Member Spotlight: Clint Hintz, CD-SV, RT

Each month we feature a Member Spotlight. This month we spoke with the Certification Committee co-chair, Clint Hintz, CD-SV, RT. He is also the Eastern Regional Sales Manager of Buff and Shine.

 

International Detailing Association (IDA): How did you get into the detailing industry?
Clint Hintz (CH): My father was a car guy, so cars were always around. I realized at an early age — about 14 — that I had a knack and an eye for cleaning cars. My father began getting me weekend side jobs, and then got me a job as a “detailer” at a used car lot the summer before my sophomore year of high school. Despite my knowledge of cleaning/washing and car interiors, I did not know how to use a wheel buffer. The owner of the used car lot handed me what felt like a 50-pound Makita one-speed (1700RPM) polisher, led me to an old yellow single-stage short school bus behind the shop, and with a few tips from him, I began practicing. It would be 10 years before I learned the techniques to properly polish paint — which is still an ongoing learning process — but that was the beginning of my detailing career.

IDA: Tell us more about your business. 
CH: In the early 1980s, Rich Umbrell heard his father, who was the owner of a predominant chemical manufacturing company, complain about the quality of buffing pads available in the industry. Richard’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in, and he began his quest to improve pad design while maintaining quality. One-by-one, Richard built and tested prototypes with customers and end-users, all the while maintaining his commitment to build a better pad. In 1987, Buff and Shine Manufacturing was born. Fast forward to present day, Buff and Shine now has a team of highly qualified designers and manufacturing technicians, as well as an experienced and qualified Sales and Training Team that puts Buff and Shine at the leading edge of innovation. Even to this day, consistency of quality products remains at the forefront of our business. 

IDA: In what products or services does your company specialize? 
CH: Buff and Shine Manufacturing specializes in the manufacturing of buffing pads that are designed, engineered, and manufactured in-house with custom-built production machinery available nowhere else. The company has a full line of patented products that are manufactured in the U.S. with the highest quality materials available. Through years of testing, improvement, re-testing, custom-built proprietary adhesives as well as the comprehensive approach to building a better buffing pad, our products proficiently hold up to heat, chemicals, and washing.

IDA: What do you think is the most important factor to being successful in the detailing industry? 
CH: This answer has evolved for me during my 20+ year professional career, but quite simply — never stop your drive to learn. Especially today, there are a ton of videos, classes, books, articles, and actual professional training centers in the U.S. to utilize for continued learning. For me, early in the industry with no internet, no training centers, and no classes — at least that I knew of — I typically learned from the person standing next to me or someone more experienced that I was able to watch and learn from, which often was NOT the best techniques. Had I known that Mike Phillips, CD-SV, RT — now with Autogeek, then with Meguiars — had articles and books about proper car cleaning techniques, I certainly would have gotten more skilled at my craft much earlier. Don’t be too proud or stubborn to learn from someone, there may be a better or easier way!

IDA: Are there any awards/certifications/accomplishments that you or your business has earned and would like to share with us? 
CH: In relation to the IDA, being a member of the Founders Club, having a past IDA President, Justin Labato, CD-SV, RT, Justin and I being active and dedicated Recognized Trainers, and myself being a current Co-Chair for the Certification Committee. I cannot forget the full support from a generous and trusting owner of Buff and Shine, Rich Umbrell, to assist and support the maintenance and growth of the IDA in any way possible. Any other awards just do not compare.

IDA: What is the best advice you ever received? 
CH: A very wise person once told me to be patient, speak less, listen more, never stop learning your ever-changing craft, be humble, and always, always be the person that does not resist change and learning, but to embrace and learn as much as you can. Unfortunately, I did not follow this advice as quickly as I should have, but once I did my career began to flourish. One day, I found myself working side-by-side with some of the best guys and gals in this industry, which will forever keep me humble. I will not put this well-known industry professional on the spot, but he knows who he is and that is enough for him, I am sure of it.

IDA: What tips do you have for the new detailer? For the experienced detailer? 
CH: Ironically, my advice to both would be the same. Never stop trying to learn. Be professional, ethical, work hard, but always keep balance with the most important things in life, which is not money or success, but rather family — thank you BP and Renny. Success is not handed but earned. The pride and enjoyment that you will feel with this advice will not only make you a better worker, manager, business owner, trainer, and mentor but most importantly a better person, which will lead to lifelong happiness.

IDA: What is your funniest business moment? 
CH: Early in my professional career — late 90’s — as a trainer with Auto Magic, the lead trainer had a last-minute assignment in another state. I was recruited, “told,”  that I would be his replacement to perform demos at a large tradeshow — the NACE show. We had the front section of a green Ford Escort that the demos were done on located at the edge of the tradeshow floor booth. I was used to using a Dewalt variable speed buffer that when you pushed the trigger, it immediately began to rotate. So, the owner of Auto Magic had a very important “potential” overseas customer coming by the booth to see me demo our compound and polish system. Just before he arrived and I was to begin my demo, the owner ran to me and said, “use his European buffer to do your demo. He will love that.”  Being the compliable employee I was, I quickly centered my wool cutting pad on the buffer that I had never used before as this potential distributor approached and stood front and center of the Ford Escort. He looked at me very intently as I put a line of compound on the hood and placed my buffer on the car to pull the product into my pad, but when I pulled the trigger the pad did not rotate. Thinking the buffer was not properly plugged in, I picked the buffer off the paint, which I had already placed in a portion of the compound. I quickly realized that this buffer had a lag time in the trigger —similar to a Makita — and it began spinning while in mid-air. I watched the pad flicker buffing compound all over our “potential” customer as well as the rest of the front row spectators. Needless to say, it is a funny memory now, but from the look on the owners face I wasn’t certain if that NACE show was my last day in the detailing industry. 😊

IDA: Why did you decide to get involved with the IDA? 
CH: I was working as a Regional Manager/Trainer at Auto Magic at the time. During a tradeshow in 2011, I was approached by Prentice St. Clair, CD-SV, RT, and Keith Duplessie, CD-SV, MC, RT. They knew that I had experience with training as well as writing training programs and articles. They asked if I would be interested in getting involved with the IDA and the Certification Program. I said that I was too busy. Prentice replied, “I am too, but I make the time to give back to the industry.” His words rang in my head all that night. I shortly after reached out to offer my services to help put together a team to begin writing the IDA Certified Detailer program.  

IDA: How has your involvement with the IDA affected your business and your career?
CH: I could never put into words how much being involved with IDA has benefited my professional career and more importantly the personal relationships and friends that I have in my life to this day. It is amazing how much the IDA has grown over these 10 years. I have a fond memory of Sheryle Hazard, CAE having faith in a small team of industry professionals — some being my competitors — not generating much, if any, revenue, that utilized each other’s strengths, worked hard, and stayed focused to bring our industry to a new level. The great and lifelong relationships I have made will exceed any goals of selling chemicals or buffing pads. I am honored to have just played a small role and will always be loyal to the IDA.