The Details of Detailing

By Bob Cox

Why is it that most businesses look so easy to operate on the customer’s side of the counter and then so difficult when you take just a few steps over to the other side? At least that’s been my experience, from all the part time jobs I held in school, along with a large number of interviews I’ve had with various business owners. Surely there has to be a business out there that’s as simple as it looks, like say car washing and detailing, right? Wrong again!

Here’s what I learned about the intricate details of detailing during a recent conversation with Gama Pedroza, Detail Manager for Carmichael Car Wash.

Q: Can you tell us about your detailing services here at Carmichael Car Wash?

A: Sure. We offer a variety of detailing packages, including headlight restoration, interior and exterior detailing and hard water spot removal. We even buff out most superficial scratches on your car. We work on all cars, SUV’s, trucks, RV’s and boats.

Q: Are you able to help some of your customers avoid the high cost of repainting their vehicles?

A: Yes, a lot of times people think they will need to repaint their car when it becomes extremely dull and oxidized. As long as the clear coat on the outside isn’t chipping or flaking off, we can usually restore the paint back to its original shape.

Q: Do the expensive clear coat protective packages offered by new car dealers really last for several years?

A: No. Right now they’re selling a gel coating for about $3,000 that’s supposed to prevent scratches and rock chips, but usually that’s not the case. Scratches and rock chips are going to happen, regardless of what product you apply to your car’s exterior.

Q: What do you do to insure the highest quality detail service possible?

A: I’m really picky with our detail jobs. Many cars, vans and SUV’s have little hidden areas, so I always start by blowing everything out with a high powered air compressor. The next step is shampooing the carpet and I’m really picky with that as well, because I want to get every little stain out. I use a variety of different products to get out specific spills, like coffee and soda but it usually takes more than one try to remove them. When it comes to cleaning the seats, the cleaners I use depend on the fabric. Leather seats are very tricky because leather is really sensitive and easy to damage.

Q: How long have you been detailing?

A: I’ve been detailing professionally for seven years. I learned several new tricks along the way by watching a number of different detailers. I’ve also earned several certificates from Meguiar’s Detail Training Courses. At first I was a little skeptical about detailing because it was a lot of work and studying, but I really love it now. I’ve even studied videos and have practiced on my car at home with all the products we use here at the shop.

Q: Are some cars more difficult to detail than others?

A: Yes, black cars are the toughest to detail. If you don’t buff them right, you will leave swirl marks around the car. It took me about a year and a half to learn how to professionally buff a black car. With all cars, you have to hold the buffer steady to avoid burning the paint or leaving swirl marks.

Q: What’s your most popular detailing package?

A: Our most popular is the interior detail package, because people like to thoroughly clean their cars after a number of outdoor summer activities. Another popular package is our headlight restoration, which is guaranteed for life by the manufacturer. We sand each lens down and apply a resin, which hardens and prevents oxidation from coming back. Not everyone can apply it though, because if you spray too much, you will leave permanent drip marks and if you sand too hard, you will leave scratch marks. There are lots of other headlight restoration products on the market, but they only last about three months. Our headlight restoration package is just $69.99 for both headlights and includes a free full service car wash. That’s about the same price as a do-it-yourself headlight kit.

Q: Do you have any other popular services?

A: Yes, we offer complete hard water spot removal. Once the sun bakes excess water into the paint, they harden and become nasty spots that will stay there for years, no matter how hard you wash or wax your car. We apply a special acid, which removes spots from every surface, including the windows, chrome and paint. I received training for this as well, because if you put too much on, it will damage the paint. After that, you will need to get the car waxed to provide a new protective coating. We charge $79.99 for hard water spot removal and then $25 more for a complete wax. Along with all of these detailing services, we offer a number of full service car washes in addition to our express drive through wash service.

Editor’s notes: For more information about Carmichael Car Wash, visit their facility at 6505 Fair Oaks Bl. in Carmichael, CA (Just north of Marconi Ave.). Their phone number is (916) 488-3274 and their website is www.yourcleanride.com

Friendliest Car Wash in Town

By Bob Cox

When Claudia Lopez first came to the United States from Mexico at the age of 19 with her husband, she was both excited and nervous. Growing up poor, she was excited about the opportunity of creating a better life for herself and her family. At the same time, she was nervous because she was moving to a foreign country and didn’t speak the primary language, English.

Armed with an amazing and enduring outlook on life, Claudia found seasonal work in the fields of Maxwell, CA. A few years later, she and her husband took another leap of faith by moving to Woodland, CA to seek better opportunities, a bold move which paid off for the adventurous young couple. He got a job in the auto body industry and she found work at a local full service car wash.

Her employers were immediately and consistently impressed by her infectiously positive attitude, her desire to excel and ability to genuinely connect with their customers, so she quickly moved up the ranks until she became the general manager. Raising a family of four children while holding down a full time job didn’t allow her time to go to school to learn English, so instead of giving up, she chose to learn the language while she was working every day.

When Claudia was given the opportunity to manage a brand new car wash in Carmichael called Carmichael Car Wash, she decided to once again go for it. I spoke with Claudia recently about her latest adventure.

Q: Can you tell us about Carmichael Car Wash, formerly known as 5 Minute Express Wash?

A: We are now offering full service car washes and detail services in addition to our express drive through wash service. Many of our express wash customers wanted full service, so we listened to them and are now providing full service car washes, which includes complete interior and exterior car washing. For those that just want to vacuum their cars, they can stop by and vacuum their car for free, without having to buy anything.

Q: What makes Carmichael Car Wash different and unique?

A: I like making customers happy. I’m very friendly and I like to have a good relationship with them. I try to remember all my customer’s names and that’s very important to me. I like to hear about them and if they have any concerns about the service, so I can fix the problem immediately. Fortunately, that almost never happens. My first priority is my customers and the high quality service we give to them.

Q: On those rare occasions when a customer is unhappy, how do you typically solve the problem?

A: I don’t want my customers to get mad and just leave. I want to help them by listening to their concerns, staying calm and then fix the problem. Our employees do the same thing. They provide quality work and they are also friendly and hard working.

Q: It’s been clear to me from the minute I met you that you’re a very friendly and optimistic person. Has that helped you to recruit and hire other positive thinking people?

A: Yes. I really love what I do and I try to find other people that also love washing cars and interacting with our customers.

Q: What’s the best deal you offer for people with very limited budgets?

A: We offer a package of unlimited express washes for just $14.99 per month. This is an exterior wash only, but they can also vacuum their car for free. Best of all, many of our customers who used to wash their cars at home tell us their cars are now cleaner by using our express wash.

Q: How did you develop such a positive outlook on life?

A: I love my job and I enjoy the people that work here as well as our customers. Before I started washing cars for a living, I helped my husband by vacuuming, cleaning and detailing his cars. That’s when I first realized that I loved washing cars. I’m always happy because I really enjoy my work. I also have three of my four children working here and they love it too. I’ve taught them to always stay positive and believe that they can do whatever they want in life. My son is going to college on a scholarship because he’s a very good student. I’ve always told him to fight for his dreams and I’m very happy for him. Whenever I do something new, I always try to stay positive, because if one is negative, nothing gets done.

Q: Is there anything else you want to let everyone know about your car wash?

A: Yes, many of our customers don’t know that we are now offering full service car washes and detailing. We have several employees that speak both English and Spanish. We’re also excited to announce that we’ve recently remodeled our waiting area and now have lots of comfortable seating, a big screen TV, massage chairs, free popcorn and coffee, so we want to invite everyone in to give us a try.

Editor’s notes: For more information about Carmichael Car Wash, visit their facility at 6505 Fair Oaks Bl. in Carmichael, CA (Just north of Marconi Ave.). Their phone number is (916) 488-3274 and their website is www.yourcleanride.com.