It has been awhile since I have updated my work here on this page I see. I thought that Dec. would be a slower month giving me time to take care of all this stuff including "a writing my business plan for 2012". Well I will not let that one pass me as that is a must do for me, and right now its getting all the work done that we've committed our week to. Yesterday was a milestone for me and Shine and Shade as we made our goals set for our projected income in 2011. Also we detailed some very nice older trucks and cars to make a nice day out of it.

Winter time detailing. I've been thinking about my prices for this winter. If there's less work one would think that going down in price would bring in more work right? Maybe if your client is shopping price. But I'm thinking quality and convenience. If I have less volume in the coming months I have to go up in price to offset my overhead cost. 2 reasons... 1 is We have a heating bill and run more lights through the winter, 2 is your car is now dirtier and it is too cold to wash it outside. Actually our over head is more in the winter than the summer as you can see with higher bills. The one benefit to getting your car in now is we can protect an preserve your car's exterior as well as the interior. We give you as a consumer extra value during these months like paint sealants and fabric protection at very little extra cost. + we have more time to spend with your car with fewer interruptions during the day. Come by get your car an express wash and have some coffee and read the paper right here in our showroom. Enjoy the winter this year without feeling like your mistreating your car.

Wow Today we are working on a classic Mercedes SL560 1989 model. It listed new in 89 for 65,000.00 this car is sweet even if its old and not that popular it is in mint condition. I feel like a kid in a candy store when one of these comes in. Also good things are happening like 15* this morning.. is that winter or what? My wife came in too so I got to eat lunch with the family. Was fun. Now its off to install some tint on a 96 Maxima. This car is old too but very nice. All the details under one roof right? I'm lovin it...

fall update on shine and shade in Omak, WA

Ok I know I've been away for a while from my writing desk. We ran an add that was highly effective on fall paint protection and we have been covered in work at the store. Also I attended our continued education classes organized by Renny Doyle at Detailing Success. Was a highlight of my summer end and a real eye opener for what a detailer should be and could be. Now to put in motion some of those lessons learned. We covered boats, planes, ships, and even cars. I found out that we as detailers all have like passions and we all love what we do. The biggest thing that impacted me was how to utilize my time while working on your car as well as giving my family a fair amount of family time. I will have to say that I already put that one in motion last week getting home on time every night except one and spending all day with my kids on Sat. and Sun..

We got our first snow on Friday night but it didn't stay long. But on Sunday we went to a friends house 10 mi. out of town and the snow was fine there. Little Paige is going to turn one a week from today and she's a good baby not quite walking yet but that's ok she still can hold her own in the crowd.

This month at the shop we are adding a paint protection step to your detail at no extra cost. Why? Because we care so much about your car that when the winter is over we don't want to spend the extra time cleaning off the grime. IF we add this coat of poxy now and you take care of your car through the coming months the road scum should just wash right off. This is the first year we have used this product but the stakes are high as the reviews so we hope this is the ticket to success on keeping your car in top shape year around. We already have installed enough of it to know we love it and can't find a comparison to it. (Although SEMA had some great new products on the drawing board for us to try in our shop. We'll be getting some in and testing it out before we upgrade you to something we're not sure of.) All the products used in our shop have been tested and have a good track record.

Check out a tint special on our web and look for the gift special coming up in December. We could make your hoiday season sparkle with the sweet deals at hand. Want an early bird deal? Call me now to purchase a gift card and recieve a free gift. (509) 429-4516

http://www.shineandshade.com/

Today were detailing an old Fire truck for the Loup Loup Ski Hill. Its going to be auctioned off at the benefit auction supper. This is a 61 model and needs some paint but its a fairly strait old truck and runs awesome.

Stitchworks Promotion

This month we gave a special customer the Royal treatment. Mike at Stitchworks Upholstery brought in his 06 Mercedes for some quality window film. We also washed and vacuumed his car for good customer service. What makes Mike's tint Royal? Is it the wash and vac? No, that's to be expected of a shop that wants the best for you and your car. What makes it special is that this tint was on the house, that's right it was free! Why because Mike was a key player in the beginning of Shine and Shade making room in his upholstery shop for our little detailing adventure. Mike always has time to listen to your needs not only as a business client but on a personal note, he is one that can be there for you. Mike is the owner at Stitchworks and his work is Awesome. Go to his website to contact him, to see his work, and get your bike seat gel pad or some copper stitch work done. He does everyday repairs too like your drivers seat that's all worn out.

http://www.stitchworks-upholstery.com/

Detailed to perfection

Some people wonder what more can I get than a full detail priced at $185? If you are a perfectionist to began with I recommend our Platinum Detail Package. Chances are your car is kept pretty clean but it maybe lacks that total exterior gloss it once had. If your are wanting light scratches, spider web look removed,and a body armor that really works on your paint, we can deliver outstanding, satisfactory results. Within quality detailing it simply takes proper knowledge, skills, and equipment along side undivided attention... and time. This service is something you don't get in a hurry, its not a general cleaning either, its above and beyond.

Lately I have found myself underselling or  more like overselling myself on a full detail only to find out when they pick it up its not what they thought they were getting. What about those hair line scratches? or that deep key scratch on my rear pass. door?  Real high end details don't come without time invested as well as your dollar going to work for you. Sometimes you may have a vehicle that could be outstanding for the extra investment, you could be richly rewarded. We have the ability to make your ride all it can be...but we all play a game called show me the money and I'll work for you.

Here is my advice" never let price sway what your car deserves and results you can be satisfied with.Wouldn't you pay a little bit more at the store for something American made? I would. Its called seeing the value of your purchase and when you spend your hard earned dollar who is the eligible recipient. Even the wealthiest man I know will not spend his money unless he sees value. If you went to purchase high end sunglasses would you pay 15-30-or even 50 bucks? I wouldn't I want to pay three times that for sure! Did you know that Oakley sunglasses are hand crafted and have a warranty they stand behind. If you try a pair on I just sold you on some of the most expensive sunglasses on the market why, because isn't that awesome that so much time is invested into making one pair of glasses and if they back up there product that means they believe in what they sell is really good. You won't find a guarantee on a cheep product that amounts to anything. If you purchase an entry level detail, expect entry level results. If your car is really dirty and you go to the drive through wash you already know that the economy will not get it clean-its easy to upgrade one or two levels but, buying the best goes against our nature as we like to think we are frugile and responsable with our money. Truth is even the best drive through wash may not get it clean. Something we all know.

Every car we detail at our shop we have earned every dollar on it. We may have been able to do more had the client been willing to upgrade and I able to show the value of that higher level. We have detailed over 700 vehicles and worked on over a 1000 since we opened  in March 2010 and not one have I felt guilty upon delivery. We are a value orientated shop just as you are a like minded individual. For me its food on the table and a bunch of  hungry bunnies to feed and bedtime stories to read.  Find time to shine in whatever you do. http://www.shineandshade.com/    http://www.detailingsuccess.com/

Value in Tinting

SO many people think that tinting is a luxury. Many people think blacking out your windows is for punk kids. Well tinting in this heat is more than just a fling with your car its a must to save your cars interior and be able to bare with this weather. Also sun can be harmful to your skin if you didn't know. If you want protection from the sun we can install film that doesn't black out your car and does the same performance blocking 99% of the sun harmful rays. Detailing is also a hot item this time of the year as the rain has quite coming down for a few weeks. Clean cars makes you feel better about your life and the quality of your rig. Our film comes with a lifetime warranty and we stand in front of our work we know you will like our quality film. We just can't bring ourselves to using that cheep stuff so if you want it done for cheep were not the shop for you. If you want a fair price and quality job come by I can help you out. See you with your shades on. Andy

Express detailing?

Ok you want to know the value within an express detail or wash?

#1 We perform this easy task while your at work and when your on the go during baseball season or busy with all of lifes little needs that scream for your attention all day long you can actually have a clean and neat car for a very minimal price. This keeps your car from going completely down the tube.

#2 We clean your vehicles exterior by hand including the wheels which get brake dust build up that most regular car washes won't get off. Your door jambs are clean and the crome is shiny!

#3 A good vacuum with a good pet hair removal tool and some spot cleaning with our steam machine that is always ready to kill that coffee you spilt under your seat. Your dash and doors are properly dressed with protection and a matte finish.

#4 Streak free glass inside and out, with a hand glaze of paint sealant, and tire dressing that doesn't sling up on your paint. Your car is ready to go out on the town and portray the image that you know you are. Not some person that is busy, disorientated, and don't respect his or her most valuable investments next to your cell phone of course. Ha Ha

#5 Peace of mind and more quality time to spend with family and friends while keeping your vehicle in top shape is what you get.

Perfect shine

I want to say a little something that intrigues every detailer and everyone that even cares a little about there cars paint. Many people when they are attracted to a shop like mine its because they have seen a vehicle that really wowed them and can't believe the depth in the paint. SO the inquire how did you get that shine on? That's were the referrals come in. SO I always want to perform and produce these kind of results. Here is were money throws the consumer and me as a service provider for a loop. We can often renew your paint with the proper steps and time involved. If really want this shine I encourage you to emphasise on that issue in the beginning of our consultation. Usually it won't be as much as you think to make these few extra step. ( Unless you have a lifted monster truck that's been hunting for the last 10 years and you've never gotten it detailed once.) Paint correction first takes a clean surface so we remove all the tar, sap, and other things that can only be seen under our xenon inspection light. Then we use a cleaning polish that removes scratches and many imperfections. Then we will spot sand any scratches that need to be addressed. Next is another coat of polish or wax of choice for the vehicles needs. ( Black and maroon vehicles require different care than a white or silver) also Audi paint is different than GM paint. We use a dual action orbital polisher to achieve the highest luster finishing off with a paint sealant of epoxy or polymer glaze. Hand applied polish doesn't last as long as machine applications. Some times a hand apply is the best option though. Feel free to call and ask what you can use on your car or stop by I can help you select whats best for your situation. Paint protection should be applied about 2 times a year unless you get some expensive products that last 1-2 years. I will be posting more on this subject as it is a vast one.

Detailing tip of the week

If you are going to clean your leather seats make sure that you use leather cleaning products approved for that vehicle. The wrong cleaners can remove the oils on the leather stitching and soon they will rub together and fray. This is the leading cause in leather giving out and coming apart. Also some leather is very particular on what type of conditioner applied, so check with the dealer, a detail shop, or supplier to make sure what your using is helping, and not shortening the life of your seats. We had a lady in with a Park Ave. last week and obviously someone had used a cleaner that dried out the leather leaving it all cracked and dry. Almost beyond repair. Maybe it looked good shortly after it was clean but the long term effects were devastating. We don't mind a call or stop by and check out what products we sell to help you out. Also condition your seats every 6 months at the least to keep them in top condition.

Detail shop intro

Welcome to Shine and Shade detail shop talk page. Like most detail shops we are family owned and run. Which is a good thing for you because your the most important person to us when you walk in the door. That gives you all the things you expect like good courteous service. Let me tell you a bit about what we do here. First we are a professional window tint dealer featuring Johnson Window films. We tint cars, houses, and store fronts. IF you got issues with the sun, stop by and see what our tint can do for your windows. Also we are an auto reconditioning service specializing in complete auto appearance. Want your car to look new again? Or did you spill a milkshake or haul a dog? We can take care of your needs. We use ozone technology to remove unwanted odors. We have many other things to offer here as an appearance shop.

Check us out on the web at www.shineandshade.com

Got our baby sitters kinda figured out and Grandma's coming to stay in Seattle with us.

Today we have gotten alot of work done. I tinted a car this morning and Jason detailed a truck. WE also did some headlights and 3 rock chips and fixed a tint that was coming off from a different tint shop. We're just starting on a ford 1 ton dually detail really kinda dirty but nothin we can't handle. Busy day but I'm going home early tonite enough of this coming in at 6 and going home at 7.