Old Wax Emergency

Am I the only one scratching my head here thinking why are you waxing a matte car?? Are you even using a wax specifically for matte finishes?
 
BlackHawk said:
Am I the only one scratching my head here thinking why are you waxing a matte car?? Are you even using a wax specifically for matte finishes?
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There are lots of head scratching things going on in this thread. I wouldn't condone waxing a matte vehicle, but it's already on the car.


The fact that it's a ferrari is my biggest head scratcher. I don't think you should be working on a Ferrari and asking "is an APC and a Quick Detailer the same thing"

Also, why is the owner of a Ferrari at a car wash?
 
BlackHawk said:
Am I the only one scratching my head here thinking why are you waxing a matte car?? Are you even using a wax specifically for matte finishes?
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cshamilton said:
There are lots of head scratching things going on in this thread. I wouldn't condone waxing a matte vehicle, but it's already on the car.


The fact that it's a ferrari is my biggest head scratcher. I don't think you should be working on a Ferrari and asking "is an APC and a Quick Detailer the same thing"

Also, why is the owner of a Ferrari at a car wash?
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:iagree:

I also don't understand the comment about charging this particular customer a premium due to the customer owning premium vehicles. My services are priced the same whether you bring me a Contour or a Corvette. They go up based on the condition of the vehicle, not the class of vehicle. I could see having a higher pricing schedule if your business model focuses on higher end vehicles, but, if you primarily detail blue collar vehicles and you suddenly have a crack at the upper crust that doesn't mean you jack your pricing. Given all of the other head scratching statements made by the OP in this thread, it has the makings of a detailing newbie who sees easy money in higher end but is not taking the time to research product applications and build skill set to meet said market.

JMO, of course.
 
95oRANGEcRUSH said:
:iagree:

I also don't understand the comment about charging this particular customer a premium due to the customer owning premium vehicles. My services are priced the same whether you bring me a Contour or a Corvette. They go up based on the condition of the vehicle, not the class of vehicle. I could see having a higher pricing schedule if your business model focuses on higher end vehicles, but, if you primarily detail blue collar vehicles and you suddenly have a crack at the upper crust that doesn't mean you jack your pricing. Given all of the other head scratching statements made by the OP in this thread, it has the makings of a detailing newbie who sees easy money in higher end but is not taking the time to research product applications and build skill set to meet said market.

JMO, of course.
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:dblthumb2: I like your thought process. You're going to do well (if you already haven't)
 
ge234 said:
can i assume an all-purpose cleaner and a quick-detail spray are the same thing?
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Not for anything but you're assuming two different products with two different intended purposes are the same yet you want to charge this guy a premium bc he has nice cars? How great of a customer is someone who went to you once and is now at a car wash? I don't quite understand this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I'm not trying to be rude or anything like that, but why are you detailing cars without proper knowledge. Even I knew what a quick detailer was VS APC, long before I ever touched another persons car. Others have also aired a few concerns. I think you really need to rethink your business before it costs you dearly, especially on a car like your dealing with.
 
I hate to be questioning your business but your questions seem to be pretty elementary for someone in the detailing biz
 
ge234 said:
i'll first wash the area where the wax is hardened. then apply some of the same wax over the hardened wax to hopefully moisten and loosen it up. i'll let it sit for a few minutes prior to rubbing it off. hopefully this works. i'll have to be extra careful with matte finishes moving forward...they are difficult. and considering this is a ferrari i will take even more caution.
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If I may, let me offer a bit of advice that I have seen. Treat every car you detail like it is a Ferrari. A lot of times, people with exotic cars make you "try-out" on one of their daily drivers (which could still be a six-figure sedan or SUV) before you get to touch their queens. I have seen it done countless times, especially when someone is trying to find someone to maintain their fleet.

By showing the same attitude and determination, not to mention attention to detail, with the "cheap" cars as you do with the exotics, you will instill trust in the client. It doesn't matter that you're new and don't have much experience, as experience will come with time, but you must make sure that you take the utmost care with everything you do with every facet of the detail.

Don't beat yourself up that you missed the wax, as everyone makes mistakes, but make sure that you remedy the situation. Part of that comes with client education, letting him know the proper upkeep and how if you do a correction and then take the car to the car wash, it may undo all the work you did and put swirls and scratches back into the paint. I don't detail professionally but even when I help out a friend or neighbor, I make sure to explain to them why I am doing what I'm doing and how to keep it that way. It's one thing to tell someone that there are above surface bonded contaminants in the paint that can be removed with a clay bar, and a totally different thing to show them all the contaminants in the clay. I remember showing a friend after claying a small area and he was blown away that all that was stuck to the paint. Doing things like that is how you show your customer service - by going above and beyond.

The biggest thing, as I've said, is treating every car like it is a 1/1. I wash my dad's Aston Martin like I do my neighbor's daily driver - because when I do something, it's the right way or I don't do it at all. I have plenty of people drive by and ask if they can pay for me to wash or detail they vehicle, and I have to decline because I know that I don't have the time and would cut corners. When you show that attention to detail, that's how you retain customers and get referrals. Happy detailing!
 
^great advice there.

OP- by being new and taking on a Ferrari, it shows you have confidence in your abilities which is admiral. Right now, now way I would accept a Ferrari (especially one with matte paint) just because I wouldn't be comfortable with it. Remember to stay humble, maintain confidence, and don't get cocky! Mistakes happen! Learn something from every detail you do!
 
i appreciate all of the feedback, thank you.

a rep from chemical guys told me that the wax i was using was made for all paints, including mattes. this was prior to me waxing the car in the first place. i never would have used it if he hadn't said that. unfortunately it didn't come out the way the customer wanted it, so he asked me back to fix it. in the time between the jobs, i purchased spray on matte wax and used on the second time. he was thrilled with the results and and asked me to come back in a week. perhaps i got lucky. regardless, he is happy.

i have been washing cars on the side for years and am just now taking steps towards making it a career. i dont have the luxary of doing endless research as i have to get out an earn money. ferraris are not my typical car, but he had one so i did it. i have insurance for a reason. if i needed it, i'd be covered.

i plan to charge more for exotics and SUVs. I've done market research and people have shown willingness to have their special cars treated with extra TLC, at a small increase in price.

as for me being a newbie. yes i am, and proud to be. unless those of you who are critical of me for being new to the industry were born detailing, i am sending a reminder that you were all newbies at some point.

again, thanks to those of you who utilized this forum to help a fellow detailer who's just getting started.

g
 
thanks john...this is the best i got.
 
You may want to look at companies who have a dedicated Matte line, such as Dr. Beasleys or Nanolex. I know, they are listed here before I get someone upset with me. But, in this case and for future reference, it may be worth looking at. I use Dr. Beasley's Matte Wheel Seal for my car. You can find it on DB site or Amazon. Great Product.
 
Chemical Guys also has JetSeal Matte Sealant. Unfortunately not sold on AG, but obviously on CG
 
I didn't have endless time to do reaserch either when I started.
I had to work from 7am-4pm
School from4:30-7:30
Got home @8pm
Spent a bit of time with my lil girl, ate and got her ready for bed. By then it was 10pm.
I'd stay up untill 1-2am doing research for products and my set up. Then was up at 5 getting ready for work and getting my lil girl ready for daycare.
It sounds like my 24hrs must be longer than yours or maybe your making excuses.
 
GreatAvalon said:
^great advice there.

OP- by being new and taking on a Ferrari, it shows you have confidence in your abilities which is admiral. Right now, now way I would accept a Ferrari (especially one with matte paint) just because I wouldn't be comfortable with it. Remember to stay humble, maintain confidence, and don't get cocky! Mistakes happen! Learn something from every detail you do!
Click to expand...

ge234 said:
i appreciate all of the feedback, thank you.

a rep from chemical guys told me that the wax i was using was made for all paints, including mattes. this was prior to me waxing the car in the first place. i never would have used it if he hadn't said that. unfortunately it didn't come out the way the customer wanted it, so he asked me back to fix it. in the time between the jobs, i purchased spray on matte wax and used on the second time. he was thrilled with the results and and asked me to come back in a week. perhaps i got lucky. regardless, he is happy.

i have been washing cars on the side for years and am just now taking steps towards making it a career. i dont have the luxary of doing endless research as i have to get out an earn money. ferraris are not my typical car, but he had one so i did it. i have insurance for a reason. if i needed it, i'd be covered.

i plan to charge more for exotics and SUVs. I've done market research and people have shown willingness to have their special cars treated with extra TLC, at a small increase in price.

as for me being a newbie. yes i am, and proud to be. unless those of you who are critical of me for being new to the industry were born detailing, i am sending a reminder that you were all newbies at some point.

again, thanks to those of you who utilized this forum to help a fellow detailer who's just getting started.

g
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I have no problem you running your business but the fact that you are still learning the ropes and working on a high end vehicle makes me question your business practices. Unfortunately there is a reason the term hack detailer is around. I would recommend gaining knowledge before you five off into something that may not quite be at your level.
 
I don't think anyone is trying to put you down here, they just want to save you the trouble of getting in over your head.

I would double check your insurance to see exactly what they cover and what they don't. The situation that you have been describing is something they typically will not cover.

With exotic cars something that might seem like a little mistake could put you out of business. For instance cleaning the wheels on a car that has carbon ceramic rotors with a wheel cleaner that is not approved for the application could be a very expensive mistake.
 
geekdout said:
I don't think anyone is trying to put you down here, they just want to save you the trouble of getting in over your head.

I would double check your insurance to see exactly what they cover and what they don't. The situation that you have been describing is something they typically will not cover.

With exotic cars something that might seem like a little mistake could put you out of business. For instance cleaning the wheels on a car that has carbon ceramic rotors with a wheel cleaner that is not approved for the application could be a very expensive mistake.
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I agree, and that's why when I was being "critical" I offered some advice that Mike Phillips wrote. I chose that advice, because my wife has a white car, and when I first started, I found myself in this same situation. The only difference is the value of the car. As stated before, the cost of the vehicle isn't the issue, it was the cost of virtual slap to the face you feel when you realize you missed something so trivial.

Those were particularly helpful to me.

I understand that some folks don't have the time to do the research, so I compiled some links for you to review that may answer your questions, or give you some knowledge in the future.

Glad it worked out, and I'm jelly of that car. I dream of Ferrari's every night. Congrats! You're obviously doing some things right (no ill intent with that) because you sold your services on a very nice car!
 
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