[picus]

Hi everyone; I contacted the site admins about advertising on the forum, but haven't received a reply. Mods; if this post violates any rules please feel free to remove!

Alright, so why am I posting? First, I'm a BMW owner, second I'm on e90post because I'm going to be receiving my new BMW soon. Third, I'm a mobile detailer in the GTA and wanted to, well, advertise my services to the local forum.

You can see my work/prices at my website: http://gtaindetail.com . A little about me; I've been detailing for almost 9 years now. I started in San Francisco in a high volume shop, then after 2 years began my own mobile-detailing business. Last June I moved to Toronto and decided to start the business again this April. If you have any questions about cars I've worked on, processes or products I use, or any detailing related questions, just let me know. I like talking shop.

If anyone would like references I have many local clients I can put you in touch with, or forum threads I can point you to.

Also, since I do intend to become an e90post sponsor I'd like to offer 10% off all prices to e90post members.

Best regards,

Kevin

[picus]

Hey everyone; I got a couple PM's and e-mails asking me about the products I use. It's good to see you're all interested in the "details of detailing". Here is some info:

I have over 40 waxes and sealants that I use depending on the color of the car, whether the paint is pearl or metallic, depending on the durability the owner desires, and so on. Here is a quick list of some of my more popularly used sealants and waxes.

Pinnacle Souveran
Zaino Z2pro and Z5pro
Jeff's Werkstatt Acrylic Jett and Carnauba Jett
Poorboys EX and EX-P
Poorboys Nattys Blue
P21S
4* UPP
Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket
Meguiars #20, 21, and #26
Clearkote Carnauba Wax
Optimum Car Wax

I do use abrasive polishes (also known as compounds), which I use depend on the condition of the paint and the expectations of the owner. My "One Step Polish" package uses a light to moderate abrasive polish to remove light swirls and marring while leaving the paint smooth and glossy. My "Multi-step Compounding" package is designed to use heavy, moderate, then light polishes (the number of steps depends on the condition of the paint) to remove heavy swirling and marring and leave the paint smooth and glossy. Some of the polishes I use are:

Menzerna Power Gloss, Intensive Polish, Final Polish II, and PO106ff
Optimum Hyper Compound, Compound, and Polish
Poorboys SSR 3, 2.5, 2, and 1
Meguiars DACP and #80
Sonus SFX 1, 2, and 3

Essentially I use have a pretty wide variety of products and I use certain ones on specific cars based on my experience with cars in similar condition, with similar paint hardness and color.

[inTgr8r]

props to a great detailer...
I've seen several samples of his work.

K. you can do my 335i anytime.... once I make the change

[shimshimhada]

This thread is fine, I started a similar thread, only I'm no pro like you. Maybe once I get good enough, I can start charging more like you.

Maybe you can give me some detailing business tips.

[picus]

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

This thread is fine, I started a similar thread, only I'm no pro like you. Maybe once I get good enough, I can start charging more like you.

Maybe you can give me some detailing business tips.

I know most of the pro-detailers in the city, it's actually a pretty tight group. We try not to compete with eachother, rather refer eachother based on a clients needs etc...

So ya, if you do have any questions feel free to shoot me a PM, I love talkin' shop!

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

props to a great detailer...
I've seen several samples of his work.

K. you can do my 335i anytime.... once I make the change

Ian! Good to see ya over here. Do you have a deposit in on one yet? I've got mine in at Budds, can't wait!

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by picus

Ian! Good to see ya over here. Do you have a deposit in on one yet? I've got mine in at Budds, can't wait!

Hey Kevin.....
I've been tempted, but I've got to get my hands on one first
Still have time on my current lease, so no real hurry.

[picus]

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

This thread is fine, I started a similar thread, only I'm no pro like you. Maybe once I get good enough, I can start charging more like you.

Maybe you can give me some detailing business tips.

Heya Shim; saw your thread and got your PM. I am going to reply to it first thing in the AM!

Some recent details:

[canucklion]

just got my car detailed by Kevin today, awesome job

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by canucklion

just got my car detailed by Kevin today, awesome job

Post some pics!

[picus]

Leo - it was awesome meeting you. I hope the detail will break the cycle of bad luck you've had with the car.

Pics:

[tirana]

Whoot! Methinks I've found a late birthday pressie for next year - just around the time the weather improves (say May 2007?) for my 328xi. I assume you can haul to Don Mills, Kevin?

[picus]

Originally Posted by tirana

Whoot! Methinks I've found a late birthday pressie for next year - just around the time the weather improves (say May 2007?) for my 328xi. I assume you can haul to Don Mills, Kevin?

Sure can.

[tissot]

Do you stop detailing during the winter season?

[picus]

Originally Posted by tissot

Do you stop detailing during the winter season?

Nope; but if I am doing mobile work I require an indoor space for obvious reasons. Since I've spent the last 8 years in California this will actually be my first GTA winter doing detailing; I expect my business will slow down considerably. Right now I am working 6/7 days a week, and I don't plan to stop in the winter but I wouldn't expect more than 2-3 appointments a week since most folks don't want their cars polished in January.

[tissot]

Originally Posted by picus

Nope; but if I am doing mobile work I require an indoor space for obvious reasons. Since I've spent the last 8 years in California this will actually be my first GTA winter doing detailing; I expect my business will slow down considerably. Right now I am working 6/7 days a week, and I don't plan to stop in the winter but I wouldn't expect more than 2-3 appointments a week since most folks don't want their cars polished in January.

Awesome. I want to get my car sealed before the dreaded winter, so expect a call from me sometime early November.

[inTgr8r]

great work as usual Kevin.
Leo's ride looks amazing

Hey Kevin, did you manage to get the dealer to let you do your own prep on the new 335??
I'm thinking I'd like to write that into my deal during negotiations;

I don't want my new baby anywhere near the dealers wash rack....

[picus]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

great work as usual Kevin.
Leo's ride looks amazing

Hey Kevin, did you manage to get the dealer to let you do your own prep on the new 335??
I'm thinking I'd like to write that into my deal during negotiations;

I don't want my new baby anywhere near the dealers wash rack....

Yep - they were actually very cool about it. I was speaking with my CA and the sales manager at the time and said oh, by the way please don't do anything in pdi except taking the shipping blocks out, no wash, no wax, leave the tape on, no plate holes. The sales manager has apparently dealt with "my type" before, so they said no problem and wrote it in my file.

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by picus

Yep - they were actually very cool about it. I was speaking with my CA and the sales manager at the time and said oh, by the way please don't do anything in pdi except taking the shipping blocks out, no wash, no wax, leave the tape on, no plate holes. The sales manager has apparently dealt with "my type" before, so they said no problem and wrote it in my file.

Perfect!
I want you to be the first to bath my baby as well

... you going to run w/o a front plate?

[picus]

I'm going to try!

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by picus

I'm going to try!

I love to as well....

Actually thinking if I could make a custom hidden bracket.
& have the plate powered by a gas strut.

When/if you get pulled over, just hit a button to fire a solonoid to release the plate 007 style

[tissot]

A little off topic here, but I e-mailed the Ministry of Transportation a few weeks ago, about the front plates and here's what they said

Originally Posted by MTO

The Highway Traffic Act (Reg 628) states that you must have both a front and rear licence plate on your vehicle:

(3) The number plates for a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or a motor assisted bicycle, shall be attached to and exposed in a conspicuous position on the front and rear of the motor vehicle. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 628, s. 9 (3).

Should you require further information regarding this issue, please contact the Carrier Safety and Enforcement Branch directly or see the Highway Traffic Act at http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/R...h/900628_e.htm.

You may be fined for $110, under the HTA.

So does that mean we could take off the front plates when we're not on the HWY?

[canucklion]

The Highway Traffic Act does not only apply to 'highways', it's meant for all the roads in Ontario.

Thanks Ian, yip Kevin sure did a great job removing the oversprays. I would definitely recommend Kevin to be the first guy to touch your baby, after all, let's face it, those shop guys at the dealership don't give a hoot about your car, it's not theirs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but take a look at that 550i on Kevin's site, he did the prep/detail at the dealership for the owner as well, looks stunning.

And tissot, definitely get your car sealed before the winter season, it'll be money well spent. I think Kevin's prices are very reasonable for the amount of work/effort he puts in!