Collision Blast

Providing FREE Auto Body and Paint Training Videos

No, I Can’t Help You Right Now, I’m Busy Looking for New Customers

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It seems like many businesses are so busy chasing the new catch, they forget to take care of the folks that keep them in business.

It is aggravating to the loyal customers that get placed behind new potential customers or the “big catch.”  However, you see it all of the time.  If you stop and think about it,  how much social networking, advertising, networking face-to-face, and all of the other effort and money do you spend trying to reach out and attract new customers? With all of the effort spent trying to get the customers, don’t you think we should try harder to keep the customers after we get them?  Sure, this makes perfect sense, but it does not seem like many businesses try very hard.  Here is a question for you.  Do you think you would have better luck and service out of your current salesman or a salesman trying to switch you to their line of products?  That’s right, the new sales person is going to do whatever it takes to get your business.  Why couldn’t the current business do a little better job of trying to keep you?  

I know that many businesses already provide excellent customer service.  However, I have seen my share of being put on the back burner while they are trying to catch the bigger and better customers.  

A little food for thought, spend an equal amount or more effort and time to keep your current customers as you spend trying to find new ones.  If you’re already doing that, then you’re ahead of many businesses that I have worked with in the past.  For instance, I was recently at a trade show trying to buy what they had to offer.  The first guy walked off, the second salesman started showing me the product and I told him that I would like to purchase it.  No kidding, he saw someone that must have been “important” and said excuse me…..right at the close of the sale and walked off!  I was stupid enough to keep asking other people until someone would sell it to me.  I really wanted the product, as I thought it would  benefit the students at the college that I teach at.  I sucked my pride in and made the purchase.  I think back and wish that I would have just walked away.  However, I am pretty sure that I will not continue to do business with them.  

The next time you are with a current customer tell the potential customer that you will be with them in a minute.  You’ve already made the catch with your loyal customer……don’t let em’ get away.

Auto Paint Training – Sealer and Base Coat

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R2T6EeAfqk[/youtube]
In this video we’re going to discuss and demonstrate how to spray primer sealer and base coat. We have already prepped an OEM fender by sanding with 500 grit on a DA with a soft pad and surfing the edges with a maroon scuff pad.
Method 1
Painting the part before it is installed onto the vehicle is one of two methods that we practice at Butler. This allows the painter to paint the part with less masking, which makes a smother and cleaner finish. The problem with this methods is that care must be taken when installing the part without damaging the new painted surfaces. Normally, adjacent panels will still require blending to provide an invisible repair.
Method 2
The second way that we practice is to edge the panel, then install it on the vehicle. Then the panel is masked with the blending area and the panel can be painted while blending the adjacent panels. This makes panel alignment easier and any scuffed made while installing the panel can be easily repaired during the refinish process. Both methods are effective and have pros and cons.

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I’m Register For NACE 2010… Are You Going?

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NACE It Is!
I had to make a decision between SEMA and NACE this year.  They are both providing collision repair training, but after looking at what both events have to offer, I believe that NACE offers the better training package for the collision repair industry.  Therefore, NACE it is!

A Few Speakers To Consider

Mike Anderson – I have had the opportunity to meet Mike and listen to several of his presentations at a few events.   I highly recommend Mike and I think he is a great speaker.  You will definitely leave with some useful advice.  I will not be attending Mike’s class at NACE, as I have already been to the classes that he is offering.  However, if you have not attended one of his classes, I recommend that you add it to your schedule.  For more about Mike you can visit his website at CollisionAdvice.com

Jody DeVere  – Jody is a longtime online social friend and I had the opportunity to meet her at NACE last year.  We follow each other on many different social networks and I am familiar with your purpose and dedication to the auto industry.  Jody trains and certifies auto businesses to be female friendly.  She will be presenting a class, “What Women Want” at NACE this year, which I plan to attend.  I believe that it will be a great class and encourage you to consider it too.  To Learn more about Jody you can visit her website at AskPatty.com

Bob Cooper – Bob is a expert author on CollisionBlast.com and has posted several articles educating readers about work ethics and a glimpse of his presentation at NACE 2010.  I have not had the chance to meet Bob yet, but that is going to change, as I plan on attending his class this year.  I encourage you to check it out as well.  To learn more about Bob visit EliteWorldWideStore.com

To see all of the other classes offered at NACE this year check out their complete list of classes scheduled.  NACE Training Schedule

Are you planning on going to NACE?  If you are let us know about it.

1. What classes do you recommend?

2. Do you have a booth?

3. What else is going on?

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You Are What You Wear – Are You A Professional Technician?

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The Front Desk
I went to the doctor’s office the other day and it was quite an experience.  First of all, I walked into the front desk to sign in, but they did not have a sigh in sheet.  I stood at the window waiting to let them know that I was there, as I waited 15 minutes listening to the two women on the other side of the counter discuss their problems at home.  I remember a little bit of the conversation, but it would not be appropriate to post it to this blog.  Finally, I got her attention, but she spent a few more minutes venting before looking at me.  As she looked at me, I waited for her to ask, may I help you…but she gave me the look, you know, the “do you need something or not” look.  I proceeded to tell her that I was there for an appointment, but she rolled her eyes and said… sign it.  I replied, where do I sign in at.  As she huffed,  she looked for the sign in sheet, but she must have not been able to find it because she flipped a medical transcript over and said sign here.

The Joke
After waiting over an hour, as with many doctor’s office, I heard my name on the intercom to come to the back.  I was not sure where to go, which I must have made a mistake, as I walked in to a room with people, which appeared to be farmers and ranchers, laughing and making jokes while looking at x-rays hanging up.  I quickly turned around and went from room to room until I found a nurse.  Finally, she directed me to the room that I was supposed to be in.

The Doc
I wait another half hour for the doctor to come in.  However, I was quite surprised when he walked in.  I thought something must be wrong and I wondered if I was in the right place.  He walked in stuck out his hand and said, “hi, I’m the doc.”  I realized that he was one of they guys in the room that was laughing, as he had on overalls and he was the one laughing the hardest about the x-ray.

The Diagnosis
He proceeded to look at me with comforting word like, what in the ****.   This really made me nervous as I did not know if something was extremely wrong with me or not.  After he was done, I asked, is there something wrong?  He replied, “nah, I think you’ll be alright.

Professionalism
Of course, this story is made up, as we don’t normally see doctors wearing overalls and using profanity when talking to us.  However, the front desk may not be too exaggerated from some of the places that I’ve been. lol This story does not portray a professional business.  You would expect the doctor to be well dressed and to treat you in a professional manner.  The auto industry is not really any different.  Sure the look is different, you don’t expect to see the technicians wearing suites, but it does look good if they are all wearing company shirts.  I don’t know what it is, but a technician in shorts and a tank top just don’t look as professional as a technician wearing a company uniform.

Which Auto Body Shop Would You Choose?
People expect to be treated with respect and with professionalism where ever they are.  I am not claiming that all of the shops out there provide excellent customer service, but I think most people would rather do business with the shops that do treat their customers well and portray a professional image.  Think about it, which shops grow and which shops stay small.  Most shops that grow and become very successful are the businesses that treat their customers in a professional manner.

The Lesson
Many Collision Repair programs require that you wear uniforms to help teach professionalism.  You become a professional by practicing.  Therefore, dress the part and work on your personal and communication skills while learning the technical skills.  Start thinking about how you treat and talk to other people.  Be aware that profanity may offend some of the customers.  The use of profanity, how you dress, the nude photo’s on your toolbox, etc. may give the shop that you work an unprofessional image when customers are there.  Try to avoid these habits and the time to start is now.  Start while you are in school so you will have the skills you need to be a professional technician when you have completed the program.  After acquiring these personal skills and the technical skills, most employers will be glad to have you on their team.

How To Apply 3M Finish Glaze – Collision Repair Training

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This video demonstrates how to apply the new 3M and how to sand the glaze. Once sanded and featheredged, you’re ready to mask and prime with epoxy primer.

HOW TO APPLY TRADITIONAL FINISH GLAZE

In this video a BCC student demonstrates how to use traditional glaze.

Benefits Of Using Finish Glaze

  • Can be applied over sanded body filler, sanded primer, or sanded paint.  I would recommend to sand with a no finer grit than 180 to assure proper adhesion.  Glaze will not stick to non-sanded substrates.
  • Spreads smooth and sands easy.
  • Can be applied over small dings and dents without removing factory e-coat corrosion coatings.
  • Minimal Shrinkage

Disadvantages Of Using Finish Glaze

  • Costs more than body filler.
  • Can not be applied as thick as body filler.

STEP BY STEP PROCEDURE

The body filler has been block sanded and finished in 80 grit sandpaper.  Now you are ready to feather edge and apply glaze.

  1. Feather the paint edges around the repair area with 220 grit sandpaper on a DA.  Sand each layer of coating to expose at least 1/4″ of each coating.
  2. Blow repair area with compressed area to remove all dust.
  3. Apply (either type 3M or traditional) glaze from paint edge to paint edge.  (slightly overlap onto the sanded painted surface.)
  4. Allow to fully dry and block sand with 80 grit sandpaper. (just knock the highs down…do not sand on the painted surface to eliminate 80 grit scratches on paint surface.)
  5. Apply guide coat to help identify highs and lows.
  6. Block sand glaze and finish shaping with 150 grit sandpaper.

That is it!  Now you’re ready for primer and paint.  We’ll hit that in another lesson!