The Detailer’s Responsibility

With buzz escalating about the possibility of establishing detailer certifications, I believe there first should be a definitive understanding as to what the detailer’s responsibility to the industry and consumers should be. Most will agree there is a wide variety of detailing practices, but what is the ultimate goal, and what responsibilities do we have to our clients?

As a professional detailer for more than 26 years, I believe there are really two aspects of detailing to keep in mind when approaching a vehicle. The first is restoration, and the second is preservation.

Depending on your skill set, you typically fit into one of these areas, and as a responsible, professional detailer, it is your duty to explain that to your clients before you touch their vehicles. This way customers will know what to expect from your services, and you won’t open a can of worms for yourself.

Restoration, better known to most as “reconditioning,” means repairing, renovating or rebuilding. When a new client brings in a vehicle for detail, I believe it is my responsibility to restore the vehicle to its original condition, using the best practices that I have available to me and based on the customer’s expectations and budget.

An average complete detail, for example, should focus on the exterior surfaces, interior, engine, trunk and wheels. When addressing each of these components, my goal is to deliver a flawless painted surface, a spotless interior, engine, trunk, etc. I have had the opportunity to see a vehicle come right off the assembly line, and when I envision the end result of my work, that is the goal I have in mind.

Am I able to achieve “off assembly line” condition? Probably not, depending on the condition of the vehicle, customer expectations and budget, but I can come really close.

Substandard detailing is performed because many detailers do not have a clear understanding of what reconditioning really means. They look at it as just cleaning a vehicle. It should go far beyond that. Some detailers do not have the proper skill set to perform restoration detailing services. Instead, they might be more successful performing preservation services until they better their skill and education.

Can you properly restore paint that has not been cared for for more than a year just by using a Porter Cable dual-action polisher? Did vehicles come off the assembly line with evident micro-scratching and swirl marks, interior compartments with debris in them, dirty seat tracks, dirt and oil in the engine compartment, a slimy coat of protectant on the engine components, and wax in the cracks?

Do I need to say more?

Preservation is the act of keeping something in perfect or unaltered condition. How do we preserve a new vehicle or one that has been detailed to its original condition? What do we recommend to the client as a process to keep it looking in immaculate condition? What services achieve this goal?

Routine washing, waxing and conditioning will help preserve a vehicle’s original condition. Neglecting to follow a regular routine jeopardizes that condition.

When I first started detailing, my intentions were to provide only restoration detailing services. But because of my quality of service, customers insisted that I maintain their cars for them as well. To this day, I completely maintain my clients’ vehicles by providing both restoration and preservation detailing services.

I approach preservation services the same as I do restoration. The vehicle should look like it rolled right off the assembly line. However, preservation services should not require the same effort as restoration if I am properly maintaining my client’s vehicle. When it requires another coat of wax, all I should have to do is apply the wax using a tool (Porter Cable) and agent (wax) to maintain a protective barrier. Interiors may need a minor cleaning to achieve the same goal. Other aspects of the vehicle should be treated the same way.

There are quite a few detailers in the industry who perform this level of service on vehicles that actually require restoration. As a result, the average consumer is confused as to what true detailing really encompasses. Believe it or not, you can be very successful properly preserving vehicles.

Detailers need to be responsible. Know your limitations and understand why you are in this industry. Evaluate your skills and determine which aspect of the detailing industry is your best fit.

I have disciplined myself to stay focused on this concept. My database is filled with clients who own highline and exotic vehicles, but I am not performing any miracle detailing practices. It’s not about how many vehicles I can detail in a day, but how many I can efficiently detail in a day without jeopardizing quality.

I never establish false expectations. It is my duty to my clients, as well as to the industry. If we as an industry adopted this clear understanding, I believe there would be a drastic change in they way consumers, dealers and others view the detailing business.

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