Added Services: Clear Bra, PDR, & Window Tinting

[Holden_C04]

Alright, so let's have it out in this thread. What do you know about offering these services? You should point out:

• What training is required
• How much it costs
• How difficult is it to learn?
• What liabilities are there?
• What is the market like?
• How easy/difficult is it to sell?
• Pros & Cons of each service

Here is what I know (and my knowledge is quite limited on these matters):

1) With PDR, people are very secretive about their techniques
2) The training for PDR is quite expensive
3) The market is saturated
4) It's easy (almost a cash grab) to offer this service along with a detail. An instant upsell if you will.

1) With window tinting, it's a very skilled trade like detailing
2) There are a lot of hack jobs
3) The market is not saturated with quality work

1) With clear bra, I don't know much other than I wish they would de-swirl the paint before applying it, but that's the detailer in me.
2) It's a very skilled trade as well (with plenty of hacks, as well)

So, let's hear your contributions everyone (particular lurkers who specialize in these trades).

[Detailed Autos]

I own a clear bra business along with mobile detailing, so maybe i can help.
With clear braing it takes about 6 months of constant practice after formal training to really get proficient at it. Even after two years of installing kits, I learn new ways of fine tuning my installs all the time.

If you really want to get into clear braing full time, your going to need to purchase a plotter and some high quality cutting software.(Enpro, Xpel/Proform).
Also there’s the decision of what type of film your going to install. I've tried them all and I personally only install Clearshield film and Ventureshield film.

As far as profitability goes, customers normally come by word of mouth , so it might take a little while to get a steady flow of customers. Also quality installs is key to staying in this business. All it takes is one hack job to put you out of work.
Hope this helps.

Ps. When i look at the photo of that guy installing film on that Ferrari, all i can think of is "boy he needs to take off his watch!!"

[Holden_C04]

Why is it that the most important threads on Autopia go without notice?

[OTG Signs]

Originally Posted by Holden_C04

Why is it that the most important threads on Autopia go without notice?

Good question. TTT

[Lumadar]

Originally Posted by Holden_C04

Why is it that the most important threads on Autopia go without notice?

Eh, I agree...I was really hoping for some replies here.

I have contemplated ALL of these services myself. I have 2 MASSIVE rolls (54 inches by 18 feet, each) of 3m Aeronautical grade clearbra sitting in my garage, too.

All I have done so far was the very bottom spoiler on my Focus. It was easy on the broad sides, but tricky making it look clean on corners where it comes together.

[baseballlover1]

I am also VERY interested!!!!!

Is there possibilities of cutting it by hand and not having machines/software all that? Maybe cutting with a razor blade as you go...?

I have never been into Clear Bra'ing and wonder will that help or hurt my rep as the best detailer in my area (or what im trying to make it) or add to it.

Any info that you guys can give would be great!

,Dan

[kaval]

Originally Posted by baseballlover1

I am also VERY interested!!!!!

Is there possibilities of cutting it by hand and not having machines/software all that? Maybe cutting with a razor blade as you go...?

I have never been into Clear Bra'ing and wonder will that help or hurt my rep as the best detailer in my area (or what im trying to make it) or add to it.

Any info that you guys can give would be great!

,Dan

There are people who cut very areas by hand to make custom fits.

Also, I don't see how this would hurt your reputation, if you are doing the same quality of work as you do in detailing (assuming you are the best in the area). Could you elaborate?

[ebpcivicsi]

Used plotter on ebay, about 5 grand or so--IMO there is just no other way to *efficiently* do tint or clear bra. The film(ppf, not so much tint)) is very expensive, but most will let you buy small quantities, so no large buy in expense.

It took me quite some time with the paint protection film before I felt comfortable doing difficult installs. We trained with several different companies so that we could test the film and really test their level of devotioin "after the sale."

As far as tint and PDR, I just sub it out and make 20% or so(depends on the job) of the ticket. IMO, tint is either something you can do, or you can"t, and I can't. Why not just hire a guy to do your tint, then make your money off of the film and partial labor. Same with PDR--customer wants tint/pdr, no problem, we charge for the film, convenience (one stop shop), and labor. The tinter/pdr guy makes money, we make money by facilitating the deal.

Honestly, if I had more diposable income at the moment I would open a tint/clear bra fixed location shop north of our city with a tinter and let my right hand man run the detail shop in the "good" part of town that we are in.

Lots if money in tint (and pdr) *if* the market isn't saturated.

[Lumadar]

My tint guy does it 100% by hand. If God did window tinting, this would be him.

I've been using him for years. Never knew people cut it with machines? This guy can make the lines 100% flawless on the spot, by hand. That's a true pro if you ask me...

[slicknickis3]

Originally Posted by Lumadar

My tint guy does it 100% by hand. If God did window tinting, this would be him.

I've been using him for years. Never knew people cut it with machines? This guy can make the lines 100% flawless on the spot, by hand. That's a true pro if you ask me...

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.

[jefftheman]

I've actually thought about adding touch up repair. Nothing fancy, just nicks and chips.I added headlight restoration last year (this year) and added 3800.00 to my bottom line.

The average vehicle where I live has 2-3 stone chips in the paint. I know I can get 20.00 per chip. That's a minimum of 40.00 per unit. Say you do only 2 a week. 80.00X52=4160.00
With the headlights that almost 10k in upsells. These two to me are the least time consuming and the easiest to learn. Of course you have to buy the kit. I'm betting that's at least 1500.00

Would anyone recommend one?

[jefftheman]

Right Look has this one............
Right Touch Paint Touch Up Kit - P101

Simple and under a grand. I know you can get sprayers and compressors but I don't want to go that far yet.