shane@detailedreflections

You’re welcome. I wish I were more knowledgeable in their application. I’ve thought of taking the class but the cost and expenses make it most likely not worth my investment. Plus I feel it’s a skill you need to do daily to become proficient at it which doesn’t fit in my business model. 
 
Just seeing what’s done so far is exceeding my expectations of what I had in my mind. I think the car is going to look more aggressive than it did. It got a lot of attention when I’d have it out, and my gut feeling says this will make it get even more. I think even though the color is more subdued with the matte finish, the color shift will catch eyes and it’s subtle enough of a shift to not be overpowering. 
 
Seeing the gloss against the matte makes both elements really stand on their own and pop. The gloss “upper” of the car will be great. It’ll blend with the glass elements which are already tinted. And the gloss in the lower body will tie it all together. I can’t wait to see it once they put the center hood cover back on since that’s wrapped in gloss black as well. 

I definitely underestimated how much the matte and color shift would pronounce the body lines of the car. I don’t mean that in a bad way at all. The car has so many body lines that it lets your eyes soak it all in. 
 
The gloss calipers in the body tone color will be good to to draw your eyes in against The black wheels and having the “LOTUS” on the calipers in polished silver will make them stand out. 
 
Another addition may come in the form of 6mm wheel spacers for the front and 15mm wheel spacers for the rear. This brings the wheels closer to flush with the body. 
 
The last change we made too is on the back end with the taillights. There’s a chrome bezel that goes between the taillights and the bumper. With changing emblems to black, we are wrapping the chrome bezel on gloss black as well. The reverse lights have a little bit of chrome on them, but you have to completely remove the bumper to pull them and they’re recessed enough that I “hope” it doesn’t stand out. Unless Mike at ACI can find another way to get in there to wrap it. 
 
So anyway, there’s some thought process in how we decided on each element of the car. It’s definitely easier helping put a vision together for a client than it is with your own vehicle. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve second guessed each decision leading up to this. Colors. Matte. Gloss. Color shift. Accents. The list goes on. 

And here’s the first pic with some film on the car.
 
Matte and satin colors really pronounce body lines as you can tell. And when set against a gloss accent really brings out the details. 
 
As red/burnt orange as it looks under the fluorescent lights, it’s more orange in natural sunlight. 
 

And here’s the first pic with some film on the car.
 
Matte and satin colors really pronounce body lines as you can tell. And when set against a gloss accent really brings out the details. 
 
As red/burnt orange as it looks under the fluorescent lights, it’s more orange in natural sunlight. 
 

And here’s the first pic with some film on the car.
 
Matte and satin colors really pronounce body lines as you can tell. And when set against a gloss accent really brings out the details. 
 
As red/burnt orange as it looks under the fluorescent lights, it’s more orange in natural sunlight. 
 

And here’s the first pic with some film on the car.
 
Matte and satin colors really pronounce body lines as you can tell. And when set against a gloss accent really brings out the details. 
 
As red/burnt orange as it looks under the fluorescent lights, it’s more orange in natural sunlight. 
 

And here’s the first pic with some film on the car.
 
Matte and satin colors really pronounce body lines as you can tell. And when set against a gloss accent really brings out the details. 
 
As red/burnt orange as it looks under the fluorescent lights, it’s more orange in natural sunlight. 
 

And here’s the first pic with some film on the car.
 
Matte and satin colors really pronounce body lines as you can tell. And when set against a gloss accent really brings out the details. 
 
As red/burnt orange as it looks under the fluorescent lights, it’s more orange in natural sunlight. 
 

And here’s the first pic with some film on the car.
 
Matte and satin colors really pronounce body lines as you can tell. And when set against a gloss accent really brings out the details. 
 
As red/burnt orange as it looks under the fluorescent lights, it’s more orange in natural sunlight. 
 

We may have differing opinions here a bit. And I don’t think either of us is “right or wrong,” but for the sake of business discussion, let’s expand. 
 
The best thing a detailer can offer is quality service that meets the needs and expectations of their clients. That’s not derived through any single product or process. It comes from listening to a client and setting realistic expectations, then exceeding them. Think...underpromise and over deliver. 
 
As far as air fresheners go, the approach that makes sure everyone’s needs are met is to offer it as a complimentary treatment that they can select when they pick up their vehicle. It gives them the discretion to say yes or no, and doesn’t feel like they’re missing out if they say no. Also having a few different scents can help them to have the “power of choice.” To add air fresheners at the time of pickup adds less than one minute to the service and they’re happy. If they’re smell sensitive, they’re still happy. 
 
If you have regular clients that you know like air fresheners and particular scents, note it and do it automatically. Then when they pick up you can say “I know you usually like ________ scent, we’ve gone ahead and already applied that for you.” It creates a sense of personal attention and that you remember them as a client (and not a customer). 
 
Anyway, it’s something to think about. You all know your customer/client base and what has been working for you. Just trying to provide another view. 

For personal use the Adam’s SK is the best bang for the buck. 
 
We use Rupes polishers, but we use them pretty heavily. We have seven of them hanging on the walls and they haven’t failed us. We do keep brushes on hand and backing plates. We haven’t replaced brushes on any of them yet, but they’ve all been through backing plates...a lot. But we go through pads like crazy too and are constantly changing them and then cleaning them. So the Velcro just wears out. 
 
I think the Adam’s SK is the best bang for the buck for a consumer user. 

We may have differing opinions here a bit. And I don’t think either of us is “right or wrong,” but for the sake of business discussion, let’s expand. 
 
The best thing a detailer can offer is quality service that meets the needs and expectations of their clients. That’s not derived through any single product or process. It comes from listening to a client and setting realistic expectations, then exceeding them. Think...underpromise and over deliver. 
 
As far as air fresheners go, the approach that makes sure everyone’s needs are met is to offer it as a complimentary treatment that they can select when they pick up their vehicle. It gives them the discretion to say yes or no, and doesn’t feel like they’re missing out if they say no. Also having a few different scents can help them to have the “power of choice.” To add air fresheners at the time of pickup adds less than one minute to the service and they’re happy. If they’re smell sensitive, they’re still happy. 
 
If you have regular clients that you know like air fresheners and particular scents, note it and do it automatically. Then when they pick up you can say “I know you usually like ________ scent, we’ve gone ahead and already applied that for you.” It creates a sense of personal attention and that you remember them as a client (and not a customer). 
 
Anyway, it’s something to think about. You all know your customer/client base and what has been working for you. Just trying to provide another view. 

We may have differing opinions here a bit. And I don’t think either of us is “right or wrong,” but for the sake of business discussion, let’s expand. 
 
The best thing a detailer can offer is quality service that meets the needs and expectations of their clients. That’s not derived through any single product or process. It comes from listening to a client and setting realistic expectations, then exceeding them. Think...underpromise and over deliver. 
 
As far as air fresheners go, the approach that makes sure everyone’s needs are met is to offer it as a complimentary treatment that they can select when they pick up their vehicle. It gives them the discretion to say yes or no, and doesn’t feel like they’re missing out if they say no. Also having a few different scents can help them to have the “power of choice.” To add air fresheners at the time of pickup adds less than one minute to the service and they’re happy. If they’re smell sensitive, they’re still happy. 
 
If you have regular clients that you know like air fresheners and particular scents, note it and do it automatically. Then when they pick up you can say “I know you usually like ________ scent, we’ve gone ahead and already applied that for you.” It creates a sense of personal attention and that you remember them as a client (and not a customer). 
 
Anyway, it’s something to think about. You all know your customer/client base and what has been working for you. Just trying to provide another view. 

Welcome. 
 
A properly installed ceramic coating should last longer than six months. So there’s no need to reapply that soon, especially with proper maintenance.
 
The number one reason coatings “fail,” isn’t failure at all. It’s contamination. Ceramics are not maintenance free, which you seem to get. 
 
We encourage our clients to come back yearly for maintenance service. Some come back more often for an abbreviated service. We will always clay the vehicle. Depending on the coating and condition we will polish and reinstall a top coat (many pro level coatings are a multiple part application). 
 
But your plan sounds solid and should make your coating last for years. Clay treatment on your vehicle is vital to keeping your coating functioning. 

I'll jump in here with my .02, too.
 
Maintain with the CS3, Ceramic Waterless Wash, Ceramic Boost and use the Wash & Coat as your Car Shampoo when washing the vehicle. After a wash I'll clean all the jambs, by misting with Ceramic Waterless Wash and wiping down with either a Waterless Wash, or Edgeless Utility Towel.
 
At about every six month interval do the baggie test after a good wash and dry to feel for embedded contaminants. If they're there, clay is in order. I use Adam's Fine Grade clay on vehicles that are ceramic coated, and properly maintained irregardless of color. Don't skimp on the Detail Spray used as your clay lube. With the right claying interval (not much embedded surface contaminants), the right amount of lubrication, and the Fine Grade clay you shouldn't cause any marring.
 
If there is some marring, it should just be in limited locations, not the entire vehicle. Polish the marred areas and apply the Ceramic Spry Coating to this location.

Look what showed up today!  Means next week they’ll be able to start wrapping the car!  More pics to follow...
 
PS - I hate the fluorescent lights since they don’t show the color shift well at all. 

Welcome. 
 
A properly installed ceramic coating should last longer than six months. So there’s no need to reapply that soon, especially with proper maintenance.
 
The number one reason coatings “fail,” isn’t failure at all. It’s contamination. Ceramics are not maintenance free, which you seem to get. 
 
We encourage our clients to come back yearly for maintenance service. Some come back more often for an abbreviated service. We will always clay the vehicle. Depending on the coating and condition we will polish and reinstall a top coat (many pro level coatings are a multiple part application). 
 
But your plan sounds solid and should make your coating last for years. Clay treatment on your vehicle is vital to keeping your coating functioning. 

Look what showed up today!  Means next week they’ll be able to start wrapping the car!  More pics to follow...
 
PS - I hate the fluorescent lights since they don’t show the color shift well at all. 

Thank you so much for the reply and your experience. I'll leave out re-paint coating and just work with CS3 and boost. Thanks again...

Welcome. 
 
A properly installed ceramic coating should last longer than six months. So there’s no need to reapply that soon, especially with proper maintenance.
 
The number one reason coatings “fail,” isn’t failure at all. It’s contamination. Ceramics are not maintenance free, which you seem to get. 
 
We encourage our clients to come back yearly for maintenance service. Some come back more often for an abbreviated service. We will always clay the vehicle. Depending on the coating and condition we will polish and reinstall a top coat (many pro level coatings are a multiple part application). 
 
But your plan sounds solid and should make your coating last for years. Clay treatment on your vehicle is vital to keeping your coating functioning. 

Look what showed up today!  Means next week they’ll be able to start wrapping the car!  More pics to follow...
 
PS - I hate the fluorescent lights since they don’t show the color shift well at all. 

Sounds like a multi part metal flake. Some paints use a base color. Then clear coat. Then metal flake (or metallic). Then more clear coat. 
 
You might have found a layer of metal flake. We did a custom painted Indian motorcycles. 
 
Ask me how I found out about that???  Went through and created what looked like an oil spot in the paint. Ended up getting it resprayed by the artist on my dime. 
 
You live and learn. 

Look what showed up today!  Means next week they’ll be able to start wrapping the car!  More pics to follow...
 
PS - I hate the fluorescent lights since they don’t show the color shift well at all. 

Look what showed up today!  Means next week they’ll be able to start wrapping the car!  More pics to follow...
 
PS - I hate the fluorescent lights since they don’t show the color shift well at all. 

Update time...well, more of a stay tuned. 
 
I dropped the Lotus off at ACI Dynamix in Seymour, Connecticut today. The materials are ordered. My car was scheduled for April, but I have a client who’s stuck with the Cornonavirus stuff impacting work for him so we swapped appointments moving me up!  
 
In a week or two (probably closer to two), we will go down to see it. We are going to coat it right in their shop so it doesn’t need to be prepped again and while they have the wheels off. The wheels and calipers will be freshly powder coated and painted so it’s an easy prep. 
 
Then it just needs some inside love quick and will be ready for photos.
 
I will post pics as I get teasers from them!
 
 

Update time...well, more of a stay tuned. 
 
I dropped the Lotus off at ACI Dynamix in Seymour, Connecticut today. The materials are ordered. My car was scheduled for April, but I have a client who’s stuck with the Cornonavirus stuff impacting work for him so we swapped appointments moving me up!  
 
In a week or two (probably closer to two), we will go down to see it. We are going to coat it right in their shop so it doesn’t need to be prepped again and while they have the wheels off. The wheels and calipers will be freshly powder coated and painted so it’s an easy prep. 
 
Then it just needs some inside love quick and will be ready for photos.
 
I will post pics as I get teasers from them!