When is someone considered a Professional Detailer?

[lane5515]

I would like to know what it takes to be considered a Professional Detailer? There are detail shops in my area that are viewed as Professional and I wouldn't let them touch my cars. If someone does detailing full time as their profession are they considered Professional? Can you become certified through continued education or earn certain qualifications?

[Octopiston]

#2 is the more pertinent definition.

pro·fes·sion·al
prəˈfeSH(ə)n(ə)l/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or connected with a profession.
"young professional people"
synonyms: white-collar, nonmanual
"people in professional occupations"
2.
(of a person) engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime.
"a professional boxer"
synonyms: paid, salaried
"a professional rugby player"

Just keep in mind that because someone does something for a living or if they have certifications doesn't make them good at what they do. Look at some of the goofy things engineers design. Doctors and mechanics that regularly misdiagnose. Accountants that don't do their jobs right. I've had my share of sucky teachers. I've also had bosses that had certifications and advanced degrees in the field that would make you question the validity of said certification or degree.

[Sharply Dressed]

My two cents. I think a professional person regardless of career choice is
1. Dedicated to the craft
2. Studies the craft
3. Is constantly searching and learning to be better
4. Would do it for free since they love it so much
5. Have common characteristics (passion, skill, tools, great products, customer focused, a little obsessive compulsive)
6. Love sharing with others in the sane profession
7. Know how to manage and balance service and payment.

Just a few thoughts before I'm off to dream land

[LEDetailing]

I believe when you start making a decent living (or serious part-time money) have a steady customer base, and have high quality work, then you have reached "professional" status.

With that being said you can get professional results in your driveway with good technique, quality tools and materials, and most importantly a discerning eye.

I was a detailer for 10 years at my dad's car lot. At times I was getting professional results in some area, but I would never consider myself a professional.

[shadwell]

#2 is the more pertinent definition.

pro·fes·sion·al
prəˈfeSH(ə)n(ə)l/
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or connected with a profession.
"young professional people"
synonyms: white-collar, nonmanual
"people in professional occupations"
2.
(of a person) engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime.
"a professional boxer"
synonyms: paid, salaried
"a professional rugby player"

Just keep in mind that because someone does something for a living or if they have certifications doesn't make them good at what they do. Look at some of the goofy things engineers design. Doctors and mechanics that regularly misdiagnose. Accountants that don't do their jobs right. I've had my share of sucky teachers. I've also had bosses that had certifications and advanced degrees in the field that would make you question the validity of said certification or degree.

Engineers don't design, we slap designers and tell them about reality....
Some engineers don't hit hard enough hence the goofy stuff you see now and then... [emoji1303]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GSKR]

I believe when you start making a decent living (or serious part-time money) have a steady customer base, and have high quality work, then you have reached "professional" status.

With that being said you can get professional results in your driveway with good technique, quality tools and materials, and most importantly a discerning eye.

I was a detailer for 10 years at my dad's car lot. At times I was getting professional results in some area, but I would never consider myself a professional.
You are considered professional after 10 years my friend.

[LEDetailing]

You are considered professional after 10 years my friend.

Thank you, but I still don't consider myself a professional. I definitely have a lot of tricks I learned over the years, but my work was not to what I would consider a professional level. I could get very good results with 3M pads, compounds and polishes. When I got started I was warned by a body shop owner to stay away from wool, so I strictly used foam pads. I still don't own any wool pads.

[Mike Phillips]

I would like to know what it takes to be considered a Professional Detailer?



Great question.





There are detail shops in my area that are viewed as Professional and I wouldn't let them touch my cars.



I agree. I know people that call themselves detailers and I wouldn't let them touch my truck. The good news is all the hack detailers in the world create work for all the true professionals when we get hired to undo the damage they do.





If someone does detailing full time as their profession are they considered Professional?



Not in my opinion or experience. There are people that hack up cars full time and I would not call them professional.





Can you become certified through continued education or earn certain qualifications?



This is what the IDA or International Detailing Association is all about. That is creating standards for detailers to meet and live up to and educating the masses the difference between those that know what they are doing and have proven it and those that don't.






Just keep in mind that because someone does something for a living or if they have certifications doesn't make them good at what they do.



That's true and this is why companies like us, Meguiar's, RUPES etc when we award a certificate it is a certificate of completion. The problem is someone can take a class and in the class great information and skill can be presented but that doesn't mean each and every person that attends the class absorbs the knowledge and acquires or the skills and/or uses them in their work. It's a very tricky situation.

I do find that the people that attend my classes are of very high caliber and that when the do return to the world and detail cars they are qualified to do professional work. We just don't attract lazy people or goof balls.





Look at some of the goofy things engineers design.



Whoever the engineer was that designed pebble textured black plastic trim for cars has obviously NEVER detailed a car. :laughing:






My two cents. I think a professional person regardless of career choice is

1. Dedicated to the craft
2. Studies the craft
3. Is constantly searching and learning to be better
4. Would do it for free since they love it so much
5. Have common characteristics (passion, skill, tools, great products, customer focused, a little obsessive compulsive)
6. Love sharing with others in the sane profession
7. Know how to manage and balance service and payment.



I agree with the above. Well said.





You are considered professional after 10 years my friend.



I can't agree with this... I've met too many people in my life that have been detailing cars for 10 years and longer but they've been doing it wrong for 10 years or longer.

Anytime I meet a guy that says hes a "Detailer" and refers to a rotary buffer as a wheel I kind of already know his knowledge level.


Here's two article I wrote years ago. I believe they are just as accurate today as the day I wrote them.


The Mindset of a Professional Detailer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/20551-mindset-professional-detailer.html)


This link isn't pulling up right now but should in the near future as a bug is worked out of the forum software.

Detailers that hang out on discussion forums know more than detailers that don't (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions/56643-detailers-hang-out-discussion-forums-know-more-than-detailers-dont-2.html)


:)

[zmcgovern45]

"Professional" does not equal "expert"... you can see this in nearly every skilled trade.

I notice it all the time outside of detailing, like in photography for instance. Almost every one with a DSLR camera these days thinks they are a professional, and unfortunately some of them try to take on massive tasks like shooting weddings when they don't have enough talent to even be paid to take photos of a child's birthday party.

In the end as long as your results speak for themselves, you won't have to worry anyone else.

[ducksfan]

Don't most fields that consider themselves a profession (a) require some form of education and (b) require the passing of some internship and/or passing of a test .

Even professionals mess up and some are incompetent. I don't think the designation has a quality requirement per se.

[Kamakaz1961]

I would like to know what it takes to be considered a Professional Detailer? There are detail shops in my area that are viewed as Professional and I wouldn't let them touch my cars. If someone does detailing full time as their profession are they considered Professional? Can you become certified through continued education or earn certain qualifications?

Wow excellent question. I DO NOT consider myself a professional detailer as I detail great cars for fun. I do get paid with most of the details I have done. But it's not my main business. Do I consider myself above average and comparable to others? Yes. I have a professional detailing shop about 100 yards away from my main business. Their sign even says what that do. I will not mention the name as I do not want to cause a stink. I am located in Newport Beach, CA and anyone that lives near or works in Newport Beach will know who they are.

Their work is not even 1/2 as good as how I detail. How do I know? One of my customers used to take his ride their and after I worked on his ride (Ferrari 575 Marenello) he couldn't believe the difference. He now does not take his ride their and I have had a couple of referrals from him.

I also know I am significantly less in the amount I charge. But again, it is for my stress relief and I have fun doing detailing. If it was my business and I made a good living out of it a constant repeat business and many referrals and word of mouth...then maybe so. However, FOR ME it would take the fun out of it as I would be too stressed out of trying to make my business work. I already have a business that stresses me out!....LOL

[WillSports3]

Well you're a professional detailer when Mike Philips is polishing paint beside you on Competition Ready of course. I jest of course, not that it's a bad indication either..

[RaskyR1]

My two cents. I think a professional person regardless of career choice is
1. Dedicated to the craft
2. Studies the craft
3. Is constantly searching and learning to be better
4. Would do it for free since they love it so much
5. Have common characteristics (passion, skill, tools, great products, customer focused, a little obsessive compulsive)
6. Love sharing with others in the sane profession
7. Know how to manage and balance service and payment.

Just a few thoughts before I'm off to dream land


Well said.


Certification's are also meaningless IMO, including the IDA. I've seen some hacked up work by certified IDA members.

[Mike Moore]

Here are my personal thoughts...

A "Professional"
IMHO the definition is someone that gets paid to do a job.
Whether they do a good job or a bad job, if they get paid, they are a considered a "Professional".

The IDA
This organization has created exams for both detailing knowledge and "hands on" experience.
These folks spend their personal time, effort and energy to discern the wheat from the chaff.
They truly do care what it means to be a detailer & want to educate folks on the difference.
I proudly wear a Certified Detailer (CD) and Skills Validated (SV) IDA patch on my sleeve.
The IDA is dedicated to distinguishing a knowledgeable detailer from the bucket brigade.

A "Detailer"
This is a tough one. Anyone with a bucket, car soap and a sponge can call themselves a detailer.
I see it all the time. There is a big difference between a "clean" car and a rolling mirror on wheels.
Some folks are trying to make a living dragging a trailer across three counties washing cars for $30.
If they turn out a spotless car without spending 40 hours polishing paint can they still be called a detailer?

I've met many different kinds of "detailers" over the years.
* Those that think they know everything and don't know anything.
* Folks that think they are a god with a polishing machine in their hand.
* Those that bust their behind trying to pay the rent and feed their families.
* Plain 'ole, down to earth, regular folks that are some of the very best on the planet.

As in any occupation there are the bad, the good, the great, and the truly exceptional.
For me, I try to do the best I can and the best I know how, each and every time I "detail" a vehicle.

Final note:
I admire Mike Phillips for what he does...
Folks come from all over the country paying their hard earned money to learn how to be a better "detailer".
Keep up the good work Mike. You are a valuable asset to the detailing community.

[Mike Moore]

Certification's are also meaningless IMO, including the IDA.
I've seen some hacked up work by certified IDA members.

Certifications and degrees mean you have a basic knowledge.
If I had to have surgery, I would like to know the "doctor" has a degree.
I've seen hacked up work by plastic surgeons, cardiologists and neurosurgeons.
Have you ever seen the TV show "botched". This surgery is done by licensed doctors.
On another note: IMHO When a surgeon has a scalpel in his hand he thinks he's a god.