Added Services: Clear Bra, PDR, & Window Tinting - Page 2

ebpcivicsi · 12-28-08, 05:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicknickis3

Same with my guy. Does ALL 1-piece rear windows and tint that goes to the edges of the window, all by hand.

It truly is amazing.

Our guy did all by hand for over twenty years, so it's no big deal for him. Once he switched to patterns cut via a plotter, his efficiency increased dramatically. Now if there is a vehicle that is not in the system, then yeah, no problem he will hand cut it.

You can still "shave" the windows to the edges and all of the rear windows are one piece. There is an option on the new C6 to do a two piece, but it's just an option. Anyone who has tinted the rear window of a c6 would probaly testify to the fact that it might be a nice option to have.

It also eliminates accidental scratches to the glass--you never have to cut on it.

John Henry · 01-01-09, 05:29

Anyone considering the window tint field should check this out:

Hüper Optik

HTP AutoWorks · 02-01-09, 01:28

I own a mobile clear bra installation business and have been at it for about 5 years. I went to a 3M certification class. Well worth it for a beginner but a better option would be to work a deal with a good installer. Most of what Ihave learned has been from experience. There are a lot of little tricks to manipulate the film to fit correctly that you will not hear in a certification class. Everything I do is pre-cut kits. I never recommend hand cutting on a car. I have pulled to many kits from "experts at custom hand cutting" only to find cuts in the paint... which is never found until the film is removed. It is a very precise art and I only know of one company that is good at it... Permier Mobile Group.

I think a great way to get into it is offer a trade. I have detailers that I do work for. They have clients that want the product, they call me, and and I do the work while training them. The detailer makes a little money out of it and they learn the business as well. I really would like to get into detailing and paint chip repair... would be a great package to offer clients... and very profitable.

MCWD · 03-01-09, 07:38

I feel that clear bra installs will be your best bet. Relatively consistent techniques and decent profits. I had gone for training in 2006, and continue to get better and better with installs. 3m has had my information on their link which has served as a great tool in gaining clients. Also, not that I have been doing them for almost 3 years, I am starting to have repeat clients in addition to the ref's from happy clients. In taking the PDR classes, I underestimated the time required to make that portion of the business work... I don't see that being a good investment, unless you are working on similiar metals on a regular basis. I have heard similar feedback to the tint as I have experienced with the clear bra film. Judging by your pitctures that you have posted, I can tell you are a particular person. Film is something that you will most likely enjoy doing, and it will be a change of pace. I wish you luck in whatever you choose. When it comes to film, I highly suggest the xpel film, and their training courses. They were one of the biggest 3M film associates and recently released their own line of film that is def the best out there. Additionally their training is very good! Best of luck to you,
Jason

Showroom Shine · 03-01-09, 09:04

A bit off topic,but related I feel. I thought about all the above mentioned services. Did some homework and decided against all those and went with, Paint and Chip Repair,Leather and Vinyl Repair,Carpet and Upholstry Repair,Headlight Restoration,and Trim Dye. Reasons being, 1, time needed to perfect the others is quite a bit longer. The kits are very expensive. Above all you need extensive training. I did take some training for the add on services. I also have a good friend who does the clear bra's and took his advice. He's been in the business for 25 plus years. He also so does PDR. I felt the others were easier to learn for me,with my time constrants working fulltime too.

AppliedColors · 03-06-09, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Showroom Shine

A bit off topic,but related I feel. I thought about all the above mentioned services. Did some homework and decided against all those and went with, Paint and Chip Repair,Leather and Vinyl Repair,Carpet and Upholstry Repair,Headlight Restoration,and Trim Dye. Reasons being, 1, time needed to perfect the others is quite a bit longer. The kits are very expensive. Above all you need extensive training. I did take some training for the add on services. I also have a good friend who does the clear bra's and took his advice. He's been in the business for 25 plus years. He also so does PDR. I felt the others were easier to learn for me,with my time constrants working fulltime too.

Congrats. What paint/chip repair system did you buy? That will be the system you use the most.

Good choice avoiding PDR and clear bra. Those have very steep learning curves (100s of hours invested and lots of wasted film).

Quality Leather · 03-08-09, 09:03

I missed this topic. Having tried PDR, I would say forget it. You really need a lot of time training and that is going to cost money. Dent Wizard, I believe, trains their people for like three months before they hit a car lot. When I was trying to get into this, my trainer said he would not let any employee touch a customer's car without four months of training. I did two weeks and knew enough to be dangerous. If you have the time and money for this training though, then it can be a lucrative add on. Everything you charge is going to be profit, as there is almost no overhead.

Showroom Shine had the best idea, but remember you can be a jack of all trades and master of known. If you can learn color matching, then paint touch up and interior work can be learned easily enough. If you are doing car lots, then color matching is less important.

To me, the best add on for detailers is headlight restoration. You guys already have the skill with the machine. You can also offer a lower price as an add on, since you are already there.

HTP AutoWorks · 03-15-09, 06:37

Paint protection film can be very tricky. I have been doing it for over 5 years and travel all over the country doing installation work. I do not have a plotter and do not free hand installs. I have a few companies I go through for kits and jsut order directly from them. It does cut into my profit a little but I also do not have the overhead most business's do. Getting the patterns can be very expensive and usually require a monthly fee or you are charged per cut. You also have to stock film which can be expensive. So for me being mobile and buying precut kits has been ideal. I would actually recommend that starting out than buying a plotter. if you get all of the equipment and do not have that much demand in your area... then you could be sitting on a lot of cash... and in an economy like this that could be bad.

One thing I do recommend though is never cut oin the car. You WILL cut the paint and have a lot of angry customers. Not only will it kill your business but it hurts the entire industry as well.