Pictures & Comments: September 2015 Detailing Boot Camp Class!

[FrankS]

Great Boot Camp Class!

Worked on some really cool cars during the class and got a chance to meet and work together with some great people.

This is definitely a hands-on class. Mike kept us busy all weekend on various tasks, from washing cars to polishing paint. A lot of topics were covered in this action packed class such as headlight restoration, engine detailing, steam cleaning and extraction, wet sanding, glass polishing and more.

For me, the best part of the class was the opportunity to meet and work together with some great folks who were all interested in learning more about car care.

Mike and Nick did a super job on sharing plenty of information with us and giving us some laughs along the way.

Thanks Mike and Nick for your amazing dedication, service and hospitality.

[Terrollc]

Man, I just did the class for Sept. 2015... WOW, WOW; A must do if you ask me for anyone who truly loves automobiles, detailing or learning something new in life. I flew in 10 hours from my location and drove 3 hours a day for 3 days. I would do it again! The way you look at automobiles, boats and motorcycles after this class will never be the same! Trust me!

[Mike Phillips]

Great Boot Camp Class!

Worked on some really cool cars during the class and got a chance to meet and work together with some great people.

This is definitely a hands-on class. Mike kept us busy all weekend on various tasks, from washing cars to polishing paint. A lot of topics were covered in this action packed class such as headlight restoration, engine detailing, steam cleaning and extraction, wet sanding, glass polishing and more.

That's a great summary Frank, thank you. And "yes", these classes are intensely hands-on. I'd say the tables and chairs were used less than an hour each day as everyone in in training mode from start to finish.

For me, the best part of the class was the opportunity to meet and work together with some great folks who were all interested in learning more about car care.

I agree. Meeting everyone and getting to know them as we work through all the class material over the course of 3 days is to me, the most rewarding part.

Mike and Nick did a super job on sharing plenty of information with us and giving us some laughs along the way.

Thanks Mike and Nick for your amazing dedication, service and hospitality.

Thanks for attending the class Frank and you know we're always here to help after the class and into the future.

[Mike Phillips]

Man, I just did the class for Sept. 2015... WOW, WOW;

A must do if you ask me for anyone who truly loves automobiles, detailing or learning something new in life.

I flew in 10 hours from my location and drove 3 hours a day for 3 days. I would do it again!

The way you look at automobiles, boats and motorcycles after this class will never be the same!

Trust me!

Hi Terroll,

It was a genuine pleasure having you at the class. Can't wait to see you again on the island of Saint Lucia!


To give everyone an idea as to where Saint Lucia is located, check this out....






Terroll is starting a detailing business on the island of Saint Lucia. He says there are a LOT of high end cars like Audi, Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz but there's no one or no company with the education, skills and equipment to offer professional detailing to this market.

[rfjones]

I was also an attendee of the September 2015 Detail Boot Camp. Let me tell you, make sure you schedule a complete day off the Monday after the class. Most of the time spent during the three days is HANDS-ON training.

A quick note before I add my comments. I also attended the July 2015 class. I ran myself down due to some physical limitation (plus old age). Of course when you’re exhausted, your ability to think also degrades. So I felt I needed to “catch up” with another class. This is not the norm! Almost anyone can complete the class. Mike has designed a course that is aggressive but completely doable in the three days.

If you are currently a full or part time professional detailer or you’re thinking of starting a business, these comments may not be as useful. Mike’s class is full of information and tips for the professional. He spends a fair amount of time discussing the “money side” of this “art”. I’m just coming from a different starting point.

Now, let me approach my comments on the class from a slightly different angle. Namely, why would someone spend $1250.00 on yet another car expense? My thought before the class was something like this:

Are you just going to showcase your “house brand” products and be downplaying the competition? I personally hate the hard sell and the “You must be an idiot if you are not using MY special products” marketing technique.

I sometimes send my cars (both daily drivers and special interest cars) to detailers. I always thought the cars came back in great shape. Shinny and clean! So, why go to Mike’s class?

I’ve been cleaning and “detailing” my cars for over 30 years. I think I do a pretty good job. My wife always says her car “Never looked better!” Can’t get much better than that, so why go to Mike’s class?

Why so much money? Can’t I read Mike’s books and watch all the videos? The $1250.00 tuition can sure buy a lot of new chrome for the “ol’ 57 Chevy”!

Let’s begin.

First off, the $1250.00 is NOT an expense. We car guys would spend that in Manhattan Minute if the money went towards improving our rides or bringing further enjoyment of our hobby. Heck, I spent three times the tuition on the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour in 2012. Enough said.

Mike is a professional first and foremost. His entire effort during the class is to impart his knowledge of auto “detailing” to his students. He uses and discusses products that he knows works and saves time. Sure, AG sells most of the products he is demonstrating or you are using during the hands-on training. It’s never use this or you are on your own. Only once did he ever comment on “selling” and it was more of a joke. It went something like this: “Why use a machine to do this and not your hands? I don’t sell hands!”

Even if you never put MF mitt to paint, after the class you will have the ability to recognize a true professional detailer from someone you would want to avoid. It’s all about how to “touch” your paint. How to avoid introducing particles that add to the dullness (scratches and swirls). Care of the tools that touch your paint. Mike has horror stories and I have horror stories. I still remember the wool buffer pad on the machine of the guy who “detailed” my 57 Chevy. It was a mess. Looked like it had never been cleaned or dressed properly. I spent twice as much getting the car fixed. Over the years Mike has developed a methodology that has proven to produce a “Show Car Shine”. It works. It makes sense (even if you have to go the class twice). How do I know? I did my first car after the first class. Although I struggled, it was my best effort to date. So much so, the car was the demo vehicle at September’s “Cars and Coffee”. I think Mike approved of my work. At least I hope so.

I did okay with caring for my cars over the years. But I never improved the finish. Yes, I was slowly degrading the car’s finish every time I washed and waxed them. Why? I was not removing the bad things and I was doing things out of order. Just think of the trade-in value on a car that looks “as good as new” over one that shows it’s age. That alone is worth the price of admission. I could have saved ten times the tuition over the years. Oh another thing, I avoided machines because I had never used one and was afraid to try. In Mike’s class you spend hours with most every machine on the market. Saving time is just like saving money.

Books and videos help. I think they mostly introduce you to new products or ways to use them. They are not going to give you the training that a hands-on class with instruction from a knowledgeable teacher will.

And Lastly, the intangibles.

Mike and Nick are great guys to work with. They are there to help you succeed. Their effort behind the scenes is what makes the class. Like magic, every MF towel used during the day is ready to go again the next day. Both guys are readily accessible long after the class is over.

You meet some other people with different backgrounds and goals. It always helps to see the bigger picture. One guy, Rob from the July class, is always available by phone to help me out. He’s ahead of me in his detailing experience so it helps to have someone to bounce ideas off of. A lot of costly mistakes were avoided.

Hope this helps.

Bob Jones

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Bob,

It's been such a pleasure getting to know and work with you. I really appreciate your passion for learning, it reminds me of me.

Mike is a professional first and foremost. His entire effort during the class is to impart his knowledge of auto “detailing” to his students.


Bob Jones

Thank you Bob for everything you shared but the above comments are very much appreciated as they are accurate. For all my classes I do what I call a brain dump. I try to share and impart as much information as I can to help everyone reach their goals and avoid as many mistakes as possible.

This class was great and I had a lot of fun teaching it. We had some amazing cars that all look like glistening gemstones. Heck even the daily drivers we used to learn production detailing look better than new.

Looking forward to seeing you work your magic on your Viper Red 1957 Chevy!

[whavens]

I think Bob's problem in the July class is the guy Mike had him sit next to. I think he distracted Bob entirely too much. When I watched the announcement earlier in the month, I thought that was your wife's car.

I will be down for DetailFest in the spring, we will need to have dinner one night.

Walter

[Nick McKees37]

Last weekend's class was great! We had a classroom full of eager students that were hungry for knowledge and also very passionate about the art of detailing.

[wcatala]

Hi guys this was my 2nd time attending Mikes boot camp me and my wife flew all the way from Puerto Rico. If my 1st time was a mind blowing experience then i don't know how to describe it this time i suppose i can describe it as mind blowing^2 . This time was better because they have bigger and better facilities plus get to improve and refine my techniques. I try out Griot's new Boss System, learn how to properly use and apply paint and glass coatings, polish glass to remove wipers scratches plus sanding, buffing and polishing some unique cars thanks Mike and Nick for always exceeding my expectations.

The only thing I could add to describe why i want to keep attending the trainings is that for me having Mike as my instructor/mentor is like having Michael Jordan as your instructor/mentor but in the detailing world and Nick is a great guy and so knowledgeble that always impress me, both willing to help you succeed as a professional detailer or a car enthusiast ; they make a great team. Thanks William Catala

[Terrollc]

Guys! Learning never stops...

A must do if you are thinking about this business.

I feel like a star and meeting Mike was a blast! In my world we would call him a "Top Celebrity" and by all means his "sidekick" Nick. Man this guy knows the product/s.

Until we meet again. Class of Sept 2015!