Need some advice on a couple of products

[Irkie500]

Hey Everyone!

I was very fortunate to have a close friend of mine give me the opportunity to detail out of his auto repair shop on the weekends once spring starts up. He mentioned several customers last fall were looking for a detailer to get their cars ready for winter. With short notice and scheduling difficulties I was unable to oblige, however with spring fast approaching he will have plenty of customers interested. His shop was rated the best repair shop in the city, so his customers are loyal and very trusting of him. I worked for a detailing company in the area for a little over 8 years, and at the very least want to make this a weekend business until I am ready to go full time. I have detailed on the side in the past for a few customers here and there, but its mostly friends and family. With that said, I have a solid base of products now, but there are a few services I wish to offer, and things I want to upgrade but am unsure which product to choose.

For starters I would like a nice top of the line DA. While I do not mind the PC I have now, the vibrations kill me doing an entire car. I have rotary experience but not enough to where I am comfortable tackling an entire vehicle. I know my limits and want to find the right product to help me along the way. The PC will be relegated to smaller areas as I have a 3" backing plate for it. I was looking at the Griot`s G21, seems to be a toss up between that and the Rupes. Price isn`t too much of a concern as I am willing to pay for a quality product, and I will use the funds from the first couple of details to pay for it.

Next is I would love to offer some sort of headlight restoration service. The one I worked with prior is not available to purchase over the counter so to speak. We used a griot`s 3" DA with various sanding disks, and then sealed the headlights with a UV coating. That coating is what I am most worried about. Sure I could sand and polish the lights, but it was my understanding that without some type of sealant afterwards, they will get hazy all over again. Are there any systems or products you guys use on a regular basis with good results?

Lastly is offering a paint chip repair service via Dr. Color Chip. I will be testing it on my personal car this spring, but the few videos I have seen seems to work very well for light to moderate chips. The idea was to offer the service and if selected the client pays a deposit up front for the paint(as its color matched to the car) that way if they back out of the detail I am not out $40 with paint I cant use. Two questions about this, first does anyone here offer something like this? and if so how do you price such a thing? $40 might be a little tough to stomach and nothing has even been fixed yet. The process seems pretty quick so maybe $1 per chip fixed, or something like a 1` by 1` box for X dollars?

To anyone who can help guide me through these couple of choices, thank you!!

[jrock645]

For a DA, I would highly recommend a Rupes 15 or 21. I have both, and I would probably recommend the 21 if you`re just getting one, but also get a 15 backing plate. That will give you lots of versatility for different pad sizes. Great machines!

For the headlight sealant, I`ve always just waxed the headlights, myself. There are headlight coatings, made by Optimum and a couple others. A bit more durable, though a little more involved in application.

Sounds like you`ve lucked into a pretty good situation there with your friend`s shop! I`m trying to pick up some more paid details myself, maybe I`ll get lucky and find a set up like that someday! Good luck

[Irkie500]

For a DA, I would highly recommend a Rupes 15 or 21. I have both, and I would probably recommend the 21 if you`re just getting one, but also get a 15 backing plate. That will give you lots of versatility for different pad sizes. Great machines!

For the headlight sealant, I`ve always just waxed the headlights, myself. There are headlight coatings, made by Optimum and a couple others. A bit more durable, though a little more involved in application.

Sounds like you`ve lucked into a pretty good situation there with your friend`s shop! I`m trying to pick up some more paid details myself, maybe I`ll get lucky and find a set up like that someday! Good luck

Thanks jrock! I honestly couldn`t be more fortunate. I tried flyers, mailings, word of mouth and never really got off the ground. Now that I have customers that want the service, they already know the owner and his location, all I have to do is deliver on the detailing. Also there is a High School about a quarter mile down the road from his shop which could net me some nice wash/wax type details while the teachers are working; do a pick up and drop off type deal.

[RaysWay]

For a DA, I think a FLEX 3401 would be the best fit for you. Especially since you have rotary experience. The Flex 3401 is still a lot smoother than the PC and you`ll be able to knock out defects in a fraction of the time; especially on super hard clearcoats.

If you`re dead set on a long throw polisher, then I`d say pull the trigger on that G21 you`re considering. It`s an awesome machine and the lifetime warranty gives you peace of mind just in case it ever malfunctions.

For headlights, the Griots 3 inch is perfect and is what I use. Buy 3 inch sanding discs in bulk to save some money and consider Optimum Opti-Lens. It`s considered one of the best headlight protectants in the industry. I personally use a 50ml of CQuartz I have for headlights and it`s been working great. I`ve restored around 40 pairs of headlights so far and I haven`t had a single customer come back to get them restored again.

If you can, try getting admin privileges for the shops Facebook page and post before/after photos or good detailing photos with information on the new detailing service. If he already has a high rated website or Facebook page, you can get a lot of business from that network. It will help the both of you out too.

[Irkie500]

For a DA, I think a FLEX 3401 would be the best fit for you. Especially since you have rotary experience. The Flex 3401 is still a lot smoother than the PC and you`ll be able to knock out defects in a fraction of the time; especially on super hard clearcoats.

If you`re dead set on a long throw polisher, then I`d say pull the trigger on that G21 you`re considering. It`s an awesome machine and the lifetime warranty gives you peace of mind just in case it ever malfunctions.

For headlights, the Griots 3 inch is perfect and is what I use. Buy 3 inch sanding discs in bulk to save some money and consider Optimum Opti-Lens. It`s considered one of the best headlight protectants in the industry. I personally use a 50ml of CQuartz I have for headlights and it`s been working great. I`ve restored around 40 pairs of headlights so far and I haven`t had a single customer come back to get them restored again.

If you can, try getting admin privileges for the shops Facebook page and post before/after photos or good detailing photos with information on the new detailing service. If he already has a high rated website or Facebook page, you can get a lot of business from that network. It will help the both of you out too.

Would you mind highlighting some of the differences between the 3401 and the G21? I know the flex is extremely well liked among detailers. From what I understand the flex is a forced rotation DA while the G21 is not.

I did see the headlight protectant from Optimum and man that stuff is pricey. I read that you can get about 2 sets of headlights with one syringe, which at that cost I would have to charge about $100 for a headlight restoration. Out of curiosity what is the going rate for that service? I was going to start at $65 or so, as it takes me about an hour to do.

Also I did find bulk sanding disks from 3M which are nearly identical to what we used in the shop, and at pretty reasonable prices for a 50 count box.

Thank you for all your comments, really good idea about that facebook page too!

[Atthelake]

You can coat 5+ sets of headlights with Opti-Lens 10 ml, and there`s a larger, bulk size for professionals who specialize in headlights.

[Irkie500]

You can coat 5+ sets of headlights with Opti-Lens 10 ml, and there`s a larger, bulk size for professionals who specialize in headlights.

Good to know, thanks!

[Mike lambert]

I prefer the Rupes machines having used all the others, only have the 15 and 75 and never wished for something else. I prefer the Rupes yellow and white pads and only Meguiars micro pads. I think any coating you choose for the lights will be fine. The price is pretty much in line with guys around here that strictly do lights.
good luck to you!

[jrock645]

I usd to own a 3401 but after using a Rupes i sold it. Just so smooth and easy on the body.

[Accumulator]

Irkie500- The Flex 3401 has a *VERY* different feel compared to units that don`t have forced rotation. I don`t mind it and find it a good tool for me, but others simply *hate* how it feels. It has a sort of "recoil" from the forced rotation, and the way it spins opposite of most polishers really bugs some people for some reason (not me).

I`m sure not trying to dissuade you from buying a Flex 3401 as I *really* like mine. But I do believe it`s one tool where you need to be an informed consumer when you lay out your $.

Honestly, if I were buying a polisher *today*, I`m pretty sure I`d buy a GG21 or a Rupes. But then OTOH, I haven`t used either of those so who knows if I`d really be happy with that choice and I am happy with the Flex 3401.

BUT...IME the Flex 3401 doesn`t finish out quite well enough for me. Maybe it`s User-Error (though I have enough experience that I consider that doubtful), but I`m always happiest when I give it a final pass with a non-forced rotation unit.