Haha man thats rad! So many cars lol! Glad to hear your cars are driven, I always appreciate the clients that actually take their cars out and drive them. There are a few that just keep them garaged and I think it's a shame considering they live in an area where it's almost always perfect weather to go out on a cruise + the beach is less than a 20 min drive away for most of them. It's funny because the clients that do that tend to be much more stingy/douchy but I guess that shouldn't come as a surprise.
That teenager is going to be one lucky bastard hahaha! Thats cool you'd pay them during an internship, that is pretty much unheard of around here, unless it is the bosses son or something haha. Maybe its a West Coast thing but generosity is very hard to come by around here imo lol.
My favorite car that I've detailed was a 70s Chevelle, only because thats basically my dream car haha. They are damn beautiful! I was just about ready to drive off with it afterwards lol jk. I wish I could share some photos of it but I can't seem to find them at the moment.
In terms of most expensive, hmmmm that's a good question. I did do a Lamborghini Aventador with a custom blue paint job from the dealership, but I feel like maybe I might have done a classic car that would be worth more nowadays. Im pretty bad a valuing high end/ classic cars just because I'm not even close to ever owning one lol! I guess I'll stick with the Lambo for now but if I find a photo of something else worth more I'll be sure to share. Here's pics of the lambo, personally I'm not a fan of them but to each their own. I remember being so damn attentive and diligent when detailing it! Considering how much they cost off the lot, the last thing you wanna do is screw something up lol
https://files.catbox.moe/nufpo9.jpg https://files.catbox.moe/e8gycb.jpg
I used to do detailing full time a few years back, but nowadays it's a side hustle. The work used to be more consistent but I had a few good clients pass away over the years and I kinda got tired of it. Lots of ups and downs + I feel I have a lot more potential in some sort of tech field. I've always liked working with computers and messing with drones, 3d printers - that sort of stuff. Also, I have a lot of experience in warehouse logistics and being that i turned 30 not too long ago, I figure it wouldn't be a bad time to shift my focus back to that and get some certifications so I can make some good consistent money. I still like to detail from time to time, and I love detailing/ working on my own car lol but I don't really take it beyond that. My brother still does it pretty consistently though, I'd say he's probably the better exterior detailer too.
I technically own an Aventador. However, it hasn't been delivered yet.
I do not like that blue. It looks cheap - like a cheap wrap. Though, I suppose you'd know if it was a wrap and would have said something. If you want a blue metallic paint, the one from Audi is sexy as fuck.
I know some collectors like that. I'll drive anything I own, but in some cases it doesn't make sense to drive it far. Like, I have a Chevy Cosworth Vega - with like 80 miles on it. It gets started and the drivetrain gets warmed up, but it doesn't move much.
It literally makes no sense for me to put miles on that car.
And, yeah, those are the stingy folks. Me? I was not born with money. I come from a lower middle class background. So, I pay well. I have more than I will ever need, so I might as well do the right thing. Besides, paying well gets me good services and loyalty.
I do have high standards, however. I'll pay you well, but I expect perfection.
haha! I'm with you. I thought it was an ugly blue too, especially so since it was custom ordered from the dealership. I just checked out the Audi blue - now that is indeed sexy as fuck lol!
It's funny you say that because I've noticed that once I get to know clients more, it's usually the ones that came from poorer backgrounds or really put in the work to get to where they are that are the favorable ones to have. They pay well for the high expectations and they're usually cool people just to shoot the shit with.
My bother and I are perfectionists to say the least. I'm a super picky person when it comes to how certain things get done like cleaning or building/repairing/restoring things. I like to think my expectations are much higher than most peoples, even with those that have "high" expectations lol, so when it comes to detailing cars it's kinda like a challenge to see who's the pickier one. We both take however long making sure it gets done right and we go into every nook and cranny even if its not visible. We've learned that we would rather not waste our time with people that look for discounts and deals because our whole approach is quality vs quantity of cars done and they are usually the ones that think shiny wheels = a clean car so to speak lol.
Also, the Lexus metallic red (I don't know their internal name for it) is almost as good as Audi's - maybe even a bit better in certain lights.
I don't think folks should be a detailer unless they're perfectionists. When I send a car in, I even expect paint correction if needed. Y'all better know how to blend if it needs it. I don't care if it takes you a few days. Bill me for a few days worth of time. Just make sure it's perfect when I get it back.
Audi has a few of those metallic colors. The red metallic is also awesome.
Your observations about those who were born into money and those who had to earn it seem to jive with my own. If it weren't for my cars and house, you'd have no idea that I have a few bucks. I pretty much look like I dressed out of an LL Bean catalog, with a sweatshirt added.
They say that money changes you, but I think that's only true if you let it. It does let me benefit more people, but I was always keen on that. I loved my business for all sorts of reasons - but one of those biggest reasons was that it gave me the chance to employ a bunch of awesome people and to make sure they stayed with the company.
You do make me think... I could almost justify hiring an intern and putting them on detail duty/shop aid after the internship and, presumably, graduation from school. The goal is a teen that's really into the hobby. I plan on asking a nearby high school to put out an essay contest and then doing interviews based on those essays.
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