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Work at Dealerships

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  • #1

    Work at Dealerships

    I was wondering if anyone had connections with a car dealership. I would prefer it to be Ford or Pontiac, Subaru, Buick, because they are close to my house. I was wondering because I go past those dealerships and see swirls and bonded contaminants on the paint and I cringe. I would like the cars on the lot to be in the best shape possible. In other words I am looking for a Auto Detailing Job at a Dealership. Since I am young I was hoping for connections, because they may not think I am experienced or good enough for the job. Private Message if You Want.


    Thanks
    Joel
    Firefighter/EMT-B
    Rejuvenation Auto Detailing
    "Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Dirt Back!!!"
    '99 F-150
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Work at Dealerships

    Hi Loel,

    No connections here, but have you walked into these dealerships that are near you and asked about possibly doing some prep work on their cars, new or used? At least that would get your foot in the door.

    Andy
    Keeping MOL family friendly! If you need help or have a question, don't hesitate to shoot me an email or PM. 101impala@gmail.com
    Andy M. Moderator

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Work at Dealerships

      Thanks Andy for Your Response.
      No.
      See I am concerned that my age will scare them away.
      I looked at Ford's Website and it talked about internships for college kids.
      I would use my stuff, and I would take a low wage and them paying for Products.
      Joel
      Firefighter/EMT-B
      Rejuvenation Auto Detailing
      "Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Dirt Back!!!"
      '99 F-150

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Work at Dealerships

        One problem working for dealerships is the expectation of high volume work. Because you are a dedicated detailing pro and car geek guy, Joel, I think you might get put off by common dealership practices. A dealership will probably not allow you to 2 bucket wash every car that needs washing on the lot. Similarly, a dealership wants a car to only look good to a potential buyer from a casual glance, which means little polishing and mostly waxing. A dealership, especially in a recession, is not going to spend major coin on premium products like Meguiars, Mothers, or 3M. Expect to be using generic warehouse products bought from the lowest bidder. Interior detailing will likely involve a quick once over with a shop vac and maybe some quick wipes.

        I just bought a new car last year and the salesman tried to convince me that swirling was inherent to all dark painted cars and unavoidable. When I started to pass on the deal, he asked me to come back the next day so he could have his guys detail the car. I came back and WOW, in the sunlight, the car looked beautiful. But since I first noticed the swirls under the lot's halogen lights at night, I waited and returned the same evening. Swirls were still there, and I passed on that dealership and bought my car from another.

        Maybe you will find a dealer interested in proper paint correction, but I'm guessing that such dealerships probably sell high end cars likes BMW, Lexus, Infiniti, or MBZ. With domestic dealerships, maybe you could get a job as part of the team applying paint protection packages?

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Work at Dealerships

          Even if you started out just doing prep work for when someone bought a new car. Like washing it before they picked it up or washing and preping it when they were finishing paperwork, which is common practice it would help get you an "in". Then after doing that for awhile let the guy that runs the detail or body shop know that you are interested in learning more about the trade, and that you know a few things, but would like to hang out or observe one of their detailers. I know you know how to do it, but if you look interested, they will look over your age. While you are there always have your tools with you. See if they will let you do a used car for them and show them what you can do. Just a couple of thoughts.

          Andy
          Keeping MOL family friendly! If you need help or have a question, don't hesitate to shoot me an email or PM. 101impala@gmail.com
          Andy M. Moderator

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Work at Dealerships

            I don't think a dealership is going to pay extra money for a detailer when the majority of people don't even know what swirls and bonded contaminants are. It is a lot of money for a dealership to hire somebody and pay for the products to polish a car when it wouldn't increase the sale price of the car at all. The occasonal car guy might enjoy the finish for a while but would you really buy one car over another just because it has less swirls? The only place i could think of paying for a high quality detail is a luxury car dealer like Maserati or Bently where the customer is pying top dollar and wants their car to be perfect.
            1988 Toyota Tercel 1.5l I4 - AKA the BEAST
            1994 BMW 325CI
            2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
            SR Detailing

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            • #7
              Re: Work at Dealerships

              Those are Some Really Good Points.
              Thanks For The Help!!
              I Still Want Replies though.
              Thanks A lot In Advance!!
              Joel
              Firefighter/EMT-B
              Rejuvenation Auto Detailing
              "Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Dirt Back!!!"
              '99 F-150

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Work at Dealerships

                I worked at a dealership when I was in high school. They pay minimum wage, give you nothing but shop rags and cheap wax, and tell you to finish every vehicle in 1 hour.

                Trust me, dealerships don't "get it" and will not pay for a quality detail. Especially now when the cars aren't even selling...

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Work at Dealerships

                  So Maybe I Could Do A Rinse and When People Buy the Car do a Good Detail.

                  (It Will Be Hard For Me to Hang in There with Using Those Supplies, but It is a Job)
                  Joel
                  Firefighter/EMT-B
                  Rejuvenation Auto Detailing
                  "Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Dirt Back!!!"
                  '99 F-150

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Work at Dealerships

                    Some dealerships send them to detail shops. I work at 14/69 super center which is right in the middle of MANY dealerships, pontiac, porsche, audi etc etc. They send all their vechiles for pre delivery work. We even send it through a thing called the Mr. Miyagi which I call the swirl machine from hell.

                    As for working at dealerships I worked at some during the summer and there are many requirments, one of which is knowledge of the rotary. One thing I realized is they DONT care. Espically when it comes to swirls and what not. They never clay the vechiles or any kind of paint condintioning and if there is any need they want it in and out as soon as possible.

                    To be honest look for local detail shops and see if they need any help and expand from there.

                    EDIT
                    I would branch out and offer your services to local used car dealerships and see if they want or need them.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Work at Dealerships

                      There is One Local Detail Shop about 15-20 Minutes away from my House.
                      Before I got so into Detailing Disease I was going to send my Truck There.
                      But I Do Not Know How They Get Rid Of Swirls, Or If they just Make It Worse.
                      Since I Live in a Pretty Wealthy Suburb of Milwaukee, The North Shore Nancy's Love There Cars.
                      Joel
                      Firefighter/EMT-B
                      Rejuvenation Auto Detailing
                      "Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Dirt Back!!!"
                      '99 F-150

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Work at Dealerships

                        Put in a application and check them out. If they dont do such a good job as you thought, maybe talk to the manager and say there is room for improvement for better quality. If he says no, big deal you can still work there and work on the side or just quit and do your own detailing.

                        I know alot of locally owned shops use polishes they have fillers in them because its cheaper and easier. So dont set your own standards up to other peoples. Or expect to walk into a shop with all meguiars only...youll be dissapointed like I was.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Work at Dealerships

                          Like others said, it seems car dealerships only car about the car being "clean". The Chevy dealer i got my truck from had about 180 silverados on the lot and they have no problem throwing just wiping down new trucks with a terry cloth and a bucket of water. Even new cars indoors in the show room feel rough and have bonded contaminants on them and there parked indoors and never driven. Dealerships seem to just wash and wax and not really have any knowledge on proper auto car and some think swirl marks are the norm for a car.
                          Nick
                          Tucker's Detailing Services
                          815-954-0773
                          2012 Ford Transit Connect

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Work at Dealerships

                            dealers dont care about new or used car paint, they just want the car to look good for the 95% of people buying cars that know nothing about paint care. If you want to work at a dealer go high line because those customers want there car to look good but dont have a clue how to do so, but many dealers dont really have a on-site detailer, just porters who just need to get the car cleaned for delivery. Best bet is to find out who those high line stores use as a detail shop and go work there.
                            -- www.fquick.com/TRIPOWER --

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Work at Dealerships

                              You know what's weird CarFire...

                              I have the exact same idea as you. I wanted to be a detailer at a Car Deaership this summer

                              Man, this is crazy, we gotta meet up sometime lol

                              Nice Topic. I was wondering how I would actually get the job too. If i could say I am "meg's certified" or something it would sound better.

                              I also agree about the age thing. I think they'd laugh if a stupid 16 yr old walked in, but I guess you don't know til' you try
                              Matt

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