Starting a Professional Detailing Business! Help??? - Page 3

Setec Astronomy · 06-06-09, 09:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetailnByDustn

Okay, I guess watching my dad build car washes I figured I could do what he does, but hes also got about 20 years on me haha, my dad and mom are entrepreneurs and I had in my mind I could be, I have yet to learn I need to wait. haha I dont have a detailing shack at the car wash, haha I run the car wash part time which is a pain the a$$ with the access unit (computer for the laserwash) on the fritz half the time, I have a shop dad built a while back I detail in, I have a separate business from the car wash, I just use the wash to wash cars in.

That access sounds like your ticket to me. Perhaps you have already done this, but you can certainly put a lot of marketing literature around the car wash, and talk to people and talk them into letting you detail. Is it a tunnel wash or a self-wash? If it's a tunnel...many of them have the little detailing tent there where people who think their car needs a little more TLC go--can't you be that guy? The expectations of those customers are a lot lower than most who seek out Autopians; will give you a chance to build up your experience base.

EDIT: and presumably do it under the umbrella of the car wash insurance, business license, etc.

DetailnByDustn · 06-06-09, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Sheesh Dustin, nobody is telling you not to post. If you've gotten a little backlash here, think about if you went to the highway patrol employment office and said you wanted to start as a captain because you've watched every episode of "Cops" and you worked last summer doing mall security.

Personally, I think you'd be better off with a career in the highway patrol than detailing, but I don't make my living doing either so don't listen to me. But since you're even asking, I'm guessing that you would prefer detailing. As I suggested, look for a middle ground where you can learn as you go. I think having a mentor is perhaps less important than just doing a lot of cars, keep pushing the edge of the envelope. Try and go to some local meets with Autopians or other forums to trade some tips. Etcetera.

HAHAHAHA I get your point before, but thanks for the example, my friend whos also a highway patrol does detailing part time on the week ends I may do that just depends I rather do detailing full time though Ive got a pretty good personality, just to be grumpy all the time and pull people over for speeding haha just kidding. With the state cutting jobs and salaries I would also rather do detailing, highway patrol are losing a lot of their salary next year plus their benefits. So even a better reason to do detailing

DetailnByDustn · 06-06-09, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

That access sounds like your ticket to me. Perhaps you have already done this, but you can certainly put a lot of marketing literature around the car wash, and talk to people and talk them into letting you detail. Is it a tunnel wash or a self-wash? If it's a tunnel...many of them have the little detailing tent there where people who think their car needs a little more TLC go--can't you be that guy? The expectations of those customers are a lot lower than most who seek out Autopians; will give you a chance to build up your experience base.

EDIT: and presumably do it under the umbrella of the car wash insurance, business license, etc.

The access machine is a machine that stands outside of the car wash that accepts your money such as credit cards or cash, the laserwash m5 is the actual machine that washes you car with high pressure rinse and very good presoaks it also adds silicone sealants like rain-x which im not to tickled with but customers like it so.. haha the laserwash machine is a touch free machine that uses ultra sonic waves to pin point corners and bumpers on your vehicle it process the data and determines where to turn based on your vehicle. I rather not be the tlc guy that more of "low income levels and cheap results as far as detailing goes I rather make sure there clean. I also hate car washes that offer this, most "tlc" guys miss half of the car with a quick clean up and most dont know what to use cleaning and swirl customers paint because they wont change drying towels out they use the same all the time, and swirl the paint.

DetailnByDustn · 06-06-09, 09:43

can't you be that guy?

Have you seen some of my recent work detailing? not from four months ago

Setec Astronomy · 06-06-09, 09:59

Why can't you be the "tlc" guy that does a good job? Be the guy that changes the rep of the tent.

DetailnByDustn · 06-06-09, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Why can't you be the "tlc" guy that does a good job? Be the guy that changes the rep of the tent.

Haha I rather be the guy in the nice garage listening to the stereo having a good ole' time detailing a person car, not to far from the fridge too

Its always good to have a good cold drink on a day when its 90' and take in the accomplishment of the car you just got done!

Setec Astronomy · 06-06-09, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetailnByDustn

Haha I rather be the guy in the nice garage listening to the stereo having a good ole' time detailing a person car, not to far from the fridge too

Its always good to have a good cold drink on a day when its 90' and take in the accomplishment of the car you just got done!

Yeah, good luck. If you find the formula for instant success, please share it with us because I'm sure I'm not the only one who's sick and tired of this working our way up crap.

DetailnByDustn · 06-06-09, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Yeah, good luck. If you find the formula for instant success, please share it with us because I'm sure I'm not the only one who's sick and tired of this working our way up crap.

Haha I've got a long ways ahead of me before I can even start to complain, I probably will never find it man haha If only I was like that boy that one that big jackpot! then we would be in town! I would never have to work again that would be the life!

beaurogel81 · 06-07-09, 12:30

Just stick with it man.. I've been full time for 5 months and I think i have moved up pretty far. alot of the guys are questioning my skill level, but its all in the work I do. Some people pick it up faster than others i guess..

Oh, and buy a CYCLO! It is my gold mine. without a doubt the most valuable piece of equipment in my trailer! (and not price wise either). PM me if you want some more info Dustin.

Setec Astronomy · 06-07-09, 06:15

Dustin, Flawless is a lot older with a lot more life experience than you. I think we'd all like to see you with your own business, it's just that you are going to have to start with just yourself and work at it for a bit before you get to the point of having employees and charging more and more money. Maybe it will be 5 weeks, maybe it will be 5 months like Flawless, maybe it will be 5 years. Shucks, I somehow think that NC highway patrol requires at least some college, academy, OTJ training, before you are a "highway patrolman", don't they? Here in NJ cops now have to have a 2 yr. degree or 2 yrs. active military before they can even go to academy.

beaurogel81 · 06-07-09, 09:02

i see what you are saying too.. at 18, I was NO WHERE near ready for a business.. But like I said Dustin, get you a Cyclo. If you dont like it, I will buy it from you! It will be well worth the investment. Pretty much fool-proof.

brwill2005 · 06-07-09, 09:18

I can agree that the Cyclo is an excellent polisher. With all the rage about the Flex and UDM, the Cyclo gets left out of the discussion. It is the machine that I use 90% of the time. Of course for serious correction, the Metabo is go to polisher.