Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Will my car rust?

Stated plainly, yes - cars rust. Manufacturers have improved their methods - and they do offer some limited warranties but ultimately rusting is inevitable - Just ask Mike Staples, who works as the undercoating and corrosion department head for Automotive Protection Services in Fairfax, Virginia. He sees cars and trucks of all makes come through his shop where he manages two drive on lifts doing rust remediation work, applying cavity wax and undercoat.

"We follow a simple process - clean the underside of the vehicle first - most folks know that salt will cause rust, but they forget that mud, dirt and road-grime  will also lead to rust on a frame rail and floor pan."

A young man, Mike's enthusiasm for his work comes through when he talks about it; "When I first started I really didn't know that much about cars, what makes them work, or what makes them fail - once you have the truck on the lift it's important to know where to scrap, where to spray undercoat and which areas to leave alone."

Not shy to dive head first into a difficult job which involves a lot of rust remediation work. Scrapping off flaking rust, with putty knives, and then grinding metal with a wire bristle brush isn't most folks ideas of good work - but Mike sees satisfaction in it. "I can see my labor when I'm done - my efforts have meaning."

Mike does wonder why more folks don't appreciate the value that his hard work can afford a car owner? "When I see a car come into our shop for an inspection that was undercoated 10 or 15 years ago, and the underside looks brand new - no rusting at all - I know that what I'm doing is protecting people's cars, I think Yeah- this stuff totally work - everyone should do it!"

Does your hard work, need to make you dirty? "I don't mind getting dirty - it's like a badge of honor - I've earned this dirt under my fingernails and on my face."

Indeed you have, Mike.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

A Great Detail


http://www.carizzma.biz/detailinghttp://www.carizzma.biz/detailing

What makes for a great detail? 








Product, hard work, skill, the right tools?  
Well, yes. All these elements combined can make for a great detail - it is possible to give a hard worker, who has some skills the right tools, good products, and they will produce some decent details - but what makes great details, time after time - is passion! At Automotive Protection Services in Fairfax Virginia there is a guy who is passionate about detailing, Hugo Castillo. His process for producing consistent great details is born of nearly 30 years of hard work, honing his skills, plying his craft and improving his trade. He posses no magic, only the lessons he's acquired over the years with his hands holding a buffer as it gently glides across the paint of countless cars.

Watching Hugo work is to watch a great master apply his skill. He starts by applying water, and shampoo, and then he gently runs his highly tuned fingers across the surface of the paint.  Its as though the surface speaks to him, letting go of its secrets, and revealing to him its imperfections, small scratches, and embedded impurities. Hugos fingers pick up all the information he needs  - he then knows the exact areas of concern, where to use the claybar and compounds; at which grit and what pressure.

The results speak for themselves - time after time, after time. Gorgeous automotive finishes and beaming car owners!  

Section Page News - Automotive News