefit of the doubt and didn't criticize it too much. Once I bought a proper foam cannon, that came with a free bottle of NV Snow, and I also bought some Carpro Lift, I realised what's worth the money, and what's not. Might go off roading this week, so I can play with the foam cannon again.

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And this is supposed to be the new and improved version.

I mean, it's better than the original, but still very average. If it was cheap, then you would sort of give it a pass, but it's just as expensive per ml as the others I mentioned above.
 
Deyon, that TWHS tire/wheel cleaner may not smell good but IMO works better than Brake Buster as far as cleaning ability. As you know Brake Buster is a great maintence cleaner and keeps the rotors from getting AS rusty but Hyper Foam pulls brown out of tires like nobody's business, something not really an issue on your fleet but those other cars you do, it's soooo rewarding to use, sans the smell

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Klasse Act said:
Deyon, that TWHS tire/wheel cleaner may not smell good but IMO works better than Brake Buster as far as cleaning ability. As you know Brake Buster is a great maintence cleaner and keeps the rotors from getting AS rusty but Hyper Foam pulls brown out of tires like nobody's business, something not really an issue on your fleet but those other cars you do, it's soooo rewarding to use, sans the smell

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I have seen it do good things and have no doubt that it's a good cleaner, except on those finicky PS3's, but the stench is very off putting.
 
These are normally blanked out, I have been stalked in the past so you can understand my reasons for doing so, but just once ok.................



These are my new number plates for the incoming S650 Mustang. I have something similar on the XR8 so it sorts of follows a theme. I now have the itch to put them on the Ranger and XR6 too for a full DFB fleet.
 
DFB said:
These are normally blanked out, I have been stalked in the past so you can understand my reasons for doing so, but just once ok.................



These are my new number plates for the incoming S650 Mustang. I have something similar on the XR8 so it sorts of follows a theme. I now have the itch to put them on the Ranger and XR6 too for a full DFB fleet.
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I never felt the need to put my initials on my number plates, but I do like to match them to the vehicle, at least in colour. Hence the black with silver numbers and letters I've had on a couple. Also the blue with white I put on my SV6.

And way back when I had my 95 ex-pursuit Commodore, there was only a one off fee for ordering personalised plates, so I ordered VRV850. Some people got it, some didn't.

In NSW you can get Mustang plates, I'm pretty sure they have them in Victoria as well, you weren't tempted.
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Big Dave said:
I never felt the need to put my initials on my number plates, but I do like to match them to the vehicle, at least in colour. Hence the black with silver numbers and letters I've had on a couple. Also the blue with white I put on my SV6.

And way back when I had my 95 ex-pursuit Commodore, there was only a one off fee for ordering personalised plates, so I ordered VRV850. Some people got it, some didn't.

In NSW you can get Mustang plates, I'm pretty sure they have them in Victoria as well, you weren't tempted.
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You can get the Mustang themed plates in Victoria too, I looked at them but didn't like how bulky they are. Frankly, license plates are an eyesore as it is without the extra depth those Mustang plates bring. Slimline all the way for me. :D
 
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