How to use a one-step cleaner/wax to maximize profits

[HUMP DIESEL]

I just found this after looking on a good AIO for my moms vehicle. For my own interest, what are you guys charging for a wash and AIO like what has been explained above?

HUMP

[HateSwirls]

Great write up Mike as always.
Just looked at the price,16 bucks for a 12oz bottle.
Definitely worth trying

[jankerson]

Great article Mike as usual.

AIO's are great IMO and they are terrific time savers, 3 passes usually per section and move after the test spot and pad choice.

Hit it with an AIO and top it with a spray wax if needed windows and all get paid and move on. I usually hit the windows anyway with a spray wax so it's fast just to cover the whole car quickly.

I use D151 most of the time as the AIO then hit it with D156 and go. Or if it's not bad, no correction wanted or needed I just use M20 and go.

The only difference would be the pads used depending on how bad the paint is, usually the Megs Yellow or LC White Flats or step up to an LC Orange or CYAN if it's bad.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Using a cleaner wax is relatively worthless on a daily driver. Very, very little correction. You're just cleaning the paint and making the defects shinier. Not worth the time and effort, IMO.

[DaC]

98% from the DD don't actually realize how bad their paint is, but they do know when their car is shiny... that's why cleaner wax do so good when a high volume for low price is wanted.... I know some guys using it and doing pretty good.... and yes, they always use it as a bait to upsell to something better, from time to time it works.
For a top end detailer I agree, doesn't makes any sense, but for the majority out there it's a true smart move.

[Mike Phillips]

Using a cleaner wax is relatively worthless on a daily driver.

Very, very little correction.

You're just cleaning the paint and making the defects shinier.

I'm completeley lost with your logic/opinion?


What steps and products would in your opinion should be used for a daily driver?

Not worth the time and effort, IMO.

Just to keep things in context since the "pictures" of this detail are quite a ways back in this thread....


Before
This car is in good condition but the paint was oxidized and thus dull and lifeless. It was rough to the feel with contamination as was the exterior glass. A greasy tire dressing was used and it smeared over the white letters staining them black and brown. The chrome was stained with some type of film causing them to look dull instead of bright and shiny.






After













Less than 4 hours and I charged $350.00

[ken tuep]

AIO have there place on every detailers/ car guru's shelf. The majority of my work is AIO jobs.

They can increase the shine and depth of paint, ssuper clean it, and even removed some swirling. It is my best selling package, and I wouldn't get rid of it any day of the year. That is my bread and butter.

All of my customers have been more than happy with the results, and I get many referrals for my AIO package.

From DD to hot rods, they can all use an aio from time to time, IMO.

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[tedhw]

I totally agree with Mike Phllips and Ken.

In fact I just did an experiment over the weekend to try out how effective an AIO with polishing pad was.

I purposely 'scour' a test section of my paint with surbuf MF pad to simulate haze and dullness. I then taped half a section and used Megs Color-X as AIO on white LC pads.

After only 2 passes with firm pressure I was amazed how it restored the clarity & glossiness of the paint! Of course RIDS remains but is was a HUGE improvement!

It's my car but I would imagine most people out there will be very happy to see the result.

And yes I did 12.5% IPA wipedown after polishing the paint.

[VP Mark]

The difference between paint correction and paint polishing. Polishing is making the appearance drastically better, correcting is fixing every possible blemish.

Most people just want the paint shiny...

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[Mike Phillips]

[quote=DaC;1033382]

98% from the DD don't actually realize how bad their paint is, but they do know when their car is shiny... that's why cleaner wax do so good when a high volume for low price is wanted....


Exactly.


This is why I don't understand Mark's logic?


In fact, in the first post of this thread I point out that too often people new to detailing get all caught up in doing a multiple step process, which takes a lot more time, to a mundane daily driver.

They make very little profit and it's the wrong service for this type of customer.

I also included this in the very first post of this thread... the below article really makes it plain that for the masses, that is for the majority of people that will seek out a detailer to detail their car, the right product and the right "service" is to use a one-step cleaner/wax or AIO to do one step to the paint after washing and claying.

Newbie Mistakes
I see a lot of people new to car detailing that perform multiple step procedures to create a show car finish but at the end of the day have so much time, labor and materials into the job that they end up working for peanuts.

So work smarter, not harder and to do this start by evaluating your customer first and match your services to their needs, not yours. For more information on this topic, see tis article...

A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business
Match your services to your customer

I know some guys using it and doing pretty good.... and yes, they always use it as a bait to upsell to something better, from time to time it works.

For a top end detailer I agree, doesn't makes any sense, but for the majority out there it's a true smart move.

Exactly.

AIO have there place on every detailers/ car guru's shelf. The majority of my work is AIO jobs.

They can increase the shine and depth of paint, super clean it, and even removed some swirling. It is my best selling package, and I wouldn't get rid of it any day of the year. That is my bread and butter.

All of my customers have been more than happy with the results, and I get many referrals for my AIO package.

From DD to hot rods, they can all use an AIO from time to time, IMO.

Exactly, couldn't have said it better myself.

Even for simple things like the paint around door jambs, inside the engine compartment or trunk. For these areas a quick wipe with any cleaner/wax will clean up the paint, provide a lot of contrast as compared to how the paint looked before and you can do it with one product in one step.

Boats, Motorhomes and Airplanes are also optimally buffed using a one-step cleaner/wax.

Who wants to go around a boat, motorhome or airplane three times?

1. Compound and wipe off.
2. Polish and wipe off.
3. Seal and wipe off.

That's a lot of buffing and wiping.

I totally agree with Mike Phillips and Ken.

In fact I just did an experiment over the weekend to try out how effective an AIO with polishing pad was.

I purposely 'scour' a test section of my paint with surbuf MF pad to simulate haze and dullness. I then taped half a section and used Megs Color-X as AIO on white LC pads.

After only 2 passes with firm pressure I was amazed how it restored the clarity & glossiness of the paint! Of course RIDS remains but is was a HUGE improvement!

It's my car but I would imagine most people out there will be very happy to see the result.

And yes I did 12.5% IPA wipedown after polishing the paint.

There you go....

At our Detailing Boot Camp Class this last weekend we used XMT 360 on the severely neglected paint on an Acura and the owner was floored by the results.

The difference between paint correction and paint polishing. Polishing is making the appearance drastically better, correcting is fixing every possible blemish.

Most people just want the paint shiny...

Exactly. And that's what I point out in this article...


A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business
Match your services to your customer