In the evolving world of automotive detailing, few voices resonate with both seasoned professionals and aspiring beginners as that of Prentice St. Clair. A dedicated industry expert and a driving force behind Detail in Progress, Prentice brings a wealth of experience and insight to every conversation. Prentice currently continues to offer consulting and training for detailing operations and individuals while also providing retail detailing service to his local community. In this interview, we explore Prentice’s journey and the creation of the Detailer’s Study Guide, a resource fast becoming an essential tool for anyone serious about mastering the craft.
What first drew you into the detailing industry, and how did your career begin?
I had always enjoyed keeping my cars clean. The first car I truly detailed was a 1976 Ford Granada, single stage silver oxidized. Spent four weekends in ’81 hand buffing, waxing paint and chrome. In 1986, my boss asked me to detail his 1981 Datsun 280ZX Turbo. Eight hours later he was thrilled and I was all of $35 richer. This sparked my entrepreneurial fire. From then, I provided detailing service as an avocation throughout college and grad school, slowly increasing the price. Even into my 5-year career as a civilian employee with the Department of the Navy, I was detailing for cash on the weekends. In 1994, when the Navy job disappeared and a new position seemed impossible to find, I started Detail in Progress, which was mostly regular mobile washing.
What were some early challenges that shaped your approach to detailing and business?
Early on, I did not understand the importance of pricing analysis and charged far too little. Also, because the business was new, I would go all over the county to provide service. After about a year, I made the decision to double pricing and force customers into a schedule that put me in only one neighborhood each day. Two of the best decisions I ever made.
Your career has led you to so many different detailing businesses and organizations. What were some of the most impactful professional experiences?
From 1999-2003, I wrote and taught the curriculum for four of the training offerings at Rightlook.com. This experience cemented my love and skill of training automotive reconditioning services. Joining and becoming involved in the IDA was another major highlight. I can honestly say that, since 2009, most of my “next level” activities with detailing suppliers and manufacturers came about due to connections made through IDA involvement.
What is the Detailer’s Study Guide and what inspired you to create it?
Having served on the committee that authored the IDA’s Certified Detailer program, including all the exams, I am well aware that the biggest complaint among those taking the exams is that they don’t know where to go for information that ensures passing the exams. To help address this issue, I started writing articles years ago in the industry trade magazines, offering basic detailing knowledge in the ten exam areas. Detailer’s Study Guide is a much updated and highly organized version of this set of articles and includes tons of basic and advanced detailing knowledge that (really) every detailer needs. I made sure that the information included covers each and every question in the current version of the exams.
What gap in the industry does the Study Guide aim to fill?
There are two main gaps: the first is a complete, single-source compendium of information needed to pass the IDA Certified Detailer’s Exams. The second is a truly comprehensive and well-organized reference manual for anyone needing basic and advanced detailing technical information.
What kind of results or feedback have you seen from detailers who have used it?
Purchasers across the last couple of years have told me that they really appreciated having something to refer to when faced with a “non-pass” on an IDA exam. Many have also indicated that they found the Guide to offer so much more than just “answers to the IDA exams”.