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 !

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.

Amateur poachers a disgrace to the auto detailing industry

Back in autumn I received a phone call from a female at an express detail shop situated in Guelph. She claimed she had a customer who needed their car high speed polished and wanted to send him down to me but said she needed a price. I gave it to her and had what I thought was a nice conversation about the business. Shortly after, I learned that I had been duped into giving her my prices so she could offer services at prices that undercut me.

Then two weeks ago, my landlord told me he had just received the oddest call. A women commercial car wash that runs an express detailing center at a gas station called asking to rent your unit. I asked who it was and immediately I started to laugh. We figured she was just trying to cause some kind of chaos with me and my landlord. Within the hour her partner strolled into my shop. I was delivering cars back to the dealerships but my wife, who is very intuitive, went to the front and immediately knew who he was even before he announced himself. He said his name and told her he worked for this woman at the gas station as an express detailer. He went on to say he doesn't get into the big detailing end of it . I just do express detailing, wash, windows, vacuum - nothing like the professional stuff you do he said. My wife kinda nodded and laughed. Then he proceeded to tell her the little angel he works with highly recommended us for window tinting and he wanted a price on how much it was to tint his PT Cruiser. Well my wife knew what game he was playing and told him that I would have to see the car to be able to give him the quote. She took his phone number and I called him when I returned. This time he told me it was one of the dealerships we have done some tinting services for that recommended me. I told him I needed to see the vehicle to give a price. He said he would bring it by and never came around again.

Last week one of my contracted window tint installers called me to ask if I knew this woman. I said yes I know of her. He told me she had called him 2 days in a row to get quotes on what he would charge her to do tint jobs at her shop. Then she asked him if he tinted at one of the dealerships. He told her no. She said do you tint for Diamond Detailing he replied yes why. Her answer was I don't like him I think he is an asshole.

Well I guess the only thing worse than people talking bad about you is when no one talks at all. I still can't figure out why she would say that because I have talked to her once in my life and I wasn't the one slithering around misrepresenting myself to get prices and undercut anyone but hey each to their own.

If she had of come to me on the up and up to ask me what my prices were I would have happily given them to her. If she can sell her services for less money good for her - as long as she is informing her clients that her skills aren't at a professional level and what risks they are taking by paying an amateur to do a professionals job. I am sure that isn't the case though. Like so many others, the 2 of them became part of that detailing phenomenon - where the amateur detailer magically becomes a professional overnight.

The thing that the two of them fail to understand is that I do not cater to price shoppers . We cater to clients who understand the value and the financial rewards associated with Master detailing services. Our clients are educated about proper auto care and want to protect their investment. Our clients know a pro detail job when they see it. They aren't seeking low price - low quality workmanship. They know that damage can occur from having amateurs work on their cars and totally reject the idea of a detail shop running their vehicle through a commercial car wash for a quick soap , spray and wax before they do a second rate detail.

Are they that desperate for clients? If so they should have just told me me. I could have referred at least 30 people a day who are looking for cheap work and don't care about quality.
It's unfortunate that there are posers like this in the industry. I feel sickened by it. It is disrespectful to others that are real professionals and masters because they have earned their reputation through training, experience, time and skilled workmanship. But the greater evil is the disservice to the consumers who don't know any better. The misrepresentation of themselves and their services borders on being fraudulent.

I included this example today as an education about the type of car care available and the type of people who perform it. It's not that I think there shouldn't be express detailing services - I just believe that if this is what you offer, it is your responsibility to educate your clients on the long-term and negative effects of this type of service. In addition to this, the people who operate these services should not be trying to pass themselves or their services off for something they aren't. The idea that you can't lose contact with the leaders has cut more throats than it has saved.

When I encounter a true professional who has earned the right to the title I have no problem acknowledging it and do recommend them if I am unable to take on a project. Consumers have the right to be educated and with this lesson comes one final piece of information - shops offering substantially lower prices is an indication as to the level of skill they have achieved and will execute. A true professional charges premium prices because he the services he offers are like an extended warranty that helps to protect the value of a vehicle.

Word of wisdom for the day - "Don't just envy another's good name; to become a master; you must learn from a master all that he has learned, work as hard as the master has worked, put in your time just as the master did, and then you can emulate the work that helped earn him his title."