Starting a business, look at my list for me....

[futuresweets-10]

I am in the process of getting everything ready to start doing mobile detailing. I have already spent a few grand on the actual equipment, and I have alot more equipment to buy. I have been putting together a rough list of things I need to buy when it comes to supplies. I need people to look over my list and fill in the blanks on what I am missing. I put a few specific products by some of the genearl products becaue I have decided for sure on those. Thanks for the help guys....

Chemicals
• Buffing compound- Meguiar`s Speed Glaze #80
• Polish- Meguiar`s Cleaner/Polish #83
• Sealer- Menzerna Full molecular jacket
• Leather protectant- 303 Aerospace protectant
• Leather treatment-
• Exterior shine-
• Glass cleaner- Stoners
• Soap-
• Wax-
• Quick detailer-
• Clay bar-
• Air freshener-
• All purpose-
• Wheel cleaner-




Supplies
• Cutting pads-
• Polishing pads-
• Compound/wax bottles-
• Buckets-
• Terry towels-
• Microfiber towels-
• Interior detail brushes-
• Exterior brushes-
• Wash mitts-

[RUBigDog05]

What kind of "Actual" equipment have you bought already?

[futuresweets-10]

What kind of "Actual" equipment have you bought already?

5x8 trailer, pressure washer set up (bought the pump, engine, and other parts seperate), water tank, and Im currently trying to decided on a generator, vac., extractor, and a few other small odds and ends.

[futuresweets-10]

BTW, I already have a PC and a rotary.

[Sherman8r44]

I really don`t have enough experience with most of these products nor do I know exactly what you`re looking for, but I will say that your wheel cleaner should probably be Meg`s Wheel Brightener--it`s cheap, non-acid, a strong cleaner, and can be diluted. Also, you should offer a wheel sealant option so that for weekly wash customers it is a win-win proposition--all you have to do is use soap and water for future cleanings.

[silverline]

Waste water reclaimation system
You may want to consider a vapor steamer as well.

Have you already looked into Insurance, Licensing, Vendors License, business courses if you haven`t run a business on your own yet, detail training, Advertising, Accounting system, and so on. If you haven`t already, there are many many decisions that should be made in regards to setting up a business long before you decide what kind of wax, towels, and vacuum you`ll buy. Just some well intentioned thoughts and advise.

Matt Williams
Silver Lining Detail

[GregCavi]

Ok here are my suggestions, I removed some products becuase they are just to pricey.

Chemicals
• Buffing compound- Menzerna Power Gloss
• Polish- Optimum Polish
• Sealer- Fk1 #2180
• Leather protectant- 303 Aerospace protectant
• Leather treatment- Poorboys Leather Stuff
• Exterior shine- ??
• Glass cleaner- Stoners
• Soap- Top of the Line Bubble Bath
• Wax- Fk1 Pink Wax or Poorboys Nattys Blue
• Quick detailer- Fk1 #2180
• Clay bar- Optimum Clay bar (pretty much all the same)
• Air freshener-
• All purpose- Meguiars Detailer Line APC
• Wheel cleaner- Meguiars Super Degreaser and Meguiar Wheel Brightener




Supplies
• Cutting pads- Lake Country 7.5" VC pads
• Polishing pads- " "
• Compound/wax bottles- USplastics.com
• Buckets- target or walmart - grit guards
• Terry towels- target or walmart (big packs are cheap)
• Microfiber towels- Find an MF supplier
• Interior detail brushes- Target
• Exterior brushes- Meguiars Brushes
• Wash mitts- Eurow Wash mitts

Greg

[futuresweets-10]

Ok here are my suggestions, I removed some products becuase they are just to pricey.

Chemicals
• Buffing compound- Menzerna Power Gloss
• Polish- Optimum Polish
• Sealer- Fk1 #2180
• Leather protectant- 303 Aerospace protectant
• Leather treatment- Poorboys Leather Stuff
• Exterior shine- ??
• Glass cleaner- Stoners
• Soap- Top of the Line Bubble Bath
• Wax- Fk1 Pink Wax or Poorboys Nattys Blue
• Quick detailer- Fk1 #2180
• Clay bar- Optimum Clay bar (pretty much all the same)
• Air freshener-
• All purpose- Meguiars Detailer Line APC
• Wheel cleaner- Meguiars Super Degreaser and Meguiar Wheel Brightener




Supplies
• Cutting pads- Lake Country 7.5" VC pads
• Polishing pads- " "
• Compound/wax bottles- USplastics.com
• Buckets- target or walmart - grit guards
• Terry towels- target or walmart (big packs are cheap)
• Microfiber towels- Find an MF supplier
• Interior detail brushes- Target
• Exterior brushes- Meguiars Brushes
• Wash mitts- Eurow Wash mitts

Greg

I pretty much just needed stuff ADDED to the list that I forgot about, not specific products. Pretty much every product that I left blank I am going to get from L&C enterprises. The stuff that I put on there already does not concern me cost wise. Most of the expensive stuff I put on there is only going to be used for really high end details. Exterior shine is tire shine basically. As far as the pads go, if L&C doesnt have a good deal I am going with Lake Country.

[C. Charles Hahn]

If I might suggest it, in addition to the #80 and #83, you might want to consider keeping a 32oz. each of #84 and #85 on hand, just in case you run into some particularly nasty defects on a vehicle. Granted you may rarely if ever need to use them, but it`s always nice to know you`ve got the really agressive stuff on hand for those circumstances.

[CalgaryDetail]

business cards.. i know this is somthing that most people over look. But i think it it vital to a good business, a card had your name and number, that way they have it to call you back, as well as they have it to give to freinds. i know some people like to staple it to recepits i think this is a great idea, not to pushy but you still get it in. ( i am not big enough to justify cards) good luck

[Yodinho]

Air refresh - meg`s Odor << Sorry if i missed the name but i prefer smell than pinny.

[Brenton]

Do a search, a while back there was a "what is your favorite process?" thread. Good suggestions there.
I once did a list of basic inventory. Search for that.

[futuresweets-10]

Waste water reclaimation system
You may want to consider a vapor steamer as well.

Have you already looked into Insurance, Licensing, Vendors License, business courses if you haven`t run a business on your own yet, detail training, Advertising, Accounting system, and so on. If you haven`t already, there are many many decisions that should be made in regards to setting up a business long before you decide what kind of wax, towels, and vacuum you`ll buy. Just some well intentioned thoughts and advise.

Matt Williams
Silver Lining Detail

I am currently in the process of working towards my business degree (dont know if I will finish that), I have detailed professionally for 2 years so I dont need training, I have already considered advertising, I have an accountant who is also working on getting my insurance and business license set up.