Thank you for visiting our auto detailing myths page!
After nearly 20 years in the detailing industry we've heard many myths about what auto detailing is, and what it is not. It's not uncommon to hear the uninformed talking about pinstriping, light body repair, mechanical/upholstery repair, and other varied services while describing auto detailing. Auto detailing is actually the cosmetic restoration of an automobile so that it is returned to as close to new condition as possible. Conversely, running your car through a car wash and then applying a good coat of high quality auto wax is NOT considered professional quality detailing. The lowest quality auto detailers (branded as "hacks" or "hackers" in the industry) who pass themselves off as professionals will often wash your car and even rotary buff the finish prior to applying that final coat of wax. Certainly better than a simple wash and wax, some of the scratches are gone and the finish is definitely brighter, but we would argue that this is still not a professional quality job. A professional job requires a thorough, multi-stage process of intensely cleaning, then correcting, then sealing, and finally waxing every one of your vehicle's surfaces. It usually takes one person working alone 6-9 hours to complete this process properly depending on vehicle size. What separates the true professionals from the people who simply wash and buff cars are the steps that are not cut out of the process. The average detailer generally has a money motive or quick deadline to meet so cutting corners to turn out quicker work becomes habit. Sometimes they're focusing on multiple businesses and detailing is just a way to add a little more profit. It's common to see the following steps left out of the detailing process by those operators in a hurry:
Engine shampooing, Clay Bar Clearcoat Shearing, Interior Shampooing, Paint Sealing (with super heat resistant sealants), Color Sanding, Stage Two Machine Glazing, Stage Three Microfine Glazing, Door Jamb and Gas Door cleaning, and Wheel Arch Cleaning, just to name a few. Even waxing is known to be left out of the process as the first machine polishing stage will often brighten the finish significantly enough to please many customers. This is also known as the "buff and wipe down". (hack!!)
Many detail shops depend on auto dealers to provide the bulk of their volume business. One problem is that at any time there could be several auto detailers in an area competing for one dealership's account. The dealers keep the auto detailers scrambling by constantly pitting them against each other. Dealerships are forever looking for a higher quality service at the cheapest possible price. Detailer's are fearful of losing their dealer's business because there are very low barriers to entry for most competitors. So the vicious cycle of learning how to cut corners and turn out quicker work begins. The detailers turn out quicker jobs, the quality suffers and the dealerships get annoyed. As a result, the detailers get hired and fired by the auto dealers regularly. Unfortunately, the habit of cutting corners to finish cars quicker (or make greater profits) becomes ingrained and the detailers will often produce the same shoddy work for their private party customers as they do their high volume dealers. In the end, the individual customer suffers with a lower quality detailing service, and the detailer loses because he/she rarely gets any repeat business or loyal customers.
Auto Wax Pros of Dracut seeks to be different. In addition to having nearly two decades of auto detailing experience, Jim Russo is a 10 year veteran of professional business development and relationship management positions. Seeking to apply professional experiences to a light automotive service company, he's interested in the same long term relationships and not just one time appointments. Auto Wax Pros will work primarily with individual customers who are looking for the highest quality auto detailing work at fair prices. 6-9 hours (or more) of labor is not uncommon for a professional quality job.
We also offer modestly priced express car cleaning services, but the end result will be just that. A cleaner car. We won't simply wash and wax your car, vacuum the interior, shine the dash, wipe down the windows and presume that your car is professionally detailed. Clean and shiny doesn't mean detailed.
For customers on a budget, great values can be found on washing, waxing and other car cleaning services under their respective tabs.
Please contact Jim Russo at 508-863-2417 with additional questions.
Auto Wax Pros, Inc. - 323 Oakland St. Wellesley, MA 02481 - 508-863-2417 - www.AutoWaxPros.com - A professional auto detailing company
