I've been holding weekend garage clinics at my shop in Orange County, California for the past year. Traditionally, most of my garage clinics have been open clinics--for anyone that wants to attend, but starting this year, I've started holding private club clinics.

My clinics are free with the only exception that I ask participants to bring a food item that we can enjoy for a potluck lunch. I've got a 20,000 btu grill, refrigerator, ice maker, 40 cup coffee maker, hot water pot--all the things we need for a comfortable day.

In order to keep them free the only way I can do this is to keep my expenses low. If I were to spend $400 on pizza and drinks for these "free" classes every weekend, the class would become a hard sell to buy products from me to "make up" for that "spent marketing money".

The detailing class is a full on--Hands On class where I show you how to use the tools and chemicals--you work, ask questions, and play all day under my guidance. I give demos on the cars that are brought in and depending on what needs to be fixed, many of you will go home with free repairs on things that may have bothered you for years or thought would be too costly to fix. Although I use and promote Prima Car Care and Meguiar's Professional products, participants are free to use whatever products they are most comfortable with as the focus is on technique and not products.

You can see past clinics and signsup here
ShowCarDetailing Detailing Classes - ShowCarDetailing

You can see my work if you aren't familiar with it here
Show Car Detailing - OctaneGuy's Portfolio

And for those that don't me, I got a mention and photo in the January 2008 Panorama when I attended the Las Vegas event with Caymanclub.net.

If members of Caymanclub would like to have such a clinic, please post here. If you have any particular dates that you think would work well also suggest them and I'll let you now how it works with my schedule. As of now, the next possible clinics will be in April (Saturdays only) and onwards.

Thanks

Richard Lin aka OctaneGuy

I saw your Mini Cooper S wash video and thought it was very informative. If you ever decide to come to Ohio I'm there!

Richard,

I would like to attend one of your weekend garage clinics. Sometime in April would work well for me. I can bring something to contribute to the potluck. Congrats on your picture in Panorama. I gave Ken a CD of images and they were used for that article. We talked briefly during lunch on Saturday at Croctoberfest. Look forward to your clinic.

Charlie

i'm interested! weekends are good for me so just let me know more info when the dates, etc are set

Do you need a car to use as a case study? Mine is pretty dirty at the moment

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Life is not a rehearsal

I'm interested as well.

Been a "hand" detailer for years, but I recently picked up an orbital and looking to better my skills.

Are there any earlier clinics that I can attend? My car in desparate need of a detail I don't mind if clinic isn't Cayman specific.

Haha thanks! Yes, I'm actually taking requests from clubs around the country for doing such clinics this year. The only issue is that for clinics outside of where I can drive--I have to charge a fee to cover my airfare and expenses..but we can talk about that separately.

Thanks Charlie, for providing the images! I wasn't expecting the article at all, so it was a pleasant surprise when Ken notified me. I'll post some dates for April and see what kind of responses we get.

Everyone's car will be a case study! The clinic is different from "other" clinics in that it's not product or tool specific. I also teach techniques and concepts that can transfer to your choices of products. At every clinic I like to do multiple demos so maybe there's an opportunity there.

Congrats on the orbital. We can definitely cover the differences and reasons where working by hand is preferable to machine and vice versa. My next clinic is Feb. 16--the Feb. 2 one is a private clinic and huge--so far over 23 people attending. The Feb. 16 clinic is smaller and probasbly has more opportunity for attending that as a standby. As we get into March, my detailing business goes into full swing and I'll be travelling for various national events, so April is likely to be the next opening, then May is the same as March for me--more travelling and details.

I've been considering doing some clinics on Wednesdays after work from 4PM to 9PM if there is demand, but it's not definite yet until I hear more feedback.

Richard

Hey Richard,

I would attend one of your clinics. You gave my silver CS its first wash back in May. I've been using the techniques you demonstrated. But I'd like to graduate up to polishing and clay bar, etc. April would be a good month for me. I'll need to buy more supplies from you as well.

Thom

Hi Richard,
I would be interseted in the April Saturday clinc. Also would be interested in the Wednesday after work clinic if it's prior to April since my Black Cayman has the famous swirl marks that I would like to see be gone. Just let me know.
Thanks

Count me in for a Saturday clinic!

Hi Richard,

I am interested in the April w/e exercise. Please count me in and let me know the exact date.
I'll bring hot dogs and buns.
Thanks

RadCays

I would love to come to one, I'll keep checking

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Just sold my beautiful CS, now the fun begins as I look for its open top replacement...

I'm interesting in going when you have a date picked.