- First thing I science out the plan of attack and then get started with a Test Spot. I rarely take a break except to drink something cold to stay hydrated.
- It's also rewarding to meet someone with a cool car that's jacked-up, feel their pain because they can't fix it and then fix it for them.
- At this point in my life it's never about the money, it's about helping the owner and fixing their car.
Fixing the paint so
A: It's fixed.
B: The owner doesn't have to risk having it done wrong by another person or having to repaint it because it's to far gone to fix.
- That's the part I like, helping someone else with their car project. The money is just the reward for the time invested in someone else's project instead of working on my own project.
- Make sure the person has realistic expectations and that you can make them happy. If you can't, turn the work down.
- Most classes teach to first evaluate the car. I start with the customer......
So when I take on a car project it's because, First, I genuinely like the person.
Second, I genuinely like the car. In that order and I have to like both, it can't be one or the other and it starts with the person.
Wow Mike; now THIS is a list that guys (and gals) need to pay attention to!
1: The plan of attack and test spot. How many guys out there in the 'mass market' detailing world to a test spot? Heck, for that matter how many that ARE doing paint correction do them? (
As far as testing something different and working BACKWARDS, rather than throwing the same old thing, at everything, and looking for the same outcome.) I can tell you of guys that'll reach for the same compound, same pad, no matter what the vehicle. Doesn't matter as they'll only have one, (or if you're lucky two) compounds in their bag. Same thing with pads, orange and/or beat up and go from there. Remember the guy I talked about earlier this year that wanted me to work with MF pads on black Porsche paint but didn't have a compressor to clean them with? (He got VERY ANGRY with ME because I refused to use those pads and not have the proper way to clean them.)
2: THAT is where it's at I think for most of us AG-er's. Weekend warriors, daily grinders, and just plain old hobbyists. Doing what they do, as GOOD AS THEY CAN, because they can is where it's at.
3: Not about the money? That's a hard one for the guys that are paying the bills with detailing. And finding most anyone that's doing anything at all related to paint correction will end up costing big bucks, (because they want the money more than the satisfaction). Guys around here will tell you (in person or on their web sites) they don't mind putting 25, 30, or more man-hours into a project, (because it's a 'set price'). But if they end up not making $75+ an hour they'll tell you to go take a hike! They don't have time for you, and won't make time for you.
4: This is why I got into it in the first place. To work on a craft, to try and keep learning, and to teach as often as I can so that OTHERS can work the craft as well. Would I like to make $75~$100 an hour MINIMUM? Well duh! Do I *HAVE* to? Not on my life! I work when I can, and as long as I can. It's great therapy and can, at times, actually replace pain meds. (Yet cause a lot of pain come tomorrow.)
5: This is where it gets tricky. Most guys don't spend 90% of their time working on the top 1% of SIV's like you get to do most often. More often than not it'll be a Daily Driver, or maybe a Garage Queen. Making those owners happy isn't that hard. However.... making them UNDERSTAND that you deserve to be PAID more than the $20 local car wash is an entirely different matter.
6: I hear you on this one. No matter if it's a DD or a show car, if the owner is a jacka$$ from the word go, the work isn't worth it.
That aside, I have found I like more cars, more different kinds of cars (and trucks) in my old age than I ever did when I was younger.
As for liking *people* I always try with everyone I meet. If it doesn't work out... it isn't for lack of trying.
The biggest hurdle I've found is the mindset of John Q. Public. Clean = shiny even though shiny = swirled out something terrible. Our area is far from low income, yet people just don't want to spend money on their cars. You'll find teenagers at the local high schools driving 6" lifted jacked up pickups on 35" tires at the age of 16. Parents driving their BMW's and fancy SUV's and not ONE will have a clue what a swirl is. Do the "Post-It Note" thing on the thickness of their clear coat and they ohhhhh and ahhhhhh. Then flip the switch over to "spray wax" at the local self serve wash thinking that'll keep everything top notch till trade-in time.
Heck, even one of my own neighbors/customers has more 6 figure cars in his garage at once than I'll own in my lifetime and doesn't mind paying $100 for a wash job, quick decon, and spray wax. But talk swirl removal and he suddenly has vision problems. Remember; Clean = Shiny! :dunno:
Did want to mention one thing all in it's own though Mike. It's how you have the ability to start then go, go, go, go and oh...... GO!
It's like you're bionic dude! :laughing: Then again, we all like to, and can give witness to, "get in the zone".
, I haven't had the chance to wet-sand or use a rotary yet...but without the challenge of bettering my exterior process/results and the pride of seeing my skillset and results continually improve, the overall detailing experience wouldn't really be the same for me.
