I have come across an excellent site that provides the best information regarding Car Paintwork Polishing.
There are three sections I highly recommend for your reading :
Selecting a Professional Auto Detailer.
Foam Pads selection and use.
Polish and Compounding.
The information contained within these sites is the most comprehensive scientific and chemical explanation of the science of polishing that I have ever read.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Paint Protection, polish polish polish.
I've been following, and contributing to, a comment on Linkedin (of which I am a member) regarding paint sealants, namely 'Teflon'.
Teflon. Is it really worth it?
More importantly, does it do what is says it will? Check out this article and give me your thoughts.
Recent Comments autodetailingblog.thesocalway.com
Dealerships and car detailers
charge hundreds of dollars to apply Teflon Coating to your car. Did you
know this Teflon Coating is the same as a $50 wax job?
If you are linked to Linkedin you will be able to access the article, but for those who cannot, I will paste some of the comments here :
Richard Needham •
I would like to comment on the discussion of a Teflon wax. First of all
teflon(PTFE) is a powder that is added to a mixture to enable easier
clean-up and create a non stick surface.
This mixture is then heated to around 365 degrees. Imagine trying to heat a wax to that temperature. No more then 5% of the teflon powder can be added to a mixture and not go through the heating process. In fact unless you pay royalties to 3M corp you are not allowed to use the name Teflon describing your product.
On the other hand a good Acrylic Polymer sealant will provide a years worth of protection from oxidation, acid rain ect.
This mixture is then heated to around 365 degrees. Imagine trying to heat a wax to that temperature. No more then 5% of the teflon powder can be added to a mixture and not go through the heating process. In fact unless you pay royalties to 3M corp you are not allowed to use the name Teflon describing your product.
On the other hand a good Acrylic Polymer sealant will provide a years worth of protection from oxidation, acid rain ect.
Robert Griswell •
I have had many clients and show cars comment on just this. If they read
the fine print, you have to reapply each year or renew the coverage for
the next year to keep it under warranty. However this type of
protection does not take away the fact that adding a high quaility of
wax will add to its shine and protection. But I have yet to find a
sealant that will protect for a full year. Can you let me know where I
can get one. Please don't take that as a poke at you, but I am really
curious
"RL "Bud Abraham •
Richard your comments about Teflon are correct, except that is only one
type of Teflon. DuPont does, in fact, produce a Teflon that in other
ways than bonded to frying pans. Suggest that anyone interested in
knowing about Teflon Google "Teflon" and Wikipedia has a great
explanation.
Teflon, or not, paint sealants are paint sealants. Some have more shine than others, some have more durablity than others, more or less. They are not wonder products and they do not last forever nor for a year. Under the best driving conditions a paint sealant, any paint sealant, will not last more than 6 months without a re-application.
Are paint sealants, with or without Teflon, worth it? That is really not up to detailers to answer, in my opinion. It is up to the motorist. They are the ones who pay the dealership the money. What they are really buying is nothing more than "insurance."
It is a great marketing/sales opportunity for the dealership. When they have sold the customer a new car the mentality of the customer is that they want to "take care of the new vehicle." So the dealer sells the protection package when concluding the sale with the Finance & Insurance guy. The cost over the course of a 48 or 60 month contract is minimal. In some cases they discount the price of the protection package off the cost of the vehicle.
Instead of criticizing dealers for being smart business people detailers ought to learn from the dealer.
When I operated our DETAIL PLUS Centres in Portland, and what I advise our customers to do is put up a professional sign in the waiting room of their shop that states something like this:
"ASK ABOUT OUR NEW CAR PROTECTION PACKAGE"
Only $199.95
"One Year Guarantee"
What is included in the package is a paint sealant application and a fabric protectant on the carpets and fabric seats.
The guarantee is simple: the paint will shine and be protected (beading water) for one year if the customer returns in 6 months for re-application. If the customer complains about shine or protection the sealant is re-applied at no charge, a 15 to 30 minute job.
The carpets & seats are guaranteed not stain. Again a re-application in 6 months. If they do we clean them and re-apply.
At $200 upfront that is a great deal for the detailer and for the customer.
Remember you are not selling paint sealants and fabric protectant to the customer you are selling insurance and that is what they are willing to pay for.
Try our DIAMOND Shine PLUS, one of the best sealants on the market. FABRIC PROTECTANT also one of the best anti-stain treatments available. Both at very competitive prices.
Regards
Bud Abraham
Teflon, or not, paint sealants are paint sealants. Some have more shine than others, some have more durablity than others, more or less. They are not wonder products and they do not last forever nor for a year. Under the best driving conditions a paint sealant, any paint sealant, will not last more than 6 months without a re-application.
Are paint sealants, with or without Teflon, worth it? That is really not up to detailers to answer, in my opinion. It is up to the motorist. They are the ones who pay the dealership the money. What they are really buying is nothing more than "insurance."
It is a great marketing/sales opportunity for the dealership. When they have sold the customer a new car the mentality of the customer is that they want to "take care of the new vehicle." So the dealer sells the protection package when concluding the sale with the Finance & Insurance guy. The cost over the course of a 48 or 60 month contract is minimal. In some cases they discount the price of the protection package off the cost of the vehicle.
Instead of criticizing dealers for being smart business people detailers ought to learn from the dealer.
When I operated our DETAIL PLUS Centres in Portland, and what I advise our customers to do is put up a professional sign in the waiting room of their shop that states something like this:
"ASK ABOUT OUR NEW CAR PROTECTION PACKAGE"
Only $199.95
"One Year Guarantee"
What is included in the package is a paint sealant application and a fabric protectant on the carpets and fabric seats.
The guarantee is simple: the paint will shine and be protected (beading water) for one year if the customer returns in 6 months for re-application. If the customer complains about shine or protection the sealant is re-applied at no charge, a 15 to 30 minute job.
The carpets & seats are guaranteed not stain. Again a re-application in 6 months. If they do we clean them and re-apply.
At $200 upfront that is a great deal for the detailer and for the customer.
Remember you are not selling paint sealants and fabric protectant to the customer you are selling insurance and that is what they are willing to pay for.
Try our DIAMOND Shine PLUS, one of the best sealants on the market. FABRIC PROTECTANT also one of the best anti-stain treatments available. Both at very competitive prices.
Regards
Bud Abraham
.....and my comments :
1.
A very good read, thanks Joseph. I tell my customers to carefully
consider the cost of protective coatings offered by dealerships when
buying their new car. The benefits of regular paint detailing and
polishing/waxing will always be greater than a so-called 'protective
coating'. I have never known any to last more than a year and sometimes
they are voided by repairs to the paintwork including body damage
repairs and re-painting and even buffing.
2.
I am still asking myself, why does paint need sealing? Paint is durable,
flexible and organic. What? .... organic. Of course it is. It applies
wet, it hardens, cures and seals and without care it oxidises. The best
insurance you can get for your paintwork is called "maintenance". Get
out there and polish, put a wax coating on the thing, protect it from
the weather. Paint sealants sold at the car dealer frontline are a con.
They are sold to "Mr Ego". Nothing preserves paint better than good hard
yakka.
Thank you for your contributions.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Three Wheels and Sexy
I had previously considered the evolution of cars to be at a dead end because no one would change to another form of motoring because it would not have the power of a V8 engine or a great body design.
Here are two vehicles that seem to solve the compromise between power and sexy. They are elegant, economical and powerful alternatives to traditional motoring.
I reproduce these articles with thanks to 'The Kneeslider' and salute their efforts to promote vehicles that offer all the comfortable powerful benefits of a car and the economical excitement of a motorbike.
Three wheels and sexy :
http://thekneeslider.com/elio-motors-planning-new-3-wheeler-in-former-louisiana-gm-plant/#.UXehW5U9PpQ.blogger
http://thekneeslider.com/terracraft-tilting-enclosed-reverse-trike-concept/
Many people have envisioned an alternative to the traditional car and motorcycle, maybe either or both of these concepts will offer motorists an escape from the often mundane car or the danger of a motorbike. By combining all the positive attributes of both these vehicles they may also ease traffic congestion and conserve natural resources and give drivers a new travelling experience.
Here are two vehicles that seem to solve the compromise between power and sexy. They are elegant, economical and powerful alternatives to traditional motoring.
I reproduce these articles with thanks to 'The Kneeslider' and salute their efforts to promote vehicles that offer all the comfortable powerful benefits of a car and the economical excitement of a motorbike.
Three wheels and sexy :
http://thekneeslider.com/elio-motors-planning-new-3-wheeler-in-former-louisiana-gm-plant/#.UXehW5U9PpQ.blogger
http://thekneeslider.com/terracraft-tilting-enclosed-reverse-trike-concept/
Many people have envisioned an alternative to the traditional car and motorcycle, maybe either or both of these concepts will offer motorists an escape from the often mundane car or the danger of a motorbike. By combining all the positive attributes of both these vehicles they may also ease traffic congestion and conserve natural resources and give drivers a new travelling experience.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Marketing Discussion - Linkedin
I have been following and contributing to a discussion on 'Linkedin' regarding - "Sure could use some advice". Here are their comments and mine.
Sure could use some advice on how to promote my auto-art.
Many of my photos lend
themselves to the 'diner' mentality and certainly to automobile shops,
both repair and sales... No idea how to market to them. Any ideas? Check
out what I mean? Click on the link here. Feedback valued.
Cars that make you think Diner, Cruising and Drive-in. rashleyphotography.com
Mark Kaye Kaukas •
Don't..............If you are a true artist, your
work will promote itself ! If you need to push it - You are a fake.
There was an artist who cut off his ear (that is what he is remembered
for), there was an artist who spent 30 years on his back, painting a
ceiling (that is what he is remembered for). How many body parts are you
willing to give up, to become a celebrity ? The last thing you will
give up......................is your soul.
Tracy Lee Carroll •
I'm sorry, but Mark Kaye Kaukas, I can't agree
with your advice to Rita, especially in a time when there is so much out
there screaming for our attention. As an artist, I have seen so many
talented people in all genres in creative fields _not_ get noticed. Just
because someone is talented, does not mean that their work will be seen
or heard. Have you ever heard a talented musician who never makes it
big? How about a musician that is not all that talented, but does make
it big? What's the difference? Promotion.
Art for art's sake is great and pure, but if one wants to make a living through art, they need to promote their work. To do so, they do not have to cut off their ear or lay on their back for 30 years (Is that really all you think about when you think of these artists?).
The real trouble artists have and have had through the ages is now to be a successful business person as well as a successful creative person. Those two traits rarely go hand in hard easily together. If you know anything about how the brain works, that is easy to understand. That is often why artists (as well as other talented people, think athletes) hire agents or agencies to, like Jim Palam's, to help promote and mange their business side of things so they can concentrate on doing what they do best -- create.
Marketing one's work does not mean they have to sell their soul, although there are many that do. We all know plenty of examples of that. There is a delicate balance that can be made in which the artist is successful in their craft and is able to monetize their work and be successful as a business as well.
Lastly, Mark Kaye Kaukas, let me ask you a question, where would your business be if you didn't promote it?
Art for art's sake is great and pure, but if one wants to make a living through art, they need to promote their work. To do so, they do not have to cut off their ear or lay on their back for 30 years (Is that really all you think about when you think of these artists?).
The real trouble artists have and have had through the ages is now to be a successful business person as well as a successful creative person. Those two traits rarely go hand in hard easily together. If you know anything about how the brain works, that is easy to understand. That is often why artists (as well as other talented people, think athletes) hire agents or agencies to, like Jim Palam's, to help promote and mange their business side of things so they can concentrate on doing what they do best -- create.
Marketing one's work does not mean they have to sell their soul, although there are many that do. We all know plenty of examples of that. There is a delicate balance that can be made in which the artist is successful in their craft and is able to monetize their work and be successful as a business as well.
Lastly, Mark Kaye Kaukas, let me ask you a question, where would your business be if you didn't promote it?
Mark Kaye Kaukas •
My business promotes itself. I learnt long ago
that if have to search for customers, I generally end up with 1% of all
the time, effort and budget that I put into it. After any particular 12
month activity period it always seems to be 99% non productive. I am
sure the Advertisers and Marketers want to convince me that advertising
and promoting works - but it really only works for them to line their
pockets.
Someone famous once said that "Only 50% of your advertising budget works - the problem is, which 50%". If my business is good, if my art is good, it will eventually sell itself. Only "salesmen" like to think that you need them - wrong!
I have run my business as a sole operator since 1982. I sold my first business for a profit (I started that, in 1980). Since then, I have acquired a 'Bachelor of Arts' an 'Associate Diploma in Marketing Management' and various Teaching and Training qualifications.
I love what I do for money - that is: Polishing Cars, it is an artform. I could do lots of other things for money, but I don't - I love playing with cars and motorcycles.
I do not waste money and effort on promotions and advertising - my work speaks for itself - 90% of my work comes from "word-of-mouth". My customers sell my business for me!
I have a niche market - this business is so much about personality and knowledge. I know that the customer who goes out of his/her way to find me, is a customer who really 'wants' me, and I will retain them forever.
Here, have an acorn. - In the end it all comes down to 'me'. And I tell them honestly when I know they are shopping around for price and quality, that what it all comes down to is : Do you like me or not? As simple as that. I am an artist, and if you like my product (which is me) you will buy. If you don't, fuck off and annoy someone else.
I offer integrity - there is no compromise.
Someone famous once said that "Only 50% of your advertising budget works - the problem is, which 50%". If my business is good, if my art is good, it will eventually sell itself. Only "salesmen" like to think that you need them - wrong!
I have run my business as a sole operator since 1982. I sold my first business for a profit (I started that, in 1980). Since then, I have acquired a 'Bachelor of Arts' an 'Associate Diploma in Marketing Management' and various Teaching and Training qualifications.
I love what I do for money - that is: Polishing Cars, it is an artform. I could do lots of other things for money, but I don't - I love playing with cars and motorcycles.
I do not waste money and effort on promotions and advertising - my work speaks for itself - 90% of my work comes from "word-of-mouth". My customers sell my business for me!
I have a niche market - this business is so much about personality and knowledge. I know that the customer who goes out of his/her way to find me, is a customer who really 'wants' me, and I will retain them forever.
Here, have an acorn. - In the end it all comes down to 'me'. And I tell them honestly when I know they are shopping around for price and quality, that what it all comes down to is : Do you like me or not? As simple as that. I am an artist, and if you like my product (which is me) you will buy. If you don't, fuck off and annoy someone else.
I offer integrity - there is no compromise.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Building your own Toy
I posted this comment in relation to a discussion on 'Linkedin' regarding building your own toy or buying it.
Here is the address of the discussion post :
http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=138935&type=member&item=87765286&commentID=63736368&report.success=8ULbKyXO6NDvmoK7o030UNOYGZKrvdhBhypZ_w8EpQrrQI-BBjkmxwkEOwBjLE28YyDIxcyEO7_TA_giuRN#commentID_63736368
............And here is one of my responses :
"Here in OZ, I blame the demise of the Quarter Acre Block of Land for most folks lack of experience or knowledge of cars and modifying and customising. Way back in the 50's, 60's and 70's each family was lucky enough to have a block of land large enough to fit a house, a double garage, a shed, a front and back yard, and enough room to drive a car down each side of the house into the back yard. It was there that kids played cricket and football and still had enough room to tinker on an abandoned car and learn about tools and bodies and paint and stuff and maybe eventually get the thing running - this eventually became their first car! Nowaday's we are cursed with the so-called McMansions on blocks half that size, with no side yard and hardly a backyard and a front yard that is only for show...............But, I will add that money is not always the best option. I have seen cars painted by hand with a paint brush (and then properly sanded and polished) that present better than a 20,000 dollar paint job. I have also enjoyed the enthusiasm of those who knew sweet-bugger-all about mechanics or bodywork but taught themselves out of pure necessity and lack of money, but they had a vision and a bucket load of ideas. And eventually they created a true masterpiece of motoring !"
Here is the address of the discussion post :
http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=138935&type=member&item=87765286&commentID=63736368&report.success=8ULbKyXO6NDvmoK7o030UNOYGZKrvdhBhypZ_w8EpQrrQI-BBjkmxwkEOwBjLE28YyDIxcyEO7_TA_giuRN#commentID_63736368
............And here is one of my responses :
"Here in OZ, I blame the demise of the Quarter Acre Block of Land for most folks lack of experience or knowledge of cars and modifying and customising. Way back in the 50's, 60's and 70's each family was lucky enough to have a block of land large enough to fit a house, a double garage, a shed, a front and back yard, and enough room to drive a car down each side of the house into the back yard. It was there that kids played cricket and football and still had enough room to tinker on an abandoned car and learn about tools and bodies and paint and stuff and maybe eventually get the thing running - this eventually became their first car! Nowaday's we are cursed with the so-called McMansions on blocks half that size, with no side yard and hardly a backyard and a front yard that is only for show...............But, I will add that money is not always the best option. I have seen cars painted by hand with a paint brush (and then properly sanded and polished) that present better than a 20,000 dollar paint job. I have also enjoyed the enthusiasm of those who knew sweet-bugger-all about mechanics or bodywork but taught themselves out of pure necessity and lack of money, but they had a vision and a bucket load of ideas. And eventually they created a true masterpiece of motoring !"
Friday, December 30, 2011
Polishing is an Art
Anyone
can be a "Cowboy Car Cleaner" - and that is the operative word :
Cleaner. I have been swinging a Buff around for over 20 years- And I can
swing it like a Samuri Sword. Soooomany folks have thought - "yeah I
can do that" - Bullshit. It's not a skill, it's an art.
Car Cleaners have ruined this business of detailing, especially in OZ. Too many Indian and Malaysian immigrants/imports/refugees have denigrated this occupation - and what is so annoying is that the public will go to them because of cheap price. I tell my enquiring potential customers that they are welcome to shop around for a cheaper price - but when you come back to me after some "cowboy" fucked your paintwork, I will double my original quote to you. **************** It's crap that some people neglect or abuse their car for 5 or so years and expect me to restore the paintwork for around 3 to 6 hundred dollars. I just tell them to fuck off and pay $5000 + for a new paint job......For christ's sake - my skill is dying with me when I die.
Car Cleaners have ruined this business of detailing, especially in OZ. Too many Indian and Malaysian immigrants/imports/refugees have denigrated this occupation - and what is so annoying is that the public will go to them because of cheap price. I tell my enquiring potential customers that they are welcome to shop around for a cheaper price - but when you come back to me after some "cowboy" fucked your paintwork, I will double my original quote to you. **************** It's crap that some people neglect or abuse their car for 5 or so years and expect me to restore the paintwork for around 3 to 6 hundred dollars. I just tell them to fuck off and pay $5000 + for a new paint job......For christ's sake - my skill is dying with me when I die.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Classic Aussie Car Racing
This the best thing I've seen for ages.
Classic Aussie Car racing at its best. See if you can name all the cars.
Notice his wipers lifting at speed; the way he shoots through the pack at the start; his little wave as he passes the Ford Escort and the way he sits on the Charger's tail.
( I didn't want to risk messing up the link so I'm afraid that you will have to 'copy' and 'paste' into your browser ).
http://www.mustang.org.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=15263
Enjoy - if it doesn't connect, please let me know.
Classic Aussie Car racing at its best. See if you can name all the cars.
Notice his wipers lifting at speed; the way he shoots through the pack at the start; his little wave as he passes the Ford Escort and the way he sits on the Charger's tail.
( I didn't want to risk messing up the link so I'm afraid that you will have to 'copy' and 'paste' into your browser ).
http://www.mustang.org.au/forum/viewthread.php?tid=15263
Enjoy - if it doesn't connect, please let me know.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)