new guy from tn

[jltellsall]

hey guys im from TN and i am looking at getting into the detail business.....ive been doing it for friends for some time now and would like to see if there is money in it in my area....if you can give me some pointers on what is a must have and how i should go about pricing it would be really helpful.....thanks

Jeremiah

[Bob]

Welcome!

Are you planning on being a fixed location or mobile?

[Russecu]

Welcome!! What products are you currently or planning on using?

[Jose]

Welcome! My suggestion is that if your're really going to do it, anything that Bob sells will do the job great!

Jose

[Lone_Star]

Welcome! Danase has exceptional customer service and he goes out of his way to help you. You wont be disappointed by the service

[Dan]

Welcome to the forum! You'll probably want to go with a quality bulk line like the 4* Professional Bob sells. Ask some more detailed questions in the Pro Detailing section and we'll try our best to share the knowledge... 8)

[BlueZero]

Welcome Jeremiah! Lots of helpful people here.

[Pete]

Welcome!

With regard to pricing your services...

I found it was a big difference going from friends to pure business. What do others in your market charge?

Also, mobile or fixed location? Each one makes you tailor your business a certain way.

[jltellsall]

thanks for the welcome guys.....

this is going to be more a side business while i am going to school.....i would be mobile but not the type of mobile where i have a water tank and what not....just more along the lines ill come their home and do it if they will supply me with a water spicket and and electrical outlet.....what i was wanting to know was since im not going to be doing this as a basic income.....i was wanting to know say one type of wash, one wax, one poilsh, one wheel polish, and so on if you get my drift to use...i really can't try everything since i'm just doing it on the side, i was hoping that i could get some professionals to tell me what they are happy with and would advise me to use so that my customers would be happy and would return...around here the dealership i talked to told me he would pay me 100 for a full detail which he said would have to inclue a full buff job removing light scratches and swirls, full interior detail and underhood detail...is that way to cheap to you or would you go ahead and do it to get you name out there? i told him 150 and he said 100 was the most he has ever paid and would be willing to pay me the same...i know this is a long post but any advice or products you can point me in a direction of would be highly appricated....thanks in advance...Jeremiah

[Pete]

With regard to the dealer job...that's not surprising that he wants to stay around $100/vehicle. Do they intend to pay you as cash or contracted labor, where they'd issue a 1099 form to the IRS and you'd have to pay tax on it? Consider the ramifications on your income taxes...no need to answer here, but feel free to PM me if you have questions.

Dealer cars can be a nice source of work. Usually, once you know the owner/manager you have to keep happy, the expectations are consistent.

One thing to keep in mind, many dealers will try to get as much out of you as possible for that $100. Don't be afraid to go the extra mile, but pace yourself and let them know where you stand.

To do what they're willing to pay for, you'd need some good equipment or you'll be spending too much time scrubbing by hand, wearing yourself out. My suggestions are from the perspective of dealer work, NOT the enthusiast we primarily see here and on other detailing oriented sites.

1. Solid shop vacuum
Suggestion: Craftsman
We used Craftsman at my shop since they were relatively inexpensive, strong, and durable.

2. Solid rotary polisher: doing $100 dealer cars will go much slower using a DA style machine (or worse, by hand) :| . It can be done and I'm not knocking anyone who does it. In the lines of saving time, a rotary will work much faster. *Generally*, used car lots are not concerned about light polisher marks. It's not how I like to work, but why go overboard at only $100 per car? You'll have to see exactly what level of quality they're happy having.
Suggestion: DeWalt DW849
They were the favorite out of all the ones my employees and I used.

3. A solid APC (all purpose cleaner) that you can dilute to varying degrees for wheel wells, tires, engines, carpet, leather, vinyl, and plastic
Suggestion: Check the Danase store
The Four Star APC at $14.95/gallon is a good buy

4. Glass cleaner
Suggestion: same as my APC, check the Danase store
I do know that many people say Stoner's is the only way to go. It is a good product, for sure.

5. Dilutable dressing that can be used on interiors, tires, and engine compartments
Suggestion: check some of Danase's clearance items and browse here
Mine were from that same local company, so I can't offer much experience beyond theirs and a few other companies not sold here
You'll have to decide exactly what type of look you and your customers like, but it's nice if you can just use one product in various dilutions.

6. A solid one step cleaner wax for the lighter colored and nicer condition paint finishes

7. A cleaner/polish for the ones that need a bit more work

8. A good final pure wax to protect work done by the cleaner/polish

9. Lots of towels: microfiber and regular terry, depending on the application

[Pete]

Another suggestion, depending on budget: a lightweight pressure washer

Karcher makes a nice electric model for home use and I've heard they're sold at many of the big box stores now. While Karcher is a renowned name in the industry for HD machines, they have started making home models readily available. I've owned several and had good success with them at my old business as backup units to my larger electric Karcher industrial model and gasoline powered machines

If you have more questions about my responses, feel free to ask or PM. I've been working a 7 days a week lately, so if I don't respond right away, don't think I'm ignoring your questions.

Pete