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ELBOW Grease The Season of Ick While vehicles can be cesspools of allergens, viruses and germs, taking proper precautions are nothing to sneeze at. There is a lot of information, and misinformation regarding germs and public safety. Public panic and unconfirmed viral Facebook posts are causing widespread panic. And, since detailers are in the business of dealing with sullied surfaces and are also looking to calm customers’ concerns over contaminated consoles, crevices and compartments, it is important to know the health risks if dealing with an infected vehicle interior and/or customer. Thankfully, the risks of fake news reports are lessened thanks to four big authorities including the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, OSHA and the Mayo Clinic. All four are continuously updating their websites, trying to put out timely, important and accurate information regarding the recent flu outbreak and the worldwide pandemic public enemy number one: The Coronavirus. Days were spent gathering up the truth about germs, not only for your benefit, but so that you can also properly inform and educate your customers. If a customer is worried their car is contaminated, a detailer shouldn’t necessarily bank on their paranoia, but should properly inform the customer of the steps taken to decontaminate the interior. Detailers also need to know if they are at risk of getting sick and whether they are sick already. So, where does the truth lie? Yes, germs can live on surfaces, but they do have an expiration date. If a customer had the flu, is a detailer at risk of cross-contamination? Staying healthy is nothing to sneeze at and having an arsenal of concrete knowledge is paramount during these times of hysteria, which, unfortunately, is somewhat warranted. What Detailers Need to Know by Josh Buckler CD-SV, IDA Marketing, Communications Committee Co-chair There’s not much better of a time to discuss preparedness for both personal and customer health than now. With the new Coronavirus, COVID-19, infiltrating 42 countries; there are now 83,379 confirmed cases and 2,858 deaths ascribed to its name. Regardless of personal opinion, this should serve as evidence that we are not immune to such pandemic-like events. Simply because this is a headline story, we should not ignore the common flu, which has set a record number of cases this year as well. The following information can help better prepare you, your team, your customers, and everyone’s friends and families. Remember, just because one person’s immune system may fight hard, the next individual might not be as fortunate. As detailers, we understand that the vehicle can be one of the most bacteria harboring places people spend any amount of time in. It is important that those we serve recognize these hazards as well. The following items can help communicate this necessity to the community you serve. YUCK! During studies for the National Institute of Health, Staphylococcus aureus, the germ most commonly known for MRSA, was found on most frequently touched surfaces in a vehicle, such as the steering wheel, gear shifter, and center console. Hot water extraction: The fibers of the carpet and fabrics inside a vehicle can embed germs and facilitate growth. Using an extractor can allow for embedded germs to be lifted from the fibers of the carpet. Steam: Using steam can kill 99.9% of germs. Create: Using your email list, send a brief email newsletter. Stay away from the already saturated “Coronavirus” headline. Use a 4-7 words that grab their attention immediately such as “Vehicles get sick too!”, and “Take your car to the doctor”, etc. Follow up: Go through your schedule from 3 months ago. Find the people who had their interiors completed and reach out one by one, have the team help, or even send a mass text using an online platform. Take it a step further and find the customers who you know have kids that also ride in the vehicle regularly. Share: Reach out to local media outlets and explain the importance to them. Most press have a general place online to send a story too. Write up something educational and email any you can think of. They’re looking to stay current with what is popular. <strong>Detailing</strong> provides a quick break from the negative news and gives value to their viewers/readers. Collaborate: Link up with a local business to go live on social media together and offer tips to determine if the interior should be detailed or not. Consider holding a day long “free check up” at a local automotive shop. Create a checklist like an auto mechanics suggestions. To build rapport, don’t just write the things you see that need attention, but those that are positive and complementing too. This article was provided courtesy of the 14 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 5, NO. 1 • SPRING 2020
International <strong>Detailing</strong> Association (IDA) and its entirety was provided to all IDA members. Only a portion of the article is included here. For more information, visit the IDA at https://the-ida.com/. HOW YOU “CATCH” A COLD AND THE FLU According to the Mayo Clinic, cold and flu virus-laden droplets may remain infectious for several hours, depending on where they fall. Viruses generally remain active longer on stainless steel, plastic and similar hard surfaces than on fabric and other soft surfaces. Other factors, such as the amount of virus deposited on a surface and the temperature and humidity of the environment, also determine how long cold and flu viruses stay active outside the body. “It’s possible to catch the flu or a cold after handling an object an infected person sneezed or coughed on a few moments ago. But personal contact with an infected person — such as a handshake or breathing in droplets from a cough or sneeze — is the most common way these viruses spread,” the Mayo Clinic states. QUESTIONABLE INTERIORS AND WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE It is okay to play it safe, even if a vehicle and its owner do not seem contaminated. If a customer is coughing or has been sick, those are obvious red flags, but some symptoms are not yet present. Therefore, according to the Mayo Clinic, seek medical care if you suspect that you have an infection and you have experienced any of the following: • Difficulty breathing • A cough lasting longer than a week • Periods of rapid heartbeat • A rash, especially if it’s accompanied by a fever • Swelling • Blurred vision or other difficulty seeing • Persistent vomiting • An unusual or severe headache PROPER TERMINOLOGY Disinfecting is not the same thing as sanitizing and cleaning is technically not the right word to use if you’re “killing” germs. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are notable differences between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing. Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily ELBOW Grease clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection. CAN A CAR CARRY CORONAVIRUS? There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 as the outbreak investigation continues, according to OSHA. It is currently unknown if the virus can live on a surface. GROW WITH ZIEBART Expand your business offerings, and join our growing list of franchisees with opportunities available in multiple states and countries! Contact us today to see if your desired location is available! PICK YOUR FUTURE TODAY! 1-866-634-4795 Franchise fee waived for U.S. Military Veterans! ziebart.com VOL. 5, NO. 1 • SPRING 2020 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | 15
Page 1 and 2: VOL. 5, NO. 1 SPRING 2020 Paint Cor
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS Detail Doctor . ..........
Page 6 and 7: DETAIL DOCTOR What A Detailer Shoul
Page 9 and 10: OSHA NEWS Strictly Business Announc
Page 12 and 13: THE BUSINESS OF DETAILING Professio
Page 16 and 17: At the time this article was publis
Page 18 and 19: INNOVATIONS Introducing new & impro
Page 20 and 21: INDUSTRY DIRT Keynote Speaker Annou
Page 22 and 23: With the Basic Pass, attendees will
Page 24 and 25: COVERSTORY The Color of Money Hear
Page 27 and 28: Bob Wiener of Finer Details Along w
Page 29 and 30: Since 197777 Lake Country Manufactu
Page 31 and 32: The IDA frequently recruits members

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