Pints & Polishing Auto Detailing Podcast Nick Walters and Marshall Hill

In this episode, Marshall and Nick discuss their Memorial Day experiences, share their favorite high noon drinks, and talk about the challenges of dealing with vendors.

They also delve into the world of Subaru cars, the future of car companies, and the process of learning to use ceramic coatings.

The conversation touches on topics such as car brands, car market trends, and the learning curve of ceramic coating.

The conversation covers various topics related to business management, employee relationships, and personal boundaries. It delves into the challenges of managing a team, setting boundaries, and making tough decisions.

The discussion also touches on the importance of leadership, employee loyalty, and the balance between being supportive and setting limits.

Takeaways



Memorial Day experiences and the impact on business operations

The popularity of high noon drinks and favorite flavors

Challenges of dealing with vendors and supply chain issues

The significance of Subaru cars in the automotive market

The future of car companies and the impact of collaborations

The learning curve and process of ceramic coating cars The importance of setting boundaries and knowing when 'enough is enough' in business and employee relationships.

The value of loyalty and hard work in team members, and the challenges of managing a team effectively.

The balance between being supportive and setting limits, and the impact of personal boundaries on business decisions.

Chapters



00:00 Memorial Day Reflections and Vendor Challenges

03:21 The Subaru Experience: A Family of Cars

10:17 The Future of Car Companies and Collaborations

20:56 Navigating Business Boundaries: Setting Limits and Making Tough Decisions

38:51 The Value of Loyalty: Managing a Team Effectively

43:00 Balancing Support and Boundaries: The Impact on Business Decisions

In this episode of the Pints and Polishing Podcast, Marshall and Nick do a deep dive into soap. They discuss the different types of soap and their purposes, such as Cleanse for prepping a car for PPF or coating, Foam Wash for general maintenance, and Ceramic Snow for added protection.

They also talk about the reformulation of Ceramic Snow 2.0 to improve its foam and protective qualities. The hosts emphasize the importance of constantly improving products based on customer feedback and the upcoming changes and updates in their product lineup.

Takeaways

Different types of soap serve different purposes in car detailing, such as Cleanse for prepping and Foam Wash for maintenance.

Ceramic Snow 2.0 has been reformulated to improve its foam and protective qualities.

Constantly listening to customer feedback and striving for improvement is important for any business.

The hosts are working on new scents and other updates to their product lineup.



Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Deep Dive

03:01 Different Types of Soap for Different Purposes

05:41 The Reformulation of Ceramic Snow 2.0

10:34 The Importance of Customer Feedback and Continuous Improvement

15:42 Using Ceramic Snow 2.0 for Road Trips

22:14 The Excitement and Future of Ceramic Snow 2.0

In this conversation, Marshall and Nick discuss various topics related to car detailing and the automotive industry. They talk about the challenges of wrapping a Cybertruck and the importance of considering the final appearance of a vehicle before offering free wraps.

They also discuss the aesthetics of different vehicles, including hot rods, low riders, and classic cars. The conversation touches on the importance of gloss and shine in car detailing and the different products and techniques that can enhance the appearance of a vehicle.

They also discuss the prevalence of scams in the industry, such as fake mobile detailing services, and the need for consumers to be educated and informed. Finally, they talk about their own areas of expertise and the importance of staying within one's wheelhouse when offering advice or opinions.

Then the conversation turns to aftermarket wheels and understanding their quality and maintenance requirements. We discuss the prevalence of cheap wheels in the market and the impact of manufacturing processes on their durability. They emphasize the need for regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent damage to the wheels.

The conversation also touches on the cost of aftermarket wheels and the trade-offs between affordability and quality. The hosts recommend seeking out reputable powder coating facilities for wheel refinishing and highlight the importance of understanding the long-term costs and maintenance requirements of cheap wheels.

Chapters

00:00 A New Era of Wheels

03:20 The Impact of Cheap Wheels

07:29 Manufacturing and Wheel Durability

11:33 Cost and Quality of Aftermarket Wheels

15:40 Powder Coating for Wheel Refinishing

In this Pints and Polishing podcast episode, Marshall and Nick discuss various topics related to detailing and answering questions from Facebook groups.

They cover topics such as starting a detailing business, organizing towels, dealing with competitors, prepping a vehicle for ceramic coating, and more.

The conversation highlights the importance of starting small, learning from experience, and using the right products and techniques. They also emphasize the need for clear customer communication and the importance of continuous learning and improvement in the detailing industry. In this conversation, Nick and Marshall discuss various car detailing and customer service topics.

They address concerns about ceramic coatings, handling upset customers, removing scratches from motorcycle windshields, using quick detailers, and restoring plastic steps on vehicles. They emphasize the importance of setting expectations, being professional in difficult situations, and considering replacement options when necessary.

Takeaways



Starting small and gaining experience is important in the detailing business

Clear communication with customers is crucial

Using the right products and techniques can improve efficiency and results

Continuous learning and improvement are essential in the detailing industry Ceramic coatings may cause etching on clear coats, but it can be fixed by polishing and reapplying the coating.

When dealing with upset customers, it's important to remain calm, meet with both parties involved, and walk them through the work that was done.

Refunding a customer may be necessary to resolve a difficult situation, but it's important to set expectations and be professional throughout the process.

When trying to remove scratches from motorcycle windshields, it's best to replace the windshield if possible, as attempting to fix it may cause distortion.

Using quick detailers on a car that has been previously washed and protected with a sealant is not recommended, as it may cause staining.

When restoring plastic steps on vehicles, consider the cost of replacement parts before attempting to fix them, and if necessary, scuff the plastic and use trim paint for a better result.

Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Overview

02:31 Starting a Detailing Business

05:27 Charging for Detailing Services

08:27 Towel Organization and Care

13:47 Dealing with Competitors

24:58 Prepping for Ceramic Coating

29:14 Continuous Learning and Improvement

31:32 Addressing Concerns About Ceramic Coatings

41:22 Dealing with Difficult Customers

44:11 Replacing Parts Instead of Fixing

52:30 Restoring Plastic Steps on Vehicles

In this episode of the Pints of Polishing podcast, Marshall and Nick discuss various topics, including buying and selling experiences, the importance of keeping opinions to oneself, positive interactions in the specialist group, and their love for the hyperClean products.

They also talk about applying coatings, rinseless washing and drying aids, and the importance of paying attention to different paint systems. The conversation touches on shoulder surgery, the Jeep wave, and the challenges of maintaining convertible fabric tops.

The conversation discusses the challenges of cleaning neglected fabric tops and the limited options for restoration. It emphasizes the importance of using the right products and techniques for fabric tops and highlights the two possible outcomes: either the top can be cleaned and restored or it needs to be replaced.

The conversation also touches on the issue of car washes and the limitations of ceramic coatings in protecting against certain types of car washes. It concludes with a discussion on the cost and value of training in the detailing industry.

Takeaways

It's important to keep opinions to oneself, especially when they are outlandish or divisive.

Positive interactions and encouragement within the specialist group are highly valued.

When applying coatings, it's crucial to pay attention to different paint systems and adjust the application accordingly.

Using a drying aid like Slick can provide additional protection and enhance the appearance of the paint.

Fabric tops on convertibles require proper maintenance to prevent damage and ensure longevity. Neglected fabric tops can be challenging to clean and restore, and using the wrong products or techniques can cause further damage.

Fabric tops typically have two outcomes: they can be cleaned and restored, or they need to be replaced.

Ceramic coatings may not provide full protection against certain types of car washes, and touchless car washes are generally safer for coated vehicles.

Training in the detailing industry can be expensive due to the expertise and time required, and the cost of training often reflects the value and return on investment.

It's important to have realistic expectations about what training can provide and to consider the expertise and experience of the trainer.

Chapters



00:00 Introduction and Buying/Selling Experiences

02:06 Keeping Opinions to Yourself

07:10 Encouragement and Positivity in the Specialist Group

09:42 Coating Application: Considerations for Different Paint Systems

15:04 The Benefits of Using a Drying Aid

28:44 Challenges and Options for Cleaning Neglected Fabric Tops

31:38 The Two Possible Outcomes for Fabric Tops: Restoration or Replacement

36:13 The Limitations of Ceramic Coatings in Car Washes

53:04 The Cost and Value of Training in the Detailing Industry

In this episode of the Pints & Polishing Podcast, Marshall and Nick discuss various topics related to driving and car manufacturers. They start by discussing sitting at stoplights and whether or not they follow the rules. They then discuss the trend of podcasts having numerous ad reads and the annoyance it can cause.

The conversation shifts to the state of American automakers, particularly Chevy, and their struggles to compete with other brands. They also touch on the limitations of autonomous driving technology and the challenges of implementing it on a large scale.

The episode concludes with discussing the future of car communication and the difficulties of getting different brands to work together. The conversation covers various topics related to the automotive industry, including the influence of social media on car reviews, the limitations of current car technology, the challenges of autonomous vehicles, and the appeal of luxury brands like Alpina.

The hosts discuss the potential bias of automotive journalists who receive perks from car manufacturers, such as free trips and accommodations. They also question the advancement of infotainment systems in cars compared to smartphones. The conversation touches on the skepticism surrounding the timeline for fully autonomous vehicles and the difficulties in implementing the necessary infrastructure.

The hosts express their preference for tried and true features in luxury vehicles and discuss the appeal of Alpina as a unique brand. The episode concludes with a reminder about Mother's Day.



Takeaways



Sitting at stoplights can be frustrating, and some people choose to ignore the rules and go through them when there is no traffic.

Podcasts have an increasing number of ad reads, which can be annoying for listeners.

American automakers, like Chevy, are struggling to compete with other brands and are facing challenges in terms of their brand identity and product offerings.

The implementation of autonomous driving technology is limited by infrastructure and legal issues, and widespread adoption may still be a long way off.

Car communication, where vehicles can talk to each other, is a possibility for the future, but it would require collaboration between different brands and technological advancements. Social media has influenced car reviews and the credibility of automotive journalists who receive perks from car manufacturers.

Current car technology, including infotainment systems, is not as advanced as smartphones.

The timeline for fully autonomous vehicles is uncertain, and the necessary infrastructure is lacking.

Luxury brands like Alpina offer unique features and appeal to those seeking exclusivity.

Mother's Day is approaching, and it's important not to forget to show appreciation for mothers.

Chapters



00:00 The Frustration of Stoplights and Rule-Breaking

02:38 The Rise of Ad Reads in Podcasts

08:12 The Struggles of American Automakers

15:14 The Limitations of Autonomous Driving

24:53 The Influence of Social Media on Car Reviews

27:16 The Challenges of Autonomous Vehicles

31:28 The Appeal of Luxury Brands like Alpina

49:17 Don't Forget Mother's Day