Guelph Mother's Day Gifts

Looking for last minute Mother's Day Gifts in Guelph or wondering what to get your mom for Mother's Day? Pay attention to the details! Think outside the box and get her a gift certificate from Diamond Detailing Guelph's Finest Automotive Reconditioning Technician. It's like having a new car without the payments!

Mother's Day is quickly approaching but there's no need to settle for unimaginative gifts. Make Mother's Day extra special this year by giving her the perfect gift. Everyone wants a new car but few can afford it. Car detailing is an affordable way to recondition, maintain the value, restore driving comfort, reduce illness, net a higher resale value, help sell the car faster, preserve the longevity, reduce costly repairs and help to create an enjoyable driving environment. How could anyone go wrong with a gift like that - especially when it is from Guelph's Finest Automotive Detailing Centre.


Thank Mom this Mother's Day by treating her to something special. Quality isn't expensive it's priceless! At Diamond Detailing we turn a great gift into a memorable gift. Diamond Detailing Gift Certificates are the perfect way to show how much you care. Let Mom know you appreciate all the times she drove you and all the times you borrowed the car with a Platinum Complete Interior/Exterior Detail - Mom will love you for it!

Visit us at:
Diamond Detailing Automotive Reconditioning Technician
355 Elmira Road North Unit 139
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
(519)824-3915

How to choose a professional automotive detailer

Where quality is the thing sought after there is no comparison
Car washes, amateur detailers posing as professionals & express detailing shops offer cheaper prices undercutting a true professional detailer. Master automotive detailers will always have higher prices because they offer premium detailing services.

Selecting a professional detailer is not an easy task
It’s unsettling but true - many may call themselves professionals but they do not stand up to or beyond the industry standards and lack customer commitment. When seeking the services of a Master Automotive Detailer it should be approached no different than if you were hiring a contractor for your house. A vehicle is the second largest investment for most people - a major asset and you don’t want amateur detailers performing work on it. You want a master automotive detailing technician because simply knowing how to make a car sparkle is not enough. If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional detailer to do the job - wait until you hire an amateur! The result can be costly.

Pricing reflects the quality of workmanship
Price is what you pay; the value is what you receive. The result of quality workmanship is not an act; it is a habit that is long remembered after the price is forgotten. A Master Automotive Detailing Technician should:
- Have ethics
- Be consistent
- Offer high quality services/ products
- Offer value for the price
- Possess professional skills
- Possess knowledge about the chemicals they are using
- Have knowledge about and use the proper equipment
- The workmanship should have value for the price
- Constantly update their professional skills, education and training to keep pace with the ever changing technology
- Have technical training and knowledge about the various surfaces of each vehicle because each vehicle is made of different materials. No two cars are the same so each vehicle must be treated accordingly.

A professional detail takes several man hours to complete
In most cases it should take 8 hours to complete an interior / exterior detail but in some cases a detailing specialist may ask to keep the vehicle several days if the work is extensive. The true professional does not put a time limit on quality when it comes to auto detailing; so if you are told that a complete detail can be performed in a few hours be very weary.

It should be noted that even the Master Detailer can sometimes miss something because these are multi-dimensional surfaces. If they do, call them immediately and tell them. A true professional will ask you to bring it back in so they can fix it.

Chemical quality
A master detailer uses the highest quality of professional grade chemicals that are proven to be successful. It is important that the automotive detailer understands that the quality of the chemicals used on your vehicle are just as important as the workmanship that is performed. Quality products make a world of difference. A complete restoration can look good but if the products that were used are low-grade - it defeats the purpose because they have not provided complete protection against the elements. A detail shop using brand name products available at retail stores should be avoided.

Your car care guardian should be committed to customer satisfaction and a superior craftsman
Here are a few more tips to help you when looking for that diamond in the rough:

• Educate yourself - Gain as much information and knowledge as you can about car care prior to consulting any auto detailing services.
• Ask around town - Inquire with friends, family, co-workers and automotive dealerships to find out who is the best automotive detailer in or close to town. Automotive dealerships are your best bet - they are in the business and know the value of a fine detailer.
• Ask questions - Once you have expanded your knowledge you will be able to ask questions. Find out what options are available to you, ask what the differences are between their service and the competitors, ask about their customer satisfaction policy, prices, the benefits and how they define themselves as a professional.
• View a car before and after - Ask the detailer if you may see a car prior to being detailed and again after the work has been completed. Do not go by photos. Ask to see the real deal. It may be a little time consuming because you will have to go to the shop twice but it is well worth it.
• Ask for references - Don’t be afraid to ask a detailer prior to contracting them for several references. If they are unwilling to provide any - stay clear. A true professional has excellent references and is more than willing to provide them upon request.
• Follow through - Before committing to any services follow through on the references. Ask the reference if they were satisfied with the work performed, what type of service they purchased, if they have had any problems - if so, was it rectified in a timely and favorable way. Ask when the work was performed - if it was just performed ask if you can see it.
• Make a decision - It’s now time to make an intelligent decision based on your knowledge.

Remember, basing your decision on pricing alone is not enough

Auto detailing is protection for your asset. In general, prices reflect the quality of workmanship. Lower quotes usually mean lower - chemical quality, care, client satisfaction, craftsmanship and overall knowledge, training and education. A true professional does not reduce prices to compete because the quality of work provided supersedes that of the competitors and is above the industry standards.

That's the Diamond Detailing Difference!

Diamond Detailing Automotive Reconditioning Technicians are trained, professional detailers dedicated to art & science of automotive protection. Our professional skills are a result of our professional training, certification and devotion to continued education. Our key to client satisfaction goes beyond that of providing the highest quality service. It is the responsibility of a bona fide professional detailer to educate clients on why it is a wise move to invest in quality, to teach proper care car maintenance and explain the many benefits of automotive detailing.

We want our clients to have the highest expectations and to understand the difference between our services and that of the competitors. Experts agree That it is a combination of the amount of time, care, equipment knowledge, chemicals, skills and training that define and separate the amateurs from the true professionals. A master detailer takes pride in their workmanship and wants their customers to be able to do the same. You have the right to be cautious and should be

Diamond Detailing fixes damage caused by other detail shops on a regular basis - so we have first hand knowledge of the type of poor workmanship out there. We have gained the trust of clients from all over Ontario and the United States because we understand that customers work hard for their vehicles and deserve to have them protected by the highest standards.

To book an appointment please call or visit us at:

Diamond Detailing Guelph's Finest Automotive Reconditioning Technician

355 Elmira Rd North Unit 139, Guelph, Ontario, Canada(519) 824-3915

http://diamonddetailing.50webs.com

April is car care month

April is National Car Care Month! By focusing on your car maintenance you can reduce costly repairs, maintain the longevity of your vehicle, increase gas mileage by as much as 10% and keep your vehicle in safe working condition.
Here are a few car care tips :

Complete Auto Detailing
Interior & exterior auto detailing helps to restore and prolong the lifespan of your vehicle.

- A car should have an engine shampoo in the spring and fall to remove salt residue, leaves, dirt and debris that can work its way into engine parts and cause poor performance.

- Paint decontamination helps to maintain the surface of your vehicle and helps to prevent damage cause by corrosion.

- Wax should be applied to create a barrier between the paint and hazardous elements like the sun.

- Paint sealant aids in the prevention of damage caused by acid rain, ice, snow, sun, accidental spills, bird droppings

- Removal of brake dust aids in better performance of brakes and reduces contamination to paint. Brake dust flies off your wheels onto your paint - the tiny, hot metal pieces embed themselves into your paint and can be the beginning of rust.

- Interior shampoo is essential after a long, snowy, cold winter. A professional interior shampoo will leave your carpets and upholstery looking its best. Shampooing eliminates salt residue, mud, dirt and debris. Salt is enemy number one when it comes to your carpets - if it is not removed properly the damage can be costly.

- Winter is damp and with dampness comes mold. Professional auto detailing reduces airborne allergens and helps to maintain a healthier environment.


Check & Change Lubricants and fluids
- Engine oil
- Transmission fluid
- Washer fluid
- Coolant flush
- Power steering fluid
- Brake fluid
- Clutch fluid

Keeping fluid levels topped and clean reduces damage to internal parts and keeps the vehicle performance at its best.

Windshield Wipers
Replace both front and rear windshield wiper blades to keep them performing at their best and to reduce damage to glass.

Check and replace parts
- Air filter
- Check engine light
- Belts
- PCV filter
- Hoses
- Radiator cooling fans
- Horn
- Mirrors
- Intake preheat duct
- Battery ( cables, clamps, terminals, carrier hold down and charge indicator)
Regular maintenance of parts reduces roadside breakdowns
Replacing air filters is essential as it keeps debris such as bugs, dirt and other objects out of the fuel system air intake. Dirty air filters reduce gas mileage and increase carbon emissions.

Tires
- Check tire depth
- Tire pressure
Low tire pressure will drastically reduce gas mileage and create more wear on your tires.

Lights
- License plate lights
- Brake lights
- Side lights
- Turn signals
- Tail/ Parking lights
- Headlights

Chrysler/Nissan/Chery/Suzuki/Mitsubishi Inbreeding Explained

By Frank Williams - The Truth About Cars
April 15, 2008 - 1,008 Views
Let's recap. Chrysler builds pickup trucks for Mitsubishi. Chery is working on a U.S.-market subcompact for Chrysler. Chrysler is selling a rebadged Chery as a Dodge in Mexico. Volkswagen is selling Chrysler-built minivans in the U.S. Nissan is building small trucks for Suzuki to sell in the U.S. and Versas to be sold as Chryslers in Brazil. Chrysler has been talking with Great Wall Motors in China about something. Now, just in case all these relationships aren't confusing enough, The Detroit Free Press reports that Chrysler and Nissan announced Chrysler will build a version of the Ram pickup in Mexico for Nissan to sell in the U.S. In return, Nissan will build a North American-bound small car in Japan for Chrysler. In a way, all this makes sense, particularly the Chrysler-Nissan deals. After all, Chrysler has a well-established presence in the truck and van market while Nissan and Chery specialize in small cars. All they're doing is capitalizing on each other's strengths. However, the more Nissan and Chrysler snuggle-up together, the more it seems that Nissan is testing the waters for establishing an American partner– something Carlos Ghosn has promised, eventually. Don't be surprised if in the next few years you hear that Chrysler's building vans for Nissan or that Nissan's supplying Altima drivetrain components for the Sebring/Avenger. And when Cerberus starts the flip 'n strip with Chrysler, Nissan will be right there to pick up the pieces. You heard it here first.

Car buyers to face tougher time securing loans

Saturday, April 12, 2008 Robert Schoenberger Plain Dealer Reporter

If your credit isn't perfect, get ready for a tougher time buying a car. You may have to make a bigger down payment, and you'll probably pay more every month. Lenders nationwide are tightening their standards for auto loans, which means more rejections, shorter loans and higher interest rates.

For the first time in nearly a decade, dealers are telling large numbers of buyers that they can't afford the cars they want. CitiGroup this week slashed about 800 jobs in its auto-lending business and says it plans to cut the number of loans it offers. CitiGroup's move followed cutbacks and altered credit terms by virtually all the lenders that specialize in less-than-ideal credit risks in the auto market.

"People with decent credit aren't able to get the terms they think they should get," said Michelle Primm, managing partner of the Cascade Auto Group in Cuyahoga Falls and a special director of the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Mary Kay Bean, spokeswoman for JP Morgan Chase, said her company is demanding bigger down payments and will not write loans longer than 72 months for buyers with lower credit scores. Some buyers looking for new midsize sedans are leaving in used compact cars. Some buyers can't even afford that.

Bill Miller, a Cleveland State University student who works full time as a mechanical engineer, said he tried to buy a car a few months ago and couldn't get credit anywhere. As a college student with a C-minus credit rating and some credit card debt, he knew that getting a loan would be a challenge. But he didn't think $7,000 for a used car would be impossible. He wanted to buy the car with his fiancée so she could drive to work. Instead, he takes long lunch breaks to drop her off. "We were declined and declined and declined. I thought I rebuilt my credit, at least to the point of getting a car loan," Miller said. "I guess not"

Scott McKown, finance and insurance director for the Classic Auto Group in Mentor, said competition among lenders as recently as last year allowed dealerships to sell cars to people who historically couldn't afford them. "In a lot of cases, we'd say, Boy, I hope the customer can pay this,' " after seeing the loan terms, McKown said. "These guys tended to specialize in that low end of the business."

The loan tightening could lead to lower car sales in a year that is already shaping up to be the worst for auto sales in more than a decade. As with the collapse of the mortgage business, lenders blame the tightening of auto credit terms on Wall Street.

Until this year, lenders such as HSBC, AmeriCredit, CitiGroup and others would package their auto loans and sell them to investors, who would make their money from borrowers' interest payments. But with the collapse of the mortgage market, investors no longer want to buy loans, especially loans made to buyers with shaky credit. Without the ability to sell their loans, AmeriCredit and others don't have enough cash to make as many loans. So they're being more selective.

Even Ford Motor Credit, General Motors Acceptance Corp. and other lenders affiliated with automakers say they're looking a little harder at each transaction. But those companies tend to stick to the best borrowers, so dealers said the effect of those changes has been minimal.

Some dealers said the stricter loan terms are healthy and necessary. "When you have dealers that say they can get anybody a loan, they're selling financing," said Pat O'Brien, owner of Chevrolet dealerships in Medina, Willoughby and Westlake. "They're not selling the car." He added that loan terms offered to people with poor credit were often so bad that they would have been better off not buying. "They're taking real advantage of the person who could least afford it," O'Brien said.

Primm of Cascade Auto Group said she isn't happy about scrambling to get financing for her customers, but she said the terms make a lot more sense than the loans common a year ago. "Shorter terms and bigger down payments are good things," she said. "You shouldn't go 72 months on a car [loan] when people only own their cars for three or four years."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

rschoenb@plaind.com, 216-999-4059

Original article can be found here: http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/business-6/120798933622270.xml&coll=2&thispage=1

Ethanol Causes Global Warming

By Stein X LeikangerFebruary 13, 2008 - 22,727 Views

Politicians around the world were up against the wall. The World Trade Organization (WTO) was slowly picking away at all their fancy ways of sidetracking public funds into hopelessly anachronistic and inefficient agricultural subsidies. And the agribusiness beats the mil/industrial complex when it comes to lobbying skills. Even French politicians, famous for ignoring the plight of their people, tremble at the thought of another tractor phalanx of mad farmers pulling up in front of the National Assembly and launching putrid brie at their doorstep. Enter Peak Oil.
The WTO rulings are in place to regulate reasonable and equal trading practices between nations. But they cannot proscribe internal actions designed to protect the national infrastructure against potential disruptions. Running out of oil is one such potential downer. Enter a substitute that "solved" two problems at once:
1) How to keep moving money to the agribusiness without the WTO getting pesky.
2) Providing a palliative against Peak Oil. "See, we'll be driving on corn on the cob instead. Nothing has to change."
Well, now maybe it will have to. Bioethanol is a wildly inefficient way of propelling anything, whether aqua, auto or aero. Even in the most benign scenarios, the energy efficiency is pretty much 1:1. Add the fact that you're converting land from growing crops for food to growing fuel for cars, and you have a potential problem on your hands. To wit: rising food prices.
Turns out ethanol is bad in so many ways you don't even want to BEGIN thinking about it. Fortunately, we have people who are willing to do both the thinking and the research for us. The journal Science has just published two papers indicating that clearing land for biofuels will aid global warming.
Wouldn't you know it, the very thing that is going to cure us will kill us faster? Researchers from Princeton University, Woods Hole Research Center and Iowa State University (smack dab in the heart of E85 country) have all concluded that over 30 years, the use of traditional corn-based ethanol will produce twice as much greenhouse gas emissions as regular gasoline.
In the words of the report’s lead author, “this is not good news.” Surprise! There are hidden environmental costs to producing biofuels. "The land we're likely to plow up is the land that we've had taking up carbon for decades," Tim Searchinger at Princeton pronounced. "We can't get to a result, no matter how heroically we make assumptions on behalf of corn ethanol, where it will actually generate greenhouse-gas benefits."
Meanwhile, the governementos of the world are sleeping soundly in the knowledge that they have done a good thing, keeping rotting agricultural produce off the Capitol steps and letting people motor as usual.
Over at the Casa Blanca, the chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality isn’t surrendering the federal tit without a fight. James L. Connaughton says biofuels' benefits remain tangible.
"Like any issue, there are ways to do it right and there are ways to do things wrong, and the same is the case to biofuels. We move as rapidly as we can to second-generation [biofuels] because those offer the best opportunity for a low environmental profile."
And the Executive VP of the Biotechnology Industry Organization couldn't agree more. "It is much more logical to produce biofuels that recycle carbon,” Brent Erickson insisted. “Even if a short-term carbon debt is created. Even if it's 167 years, you're still better off than burning oil that can never be paid off."
He could have added that biofuels also offers the best opportunity for an abysmal energy ROI. Kind of like buying Eli Manning out of the Giants because you need someone to throw warmups to your starting High-School quarterback.
Michael O'Hare, who really knows his biofuels, is glum. Yes, another academic, from Berkeley of all places. What does he know?
"The bottom line of these complicated chains of events is that using crops for biofuels anywhere induces land use changes somewhere, and while the effect isn't a simple acre-for-acre replacement, and we don't know exactly how big the land-clearing carbon hit should be for a generic gallon of biodiesel or bioethanol, betting now is that it is most unlikely to be small enough to view crop-based biofuels as green substitutes for petroleum."
Well, doesn't that throw a wrench in the spokes of politicos and car honchos alike? Not to mention members of the green mafia who have been seduced by the notion they were supporting agriculture over oil wars.
It's worth restating. All those of us now alive have enjoyed an extended period with ridiculously effective energy readily available at an unbelievably low price. There are no viable substitutes to the energy efficiency of petroleum, and demand is outstripping supply, and faster than we'd like to think. What next? Sorry, but there is no easy answer.

Article courtesy of The Truth About Cars

Please visit The Truth About Cars website to read viewer comments and see original article : http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/ethanol-causes-global-warming/

Spring Car Cleaning The Auto Detailing Way

With Spring right around the corner it's time to start thinking about car care again. It has been a long, cold and snowy Canadian winter for us here in Guelph, Ontario. What many people fail to recognize is the fact that during the winter months their car has been bombarded with elements that can destroy a car both inside and out left untreated or improperly treated it can cause permanent damage to your vehicle.

Many people tend to go through commercial car washes throughout the winter to wash away road salt and while this does help aid in the preservation of the vehicle it doesn't supply ample protection against it if a car doesn't have a both a high quality exterior paint protection package and a proven rust prevention system. Automobiles without these protective systems are at high risk of damage even with regular washings. Many commercial car washes recycle water and for the unprotected car that means trouble because that recycled water may contain salt and rust . To make problems worse when you get that hot wax you are sealing in foreign matter into the paint that will cause both erosion and corrosion of the surfaces. For those cars with protection the exterior should still be properly decontaminated to eliminate all foreign particles that have been sealed into the paint.

Regardless of whether your car has protection or not it is always best to have your car professionally detailed at least twice a year. Complete automotive detailing in Spring and Fall is not only an added insurance to help preserve the value and longevity of your vehicle it is a healthy decision.

It amazes me that people fail to acknowledge what the winter does to the inside of the car. Winter is wet, cold and damp, when you step inside your vehicle with snowy boots it melts inside the automobile and during the course of the winter condensation builds up. Research has proven that people are getting sick from their cars because this damp, unhealthy environment breeds bacteria and mold. It has even been said that cars can carry flu germs making you or your family members sick and allergy sufferers can have persistent problems due to mold. But this is just one reason to have the interior of your vehicle professionally detailed. The other reason is that the water, salt and sand debris decay the interior components. The carpet builds up with salt residue leaving a big white mark sometimes even crusting over the carpet - left untreated it can permanently stain the carpet or even worse the carpet fibers can fall away from the carpet backing all together leaving a huge bald hole. Plastic & rubber components are also affected they can become decayed, etched or dried out to the point where they will crystallize and crack.

Spring car care is essential in order to maintain both the appearance of the vehicle and to reduce costly repairs. A quick detail such as a wash and vacuum or job done by an amateur can't provide the overall care your car requires. A professional automotive detail can reduce damage by properly cleaning and treating every surface of your car restoring it back to as like new condition as it can be.

With the poor state of the economy car sales have plunged over the last quarter and more people have turned to auto detailing than ever before. People just can't afford to loose money on vehicles anymore. They being cautious by taking greater car of the vehicle they have because money is in short supply, interest rates are high, employment unsteady and everyone seems to be living on the edge of a credit system .

Diamond Detailing Guelph's Finest Automotive Reconditioning Technician can help you maintain a healthy environment in your car, preserve the longevity and the value of your vehicle. We are now taking complete auto detailing appointments for spring cleaning. Please give us a call to book at least a few days in advance as we do book up quickly. Diamond Detailing only performs professional detailing services not quickie cleans so we will require your vehicle to be here at 8am and we will have completed and dried at the end of the day. Quality isn't expensive it's priceless!
Diamond Detailing Automotive Reconditioning Technician
355 Elmira Rd North Unit 139 in the Melran Mall
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
(519) 824-3915 ask for Romeo

Coming up for air

I know its been awhile since my last post, but I've been too busy at the shop this summer to really check in. In all my years of detailing, I've never been so swamped with work - all summer we were booked in advance. The summer months treated us well, but it has been a lot of hard work and a lot of hours spent at the shop. People came from all over Ontario and some from the U.S just to have their cars detailed and tinted by Diamond Detailing. As the word and proof of our work gets out, the bigger our client base gets; and that means I have little time to concentrate on anything but detailing. So I do apologize for not getting here or being able to update the Diamond Detailing website as often as I know you all would like.

As Autumn approaches it seems the pace will continue. As with the summer months our schedule is filling up quickly. It seems people are becoming more and more car care conscious - protecting their investments against the elements. The number of bookings we've made already made for Platinum Complete Detail packages, Paint Sealant, Fabric Guard, Vinyl Protection and the huge calling for Platinum Protection Rust Modules has left us to believe this Fall will be as crazy as the summer.

In addition to bookings, Christmas Gift Certificate sales have already started - it's gonna be a crazzzy year! I don't think I've ever seen gift certificate sales so high. In speaking with our clients who have purchased them they have said "it is the ultimate gift because it is something that people need and want done, but don't know where to go for professional results. When they get the car detailed they are in absolute amazement and feel like they've been given a new car all over again. "

Our retail clients and the Guelph car dealerships that we provide services for deserve a special thank-you because you have made this summer an eventful one. It has been with your support and your recommendations that we have continued to grow. In addition we wanted to thank everyone who took the time to nominate us as the 2007 Best Car Detailing center in Guelph for both the Guelph Mercury and the Guelph Tribune. We hope that we continue to earn your support during the voting phase of each of the Readers Choice awards.

I hope that each and everyone of you had a wonderful summer!

What is fabric protection and why do I need it for my car?

Fabric protection is a coating that penetrates into each fiber of your car upholstery. It forms an invisible barrier that protects against permanent damage resulting from debris (water, moisture, salt, dirt and various spills) and preserves the color, life and beauty of your carpet and upholstery. Upholstery treated with high quality, professional grade, fabric protection gives the vehicle owner time to clean spills before they become stains and protects against ultra violet discoloration, moisture absorption, mold and mildew.

Fabric protection is a valuable investment that no car owner should do without; especially in today's world. People spend more time in thier vehicles, therefore the vehicle becomes dirtier, is more vulnerable to spills and the measure of wear and tear will be greater. Fabric protection prevents pre-mature aging and inhibits the penetration of spills such as coffee, pop, water, tea, milk and juices without affecting the natural appearance or texture of the fiber.

Fabric protection helps to maintain the vehicle's appearance and aids in the resale value. An unprotected car interior will deteriorate quicker, be reduced in value, could lead to costly repairs and requires more frequent and thorough cleanings.Read the entire article about fabric protection here > Guelph Automotive Fabric Protection - By Guelph Auto Detailing Expert Diamond Detailing

Deadly pathogens in your car are a possiblity

A while back we had a client who had spilled raw unprocessed milk for making cheese in his van. The retired gentleman had taken his vehicle to an express detail shop to be cleaned and the odor removed but they failed to complete the task properly so he came to us for our help.

He explained he was living on a pension and the cheese he makes was quite costly to produce - in fact, he could buy it cheaper at the store; but loved making it himself. So he had gone out to a farm bought 4 gallons of milk and on the way home the bucket spilled over. He went on to explain that he was so upset at himself because his hobby had cost him so much. Between having to re-buy the milk, paying the express detail shop for a job that they didn't do right and having to pay us that his batch of cheese had become the most expensive cheese in the world.

We felt badly for him. The express detail shop should have never taken on that project. They are not equipped or knowledgeable enough to deal with a catastrophe like this. Spot shampooing the carpet, spraying it with air freshener and running the air does not resolve anything. The carpets and underlay were full of mold and the smell was beyond words. View the photos to see what the other shop left behind.

This vehicle recon was a huge undertaking. We had to completely gut this van. After removing the carpet it was given several cleanings to eliminate stains and ensure that the milk was completely removed from carpet and underlay. The van itself had to be completely cleaned using a medical grade antibacterial/anti-fungal solution. A three step system was used to decontaminate the contents and the air. The treatment we used is one that is utilized by hospitals to disinfect laundry, food areas and to make surgical rooms sterile. The first step was to decontaminate the empty van including the ac/heat and vent system. This ensures that there is no chance for mold, bacteria or odor regrowth. Once the carpet and freshly cleaned seats had gone through the drying process, they underwent the same decontamination process. Upon completion everything was placed back inside the vehicle, along with the freshly cleaned seats for a final decontamination and then allowed to air out.

We had the vehicle for 3 days, when he came to pick it we showed him the photo's and explained the entire process to him. He was disgusted by what he saw in the pictures, but he was elated by the final result. He couldn't thank us enough and kept insisting that he should pay us more because he had no idea how in depth the process was going to be. We declined his offer and he ended up taking a pile of business cards to hand out to people he knew. "Give trust, and you'll get it double in return" quoted by Kees Kamies

This story appalls me because the other shop had sold him on a service they could not perform. They lacked the equipment, chemicals, knowledge & training therefore they had no business performing this task. Instead of telling him they couldn't do it or refer him to someone that could they took his money. This in itself is a crime but that isn't the worst of it. In doing so, they put this mans' health at risk. Raw milk can carry salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 or listeria. If this milk contained any of these pathogens this man, his wife, grandchildren or anyone else in the van who made contact with it; would have been exposed to deadly pathogens. Something as simple as his grandson rubbing his hands on the carpet; could have transferred deadly bacteria onto his hands and in the event he didn't wash them, he could have transferred them to his mouth, food or another person through contact.

This is a serious issue and one that should be a lesson to all amateur detailers out there. When you are cleaning a car you must factor in the health risks for both the client and yourself. This includes the chemicals & equipment you use, the protection you wear and the process you utilize. Failure to eliminate possible hazards is a risk to your clients that you don't want to take; nor do you want to create a problem.

You must understand chemistry and be knowledgeable about the chemicals you use. Learn what health risks may be associated with them if any, use them as directed, do your research and always wear the necessary protective gear to protect yourself from exposure. A good example would be using ammonia and bleach (although I would hope you wouldn't ever be using these in a car) but if you did, you could be manufacturing a deadly gas that could cause you or your client to have respiratory failure. Certain chemicals may be poisonous to animals and small children. Several chemicals can be potentially dangerous to individuals with allergies and asthma; so keep this in mind to prevent accidents.

A professional detailer must also have the knowledge, training and equipment to deal with everything including bio-hazards. Failure to meet these requirements puts your health and the health of others at risk. Blood borne pathogens can include but are not limited to hepatitis.

Over the years I have been exposed to many toxic, bio-hazardous and potentially dangerous scenarios including toxic substances, mold, bacteria, syringes, blood, vomit, feces, urine and viruses... but because I assume the risk is there, I protect myself as best I can before it is too late. You don't know where a car has been, what mold, bacteria, fungus, toxins and gases exist so you must take precaution.

Detailers who aren't experienced or knowledgeable enough to effectively or safely remove them, should abstain completely and let the real professional detailers do the job. I have a greater respect for people who admit they can't do something than those who take someone's money and wing it. No one wins when you fail and no money is worth jeopardizing your health or that of someone else !

Diamond Detailing Expanding

It's official Diamond Detailing is expanding. I am thrilled to announce that Diamond Detailing has purchased a property in Guelph and another in Toronto. This new acquisition will enable Diamond Detailing Automotive Reconditioning Technician to continue in it's successful growth.

The newly obtained Toronto location is a huge undertaking. The 7000sq foot building will be completely renovated over the next year to transform it into our professional detailing school. The Diamond Detailing Automotive Reconditioning Technical School will be the first of it's kind in North America, possibly the world and will cater to automotive detailer's worldwide. As with everything that we do we want it to be the best. This will not be the average detailing school it will be much more. Tuition fees will be very high and the course lengthy. Strict registration requirements into the course must be met before an a student can be enrolled. This detailing course will be more intense than anything offered at traditional detailing classes and will not be for the weak at heart. It is a grueling course designed for students who have professional detailing experience that want to take it to the next level. The estimated duration of the course will be 12 months - yes, that's right twelve month's. Diamond Detailing has negotiation plans on the table with exotic car, marine, aircraft, RV and motorcycle manufacturers, world renowned automotive finishing experts and other Master detailers to add educational value to the course.

Plans for the new Guelph location is another project in the works that will begin later this summer. Plans and location for the Guelph expansion will remain top secret until the project is ready to open but a sneak preview into the project suggests that Diamond Detailing will be taking the Professional Detailing Industry to new heights. No we are not franchising - not even close. We've got something else in mind. The 355 Elmira Rd North Unit 139 location in Guelph where Diamond Detailing Automotive Reconditioning Technician currently resides will remain as the main location - so nothing will change there.

It has been a busy year working at my shop, teaching private detailing courses, being commisioned to perform some work in the US and in addition to that I have been running back and forth to Toronto to meet with realtors, lawyers, contacting the right Government departments, corresponding with everyone we need to make these projects come to life and writing a book but it has been a fantastic experience. The thing I will miss most over the next year will be the inability to fly down to the US to perform classes or detailing because I simply won't have the time. Once the projects are up and running and with careful scheduling I will again be able to accommodate my American clients.

I must say I am lucky to have a wife that is business orientated, talented, willing to stand by, lend a hand and push me out the door to get me where I need to be. I don't think I could have gotten through the past year without her. She has done an extraordinary job calculating, planning and scheduling my time to ensure that the reputation, service and workmanship at Diamond Detailing remain at the top. I can say with confidence that I have no mental reservations about being able to split up my time between the new projects and the main location - Diamond Detailing will not suffer or do without me. The Elmira Rd location is where my heart and soul resides because it is there that I get to do what I really love and talk with my clients.

To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping...

Pro's VS The Joe's

Well my latest blog Amateur poachers a disgrace to the auto detailing industry stirred up quite a buzz. I have received positive feedback from several people, but the one I want to talk about is the one titled pro's detailers vs the jo detailers 1-0. A detailer in Toronto just wanted to say that it was about time someone stood up to expose the truth and begin educating customers. He said the industry needs to be redefined to separate the amateurs from the pro's because all to many times he has seen shops sell themselves as professional detailers with 9 years experience but their workmanship is no more than that of amateur level. He added that time alone does not make you a professional and I must agree.

I too, have met many who think that the time factor alone makes them a professional. In fact, I spoke to one today who is local in the city. These guys took 3 month's training, bought a franchise and now they are pro's. This amazes me; these people who wash cars, do express details or have nothing more than amateur skills to offer, honestly believe they are professional detailers and sell themselves as such. What's worse is the customers buy into it and end up paying these amateurs to damage their cars. This is why consumer education is so important. Clients need to be aware of the potential risks they are taking when they contract unskilled car cleaners and be able to see the difference between what the pseudo pro and a real pro or master can do. Once customers have experienced the difference, see the financial rewards and the long-term outcome of having a real professional care for their car they will never turn back.

I also received other emails from people who just wanted to share their car detailing horror stories. Each one is important and unfortunate. I feel badly for these people but the stories they told are not unlike the ones I hear on a daily basis. Individuals sold them on a valued professional service, took their money only to deliver less than professional results and in many cases their prized possessions were marred.

I should add that some of these people wanted to know the who and where of it all but I'll tell you the same thing I told them - as much as I would like to put a stop to bad business practices I can't name names. It isn't my responsibility to tell you who to avoid. It is ultimately up to the consumer to figure out who is a pro auto detailer and who is a joe detailer. All I can do is recommend other professionals.

Sometimes questions are more important than the answers

Yesterday a client asked me a few questions, one of which was whether or not I found auto detailing competitive in Guelph in regards to business's who offer services at a lower price.

My answer was no. To be competitive you must have two or more businesses who are equivalent in ethics, quality, skills and price. You can not make equal that which is unequal. What people are getting here is a winning combination of premium car care - if I ever changed it my customers would notice.

There is a big difference between the chemicals and equipment Diamond Detailing uses compared to those used at car washes and express detail locations. I don't shop for price - I shop for quality. My workmanship must surpass the materials that I use in order to achieve excellence. Excellence is is an art that requires time and develops from training, experience and knowledge.

Price is what you pay; the value is what you receive. The result of quality workmanship is not an act; it is a habit that is long remembered after the price is forgotten. Car washes, amateurs and express detailing shops offer cheaper prices and do undercut us but the truth is we have higher prices because we offer premium detailing services - they have lower prices for less quality. Where quality is the thing sought after there is no comparison. If you think it's expensive to hire a professional detailer to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur! The result can be costly.

Diamond Detailing is a professional detailing business that customers value. Premium car care products, first class service, master skills and continuing client education has allowed us to expand the market to include consumers who, until now, may have been hesitant to make a significant investment to preserve the value of their assets. Consumers work hard for their vehicles and deserve to have them protected by the highest standards.

After a long drawn out answer the man asked me if I enjoy my job. Absolutely I answered. A business that only makes money is a poor business to be in. I am a firm believer that you must have your heart in the business and the business in your heart. People only do well at those things that they truly enjoy - it is almost impossible to excel when the soul is dead. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.