Auto Detailing Certification: 3 Day Detailing Training Classes

3-Day Auto Detailing Craftsman Program

If you are looking to start your own auto detailing business or want to take your current detailing business to the next level, now is the time to enroll in our 3-Day Auto Detailing Craftsman program! We are Licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools in accordance with 22 Pa Code § 73.173 (c) so all graduates are awarded a framed diploma upon completion of the program. Our students come from all over the world and many have gone on to be very successful in operating their own auto detailing businesses.

See what recent graduates are saying by checking out our Student Testimonials. View the 2023 3-Day Auto Detailing Craftsman Program Dates.This program has been approved for VA funding making it easy for veterans to get funding to attend our Auto Detailing Craftsman program! Learn More.

DAY 1 – Classroom Training: Students learn how to start, operate and grow an auto detailing or mobile auto detailing business. Knowing the “business side” of operating and managing your auto detailing and reconditioning business is just as important as the actual hands-on methods and procedures.
Day 2 – Exterior Training: Students learn how to perform an exterior detail from start to finish on a vehicle. This is a hands-on training day where students learn the proper wash-up, engine cleaning and clay procedures, paint correction and protection steps, etc. The reconditioning services taught on this day include headlight restoration, plastic trim restoration, and paint chip repair.
Day 3 – Interior Training: Students learn how to perform an interior detail from the headliner down to the floor on a vehicle. This is a hands-on training day where students learn how to use capret extractors, steamers, tornadors, etc. to clean all of the inteior surfaces includeing leather, vinyl, plastic, carpeting, upholstery, headliner, etc. The reconditioning services taugh on this day include carpet dying, cigarette burn repair, odor removal.

*As an added bonus, we will be conducting a Ceramic Coating demonstration to give the students an opportunity to learn more about ceramic coatings and how they are applied to the paint.

Why Choose Detail King Auto Detailing Training Institute, LLC?

We have been offering professional training programs since 1999. In addition to the Day 1 Business training, we spend an entire day on exterior detailing (Day 2) and an entire day on interior detailing (Day 3). Our seminar is unique due to the fact that we are Licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools in accordance with 22 Pa Code § 73.173 (c) and we can award a diploma to graduates. This is not just a certificate of completion and students must pass the necessary tests to graduate from our program. You are investing in your future and only deserve the very best and nothing less. This short video provides a perfect example of what you will see, learn, and hopefully do after training!

Here what one of our former graduates had to say regarding our Auto Detailing Craftsman Class and how they have helped his business flourish after attending both classes – watch video.

Be sure to check out the 3 videos below of “The Impossible Detail” that our previous students accomplished with what we call “detailing one of the dirtiest cars in history.” In the first video a few our Detail King Team members removed the algae and moss. Then two recent training classes go to work on this 1982 190E Mercedes, Watch: Impossible Detail Exterior Video – Impossible Detail Interior Video.

All Detail King Auto Detailing Training Institute, LLC graduates have access to a special Logo that you can place on your web site. You can make this a link to a special landing page on our web site that can explain to prospective clients what it means to have been Certified by Detail King!

Seminar Details:

When: Friday/Saturday/Sunday from 8:00AM-4:30PM – View Upcoming Seminar dates
Where: 947 Old Frankstown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Lodging: Discounted Rates are available at the Hampton Inn in Monroeville PA. Our students receive a 20% Discount off of their best available rates. Call 412-380-4000 or reserve your room online. If calling, provide our booking code – 3141664.
Cost: $1795

*We include coffee, donuts, and juice in the morning, lunch, and refreshments each day. The materials and supplies needed are provided for all three days of the program. Upon completion of the curriculum, the student will be awarded a framed diploma on Sunday at the end of the program.

Who Should Attend the Detail King 3-Day Auto Detailing Craftsman Seminar?

Future Auto Detailing Business Entrepreneurs and Current Auto Detail Business Owners, Managers and Sales Personnel from anywhere in the country. This course is for both Mobile & Fixed Auto Detail Shop Operators. If you are in the Auto Detailing Business or are thinking about starting your own business – Part Time or Full Time, You Should Not Miss this Educational Event!

Car Wash owners and operators are also urged to attend if you are thinking about adding auto detailing or express car detailing to your operation. For individuals who are interested in changing careers and seeking gainful employment in this field, our course will serve to be extremely helpful.

Craftsman Auto Detailing Course
Day 1 – Friday

Craftsman Auto Detailing Course
Day 2 & 3 – Saturday & Sunday

Laying Out The Groundwork

Develop a business plan
Determine if there is a demand in your area
Investigate local environmental laws with EPA
Check out the competition
Permits and licenses needed
Business structure
Business bank account
Determine the types of vehicles you will detail

Setting Up Shop/Mobile Operation

Choose a location
Determine type of vehicle & mobile equipment
Purchase adequate insurance
Communication system
Acquire a business credit card
Set up merchant credit card acceptance
Investigate state, city and county laws
Environmental issues requiring compliance

Advertising & Promotion

Choose a business name
Develop an advertising budget
Create a company logo for branding
Design professional-looking business cards
Design a service menu
Create specialty flyers
Display your company name
Dress for success
Promote your new venture
Promote your expertise
Website & Internet promotion
Yellow page advertising
Direct mail & email campaigns
Print media advertising
Cold calling – face to face campaigns

Operational Issues – Exterior

Determine what type of reconditioning a vehicle needs
Determine paint condition
Check for environmental fallout
Check for paint overspray
Check for scratches and micro marring
Check for paint over-spray, tree sap, excessive tar
Check for rock paint chips
Check for faded plastic trim
Check for foggy headlights
Excessively soiled convertible roof
Loose emblems and trim
Excessively dirty wheels
Paint in wheel wells
Condition of glass – water mark etching

Operational Issues – Interior

Customer’s personal items
Vacuuming and air purging process
Pet hair removal
Seating surfaces condition
Excessively dirty carpets/mats
Faded carpets
Vinyl and leather condition
Red stains/coffee stain removal
Headliner cleaning/condition
Foul odor removal process
Vacuuming and air purging

History of Base/Coat/Clear Coat Paints

EPA and auto paint companies involvement
base coat/clear coat process
Pros and cons of base coat/clear coat paint
How to protect base coat/clear coat paint
How to sell paint protection to prospects

Auto Detailing Clay

Benefits of using clay
Different clay grades and their use
How to sell clay detailing services

Service Menu Review – Features/Benefits

Review engine compartment services and precautions
Review exterior detailing services
Review interior detailing services
Review added-value services
Review detailing packages
Review new vehicle protection packages
Review VIP plans/cosmetic maintenance
Review the spectrum of services

Equipment & Supplies Needed

Mobile wash equipment and trailers
Vacuums and extractors
Exterior detailing chemicals
Interior detailing chemicals
Supplies, products and tools
Towels, applicators and brushes
Detailing terms glossary

Marketing & Prospecting

Definition of marketing and prospecting
Chamber of Commerce program and benefits
Promote at car clubs and show
Automotive business networking
Opportunities at dealerships
Opportunities at on-site locations
Target market niches
Insurance companies
Affluent health clubs
Real estate agencies
Transportation companies
Stand-alone car washes
Office building blitzes
Doctors/hospitals
Flea markets
On-site promotions
Welcome wagon
Referral program
Overspray removal accounts
Car rental agencies
Police and county vehicles
Food delivery services
Pet mobiles
Kid mobiles
Collector cars
Tractor trailer cabs

Reoccurring Revenue

Doing the job is only half the job
2 to 8 Rule
Customer retention
Marketing/sales funnel
Success and failure
Learn to listen to customer needs
Propose a solution
Understand the “buying signs”
Understand the “right to fail”
Understand the “opportunity to win”

Costs and Profit Margins

Understand your costs
Determine your margins
Look for ways to increase margins
Always maintain quality of service
Review hourly overhead formula
Determine what you should charge

Questions & Answers

The students are able to ask any questions to the instructors before the class ends.

Chemical and Equipment Overview

Polishes – compounds – waxes – sealants
Rotary – Forced-Rotation – Long-Throw Orbital – Orbital
Exterior soaps, degreasers, cleaners
Interior soaps and aerosols
Dress products for exterior and interior
Plastic trim dyes
Carpet dyes
Non-silicone products

Auto Detailing Tools and Accessories

Brushes
Chamois and wash mitts
Applicators and dressing pads
Towels and micro-fiber products
Detailing tools and accessories
Bottles & chemical storage

Equipment Being Used For The Day

Forced rotation DAs
Long throw polishers
Hot water extractors
Air movers/interior dyes
Vapor steamers
High-pressure washers
Low-pressure washers
Air compressors
Generators
Mobile trailers

Exterior Wash, Prep and Engine

Check for any existing damage and document
Review washing steps
Tips to avoid scratching vehicle
Check for loose accessories
Select proper brushes
Select proper cleaners, degreasers
Wheels and wheel well cleaning
Door jamb degreasing
Bug removal
Engine compartment prep and cleaning
Moldings and trim cleaning
Prep rinse
Handwash and rinse
Plastic bag test for contaminants
Claying of vehicle
Chamois drying and water blade use
Tar removal
Tape uneven body panels
Tape plastic trim, cracks, crevices

Exterior Detailing Training: Paint Condition and Inspection

Oxidized and faded paint
Clear coat environmentally polluted paints
Tree sap overspray
Micro scratch removal (micro marring)
Water spots and acid rain removal
Road paint overspray removal
Surface scratches

Exterior Buffing, Polishing and Sealing

Deep scratch removal through wet sanding
Various paint blemish issues
Buffing/Polishing techniques
Compounding and glazing techniques
Orbital polisher techniques
Wax and sealant application
Dressing of tires, wheel wells and trim
Smear-free cleaning of windows and mirrors
Tips for the perfect detail
Final hand polishing and buffing
Removal of fine swirls
How to create a showroom finish even if paint was severely damaged
Ongoing paint cosmetic maintenance
Use of extra light-duty clay bar well after detail
Spray painting of exposed frame rails
Acid rain removal from glass
Final inspection of exterior
Presentation to customer

Interior Detailing Training: Inspection Of Interior

Check for damage components, missing buttons, levers, etc.
Check for and bag customer’s loose items
Check for unusual or potent odors
Look for red stains/coffee stains
Determine condition of leather and vinyl
Determine condition of upholstery

Vacuuming and Air Purging

Safety glasses • floorboards • under seats
Rear shelf • console • cracks and crevices

Interior Scrubbing Of Components

Headliner cleaning and precautions
Dashboard cleaning and detailing
Steering wheel and steering column cleaning
Door panel cleaning and detailing
Gas and brake pedal cleaning and safety precautions
Center console/glove compartment cleaning & detailing
Leather seat cleaning
Pre spot carpet/upholstery stains
Red stain/coffee stain removal
Traffic area soap application
Power scrubbing of heavily soiled areas including mats

Heated Interior Soil Extractor Usage

Major components of extractor equipment
Operation of extractor
Hands-on techniques for use of upholstery soil extraction
Hands-on techniques for use of carpet/mats soil extraction
Maintenance & prevention review of extractor
Check for faded carpets that may need dye
Apply fabric protection to upholstery/carpets

Trunk Cleaning and Shampooing

Wear protective eyewear
Clean trunk underside lid and quick wax if needed
Purge compressed air onto carpet/floor to loosen debris
Hand scrub with shampoo, then gently extract

Dressing, Chrome, & Plastic Trim

High-gloss dressing of all vinyl components
Low-gloss optional dressing of vinyl components
Aerosol spray dressing of AC vents/pockets/console
Conditioning of leather seating surfaces
Plastic and chrome trim hand polishing and smear removal
Wood grain cleaning and conditioning
Windows and mirror cleaning/polishing

Interior Final Inspection & Customer Prep

Check for smears and smudges
Check for lint deposits
Check overall appearance of seats and carpets
Place static cling reminder sticker for next detailing service
Move vehicle outside and cover up or make contact with customer to have vehicle picked up or delivered
Customer presentation and walk around
Complete customer paperwork/ask for referrals

Additional Exterior Reconditioning Services
Saturday – Lab 1

Additional Interior Reconditioning & Ceramic Coating Services
Sunday – Lab 2

Paint Chip Repair

Evaluate rock paint chips
Paint application methods – shoe polish method/squeegee method
Excess paint removal
Final polish process
Customer marketing approaches

Plastic Trim Restoration

Evaluate plastic components
Mirrors, door handles, moldings, running boards, wheel flairs
Masking and preparation
Applying dye
Customer marketing approaches

Headlight Restoration

Evaluation of headlights to be restored
Cleaning steps
Preparation methods
Sanding procedures
Hand buffing
Final glazing
Customer marketing approaches

Dying of Carpeting & Mats

Preparation of articles to be dyed
Liquid dye application
Aerosol dye application
Apply plastic sticky mats for protection

Mal Odor Elimination

Removal of source causing the odor
Cleaning and deodorization methods
Definition of Ozone
Ozone generator operation
Ozone treatment
Ozone precautions
Customer marketing approaches

Cigarette Burn Repair

Repair cigarette burn holes in fabric/carpet

Ceramic Coating Demonstrations

Ceramic Coating paint application demonstration
Ceramic Coating maintenance demonstration
Ceramic Coating trim demonstration
Ceramic Coating glass demonstration
Ceramic Coating express services demonstrations

As you can see we cover a ton of information during this 3-Day Auto Detailing Craftsman Program. Many of our previous students have gone on to become very successful auto detailing entrepreneurs as mobile detailing operators, detail shop owners, professional detailers, and detail shop foreman.

Auto detailing is very labor intense, that is why it is so important to know all the steps and how to perform them in the right order and execute those steps properly. You can save a lot of time by knowing the proper methods and procedures to professionally detail a car, truck or van. We will teach you all of this at our seminars.