Detailing Terms???

[Beemerboy]

I read on about 3 or 4 detailing sites, seems like everyone or some lets say, have a term that they use to describe their work. The two listed below are some that I've read that come to mind.

Paint leveling?
100% paint correction?

Is this not compounding or polishing?

There are others, but they don't come to mind at the moment. I really do think at times that these are some smoke and mirrors terms, they are being used to convince the prospective customer to buying their services.

In the 30 years that I have sold for a living, I've learned a lot about communicating with people. If they feel like they are being sold, or not being told the truth you are shooting yourself in the foot.

Detailing IMO is not rocket science, it certainly takes practice to become proficient. However I really do think that we cheapen ourselves and the industry with smoke and mirrors terms that the customer doesn't understand.


Any thoughts on this DC?

[bigron62]

cut and buff ...i say yea ok and i go do my thing and the guy is all happy ..

[(901)]

I had to learn not to pay attention to what most ppl say on these forums

When I first joined, I assumed everyone owned there own detailing biz. That has proven to be far from the truth.95% are just weekend warriors at best with to much time on there hand

Most of the rattletraps don't have a clue what it takes to run a succesfull detailing business. There just doing this alot >

and give bad/misleading advice more then good advice

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by (901)

I had to learn not to pay attention to what most ppl say on these forums

When I first joined, I assumed everyone owned there own detailing biz. That has proven to be far from the truth.95% are just weekend warriors at best with to much time on there hand

Most of the rattletraps don't have a clue what it takes to run a succesfull detailing business. There just doing this alot >

and give bad/misleading advice more then good advice

I've been a weekend warrior for the lat 30 plus years doing it as a part time biz. I've always strived to give good honest advice and not to speak about things that I didn't know.

Some time back I spoke with a local mobile detailer, he was telling me about a special buffer he had, that spins at 3200 RPM or something like that

I didn't say much after that, nor tell him what I do on the weekends

[Scott P]

Originally Posted by (901)

I had to learn not to pay attention to what most ppl say on these forums

When I first joined, I assumed everyone owned there own detailing biz. That has proven to be far from the truth.95% are just weekend warriors at best with to much time on there hand

Most of the rattletraps don't have a clue what it takes to run a succesfull detailing business. There just doing this alot >

and give bad/misleading advice more then good advice

The same thing can be said about a lot of the professional detailers out there. Many of these weekend guys who have too much time on their hands do a better and more thorough job than the professionals.

Their advice is often just as help as the successful professional just concentrates on speed so he or she can get to the next job.

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by Scott P

The same thing can be said about a lot of the professional detailers out there. Many of these weekend guys who have too much time on their hands do a better and more thorough job than the professionals.

Their advice is often just as help as the successful professional just concentrates on speed so he or she can get to the next job.

I can totally agree with that. I work on one car a day and can spend the time I like getting it right.

[Tex Star Detail]

I've had a guy, actually many, ask if I buff-waxed. (one word) I just looked at them cross-eyed...

[togwt]

Detailing forums have their share of knowledgeable detailers as well as those who like to state an opinion or just something they think they read somewhere. Find a forum contributor that you and others trust and follow their advice . Always keep an open mind and I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that anyone else shares with you.

There are very few subject-matter experts; if you find a mistake or know of a better method to solve the problem please share it as no one is infallible and we all should be willing to learn.

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by Tex Star Detail

I've had a guy, actually many, ask if I buff-waxed. (one word) I just looked at them cross-eyed...

I would ask them if they know what that means or who they have heard that from?

[Tex Star Detail]

Originally Posted by Beemerboy

I would ask them if they know what that means or who they have heard that from?

I told one guy I never heard of buff waxing. Told him you can buff/polish and then wax, but not a buff wax.
Wonder if he was talking about an AIO? Highly doubtful.....

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by togwt

Detailing forums have their share of knowledgeable detailers as well as those who like to state an opinion or just something they think they read somewhere. Find a forum contributor that you and others trust and follow their advice . Always keep an open mind and I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that anyone else shares with you.

There are very few subject-matter experts; if you find a mistake or know of a better method to solve the problem please share it as no one is infallible and we all should be willing to learn.

I concur with that. There are WAY to many that are willing to post something that they have read about when it comes to detailing, without any hands on application. The beauty of these forums is that you can always learn, a new process, product or that some posters have no clue what they are talking about

[CharlesW]

There's no question about the experts and the pseudo experts spreading a lot of confusing/misleading and sometimes just plain wrong information, but.....
The whole detailing terminology tends to be confusing.
Especially to the newbie, but it isn't all that cut & dried to those that have been around a while.

Polishes: A real catch-all. Zaino and Meguiar's both use the term to describe products intended for totally different functions.

Wax: Used a lot to describe what is actually a sealant or a synthetic blend. There's probably not very many so called "pure" waxes sold.

Buffing: Anything from a light polishing to a heavy compounding.

Buffer: Seems to apply to about any power tool that will rub a product on the surface.

Waterless Wash: Used to describe rinseless/low water usage products, products that don't need water added, but may actually contain water in their make-up, and products that are truly water free.

Chamois: Catches everything from the true Chamois skin through the synthetic chamois and the cloth chamois.

Swirls: Often used to describe just about any paint defect.

One step, two step, three step: Does this mean you can polish and wax your car in one step? Two steps? Three steps?

Silicone: Another one that is often misunderstood. Lots of products contain silicone. Containing silicone doesn't make a product bad.

Solvent or Petroleum Distillate: Here again, often used in a derogatory manner. Used properly, they definitely have their place.

I guess my point if there is one, is don't worry so much about what something is called or what's in it.
If it works for you, that's what matters.

[black bart]

Originally Posted by (901)

I had to learn not to pay attention to what most ppl say on these forums

When I first joined, I assumed everyone owned there own detailing biz. That has proven to be far from the truth.95% are just weekend warriors at best with to much time on there hand

Most of the rattletraps don't have a clue what it takes to run a succesfull detailing business. There just doing this alot >

and give bad/misleading advice more then good advice

You don't think a weekend warrior as you put it knows anything but I would never allow a Pro to touch my car because I understand that what his major concern is making a good hourly wage.
Get it in and out and start on the next one.

When working on my car I don't care how long it takes my only concern is the end results.
Just because someone can crank out several vehicles per week does NOT make them a better detailer in my mind.

Or to put it another way just because you are not doing it for a living don't mean you don't know what you are doing.

[Beemerboy]

I face this all the time with customers, and with a tad over 30 years I think I've got it by now

Originally Posted by black bart

Or to put it another way just because you are not doing it for a living don't mean you don't know what you are doing.