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My new detailing business....(Pics)
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Well, about 8 months ago I started my own business after 8 years in the automotive sales and finance industry. The long hours, crappy owners, and missing my kids birthday parties led me to take the plunge. I started a mobile detailing business. Yep. I come to where you are and clean your car inside and out. I remove swirls, shampoo carpets.....even restore nasty headlights. It's been a blessing but hard work. I though I'd share some of my work with you all....if you even care. LOL!
Thanks guys. Here's a sample of a write and review that I do for some detailing forums. If you get bored I'm sorry. I just like doing this for some reason. As you can tell from the title, this was the biggest restoration I've done to date. It's red with a ton of oxidation. This was yet another referral. The customer is about to sell this vehicle so he wanted it extremely clean. He has over 10k in mods to it. 329HP to the wheels on pump gas; 389WHP on 104 octane! This was the first time I got a tip before I even started on a vehicle. Here's what it got: (Actually took some before shots!) NXT Tech Wash (Clayed while during the wash cycle) Meguiar's #80 (EDGE2K Yellow Pad at #6) Had to clean this thing out 6 times! And it's double sided! XMT Machine Glaze (EDGE2K Orange Pad at #4 setting) Souveran Liquid Wax-2 coats (EDGE2K White Pad at #3 setting) Once again, a tough one. About 5-6 hours on the paint alone. Interior was really clean so no shots of it. #80 took all the oxidation off with one pass and polished out nicely. Again, XMT glaze stole the show giving it the wet depth followed by the gloss of Souveran. Customer was extremely pleased! Befores....... http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...O/100_1173.jpg Attachment 30895 Attachment 30896 Attachment 30897 Attachment 30898 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...O/100_1180.jpg A little half&half shot or two...... http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...O/100_1184.jpg Attachment 30899 A very messy pad shot.....(LOL!) http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...O/100_1192.jpg |
Re: My new business....
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Re: My new business....
Another.........
Hey guys....glad to be back at work! Here's a Bimmer that's owned by a local real estate broker. He is very good to me in that he lets me detail other clients car's at his building and does not charge me a dime. He will not even let me give him a freebie or discount! So I decided to take care of this awesome car of his and give it the works. This is a total Pinnacle XMT and Souveran job. This will also be a review for these products since it's the first time I've used them. Pinnacle XMT #2 Swirl Remover/Polish (EDGE 2K Green Med. Cutt Pad at a #5 setting) It was 96 in the sun today and this stuff rocked! The car had moderate swirls from the dealer so #1 wasn't gonna do it. With one pass, I knew I had my new arsenal of swirl removers. Took everything out...including some heavy water marks and sap. There was very low dusting; I didn't have to use a QD to remove any of the product. The smell was amazing! Key-Lime is what I'm guessing. Made my work alot more enjoyable. Final Opinion: One of the best swirl removers I've used to date. I can tell it was designed for the PC and works awesome under high heat conditions. Pinnacle XMT Glaze (EDGE 2K Blue Polishing Pad at a #3 setting) Once again, I was impressed. The glaze had a super thin form and there was that smell again. GRAPE! Nice. I was amazed on how far such a small amount would go. I'd say about 5-6 quarter sized amounts did this large car. It filled in all of the remaining defects and gave the car a glow. I have never seen a glow like this with my Meg's #7. Left a super-slick finish and a reflection that I've never seen on white before. Final Opinion: Easy to use. Works well in the heat. Give awesome depth and glow! Pinnacle Liquid Souveran Wax (EDGE 2K White Finishing Pad at a #3 setting) Now I've heard alot of hype about this wax. I was more anxious to use it than any product. It was a thin liquid wax to me. This made me a little hesitant on how it would go on but had no problems. Only took about 5 quarter sized amounts to do the car. Smell wasn't that good but so what! The results were dramatic. It gave the car a reflection that Meg's #26 had never done on white. Was so easy to remove too. Final Opinion: THE new wax in my kit. The hype is true. Went on easy and came off easy. Gave amazing results and a 20 dollar tip! Addional Products used: Armor-All Tire Gel Pinnacle Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Meguiar's APC Meguiar's Wheel Brightener Stoner's Invisible Glass The Pictures.... http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1009.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1010.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1011.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1012.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1013.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1015.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1017.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1018.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1022.jpg http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...3/100_1019.jpg |
Re: My new business....
But do you clean couches?
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Re: My new business....
Not if my black light find weird stains!!!!
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Re: My new business....(Pics)
i get that by spending 6 bucks in a auto-wash !!
j/k looks pretty solid, how much do you charge/ make on average ? |
Re: My new business....(Pics)
Tell that moron up top to take care of his 30k+ car.
I hate seeing cars disrespected like that. Nice job on bringing it back to life though. |
Re: My new business....(Pics)
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A wash/vac goes from 40-60. A FUL detail gets me 200+......easy. It was all about marketing to the right clients.....
Like this one..... I waited to last to detail this one. I was so tired but this one pumped me up! He just bought this one and has only 700 miles on it. This just a pure driving machine. It was in superb shape so no befores as dusk was growing close on me. He did not want me to touch the engine bay right now. That's ok with me. It's just an honor to even wash this car more less detail it! Here's what it recieved.... Start Time: 2:30PM Finish Time: 5:30PM Payment: 250.00 Meguiar's NXT Wash and Clay (Used EDGE Wash ShMitt and 2 bucket method) XMT#1 (EDGE2K Green Light Cutting Pad at a #5 PC setting) I just wanted to remove anything left on the paints surface. There was a stray swirl here and there but #1 took care of it. It really gave a nice polished surface to work with. Slick and smooth. XMT's Finishing Glaze (EDGE2K Blue Finishing Pad at a #5 PC setting) I decided on this extra step at the last minute. I wanted to get all the depth that I could from this color. This product is so easy to work with. Goes on smooth taking very little to cover the car. Once hazed, comes off with barely a touch. The wetness and depth were there now. Ready for my LSP..... Collinite Marque D’Elegance Carnauba Paste Wax #915 (Applied and removed by hand) I wanted a LSP that would last because he will not be driving it that much. I decided on the #915 due to this and it's high depth/gloss properties. I took a Meguiar's foam applicator pad and wet it with XMT's Pad Condtioner. I then loaded up my pad and went to work. A thin layer is all that is needed. The pad glided over the paint smoothly. I let it dry while I did the interior. The wood pieces on the inside also got a coat of #915. Once dry, there was no pain in removing it. No dusting and came right off. Other Products Used: Meguiars Detailer Line Super Degreaser (4:1 on engine, tires, and wells) Meguiars Detailer Line APC (10:1 on interior sufaces, leather, and mats) Meguiars Detailer Line Wheel Brightner (4:1 on wheels. Let sit for 2 minutes per wheel and brushed) Armor All Tire Foam (Tires and wells. Let sit for 5 minutes and wiped clean with MF mitt) Armor All Tire Gel (Applied with supplied applicator) Pinnacle's Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Afters.... Attachment 30877 Attachment 30878 Attachment 30879 Attachment 30880 Attachment 30881 Attachment 30882 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...G112006192.jpg Attachment 30883 Attachment 30884 Attachment 30885 Attachment 30886 |
Re: My new business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by 96turboracer
Tell that moron up top to take care of his 30k+ car.
I hate seeing cars disrespected like that. Nice job on bringing it back to life though. Oh yeah, the owner was 16! Shows huh? |
Re: My new business....(Pics)
You support a family with this? Didn't strike me as a high dollar operation, but what do I know?
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Re: My new business....(Pics)
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Originally Posted by ichbinsobose
You support a family with this? Didn't strike me as a high dollar operation, but what do I know?
8 months ago it started out with me making about 300.00 per week. In about 4 weeks I was at 600.00 and now 1200.00. I now have over 170 clients and most have their rides cleaned on a biweekly basis. Remember, there are 15 real estate companies in just my county with 20+ agents per. This is my bulk. Lot's of money up here. Believe me. Oh yeah, I'm not bullshitting any of you. Call my references....... Here's another I've done when I did the SL.... New day.....new client. This is one of 3 I did today. They are referrals from the marina owners. This couple has some very nice rides. I felt very proud that he choose me to handle and maintain them This one is just a gem. I've always loved Jags but this is beautiful. I has only 29K on on the odometer. He bought for his wife when he retired. It's her baby. Now it's mine! Start time: 9:00AM Finish Time: 12:00PM Payment: 250.00 XMT #3 (Used EDGE2K Yellow Cutting Pad at #5 PC setting) The finish was pretty heavily swirled. Sun was hiding so no good before shots but they were there.....promise. #3 took care of them as usual. about 5 minutes per panel. No dust and no fuss. Full sun too when I was mid way. Poli-Seal/Polish Combo (Used EDGE2K Orange Polishing Pad at a #5 PC Setting) I just wanted to take care of any marring left by XMT#3. Also wanted to just amp up this white some and give it more protection. Pinnacle's Liquid Souveran (Used EDGE2K White Finishing Pad at #3 PC setting) Man I love this stuff still! So easy to use. Only takes a little too. Leave the finish soft and smooth. Oh yeah, reflect damn well too! Other Products Used: Meguiars Detailer Line Super Degreaser (4:1 on engine, tires, and wells) Meguiars Detailer Line APC (10:1 on interior sufaces, leather, and mats) Meguiars Detailer Line Wheel Brightner (4:1 on wheels. Let sit for 2 minutes per wheel and brushed) Armor All Tire Foam (Tires and wells. Let sit for 5 minutes and wiped clean with MF mitt) Armor All Tire Gel (Applied with supplied applicator) Pinnacle's Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Befores.... Attachment 30848 Attachment 30849 Attachment 30850 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...G112006122.jpg Attachment 30851 Attachment 30852 Attachment 30853 Attachment 30854 Afters.... Attachment 30855 Attachment 30856 Attachment 30857 Attachment 30858 Attachment 30859 Attachment 30860 Attachment 30861 Attachment 30862 Attachment 30863 Attachment 30864 Attachment 30865 Attachment 30866 Interior, Engine, and Wheels/Tires.... Attachment 30867 Attachment 30868 Attachment 30869 Attachment 30870 Attachment 30871 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...G112006142.jpg Attachment 30872 Attachment 30873 (I'll post the other two up tomorrow.......here's a sneak peak of one!) Attachment 30874 |
Re: My new business....(Pics)
Looks really good. I'm getting into detailing too.Nothing as detailed as you though. I just did the A3 la couple of weeks ago. I hit it with a clay bar while washing it. Then I used some "The wax shop" polish and hit it with maguires wax afterwards. I ahve a few paint chips on the hood I need to fix also.
Dont have any befores but here is an after shot. http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/fi...3detailed1.jpg Oh yeah, I did it all by hand :S. What machine do you use? I've been thinking about getting the Porter Cable one. :-\ |
Re: My new business....(Pics)
I use the Meguiar's G100. It's the same at the Porter Cable (PC) 7424 but with a lifetime warranty......costs about 20.00 more but worth it. I just purchased a rotary. It will cut my times in half and get better results. The PC is best though for the average detailer or home used. I love mine and will continue to use for waxing and sealing. Saves my arms!!!
That car looks great bro. Deep and wet. Nice by hand too. RESPECT! |
Re: My new business....(Pics)
I'll give you $10 to wash and vacuum my jeep, beeeotch
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Re: My new business....(Pics)
dam you make pretty good money with that? looks like you do a nice job.
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Re: My new business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by junkyard racer
dam you make pretty good money with that? looks like you do a nice job.
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Re: My new business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by FooK
I'll give you $10 to wash and vacuum my jeep, beeeotch
and leaving. LOL! |
Re: My new business....(Pics)
Where are you located, if you don't mind me asking? Maybe I missed it in the thread...but the black text makes it extremely hard to read your posts.
The cars say enough about your work though. |
Re: My new business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by N1ghtM0nkey
Where are you located, if you don't mind me asking? Maybe I missed it in the thread...but the black text makes it extremely hard to read your posts.
The cars say enough about your work though. Thanks again for the compliments. |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
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Here's another one. Hopefully this can be read easier.....
Been awhile since I've posted a full detail. I've mainly been doing wash/vacs and mini-details. I did 8 wash/vacs on Tuesday.....4 Denallis and 4 Escalades! This one was a referral from my local Chrysler dealership. The owner had back surgery so the car went unwashed for 7 months. Being black and in the sun all day.....it was bad.....very bad. Here's the regimen for this one: Start time: 8:30AM Finish time: 4:00PM NXT Car Wash (Clay barred entire car....wheels too.) XMT #3 (EDGE2K Yellow cutting pad with a #5 setting followed by a #4 pass) Hood, roof, and trunk took 2 passes. I did this in direct sunlight on a black car. No dusting and no pad clogging. XMT #1 (EDGE2K Orange polishing pad at #5 setting) Used this to polish out the paint. There was some minimal marring where I made 2 passed with #3 and this process took it right out. Once again in full sunlight. Not one problem. DP's Max Wax (Applied by hand....removed by hand) I worked one panel at a time due to the heat. Went on and came off like butter. Left the surface feeling like silk. The hood, roof, and trunk revieved 2 coats. Other Products used: Purple Power Degreaser (Wheel wells and tires) Woolite 10:1 (All plastic, leather, and carpets) Armor All Tire Foam (Wheel wells) Armor All Tire Gel Stoner's Invisible Glass I am very impressed with the XMT lineup. It's product do what they say they can. As for Max Wax, I believe this is still the best value out there. Befores: Attachment 30831 Attachment 30832 Attachment 30833 After one pass of XMT #3 Attachment 30834 Attachment 30835 Attachment 30836 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...G082506086.jpg |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Is that just hard water on the roof of the Chrysler? :-X :-X
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by d16forlife
Is that just hard water on the roof of the Chrysler? :-X :-X
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by jman30513
Yes. Severe. Worse case that I have ever seen. Then he went through the touchless wash with wax. Seals in layer after layer of filth.
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
I need some of this on my old Benz, I have some leaf imprints on the roof that just won't go away :-\
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by jagojon3
I need some of this on my old Benz, I have some leaf imprints on the roof that just won't go away :-\
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
So this ---- ain't boring yall? I figured I'd get punched around fro even posting it!
LOL! I can get you some major deal on supplies for you DIY'ers. Well, that's what this place it anyways! I'm thinking of writing my own manual on the crap I've learned. The stuff other places won't tell you. I simply just love this. Now what will I do with my Civic? HAHA! |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Just tell me how to get rid of the leaf imprints before I google it
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This was one of my favorites.....
This is one of five vehicles I did for a customer this week. Car had lots of water spots and fine scratches. Meguiar's Shampoo Plus Wash Meguiars' Clay Bar (While washing.) Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover 2.0 (EDGE 2000 Yellow Pad at #5) Meguiar's #7 Glaze (EDGE 2000 Blue Pad at #3) Meguiar's #26 Yellow Wax (2 coats allowed to dry 30 minutes per coat) (Edge 2000 White Pad at #3) (Removed with MF bonnet at #5) WOW! I've heard of #7 being hot but man, it with #26, deep and wet. I'm even wondering why I would leave Meg's behind....ever. Layed it all out....LITTERALLY! Attachment 30821 Now the finished product... Attachment 30822 Attachment 30823 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...0/100_0810.jpg Attachment 30824 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...0/100_0813.jpg Attachment 30825 Attachment 30826 Attachment 30827 Attachment 30828 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...0/100_0805.jpg Attachment 30829 |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by jagojon3
Just tell me how to get rid of the leaf imprints before I google it
Hope this helps. |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
LOL those are all like brand new cars.. so you spray them with some crap to make them look dirty, then use some 3 dollar turtle wax and everything looks cool? haha
those cars should all look like that after a 5 dollar car wash through a spotless. there BRAND NEW CARS.. there is no way they would like that bad. |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Damn, if you were local I'd let you have fun with my car when it stopped snowin outside again.
Solid work. Can't believe a 16 year old kid has an evo like that... stupid stupid parents. Look how he treated the car. |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
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Originally Posted by crx2fast
LOL those are all like brand new cars.. so you spray them with some crap to make them look dirty, then use some 3 dollar turtle wax and everything looks cool? haha
those cars should all look like that after a 5 dollar car wash through a spotless. there BRAND NEW CARS.. there is no way they would like that bad. Look here...........1 year old.........aka like new..... Ok. It's been a really busy week. This one was done on Monday. I did 6 wash/vacs on Tuesday and 3 full details for a new client today. I'm wore slap out! This one is owned by the wife of a good client of mine. She's been in Florida for the last month selling their home while he was up here finishing up on their new one. He said that this wouldn't be that bad since it was fulle detailed about 4 weeks ago. Yeah right! There was wax everywhere. The engine bay was untouched. Swirl city was not on the map.......it was on the car! He just wanted it cleaned good since they are going to trade it next week for the new Chrysler Aspen. By the way, if you see white dots in the pics, that's snow. The high was 41*!!! God I can't wait till detail fest!!!! Start Time: 10:00AM Finsish Time: 3:00PM Payment: 250.00 Optimum's Poli-Seal (75%) and Polish (25%) Combo (Used EDGE2K Yellow Cutting Pad at a #5 PC setting) Since this is just gonna be a trade in, I just wanted to further my experiment of Poli-Polish! This combo has amazing cut and finish down smoother than either of the two alone. There is no dust and no difficulty removing it. There is though depth and a high gloss. This was a single step. No other LSP was used in the detailing of this ride. A little before & after..... Attachment 30797 And now 4 minutes later..... Attachment 30798 Here's another.....half & half style..... Attachment 30799 Other Products Used: Meguiars Detailer Line Super Degreaser (4:1 on engine, tires, and wells) Meguiars Detailer Line APC (10:1 on interior sufaces, leather, and mats) Meguiars Detailer Line Wheel Brightner (4:1 on wheels. Let sit for 2 minutes per wheel and brushed) Armor All Tire Foam (Tires and wells. Let sit for 5 minutes and wiped clean with MF mitt) Armor All Tire Gel (Applied with supplied applicator) Pinnacle's Leather Cleaner and Conditioner (First time I've used this. Made the leather soft and subtle again. Gave it that nice new-car smell. Also cleaned what the APC didn't. Dry to a matte finish....not greasy at all. The leather was the first thing notice when the customer opened the door! Well worth the price.) Befores.... Attachment 30800 Attachment 30801 Attachment 30802 Attachment 30803 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...G112006014.jpg Attachment 30804 Attachment 30805 Afters.... Attachment 30806 Attachment 30807 http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...G112006065.jpg Attachment 30808 Attachment 30809 Attachment 30810 Attachment 30811 Attachment 30812 Attachment 30813 Attachment 30814 Attachment 30815 Interior, Engine, and Tires/Wheels..... Attachment 30816 Attachment 30817 Attachment 30818 Attachment 30819 Attachment 30820 |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Wow man you do some excellent work. If you were in NY i would seriously take my TL to you for some ext. detailing. I keep it pretty clean but i usually dont have the time to clay bar it and wax etc
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
you should put your phone number in that link for advertisement, nice work
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
I don't know if you have marketed yourself like this yet, but there is a local detailing shop here that makes major bucks by detailing for used car lots. He cust them a discount and does ALL of the cars that go through the used car lot. He went from a $45,000/yr detailer to a $120,000/yr detailer in the past two years by marketing himself to the used car dealers. :) Just a thought.
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by fork
you should put your phone number in that link for advertisement, nice work
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
Originally Posted by Darkelvis
I don't know if you have marketed yourself like this yet, but there is a local detailing shop here that makes major bucks by detailing for used car lots. He cust them a discount and does ALL of the cars that go through the used car lot. He went from a $45,000/yr detailer to a $120,000/yr detailer in the past two years by marketing himself to the used car dealers. :) Just a thought.
But, I always want more! Can you tell me more about his setup? |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
He used to do mobile (i believe) and work out of his shop. But now I think he is strictly at his shop. As far as I know he only has about 3-5 employees and I think they are paid on a flat rate type of thing (only get paid for the work they do, no hourly/base rate). He busted his ass for a couple of years to get to where he is, but now it seems like he is working a regular 9-5 type of schedule with a couple vacations per year. Here is is site: http://www.straightlinedetailing.com/ (the sister store straight line specialties was a sponsor on HMT for a while recently).
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Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
You've got the right idea. With washing cars, painting houses, clipping toenails..............it doesn't fucken matter, just hit the rich folk. :y
Way to use that thing on your shoulders. Your next step is to hire someone to do what you do for $15 and hour and sit at home playing with your balls. :6 |
Re: My new detailing business....(Pics)
He also does a lot of advertising at car shows/drag races/auto-x races etc...
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