Hi from Edmonton (Canada)

bluekat

bluekat

New member
Hi everyone,

I just got started with my detailing side business. My initial investment was around $600 (DeWALT DA buffer $265, Presta polishing pads and product kit $185, Mother's clay bar package $20, sandpaper $10, sanding block (that I cut up into smaller ones mainly to correct oxidation but then to color sand) $10, MF towels $60, assortment of brushes $50, Gunk APC, and a few other things). I also have an old but decent air compressor. Any advice on what to buy next? I'm one of the only small businesses in Edmonton that does exterior detailing during the winter (it gets to -40 here mid-winter and heating is very expensive).

I thought I'd share some pics of my first "professional" exterior detail on a customer's 2002 Honda Civic and I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

After reading through the forums, I know I need to spend *way* more time detailing the interiors or future projects though (this Honda was pretty nice inside). My 2005 Mazda 3 (that I bought at auction) needs a serious interior detail and I think a decent (but inexpensive) vacuum or shop vac is probably what I need next ... but there's not a lot of money left.

Question: Does anyone here have experience with the "AllAround EZ" shop vac (sold here at Walmart)?

Specs AllAround® 5895200 :

2.5 Peak HP
2.5 gal tank
18' Power Cord
7' Hose (1¼" diameter)
Airflow: 130 CFM
Electrical Rating: 120V - 60Hz - 7 Amps
Sealed Pressure: 56" water
Air Watts: 220
UL Listed

Good enough for a first shop vac or a waste of money?
 

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Welcome to AutopiaForums! I am working on getting my computer running but once it is working
I will chime in with an answer. I judged wanted to be the first to welcome you!
 
:welcome: To Autopia Forums!

Thanks for posting some of your work. :bigups

I use an old Craftsman shop vac, like me it still works...

I notice in photo 8 there are a lot of what "looks" like RIDS or clear separation yet the final photos shows a gorgeous black finish. What are they and how did you remove them?
 
The old saying goes, sometimes you have to spend money to make money. A shop vac is one of those investments. Usually cheap and inexpensive means that you may need to replacement more often and it may not generate the suction (lift) needed to clean the carpets. I would consider something a little more powerful, with at least 4 horsepower, and if you are doing this professionally, you will need something that is rugged and and dependable.

 
Welcome to AutopiaForums bluekat, looks great from what I can see, on the Shop Vac, I would recommend one that's at least 5 HP and have a tank above 4 gallons if possible. At this time of the year you might find one on sell or maybe at a pawn shop to save money.:welcome:
 
BobbyG said:
:welcome: To Autopia Forums!

Thanks for posting some of your work. :bigups

I use an old Craftsman shop vac, like me it still works...

I notice in photo 8 there are a lot of what "looks" like RIDS or clear separation yet the final photos shows a gorgeous black finish. What are they and how did you remove them?
Click to expand...

Hi BobbyG: It's a pretty common problem with Honda paint, especially in cold climates. These areas (3 of them) were just above the radiator so the theory is the rapid temperature gradient when idling causes it. This pattern is typical and occurs before the clearcoat eventually exposes the basecoat to the elements. The only way around it (IMO) is to sand part way through the clear coat *carefully* until it isn't noticable with a trouble light. I used P-2500 and hand sanded using a flexible sanding block (piece of gasket) for these areas. I didn't use a paint thickness gauge so I sanded through parts of the clearcoat in some tiny areas but never through the base into the primer. This was my first paying client and he thought he needed a paint job; I wanted to prove to him that there was an alternative. This project was more nerve wracking than color sanding a vintage car for me -- risky but ultimately worth it.
 
Todd Helme said:
The old saying goes, sometimes you have to spend money to make money. A shop vac is one of those investments. Usually cheap and inexpensive means that you may need to replacement more often and it may not generate the suction (lift) needed to clean the carpets. I would consider something a little more powerful, with at least 4 horsepower, and if you are doing this professionally, you will need something that is rugged and and dependable.
Click to expand...

True enough! I'll get it anyway though ($25 right now) as a back up. There's a grand opening sale at Topline Sanitation this week through Friday where I can get an AS6 commercial shop vac (1300 W, 4 gal, 127 CFM, 105" waterlift) for $299 CAD -- not bad? I'll have to wait till Wednesday though ...
 
Todd Helme said:
:bigups

Make sure you keep us updated as your business takes off. Do you have a website yet?!
Click to expand...

I will do Todd. I'm a Registered Nurse by trade, strange as it may seem to some here, and my business (called "Attention to Detailing") is still in its infancy. I just got my business license and GST number in November but haven't got a website yet (my girlfriend is good at web design and has some ideas). My experience, prior to becoming an RN, was as an autobody associate where I color sanded custom hotrods for a small business. I now use my heated 2-car garage with space for parking 4 vehicles outside: customers have the option of dropping off their vehicles before work (and I drive to and from work), or leaving the car at my place and picking it up a day or so later. I can't afford a mobile detailing unit but none of the mobile companys in Edmonton do exterior detailing in the winter. I work at the hospital 3 days a week and I've averaged two cars a week since Nov 13th. My hope is that ATD grows during the summer when I plan to offer 3M vinyl wrapping and other detailing-related services.
 
Welcome to AF I like how you broke the hood down into smaller sections for chip repair. Sometimes there are so many that people get overwhelmed trying to touch them up
 
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