Hi everyone,
I just got a job at a high end used car dealership as a detailer. They have a training program that the previous person will teach me. I have cleaned my car and other cars before but never professionally.

Could you guys give me some quick tips and pointers so I dont make a fool out of myself?

Thanks,
Peter

That kind of job gets really "involved", common sense will go a long ways.
Don't wear big belt buckles, it's best to keep any buckle to the side so if you lean over a fender for example you won't scratch anything. Any loose jewelry is a no-no too.
With a rotary polisher (buffer) be mindful these can and will "burn" paint if left in one position too long or if too much force is used. Use common sense also when polishing, if there are DULL surfaces very often polishing compounds and wheels will ruin these areas (such as flat-black moldings).
Many shops use "quad zero" (0000) steel wool to clean glass, works especially well on buggy windshields, but don't use it on painted areas, just glass.
Be careful to know what the customer expects when cleaning the seats, don't assume you are supposed to use armor-all or anything like that unless specifically told to do that. same thing with a steering wheel, some owners are pretty picky about using a treatment like that on the seats or steering wheel, also some owners will dislike tire dressing stuff too, so be sensitive to that, unless your boss says "do it" of course.

Gilly

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I trick I saw at a Mequiar's demonstration involved clipping a "D" caribinier ring to the belt loop at the small of your back, and running the buffer cord through it to keep it out of the way and prevent the cord from dragging across the painted surfaces. Tried it and it works well for me.

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

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thank you Gilly, very good info and Ill try to remember most of that. Some of it I knew already but the training might be on new benzes or the ferraris so I dont wanna get fired right away. I wouldnt mind detailing a 20 year old civic to start out with and learn the process.

jce, I will try to keep that in mind and pick one up when I see one unless the trainer has some other technique to offer.

Thanks for your good comments and help, Im at work in 7 hours so I gots to get some sleep.

Peter

Yeah, that's another thing. Get a reasonable amount of sleep so you can be "operative" from the start of the day. I know your first day you'll be anxious and show up early, but even after that, it always looks good to be at least 10 minutes early or so for work. If there is a clothes change that needs to be made, even earlier than that. If you are out in the shop and ready to go about 10 minutes before you are expected there, that means alot to an employer, believe me, nothing distresses an employer more (at least on a consistent basis) than tardiness.

Gilly

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

I'd spend an evening or two browsing the threads right here.

A lot of things here and there. Several good paint care, leather care, some little, some bigger.

Most of these are by us hard core detailers doing our own vehicle, so you won't be able to take the time we do. But you can abbreviate some of the techniques, and a lot of tricks for special situations.

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KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

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I don't have to respect too many people anymore.

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