web ADN summer 2024

VOL. 9, NO. 2 SUMMER 2024 

Shiver Me 

Buffers

CONTENTS 

CLEARLY 

UNBREAKABLE 

DIAMOND 

PLATE® 

Details Matter............ 3 

Industry Dirt.............. 6 

Towel Care ............... 14 

Dr. Detail................... 12 

Danger 

Zone 

The often overlooked 

danger of detailing 

For the Love of Detailing 

CERAMIC PAINT 

COATING 

Tips............................ 16 

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IDA Column.............. 18 

By Joe “The Detail Guy” Zeidler, IDA Member, 

CD-MC 

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Nitty Gritty...............20 

Boat Detailing.......... 22 

VOL. 9, NO. 2 | SUMMER 2024 

Publisher: Jackson Vahaly 

Editor: Debra Gorgos 

Design: KBA Designs 

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 © 2024 

Two Dollar Media, Inc./Auto Detailing News. 

All Rights Reserved. 

Joe Zeidler, IDA Member, CD-MC, is the owner of C & J's 

Precision Auto Detailing of Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. He can 

be reached at JoeTheDetailGuy@yahoo.com. 

I wanted to write an article that is deeply personal to me 

and it involves a time I got complacent with my detailing 

processes. 

Several years ago I had recently closed my shop after 

Covid put me under and went to work for a National 

brand auto dealership. There I was the “go to” guy, I had 

20+ years’ experience, a proven success record, good customer 

service skills and was seen as an important part of 

the team. 

The dealership not only sold new vehicles but like most 

dealerships took trades and often bought auction vehicles. It 

is one trade-in that turned my life upside down. 

The vehicle was a very clean trade, nothing spectacular 

and a local nurse had owned it. 

I started my processes as usual but it’s when I deviated 

from my long-standing practice of moving the seats fully 

forward and using air and a vacuum under the seat then 

taking my light and making a visual search that the problems 

started for me. 

I had seen some loose papers under the passenger’s seat and 

reached under to pull them out. There was several papers and 

some were deeper so I figured I had gloves on so I’ll just go grab 

them without moving the seat, without using air or a vacuum 

and without visual and then it happened. The detailer’s nightmare 

– the needle stick. I knew immediately what happened 

and the needle punctured my latex gloved finger about 1/8 of 

an inch which, in needle stick terms, is a lot. 

Even being part of a local fire department my mind went 

into panic mode. I tore off the glove, started “milking” the 

puncture and then I moved the seat to retrieve the needle so I 

could take it with me to the local urgent care. The needle was 

empty and was not a medical needle and looked like a “street 

needle” so I was even more concerned that I might have been 

exposed to some type(s) of disease. 

I had called my wife and then informed my dealership 

GM and went straight to get help. 

Upon arrival at the urgent care I was taken directly to 

the back to start the process of treating my issue. First they 

took the needle for testing then they took lots of blood samples 

and I had to sit through listening to the laundry list of 

things that I could and couldn’t do in the coming weeks and 

months while I was waiting to make sure I was in the clear. 

These included taking medications for the next few weeks 

that would help with potential diseases but the treatments 

could have serious effects on my body and organs. Then it 

was made clear that there was to be no intimate relations 

with my wife including kissing for the next few weeks at least 

or longer, I had to sit there for over 45 minutes hearing the 

way my life could change and the bad things that could happen 

both short and long term. For me hearing the words 

VOL. 9, NO.2 • SUMMER 2024 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | 3

HIV, AIDS, hepatitis and other diseases 

caused me to start to mentally shut down. 

I was angry at myself for letting my guard 

down and I was angry at the former owners 

of the vehicle for having a needle, 

especially uncapped left in their trade-in 

and I just couldn’t understand how that 

the first time in many years of working 

my processes I got complacent and that 

one single time I took a needle stick. 

The doctor had left the room after giving 

me my initial dose of medication to 

get me started and I was a train wreck. 

My wife hadn’t arrived yet and I was starting 

to break when my phone rang and it 

was the GM from the dealership, he advised 

me he backtracked the paperwork 

to find the former owners phone number 

and he made contact. She had told him 

that the needles were “clean” and never 

used. She stated as a nurse she kept them 

to give out to addicts to make sure they 

didn’t need to share dirty needles and 

that I was fine. I wanted to scream that I 

wasn’t fine but I was forever traumatized 

by my lack of follow-through and her lack 

of care with needles – clean or dirty but I 

had no words. My body had an adrenaline 

dump and my brain couldn’t process 

all the information fast enough and was 

on overload. I called the doctor in and 

told him what was explained to me. He 

actually reached out to the nurse for confirmation 

but told me he was still going 

to process the tests and needle as a precaution 

but if they came back clean I was 

going to be ok. 

So, needless to say I was ok but it put 

a whole new perspective on my career 

and how I need to not get complacent 

and work my detailing processes the same 

with every vehicle. 

And that is why I am telling all of you, 

my fellow detailers, my story. I felt it was 

important to share this experience even 

though it was an embarrassment to me 

because the dangers we face are real. In 

the last issue of Auto Detailing News they 

talked about germs and what we come 

into contact with daily. But we face other 

dangers as well: Needles, inadvertent 

contact with drugs (possibly Fentanyl), potential 

loaded weapons and sharp knives 

hidden under seats and much more. I 

urge everyone to take my personal story 

to heart because I would never wish the 

nightmare I went through on anyone else 

because it might not have a good ending. 

Luckily, my ending was a good one. 

To my fellow detailers: Take your time 

and move the seats forwards, never blindly 

reach, use air and vacuums. Wear your 

gloves and do not get complacent in your 

processes because you really never know 

what is hiding in any vehicle. 

Stay safe 

LIST OF RISKS 

According to Healthline and 

confirmed by Darragh O'Carroll, 

MD, any time you’re 

exposed to another person’s 

blood, there’s a risk. 

Some of the disease-causing 

agents of blood-borne 

diseases that you can contract, 

include: 

• HIV 

• Hepatitis C 

• Hepatitis B 

• Measles 

• Varicella (chickenpox) 

• Herpes 

• Malaria 

• Tuberculosis 

• Bacterial infections 

It’s estimated that 600,000 to 

1 million needlestick injuries 

occur annually. 

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4 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 9, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2024

INDUSTRY 

NEWS 

All the news and dirt concerning detailing 

businesses, suppliers, events and industry icons. 

Jay Leno’s $20 million McLaren 

finally gets detailed 

Famous comedian and former Tonight 

Show host as well as car enthusiast 

Jay Leno has owned a McLaren F1 for 25 

years. According to an Auto Evolution story, 

Leno hasn’t had the $20 million vehicle 

detailed in ages. 

Leno said he takes it out for a drive at 

least once a month. Chris Walters and Jeremy 

Porazzo, Leno’s own detailing experts, 

finally decided to give it a good detailing. 

The duo started out by covering the 

chrome details in tape to protect them before 

they started polishing the paint with a 

dual-action polisher. They then sprayed the 

tires with a heavy-duty rubber cleaner and 

brushed the dirt off. The five-spoke wheels 

go through a similar treatment. 

According to the story, everything on 

the three-seater is original except the tires. 

SONAX Detail Trainers lead first-ever 

American ‘Dream Team’ in El Salvador 

A Latino “American Dream Team” 

headed to Central America where they 

trained, tested and awarded dual certifications 

from the International Detailing 

Association (IDA) to more than a dozen 

El Salvadorian detailers, according to an 

April 2 press release. 

The event took place at Mr. Black 

Car Wash Y Detailing at Av Bernal, in 

San Salvador on April 8 and 9. 

It was the IDA’s first international 

detail training session in the country of 

El Salvador and is intended to create 

a talent pool and to give a boost to the 

automotive appearance industry in that 

small country. 

In addition to certifying detailers in 

IDA specifications, the team will also SO- 

NAX-certify the detailers in paint correction 

– an advanced form of restoring old, 

faded, aging paint, to its original shine. 

Two successful Latino automotive 

detailers from California - SONAX and 

IDA Master certified detailer Rigo Santana 

of Xtreme Xcellence Professional 

Detailing in Laguna Hills; and Jorge 

Rivera of Kings of the Carwash Auto 

Detail Supplies in Los Angeles County 

- both have lived out their American 

Dream building successful automotive 

detailing businesses in the United States. 

They will join SONAX Guatemala 

Master Trainer Manuel Martinez in 

ensuring American standards of excellence. 

IDA dual certification requires two 

levels of testing. The first requires passing 

a written test to receive the basic 

(CD) certification and the second is a 

much harder, Skills Validated (SV) certification 

in which the students are presented 

with on-the-spot car paint and 

interior “problems” they must fix, using 

the IDA approved process. 

Santana is a member of the SONAX 

detailing team and a former member of 

the Air Force One Detailing Team at Seattle’s 

Museum of Flight. He has trained 

numerous detailers in Puerto Rico and 

detailed priceless, award-winning cars 

for the Concours d’Elegance at Monterey 

Car Week, the Petersen Automotive 

Museum in Los Angeles, Calif. and is a 

member of the Museum Preservation 

Team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

Museum ‘Vault’. 

Rivera recently earned his U.S. residency 

and his dual IDA certifications 

(CD/SV) as a detailer but built his Kings 

of the Carwash private label professional-grade 

detailing products, equipment 

and supplies store with two locations in 

Pacoima and Bellflower, both in Los Angeles 

County. 

He is returning to his native El Salvador 

after 20 years to share his expertise 

in the detailing industry and to encourage 

similar skills and opportunities for 

his former countrymen. 

BAF Industries and PRO ® joins Appearance Technology Group 

The following is a letter from John Bell, president of BAF Industries and PRO®: 

I am excited to announce that BAF Industries and 

PRO® has joined the Appearance Technology Group 

effective May 3, 2024. You may know them as the 

company that also has Hi-Tech Industries, 3D International, 

P&S Detail Products and RBL Products 

in its stable of brands. Their distributors have raved 

about being able to get multiple brands on one order 

and shipment with one freight minimum. Adding the 

PRO® Product Line to that offering with our rich history 

and legacy as a leading professional brand rounds 

out that multi-brand offering. We are confident that it 

makes us a more valuable vendor to our distributors and 

in turn makes our distributors more valuable suppliers 

to professionals worldwide. 

This was not an easy decision. However, ATG’s 

track-record the past two years as a good steward for 

the 3D brand and their history of partnering with 

family-owned businesses really resonated with Michael 

and myself and the PRO® brand that our family has 

built. We are confident they will be good partners for us, 

our employees and our PRO® Distributors. We look 

forward to partnering with ATG to carry on our grandfather, 

Jack Burford, and father, Frank Bell’s, legacy 

and vision. 

Like PRO®, both 3D and P&S have many longtime 

loyal customers with a protected territory. ATG 

continued to honor those 3D and P&S partners and 

protected markets and will do the same with PRO®. In 

areas where there are non-prior agreements, any ATG 

customer is eligible to purchase all the brands. 

to our partners and customers for 

EXTERIOR AUTO CARE 

INTERIOR AUTO CARE 

Northeast Regional Carwash Convention announces keynote speaker 

The NRCC recently announced that 

the 2024 Keynote Speaker will be Will 

Guidara 

According to the NRCC, Will Guidara 

is the author of the national bestseller 

“UNREASONABLE HOSPITALITY,” 

which chronicles the lessons in service and 

leadership he has learned over the course 

of his career in restaurants. 

He is the co-owner of Make It Nice, 

a hospitality group that currently includes 

Eleven Madison Park, the NoMad restaurants 

and Made Nice in New York City. 

He has been immersed in the restaurant 

industry since the age of 13 and hails 

from Sleepy Hollow, NY. 

While running Eleven Madison Park, 

Guidara discovered the remarkable power 

of giving people more than they expect, 

and used this idea of Unreasonable 

Hospitality to turn a struggling two-star 

brasserie into the #1 restaurant in the 

world. This radical reinvention was a true 

partnership between the kitchen and the 

dining room, creating memorable, overthe-top, 

bespoke hospitality. Exactly what 

you want to give your carwash customers! 

The 2024 Northeast Regional Carwash 

Convention will be taking place October 

7-9 at the Atlantic City Convention 

Center. 

Malco® Automotive has supplied the automotive 

industry with high-quality, professional-grade 

cleaning and detailing products since 1953. 

www.malcoautomotive.com 

@Malcoautomotive 

AUTO SERVICE SUPPLIES 

TECH TIPS 

@Malcoautomotive @Malcoautomotive 

6 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 9, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2024 


INDUSTRY NEWS 

1976 cult 

classic ‘Car Wash’ 

movie being made 

into sitcom 

Working at the car wash became popular, 

thanks to the Rose Royce song as well as the popular 

movie starring Richard Pryor and George 

Carlin, and now it might gain new fame as it is 

being developed into a TV show. 

According to a May 23 Yahoo! Entertainment 

story, the series is in development at 

NBC, and will be produced by Malcolm D. 

Lee. The series will take place in modern-day 

Washington DC and will follow an immigrant 

family who owns a car wash. “The family will 

face “generational and cultural clashes between 

father and son and their eclectic group 

of employees,” the story said. 

According to a Deadline news story, it is being 

reported that even though it’s still early, there 

is a possibility that some of the living actors from 

the original Car Wash film will make cameo appearances. 

Bear spray is just part of job when 

you work near Yellowstone Park 

A detailer working in Cody, Wyoming, 

shouldn’t be too surprised when presented 

with a car covered in bear spray, 

thanks to the prevalent Yellowstone 

National Park, but Terry Jesse, owner 

of TJ’s Clean and Shine, was still 

surprised by the noxious odor when 

presented with a bear-spray soaked 

vehicle. According to the Cowboy State 

Daily newspaper, a Yellowstone National 

Park employee brought in his vehicle after 

a canister of bear spray exploded while on 

the dashboard. The can blasted out the windshield 

from where it was laying and left an invisible cloud of 

repellant that Jesse said he could feel on his skin just by 

reaching inside, the May 22 story said. 

“I could feel it myself, and that's just from sitting 

down,” he told the newspaper. “The spray went into 

the fabric and foam in the seat. There's no way to get 

that out of there.” 

After eight hours of detailing, Jesse said he was able 

to remove 90% of the bear spray. 

“The owner’s going to feel it sometimes,” he admitted. 

“His skin’s going to itch, especially when it warms 

up in summer. You have to be honest with them, and 

there’s no way to get it all out.” 

Even with the 10% remaining, Jesse 

said the owner got off lucky because 

the explosion only left only a ‘fine 

mist’ of aerosol in the interior, the 

story said. 

“There were big droplets that 

burned into the vinyl on the dash, 

but there was just a fine mist that covered 

the inside,” he said in the story. 

“He got pretty lucky.” 

Jesse’s solution was to soak microfiber cloths 

and towels with vinegar and spread them across every 

surface to soak up the spray. 

“If you spray anything on it, using a spray bottle or 

a steamer, it gets airborne,” he said in the story. “Then 

it's everywhere and all over you.” 

To clean the vents, Jesse filled one of his steamers 

with vinegar and fogged the vents as much as possible. 

This is the ninth bear-sprayed vehicle Jesse has detailed. 

“Five or six years ago, a canister blew up in a 

smaller SUV,” he said in the story. “The whole interior 

of that vehicle was the yellow-orange color of bear 

spray. It was everywhere.” 

Beloved detailer 

retires after 39-year career 

John Terry, a.k.a. “Mr. Magic”, is hanging up his detailing 

hat after an illustrious 39-year journey in the detailing 

business, according to a May 23 Waterboro Live report. 

Terry won 21 best detail shop awards during his tenure, 

and, according to the story, set a benchmark for quality that 

few can match. 

Based in Colleton County, South Carolina, Magic Shine 

Detail was always busy with dedicated customers. “As the 

founder of Magic Shine Detail, Terry’s dedication to perfection 

and passion for detail has made his establishment a 

household name among car enthusiasts. His commitment 

to excellence has earned him accolades and garnered widespread 

respect within the industry,” the story stated. 

Terry also opened two car washes in the area. 

“I extend heartfelt thanks to all my loyal customers across 

Colleton County. Your unwavering support has been the bedrock 

of Magic Shine Detail’s success. Special appreciation goes 

to the truckers, local and distant, for their trust and patronage. 

As I retire, I’m grateful for the privilege of serving you all with 

passion and dedication,” Terry said in a statement. 

Legend Ad Auto Detailing News.pdf 1 5/24/21 5:12 PM 

Dry ice blasting offered in Naples, Florida 

In a significant expansion of its specialized 

auto detailing services, Carbon Coatings 

of Naples, Florida, has introduced 

Dry Ice Blasting to its 

esteemed clientele in Southwest 

Florida and Miami, according 

to an April 11 press 

release. 

“This innovative cleaning 

method is specifically 

designed for the meticulous 

care of exotic vehicles, classic 

cars, and restoration projects, offering 

a safe and effective solution 

for removing decades of accumulated 

dirt and grime while preserving the original factory 

paint underneath,” the press release stated. 

Using solid CO2 pellets as a cleaning medium, 

which sublime upon contact to lift dirt and contaminants 

without water, abrasives, or harmful chemicals, 

dry ice blasting is designed for delicate surfaces. 

"Our mission at Carbon Coatings has always 

been to provide the highest standard of care for 

vehicles that represent a significant investment and 

passion for their owners," said Lance Roling, 

Founder of Carbon Coatings, in the 

press release. "The addition of Dry 

Ice Blasting to our service lineup 

enhances our ability to serve 

enthusiasts and collectors of 

exotic and classic vehicles, as 

well as restoration projects, 

with a cleaning solution that 

respects the uniqueness and 

value of their vehicles." 

According to the press release, 

Carbon Coatings specializes 

in advanced detailing services for 

exotic cars, classic vehicles, restoration 

projects, boats, and planes in Southwest Florida 

and Miami. “With a dedication to preserving the 

beauty and integrity of each vehicle, Carbon Coatings 

employs state-of-the-art techniques and materials 

to ensure superior quality and satisfaction. 

From meticulous Paint Correction to innovative 

Dry Ice Blasting, our services are tailored to meet 

the unique needs of discerning vehicle owners and 

enthusiasts.” 

Lebanon’s SB3 Ceramic Coatings certifies first-ever Master Trainer 

SB3 Coatings, headquartered in 

Lebanon, Pennsylvania, announced in 

an April 14 press release that the highly 

certified Automotive Detailer Christian 

Rosa-Garcia, owner of Fashion Exposure 

& Auto Spa in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 

has earned an exclusive Master Trainer 

certification for the installation of SB3 

Ceramic Coatings for the entire island of 

Puerto Rico. 

SB3 Coatings is one the fastest growing 

automotive ceramic coatings providers 

on the market. Rosa-Garcia is currently 

one of only a couple of SB3 Coatings’ 

automotive Surface Specialists in the U.S. 

territory, and now the only one certified 

as a Trainer. 

Working closely with SB3 Coating’s 

Founding Partner and CEO, Barry Theal, 

Rosa-Garcia will be holding his first 

group training class in July, but is available 

for personal, one-on-one training sessions 

for up to two detailers at a time, on an ongoing 

basis. 

The July class will offer multiple levels 

of exposure to SB3 from live demonstrations 

by Theal and Rosa-Garcia, to 

hands-on opportunities for participants to 

use the coating products. 

Surface Specialists Certification training 

is limited to five people. A native of 

Carolina, P.R., Rosa-Garcia started out in 

the car wash business, which he found unsatisfactory 

due to its limitations. 

“I wanted to do more to get a car or 

truck cleaner both inside and outside,” 

Rosa-Garcia said in the press release. “A 

car wash doesn’t get the surface as shiny 

as I wanted and I was familiar with ceramic 

coatings, which were growing in 

popularity.” 

Rosa-Garcia spent the next seven 

years training and earning dual certifications 

(CD/SV) from the International 

Detailing Association (IDA) and from the 

New Generation of Detailers (NGD), the 

only training that trains and certifies detailers 

in the Spanish language. 

During that time, Rosa-Garcia had 

opportunities to work with SONAX Master 

detailer Rigo Santana of the NGD to 

prepare a rare 1968 Iso Grifo for induction 

into the National Corvette Museum 

in Bowling Green, Kentucky. 

He has also detailed both a private 

airplane and a $4 million custom fishing 

ship, opening future possibilities in those 

areas of detailing. 

“Ceramic coatings like SB3 are 

semi-permanent, so you have to ‘prep’ 

the paint surface to remove all the flaws 

like swirl marks, scratches, and uneven 

paint caused by robotic painters at the 

manufacturer,” Rosa-Garcia said in the 

press release. “Otherwise, you are sealing 

in those flaws when you apply the coating, 

and that is unacceptable. …Once you do 

that, a vehicle coated with a SB3 coating 

will look like it just came off the showroom 

floor, even if it is 10 years or older.” 

Theal came and spent four days with 

Rosa-Garcia in Puerto Rico, learning 

about the Latino culture to help better 

understand how BB3 Coatings can help 

the Latino community grow in the detailing 

industry. 

“Christian is the keystone to building 

a bridge between the American and Latino 

cultures,” Theal said. “I realized his 

Puerto Rican heritage is very proud, but 

at the same time, they are not afraid to 

seek help. 

“The language differences create 

a barrier, but they do not stop us from 

working together to provide Puerto Rico 

and the Latino community a new level of 

service.” 

Rosa-Garcia said he tried several ceramic 

coating products before determining 

SB3 was the superior choice, but Theal’s 

commitment to service and support 

sealed the deal for him. 

“Barry saw that I have an interest in 

continuous training and a need for ongoing 

support, and he and SB3 were glad to 

offer it.” 

Both men agree that within the past 

five years, the automotive detailing industry 

in Puerto Rico has grown exponentially, 

along with that in the United States. 

For that reason, Theal and Rosa-Garcia 

are looking at future opportunities to 

expand the SB3 line into other Caribbean 

countries and territories. 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

LEGEND 

A Premium Coating Experience 

psdetailproducts.com 



INDUSTRY NEWS 

Car Wash Show breaks records in Nashville 

The Car Wash Show 2024, the premier 

gathering of owners, operators, investors, 

and decision-makers, made its return 

to Music City in 

Nashville, Tennessee, according to a 

May 15 press release. The Show was met 

with unprecedented excitement, mirroring 

the growth and opportunity that the car 

wash industry boasts as a whole. 

The record-breaking event showcased 

more than 420 vendors, including over 100 

new companies, on a sold-out trade show 

floor covering 190,000 square feet – the 

largest in its history. Alongside these exhibiting 

companies were 9,600+ attendees 

— an all-time high — roaming the floor 

seeking the endless solutions and education 

that The Show had to offer. 

“Seeing the industry come together in 

one spot always reminds me of the amazing 

opportunity it is to create an experience 

that keeps our attendees and exhibitors at 

the forefront of the industry,” said Kim 

Vinciguerra, chief experience officer at 

International Carwash Association (ICA). 

“I say this every year – but it’s over 9,000 

of our closest friends gathering for three 

days.” 

One of the hottest destinations in the 

Music City Center was Innovation Alley, 

featuring more than 40 first- or second-year 

exhibitors showcasing the latest 

innovations from 3D signage to preventative 

maintenance technology. 

“Innovation Alley was designed as 

a ‘can’t-miss’ destination,” said Kendra 

Johnson, vice president of business development 

at ICA. “It’s a big deal for any new 

company to select The Car Wash Show as 

their destination – so it’s our job is to create 

a space that allows them to flourish.” 

With more than 60 hours of training 

delivered by experts in and outside of the 

industry, The Car Wash Show’s education 

sessions were cutting-edge and top-of-class. 

Between education sessions and PITCH 

product presentations, attendees could 

listen to operators discussing brand new 

training models to tech experts unveiling 

the latest digital competencies, to industry-led 

panels discussing trends and movement 

in the car wash industry. 

One of the many standing-room-only 

sessions addressed the state of today’s car 

wash industry. Eric Wulf, chief executive 

officer at ICA, Marcus Kittrell of Mammoth 

Holdings and Tom Hoffman Jr. of 

innovateIT Car Wash Equipment, guided 

attendees through the intricacies of gathering 

and analyzing the research that is most 

relevant to the success of those in the car 

wash industry. 

“When ICA first started our research 

in the ’90s, the most telling piece of data 

was the percentage of people using home 

versus professional washes,” Wulf said. 

“We’ve now shifted most of our focus with 

our Pulse research to what we believe is 

one of the most important dynamics in 

the industry, the subscription model, and 

membership.” 

Another feature at The Show this year 

was a podcast studio. CAR WASH The 

Podcast set up shop so attendees could 

listen to and share stories of impact from 

around the car wash industry. 

“This year was all about the people 

who make the industry what it is,” said 

Claire Moore, chief learning officer at 

ICA. “There’s a story at the corner of every 

booth on the show floor. We wanted 

to use our platform(s) to help share these 

amazing stories of success.” 

After business hours, attendees took 

part in a multitude of activities. From the 

largest car wash party of the year at The 

Big Bash, to The Car Wash Show After 

Dark taking on Downtown Nashville, to 

the Car Wash Hall of Fame Celebration. 

This year’s inductee, Lamar Beck of 

Goo Goo Car Wash, was honored posthumously 

with the industry’s most prestigious 

award. 

Success was a word thrown around 

frequently during The Car Wash Show – 

including a few booth awards that were 

given on-site. Different than in years’ 

past, booths were judged by professional 

consultants considering the booth’s layout 

involvement in their customer’s journey 

and their respective team’s role throughout 

the process. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO: 

• Brian Campbell Best Booth (Large): 

National Carwash Solutions (NCS) 

• Brian Campbell Best Booth 

(Medium): Big Dot Lighting 

• Standout Booth: Nuform Building 

Technologies Inc. 

When The Show wrapped up on May 

15, it was far from over. In addition to all 

the new connections made that live on well 

after The Show, a new option was added 

this year to extend the availability of the 

education portion, called Digital Week. 

International Carwash Association also 

announced a brand-new event, ROAD- 

MAP, debuting in December 2024 in Austin, 

Texas. ICA is excited to invite everyone 

back to The Car Wash Show next year in 

Las Vegas, April 26-28, 2025. 

SBA Launches Digital Hub to connect small businesses with major funding 

On April 11, Administrator Isabel 

Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small 

Business Administration (SBA) and the 

voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for 

America’s more than 33 million small businesses, 

announced the launch of the SBA’s 

new Investing in America Small Business 

Hub, the first and only digital portal of its 

kind providing industry-specific resources 

to help small businesses tap into opportunities 

under President Biden’s signature 

Investing in America (IIA) Agenda. 

“President Biden’s Investing in America 

agenda is delivering generational investments 

to grow America’s economy, 

restore competitiveness, tackle climate 

change, and reshore manufacturing – all 

while including America’s small businesses, 

which are the backbone of our economy,” 

said Administrator Guzman in the April 

11 press release. “The SBA’s new Investing 

in America Small Business Hub will 

help more small businesses connect to the 

resources, funding opportunities, and support 

they need to capitalize on these opportunities 

and strengthen their businesses. 

From the contractor working with their 

clients to use the Inflation Reduction Act 

rebates and tax credits to complete home 

energy efficiency projects, to businesses 

helping rebuild America’s infrastructure 

through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, 

small businesses are front and center in the 

Biden-Harris Administration – and the 

SBA is here to help.” 

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing 

in America economic agenda has 

fueled a historic nationwide Small Business 

Boom, with the first, second, and third 

strongest years of new business applications 

on record occurring in President Biden’s 

first three years in office. New Census data 

released today show that the United States 

has exceeded 17 million new business applications 

filed since the President took 

office – a historic rate of entrepreneurship 

that the IIA Small Business Hub will help 

continue to grow by helping small business 

owners leverage opportunities created by 

the Investing in America agenda. 

The IIA Small Business Hub includes 

new technological assistance guides to help 

more small businesses access Investing in 

America grants, contracts, and market opportunities. 

It also highlights SBA resources 

that can help small businesses access the investment 

capital they need to scale and the 

certifications they need to qualify for IIA 

funding. As part of this effort, the SBA will 

collaborate with other federal agencies to 

host local events and webinars to connect 

directly with small businesses and provide 

assistance on how to access IIA contracting 

opportunities, as well as incentives such 

as home energy rebates and tax credits. In 

addition to the Small Business Hub, small 

businesses are encouraged to continue utilizing 

the SBA’s full suite of small business 

resources to pursue Investing in America 

opportunities. 

DOL announces update to the Hazard Communication Standard 

The Department of Labor today announced 

in a May 20 press release a final 

rule from its Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration (OSHA) that will 

update the current Hazard Communication 

Standard to better protect workers by 

improving the amount and quality of information 

on labels and safety data sheets 

and allow workers and first responders to 

react more quickly in an emergency. The 

updates take effect on July 19, 2024. 

Aligned primarily with the seventh 

revision of the United Nations’ Globally 

Harmonized System of Classification and 

Labeling of Chemicals, the updated standard 

will require labels on small packaging 

to be more comprehensive and readable 

and makes changes to help ensure trade 

secrets no longer prevent workers and first 

responders from receiving critical hazard 

information on safety data sheets. 

Workers will also benefit from other 

changes in the updated standard, including 

a clearer hazard classification process 

to provide more complete and accurate 

hazard information on labels and safety 

data sheets; updated physical hazard classes 

to better inform users on safe handling 

of explosives, aerosols and chemicals under 

pressure; and updated precautionary 

statements on how to safely handle, store 

and dispose of hazardous chemicals. 

The final rule also addresses issues 

that arose since the implementation of the 

2012 standard and improves alignment 

with other federal agencies and Canada. 

Established in 1983, the Hazard Communication 

Standard provides a standardized 

approach to workplace hazard communications 

associated with exposure to 

hazardous chemicals. OSHA updated the 

standard in 2012 to align with the third 

revision of the GHS to provide a common 

and coherent approach to classifying 

chemicals and communicating hazard information. 

Department of Labor takes critical 

step in heat safety rulemaking, continues 

heightened enforcement efforts, focuses on 

dangers to agricultural workers 

You better keep your employees cool, according to proposed new rule 

The Department of Labor has taken 

an important step in addressing the dangers 

of workplace heat and moved closer 

to publishing a proposed rule to reduce the 

significant health risks of heat exposure for 

U.S. workers in outdoor and indoor settings, 

according to a press release. 

On April 24, 2024, the department's 

Occupational Safety 

and Health Administration 

(OSHA) 

presented the draft 

rule's initial regulatory 

framework at a meeting 

of the Advisory 

Committee on Construction 

Safety and 

Health. The committee, 

which advises the 

agency on safety and 

health standards and 

policy matters, unanimously 

recommended 

OSHA move forward 

expeditiously on the 

Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking. As part 

of the rulemaking process, the agency will 

seek and consider input from a wide range 

of stakeholders and the public at-large as it 

works to propose and finalize its rule. 

In the interim, OSHA continues to 

direct significant existing outreach and 

enforcement resources to educate employers 

and workers and hold businesses 

accountable for violations of the Occupational 

Safety and Health Act's general duty 

clause, 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1) and other applicable 

regulations. Record-breaking temperatures 

across the nation have increased 

the risks people face on-the-job, especially 

in summer months. Every year, dozens of 

workers die and thousands more suffer illnesses 

related to hazardous heat exposure 

that, sadly, are most often preventable. 

"Workers at risk of heat illness need a 

new rule to protect workers from heat hazards. 

OSHA is working aggressively to develop 

a new regulation that keeps workers 

safe from the dangers of heat," explained 

Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety 

and Health Doug Parker, according to 

the press release. "As we move through the 

required regulatory process for creating 

these protections, OSHA will use all of its 

existing tools to hold employers responsible 

when they fail to protect workers from 

known hazards such as heat, including our 

authority to stop employers from exposing 

workers to conditions which pose an imminent 

danger." 

The agency continues to conduct 

heat-related inspections under its National 

By law, employers must protect workers from the dangers 

of heat exposure and should have a proper safety and 

health plan in place. At a minimum, employers should 

provide adequate cool water, rest breaks and shade or a 

cool rest area. Employees who are new or returning to a 

high heat workplace should be allowed time to gradually 

get used to working in hot temperatures. 

Emphasis Program – Outdoor and Indoor 

Heat-Related Hazards, launched in 2022. 

The program inspects workplaces with the 

highest exposures to heat-related hazards 

proactively to prevent workers from suffering 

injury, illness or death needlessly. Since 

the launch, OSHA has conducted nearly 

5,000 federal heat-related inspections. 

By law, employers must protect workers 

from the dangers of heat exposure and 

should have a proper safety and health 

plan in place. At a minimum, employers 

should provide adequate cool water, rest 

breaks and shade or a cool rest area. Employees 

who are new or returning to a high 

heat workplace should be allowed time to 

gradually get used to working in hot temperatures. 

Workers and managers should 

also be trained so they 

can identify and help 

prevent heat illness 

themselves. 

"No worker should 

have to get sick or die 

because their employer 

refused to provide 

water, or breaks to recover 

from high heat, 

or failed to act after a 

worker showed signs 

of heat illness," Parker 

added in the press release. 

As always, OSHA 

will share information 

and coordinate enforcement 

and compliance 

assistance efforts with states operating 

their own occupational safety and health 

programs. At the same time, the agency's 

compliance assistance specialists regularly 

meet with employer associations, workers 

and their advocacy groups and labor 

unions to supply information and education 

on heat hazards. 



DETAIL 

DOCTOR 

By Bud Abraham, 

The Detail Doctor 

buda1940@outlook.com 

Most consumers and even more detail 

business owners misunderstand the 

terms “licensed/certified, bonded, and 

insured.“ Behind these seemingly mundane 

words lies a great deal of significance, 

both for your detail business and 

the customers you serve. 

Understanding these terms from a 

consumer’s point of view, from a business 

perspective, and even from the views of 

various state and federal authorities is 

critical to achieving customer satisfaction, 

business growth, and compliance with 

certifying agencies. 

But what do these licensed/certified, 

bonded and insured terms really mean? 

LICENSING/ 

CERTIFICATION 

Simply put, being licensed means 

a service provider has obtained official 

approval or authorization from the relevant 

governing body to operate within 

that particular industry or profession. 

Many detail business owners don’t see the 

need for a business license unless they get 

caught operating without one which can 

subject you to fines. 

Certification typically comes after 

meeting specific requirements such as 

passing exams, completing specific training, 

specialized education, and adhering 

to industry regulations. Today a detail 

What’s in 

a Word? 

Do you know the difference between 

licensed/certified, bonded and insured? 

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. 

business owner can get this from the 

worldwide recognized International Detailing 

Association, also known as the IDA 

(for more information, visit the-ida.com). 

From your perspective, as a detail 

business owner, obtaining a license and 

certification is not merely a bureaucratic 

formality; it’s a badge of legitimacy and 

competence, too. Licensing/Certification 

signals to potential customers that the service 

provider possesses the necessary skills, 

knowledge, and qualifications to perform 

their job. It also shows they took the time, 

effort, and money, to get the proper training, 

etc. In essence, it’s a promise of quality 

and accountability made through reputation 

verification. 

That said, motorists may not fully 

grasp the importance of hiring a licensed/ 

certified service provider for their detail 

services. Many motorists may assume that 

all businesses with an online listing operate 

on a level playing field, regardless of 

whether they hold a license or not. 

The reality is quite different! Unlicensed/non-certified 

detailers often lack 

the necessary expertise, oversight, and 

quality control mechanisms, posing significant 

risks to both the motorist and 

the industry’s reputation. By choosing 

a licensed/certified provider, motorists 

can mitigate these risks and ensure they 

receive reliable and professional services 

from experts. 

BONDING: A SAFETY 

NET FOR MOTORISTS 

Bonding refers to a type of insurance 

that protects consumers in the event of financial 

loss or damage caused by the service 

provider. When a business is bonded, it 

means they have purchased a surety bond 

from a bonding company, which serves as a 

guarantee that they will fulfill their obligations 

to the motorist, no matter what. 

This is different from insurance coverage 

in that it protects the consumer 

against specific incidents and issues that 

arise as a result of the service provider’s 

work. It also differs from regular insurance 

in that specific stipulations must be 

met for the bond to be paid out. 

For detail business owners, being 

bonded demonstrates a commitment to 

accountability and customer satisfaction. 

It provides reassurance to the motorist 

that in the rare event of a problem or dispute, 

they have recourse to seek compensation 

for any losses incurred. Moreover, 

bonding helps to instill trust and confidence 

in your detail business compared to 

the competition. Licensing/certification 

and bonding enhance your detail businesses’ 

reputation and credibility within 

the market. This is something to use in 

your telephone conversation with a prospective 

customer to book the appointment. 

And to close the walk-in customer. 

If you use it correctly in your sales pitch 

the customer should have no choice but 

to use your detail business. 

Despite its importance, bonding is 

often overlooked by motorists who may 

not be aware of its significance or even 

what it really means. Many assume that 

all businesses carry insurance to protect 

themselves and their clients, but this is not 

always the case. Insurance may cover the 

workers on the job site but not necessarily 

the property where the work is being done 

or the occupants who reside there. 

You need to make certain the customer 

understands the role of bonding. 

Only then can they make more informed 

decisions when selecting detail service 

providers. A clear understanding of what 

bonding is can help a motorist to prioritize 

their protection and peace of mind. 

INSURANCE: SAFETY 

NETS FOR PROS 

Much like bonding, insurance provides 

a safety net for both businesses and 

consumers alike. Insurance offers the 

company financial protection against unforeseen 

circumstances and liabilities that 

can occur. Whether it’s property damage, 

bodily injury of an employee, or professional 

errors, insurance helps to mitigate 

the financial risks associated with running 

a service-based business like detailing. 

Motorists choosing a detail business 

might not know the specifics of your insurance 

policy as a provider, but the fact 

that you have insurance can give them 

peace of mind and help make a sale when 

they are already on the fence about it in 

the first place. 

From a business perspective, having 

insurance coverage is not just prudent— 

it’s essential. Most municipalities have 

regulations that prohibit the operation 

of service industry businesses without 

an insurance policy. Insurance coverage 

safeguards the company’s assets, reputation, 

and long-term viability in the face 

of potential lawsuits or claims. Moreover, 

insurance will give you a competitive 

advantage, giving your business an edge 

over the competition, who may lack adequate 

coverage. 

For motorists, using an insured detail 

service provider is a matter of risk 

management. A project may be more 

affordable when purchased through an 

uninsured provider because they don’t 

have this expense to pay, but it may cost 

more in the long run, should the worst 

occur. A fully equipped insurance policy 

safeguards you against being held 

liable for any accidents or incidents that 

occur during service. This is especially 

true when dealing with high-end luxury 

or exotic cars, boats, RV’s and airplanes. 

While insurance may add to the cost of 

doing business, the peace of mind it offers 

is invaluable for you and consumers 

alike, even if the consumers don’t necessarily 

realize it. 

You may not realize the advantage of 

having these qualifications for a business 

simply because they are viewed as necessities 

and burdensome expenses by those 

uninitiated in disasters. 

When you are doing the detail work, 

you are the expert in the trade, but you 

are also selling yourself through those 

skills, expertise, and reliability to customers 

on every potential job. That means 

you will need all the tools you can get to 

sell the job and then do it. 

Tools of the trade is a common phrase 

in the detail industry, and being licensed/ 

certified, bonded, and insured is just a set 

of marketing tools that need to be maintained 

to keep you sharp. 

WHAT IS A SURETY BOND? 

A surety bond is a written agreement to guarantee compliance, payment, or 

performance of an act,according to Surety Bonds Direct. Surety is a unique 

type of insurance because it involves a three-party agreement. The three 

parties in a surety agreement are: 

• Principal: The party that purchases the bond and undertakes an 

obligation to perform an act as promised. 

• Surety: The insurance company or surety company that guarantees the 

obligation will be performed. If the principal fails to perform the act as 

promised, the surety is contractually liable for losses sustained. 

• Obligee: The party who requires, and often receives the benefit of— the 

surety bond. For most surety bonds, the obligee is a local, state or federal 

government organization. 

WHEN THE 

PAINT DRIES 

Licensing/certification, bonding, and 

insurance play a fundamental role in the 

world of service providers. Yet, despite 

this, their significance is often overlooked 

by consumers who don’t realize what the 

terms mean for them. From a business 

perspective, they are more than just regulatory 

requirements. They are symbols 

of professionalism, reliability, and 

accountability. For consumers, understanding 

the nuances of hiring licensed, 

bonded, and insured service providers 

can help them make informed decisions 

that will protect their interests. 

For service providers, licensing, 

bonding, and insurance can seem like 

wasted resources, but if the worst happens, 

it will feel like money well spent. 

And ultimately, with a shift in perspective, 

these qualifications can help to sell 

a potential client or project that might 

have otherwise been reluctant to sign the 

dotted line. 



Choosing the 

Right Towel 

for Your 

Detailing Center 

By Valerie Sweeney 

Valerie Sweeney is the Vice President of 

ERC Wiping Products in Lynn, MA, where 

she has worked for the past 29 years. 

Deciding which towels to use in 

your detail business can be tough. 

There are so many different applications, 

so using just one type of 

towel may not be ideal. Since the 

cost of towels are relatively low 

(compared to your other detailing 

equipment), it’s important to 

choose the best towel option that 

will aid in the final product…a 

clean, immaculate car inside and 

out, and a happy customer. 

Your towel is just like any other 

tool in your business, so selecting 

the right towel can save you time 

and money, while aiding in the 

overall satisfaction of your client. 

There are various types of towels 

on the market today for detailers 

to choose from. These choices include 

terry, microfiber, and huck. 

Within those options, there are 

even more choices with a wide variety 

of size, color, thickness, and 

most importantly, quality. 

MICROFIBER TOWELS 

Microfiber towels have become 

the most popular towel in the 

detail industry. Microfibers are extremely 

versatile and can be used 

in all areas of the detailing process. 

They possess all of the ideal features 

you would want in a towel: 

lint free, absorbent, and durable. 

Within the microfiber family, there 

are many variations. 

Microfiber have a large range 

of sizes, but the most popular for 

the detail industry range from 12” 

x 12” up to 16” x 27” (think of the 

size of a washcloth up to the size of 

hand towel). Smaller microfibers, 

typically 16” x 16” or less, are used 

primarily for cleaning windows, 

mirrors, and interiors. They are 

lightweight, which makes it easier 

to reach tight spaces or corners. 

Large microfibers, typically 16” x 

24” or higher, are usually used on 

the exterior body of the car to wipe 

or dry the larger surface areas. 

There are varying degrees of 

thickness available for microfiber. 

Many towel vendors will measure 

thickness by the grams per square 

meter or “gsm.” The lighter the 

towel, the lower the gsm, and typically 

the lower in price. Many car 

wash and detail centers prefer a 

thickness right in the middle. Some 

places like to use the lighter weight 

versions (like 200 gsm) because they 

still work well, and they don’t necessarily 

need the absorption capacity 

of a thicker cloth like you would use 

if you were towel drying the car. 

A nicer quality microfiber towel 

will last more washings than a 

lower quality version. Quality variations 

can be 

seen not only in 

the construction of the 

cloth, but also the finishing 

(stitching). A nice microfiber 

should make your hand feel like it 

has very dry skin. You will actually 

feel the cloth sticking to your fingers 

and hand. 

Terry style microfibers are the 

most common towel used, but other 

variations including microfiber 

“glass” towels and “waffle” towels 

can also be found. The terry style 

has a pile, while the glass towels 

are smooth and almost satiny. 

The waffle style look exactly like it 

sounds. Some people like the texture 

of the waffle and feels that it 

works better for cleaning tree sap 

and bird droppings. The type of 

microfiber you use is strictly a personal 

preference. 

While there are many advantages 

to using microfiber, there are 

a few reasons that can turn people 

away. The first is that microfiber 

can become ineffective if they are 

not washed properly. Microfiber 

works due to the technology in the 

construction of the fibers. There 

are 90,000 wedge shaped split fibers 

per inch that lift, scoop, and 

trap the dirt of liquid. Microfiber 

is made of polyester and polyamide 

(nylon) which are not absorbent 

materials by nature. Microfiber 

does not like high heat, so 

drying 

your microfiber 

in a warm/hot dryer or washing 

them in temperatures over 105 degrees 

Fahrenheit can ruin the split 

fibers, causing them to be useless. 

Essentially when this happens the 

towel melts. Unfortunately, it won’t 

actually look melted, but you will 

see windows with streaks, etc. 

Microfibers also don’t like fabric 

softener or to be washed with 

any of your other towels. If you 

try and wash microfiber with terry 

towels, the lint from the terry will 

immediately grab onto the cloth 

and can be hard to let go. 

TERRY TOWELS 

Terry towels are still extremely 

popular in the car wash 

and detail industry. A terry towel 

is the same type of towel that you 

use at home in your bathroom. 

They are absorbent, durable, and 

extremely versatile, making them 

a top choice. Soft terry towels are 

ideal for the body of the car, while 

lower cost towels can be used for 

upholstery cleaning, carpet spotting, 

and cleaning wheel wells and 

door jambs. 

Not all terry towels are the 

same either. There is a large vari- 

ance, and many different factors 

which contribute to the overall 

performance of the towel. For 

wax removal and drying the body 

of the car, the most popular towel 

is approximately 16” x 27”, also 

referred to as a hand towel. These 

towels typically range in weight 

between 2.5 pounds per dozen 

and 5 pounds per dozen. Smaller 

16” x 19” towels are usually 

much lighter weight, and can be 

used for dirtier jobs like wiping 

wheel wells, door jambs, or taking 

a touch spot out of the upholstery 

or carpet. Larger terry towels are 

sometimes preferred for those that 

are detailing larger vehicles such 

as trucks. These towels are bath 

towel size and can measure 20”x 

40” and higher. 

There are some pretty low quality 

terry towels out there and some 

really nice ones. A low quality terry 

towel might feel scratchy, or fall 

apart after a few washings. A higher 

quality terry towel might feel softer 

and last many washings. Since all 

detailers have various preferences 

on what they like in a towel, it’s 

important to know what qualities 

work for you. The most popular 

is a towel that weighs either 3 or 4 

pounds per dozen. You will have to 

work with you towel vendor to get 

the feel and thickness that you like. 

Most towel vendors have various 

options to meet your preference. 

Some people like a plusher nap on 

their towels, while others prefer a 

“sheared” pile. The “sheared” pile 

are sometimes referred to as “lint 

free.” While no terry towel is 100% 

lint free, there are versions that lint 

less than others. 

Some detailers do not like terry 

towels for several reasons. They 

tend to be bulkier than microfiber, 

so they aren’t necessarily quite as 

versatile. As stated above, they 

also can lint (although a good towel 

won’t continue to lint after the 

break-in period). Microfiber can 

be used right out of the box, while 

terry towels need to be washed 

several times before using them in 

order to become absorbent and get 

rid of the lint which is normal for a 

new terry towel. 

HUCK TOWELS 

Huck towels, or O/R towels, 

have lost popularity but are 

absolutely still used by many in 

the industry. They are 100% cotton, 

lint free, easy to break-in, and 

lightweight, making it easy to clean 

tight spaces. They are perfect for 

windows and in the interior of the 

car. People that used to use huck 

towels have switched to microfiber 

but others have stood by an old industry 

standard. 

Hucks are easy to care for, but 

you are limited on the color and 

the size. While they are naturally 

absorbent, they can’t physically 

hold as much liquid as either a 

microfiber or a terry towel. Most 

microfiber towels can actually 

hold seven times their weight. 

Hucks work really well on the 

windows, but microfiber creates 

less streaking and tends to be superior 

in performance. 

There are many towel options 

available to today’s detailer. In fact, 

there are more than there have 

ever been before. Detail suppliers 

that sell towels tend to have limited 

options available as opposed to a 

towel vendor that has a much larger, 

more diverse inventory. Microfiber 

products continue to evolve 

and additional options look to be 

on the horizon, including the fairly 

new limited use non-woven microfibers 

that are carried by many 

towel vendors. Part of choosing the 

right towel is trial and error. You 

need to select the towels that works 

best for you. Fortunately, towels are 

relatively inexpensive, especially 

when you evaluate the cost per use. 



TIPs 

BUDGETING TIP 

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s an…. 

Accountant?! 

It’s okay to admit you need help, especially 

when it comes to managing and balancing your 

funds. This is plenty of free help out there, thanks 

to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and 

if you need even more help, there are accountants 

who will freelance their services, set you up with 

a system that works for you. Before doing that, 

read this information from the SBA. 

The following is advice from the SBA. 

You need to start with a good balance sheet. 

The balance sheet is the foundation of managing 

your finances. It operates as a snapshot of 

your business financials. It helps you keep track 

of your capital and provide a cash flow projection 

for future years. 

A balance sheet will help you account for costs 

like employees and supplies. It will also help you 

track assets, liabilities, and equity. You can get 

insights by separating and analyzing segments 

of your business, like comparing online sales to 

face-to-face sales. 

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS (CBA) 

Looking closely at money-in and money-out 

helps maintain a sustainable balance between 

profit and loss. From development and operations 

to recurring and nonrecurring costs, it’s important 

to categorize expenses in your balance sheet. 

Then, you can use a cost-benefit analysis, or a 

process that helps weigh the strengths and weaknesses 

of a business decision, and put potential 

recurring benefits and cost reductions in context. 

A CBA is a technique for making non-critical 

choices in a relatively quick and easy way. It simply 

involves adding money in benefits and money in 

costs over a specified time period, before subtracting 

costs from benefits to determine success in terms of 

dollars. This can come in handy with hiring another 

employee or an independent contractor. 

For example, let’s say you’re deciding whether 

to add outdoor seating for your sausage themed 

restaurant, Haute Dog. You estimate outdoor 

seating would add $5,000 in extra profit from 

sales each year. But the outdoor seating permit 

costs $1,000 each year, and you’d also have to 

spend $2,000 to buy outdoor tables and chairs. 

Your cost-benefit analysis shows that you should 

add outdoor seating, because the new benefits 

($5,000 in new sales) outweigh the new costs 

($3,000 in permitting and equipment expenses) 

PICK AN ACCOUNTING METHOD 

Businesses often use either the accrual or cash 

methods of recording purchases. The accrual 

method puts transactions on the books immediately 

upon completing the sale. The cash method 

only records this once payment has been received. 

For example, if you make a sale in January and 

receive the $200 payment in February, an accrual 

method would allow you to record that on January’s 

books, while the cash method would require 

that payment to land on February’s books. 

GAAP 

There are many strategies for preparing financial 

statements for a small business. Generally accepted 

accounting principles, known as GAAP or 

“Gap,” provides a common a way to standardize 

financial reporting using the accrual method. Private 

companies aren’t required to follow GAAP. 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board 

(FASB) maintains GAAP in the United States. 

GET ACCOUNTING HELP 

You might want to get help with your accounting. 

Consider hiring a certified public accountant 

(CPA), bookkeeper, or using an online service. 

Ensure that someone can manage the following: 

• Accounts receivable 

• Accounts payable 

• Available cash 

• Bank reconciliation 

• Payroll 

Where to find a freelance accountant? 

Here are a few online resources you can use if you’re looking to hire a temporary, 

or intermittent freelance accountant. 

CUSTOMER SERVICE TIP 

Are you getting 

the message? 

There’s another free way to advertise your business 

and reach out to customers, thanks to Facebook Messenger. 

If your car wash has a Facebook page (and if 

it does not, then you should consider it… to at least 

have a way to post your hours, location, specials for 

free), then you can use Messenger as well. 

According to LYFE Marketing, you can set up 

automated messages for your business page. So, if 

someone messages your Facebook business page, 

Facebook Messenger will send an automated message 

back to them. 

The message can be whatever you want. 

Oftentimes, these automated messages say something 

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IDA 

COLUMN 

It Takes a Village 

– No, An Association 

Individuals, committees, and chapters 

collaborate to continue IDA’s worldwide growth 

By Erin Reyes, IDA Communications 

Coordinator 

The International Detailing Association 

(IDA) was established in 2008 by a 

small but determined group of detailing 

professionals in Portland, Oregon. By the 

association’s 10th anniversary in 2018, 

it had grown to 1,000 worldwide members 

– a community made up of operators, 

suppliers, institutions, students, and 

consultants to the industry. Now, six years 

later, the IDA has more than doubled in 

size to 2,500+ members spread across 

80 countries. Nearly one-third of the 

IDA’s total members are located outside 

the United States, including 18 regional 

chapters. Currently, one-fifth of IDA 

Certified Detailers (CDs) live and work 

outside the U.S. Likewise, users located 

outside the U.S. make up one-quarter of 

the IDA’s social media followers and half 

of all website traffic. It is safe to say that, 

over the past 16 years, the IDA has truly 

grown into its moniker. But none of this 

has been completed alone or in a silo. 

The IDA is composed of a Board of 

Directors, standing committees, sub-committees, 

task forces, international chapters, 

and, of course, more than 2,500 

individuals and companies who are working 

together to elevate the professional detailing 

industry. Each of these groups has 

played an important role in expanding 

the IDA’s global presence, especially over 

the past few years. 

Many of the positive changes have 

been brought about by concerted efforts 

from the IDA International Chapter Development 

Committee (ICDC), working 

closely with the chapter boards and leaders 

to improve resources and offerings to 

international members. Earlier this year, 

the committee added “International” to 

its name to better reflect its scope of support 

for those members located outside 

the U.S. Newly revamped chapter guidelines 

have also made it easier for chapters 

to take advantage of the many resources 

available to them. The committee has 

also implemented new Q&A sessions for 

chapters and new members to better support 

existing and newly formed chapters. 

The IDA Tradeshow and Education 

Committee (TEC) has been working 

hard to increase educational offerings for 

non-native English speakers, to ensure 

that members are able to learn about 

detailing-related topics in their preferred 

languages. These offerings include live 

and recorded webinars presented in languages 

such as German and Spanish, subtitled 

webinar recordings (presentations in 

English, with captions provided in languages 

such as Italian and Vietnamese), 

sessions presented in languages other than 

English at tradeshows like Mobile Tech 

Expo (MTE), and translated educational 

articles published on the website and in 

the monthly newsletter. Additionally, this 

year marked the IDA’s 2nd International 

Education Day, featuring presentations in 

five languages (Italian, German, Portuguese, 

Spanish, and English). The committee 

hopes to expand next year’s event 

to include presentations in even more languages 

from members across the globe. 

The TEC was also responsible for the 

IDA’s first exhibition booth at The SEMA 

Show in 2023. Although held in Las Vegas, 

Nevada, the tradeshow is the largest 

of its kind in the world, attracting 

representatives from more than 140 

DA United Kingdom Chapter debuted 

their new booth at Waxstock, July 2023 

countries outside the U.S., exposing the 

IDA to audiences previously unfamiliar 

with the organization. 

The ICDC and TEC have also been 

collaborating to support chapters as they 

opt to participate in local tradeshows, 

drawing in new members and increasing 

awareness of the IDA. Chapters have 

had booths, IDA Certification Events, 

and Meet & Greets associated with these 

shows. The IDA United Kingdom (UK) 

Chapter debuted a new booth and merchandise 

at Waxstock – Europe’s largest 

casual car care show – in 2023 and 

is looking forward to another successful 

event this July. In April, the IDA Brazil 

Chapter exhibited at Detail Land in São 

Paulo, and the IDA Southeast Asia Chapter 

recently participated in the Trans 

Sport Show in Manila, Philippines after 

a successful showing at Manila AutoSalon 

last November. The IDA Germany Chapter 

had a booth at Dcon – the largest 

German detailer trade fair – in 2023 and 

will once again be taking part in Automechanika 

in Frankfurt, Germany, this September. 

Meanwhile, the IDA Italy Chapter 

is planning to be present at one of the 

country’s most famous exhibitions of 

cars and car detailing in October. Additional 

recent event participation includes 

Autokosmetyki (Poland Chapter), 

the Festival of Motoring (Southern Africa 

Chapter), and the Puerto Rico Racing 

Expo (Caribbean Chapter). 

Speaking of the Caribbean Chapter, 

the IDA’s newest chapter has been 

extremely active since being established 

in 2023. Originally formed by members 

in four countries (Barbados, Dominican 

Republic, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad & 

Tobago), the chapter is now hoping to 

expand to include Antigua and Barbuda. 

No doubt this increased interest is in 

part due to the region producing two IDA 

Award winners in the past couple years 

– Karim Khan, CD-SV, MC, WC, RIT 

(2023 IDA Mobile Detailer of the Year) 

and Onika Waldron, CD-SV (2024 IDA 

Detailer of the Year), both of Trinidad & 

Tobago, and both serving on the chapter 

board. IDA Caribbean Chapter President 

Katherine Mayo, CD-SV, RIT, has also 

been incredibly dedicated to building the 

chapter, hosting a Meet & Greet in Puerto 

Rico that attracted 89 attendees, along 

with other in-person and virtual offerings. 

The chapter has also been working 

with local vocational facilities to increase 

awareness of detailing as a trade and to 

promote the benefits of joining the IDA 

for their detailing students. 

The IDA Norway Chapter has similarly 

partnered with the school system, 

government institutions, and the private 

sector to achieve wider recruitment within 

the detailing industry through collaboration 

rather than competition. Meanwhile, 

the IDA Belgium-France Chapter has 

found success partnering with insurance 

companies to showcase the benefits of 

working with IDA professional detailers, 

while the IDA Denmark Chapter is focusing 

on connecting with car collectors with 

the goal of showcasing their detailing talents 

in their showrooms. Many chapters 

have found success in teaming up with 

well-recognized brands to hold joint training 

courses along with IDA Certification 

Events and Meet & Greets. The ICDC 

and chapters have been brainstorming 

collectively to come up with innovative 

ways to reach both new members and 

consumers in their local markets, to continue 

growing the IDA’s presence around 

the world. 

IDA Caribbean Chapter Meet & Greet, held in Puerto Rico, September 2023 

One of the most effective ways the 

IDA has been able to grow internationally 

is the addition of new Recognized Independent 

Trainers (RITs). The number of 

total RITs has more than doubled since 

2022, and nearly half of the current 70+ 

RITs are located outside the U.S. Previously, 

many US- and UK-based RITs 

would have to spend time and money 

traveling to host IDA Certification Events 

in other regions, or detailers would need 

to do the same to attend an event at an 

RIT’s facility. Now, with RITs on five continents, 

it is much easier for detailers to 

find and attend certification events 

closer to home to earn their Certified 

Detailer (CD) and/or Skills Validated (SV) 

designations on a schedule that works for 

them. Last year’s Global SV Week, held 

in October, is a prime example of this – a 

total of 25 IDA Certification Events were 

held in 10 countries, resulting in an astounding 

94 certifications. The IDA Certification 

Committee is planning to top 

that number with this year’s event. 

Moreover, RITs are now able to administer 

exams in languages specific to 

the event location, with nine languages 

available for in-person exams (and Portuguese 

exams available online as well). 

More online exam offerings will be available 

soon, making certification even more 

accessible for those who would prefer an 

alternative to English. 

The IDA has also recently rolled out 

an exciting development for the consumer-focused 

website, DetailingNearby.com 

– translations into several languages including 

Danish, Dutch, French, German, 

Italian, and Spanish. The IDA Marketing 

& Communications (MarComm) Committee 

worked collaboratively with the 

chapters to first determine which markets 

were most in need of translated versions of 

the website and then to ensure accuracy of 

the translations themselves. This development 

has allowed DetailingNearby.com – 

the largest and most comprehensive global 

directory of IDA members and Certified 

Detailers – to be accessible to many more 

consumers around the world. 

Another internationally focused website 

update is thanks to the IDA Industry 

Standards Task Force (ISTF), under the 

purview of the IDA Membership Committee. 

Since its formation in 2022, the 

ISTF has distributed seven surveys to gain 

an understanding of the terminology and 

operational variances in different countries 

and regions. One of the ISTF’s main 

goals is to use the data it collects to create 

comprehensive guides for detailing terms 

and procedures as they apply to practices 

across the globe to ensure that detailers are 

able to understand one another, despite location 

or linguistic differences. So far, the 

ISTF has launched several detailing-related 

glossaries and recently launched its first 

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), 

with more in development. 

Members do not just have to be working 

as part of a committee or chapter 

to contribute meaningfully to the IDA’s 

growth – individuals can make a great 

impact through their own efforts. Board 

member Juan Gonzalez, CD-SV, MC, 

RIT, has held a number of Spanish-language 

certification events throughout the 

U.S. and Mexico, single-handedly bringing 

in more than 40 CDs and 50 new 

members over the past several months. 

Rigoberto Santana, CD-SV, WC, RIT, 

has similarly hosted many certification 

events in Spanish throughout Latin 

America, recently being recognized at 

Expo Detail Mexico for all the work he 

has done to elevate the detailing profession 

in the Latinx community. Having 

served on the IDA Southern Africa 

Chapter Board and numerous committees, 

Marc Glautier, CD-SV, MC, RIT, 

is the first IDA Board Member and Recognized 

Independent Trainer from Africa, 

opening up a new audience to the 

benefits of the IDA by organizing Meet 

& Greets and local event participation. 

Meanwhile, UK Chapter member 

Richard Hutchins, CD, has been able to 

bring operators and suppliers together 

across the U.K., U.S., and Canada for 

his successful Detailing Summit series. 

Fellow UK Chapter member Dave Reed, 

CD-SV, recently held a combined Meet 

& Greet and barbecue event, drawing 

together both detailing professionals and 

fans of good food – a true twofer. These 

are just a few examples of the many wonderful 

things members are doing around 

the world on a daily basis to expand the 

IDA’s global footprint. 

For those who are looking to make 

their own contributions without making a 

long-term commitment, there are plenty 

of opportunities to get involved with the 

IDA, no matter where a member is located. 

A popular and effective choice is 

to host a Meet & Greet at your shop for 

the local community, gathering both current 

members and prospective members 

to discuss hot-button detailing topics and 

share information about the IDA. With 

the increase in tradeshow participation, 

there is also a need for volunteers to staff 

the IDA booth for short shifts, especially 

if you are already planning to attend the 

show. Of course, the IDA is always looking 

for content experts to present webinars 

in different languages and write new 

or translate existing educational articles. 

Visit the-ida.com/Get_Involved or email 

info@the-ida.com to learn more. 

As the IDA community continues to 

grow, it is important to remember that the 

association is volunteer-driven, meaning 

all the efforts described here were undertaken 

by volunteers – detailing professionals 

that have full-time jobs outside of the 

IDA, but who believe in the organization’s 

mission enough to dedicate an incredible 

amount of time and energy to make sure 

the IDA succeeds in elevating the industry 

globally. After all, it takes a village – or, 

more accurately, an association. 



NITTY 

GRITTY 

Getting 

to Know … 

Craig 

Brigham of 

The Detailing 

Detectives 

and Detailing 

Coach and IDA 

president-elect 

help it grow. In late 2020 the president 

of the chapter stepped down along with 

the vice president at the time and I put 

myself forward for the role. I served two 

years as president for the chapter in 2021 

& 2022. Back in January 2021 when I became 

president of the UK chapter, there 

was a lack of structure & accountability, 

however over the months following my 

appointment as president I ensured that 

all the committees had the correct number 

of members allowing us to begin 

working on driving the UK chapter forward. 

As I came to the end of my tenure 

it showed that all of that hard work by the 

Chapter volunteers paid off as our membership 

numbers increased by 73.9% and 

awareness of the IDA throughout the UK 

increased. In turn, it became the biggest 

international chapter. I absolutely love 

being part of the IDA! It’s brought me 

so many friendships, connections, educational 

content and I’ve felt an increase in 

my own self confidence too. 

After resigning as UK Chapter president 

I was looking for my next volunteer 

opportunity when a friend suggested I 

apply for the Global Board of Directors. 

In January 2023 I started my term on the 

Global Board of Directors. 

How is auto detailing 

different in England compared 

to the United States? 

Recently I travelled to the USA for the Mobile 

Tech Expo in Orlando, Florida, so this 

is something that I’ve recently got a flavour 

for, although only from networking with 

other detailers and not seeing in person. 

The USA, in my opinion, is years ahead in 

terms of the education of consumer value. 

What businesses in the US are charging 

$10,000 for in the UK it’s $3,000. It is 

much more well known to have your car 

professionally detailed in the USA. This is 

slowly growing in the UK but I think the 

USA is a few years ahead. 

In the UK it’s recently started to get to 

the point where the career of a detailer is 

not looked down upon as a low paid job 

& actually a career that could make for a 

good living. 

What are your goals as 

president-elect of the IDA? 

At the moment, my goals as president-elect 

are still in a development stage. 

We still have much of this year left to go 

through and for me to listen to the members 

and decide what path I want to go 

down. However, that being said, I think 

we as an organization need to modernize, 

so that’s something that I’d like to look at 

a bit more. The world has developed a 

huge amount recently in the way we use 

technology and I think as an organization 

we need to look at embracing this. 

That said, I’m a detailer with a small 

business in the UK and I love the community 

element we have built of detailers in 

the IDA and I want to keep building upon 

that. Exciting things to come for sure! 

What does the future hold for 

auto detailers? Are there new 

methods, tools or menu items 

you think are coming? 

I think the future for auto detailers is certainly 

interesting– especially here in the 

UK. The cost of living is getting worse, 

which is having some form of impact on 

our industry. I think as an industry, businesses 

need to learn and adapt in order 

to keep surviving. Look at efficiency and 

listen to the customers to gain a better understanding 

of what they want. 

Third-party systems are getting more 

and more prevalent in our industry, and 

they are developing which helps with customer 

service and running of the business. 

I think these types of apps/systems will 

only get better as we use them and interact 

with their development. More of these 

apps will come to market and more people 

will start using and implementing them. 

In terms of tools, who knows. We are 

seeing a shift to battery-powered tools 

much more now which is a great thing for 

me as I’m a mobile detailer. So, I definitely 

think this is an area that will see some 

development and growth. 

Join Today & Get Involved! 

The-IDA.com 

What is your full name and 

credentials? 

Craig Brigham – CD-SV, Managing Director 

of The Detailing Detectives Ltd & 

Co-Owner of Detailing Coach. 

Where are you located? 

I’m based in the United Kingdom (England) 

in a little village called Creswell, 

about 20 miles south of Sheffield and 

about 150 miles north of London. 

How and when did you 

become a professional 

detailer? 

I’ve been cleaning vehicles ever since I 

could walk. I was brought up in a family of 

funeral 

directors. My 

dad and my grandad have always been 

notorious for having clean vehicles and 

as the oldest child of four I was keen to 

be involved. Throughout my childhood I 

helped with many aspects of the business 

but cleaning and polishing the fleet was 

always a task that needed doing regularly. 

When I got my first car, the first thing I did 

was clean it and polish it… all by hand of 

course. At 18 I then started working for a 

global-leading IT firm which led me to get 

a nicer couple of cars, which in turn led 

me to explore the car care world further. In 

2016, 

myself, my brother, 

and two friends came together to start 

The Detailing Detectives Ltd. Initially 

it was created so that Sam (my business 

partner) could wash my car as I was very 

busy with my IT work. Throughout 2017 

we grew our customer base and on February 

5, 2018, I had an opportunity to 

leave my IT career and go full time into 

the detailing business. And we haven’t 

looked back since. As of March 2024, we 

have two fully equipped mobile vans with 

3 full-time employees working over 7 days 

a week. We cover all aspects of detailing 

including machine polishing and ceramic 

coatings. 

How did you get involved 

with the International Detailing 

Association (IDA)? 

I’d been following the IDA for a while and 

in 2017 I signed up as I’d seen Alan Medcraf 

(formally of AM Details) post quite 

a bit about it and I was intrigued. One of 

the first things I did was start to get involved 

in watching the educational webinars. 

Shortly after joining I did my Certified 

Detailer Exams and was pumped to 

look at doing the practical Skills Validated 

part. However, the events were few and 

far as the United Kingdom chapter of 

the IDA was still very new. In early 2019 

I was invited to join the UK Chapter 

Board to help re-kick off the Chapter and 

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



THE DETAILING 

SUPPLIES YOU NEED 

DETAILSUPPLIER.COM 

800-233-3873 

All Hands 

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THE SUPPLIES YOU NEED, 

Experts weigh in on what to not do 

when it comes to detailing boats 

$59.2 billion. That’s the amount of 

money the boating industry is worth, 

according to the National Marine Manufacturers 

Association (NMMA). From 

boat sales to marine products and services, 

according to a 2022 U.S. Bureau 

of Economic Analysis (BEA) report, 

outdoor recreation contributed more 

than $1 trillion to the U.S. economy, 

with boating and fishing remaining a 

top contributor to the outdoor economy. 

“Recreational boating and fishing were 

the second-largest conventional activity 

for the nation … and was the largest 

conventional activity in 24 states and the 

District of Columbia. The states with the 

largest contributions were Florida ($4.4 

billion), California ($2.4 billion), and 

Texas ($2.1 billion),” the NMMA reported, 

citing 2022 findings. 

And, according to the boating information 

website Quicknav.com, 100 million 

Americans go boating each year and 

11.9% of U.S. households own a recreational 

boat. 

That’s a lot of boats, and a lot of 

money. If you’re offering boat and marine 

detailing, you’re contributing to 

a lucrative industry where you offer a 

need… and the numbers will continue 

to grow. 

We talked to two boat detailing experts 

to get their insight on boat detailing 

success as well as mistakes to avoid. Kevin 

Bailey is the CEO of Bailey’s of Fargo, 

North Dakota, and Cody Umphlett, 

CD-SV, WC, is the owner of Discount 

Detailing, LLC, of Roanoke Rapids, 

North Carolina, and was recently named 

the 2023 Marine Detailer of the Year by 

the International Detailing Association. 

Read on to find out their advice and hear 

their story. 

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Q&A 

Kevin Bailey of Bailey’s 

in Fargo, North Dakota 

When is your busiest time of 

year when it comes to boat/ 

marine detailing? 

Kevin Bailey: Our busiest time for boat detailing 

is spring and fall. We typically are 

busier in the spring as more people prefer 

that over detailing their boat before it is 

stored for the winter. The averagebusiest 

months depend on weather and the temperatures. 

Whether it warms up sooner or 

later in the spring it affects our workload 

but on average May is the busiest month 

for boat detailing. 

What are the most common 

boats you see? 

KB: In our territory we have 20-30' fishing 

and wakeboard boats and lots of pontoons 

as well. 

Today, most of the boats are made 

of four materials: 

• Aluminum 

• Steel 

• Fiberglass, and 

• Wood 

According to Boating Valley, modern 

ships (big boats) are usually 

made of steel or aluminum or both, 

and small boats are made of fiberglass 

or wood or both. Still, some 

boats are made of other materials, 

but those four are mostly used. 

How much time on average 

does it take to detail a boat? 

KB: As far as how long it takes to detail 

a boat, it depends on the condition and 

what the client wants to have done. The 

average fishing boat usually can be detailed 

in 8-12 hours and bigger boats 10- 

20 hours. Our ultimate detail package is 

listed on our website of what it entails and 

that's what I'm basing our detail times 

with. We sometimes have 2 technicians 

work on a boat in order to meet client expectations. 

Pontoons typically take 8-12 hours as 

the water doesn't pool up as much as with 

other boats. Sometimes the drying time 

takes longer with any boat that has carpeting. 

BREAKING DOWN A 

BOAT’S BODY 

TYPES OF WOOD 

The various types of wood used in boat 

construction (building), according to 

Boating Valley, are: 

• Teak 

• Oak 

• Mahogany 

• Cedar 

• Plywood 

• Ash 

• Cypress 

• Pine 

• Larch 

• Elm 

• Fir 

• Iroko 

Most commonly, teak, oak, mahogany, 

cedar, and plywood are used the most. 

What are some of the biggest 

mistakes to avoid when it 

comes to boat detailing? 

KB:These are some of the mistakes 

we've seen happen: 

1. Not checking all the hidden storage 

components. 

Boats have lots of hidden storage 

components so you need to be familiar 

with where they are and how they open. 

Remove all items so you can clean every 

nook and cranny. 

2. Not removing canvas snaps to 

completely detail the exterior. 

TYPE OF 

PAINT 

Most of the boats are mainly 

Most boats get stored either inside or 

outside during winter and therefore have 

a cover to protect it that snaps in place. 

These snaps make it difficult to buff the 

exterior completely, but when removed, 

efficiency and quality increases. 

3. Forgetting the trailer. 

Technicians focus lots of their attention 

on the interior and exterior of a boat 

for obvious reasons. Sometimes the trailer 

may get neglected. Don't forget to clean 

the areas that the client will see when the 

boat is removed. 

painted with either ablative or 

hard bottom paints, which are 

different from normal ones, 

according to Boating Valley. 

Moreover, to tackle various 

conditions well, they are also 

painted with varying biocide 

(mostly copper) levels, namely 

vinyl paints, copolymer ablative 

paints, copper-free paints, etc. 


Q&A 

Cody Umphlett, CD-SV, WC, owner 

of Discount Detailing, LLC, of 

Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina 

What kind of business 

do you own? 

CU: Discount Detailing LLC is a fully mobile 

automotive and marine detailing business 

based out of Roanoke Rapids, North 

Carolina. We service Roanoke Rapids, 

and Lake Gaston (both NC and VA sides), 

and a few other surrounding areas near 

us. We offer everything from basic washes 

to shampooing interiors, paint corrections 

and ceramic coatings for vehicles. On the 

Marine side we offer everything from basic 

washes and interior cleanings to oxidation 

removal and ceramic coatings. 

Why did you decide to 

add boat detailing to 

your menu of services? 

CU: We offer marine/boat detailing due to 

the fact that we are located near 2 lakes 

and a river. One being the Roanoke Rapids 

Lake and the other being Lake Gaston. 

We are also located near the Roanoke 

River. Lake Gaston is a known tourist 

attraction and a huge vacation area for 

many people. We decided to offer marine 

detailing first as a way to challenge ourselves 

into learning something new. There 

was also a need for boat detailing in the 

area as well. Now, we love marine detailing 

and it is almost the only detailing we 

do about 7 months out of the year. 

If a detailer is thinking about 

offering marine detailing, what 

advice would you give them? 

Cody Umphlett: Some advice I would give 

someone just starting out is: 

• Take it slow. 

• Learn the differences between 

automotive and marine detailing. 

• Learn the difference between a gel 

coat and a clear coat. You can be 

THAT ANNOYING ALGAE 

According to BoatingforBeginners.com, algae will stain a boat if left 

on too long. It makes a green ring that will go around an entire boat. 

Sometimes if boats are in waters or marinas that have had a bad 

algae outbreak, then that boat could be tagged, meaning it is not 

allowed to go into another lake or body of water until it has been 

cleaned of all the algae,” according to BoatingforBeginners.com. 

According to LiveScience, algae are a diverse group of aquatic 

organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis. Certain 

algae are familiar to most people; for instance, seaweeds (such as 

kelp or phytoplankton), pond scum or the algal blooms in lakes. 

more aggressive with a gel coat 

than you can with a clear coat. 

• Learn all you can to understand 

mold and how to kill it and help to 

prevent it from coming back. 

• Understand how to clean and take 

care of boat seats. Also, learn what 

can damage boat seats. 

• Learn how to wet sand. 

• Learn how to properly price a job 

(this may take a few times to get it 

right). 

• Learn how to talk to your customers 

about their expectations. Underpromise 

but over deliver. 

• Learn about ceramic coatings and 

how they differ in longevity between 

automotives and boats. 

• Educate your customer on how to 

properly maintain a coating or offer 

a maintenance plan. 

• If you are working on a boat dock, 

please understand your safety and 

how important it is. 

What are some of the biggest 

boat detailing mistakes 

detailers need to avoid? 

CU: Some of the most common mistakes I 

see in detailing boats are: 

• Not cutting enough oxidation. 

Gel coat can be deceiving, and it 

may look like you removed all the 

oxidation but it can come back. 

• Underquoting a job. 

WHAT 

ARE BOAT 

BLISTERS? 

• Not using the proper chemicals to 

get rid of mold. 

• Overpromising on the longevity of a 

ceramic coating. 

• Not protecting the boat seats 

properly. Boat seats dry out very 

quickly, so it is important to not only 

clean them but to put a protectant 

on them. This will impress your 

customers. 

According to Boating Valley, blisters 

on a boat are bubbles of water formed 

under the gelcoat. “The gelcoat is 

porous and absorbs water. When water 

starts gathering inside, it reacts with the 

chemicals inside, which builds (osmotic) 

pressure and pulls more water due to 

that, resulting in blisters on a boat hull.” 

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