Vendor Newsmaker Q&A Chad Zani

Sept. 13, 2017
As national franchising manager at the Detail Garage chain, Chad Zani assists franchisees in preparing educational events and marketing initiatives aimed at promoting car care products from parent-company Chemical Guys.

As national franchising manager at the Detail Garage chain, Chad Zani assists franchisees in preparing educational events and marketing initiatives aimed at promoting car care products from parent-company Chemical Guys, a California-based global supplier selling into more than 60 nations.

Responding to questions posed by Aftermarket Business World, Zani recently described what it takes to professionally detail a customer’s car.

Q: How much should a detailer charge for a complete detail?

A: Prices will vary depending on the job. It is always important to explain to your customer what the services available are. A wash followed by a clay and polish has a countrywide average between $140-$220 for a retail client, and $75-$105 for a wholesale detail for a high-volume used-car dealer. Be prepared to charge a lot more depending on the condition of the paint and the amount of time required. If the final steps require a sealant or a high-gloss paste wax the prices will be much higher.

Q. How often should a car be detailed?

A. Many of our clients detail their car every weekend. We recommend that a vehicle be detailed at least three times per year due to the harsh outdoor elements.

Q. What makes a Detail Garage franchise a viable investment? What makes it unique?

A. There are many reasons I feel our opportunity is unique, but keeping it to three simple points:

1. Our brands, such as Chemical Guys, Smartwax, Torq, Hex-Logic and other exclusive products and accessories, have a massive online following and globally growing fan base.

2. Our affordable franchise fee and retail concept are designed to generate a higher return-on-investment.

3. Our “family” based values and teamwork.

Twice a month, each store will do a basic course and an advanced course to help their local community of car owners take better care of their vehicles, and this is another one of the aspects of Detail Garage that makes the stores unique.

Q. What qualities do you look for when recruiting a Detail Garage franchisee?

A. Someone who is passionate about car care, and all things auto; the sort of person who admires many different makes and models, but most likely has their favorite car, motorbike and boat models. They need to be a people-person and have a strong desire to be a positive contributor to their local community. They are the kind of person who has always had the best-looking car on their street.

Q: What are some of your recommended techniques for professional detailing?

A: The most important thing to remember is that every time you wash, clean or detail a car it is a possibility you can create scratches and swirl marks. That is why we recommend a very simple yet effective process:

Always use high-quality microfiber towels and washing accessories. Sponges, cotton towels and other “old-school” cleaning processes do not protect your paint as effectively as microfiber.

If you are going to wash a car with a bucket, it must have a Cyclone dirt trap in the bottom of the bucket to prevent dirt from rising up from the bottom back onto your wash mitt or microfiber towel. Preferably use a two-bucket system, both with Cyclone dirt traps to reduce the chance of accidental scratching. Scrub your wash mitt in the first bucket and rinse it in the second bucket before returning the wash mitt to the surface of the car. You should wash your mitt after each door or panel to reduce the chances of scratching.

Using a foam cannon or other high-pressure soaping and rinsing can help remove large pieces of contamination from the car’s surface to further reduce the chance of scratching.

Using one of our ranges of car wash solutions is better than traditional soaps, as they are designed to encapsulate the dirt and lubricate the surface to reduce scratching.

Dry the car with a microfiber drying towel, not a chamois.

Once dry you can use the clay bar and polish, wax or seal the car to maintain its appearance.

Following this system will ensure that every time you wash a car you are enhancing its appearance, not making it worse.

Q: What is a water recovery mat?

A: Chemical Guys Professional & Responsible containment mats are ideal for capturing and containing water for prevention of runoff into water supplies, storm drains or anywhere an environmental issue may be of concern or extra precautions need to be taken.

Water containment, water collection, water reclamation and water recovery systems help save the environment while limiting the impact of water waste while washing or detailing. The Premium Chemical Guys Water Containment mats keep you and your business environmentally compliant while detailing or washing virtually anywhere.

Q: Is a water recovery mat necessary?

A: Yes. Your state may or may not require one, but protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility. Also, many businesses do not allow water runoff, so being prepared for what any job calls for is important.

Q: How does a vehicle’s finish become oxidized?

A: Oxidation occurs for many reasons. Airborne contaminants like tree sap, rail dust, airplane fallout, exhaust pollution, catalytic converter resin, bugs and many other airborne contaminants get stuck into your paint. Simply leaving a car in a highly polluted area or driving on regular roads can greatly impact your paint.

Q: How do you determine if the paint is oxidized?

A: Simply wash the car with a good wash and towel dry it. Once it is dry give it the “feel test” – simply glide your hand gently across the paint. If you hear a rough scratching sound or you can feel your hand gripping against a rough paint surface it may be contaminated. If your customer drives a car daily and it has not been clayed in more than 6 months, it will probably be contaminated.

Q: How are oxidation and contaminants removed from the paint?

A: Oxidation you can feel can be removed with a clay bar or a Clayblock. Paint oxidation can also be removed with a compound or a polish, but this should only be attempted after the surface is clayed.

Q: What is a Clayblock?

A: A Clayblock is quite possibly the best substitute for traditional harder-to-use products. Finally, an alternative to detailing clay products that works better, easier and more effectively. A Clayblock can be used on a lot more then painted surfaces, from glass to chrome and wheels.

Q: Will a Clayblock remove scratches?

A: No, clay bars and Clayblocks will only remove surface contamination, which often you can’t see but you can feel. Scratches come in two forms, micro swirls and actual scratches. Micro swirling comes from improper cleaning, and scratches are an absence of paint. It is often impossible to remove an absence of something, but you can make these less noticeable.

Q: Once removed, how can oxidation be prevented from reoccurring?

A: Once the paint looks good it is important to protect it with a coat of wax, or ideally a long-lasting paint sealant like Jetseal. Paint sealants seal in paint and protect it from the elements, and our range of pure carnauba waxes have natural UV inhibitors to reduce the damage from the sun and other contaminants.

Q: When should a surface evaluation be conducted?

A: Surface evaluation is usually done after you’ve washed and dried the car.

Q: What steps should be followed when doing a surface evaluation?

A: 1. Wash and dry the vehicle.

2. Feel the paint and listen to the sound you hear as you glide your hand across the paint.

3. Analyze the brightness and brilliance of the color.

4. Make notes on swirl marks, surface scratches, fading, oxidation, overspray and other paint blemishes and imperfections.

Q: What are water spots and where do they come from?

A: Water spots are caused by dissolved minerals in water. Calcium carbonate (sometimes called lime) is the most common and appears white and chalky when dry. These minerals form ions when dissolved in water; when the water evaporates it leaves the minerals behind. That’s why water heaters, coffee pots and humidifiers get coated with minerals over time. The harder your water, the more dissolved minerals you’ll have.

With the lack of rainfall in many cities, water spots are getting worse as the ground water becomes more concentrated with minerals due to a lack of fresh water replenishment.

Q: How can water spots be prevented?

A: Remove the water before it evaporates. If you dry a surface with an absorbent material like a microfiber towel, the minerals are absorbed with the water, so no water spots occur. Keep a bottle of quick detail spray handy for such a problem, as this will lay down a thin layer of wax every time you use it and help prevent scratching during the drying process.

Q: There are white water spots all over the car; should I compound it?

A: No! Start by washing the vehicle and using Chemical Guys Water Spot Remover. Rubbing the paint will scratch it! Never compound until you have cleaned and clayed the car.

Q. Can a random orbit machine polish like a rotary?

A. Up to a point it can. You can control the aggressiveness of the cut by using various grade compounds. However, random orbit machines have their limitations in terms of cutting ability; when more cut is required switch to a high-speed buffer.

Q. When should a random orbit machine be used?

A. When the paint is in good condition or as a final wax on/wax off scenario.

Q. What are the characteristics of the differing buffers used for detailing?

A: There are several types of buffers popular today with the professional detailer. The first is the rotary high-speed buffer. Ranging from below 1,000 rpm to 3,000 rpm, most have a variable trigger device to regulate speed. This is the most popular machine at any shop, but care must be taken to prevent too much friction and “burn” the paint.

This machine requires skill to operate, but once the operator becomes proficient it is a very effective and time-saving tool. The most common attachment for this machine is a hook & loop backing plate. This accommodates grip buffing pads. A secondary attachment system is the old-style connection device, the bolt-on rubber plate.

The next machine used in the reconditioning process is the random orbit machine; rpm ranges vary, but this machine creates a movement like a planet on a lopsided orbit. The movement does not build up as much heat like a rotary buffer so it’s safe in the hands of a beginner. However, it can’t replace the high-speed buffer because it can’t cut as aggressively. Random orbitals are commonly used with smaller foam pads during the finishing stage.

The orbital rotation of a professional gear-driven buffer simulates the circular movement of the human hand while polishing. At the same time, the polisher’s highly smooth running facilitates a careful, precise finish and even offers what is necessary for hologram-free polishing. That’s just what this polisher, with its ergonomically designed knob handle, was made for.

The positive drive of a gear-driven buffer ensures a uniform movement, even under load, thanks to constant lift. Taken in conjunction with the large stroke length there is also the possibility of removing existing holograms from black finishes. Thanks to the direct orbital drive, very little heat develops on the surface, which is ideally suited to temperature-sensitive finishes. The accelerator trigger switch and speed selection allow for a controlled acceleration to the optimal speed.

Subscribe to Aftermarket Business World and receive articles like this every month….absolutely free. Click here.

Sponsored Recommendations

ZEUS+: The Cutting-Edge Diagnostic Solution for Smart, Fast, and Efficient Auto Repairs

The new ZEUS+ simplifies your diagnostic process and guides you through the right repair, avoiding unnecessary steps along the way. It gives you the software coverage, processing...

Diagnostic Pre- and Post-scan Reports are Solid Gold for Profitability

The following article highlights the significance of pre-scans and post-scans, particularly with Snap-on scan tools, showcasing their efficiency in diagnosing issues and preventing...

Unlock Precision and Certainty: TRITON-D10 Webinar Training for Advanced Vehicle Diagnostics

The TRITON-D10 lets you dig deep into the systems of a vehicle and evaluate performance with comparative data, systematically eliminating the unnecessary to provide you with only...

APOLLO-D9: Trustworthy Diagnostics for Precision Repairs

The APOLLO-D9 provides the diagnostic information and resources you need to get the job done. No more hunting through forums or endlessly searching to find the right answers. ...

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Vehicle Service Pros, create an account today!