Detailing Consumers...something to think about before you buy!

Just like any industry, not all professional detailers are created equal and not all detailers are professional. So the number one action you, the consumer can do is exactly what you are doing now...your homework!

Below I have outlined several (but not all) items I would recommend that you the consumer look at or for within detailers you desire to do business with.

We all have those friends who are just plain car crazy and I can tell you now, that is a good place to start to learn who you should be using to perform your auto detailing services. Strong referrals like this are very important and odds are if the professional detailer is making your car crazy friends happy...you will be happy also... so make sure to ask around! Here are some additional items to think about early within your search for a good car detailer:

Questions To Ask Detailers and Yourself Alike!

• Are they insured?
• Do they have references you may contact?
• Who are they doing business with now?

• If they are new in business, did they receive any formal training? If so, contact the trainer and ask the training for input.

• Who have they done business with in the past? Have they or are they performing for others within the community that have high standards? Contact people they have and are doing business with.

• Look locally within your Chamber of Commerce & your local Better Business Bureau.

• What systems are they using and are they using methods and products that could cause damage to my health or the investment I have within my vehicle? Below I hope to help you within these topics.

• Have they received formal training or what is there trackable experience they can provide? I personally train and coach detailers from all over the world and some come to me with some pretty bad habits yet leave with a sound foundation of skills both talent and chemical based. You can find some of our trained and certified students here.

Auto Detailing - Its just a simple process...or is it?
Many consumers think of detailing as a simple process with little or no risk for damage. While detailing can be a simple service, allowing the wrong person with no formal detailing education to touch your vehicle could prove to be a very poor decision. Many items within and on your car can be damaged or left in a condition that could be hazardous not only for your car but to you, your family members and others who ride in your vehicle.

Your Safety
The first concern I have with a great number of detailers out there today is their poor selection of systems and cleaning products. For instance, we all get interior stains within are vehicles interiors and when we go to the detailer, we are simply pleased when we get our car back with not stains....right? But...how did they remove those stains? Are the carpets still soaked with water and will mold set in? What chemicals did they use and did they remove the spot removal chemicals? Leaving chemicals behind could cause serious health issues for those that ride in the vehicle and could also shorten the life of interior surfaces not to mention that the surfaces will become dirtier faster (re-soil) all because chemicals were left behind. Here are several areas to think about when it comes to your safety.

Are those you are doing business with or desire to do business with using “clean” detailing systems such as Steam based cleaning? Steam based detailing can offer not only a more chemical friendly option but in many cases is a chemical free way of detailing. If you maintain your cars interior and the interior is only moderately dirty, a car can be cleaned with little or no chemicals and today, detailers can use a host of products that organic based or very friendly to us humans who are sensitive to chemicals. Watch a Steaming Sample Video Here!

Chemical selection & The Safety of Your Vehicle - Using the wrong cleaning agents will not only cause damage that may not be visible for months or maybe years, it can cause health related conditions that should be of huge concern to you.

Sick car syndrome and outgassing issues are real and when you introduce even more chemicals into your car for the purpose of detailing you want to be certain those chemicals are dealt with properly. Not dealing with chemicals used within the detailing process can breed further health issues that you should be concerned with. Learn more here
and also here.

Make Sure To Visit the above links for some great information

Odors within cars can be an issue and most detailers deal with those odors incorrectly. Make sure that the detailer you choose is educated within odor issue and is taking the correct steps in dealing the odor issues. Here are some helpful hints:

• Removes all sources from the odor
• Cleans the site with proper agents (each spill/spell is dealt with differently)
• Uses the right odor removal chemicals

• If Ozone is needed to deal with an odor (for those pesky or just down right bad odors), make certain the detailer you are using has that tool available. Corona discharge based ozone is most commonly used but UV based ozone is a safer way to go. Learn more here.

NOTE: Seat-belts cleaned with the wrong chemicals can weaken the material and thus undermine the seat-belts ability to perform during a collision.
Many detailers do not understand how easily this material can be compromised and thus weaken the seat-belts and in a case of accident that one action can be fatal. Uneducated detailers will use a host of chemicals to clean seat-belts while educated detailers will be using safe and proven chemicals and methods.

Make sure they have standards for infant/baby & child seats and that they do not reinstall your infant seat! I am a father of four and our shops still will not re-install child seats. Your children are your most cherished gift in life so take the responsibility to reinstall your infant seat yourself! Here is a link on this topic.

Your vehicles safety is also important and most detailers strive for perfection but that perfection can come at a high cost to you and your car alike. Here are some items to think about...

Clear coat/paint compromise is of major concern or should be to you, the car owner. Detailers are perfectionist for the most part and thus will attempt to make your vehicle look its very best...that is good...right? Well...maybe...or maybe not, allow me to explain below.


Measuring the Paint is an important part of proper detailing yet the majority of detailers fail to not only have the equipment to take such actions, most fail to know what it is they are looking for. Making sure your detailer understands paint systems and is taking measurements is a good idea for you as a consumer.

When is it to much polishing? I have clients that desire perfection but in reality these same clients are pretty hard on their vehicles. A professional detailer will know and share with you that you have limited clear coat on your vehicle and thus you have a limited number of “paint corrections” you can perform on your car before you start to run into trouble. Having a professional that educates you and offers you input is important. There are all to many paint systems running around that are on borrowed time and the cars are practically new! Be informed and listen to those who are educated and sharing their knowledge with you.

If you run into a detailer that all he or she desires is to get aggressive each and every time they see your car...run the other direction and take your business to someone who is a little more educated! Paint perfection can be realized but should be realized in steps. We use the most aggressive and more advanced steps in isolated cases where that is the last resort! Again, if you run across a detailers who insist you need heavy paint correction within every service and that professional detailer is not explaining further facts....take note...you are going to run into problems!

Environmental issues should also be of concern to you as a informed consumer as detailing can be a messy process. If you are utilizing the convenience of a mobile detailing professional, make sure that they are following federal, state and local laws pertaining to water run off. Also, make sure that the mobile detailer you are utilizing is not going to leave more behind for you to clean up.

There is nothing worse then to have someone come to your home or office and leave a mess. A true professional will leave the work area clean and spot free and will have a vehicle that does mark its territory on your driveway. (oil leak)

If you are dealing with a fixed location that has a shop, the detailing shop should be clean and neat and will have proper drains and not allow used water to escape into catch basins that drain into the rivers, lakes, water supply or oceans nearest you. Make sure the environment is an important point when you choose your detailer!

Allow your detailer to service you better by being truthful and upfront with your detailer. When you are calling around for prices, make sure to explain to them what it is you desire.

All to many times I hear of consumers complaining that the “price changed” once I got there but many times consumers are not direct enough with the true condition of there vehicle. The best way to get a price for the work you desire is for the detailer to see the car first hand...this will allow the detailer to provide you with the different services they have available and the opportunity for you to pick out the service that best services what your car needs and your budget alike.

The most important element within selecting a detailing professional...make sure you connect with that professional and that your selection is based on both educated decision making and gut instincts alike!

After all, your car is one of the largest and most important investments you will make and if you are like me...you don’t really want just any stranger working on such an important element within your daily life.

I hope this article has assisted you within your efforts to find the right detailer...he or she is out there and that professional is ready to assist you!

Happy Detailing all,

Renny Doyle

Founder
Attention To Details, Ltd
Detailing Success, a professional detailing training & coaching organization. www.detailingsuccess.com

Years in the industry: 25+
Contact Information: (800) 871-4781
Email renny@detailingsuccess.com