First post! As most a few questions.

fastmodena · 02-19-09, 09:53

Hi everyone!

Well I am going to take the plunge into this detail business as well. My goal is fulltime and mobile at first is the way for me. I would love a shop and that will be the future!

I have been reading this forum and my book (How to start an auto detail business) religiously, but as usual we all have questions and need help.

How do you guys detail in SUMMER when its a 100 degrees outside and the sun beating down? If the customer has no garage or you cant use it? Or what about washing a car in a parking lot at a business with no overhead? I am going to be using ONR so I don't need as much water, and a power washer for tough stuff, but what about water spots, etc?

TH0001 · 02-19-09, 11:26

"I have been reading this forum and my book (How to start an auto detail business) religiously, but as usual we all have questions and need help. "

Its not in your book?

gmblack3a · 02-19-09, 11:55

Sunscreen.

brwill2005 · 02-19-09, 01:39

You are making it sound as if you are going to start a detailing business because everyone else is doing it. Starting a business is not easy. You should not expect to be making big bucks right away. It takes patience and determination to grow a business. As for your questions, detailing in extreme temperatures makes things more difficult. You can get a canopy for the sun. As for washing with no cover, usually that does not pose too much of a problem. What you need to really be concerned with is how you will market your business at a time when many people are not spending money.

bullitt21 · 02-19-09, 01:42

I have a 10x15 canopy that I set up myself in under a minute. This canopy saves me in the hot, humid Houston summer months; actually, make that pretty much all year. Just don't make the same mistake I did in the beginning and buy a 10x12 from Acadamy or Wal-Mart etc. I bought two and they lasted two weeks. They just were not built to go up and down everyday. Buy a commercial one. Mine ran me about $750, but it's worth every penny imo. H & H Tents and events is where I purchased it out of Houston. I'm glad I found a local place, because even though it's commercial grade, it's still not made to go up and down 1 or 2 times everyday, and I've had to take it in to get some minor bolts replaced. I even used it at my house after hurricane Ike and it stood up to some very high winds. Hope this helps.

fastmodena · 02-19-09, 02:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by brwill2005

You are making it sound as if you are going to start a detailing business because everyone else is doing it. Starting a business is not easy. You should not expect to be making big bucks right away. It takes patience and determination to grow a business. As for your questions, detailing in extreme temperatures makes things more difficult. You can get a canopy for the sun. As for washing with no cover, usually that does not pose too much of a problem. What you need to really be concerned with is how you will market your business at a time when many people are not spending money.

What I meant by take the plunge was not because everyone is doing it, but rather because this is what I want to do and now is the time!

Quote:

I have a 10x15 canopy that I set up myself in under a minute. This canopy saves me in the hot, humid Houston summer months; actually, make that pretty much all year. Just don't make the same mistake I did in the beginning and buy a 10x12 from Acadamy or Wal-Mart etc. I bought two and they lasted two weeks. They just were not built to go up and down everyday. Buy a commercial one. Mine ran me about $750, but it's worth every penny imo. H & H Tents and events is where I purchased it out of Houston. I'm glad I found a local place, because even though it's commercial grade, it's still not made to go up and down 1 or 2 times everyday, and I've had to take it in to get some minor bolts replaced. I even used it at my house after hurricane Ike and it stood up to some very high winds. Hope this helps.

Thanks! I was thinking a canopy and wanted to know what everyone else uses or what others suggested. I guess cost is a factor right off the bat but I may look into this.