Testimonials

I’m sure many of us if not, all of us start out in this industry with a passion for cars, as do I. Since I was little I’ve been washing cars and learned the basics, thinking if all else failed I’d get into detailing when I was older. That’s not the case anymore… I’ve been studying Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University (coincidentally, right here in Pittsburgh) for the last 2 years and began my search for summer work again. I sent out tons of applications for low-paid internships, when a friend of mine (he’s 18 years old) mentioned getting into auto detailing. I thought about it and stumbled upon Detail King’s website.

I was reading through all of their training guides, catalogs, and business packages. Then I saw it: the Auto Detailing Training Seminars. I was so excited to find a place that would actually train you to succeed in auto detailing, and I signed up right away. Exhausted from school work, I drove on over from CMU both days for the March 2015 2-day Technician Course and was blown away. Day 1: As important as it I knew it would be, I was afraid I would fall asleep in the classroom presentations from working so late the week before. The material that Nick Vacco and his team presented and discussed had me on the edge of my chair the whole time. They went through practically the whole process of how to start your own company and how to get it going on the right path. The ideas they had for advertising, procedures… those alone were worth it. By the end of the day I was CONVINCED to start my own student detailing business this coming summer. Me, a 19 year old college student.

Day 2: was just as important and fun to be involved in. I was amazed by the tools DK uses and that, just in general, are available in the industry. It really took detailing to the next level, especially with Dave leading our team. He went through each product and tool and how to properly use them. It was just as valuable having to work with a team and learning how you could do it efficiently. DK has a very specific procedure that, to me, was extremely critical to being successful. I was very inspired by this course and HIGHLY recommend it to anyone interested with how to get started or even how to streamline your own detailing business. I saw many of the other students traveled from all over the country looking to really fine tune their own businesses. Thanks, Detail King!

Mason Sofia – Student Detailing Business

Auto Detailing Training Seminar – 2 Day Technician Class

Auto Detailing School

If your primary purpose in attending our Auto Detailing School is to learn the ropes about successfully operating your own business, you’re going to have to get your hands dirty! We’re not here to show you some videos, or have you memorize details from an outdated workbook, or deaden your mind with boring tutorials. The entire weekend you will be amazed with what you learn. Whether you have been in business for several years or just starting out our goal is to exceed your expectations. And according to our student testimonials we consistently accomplish that goal. The 2019 Technician Program Seminar Dates are displayed below. Detail King Auto Detailing Training Institute is a private licensed technical training school, our curriculum has been approved by the PA Board of Education, private licensed school division. Upon graduation all students will actually be rewarded a diploma, not just a certificate of completion. We also have a 3 day training program, that teaches auto reconditioning services in addition to the auto detailing training.

If you’re attending a Detail King Auto Detailing Training Seminar, you’re going to actually detail a designated vehicle from tires to rooftop — all with the assistance of our certified trainers, Detail King team members and your fellow seminar students. You will be assigned to a specific vehicle along with some of the other students and a team of Detail King Certified Trainers. You will actually be detailing a pre owned vehicle that has swirls in the paint, oxidation, water spots etc. The interior will be extra dirty with soiled carpets, dirty leather, stained cloth seats, horrible headliners and miserable windows and mirrors. Your goal is to turn that dirty, dull, and stinky vehicle into a front line ready vehicle, you will actually help increase the value of that vehicle by several hundred dollars. What this all means is you will learn how to knock your customers socks off! Check out the Impossible Detail which two different training classes accomplished detailing the dirtiest car in history!

Our Technician Program training seminars are held almost every month. Day one is all classroom training, the intent is to teach you how to start, operate and grow an auto detailing business, basically how to run an auto detailing business. This is where you will learn about developing a sound business plan. You will also learn how to determine the demand in your area and what type of location you should choose or be a mobile operator. The course will also review the types of permits and licenses you may need. We will focus much of the Marketing & Advertising segments on how to Brand your business through the use of a web site and using the various popular social media channels. Be sure to check out our all new bigger and better Detail King Classroom where the first day of our 2 day seminar is held.

Day two you’ll have the opportunity to try out all of the various auto detailing equipment offerings and the many different detailing products and accessories that we offer at Detail King. This is where the rubber meets the road, with our certified auto detailing trainers showing you the proper methods and procedures for using high speed buffers, orbital polishers, interior carpet extractors, detailing brushes, microfiber towels and just about everything else you would need to make a dull and dirty car look new again.

To get an idea of the course agenda, take a look at the detailed curriculum offered on Day 1 and the training you will undergo on Day 2.

Why Choose Detail King for Auto Detailing Training?

What makes us qualified to dispense all this knowledge and on-the-job training? First off, Nick Vacco, our president and founder, has been conducting car detailing training seminars since 2001, educating more than 1,000 students. Today, a staff of certified instructors with more than 70 years of combined experience assists him. Detail King Auto Detailing Training Institute now accepts educational benefits for approved Veterans. Learn More.

Further, our programs and curriculums are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board Of Education. All of our graduates are awarded a framed “Diploma” after completing the course from Detail King Auto Detailing Training Institute LLC. That’s a far cry from the “certificate of completion” offered by other training programs. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can offer that. But very few can honestly say their programs and curriculum have been approved and certified by their state. And even fewer can match our extensive knowledge and auto detailing industry experience.

If you’re still hesitant about signing up for one of our auto detailing seminars, here’s what we’d like you to do. Shop around. Ask questions. For instance, ask how long have you been in business? Are you a private licensed school approved by your state? Upon completion of your program do I receive a diploma or just a certificate of completion? It’s your future, and starting off with a qualified auto detailing training program is absolutely essential to your success. This short video provides a perfect example of what you will see, learn, and hopefully do after training!

All Detail King Graduates will receive a special Detail King Certified eLogo that you can place on your web site. When your customers click on it, it will connect to a special landing page on our web site that explains that you have been Certified by Detail King! This will help you book more appointments.

Seminar Details:

Presented by: Nick Vacco, Director and Founder of Detail King Auto Detailing Training Institute LLC

When: View Upcoming Seminar dates below. Click here to view highlights videos from past ADTI seminars. And visit our Educational Seminar Testimonials page to hear what others are saying about our seminars. If you can’t attend our seminars, you may want to consider purchasing our four DVD Auto Detailing Training Videos.
Where: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Both days of the Technician Program Seminar takes place at the Detail King world headquarters at 947A Old Frankstown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15239. For lodging accommodations we recommend the Hampton Inn in Monroeville PA, 15146. We have special lodging rates for students choosing to stay at the Hampton Inn Monroeville. The student will have access to all the amenities to make your stay memorable. Enjoy a FREE hot breakfast buffet available every morning, free high-speed WIFI internet in every room, and free parking for the length of your stay. The discounted rate for our students is $109 plus tax per night. You can call the Hampton to reserve your room 412-380-4000 or make room reservations online. The corporate account number you need is 0003141664, no other number is needed.
The Hampton Inn Monroeville is conveniently located right off of PA Turn Pike 376 and only about 7 minutes from the Detail King Campus. Multiple delicious restaurants and entertainment attractions are also located within 5 minutes of Hampton Inn Monroeville, including Outback Steakhouse, The Rivertown Pourhouse, Monroeville Mall, and much more! Come to the Hampton Inn Monroeville for the royal treatment and enjoy your stay like a King! For transportation from the Pittsburgh International Airport to the hotel, contact our sister company; Elite Coach Limousine at 724-325-2626. They’re rates are better than a taxicab and they are more reliable.
Tuition Cost: Only $549 per person for both days of the auto detailing training seminar. Also included are coffee, tea and donuts, a buffet or catered lunch and refreshments each day. All training materials needed are provided for both days of class including a PowerPoint presentation binder for the first day.

Who Should Attend the 2-Day Technician Automotive Detailing Course?

Here’s who should consider attending auto detailing training offered by Detail King:

Future auto detailing business owners and entrepreneurs
Current auto detailing business owners,
Managers and sales personnel from anywhere in the country or abroad (you do not have to be from Pittsburgh to attend).

Detail King course are meant for both mobile and fixed auto detail shop operators. If you are in the auto detailing business or are thinking about starting your own part- or full-time business, you should not miss our educational auto detailing training events.

Car wash owners and operators are also urged to attend if thinking about adding auto detailing or express auto detailing an existing operation. For individuals who are interested in changing careers and seeking gainful employment in this field, our course will serve to be extremely helpful. The cost of the tuition for this 2 day seminar is only $549.

Technician Auto Detailing Course: Day 1 – Saturday

Technician Auto Detailing Course: Day 2 – 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

Chemical and Equipment Overview

Polishes – glazes – compounds – waxes – sealants
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

High-speed rotary buffers (3)
Orbital polishers (4)
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
Rotary buffer 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

By now you realize that we cover a ton of information during this two-day class. Many of our graduates have gone on to become successful auto detailing entrepreneurs as mobile detailing operators, detail shop owners, professional detailers, and detail shop foreman.