Starting a detail business

[CHINI]

My buddy wants to start a detail business and i told him i would help him out. He wants me to run the marketing part and help him out sometimes. We have all the Meguiar's (sp) products that you can think of. But what if there is a car with spider webs. What do you use to take them out? How long should a full interior & exterior detail take. (say a s500 mercedes) I know its going to take time to learn this stuff, but it would be cool to get some pointers from you guys. Where do you buy the best products? What do you guys use on chrome rims? Whatever tips will help. I am saying anything. Like from what buffing pad, to what second stage wax to what 3rd stage wax. Think of me as the biggest noob you have ever met. lol

THankyou

 

[mblgjr]

Go here and start READING a lot. There are a lot of experienced and helpful guys...

http://autopia.org/forum/professional-detailers/

 

[dvast8n]

Lots of info here also:

http://www.meguiars.com/howtocenter/

Meguiars also has a forum that has a ton of info.

To top that off there's tons of video on google video/youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoDXryd19Bk

5 part series from meguiars car care clinic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f8EQNVxxbw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38L3UQxXuQA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38L3UQxXuQA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38L3UQxXuQA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfVhG-j3CGQ

This guy has all that good footage from Meguiars Car Care Clinics.
http://www.youtube.com/user/MaximusZTS

This should keep you busy for a while.

 

[mixxer]

http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/

 

[03ShadowMach1]

Do A LOT of research. Especially on the links that were given to you above. What tools do you have besides just "meguires products". BTW: I think most detailing pros use much higher end products than the consumer line of meguires.

Do you have a PC or a DeWalt? How much experience do you have with cars that are not your own?

Do you have a space to do this? Or are you planning on working out of your parent's driveway?

Not trying to sound too critical. Just trying to help...

Good luck

 

[CobraMarkVIII]

wouldnt u rather open a small mechanics shop, do the basics during the day, and the overhauls at night,... and slowly work to a legal business. but i dont have time for that now... my regular job owns me 70hrs a week sometimes. But if u had the time, lay down the money for the ALLDATA and borrow or rent the heavy stuff if u dont already have it?

 

[Scott P]

My buddy wants to start a detail business and i told him i would help him out. He wants me to run the marketing part and help him out sometimes. We have all the Meguiar's (sp) products that you can think of. But what if there is a car with spider webs. What do you use to take them out? How long should a full interior & exterior detail take. (say a s500 mercedes) I know its going to take time to learn this stuff, but it would be cool to get some pointers from you guys. Where do you buy the best products? What do you guys use on chrome rims? Whatever tips will help. I am saying anything. Like from what buffing pad, to what second stage wax to what 3rd stage wax. Think of me as the biggest noob you have ever met. lol

THankyou

These are all questions that I would expect a detailer to know before he touched anyone's paint. I'd visit a few of the links provided and do some reading. Then, talk to your buddy and see what he does. You'll need to know and undersand his techniques to properly market his business.

 

[lafave]

Hey Mike, you and Pete??? If so, the Yellowhawtness needs some attention.

 

[SkipBuxton]

I owned a detail shop for about 2 years.............

I would recommend you invest in a good steam extractor to do interior work - I still have mine and it has paid for itself time and time again.

They run about 1500-2000 on most professional detail websites.
I bought mine from DetailKing.com

I used alot of detailking.com products - Meguiars is good - but pricey.
The amount of chemical used is the key to making good profit. You have to know what works and what doesnt and go from there.
A full detail - including polish and wax - should take around 4-6 hours for 1 guy to do.
Things that kill your profit line are -
1) Road oil removal ( I charged extra for it)
2) People that bring you older cars that have been neglected........and expect them to be like new when they pick them up.

Of course your market out there will be different than mine was here in Missouri - I worked on some nice cars - but the exotics were few and far between. I have often thought about going back to it.......there is money in it if you are a true professional - but at times it is hard work.

Best of Luck !!