M3 is Revived and Coated with Optimum Gloss Coat

Zach, I'm such a fan of your work. Awesome job. Doesn't that gloss coat only come in 10CC? Was it enough?
 
runrun411 said:
Zach, I'm such a fan of your work. Awesome job. Doesn't that gloss coat only come in 10CC? Was it enough?
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Thank you, sir!

Correct, gloss coat comes in 10cc syringes. As I mentioned, I used <5cc in this vehicle with the CarPro applicator. I imagine you would use much more product with the supplied yellow foam applicator.
 
Wow, Awesome work! I'd like to try the Gloss Coat at some point, but with other coatings providing such great results at a far lower price point, I don't see a need, nor a market in my area for Gloss coat.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
Thanks for reading and commenting! :dblthumb2:


I do not see it as a fine line at all
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no sweat.

but about the fine line - knowing exactly where to stop on the project to satisfy your customer's expectations, especially if you are a perfectionist...that's not hard a hard point to find, at least initially??

i'm surprised, because it would be hard for me. i would always overestimate customer expectations due to my own stringent criteria and impulses.
 
builthatch said:
no sweat.

but about the fine line - knowing exactly where to stop on the project to satisfy your customer's expectations, especially if you are a perfectionist...that's not hard a hard point to find, at least initially??

i'm surprised, because it would be hard for me. i would always overestimate customer expectations due to my own stringent criteria and impulses.
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I definitely understand where you are coming from and have definitely struggled with this in the past when I have done way more work than what I was being paid for in order to satisfy my own expectations.

The key there is that they were MY expectations... As long as you have an upfront conversation with your customer about what type of result you should see with whatever work you're quoting (ie one step, two step, etc) then the customer should already know what to expect. If it happens to turn out that the one step you were planning on doing is not producing those results due to unforeseen circumstances like hard paint, or that the paint was truly in much worse shape than originally anticipated, you should simply explain the issue to the customer and have them decide if you should proceed with the quoted work, or charge more for additional work. One way to minimize this unknown is to do a test spot with your customer present so they can see the results and decide in person if they want more or less work done.

Consider the scenario of hiring a contractor to work on your home... If they quote you for a job and it turns out there is hidden issues (water damage, mold, shoddy work previously done that needs repair, etc) the contractor will explain the issue and then tell you how much extra it will be to resolve the issue to produce the results that you were originally expecting.

As a detailer, you are a service provider, and a businessman. You can't give away labor just to satisfy your own desire to achieve perfection. It is quite hard to accept that you will have to leave defects of some type in the paint unless you are being paid to remove all of them, but that is the way it has to be if you want to succeed in operating a business.

Keep in mind, this is not "cutting corners" or being lazy... You're simply doing the job you were hired to do. As I've mentioned, if you take the time to educate the customer and explain the results then there should be no concerns.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
I definitely understand where you are coming from and have definitely struggled with this in the past when I have done way more work than what I was being paid for in order to satisfy my own expectations.

The key there is that they were MY expectations... As long as you have an upfront conversation with your customer about what type of result you should see with whatever work you're quoting (ie one step, two step, etc) then the customer should already know what to expect. If it happens to turn out that the one step you were planning on doing is not producing those results due to unforeseen circumstances like hard paint, or that the paint was truly in much worse shape than originally anticipated, you should simply explain the issue to the customer and have them decide if you should proceed with the quoted work, or charge more for additional work. One way to minimize this unknown is to do a test spot with your customer present so they can see the results and decide in person if they want more or less work done.

Consider the scenario of hiring a contractor to work on your home... If they quote you for a job and it turns out there is hidden issues (water damage, mold, shoddy work previously done that needs repair, etc) the contractor will explain the issue and then tell you how much extra it will be to resolve the issue to produce the results that you were originally expecting.

As a detailer, you are a service provider, and a businessman. You can't give away labor just to satisfy your own desire to achieve perfection. It is quite hard to accept that you will have to leave defects of some type in the paint unless you are being paid to remove all of them, but that is the way it has to be if you want to succeed in operating a business.

Keep in mind, this is not "cutting corners" or being lazy... You're simply doing the job you were hired to do. As I've mentioned, if you take the time to educate the customer and explain the results then there should be no concerns.
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:iagree: well said bud! :applause:
 
zmcgovern45 said:
I definitely understand where you are coming from and have definitely struggled with this in the past when I have done way more work than what I was being paid for in order to satisfy my own expectations.

The key there is that they were MY expectations... As long as you have an upfront conversation with your customer about what type of result you should see with whatever work you're quoting (ie one step, two step, etc) then the customer should already know what to expect. If it happens to turn out that the one step you were planning on doing is not producing those results due to unforeseen circumstances like hard paint, or that the paint was truly in much worse shape than originally anticipated, you should simply explain the issue to the customer and have them decide if you should proceed with the quoted work, or charge more for additional work. One way to minimize this unknown is to do a test spot with your customer present so they can see the results and decide in person if they want more or less work done.

Consider the scenario of hiring a contractor to work on your home... If they quote you for a job and it turns out there is hidden issues (water damage, mold, shoddy work previously done that needs repair, etc) the contractor will explain the issue and then tell you how much extra it will be to resolve the issue to produce the results that you were originally expecting.

As a detailer, you are a service provider, and a businessman. You can't give away labor just to satisfy your own desire to achieve perfection. It is quite hard to accept that you will have to leave defects of some type in the paint unless you are being paid to remove all of them, but that is the way it has to be if you want to succeed in operating a business.

Keep in mind, this is not "cutting corners" or being lazy... You're simply doing the job you were hired to do. As I've mentioned, if you take the time to educate the customer and explain the results then there should be no concerns.
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:iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree::iagree:
 
I know you stated the paint was pretty thin, but how would rate the hardness? Or hardness of newer BMW paints you've worked on?
 
Zileas said:
I know you stated the paint was pretty thin, but how would rate the hardness? Or hardness of newer BMW paints you've worked on?
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BMW paints vary quite a bit.

This Jerez Black is quite hard, relatively speaking. Their jet black is often very soft. Sapphire Black is usually very hard.

In general, of the 6 different BMW paint colors I have worked on somewhat recently, they tend to be on the harder side except for the jet black.

-Zach
 
frankprozzoly said:
What does a job like this cost? Beautiful work
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This particular job was completed for $900.

My prices vary greatly depending on amount of paint correction desired by the customer, type of paint protection chosen, and other add-on services.

Let me know if you've got any questions, or visit my site for more pricing info.

-Zach
 
I'm curious if people know that after they have this kind of work done, are they going to maintain. I'm assuming someone interested in a paint correction is gonna come to you on a regular basis for washes
 
frankprozzoly said:
I'm curious if people know that after they have this kind of work done, are they going to maintain. I'm assuming someone interested in a paint correction is gonna come to you on a regular basis for washes
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I educate all of my customers on how to properly maintain their cars, and also offer them discounted prices on any supplies they may need. I cannot force them to do anything, but I at least make them aware of the proper practices needed to keep the paint looking great for longer periods of time.

I only do paint correction services, no basic "wash & wax" or maintenance washing due to a very limited availability and high demand. I am only part time (weekends), but am often booked 3-6 months ahead of time for correction & coating services.

-Zach
 
zmcgovern45 said:
I definitely understand where you are coming from and have definitely struggled with this in the past when I have done way more work than what I was being paid for in order to satisfy my own expectations.

The key there is that they were MY expectations... As long as you have an upfront conversation with your customer about what type of result you should see with whatever work you're quoting (ie one step, two step, etc) then the customer should already know what to expect. If it happens to turn out that the one step you were planning on doing is not producing those results due to unforeseen circumstances like hard paint, or that the paint was truly in much worse shape than originally anticipated, you should simply explain the issue to the customer and have them decide if you should proceed with the quoted work, or charge more for additional work. One way to minimize this unknown is to do a test spot with your customer present so they can see the results and decide in person if they want more or less work done.

Consider the scenario of hiring a contractor to work on your home... If they quote you for a job and it turns out there is hidden issues (water damage, mold, shoddy work previously done that needs repair, etc) the contractor will explain the issue and then tell you how much extra it will be to resolve the issue to produce the results that you were originally expecting.

As a detailer, you are a service provider, and a businessman. You can't give away labor just to satisfy your own desire to achieve perfection. It is quite hard to accept that you will have to leave defects of some type in the paint unless you are being paid to remove all of them, but that is the way it has to be if you want to succeed in operating a business.

Keep in mind, this is not "cutting corners" or being lazy... You're simply doing the job you were hired to do. As I've mentioned, if you take the time to educate the customer and explain the results then there should be no concerns.
Click to expand...

Probably one of the best written replies I have read in a while!

Was definitely one of the main points I got from reading Renny Doyle's book.
 
Darn It

You Posted while I was typing!


Zach,

I always enjoy your work, here and elsewhere

I appreciate that you include a bit of the vehicle maintenance history:

"He had told me that the previous owner had taken the vehicle through automatic car washes regularly, and that the dealership had also washed it on numerous occasions."

Can you let us in on your "Post-Detail Discussion" with the client regarding continued maintenance?

I ask because I don't wash cars and therefore have no control over what happens after this perfectly detailed vehicles leaves my sight
 
zmcgovern45 said:
BMW paints vary quite a bit.

This Jerez Black is quite hard, relatively speaking. Their jet black is often very soft. Sapphire Black is usually very hard.

In general, of the 6 different BMW paint colors I have worked on somewhat recently, they tend to be on the harder side except for the jet black.

-Zach
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Thanks for the reply Zach. I'm going to be tackling my first "real" detail (well, polishing anyway) on an alpine white BMW. I've heard they generally have harder paints, except the jet black, as you said. But I thought they were using water based paints now, and I've heard of people getting way more swirls and rock chips that before.

Btw the car, and most all your cars, turn out spectacular. And you seem to do honest work, and have great attention to detail.
 
EVOlved said:
Probably one of the best written replies I have read in a while!

Was definitely one of the main points I got from reading Renny Doyle's book.
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Thanks!


allenk4 said:
Darn It

You Posted while I was typing!


Zach,

I always enjoy your work, here and elsewhere

I appreciate that you include a bit of the vehicle maintenance history:

"He had told me that the previous owner had taken the vehicle through automatic car washes regularly, and that the dealership had also washed it on numerous occasions."

Can you let us in on your "Post-Detail Discussion" with the client regarding continued maintenance?

I ask because I don't wash cars and therefore have no control over what happens after this perfectly detailed vehicles leaves my sight
Click to expand...
Thanks for the kind words... my pre-service discussion simply involves me explaining the 3 bucket wash method and showing the the grit guards, buckets, wash mitt, towels, etc that I recommend. I also send a follow up email a few days after the service to ask them to leave a review on my site if they were happy with their vehicle, and also to provide links to proper articles discussing the 3 bucket method and a list of recommended products for general maintenance. I do also offer discounted supplies to all of my customers as a way to try to encourage them to invest in some higher end products.

Let me know if you've got any other questions.

Zileas said:
Thanks for the reply Zach. I'm going to be tackling my first "real" detail (well, polishing anyway) on an alpine white BMW. I've heard they generally have harder paints, except the jet black, as you said. But I thought they were using water based paints now, and I've heard of people getting way more swirls and rock chips that before.

Btw the car, and most all your cars, turn out spectacular. And you seem to do honest work, and have great attention to detail.
Click to expand...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzWOFJH2ZEA&list=TLypaMXvUWsXE]Paint Correction BMW 335i - Rupes LHR21ES - Menzerna PF2500 - YouTube[/video]

This video is me correcting an Alpine White 335i performing a one-step correction using Menzerna PF2500 and an orange light cutting pad on my rupes lhr21es. As you can see, this combo was able to remove the vast majority of defects. This vehicle was an 08 though, so it is possible things have changed for alpine white.

-Zach
 
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