Auto Detailing

The title of this month’s column is a bit misleading. At first read, most will think I’m going to talk about “standards of excellence” or something lofty like that.  »

A complaint that I consistently hear in the automotive detailing industry is that the operation is not making enough money or that the detail jobs are taking longer than they should relative to the amount of money being... »

In providing training for automotive detailing operations over the years, I have found that a common and recurring theme has been the importance of taking a process approach to detailing.  »

I have been fortunate to have had dozens of opportunities to provide training at dealership detail centers over the years. An interesting situation arises when I am asked to orchestrate their effort to create a detailing process... »

When your shop is blessed with enough work to require the assistance of additional help, you get to enter into the wonderful world of staffing and employees.  »

Vehicle seats are just one of the many interior and exterior surfaces that professional detailers must properly maintain. Just like any other vehicle surface, they require specialized cleaning and protection.  »

Express detailing service has been a staple at many a car wash over the last few decades. There is a generally accepted traditional express detailing approach that has been taught for years.  »

The 17th annual Mobile Tech Auto Recon Expo (MTE) took place January 26-28 in Orlando, FL. It was held this year back at the Caribe Royale Resort and Convention Center,  »

Your professional image is what the customer sees when looking at your business. If you have a shop, this should be obvious — signage, clean building, tidy work area, etc. But image goes beyond some of these more obvious items.... »

This last year (2017) was a busy time for the International Detailing Association (IDA). The organization has experienced rapid growth in membership, both in the United States and abroad. »

The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show was held again this year at the Las Vegas Convention Center from October 31 through November 3.  »

Today’s customers are exceptionally responsive to added convenience. It seems that some customers are won over when I can find some way to make the vehicle delivery process easier »

As you read this column, we are entering yet another fall season. For many detailers across the country, business starts to wind down. »

One of the larger surface areas to clean on the interior of a vehicle is the carpeting. Now, when I say “carpeting,” I am referring to carpeted floor mats, the carpeting on the floor of the vehicle, and any other surface inside... »

The efficiency of a detail operation can be directly affected by the way the detail shop is laid out. Additionally, the layout will determine, in part, the visiting customer’s impression of the business. Thus, it is beneficial to... »