IT IS TIME! Opprtunities, questions, and investment-list inside...

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TODAY, IT BECAME OFFICIAL!

:dblthumb2:

I was offered a full time position at a prestigious auto performance and tuning/dyno-testing facility by the managing/founding partners after showcasing my workmanship and final product turnarounds over the past few weeks for their review and consideration. It is the most exciting career development of my life, by a light year.

SHORT VERSION:

  1. My start date, full time, as the detail bay manager and director is August 2012... so what I'm looking for is to open up this thread to an ongoing conversation about what items will be needed to expand upon my arsenal of chemicals and machines to be ready upon my first-shift to properly pamper and care for everything from Bentleys and Lamborghinis etc that are the usual assortment of clients?
    1. Please share your thoughts with everything from product names, amounts, steamers, etc.
  2. Part two of my question, is some advice on what FLEX 3401 package to purchase, and also suggesting other/additional pads and accessories if need be.
I will be attending Mike's Boot Camp Detailing Academy in Florida hopefully as well to continue to invest in my skill-set and prowess as a dedicated high-line detailer.

Thanks for any and all thoughts and guidance!
Im the MAN
 
Congrats on your new position. How will this effect your current client base?
 
Congrats!!!:dblthumb2:

Congrats on your new position. How will this effect your current client base?

Thanks SO MUCH guys! This will not affect the current client base whatsoever, I will be a 1099'd Independent Contractor basically, but will be using their location and their wide-reaching influence across the car community to further build a loyal following.

Please share any ideas you have on what is absolutely a necessity to purchase, or purchase 10 of as I plan ahead preparing for the Fall when everything comes to fruition. THANKS! :)
 
Congrats!

Can't answer #1, don't know what you already have, but it seems to be enough to secure a badass job title! I, for one, would load up on tons of microfibers and APC's, double up on wash mitts, brushes, pads, etc. It will now be a necessity to be ready to tackle two cars at once.

The Flex w/ Menzerna ultimate shine kit (3 pads, IP, FF & Glaze) rox my sox off. But I would also add to that order the pink foam pad LC has replaced the coarse green with and SIP. The package by itself doesn't do much to remove hard swirls or deeper scratches.

Again, congrats and keep rocking!
 
Congrats!

Can't answer #1, don't know what you already have, but it seems to be enough to secure a badass job title! I, for one, would load up on tons of microfibers and APC's, double up on wash mitts, brushes, pads, etc. It will now be a necessity to be ready to tackle two cars at once.

The Flex w/ Menzerna ultimate shine kit (3 pads, IP, FF & Glaze) rox my sox off. But I would also add to that order the pink foam pad LC has replaced the coarse green with and SIP. The package by itself doesn't do much to remove hard swirls or deeper scratches.

Again, congrats and keep rocking!

Great advice, absolutely awesome. Just to be clear, the new career and title came after a lot of time and labor invested, as well as the equally exhaustive task of selling myself over and above washing and waxing (people skills, sales ability, eagerness to invest into ongoing education like traveling to Florida this fall for Mike's bootcamp at Auto Geek, and my passion for this pursuit over and above viewing it as just another job).

What APC do you recommend, and also EXCELLENT advice on the other items, VERY HELPFUL! There will be other detailers there.

wow congrats!

Thank you so MUCH!
 
Check out Megs D103 for an APC.

I've formed a concrete bond with a performance shop that refuses to have anything cleaned by anyone else. Even when I was off the map for a year, everything they had was waiting for me when I got back. Its an awesome feeling for a place like that to keep you busy and surrounded by fantastic cars, and don't mind you taking up some room in the shop when you need to bring a car in for yourself. Got my first look at a ZL-1 today when I was bringing in a Zo6 for some paint lovin'. Don't know where I was going with that, but I share your excitement :)
 
I would learn how to use a rotary. I remember seeing some people who worked on Lamborghinis say that almost nothing would cut through it. So a rotary was a must. Plus if you are doing major correction a rotary followed by a DA would be the fastest.
 
congrads!! I wouldn't mind working with bentleys, lambos, and the likes!
 
Holy hopscotch! That's awesome. From one Ohioan to another, congrats, and send some of that mojo to Cincy!
 
Congrats on the new position.

Does the new job require use of your own personal buffers and products?
 
Congrats!
For some recommendations, list what you currently use and what you are looking to replace and we can give you some ideas.
 
Congrats! And I have read alot of your posts, so don't take this the wrong way...but for a big guy you seem really nice/sincere. Good to see good things happening to good people!
 
Congrats on your new opportunity. Will you be doing any headlight restoration?
ray6
 
Yours is a story not often heard in this day and age.

Those that provide excellent service at fair rates ultimately rise to the top by reputation and referrals. It probably took you some time to reach your current status, but now you can reap the rewards. I'd offer you good luck, but you don't need it.
ray6
 
Congrats, sounds like a great opportunity. The very best of luck to you!
 
Here's a way out-of-the box idea on the "providing a differentiating service" topic... Do you think these high end auto geeks would like time lapse video of their vehicles getting made over (maybe moreso for full corrections)? If so, there cameras out there that will do it.
 
TO EVERYONE:

Hi guys. FIRST of all, although it sounds weak and flimsy by comparison to how I really feel, I truly hope a very heart felt THANK YOU will express at least some of my gratitude for all of your outpouring of support and positivity. I thrive off of, and need, that rare yet amazing influence of forward thinkers and "doers" of the world around me, it's what supports and enlivens me. I think we all are well aware that the world, career, life, and everything mixed within, is OVERFLOWING with sadness, negativity, pessimism, spite, hatred, and jealousy... so it's my credo that being realistic and accepting of that fact is one thing, but allowing it to penetrate your thoughts and attitude and eventually plague your overall demeanor and appraoch toward ambition will only limit your eventual success and castrate your friends and chances of earning a circle of friends worthy of calling such and calling upon in hard times.

So, I only say all that to say this one again: THANK YOU. It is my life's goal, not only to perform a service to the best of my abilities, but MUCH MORE to calibrate and re-tune my life and personality on a daily basis, so that I become a better human before I worry about becoming a better detailer. I guess the two reasons why I might seem so worked up right now is because 1) This new opportunity floors me, and I am in constant awe and appreciation of this new career blessing, and 2) Forums are by and large always filled with self-promoting egotistical malevolent fools that I cannot suffer well.

-Aaron

Check out Megs D103 for an APC.

I've formed a concrete bond with a performance shop that refuses to have anything cleaned by anyone else. Even when I was off the map for a year, everything they had was waiting for me when I got back. Its an awesome feeling for a place like that to keep you busy and surrounded by fantastic cars, and don't mind you taking up some room in the shop when you need to bring a car in for yourself. Got my first look at a ZL-1 today when I was bringing in a Zo6 for some paint lovin'. Don't know where I was going with that, but I share your excitement :)

THANK YOU, I HAVE BEEN MEANING to make sure I get a good suggestion on a solid APC, been thinking about it over and over actually, especially yesterday during this all day project on a soiled GMC Yukon Denali, where the interior was a MESS! So, D103 can be used on everything from door vinyl, headliners, visors, and even paint during an aggressive wash before paint correction?

I would learn how to use a rotary. I remember seeing some people who worked on Lamborghinis say that almost nothing would cut through it. So a rotary was a must. Plus if you are doing major correction a rotary followed by a DA would be the fastest.

GREAT idea. I have the Makita, have for years, but I am NOT consistent enough in its use and application.

One good thing is I am investing, HEAVILY, in training courses. I am financing my own certification in everything from Mike Phillip's Boot Camp at Auto Geek in Florida this fall, and even signing up for a world renowned detailer here in Ohio, to attend his academy and certification.

congrads!! I wouldn't mind working with bentleys, lambos, and the likes!

Same here! I am beside myself, because how often to you WANT (truly want!) to go to WORK!?

Holy hopscotch! That's awesome. From one Ohioan to another, congrats, and send some of that mojo to Cincy!

Thanks so much man - so nice of you. I'm up near the Akron/Cleveland area :)

Congrats on the new position.

Does the new job require use of your own personal buffers and products?

Yes it does, which is awesome if you ask me, because I'll be an independent Contractor, so I can enjoy two things: The choices of ALL my purchases and chemicals, AND a very substantial tax-write off ability (everything from business cards, to mileage, to cell phone, to web hosting, to supplies, and on and on)!

Congrats!
For some recommendations, list what you currently use and what you are looking to replace and we can give you some ideas.

One thing I don't have, is a professional ($2,000+) carpet steamer. I think the partners will more than understand if I don't have one of those from day one, however. We have all become friends over the time we've known each other, and they are extremely fair and gracious business owners. Other than that, I am thinking I'll also need a foam pad washing bucket system, but I'm drawing a blank now on anything else I may need?

Congrats! And I have read alot of your posts, so don't take this the wrong way...but for a big guy you seem really nice/sincere. Good to see good things happening to good people!

Hi RDDMXMETH,

I wanted to make sure to reply to your post, because it actually made my day. Often time over the years, more often in the past than now, but I still encounter the problem of people's assumptions. I'm a larger guy, I am a competitive bodybuilder and have been for years, it's my other overwhelming passion, ironically I've been detailing and lifting weights each for about a decade. But before ANY OF THAT, I was a very well-raised individual who places a pretty hefty amount of concern on manners, decency, and the power of the written word :) Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot.

Congrats on your new opportunity. Will you be doing any headlight restoration?
ray6

Absolutely, I will be - so that's a great point! What is the best kit out there, and will I use a power drill or a rotary or a dual action? THANKS :)

Yours is a story not often heard in this day and age.

Those that provide excellent service at fair rates ultimately rise to the top by reputation and referrals. It probably took you some time to reach your current status, but now you can reap the rewards. I'd offer you good luck, but you don't need it.
ray6

Actually, you're dead on! This entire process, the way it unfolded, can give chills to anyone when they see the intricate planning of it all. I won't divulge too much or dwell on this, but faith and the belief in life happening for a profound reason, has really become my adopted philosophy. The corners, twists, disappointments at the time, and seemingly endless curve balls thrown my way over just the past 5-10 years leading up to this point (AND ESPECIALLY THE PAST 6 MONTHS SPECIFICALLY) have been staggering and mind BLOWING when I think about how they all led me RIGHT TO THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Because of the path I have been led down, I am no longer chasing a paycheck for the sake of the paycheck, I am facing a life changing opportunity that is amazing by every definition of the word.

Congrats, sounds like a great opportunity. The very best of luck to you!

THANKS MIKE! Can't wait to get into the new property and manage my own detail center :) Until then, August/September, my business has really ramped up already. Phew, I've never slept so well!

Congrats and good luck as well!

Thanks Bunky, I'll keep everyone updated!!
 
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