2019_ADN_V4_No3-2

VOL. 4, NO. 3 SUMMER 2019

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CONTENTS 

Porsche or Pinto. ......... 4 

All the Detail . ............ 5 

The Shining Shop Auto Detailing 

Business of Detailing . .... 8 

Avoiding The Burn 

Nitty Gritty ............. 10 

Getting to Know 

Robert “Bob” Wrasman 

Innovations . ............ 14 

OSHA News . ............ 16 

Oh No! It’s OSHA News 

Industry Dirt . ........... 18 

IDA Column . ............ 25 

A Tale of New Chapters 

Detail Doctor . ........... 24 

What do you know about mold? 

Cover Story . ............ 28 

Got the Right Buff? 

Vol. 4, No. 3, Summer 2019 

Publisher: Jackson Vahaly 

Editor: Debra Gorgos 

Design: Katy Barrett-Alley 

Auto Detailing News is published 4 times per year 

and is independently owned by Jackson Vahaly. 

Web address is www.autodetailingnews.com 

All inquiries should be directed to: 

Auto Detailing News 

110 Childs Ln. Franklin, TN 37067 

jacksonv@autodetailingnews.com 

Copyright © 2018 

2 Dollar Enterprises/Auto Detailing News 

All Rights Reserved. 

One More Thing ... 

Correction: 

As I am writing this, and while words like “tariffs,” “Trump,” “trade,” “economy,” and 

“commerce” are splattered across my television, computer and Sunday paper, and I wonder how it 

all is affecting my friends in the auto detailing industry, I am relieved to learn that Mother Nature 

is doing her part to make sure those in the auto appearance industry have plenty of customers. 

Thanks to the massive season invasions of lovebugs, detailers, especially those in Florida, Texas, 

the Carolinas, Georgia and Mississippi, are presenting with vehicles encrusted with lovebug goop. 

Carcasses, and whatever else is left behind after a bug on bun lovefest, are a car owner’s nightmare, 

but detailers are left with a marketable and profitable opportunity. And, now, in Ohio, a colossal 

It is with great regret that I admit to a mistake appearing in the Spring 2019 issue of Auto Detailing News. 

The cover story on boat detailing, showed the before and after photos reversed. We know all of you are 

smart, so we are hoping you noticed, but didn’t mind the mistake: 

As I hold my head in shame, I hope something 

like this will not happen again. Ben Thompson, 

founder of Mavinate, LLC, did an amazing job 

with providing the content and I hope it everyone 

enjoyed it and all of the other material in 

the issue. 

invasion of mayflies is wreaking havoc on vehicles. 

The mayflies apparently started out in Lake 

Erie, burying their eggs in the sediment. The invasion 

was so giant that it even showed up on weather 

radar reports. In other auto-infiltration news that 

only an auto detailer would appreciate, a 16-foot 

long cobra was found in the engine of a car in 

Thailand. Special rescuers had to be called in to 

remove the venomous reptile. And, snakes aren’t 

just hitching a ride in Asia, a woman in Santa Fe, 

New Mexico, was shocked to find a red racer snake 

in her glove compartment on June 30, 2019. The 

snake didn’t hurt the woman, but her own car did after she jumped out upon finding the snake and 

forgot the car was in drive… you can probably guess how that story turned out. 

And in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, a 5-foot-long, black 

rat snake was found in a car engine on June 17. 

Sandy Moore-Furneaux, a rescue liaison for the Oklahoma 

City Herpetological and Invertebrate Society, told KOCO News 

5 the snake probably followed a mouse or rat up into the engine. 

So, the bottom line here is all detailers need to proceed with 

caution, or at least invest in a good snake charming how-to book. 

And, one more thing before I sign off, I had a fantastic time 

at the recent Car Wash Show in Nashville. Booths were bustling, 

detailers were connecting and music was in the air. I even got 

to sing some karaoke with some detailing industry altos and 

sopranos at the famous Ms. Kelli’s karaoke bar on Printer’s Aly. 

San Antonio is the next stop for the Car Wash Show in 2020 and 

I see there are about 10 karaoke bars near the convention center. 

Who’s with me? 

Until next time, 

VOL. 4, NO. 3 • SUMMER 2019 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | 3

IT’S ALL 

FUN & 

GAMES 

It’s no secret that 

detailers know their 

cars. But, let’s put 

the skills to the test. 

Porsche 

or 

Pinto? 

___ 2009 Toyota Tacoma 

___ 2016 Mazda 6 

___ 2015 Volkswager Passat 

a 

b 

___ 2006 Subaru Impreza 

___ 2013 Ford F-150 

___ 2017 Subaru Forester 

c 

But, let’s put the skills to the test. 

Can you tell the make, model and 

year of each vehicle posted below? 

Answers are on the bottom of the 

page. Good luck! 

d e 

f. 

a. 2015 Volkswagen Passat 

b. 2006 Subaru Impreza 

c. 2009 Toyota Tacoma 

d. 2017 Subaru Forester 

e. 2013 Ford F-150 

f. 2016 Mazda 6 

4 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 4, NO. 3 • SUMMER 2019

ALL THE 

DETAILS 

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NRCC2050_AutoDetailingNews_061419.indd 3 

6/13/19 8:32 PM 


ALL THE 

DETAILS 

Number of Employees 

(not including the owner): Zero 

Year it Opened: We opened the 

shop full time in 1999 

Hours/Days of Operation: 

We were booked 7 days per week 

for the first 13 years or so, then cut 

down to 6 days per week and now 

we are strictly 5 per week. 

Methods of Advertising: 

We have never advertised — never 

even listed the business in the 

phone book (when there was such 

a thing). Our business was strictly 

grown by word-of-mouth of satisfied 

customers. We did eventually 

start a website. This was mainly 

to educate our clients on what a 

ceramic coating is vs. wax, and we 

recently started Facebook and Instagram 

pages. We also do a weekly 

call in to a talk radio show called, 

“You Auto Know.” The show belongs 

to a good friend and client. 

Most Popular Service: 

Our most popular service is the 

complete package of paint correction 

and perfection topped with 

a Modesta Glass Coating for the 

paint, Modesta BC06 Rim Coating 

for the wheels and Modesta 

EGC Glass Coating -— total protection 

for your investment. 

Busiest Season: We are busy 

year round, and we are generally 

booked 3 to 4 months in advance. 

What are your Business Goals? 

Our business goals are to continue 

to offer personalized service and 

complete satisfaction of our clients’ 

expectations as we have for 

the last 20 years. 

Favorite Detailing Tool: 

My most important detailing tool 

is my knowledge and skills, as well 

as my continual education in the 

latest processes — without those 

all the fancy tools and products in 

the world would not give the results 

expected. 


ALL THE 

DETAILS 


THE BUSINESS OF 

DETAILING 

Avoiding 

the burn 

How to keep from getting burned out due to 

the physical and mental demands of detailing 

By Rob Schruefer 

rob@onspotdetailing.com 

Rob Schruefer is the owner of On The 

Spot Detailing out of Columbia, Maryland. 

He proudly serves on the board of the 

International Detailing Association and works 

tirelessly to ensure that detailing business 

owners receive business development 

support to help them achieve their goals. 

As a successful businessperson it can 

be difficult to keep a work/life balance 

in line. You are successful because you 

can keep your head down, and work to 

complete tasks or goals and keep your 

business moving forward. But, just as 

important as it is for your business to 

progress, it is just as vital to make sure 

your home and family life do not suffer 

because of it. Working too hard and for 

too many hours on end creates burn out, 

and a home life ultimately pays the price. 

Irreplaceable at work, and at home 

I have struggled with finding a proper 

work and life balance in the time I have 

owned my own detailing business. When 

I was in my 20s, it didn’t really matter as 

much. I had no children, and as long as 

I had a little time left for my social life, I 

had no complaints. As I grew older, and 

my life changed, it became clear that it 

would be difficult to raise a family and put 

in the number of hours I was working. 

I had my first child, and started to cut 

back by only working 6 days a week. I 

would promise my wife that I would take 

off at least Saturdays also, but something 

always came up, and I felt as though I 

HAD to be there to solve any problems 

that arose. Then, our second child came 

along, and I was still putting in 6 long 

days of work each week. I wanted to be 

at home, but I felt as though I NEEDED 

to be at work. It would cause fights at 

home, and a feeling of burn out at work. 

A turning point 

It was not until my oldest started to 

play sports and all of his games were 

scheduled on Saturday mornings that 

I realized this was going to be a major 

problem. My dad had always been at 

all of my games and practices, and I 

intended to do the same thing. Like 

most things in life, that wass easier said 

than done and I had a lot of questions, 

“Who was going to do it if I was not 

there?”, “What would happen if there 

is a problem?” and, “Will this be to the 

detriment to the success of my business?” 

The work/life balanced had reached 

a tipping point, and if I wanted my 

business to truly be successful, I needed 

to find a way for it to operate without me 

being there constantly. I also knew if I 

wanted to be happy, I needed to be there 

for my family. 

How I made positive changes 

If you are also sitting on the cusp of 

burn out or you are experiencing an outof-whack 

work/life balance, here are a 

few things that I implemented that have 

worked for me. 

1. Hiring quality management. 

I discovered a while ago that a great detailer 

does not always make for a great 

manager. Proper management involves 

a skillset that not many detailers have, 

such as, communication, problem solving, 

and customer service skills. I hired 

managers from outside of the detailing 

world, with real life management experience. 

They were equipped and trained to 

understand the management aspects of 

the business, and were easily taught what 

they needed to know about detailing. Being 

able to delegate the work to someone 

else freed up an enormous amount of 

my time, and greatly lightened my load. 

2. Creating procedures 

and processes. 

My company now as an order and chain 

that problems and issues follow. Now, if 

something escalates and it gets back to 

me, it is a pretty serious situation. Lesser 

things can be taken care of by the detailers 

or the managers. By empowering 

people to solve their own problems, 

they not only took on the responsibility 

of solving the problems themselves, but 

it eventually got to a point that they felt 

bad bringing me things they could not 

take care of themselves. 

3. Letting go of the reins. 

This is always one of the most difficult 

things for someone who is used to always 

being in control. No one will ever 

care about the business as much as you 

do, but you can trust people to do their 

jobs in the best interest of the company. 

I found that once I started to back off, 

things ran smoother without me sometimes. 

I was no longer there as a fall back 

or crutch for people to use, they were 

forced to figure it out themselves. It did 

not take long before my presence was not 

necessary, and when I was there, I was 

able to really get to work ON the business 

and get things completed. 

Remember, there is no perfect 

formula to ensure that your business 

will run smoothly without you, but there 

is a 100 percent chance you will burn 

yourself out if you work long days, and/ 

or 7 days a week, without a vacation. 


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Nitty 

Gritty 

Getting to Know... 

Robert “Bob” 

Wrasman 

By Debra Gorgos, Editor 

debrag@autodetailingnews.com 

Robert Wrasman is a determined 

man. But, determined for a good reason. 

Wrasman is intent on sharing his 

wealth of knowledge on the history of 

automotive paints with every detailer to 

better their adroitness. With a head of 

John F. Kennedy hair and a childlike enthusiasm, 

I had the pleasure of meeting 

him at the 2018 Mobile Tech Expo. He 

sat down next to me at the International 

Detailing Awards dinner and spoke poetically 

about his MTE educational seminar. 

Hello, Debra, he started out. My 

name is Bob Wrasman and I think your 

readers could really benefit from the talk 

I just gave. I want them to know as much 

as me, he added, noting that he has been 

a part of the detailing industry for a long 

time. He then spoke with as much fervor 

about his kids and his wife. They are 

my whole life, he said. My wife and I are 

a team. In fact, he had to take off after 

the final IDA speech. “I have to call my 

son,” he said, “He works in Orlando and 

I want to meet up with him tomorrow.” 

And, before he left, he made sure to tell 

me that he really wants our readers to 

hear about paint finishes and types of 

car paints. Wrasman then handed me his 

card and asked for mine and assured and 

said he would be in touch. A few days 

later, after the MTE was in the rearview 

mirror, Wrasman kept his promise and 

sent me a slideshow on the history of 

car paints. And, yes, we will be sharing 

his car paint knowledge in the next issue 

of Auto Detailing News, but for now, I 

wanted to introduce Wrasman to all of 

you and hopefully properly represent his 

passion for the industry and its people in 

the following interview. 

What is your full name? 

Robert Joseph Wrasman. I go by Bob 

Wrasman and my family calls me Bobby. 

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in Lima, Ohio, on the east 

side near Westminster, Ohio. 

When and how did you 

get involved in the 

detailing industry? 

1978. I started painting and restoring 

old cars to drive at 16 years old and started 

painting and cleaning cars at Kaiser’s 

Custom Body Shop and at Ziebart I was 

rustproofing and detailing cars. 

What jobs have you 

held over the years? 

My first job was being a farmer at 


home. Then I worked in the body shop 

and then started working at Ziebart. I did 

a lot of different jobs at Ziebart (sunroofs, 

window tinting, bed liners…) and worked 

my way up to manager during this time. I 

painted cars and restored cars at night also. 

Nitty 

Gritty 

What is your current position? 

I am Senior International Trainer of 

CAR BRITE NITEO products. 

What is it you like 

about your job? 

The people I get to meet and help and 

teach. And, also, giving back. 

What are some of the 

biggest challenges 

facing detailers today? 

All of the laws and regulations and 

that there are so many different surfaces to 

clean and there are so many polishes out 

there now. 


Nitty 

Gritty 

What advice do you have 

for detailers who are facing 

setbacks? 

Don’t give up and learn from your 

setbacks. I made many mistakes over the 

years that cost me money by over promising 

things to customers. Also, my advice is 

to: Under promise and over deliver. 

What is the biggest mistake 

you see detailers making in 

terms of detailing a vehicle? 

They don’t charge enough, and they 

let the customers control the conversation. 

It could be due to a lack of confidence. 

But, when a customer is coming 

to you for advice, be the pro they are 

looking for. Also, all detailers need to 

keep learning and get to know the top 

owners and trainers. 

What is it you like 

about the detailing industry? 

The people. I like traveling all over 

and all the companies I have worked 

with and the fellowship. I also like seeing 

the finished product the way people 

look at their vehicle when we do “our 

magic” to it. 

You spoke at the recent 

Mobile Tech Expo. 

What was the topic you spoke 

about and why was it an 

important session for detailers? 

Speaking at Mobile Tech was my way 

of “giving back” and thanking the International 

Detailing Association (IDA) 

and the [organizers and attendees] of 

the MTE which are both so close to my 

heart. I wanted [to offer up] something 

different. My topic was on the history of 

car paints and understanding them and 

their hardness from a body shop background. 

I went back to 1900 to present 

day. My point was that if you had the 

chance to detail a museum full of cars — 

some of which have single stage paints, 

or nitrocellulose lacquer, or linseed oil — 

you better know how to go about it . Also, 

I shared a list of hard and soft paint building 

data for an app or database to help 

detailers make the right choices and help 

new detailers who are just starting out. 

What keeps you motivated? 

Family. Doing my best. Giving back 

life to cars. 

What do you 

like to do on your day off? 

I have a big garden. I golf with my 

family and enjoy fishing in my pond. 

Is there anything about 

you (talents, hobbies, 

famous relatives) that 

might surprise our readers? 

I pride myself on learning more every 

day. Working on my farmhouse (pictured 

above), I have learned brick-laying, 

block-laying, and have been digging my 

farm pond. I also installed my own metal 

roof on my house, installed my gas 

furnace. An interesting story to share: 

My mom, when she was a kid, would go 

roller skating and one of the boys that 

would come and skate with her and my 

aunts was Neil Armstrong, the first man 

on the moon. I would kid my mom and 

ask, “Did he promise you the moon?” 

and she would just laugh. 


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INNOVATIONS 

Introducing new & improved products for professional auto, boat & motorcycle detailers. 

New website from Belanger 

Belanger has introduced a completely redesigned 

and improved website that’s located at belangerinc. 

com. The new mobile-responsive site was developed to 

provide customers with a more user-friendly design that 

allows easy access to critical technical resources, as well 

as helpful educational materials. The new site also aligns 

the Belanger brand with the image standards of the newly 

formed OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions business unit. 

“Creating one effective eco-system for car wash 

solutions is a contributing factor to the success of our 

new vehicle wash brand,” said Gary Campbell, General 

Manager for OPW Vehicle Wash 

Solutions, which includes Belanger and 

PDQ. “A new Belanger site that provides 

the same intuitive experience as our other OPW business 

unit pages is a major step in improving purchasing, 

service and education for our vehicle wash customers.” 

Aside from new branding and an updated design, the 

Belanger website houses an expansive resource library of 

technical guides, product literature and helpful videos for 

distributors to deepen their knowledge of the products 

and enhance customer support. To expedite and simplify 

the user journey, the site also features these user experience 

improvements: 

• Improved navigation featuring a more intuitive 

menu system 

• Improved search functionality to make narrowing 

down and finding relevant results easier 

• Cleaner layout that puts key content first and 

guides users to their desired destination in 

fewer clicks 

Leather wipes and interior detailer 

from Griot’s Garage 

Griot’s Garage now offers a leather wipe 

called Leather 3-in-1 Wipes. The wipes condition 

and protect newer leather in one quick, easy 

step. Its rich conditioners penetrate leather grain to moisturize, 

soften, and keep leather looking, feeling, and smelling factory 

fresh. Advanced polymers create a stain-resistant barrier to 

protect against UV damage, premature aging, and cracking. 

Griot’s Garage is also offering a new Interior Detailer. 

Powered by aerosol, this product makes quick work of dust, dirt, 

G&G Industrial Lighting announces the release of the 

new VPX Industrial Vaporsealed LED Linear, a low-profile, 

waterproof solution for harsh environments. The VPX is driverless, 

seamless and IP68 rated. Its compact 1” round housing is 

permanently sealed and requires no assembly. This vaportight 

reduces the risk of failure by more than 80% in comparison to 

traditional models. 

The VPX was derived from a need for a high efficiency 

vaportight that is able to withstand prolonged exposure to harsh 

environments without the need for assembly or maintenance. 

A seamless extruded housing provides IP68 ingress protection 

along with excellent chemical and UV resistance without the 

use of clips, gaskets or seals. By creating a completely sealed 

housing, the VPX prevents any risk of water intrusion and will 

and fingerprints imparting a natural look and protection from 

harmful UV rays on all surfaces, including audio/navigation 

screens. Interior Detailer’s anti-static technology resists dust build 

up on interior surfaces. Interior Detailer’s aerosol delivery is especially 

beneficial for nav screens because it is a dryer application 

which protects sensitive electronics from moisture accumulation. 

It delivers a natural, crisp, streak-free, original OEM finish with 

no greasy feel or residue. It is also silicone free and leaves a cabin 

smelling citrus fresh and clean. 

Lighting for harsh environments from G&G 

not collect debris. By also eliminating the need for 

a traditional LED driver, VPX is able to connect 

directly to AC line voltage to drive the LEDs, 

resulting in higher efficiency, smaller size, longer 

life and greater reliability. By removing the power 

source, the overall size of the fixture is significantly 

decreased, resulting in a much smaller 

footprint with a lumen density of 150 lumens per 

cubic inch. The VPX incorporates the highest 

quality components and the latest LED technology to achieve an 

efficiency of over 120 lumens per watt and 1250 lumens per foot. 

G&G’s lighting products are proudly Made in America, all 

of which are engineered, tested, manufactured, assembled and 

shipped from one facility in Clifton Park, New York. 

New website 

from ColorBond 

ColorBond is offering a new 

website to provide customers with 

the best online experience. The new 

website was designed to improve the 

customer experience and is now more 

convenient for people to shop with 

their phone. The navigation is now 

easier, it’s easier to find a paint color 

and the website uploads faster. The 

visual appeal is improved as well. 

According to ColorBond web 

developer, Dennis Miller, “We 

constantly review what our customers 

need and found the user-friendliness 

of the website was becoming an issue 

when viewed on mobile devices. It has 

been designed to be primarily viewed 

on desktop or laptop computers. 

Now, with over fifty percent of our 

customers viewing the website on a 

mobile device we needed a responsive 

website that was mobile as well as 

desktop friendly. As well, the graphics 

and layout of the website in general 

had become dated.” 


AutoCareForum.com 

gets new look, features 

The popular website, AutoCareForum, managed by Self Serve 

Car Wash News Publisher Jackson Vahaly, has been updated and 

features a new website address, features and look. The online 

forum, which has been around since 1996, has about 14,000 

threads and over 121,000 posts. 

The forum’s new address is carwashforum.com. It is now a lot 

more modern, and user-friendly, especially when used through a 

mobile device. 

CSI ® Introduces Ultra Presoak UF224, 

an Ultra concentrated high 

foaming presoak designed for high 

performance cleaning. 

Cleaning Systems, Inc. (CSI) of De Pere, 

Wisconsin is pleased to introduce a new product, 

Ultra Presoak UF224. This is an ultra-concentrated 

high performance All-In-One liquid 

alkaline presoak for all types of car washes. 

UF224 was developed with unique surfactant 

matrix, organic builder, and powerful solvent for 

the best performance in car wash cleaning. The 

ideal ratio of surfactant / builder / solvent in the 

product assures the best cleaning performance, 

in multiple car wash cleaning situations, with 

attractive foam presentation for customer appeal 

and economics. 

This product has great compatibility to 

other alkaline products, surfactant blends, and 

extenders utilizing it in various environments. 

It has proven to be very effective in overcoming 

some water hardness and continuing to perform 

at a high level. It is perfect for Touchless 

Automatics, Presoak Arches, Prep Guns in Tunnel 

Applications, and Presoak and High-Pressure 

Soap in self-serve car washes. 

Ultra Presoak UF224 is a presoak that delivers 

optimum coverage to the surface and ensures 

safety and great cleaning effectiveness to the 

vehicle. Learn more at https://www.cleaningsystemsinc.com/product/ultra-presoak-224/. 

Please contact your Regional Sales Manager 

or Customer Service at 920-337-2175 or 

customerservice@cleaningsystemsinc.com with 

any questions. 

October 17 th - 20 th , 2019 

Thursday-Sunday 

Charleston, South Carolina 

2019 

CETA and PWNA will co-locate their trade show again this year. 

The two associations coming together will bring incredible 

opportunities for attendees. While both associations will 

remain independent and have events on their own, CETA and 

PWNA share one goal: 

Two Teams. One Vision. 

Advancing the industry forward. 

CETA Host Hotel 

The Embassy Suites by HILTON 

Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center 

5055 International Boulevard 

North Charleston, South Carolina 29418 

843.747.1882 

Just 2 miles from the Charleston International Airport (CHS) 

Register Today! 

Visit www.ceta.org for a Registration form 

or email info@ceta.org 

Business Meeting, Opening Reception,Seminars, 

Trade Show, Women of CETA, and celebrating all in 

one facility! 

Members Only! 

Not a member? Contact CETA today! 

Visit www@ceta.org 

Call 800.441.0111 

Email info@ceta.org 

REGISTER NOW! 

for 2019 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 

Humorous Motivational Speaker 

Charles Marshall 

If You’re Going to Lead, You Need to COACH 

Strengthening Your Influence, Effectiveness, 

and Impact as a Leader 

& 

“Take Two Chuckles and Call Me in the Morning” 

Relieving Stress Through the Power of Laughter 

POWERCLEAN 2019 

Golf Tournament 

Friday, Oct 18th, 2019 

8:00am Shot Gun Start 

Great Prizes | Wonderful Atmosphere 

& Includes Lunch! 

Register Today 

www.ceta.org 

Limited Exhibit Space Available! 

Your Industry Trade Show | Working for you all year long 

The ONLY Trade Show with the Top Manufacturers, 

Suppliers, and Distributors in the Industry. 

• Member only event-(all attendees are members of the Industry) 

• Awesome Give-Aways 

• Outdoor Demos 

• Technical Updates for the Industry 

• Opportunities to Network with members of the 

Industry 

• Best Opening Reception in the Industry - 

Opening Reception 

Sponsored in part by 

GENERAL PUMP 

Women of CETA 

11th Annual Meeting & Luncheon 

Date: Friday, October 18th, 2019 

Time: 11am - 1pm 

Location: Embassey Suites Meeting Rm 4 

Come join the Women of CETA to celebrate its 

11th Annual Meeting. It’s a forum where we 

can visit, enjoy fellowship, and have fun! 

Register Today 

www.ceta.org 

POWERCLEAN 2019 

IT’S A PROFITABLE INVESTMENT 

For complete show details visit www@ceta.org 

Call 800.441.0111 

Email info@ceta.org 


OHSA 

NEWS 

OH NO … 

It’s OSHA News! 

It’s not all bad, but if you don’t already know, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration 

of the United States Department of Labor (OSHA) has announced the following… 

Businesses honored for hiring veterans 

When hiring, ADN believes a good pool 

of applicants to consider are veterans. 

Not only do they most likely understand 

the value of hard work, they also put 

their lives on the line to protect us. And, 

OSHA, and President Donald Trump 

agree. And, wherever your party affiliations 

lie, or if you loathe or love our 

current leader of the free world, it should 

be noted that in 2017 he signed into law 

the Honoring Investments in Recruiting 

and Employing (HIRE) American Military 

Veterans Act, creating the HIRE 

Vets Medallion Program. Last year was a 

trial-run of the program and in 2019 in 

went into full implementation. 

Back in November 2018, the U.S. 

Department of Labor announced recipients 

of the 2018 HIRE Vets Medallion 

Program Demonstration Award, “recognizing 

job creators for their leadership 

in recruiting, employing, and retaining 

America’s veterans.” Honorees include 

small businesses, community-based nonprofits, 

and national companies. 

“America’s veterans are proven leaders 

who bring skills, dedication, and determination 

to our nation’s workforce,” 

said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander 

Acosta. “To earn a HIRE Vets Medallion 

Award, job creators must demonstrate 

a solid commitment to providing 

veterans with the opportunity to build 

a meaningful career. This program recognizes 

a standard for excellence in veterans 

hiring, and helps veterans identify 

employers who are committed to advancing 

veterans in the workplace.” 

Recipients of the 2018 HIRE Vets 

Medallion Program Demonstration 

Award were evaluated based on a range 

of criteria, including: 

✔ Veteran hiring and retention 

✔ Availability of veteran-specific resources 

✔ Leadership programming for veterans 

✔ Dedicated human resources 

✔ Compensation and tuition assistance 

programs for veterans 

Applications for the 2019 HIRE Vets 

Medallion Program became available to 

employers on January 31, 2019. 

Businesses cited for exposer to hazardous chemicals, improper ladder safety 

As detailers continuously work with 

chemicals, and are also often on foot in 

slippery conditions, it is important to make 

sure each and every employee is safe, otherwise 

OSHA will hand out stiff penalties. 

In San Angelo, Texas, OSHA cited 7 S 

Packing LLC – operating as Texas Packing 

Company for exposing workers to releases 

of hazardous chemicals. The company 

faces $615,640 in penalties. 

OSHA determined that the meat-packing 

facility failed to implement a required 

Process Safety Management (PSM) program 

for operating an ammonia refrigeration 

unit containing over 10,000 pounds of 

anhydrous ammonia. The employer also 

failed to provide fall protection, guard machines 

and equipment, control hazardous 

energy, and implement a respiratory protection 

program. 

The PSM Covered Chemical Facilities 

National Emphasis Program focuses on reducing 

or eliminating workplace hazards at 

chemical facilities to protect workers from 

catastrophic releases of highly hazardous 

chemicals. PSM standards emphasize the 

management of hazards associated with 

highly hazardous chemicals, and establishes 

a comprehensive management program 

that integrates technologies, procedures, 

and management practices to prevent an 

unexpected release. 

The company has 15 business days from 

receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, 

request an informal conference with 

OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings 

before the independent Occupational 

Safety and Health Review Commission. 

And in Tumwater, Washington, 

OSHA fined the Dollar Tree for repeated 

safety violations, including blocked emergency 

exit routes, unsafe ladder use and 

improper stacking of merchandise . A recent 

inspection resulted in several “repeat 

willful” and other violations for unsafe 

merchandise storage and handling, and 

obstructed exit routes. 

The $503,200 fine is also related in 

part to L&I finding the same safety hazards 

at the store during multiple visits. 

The violations continued even after the 

company was informed by an L&I inspector 

of the safety hazards during earlier 

visits and was provided specific instruction 

on how to improve employee safety 

at the store and avoid further violations. 

“Even after multiple large fines, it appears 

this company has not gotten the 

16 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 4, NO. 3 • SUMMER 2019 

message to ensure their safety and health 

system is working in every Washington 

store location,” said L&I Assistant Director 

Anne Soiza. “This fine is one of the 

largest we’ve issued, and we will apply 

pressure to Dollar Tree until its leadership 

takes sustained, comprehensive steps to 

prevent serious hazards.” 

This is the third substantial L&I citation 

and fine involving Dollar Tree in just 

over a year. Since the beginning of 2017, 

L&I has completed 15 inspections at Dollar 

Tree stores after complaints and referrals 

about unsafe working conditions. 

The Virginia-based company has dozens 

of stores throughout Washington. Prior 

to this most recent citation, Dollar Tree has 

been fined nearly $593,000 since 2013. Last 

year, a store in Bonney Lake was fined 

$166,000 for three willful violations, and a 

Kelso Dollar Tree was fined $140,000 for 

violations similar to the ones found at the 

Vancouver store in this recent inspection. 

Dollar Tree’s corporate office controls 

inventory for local stores, and shipments 

arrive frequently. Challenges with too 

much inventory and not enough storage 

space lead to high stacks of boxes, often 

leaning over, which cause blocked and impeded 

pathways and other hazards. 

Improperly stored merchandise can 

fall, resulting in serious injuries or death 

if the boxes strike employees or cause 

employees to fall, or if exits are blocked 

during an emergency. Lifting heavy boxes 

onto over-the-head stacks is also likely to 

cause strains and sprains or serious back 

injuries. In the Vancouver store, workers 

were also climbing on shelving units, 

which can result in falls. 

The violations are not unique to Washington. 

Dollar Tree locations around the 

country have been cited for improper 

stacking of merchandise boxes, mostly in 

their storerooms, and for blocking exits or 

impeding pathways. 

The company has now been placed in 

L&I’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program, 

which means its stores are now subject to inspections 

at any time, among other things. 

Dollar Tree has appealed this citation, 

and it could take several months for the 

appeals process to be completed. 

Penalty money paid as a result of a citation 

is placed in the workers’ compensation 

supplemental pension fund, helping 

injured workers and families of those who 

have died on the job.

Summer’s here! Do you know the warning signs of heat exposure? 

According to OSHA, the following are common heat-related 

illnesses. 

• Heat stroke: The most serious form of heat-related illness, happens 

when the body becomes unable to regulate its core temperature. 

Sweating stops and the body can no longer rid itself of excess 

heat. Signs include confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. 

Heat stroke is a medical emergency that may result in death! Call 

911 immediately. 

• Heat exhaustion: This is the body’s response to loss of water 

and salt from heavy sweating. Signs include headache, nausea, 

dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, and heavy sweating. 

• Heat cramps: These are caused by the loss of body salts and 

fluid during sweating. Low salt levels in muscles cause painful 

cramps. Tired muscles—those used for performing the work— 

are usually the ones most affected by cramps. Cramps may occur 

during or after working hours. 

• Heat rash: This is also known as prickly heat, is skin irritation 

caused by sweat that does not evaporate from the skin. Heat rash 

is the most common problem in hot work environments. 

The chart below shows symptoms and first aid measures to take 

if a worker shows signs of a heat-related illness. 

ILLNESS SYMPTOMS FIRST AID* 

Heat 

Stroke 

Heat 

Exhaustion 

Heat 

Cramps 

Heat 

Rash 

• Confusion 

• Fainting 

• Seizures 

• Excessive sweating 

or red, hot, dry skin 

• Very high body temperature 

• Cool, moist skin 

• Heavy sweating 

• Headache 

• Nausea 

or vomiting 

• Dizziness 

• Muscle spasms 

• Pain 

• Usually in abdomen, 

arms, or legs 

• Light 

headedness 

• Weakness 

• Thirst 

• Irritability 

• Fast heartbeat 

• Clusters of red bumps on skin 

• Often appears on neck, 

upper chest, folds of skin 

• Call 911 

• While waiting for help: 

• Place worker in shady, cool area 

• Loosen clothing, remove outer clothing 

• Fan air on worker; cold packs in armpits 

• Wet worker with cool water; apply ice packs, cool 

compresses, or ice if available 

• Provide fluids (preferably water) as soon as possible 

• Stay with worker until help arrives 

• Have worker sit or lie down in a cool, shady area 

• Give worker plenty of water or other cool beverages to drink 

• Cool worker with cold compresses/ice packs 

• Take to clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation or 

treatment if signs or symptoms worsen or do not improve 

within 60 minutes. 

• Do not return to work that day 

• Have worker rest in shady, cool area 

• Worker should drink water or other cool beverages 

• Wait a few hours before allowing worker to return to 

strenuous work 

• Have worker seek medical attention if cramps don’t go away 

• Try to work in a cooler, 

less humid environment when possible 

• Keep the affected area dry 

* Remember, if you are not a medical professional, use this information as a guide only to help workers in need. 

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EVENTS 

CALENDAR 

Mobile 

Tech Expo – 

Las Vegas 

SEPT 5-7 

South Point Hotel 

Las Vegas 

www.mobiletechexpo.com 

Northeast 

Regional 

Carwash 

Convention 

SEPT 23-25 

Atlantic City Convention Center 

Atlantic City, New Jersey 

www.nrccshow.com 

SPLASH! 

OCT 10 

Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas 

www.carwash.org 

SEMA 

Show 2019 

NOV 5-8 

Las Vegas Convention Center 

Las Vegas 

www.semashow.com 

Mobile 

Tech Expo 

- Orlando 

JAN 30- 

FEB 1, 2020 

The Rosen Shingle Creek 

Orlando, Florida 

According to the International Carwash 

Association, The Car Wash Show 

2019 drew more than 9,500 attendees and 

400 exhibiting companies to Nashville for 

its largest show ever. There were about 45 

exhibitors listed under the detailing category. 

The keynote was given by TED Talks 

speaker and author Shawn Achor. Some 

highlights of his talk, according to the ICA 

were his notes on happiness. “We can pick 

In the News 

ICA announced Emerging Leaders, 

forms TN chapter 

The International Carwash Association 

announced the following 2019 

Emerging Leaders Scholarship winners: 

✔ Tim Ehmann, Site Manager - 

Bethel Park Rapid Wash, Bethel Park, Penn. 

✔ Daniel Haynes, Operations Manager - 

Waves Carwash Cafe, Australia 

✔ Daniel Petrelle, Jr., General Manager - 

Splash Car Wash, Bethany, Conn. 

✔ Kyle Pezoldt, Facility Manager - 

Kuhnsville Car Wash, Allentown, Penn. 

✔ Travis Rogers, Location Manager - 

Marc 1 Car Wash, Pelham, Ala. 

For the 5th year, the ICA has awarded 

its Emerging Leaders Scholarship 

to up-and-coming car wash industry 

leaders, under the age of 45. 

Recipients are selected based on their leadership, 

dedication and commitment to their 

company and the car wash industry. Each of 

our five winners will receive a Premium Pass 

to The Car Wash Show and accommodations 

for three nights. 

In other ICA news, the Association has 

formed a chapter in Tennessee in light of the 

recent sales tax legislation. According to the 

ICA, last October, a car wash operator with 

10+ express washes was assessed by the Tennessee 

Department of Revenue (TDOR) for 

retroactive tax liability with an impact of 

more than $3.5 million dollars, which could 

have potentially put him out of business. 

“The issue focused around the sudden 

interpretation of Tennessee Code 67-6- 

205(c). The statute, written almost 50 years 

ago, did not address the modern express 

car wash. In today’s express wash environment, 

operators ensure safety and quality 

by providing assistance to vehicles entering 

a building, such as guiding on to conveyors, 

protecting wiper arms, hydrating bugs, or 

removing dangerous objects from open bed 

pickups. These safety and courtesy measures 

had been interpreted by TDOR as 

the trigger by which sales tax was applicable. 

Consequently, current or previous operators 

who were providing one or more of 

the above complimentary services would be 

subject to prior sales tax liabilities, penalty 

and interest and would be responsible for 

collecting sales tax in the future.” 

The operator then turned to the ICA for 

help. Soon, a group of car wash operators 

banned together on back in November to 

discuss the issue at hand. The ICA sent in 

a lobbyist who had first-hand experience in 

dealing with similar issues. 

“Coming out of that initial meeting 

there was strong agreement that the operators 

needed to work together to engage a 

lobbyist to help clarify the language in the 

legislation and ensure that they would not 

face a future tax liability. The Tennessee 

2019 Car Wash Show is harmonious success, 

2020 and 2021 Show dates announced 

(negativity and nervousness) up like second-hand 

smoke,” said Achor. “The entire 

system can become cancerous… Luckily, 

Happiness can become viral too.” 

That is the most important piece of the 

data, he added. “Our brains are designed 

to be wireless connected. …We co-process 

the world….Happiness is not an individual 

sport.” This is part of the reason that 

obstacles seem easier to overcome if you 

Chapter of ICA was formed at the meeting, 

comprised of nine operators. The chapter 

began a fundraising campaign in December 

for the lobbying effort,” stated the ICA. 

The ICA gave $10,000 to the campaign 

and provided all administrative support for 

the fundraising effort, coordination of the 

chapter and the executive committee. In 

the end, the chapter raised nearly $200,000 

and brought in the firm Waller Lansden 

Dortch & Davis. 

“We couldn’t have done this without 

the support of ICA,” said Executive Committee 

Member David Wild of Ultimate 

Shine Car Wash. “They were there when 

we needed them, and they eagerly engaged 

to make a real difference in the outcome. 

On behalf of all operators in Tennessee, 

we want to thank them for their support.” 

According to the ICA, the initiative 

led to the passing of a brand new bill that 

clarifies the language used for express car 

wash models. Under the bill, and provided 

that the customer remains in custody, control 

and care of the vehicle, the car wash 

does not need to charge sales tax. This 

would NOT, however, apply to full-service 

or flex-service car wash models where the 

customer exits the vehicle. These models, 

though, have been charging sales tax. 

have help. If you look at a hill by yourself, 

your brain sees a hill 10-20% higher than 

if someone is standing next to you, he said. 

As for the 2021 Show, it will be back in 

Nashville and held from March 24-26. 

The Car Wash Show 2020 will take place 

April 6-8, 2020, in San Antonio, Texas, at 

the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. 


New app designed 

for mobile detailers 

Pro & Local Mobile Detailing Wins BBB 

Marketplace Excellence Award 

Go Go Wash, designed by female tech-entrepreneur 

and IT Business Analyst Guirlene Auguste, is now available 

for mobile detailers and customers. According to a press 

release, the app creates a marketplace for users to connect 

to a network of insured, professional auto detailers that are 

ready and available to work wherever the user’s vehicle is 

located. 

The Go Go Wash app enables users to have a detailer 

arrive at their location in minutes or to schedule a wash 

for later. All detailers have been vetted and approved by 

Go Go Wash and offer a full complement of washing and 

detailing services. The company’s goal is to engineer the 

most efficient and user-friendly mobile car wash and detailing 

system on the market. 

“Regular car washes and detailing should be as basic as 

part of your auto maintenance as oil changes. Go Go Wash 

offers the convenience of a five-minute wash with the skill 

of expert auto detailers,” Auguste stated in the press release. 

“Bringing services to the customer is of increasing demand 

in today’s world. You can order anything online at any time, 

so why not let one those things be your car wash? Car wash 

services that arrive at the push of a button allow you to concentrate 

on work, play and important family time.” 

Paul Frasco and Chris Vella, owners of Pro and Local 

Mobile Detailing of Springfield, Massachusettes, 

were awarded a Marketplace Excellence Award for 

Sustained Excellence from the Better Business Bureau 

of Central & Western Massachusetts and Northeastern 

Connecticut. The Marketplace Excellence Awards 

for the Western Massachusetts region are held in the 

spring to recognize local businesses who promote the 

importance of high ethical standards in terms of business 

practices, and who work to ensure the local marketplace 

is fair and ethical. Frasco and Vella were presented 

with the award at a ceremony held at the Castle 

of Knights Meeting & Banquet House in Chicopee on 

Wednesday, April 24. 

Awards for Marketplace Excellence are nominated 

locally and selected according to a rigorous judging 

process by an independent panel of judges based on 

commitment to customers, commitment to employees, 

their reputation in their business’ industry, and commitment 

to the communities where they do business. 

“I have always heard that integrity is how you act 

when no one is watching,” says Paul Frasco. “Chris 

and I see business integrity and ethics like an internal 

compass that directs and guides our business decisions,” 

Frasco continues. “I think Pro & Local exemplifies 

BBB standards for trust, and we are honored 

to have been chosen for an award that recognizes our 

company as illustrative of that high standard.” 

The awards presentation also recognized businesses 

who were celebrating milestones of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 

years and 30+ years of BBB Accreditation. 


G&G Industrial Lighting expands 

in upstate New York, hires new VP 

Less than a year after relocating 

from Albany, New York, to Clifton 

Park, G&G Industrial Lighting has already 

outgrown the newly purchased 

12,000-square-foot space and has just 

finalized an expansion to the production 

facility, a press release states. This 

renovation provides additional square 

footage for matnufacturing and warehousing 

operations. 

“As our business continues to evolve 

and broaden into new markets, we have 

had to invest in order to accommodate the 

continuous growth,” says Erin Noonan, 

Director of Marketing. “This new space 

allows us to maintain our dedication to 

providing high-quality, innovative lighting 

solutions backed by unmatched customer 

service, all under one roof.” 

G&G prides themselves on their 

coined ‘Fully Integrated Guarantee’. This 

term refers to their ability to engineer, test, 

manufacture, assemble and ship every 

product all from one facility. All of G&G’s 

LED lighting products are Made in the 

USA at their New York location. 

The move from Albany to Clifton 

Park has served G&G well since January 

2018 and the recent completion of the 

expansion positions them well for future 

growth capacity. 

On the road to UNITI expo 2020 

UNITI expo 2020, the leading European 

trade fair for the retail petroleum 

and car wash industries, will celebrate its 

fourth event on May 26 – 28, 2020. The 

tradeshow will return to Stuttgart (Germany) 

to showcase the latest products 

and services for petrol stations, professional 

car washes and convenience stores. 

A press release states: Following the 

successful model from the previous editions, 

UNITI expo 2020 will spread across 

40,000 square meters of exhibition 

space, taking over Halls 1, 3 and 5 of 

the state-of-the-art Landesmesse Stuttgart. 

The exhibition is divided into four 

themed areas: Technology, Payment 

& Logistics; Carwash & Carcare; Oil 

Companies & Fuel Retailers; and Shop 

& Convenience – allowing visitors and 

exhibitors to plan their visit efficiently. 

“Thirteen months before the event, 

around 80% of the stand space has already 

been booked. We are way ahead 

of schedule,” says Ben Boroewitsch, 

Sales Executive at com-a-tec and responsible 

for exhibitor sales at UNITI 

expo. “If you want to exhibit at UNITI 

expo 2020, you should hurry up.” With 

467 exhibitors from 37 countries and 

17,000 attendees from 120 countries, 

in 2018 UNITI expo solidified its place 

as the biggest European trade fair for 

the sector. 

In addition to inviting all major European 

brands to the show, there will be 

a themed pavilion titled ‘Franchise & 

Co-Branding’ – a space tailor-made for 

franchises to interact with oil companies 

and retailers from across the globe. 

The diverse approaches of retailers in 

Europe make the platform incredibly 

useful and interesting to learn about 

different business models. 

DRB Systems is helping 

Tennessee car wash operators 

with sales tax assessment 

Recent actions by the Tennessee Department 

of Revenue (TDOR) are presenting 

a significant financial threat to 

Tennessee car wash operators. A DRB 

Systems press release states that the company 

has contributed $39,500 to efforts 

aimed at rectifying the situation. 

“We believe it is important to get out 

in front of this issue quickly to protect not 

only Tennessee operators but the industry 

at-large,” Dan Pittman, CEO of DRB 

Systems, stated in a press release. 

The TDOR auditors have held that 

providing assistance to vehicles entering a 

building (guiding vehicles onto conveyors, 

folding over side mirrors, etc.) is subject to 

sales tax. This is not how most Tennessee 

car wash operators have interpreted the 

law, which was written almost 50 years ago 

and does not address the modern express 

car wash. 

A recent audit of one Tennessee car 

wash resulted in a tax assessment that could 

exceed $3.5 million by the year-end 2018. 

The operator has filed an administrative 

appeal. If the TDOR decision stands, it 

could open all Tennessee car wash operators 

up to similar assessments and potentially 

have a domino effect in other states. 

“We’re proud to stand by our customers 

and fight for the best interests of the 

industry,” Pittman said in the press release. 

LSI Industries hires new VP 

LSI Industries, Inc. of Cincinnati, 

Ohio, announced the 

appointment of Nelson Wesley 

as Vice President Strategic 

Initiatives. Nelson will oversee 

initiatives focused on improving 

sales, driving operational 

efficiency and ultimately improving 

financial performance 

of the company, according to a 

press release. 

As a senior level leader, he will report 

to the CMO, Scott Coleman. 

“What I found compelling about LSI 

is its rich history in the industry and the 

team’s dedication to growth through new 

product development and focusing on 

the customer,” said Wesley. “It’s an exciting 

opportunity to add value!” 

Wesley joins LSI Industries with over 

20 years of marketing, sales and product 

Nelson Wesley 

management experience. He 

started his career at Ingersoll 

Rand and most recently he 

served as Vice President of 

Sales, Marketing, & Aftermarket, 

involving direct management 

of sales, marketing, 

aftermarket and bid teams at 

Ellis & Watts in Batavia, OH. 

Wesley holds two bachelor’s 

degrees, a Bachelor of 

Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor 

of Arts in Physical Science, from 

University of Kentucky and Asbury University, 

respectively. 

“We are excited to find a person of 

this caliber and background for this new 

position. Nelson will be a strong asset 

to the team here at LSI Industries.” remarked 

Coleman. 

Registration now open 

for the NRCC 

Attendees and exhibitors can now register 

for the Northeast Regional Carwash 

Convention, which will return to Atlantic 

City, New Jersey, from September 23 - 25, 

2019. “Early Bird” pricing will only be 

available until September 18, 2019. 

This year’s convention will feature: 

✔ Keynoter Moo Moo’s John Roush: 

Learn how to think out of the box and 

create a brand like no other! 

✔ The “Virtual Carwash Tour” is Back! 

We’ll get inside some innovative 

washes—virtually: This event 

was standing room only last year! 

✔ 320+ Exhibits 

✔ Welcome Reception at 

The Water Club sponsored by ICS 

✔ Exceptional Educational 

Programming 

✔ Limitless Networking 

✔ Opportunities to win big at the Borgata 

NRCC organizers warn 

of email scam 

In other NRCC news, an email sent to 

attendees and exhibitors of the Northeast 

Regional Carwash Convention, recipients 

were warned of a scam regarding hotel 

venues for the 2019 show. The email states: 

We were notified that a company has sent an 

email to some of our past exhibitors claiming that 

the NRCC Room Block is open and it also provides 

links to other hotels. DO NOT USE THESE 

LINKS! It is a SCAM! The email looks like the 

email below and comes from the email address: 

Reservation@hotrixEXPOTRAVEL.com 

We are NOT working with this group. If 

you would like to book your room at the Borgata, 

you can do so using this link: 

https://book.passkey.com/go/GBCAR19 

We apologize for any inconvenience and look 

forward to seeing you at the 2019 NRCC! 


Since 197777 

Lake Country Manufacturing delivers premium polishing & buffing pads and accessories. 

Our products help you get the job done perfectly. Every time. 

Lake Country Manufacturing, Inc. | Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 

| LakeCountryMFG.com

Sonny’s Car Wash College 

announces 2018 Instructor of the Year 

Victor Alonso is the 

2018 CarWash College 

Instructor of the Year. 

Victor was presented 

the Shawn R. Brown 

Award for Instructional 

Excellence by Paul 

Fazio, CEO of Sonny’s 

Enterprises LLC at a 

luncheon. 

“Victor has been 

with us less than two 

years, but he made an 

impact on CarWash College immediately”, 

Bob Fox, CarWash College Manager, 

stated in a press release. “From day one, 

Vic has gone above and beyond. He is always 

looking for ways to better his teaching 

methods and make the College as a whole, 

a better learning instrument. We are truly 

fortunate to have him in our ranks!” 

Previous winners include: Bryan 

Hage, Jorge Jaramillo, and Richard 

Ovalles. 

The Shawn R. 

Brown Award for Instructional 

Excellence 

is given each year in 

memory of Shawn 

Brown, a former Car 

Wash College instructor 

whose life was cut 

tragically short. 

The Car Wash 

College “Rookie of 

the Year” award was 

also presented to Mark Barthelmass. 

“I don’t know what we would have 

done without Mark out west last year”, 

added Fox. “Mark brings a lifetime of 

real world washing experience to the students. 

That’s invaluable! He’s also one 

of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet and a 

pleasure to work with!” 

Kleen-Rite acquires Kim Supply, 

adds sales team member 

Kleen-Rite Corporation of Columbia, 

Pennsylvania, is pleased to 

announce it is acquiring the assets of 

Kim Supply. 

Based in Kansas City, Missouri, 

Kim Supply has been a staple carwash 

distributor for generations. Its strategic 

location and knowledgeable staff combined 

with Kleen-Rite’s inventory and 

pricing power is sure to be a winning 

combination for car wash operators 

in the Midwest region of the United 

States, a press release states. 

Kleen-Rite aims to offer fasting 

shipping times to the majority of its existing 

customers. 

“It’s all about providing exceptional 

customer service,” says Jeff 

Detz, Kleen-Rite Chief Operating 

Officer. “We can service a greater 

customer base and offer 1-2-day ship 

points to most of the lower 48 continental 

states.” 

The deal is expected to close in 

the second quarter of 2019. 

Kleen-Rite Corp. also announced 

the addition of Jay Cogley 

to the sales team. Cogley joins 

Kleen-Rite Corp. after spending 15 

years as National Sales Manager for 

Trans-Mate Inc. He brings years of 

experience in distribution and automotive 

care to the team. 

“I am pleased 

to join the Kleen- 

Rite Corp. team,” 

Cogley said in a 

statement. “I’m 

looking forward to 

sharing my personal 

relationships, background 

in business 

Jay Cogley 

development, marketing, 

and small business.” 

Join Today & Get Involved! 

The-IDA.com 

Education | Certification | Social Media Discussions | Awards Programs | Technical Expertise | Newsletters | And more! 


IDA 

NEWS 

A Tale of New Chapters 

The IDA’s story is just beginning. 

By Erin Reyes, 

IDA Communications Coordinator 

To paraphrase Charles Dickens, it 

was the best of times…to form a new 

IDA Chapter! 

Accordingly, the International 

Detailing Association (IDA) has recently 

welcomed two new chapters to its fold: 

India and France. The introduction 

of these chapters follows a significant 

revamp to the IDA Chapter program. 

When the program was first established 

in March 2016, three chapters 

were quickly formed by May of the 

following year: United Kingdom, 

Norway, and New Zealand. However, it 

would be nearly another two years before 

the next chapter came to be in India. 

Historically, it has proven to be more 

difficult to engage with members globally 

due to language barriers, technological 

roadblocks, or just the lack of face-to-face 

communication. With the international 

growth of the association showing no 

signs of slowing down (the IDA now has 

members in 56 countries – and almost 

one-third of the membership is employed 

outside of the United States), the organization 

realized it needed to make some 

changes to the chapter program to fully 

support its members worldwide. 

Enter the IDA Chapter Development 

Committee, which was officially formed 

in January 2019 with Board Member 

Jason Rose, CD-SV, RT, at the helm. The 

committee’s purpose is two-fold. First, the 

committee will work to promote the international 

Chapter program by facilitating 

the formation of new chapters. Second, 

the committee will focus on optimizing 

the engagement and results of existing 

chapters, through efforts such as quarterly 

progress meetings and a mentorship 

program. The committee also set goals for 

its inaugural year, including an objective 

to establish four new chapters. 

With the addition of India and 

France, the committee is right on 

pace to reach its goal by the end 

of the year. 

India, the first new chapter, 

received IDA Board approval in 

April 2019. The chapter’s formation 

comes not only at a good 

time for the IDA, but also at an 

important time for the detailing 

industry in India, which has 

begun increasing exponentially. 

To set themselves apart from 

the burgeoning competition 

within the rapidly growing yet 

highly unregulated market, professional 

detailers in India are looking for a 

support system to help establish standards 

and advanced skills. The structure 

and assistance provided by the IDA’s 

updated chapter program can help with 

these efforts. 

“By establishing a local chapter, we 

[will be able to] promote the success and 

growth of the detailing industry in India,” 

said Anckur Sama, CD-SV, the founding 

president of the IDA India Chapter. 

Along with Sama, the Chapter Board 

is rounded out by members Saurjya 

Mitra (Vice President); Mohit Agrawal; 

Narendra Gulavani, CD; and Krishna 

Kumar. Although they are not currently 

serving on the Board, members John 

Kumar, CD; Mohsin Khan; and Prateek 

Singh Chauhan, CD, were also instrumental 

in the chapter’s formation. 

Now that it has been successfully 

established, a top priority for the India 

Chapter is to bring awareness of its 

formation to the greater detailing 

community in India. Using a combination 

of digital communications and 

word of mouth, the chapter is aiming to 

get the news out to the many detailing 

professionals in India who may not yet 

be aware of the chapter – or even the 

association itself. 

Though only a few months old, the 

chapter is already working on organizing 

an IDA Meet and Greet. This event is 

meant to spread awareness of the organization 

and provide a chance for members 

to meet face to face, and for non-members 

to learn about the benefits of joining the 

association and what it could mean for the 

success of their businesses and the industry 

in general. It is this level of proactiveness 

and enthusiasm from the India Chapter 

that will aid in its long-term success. 

Speaking of face-to-face meetings, 

IDA President Jonathan Munsell, CD, 

will be traveling abroad in July 2019 

to continue strengthening bonds with 

our existing chapters in Europe. He is 

planning to visit the UK, Norway, and 

the IDA’s newest chapter in France “to 

show support and help build awareness 

of chapters and the IDA.” 

“My goal for this trip, in each country, 

is to interact and meet as many members 

and potential new members as possible,” 

Munsell explained. ““I will be looking to 

bolster membership […] and meeting with 

[operator and supplier] representatives.” 

Munsell will also be facilitating Meet 

and Greets and IDA certification, 

as he will be in the UK the weekend 

of Waxstock, Europe’s largest car 

care event. After a brief hiatus in 

2018, the IDA will once again be 

represented at the show with a 

Certification Event – Phase I (CD), 

coordinated by the UK Chapter. 

This tradeshow presence fits nicely 

into the Chapter Development 

Committee’s goal of supporting 

the chapters’ efforts to maximize 

participation in the larger detailing 

industry in their area. 

Munsell’s trip is also perfectly 

timed to help inaugurate the new 

French chapter. After initially expressing 

interest in March 2019, and subsequent 

correspondence with Rose and Munsell, 

the chapter came together quickly and was 

approved by the Board in June 2019. The 

effort was championed by now-President 

Erwan Gouriou, CD, who is “interested in 

developing the right detailing state of mind 

to help colleagues keep working in the right 

direction in [France].” 

The chapter will be led by Gouriou 

along with Sebastien Baudouin (Vice 

President). Rounding out the chapter 

board are members Michael Nowak, 

CD; Robert Gomes, CD; and Alexandre 

Vieira. The IDA is excited to welcome 

another chapter into the community and 

looks forward to supporting its success in 

the years to come. 

The IDA currently has five active 

chapters, with members in 56 countries 

and territories across the globe. If you’re 

interested in setting up a chapter in your 

country or region, please email info@ 

the-ida.com to request a copy of the 

“How to Form a New IDA Chapter” 

packet. You can also find out more about 

the requirements and the process of 

forming a chapter by visiting our website 

at the-ida.com/Chapters. 


DETAIL 

DOCTOR 

What do you 

know about mold? 

Bud Abraham is Founder and President Emeritus of DETAIL PLUS Car Appearance Systems, with more than 40 years of 

experience in the car care industry as a manufacturer, operator, distributor and consultant. He writes articles and gives 

seminars on the subject of auto detailing throughout the automotive industry. He can be reached at buda@detailplus.com. 

By Bud Abraham 

buda@detailplus.com 

Or better the question should be, 

“Do you know anything about mold?” 

And, what about mold in motor vehicles? 

Black mold is dangerous. We heard a 

lot about mold after Hurricane Katrina 

nearly destroyed New Orleans and, 

in the aftermath, we read about how 

many houses had to be torn down or 

stripped down to the studs to eliminate 

the danger of mold. 

I’m sure many detailers in the area 

detailed many of the water-damaged vehicles 

from the results of the flooding, etc. I 

wonder how much they knew about mold? 

Know this about mold, “People can 

get very sick from mold.” 

Did you know that a literal “air-tight” 

vehicle compartment creates an environment 

where mold and bacteria will proliferate? 

Remember: Trapped air is toxic air. 

Whether people realize it or not the 

mold that can build up in air conditioning 

systems and in carpets that have gotten 

wet from leaks, or even from a detailer 

who saturates the carpet with water/ 

shampoo and leaves far too much moisture 

therein, all these situations create a 

breeding ground for mold. 

As mentioned, people get sick from 

mold contamination. 

Most states are licensing mold remediation 

professionals to insure they are 

following best practices for eliminating 

mold. I will bet that these same states 

have no idea of the mold that can builds 

up inside motor vehicles. 

Those studying mold recognize there 

are three groups of people that are particularly 

susceptible to mold: 

✔✔ 

The Elderly 

✔✔ 

The Very Young 

✔✔ 

The Immune-Suppressed 

All of these groups either drive or 

ride in motor vehicles that may have a 

great deal of mold in the vehicle, either 

in the air conditioning system or in the 

carpets or trunk. 

As a professional detailer you need to 

Editor’s Note: While we here at Auto Detailing News admire and appreciate Bud 

Abraham, please note that his opinions expressed in his Detail Doctor columns do not 

necessarily reflect the opinions of Auto Detailing News. If you have a strong opinion 

about Bud’s article, feel free to write a Letter to the Editor and send it to Debra Gorgos 

at debrag@autodetailingnews.com. 

very knowledgeable in mold and mold 

remediation and how to eliminate it 

from vehicle interiors and protect yourself 

and your employees from contamination 

by mold. 

There is a trade association, 

NORMI(the National Organization 

of Remediators and Mold Inspector) that 

has been formed to educate professional 

in dealing with mold. As a “professional” 

it is your responsibility to know all you 

can about mold and how to eliminate it 

from vehicle interiors, 

Not to mention, it can be a great 

source in revenue for your business if 

you can knowledgeably talk to customers 

about mold that might be in their vehicle 

and how you can get rid of it. 

For some of you who are conscientious 

you’ve have taken to heart what I 

have said and started looking for mold in 

a customer’s vehicle and so advising them 

of its dangers. 

You might have even purchased an 

ozone generator to kill mold in place, right? 

Many cleaners in other industries 

claim that killing mold in place is sufficient 

and believe that they mold debris 

does not need to be removed. WRONG! 

Most of these companies, including 

some detail businesses, ozone generators, 

fogging machines or airless spraying that 

WHAT COLOR 

IS MOLD? 

Mold isn’t just green and back, it 

comes in an array of colors. Other 

colors of include: 

✔✔ 

Pink 

✔✔ 

Brown 

✔✔ 

Grey 

✔✔ 

Yellow 

✔✔ 

White 

✔✔ 

Blue 

✔✔ 

Greenish-black 

Also, “black” mold, which is 

considered the most toxic, is not 

just black. It can also be more 

of a greenish color. According to 

Healthline.com, “Black mold” 

refers to several species of mold 

(which is a type of fungus) that 

have a dark green or black appearance. 

The most common species is 

Stachybotrys chartarum. 

deliver chemicals to the surface claiming 

this approach will access the mold wherever 

it is and kill it. This implies that once 

the mold is “killed” it does not need to be 

removed. This is not true. Let’s investigate 

this further.... 

continued ... 


continued ...

DETAIL 

DOCTOR 

MORE ON NORMI 

According to NORMI.org, The National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors operates as a not-for profit 501 (6c) 

and serves as a cooperative network of first responders in the war against indoor air quality and mold problems. “Toxic mold 

(stachybotrys) is not the only contaminant for which clients should be concerned and NORMI is dedicated to the proposition 

that the absence of ANY indoor contaminant (particulates, odors, VOCs, or biologicals) is the true definition of ‘clean air’.” 

WHAT IS DEAD MOLD? 

It can be defined in two ways: (a) 

Deactivated or (b) Dormant. So, in simple 

terms the mold is not actively growing. 

Mold grows when it has a moisture source. 

So, if the moisture source is removed the 

mold stops growing. But it becomes active 

again if moisture is reintroduced. 

You can deactivate mold by using 

a biocide which prevents mold from 

growing. This may or may not be reversible, 

depending on the biocide used. 

SO, WHAT 

CAUSES MOLD 

IN THE FIRST PLACE? 

As stated above, mold is caused by: 

MOISTURE. 

In a vehicle, moisture can come from 

a leak from around windshields, the rear 

windows, from faulty weather stripping 

on doors, etc. 

Also, carpets and upholstery in vehicles 

can be over-wetted and then they are not 

properly dried. Once moisture penetrates 

into the carpet backing you have to remove 

the carpets and dry them in the open air 

to get rid of the moisture source. If you do 

not do this, you will allow mold to grow. So, 

the traditional methods of shampooing or 

misuse of an extractor are certainly major 

causes of mold in vehicles. 

As well, extreme humidity can results in 

mold growing on the interior of the vehicle. 

ONCE YOU HAVE 

FOUND THE MOLD, 

WHAT DO YOU DO? 

Any discoloration identified as mold 

must be removed whether it is found to 

be dead or actively growing. If you do 

not remove the mold, dead or alive, an 

unhealthy interior is created. 

But what if the mold is in the air conditioning 

vents? Traditionally detailers have 

used foggers or ozone generators to “kill 

the mold.” This method is ok, but it moisture 

is reintroduced into the vents again 

you will have active mold. What really 

should be done to a vehicle that has a 

serious mold problem emitting from the 

air conditioning system is that the system 

has to be disassembled and the dead mold 

has to be removed. 

SO, LET’S REVIEW 

Evidence is irrefutable, to kill mold in 

place is not a final solution at all unless it 

includes the removal of the mold debris. 

So as a true professional detailer you need 

to know how to remove mold debris. 

Mold can exist everywhere in a vehicle 

interior. But there are some areas that are 

more prone to mold than others and these 

are areas you should focus on, while letting 

the customer know about the dangers of 

breathing mold in the vehicle, to them, 

their children and friends. 

Mold is “ubiquitous,” that is, it is 

found everywhere, or better, it hides 

everywhere, sometimes in plain sight, but 

at the same time unseen. 

You open the door of a motor 

vehicle and mold spores follow. Open the 

window for a breath of “fresh air” and 

mold spores float right in. 

With the right temperature, moisture, 

humidity level, and food source, these 

spores can begin to grow, causing a musty 

smell on the interior of the vehicle. If you 

smell it you can be sure that it is growing 

somewhere in the vehicle, even if you do 

not know where. 

Most people are allergic to mold, so 

it is important for you to know how to 

reduce contamination levels. Knowing 

where mold “hides” in vehicle interiors 

is the first step to a healthier interior 

environment. 

SO WHERE TO 

LOOK FOR MOLD? 

There are many areas in which mold exists: 

• Mold hides in places you cannot 

reach: Every horizontal surface in 

the vehicle interior with cracks and 

crevices, has mold spores that have 

settled in. Dust has mold spores, but 

regular dusting can eliminate the 

possibility of mold growth. Also, focus 

on areas like door jambs. 

• Mold hides in places you cannot 

see: Glove boxes, counsel boxes, under 

seats, air conditioning vents, etc. 

• Mold hides where there is 

wetness: As mentioned in previous 

posts, leaks in the windshield or other 

glass can allow water to soak into 

the carpet and backing and if not 

taken care of immediately the mold 

will start to grow. Condensation in 

air conditioning ducts, or worse, 

leaks are a common area for mold to 

grow spewing out smelly mold spores 

throughout the entire interior of the 

vehicle. Leaks in rubber molding on 

door and trunk jambs will allow water 

to seep into the vehicle wetting the 

interior carpets as well as the padding 

in the trunk. 

• Mold hides where there is poor 

air circulation: Trunks and the 

vehicle interiors have poor air circulation 

if they are not driven much. 

As mentioned, mold is so “ubiquitous” 

that its presence in vehicle interiors 

is inevitable. If you focus on these areas 

mentioned above, you will find the mold 

where is “hides.” It should be cleaned up 

immediately to provide a safe interior 

environment for your customers. 

Of course, if cleaning out both live 

and dead mold will take more time 

than a normal interior or trunk detail 

requires, then by all means let the 

customer know this. They should and 

hopefully will gladly pay for the removal, 

once they understand the dangers. 

MOLD MAKES YOU SICK 

If you’re working on a vehicle that 

has mold, or if you’re working with a 

customer who has mold and needs 

convincing that your services are 

needed, you need to be aware of the 

exact dangers that come from exposure 

to mold. According to Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention, 

the common health concerns from 

molds include hay fever-like allergic 

symptoms. “Certain individuals with 

chronic respiratory disease (chronic 

obstructive pulmonary disorder, 

asthma) may experience difficulty 

breathing. Individuals with immune 

suppression may be at increased 

risk for infection from molds. If you 

or your family members have these 

conditions, a qualified medical 

clinician should be consulted for 

diagnosis and treatment.” 


Gotthe 

right 

buff? 

By Clint Hintz, 

IDA CD-SV-RT - Certified Trainer 

There seems to be little to no 

decrease of momentum for innovation 

in the detailing industry lately, which is 

quite exciting. It can however become 

a long and cumbersome process to stay 

educated on these changes in innovation, 

as well as choosing which option(s) 

works best with your preferences. When 

choosing a complete exterior system, 3 

major components would be- 

1. Polisher/Tool Type 

2. Liquid Abrasives/Protectants 

(compound, polish, AIO, Sealants) 

3. Buffing Pads 

This article is to help define the 

differences in newer innovative buffing 

pad types for newer polishing tools. This 

article is NOT to steer you towards a 

particular pad type, but rather to provide 

enough data and education to help you 

choose what type of pad type will work 

best for you and your service options. 

When selecting a buffing pad type for 

your preferred DA tool, there are two 

basic categories to look at: 

• Foam or Fiber 

This article will be discussing foam, 

which have been around for many 

years now. There have been many new 

technological advances in the foam pad 

industry and foam pads work much 

differently than wool and microfiber pads 

as far as cut, feel and performance. PPI is 

a general way of distinguishing foam, but 

there are easier and more accurate ways 

to identifying foam types. The best way 

to generally measure foam is with a basic 

understanding of whether it is OPEN 

CELL or CLOSED CELL technology. 

There are pros and cons to each of 

these foam types, and each type will 

work differently with all paint systems. 

OPEN CELL 

TECHNOLOGY 

Many open cell foams actually begin 

as closed cell and are “reticulated” to 

produce the open cell. “Reticulation” is a 

process used in processing foam where a 

bun of foam is placed in a concrete and 

controlled room, the room then filled 

with hydrogen for the foam to absorb, 

and finally the foam is actually ignited. 

This process causes the membrane (or 

window) of the foam to wrap around 

the branches. The window/membrane 

on foam is the transparent thin layer in 

between the branches and is what you 

continued ... 


feel when you touch it. If you would look 

at foam under a microscope, you would 

see those branches and windows. Foam 

that has been reticulated is open cell, and 

foam that is not reticulated would be 

considered closed cell. Once you reticulate 

a foam, it may become stronger in its 

tearing characteristics. Reticulated or 

“open cell” foams run much cooler on the 

surface as compared to closed cell foams. 

The reason for this is with the cells being 

open, they will dissipate heat while in 

use. With this happening, there may be a 

chance that the chemical you are working 

with may dry faster and possibly dust 

since the lubricant in it is getting dried 

with the air passing thru the foam. Open 

Cell foam pads are designed for, and 

typically recommended for long-throw 

or long-stroke dual action polishers. 

CLOSED CELL 

TECHNOLOGY 

Un-reticulated or Closed Cell foam 

pads are designed for a wide variety of 

polishers and buffers, including standard 

dual action and random orbital machines, 

gear-driven DAs, and rotary (high-speed) 

polishers. Closed Cell pads are generally 

not recommended for use with a longthrow 

or long-stroke dual action polisher 

(Open Cell technology foam is recommended for 

these machine types). One strong benefit of 

closed cell foam is chemical savings, as 

polishing or compounding chemical does 

not readily soak up into the foam, which 

means less product is required to do the 

same amount of work. Less saturation 

of chemical into the foam pad results in 

less wasted product. Buffing technicians 

may find that because the product is not 

soaking into the pad, the performance 

of the pad and chemical is consistent 

for a longer work time, basically taking 

it longer for the dollop of product to 

“wear out”. Technicians may also notice 

quicker cutting time due to the denseness 

of a Closed Cell pad. These types of pads 

also tend to work very well with newer 

water-borne, VOC compliant, or “high 

water content” detailing chemicals. The 

pads bring out the best performance from 

these products, providing even dispersion 

across the pad and surface of the vehicle. 

Even yet another benefit to Closed Cell 

foam is that with chemicals not being 

soaked into the pad at the same rate of an 

open cell foam, cleaning becomes much 

easier and quicker. 

Always keep in mind that not all foam 

types work the same with all polishing 

systems. In fact, in many instances, it 

can still be trial and error. There are still 

numerous ways that foams are measured, 

but the information in this article was put 

together as a starting point to help pick 

the best foam for your particular project. 

Stay tuned for the next issue of Auto 

Detailing News for more information on 

selecting the right pad regarding fiberbased 

pads – Microfiber and Wool types. 

Clint Hintz, IDA CD-SV-RT - Certified 

Trainer, is the Eastern Regional Manager of 

Buff and Shine Mfg. of Rancho Dominguez, 

California. 

The Ultimate Guide 

to Cleaning and 

Maintaining Buffing Pads 

By David Patterson, 

IDA - CD, SV 

Cleaning your buffing and polishing 

pads is an important step in creating 

the perfect finish that all detailers (and 

their customers) want. Smart detailers 

know that you need four key elements 

to get the job done right -- the proper 

chemicals, quality pads, appropriate 

tools and a trained technician. If your 

pads are dirty or clogged, even the best 

detailer is doomed to fail. So, what’s 

the best way to clean your buffing and 

polishing pads? 

Ask a group of detailers for their 

preferred pad cleaning method, and 

you’ll probably get a wide variety of 

answers. You’ll see many different 

techniques in shops and even in social 

media posts. A word of warning: Be 

careful how you proceed. Your pads are 

an investment, and while they don’t last 

forever, there are a number of cleaning 

techniques that can extend their life 

and get great results. 

In this article, I will answer some of 

the most frequently asked questions I 

get regarding buffing pad care, as well 

as share my recommendations, tips and 

tricks for keeping your pads in great 

shape to produce great results. 

How Often Should You 

Clean Your Pads? 

Ideally, we suggest cleaning your 

pads on the fly after completing each 

panel. You can do this with a pad brush, 

spur, air gun/blow gun or pad washer. 

This removes the polish residue, along 

with the built up paint or clearcoat that 

can clog the pad. At the end of the day 

or the project, you’ll want to do a full 

cleaning of all of the pads you’ve used. 

I recommend keeping a bucket of 

water, ideally with a cleaning solution 

like Snappy Clean, in your work area. 

When you’re ready to change pads, 

place the soiled pads in the bucket to 

soften the residue and make the cleaning 

process easier at the end of the day. 

However, don’t let your pads sit in 

the water for more than 48 hours. The 

moisture or the cleaning chemicals may 

lead to mold or pad deterioration. The 

best practice is to make pad cleaning a 

part of your daily work routine. 

What Tools Do You Need 

to Effectively Clean Pads? 

✔✔ 

A pad brush that’s specially designed 

for cleaning buffing pads. It should 

have stiff nylon bristles that will work 

better than a standard kitchen brush or 

a toothbrush. 

✔✔ 

Metal spur for wool pads 

✔✔ 

A pad washing solution 

✔✔ 

Water. However, we do not recommend 

using a pressure washer, as it can 

destroy the pad 

✔✔ 

Pad washing system or buffer-powered 

pad washers 

✔✔ 

Eye protection 

✔✔ 

Respirator or dust mask 

✔✔ 

A Tornador or blow gun can be used to 

clean microfiber and wool pads on the 

fly - a respirator is required when using 

them for this purpose. 

Can You Use a Washing 

Machine to Clean Pads? 

If you have a lot of pads to clean, 

or don’t have a dedicated pad washing 

system, you can use your home washing 

machine to get the job done. All types 

of pads can be cleaned in the washer, 

provided you follow a few best practices: 

✔✔ 

Only wash 10 or fewer pads at a time 

in a standard washing machine and 

make sure you put them through the 

WASH cycle only. 

✔✔ 

Remove the pads from the machine 


quickly after the spin cycle or process is 

complete. 

✔✔ 

Pads can be damaged or ruined if left in 

the washing machine for any period of 

time after wash cycle is complete, or if 

more than 10 pads are cleaned at once. 

✔✔ 

Use Snappy Clean Boost pad cleaner in 

washer. 

✔✔ 

Set to Gentle Cycle. 

✔✔ 

Use cold and warm water only. Hot water 

can shrink the loop backing. 

✔✔ 

Air dry 

Do You have to Change 

the Cleaning Method for 

Different Types of Pads? 

The short answer is: Yes. Today’s 

buffing pads are designed to perform 

specific functions, and the materials used 

in each have unique properties and care 

instructions. Each type of pad (foam, 

microfiber, wool) requires a different 

cleaning technique, as listed below: 

Cleaning Foam Pads 

✔✔ 

We don’t recommend using a pressure 

washer or high pressure compressed air 

to clean foam pads, as these methods 

can damage the foam pad or reduce its 

longevity. 

✔✔ 

Pad brushes work well for quick cleaning 

of built up debris. 

✔✔ 

Use a dedicated pad washer, washing 

machine or wash by hand. 

Cleaning Microfiber Pads 

✔✔ 

Microfiber pads need to be cleaned 

frequently to keep the material fluffy and 

effective. 

✔✔ 

Due to the unique construction of 

microfiber pads, this is the one type 

of pad that can be cleaned with 

compressed air. 

✔✔ 

Tornador or blow/air gun can be used to 

clean wool pads on the fly. Always use a 

respirator when choosing this method. 

✔✔ 

You can also use a pad brush, pad 

washer or washing machine. 

Pre Washing Wool Pads 

I recommend washing lambswool or 

low lint wool pads before using them for 

the first time to remove any wool lint left 

from the manufacturing process. By prewashing 

a lambswool pad, it will increase 

the pad’s performance and keep the wool 

from matting or clogging when used on a 

random orbital DA polisher. 

Cleaning Knitted Wool Pads 

✔✔ 

Use a standard pad brush to break up 

any residue. 

✔✔ 

Use pad washer or washing machine 

(using the method described above) 

✔✔ 



respirator when during this process. 

Cleaning Tufted Wool Pads 

✔✔ 

Use a metal spur made for use on 

buffing pads to break up compound and 

residue. 

✔✔ 

You can clean tufted wool with cold 

water, but do so at your own discretion. 

Adding even cold water to wool 

can change the surface and impact 

performance. 

✔✔ 

Hot or warm water will likely cause a 

wool pad to shrink (think of how a wool 

sweater can shrink in the wash). While 

this doesn’t damage the pad, it may alter 

the feel or user experience 

✔✔ 



respirator when choosing this method. 

Should You 

Designate Pads for 

Specific Detailing Steps? 

Just as you choose different pads 

depending on if you’re cutting, finishing 

or sealing, you may want to designate 

specific pads for the chemicals you’ll be 

using. Even after cleaning, some products 

can impact ongoing pad performance. 

For polish and compounds, buffing pads 

can be cleaned and used with different 

chemicals. A thorough cleaning will 

keep these chemicals from clogging or 

hardening on the pad. 

However, if pads are used for a wax, 

sealant or other LSP (last step product), 

they tend to be very hydrophobic and it 

won’t be easy to remove all the chemicals. 

In this case, I do recommend cleaning 

them, but also recommend designating 

that pad to that specific type of chemical. 

Do’s and Don’ts 

of Pad Cleaning 

✔✔ 

Don’t let compounds dry on the surface 

of the pad. 

✔✔ 

Always dry pads completely before 

storing in a bin or bag. If moisture 

remains in a pad when stored, mold can 

form and deteriorate the pad. 

✔✔ 

Do not use heat to dry your pads. 

Squeeze out the water or blot with a 

towel, and allow to air dry. Heat can 

damage the pad surface or shrink the 

hook and loop backing. 

✔✔ 

Don’t be tempted to use a screwdriver 

or other hard objects to loosen build-up, 

even on wool pads. Always use a proper 

pad spur when cleaning wool pads. 

Screwdrivers can cut or damage yarn in 

the pad and contaminate the pad with 

any residue or material on the tool. 

✔✔ 

Don’t overuse polishing compounds or 

other chemicals on the pad. Adding too 

much polish can clog the pad and impact 

performance. The additional weight of 

excess polish in the pad increases the 

risk of damaging or destroying the pad 

during use. 

✔✔ 

Do protect yourself while cleaning pads 

- use eye protection and a respirator or 

dust mask when removing chemicals 

from pads. 

Why Does Pad 

Cleaning Matter So Much? 

Some may assume that properly 

cleaning a pad is not that important and 

the same method can be used for each 

type. This is simply not true as cleaning 

your pads after each use helps to extend 

the life of the pad and give you better 

performance on the work surface. Built 

up residue in the pad can reduces or 

hinders the ability to cut effectively or 

finish well. In short, clean pads work the 

best, and make life easier, so take the 

time to clean each one properly as it will 

not only save you money and time, but 

will also help you to deliver a top-notch 

detailing job for each customer. 

David Patterson, IDA - CD, SV, 

is the Product Manager of 

Lake Country Manufacturing of 

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. 


Value 

Training 

Innovation 

CAR offers a full line of detail products & 

supplies nationally and internationally! 

◆ Compounds 

◆ Cleaners 

◆ Polishes 

◆ Waxes 

◆ Dressings for both Interior & Exterior 

◆ Accessories 

◆ And much, much more! 

Limited distributorships available to 

qualified distributors! 

For More Information Contact: 

• 1-800-537-7797 • info@carproducts.biz • 107 Front St • Indian Orchard, MA 01151 

CAR Products Ad General 9.5x11.5.indd 1 

3/19/2019 1:48:35 PM

LOW PRICES ON TOP DETAILING PRODUCTS! 

YOUR RELIABLE SUPPLIER FOR THE DETAILING INDUSTRY 

ULTRA-55 

LINT-FREE MICROFIBER 

GLASS TOWEL 

12 PER PACK • 16”x24” 

$35.40 DJMF5500-BK Black 

$35.40 DJMF5500-BL Blue 

ULTRA-56 

LINT-FREE MICROFIBER 

GLASS TOWEL 

12 PER PACK • 16”x16” 

$23.40 DJMF5600-BK Black 

$23.40 DJMF5600-BL Blue 

TOWELS BY 

DOCTOR JOE 

Now available exclusively from KLEEN-RITE 

FULL LINE AVAILABLE AT DETAILSUPPLIER.COM 

ULTRA-85 

MICROFIBER TOWEL 

12 PER PACK • 16”x27” 

$22.50 DJMF8500-BK 

WINDSHIELD 

WIPER BAGS 

3” X 27” 

$13.99 KRWB1000 

FLEX Polishers LOW PRICES! 

Corded & Cordless models for a wide variety of applications! 

FINAL MIST 

Spray & Wipe Gloss Enhancer 

Removes dust, light dirt and 

fingerprints while enhancing 

shine. Great for chrome and 

glass. Excellent clay bar 

lubricant. Pink liquid, cherry 

fragrance. 

KS1094 1 Gallon 

$10.10 

KS6094 6 Quarts 

$20.22 

5” X 27” 

$22.99 KRWB2000 

250 PER ROLL 

WHEEL-EEZ ® 

DETAIL PRO 

• Superior cleaning for ALL WHEEL TYPES 

• SAFE for Motorcycles! 

• Tackle your worst greasy brake dust, dirt & grime! 

• Water based with no solvents 

• Nonflammable • Noncorrosive 

• Biodegradable • Industrial Strength 

• Ready to Use • No long soaking times required 

$11.99 WE2032 32 oz. 

$34.99 WE2001 1 Gallon 

$435.99 FLEX334839 

10' Cord 

$458.99 FLEX392715 

25' Cord 

MYTEE Carpet 

Extractors 

DETAILER’S 

CHOICE 

Easy-to-use one step spray polish and 

touch-up product. Great for final touch-ups 

on glass, chrome, fiberglass, interior and 

exterior plastic. 

$32.50 JSD0872012 

COMPLETE 

SELECTION 

ONLINE! 

UNBEATABLE PRICES! 

$435.99 FLEX436712 $566.99 FLEX459542 

SIMONIZ ® 

32 OZ. 

12 PER CASE 

NEW! 

GRIT GUARD ® 

INSERT 

• Fits the bottom of wash bucket 

• Radial surface design extracts grit, dirt and grime 

• 12" Diameter - fits most 12" buckets 

$5.99 DT1800-BK Black 

$5.99 DT1800-R Red 

800-233-3873 • DETAILSUPPLIER.COM

2019_ADN_V4_No3-2

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