Opinions on mobile detail startup

[ed84108]

Hello All. I am hoping for your honest input. I am between jobs and while looking I am considering starting a basic mobile detailing operation, something I have always been interested in. I have no professional experience but have done quite a few vehicles on a personal level.

The idea is to start small and offer a few basic services:

Interior:

Vacuum

Extraction

Leather Cleaning/Conditioning

Vinyl Cleaning/Conditioning



Exterior:

Hand Wash

Bug/Road Debris Removal

Hand Polish

Hand Wax

Tire and wheel Cleaning/Conditioning



As optional services I have also considered:

Headlight Restoration

Clay Bar



Unfortunately I dont have a truck or trailer, but could fit the equipment in my car, as long as the client has a power and water source. I also thought the "hand" wash, wax, and polish, might sound more gentle and therefore have an appeal to a certin demographic, however I would certainly consider getting a DA random orbit polisher. Does this sound like a viable plan, or would it be preferable to simply get a job as a detailer first. Also what types of insurance do most of you usually carry? Thanks and Im open to all options and input.

[Dan]

If its something you love doing, then why not. Getting a DA will certainly make your work go MUCH faster but you might want to learn on your own cars. The DA is cheap, the pads and polishes will add up quickly.

[ed84108]

Yeah I think I would enjoy it. Im a medical chemist currently and EVERYTHING is critical, wears on you after a while. Thanks Dan I think I will go for the DA polisher. The Porter Cable 7424xp seems like a nice safe unit. FOr the mobile guys though... Most polishes and waxes ive seen say to not apply in direct sunlight, although ive never seen a mobile erect a sunshade either. How do you guys deal with this?

[Richard Grasa]

That`s exactly the way I got started. Look into using ONR for your washes and you won`t need a water source at the customer`s location, just a couple 5 gallon buckets half full of water. I`m on my second 7424xp, but when this one dies I`m going to get a Griot`s DA as they are just overall better units.

I used a 10x10 canopy when I was mobile or worked in the customer`s garage so I can`t comment about working in the sun, but I know there`s some good products to help with this. I`m sure some others will let you know what they are.

I would pretty much advise against getting a job as a detailer fist, mostly so you don`t learn the bad habits we see all too often. Unless you found a good shop that would teach you the right way to do things. Def stay away from working as a dealer detailer if you want to learn to do things right.

I would highly recommend State Farm for your insurance. They will be able to set you up with the correct policies and at a good price.

[Dan]

I`d go for the griots machine. There are plenty of products that do work in the sun, poorboys is an example (though there are better polishes).