Autopians - Dress codes for detailers

S

stilez

New member
As I approach my second *serious* season detailing, I am looking to improve my dress code a bit more. I want to appeal a bit more in each and every way to the consumer, and I feel this is one area that may need some work.







Currently, depending on the weather, I will wear:





Cold: Hooded sweatshirt, jeans, white sneakers, hair neatly styled



Warm: Khaki shorts, logo free nice t-shirt, white sneakers, white ankle socks, hair neatly styled







My question is, if you are a pro, what do you wear?



If you are an enthusiast, what would you like to see a detailer wearing? what would appeal to you to make you purchase their services?







Thanks in advance.
 
I usually dress nicer to give an estimate than when I acutally do the work.



But when I'm doing work usually a white tshirt or white polo shirt, tennis shoes (just plain jane grey new balance tennis shoes), and some blue jeans (which end up with faded knees or straight up holes pretty quick for me.)



If it's cold I wear a hoodie (my customers could give a crap less really, they usually comment on how NOT warm it looks.)



Although I do have a deal with a local guy who is going to make me up some white and black T-shirts and Polo shirts. The polo's will be white or black (prolly a few of both) with TruShine Performance Detailing embroided on them, and the tshirts will be about the same on the front but will have most of my info on the back along with a graphic of a car and a boat. I figure that will be a good deal.



At the marina over the summer I don't know what I will wear most of the time, it's gonna be HOT so mabye I'll just detail the boats naked. Give somethin for the ladys to look at. :eek: :woot:
 
Khaki pants and shorts are presentable, so I'd say those are fine. You could possibly put a logo/business name on a polo shirt. Another possibility is an apron with logo.
 
I got a blue polo shirt with our logo and khaki pants or shorts. I've actually seen other companies with very similar uniforms, pretty standard.
 
I'm not a pro - a serious weekend warrior for $$. The only detailers I see with uniform style appearances are at the local automatic car wash.



In the warm weather, I wear khaki shorts and a Polo golf shirt. I have a whole bunch of them. The olders ones I wear when detailing. I wear sneakers and below ankle high socks - don't like tube socks with shorts.



In the cooler weather I wear clean jeans, flannel shirt, fleece jacket if required and 3/4 size work boots.



I don't hink dress code is terribly important when you detail. Look at the blue color guys who come to your home to perform a service. If it's not a uniform, then it's standard working man threads.



If you are concerned, some T Shirts with your business info/logo would be cool. Or denim shirts or sweatshirts for the cooler weather with your info on it. Since it's just you (and maybe your girlfriend!) then it wouldn't be expensive to have a couple things made up.



As an ethusiast, I'd like to see personality, knowledge of detailing, expertise with buffers / polishes and a "Yes sir" attitude. Whether you wear a generic white T shirt and shorts or a T shirt with a logo on it and shorts is irrelevant to me.



Your results and professional demeanor will speak volumes for you, not so much your dress, unless you come accross like a total slob (which you obviously aren't!)
 
Hi Seah - Can'r really recommend what to wear, but I seriously advice again wearing thongs :D :D



PS: I wear whorts, t shirts, sneakers in warm weather. Sweat pants.shirts in cold weather. I may get a few t shirts with my business name on it. :up
 
On the professional level,I agree if the detail is going to take place on a separate date than when the vehicle inspection and negotiation with the customer takes place, do dress neatly as in polo or button down shirt, nice khakis, and be sure to give those shoes a shine :D



When the details took place I always made sure I was comfortable. In cold weather I wear a sweat shirt and sweat pants or cotton runner's pants with pockets. I also wear a t-shirt or long sleeved T-shirt underneath so I can remove the sweatshirt once I got warmed up and moving around. When I wash cars I wear thick socks and rubber "duck boots" Have a spare pair of socks on tap. I change out of them and wear sneakers.



In the summer I wear a t-shirt and sweat pant shorts. I very much like the idea of a company name on the shirt if you have a business. I personally wear car oriented T-shirts. I wear good griping rubber sandals when washing and change over to sneakers again as needed.



Even with this very casual "uniform" it's important to make it look neat if you're going to do a detail for a client. Don't wear anything wrinkled and tuck your T-shirt in your pants /shorts



Remember your apron too. No matte what time of year, bring some bottled water with you.
 
I'm starting a detailing business right now and have decided that I'm going to get some polo shirts made up with my logo on (nothing to loud/big, but just something to add that "professional" touch. These will be mated with cargo shorts if it's hot, and cargo pants if it's cold. Will probably also get a couple of sweatshirts and a jacket done as well.



I also wear waterproof over trousers when washing because for some reason I always get soaked - must be over enthusiastic or something!



Ben
 
Like Bill, I wear sweat pants and shirts when it is cold and cotton shorts with pockets and t-shirts in the summer, running shoes year 'round. No belts, no jeans, etc. Nothing I wear will scratch a car. I have sweat shirts with my company name and a simple logo on them (my ex-wife made them a few years back) but my t-shirts with logos disintegrated years ago from constant wear and sweat.



In the summer, I carry 4-6 extra shirts with me at all times. I save the nicer ones to change into when I finish so I don't walk into an office covered in sweat. I do make sure I am not wearing excessively stained shirts and definitely no torn shirts.
 
This is a good thread. I've been giving this a lot of thought lately (especially getting some t-shirts made).



I generally wear comfortable clothes mesh shorts, t-shirts, etc. I'm pretty familiar with most of my clients, so it doesn't matter too much what I wear, as long as I'm doing good work :)



I do have the possibility of some new, unfamiliar clients, which has sparked the custom t-shirt and dress code thoughts...
 
BenP said:
I'm starting a detailing business right now and have decided that I'm going to get some polo shirts made up with my logo on (nothing to loud/big, but just something to add that "professional" touch. These will be mated with cargo shorts if it's hot, and cargo pants if it's cold. Will probably also get a couple of sweatshirts and a jacket done as well.
Click to expand...



I am going to order some logo t-shirts/polo shirts soon. Any ideas of a good place to order from? CafePress?
 
What image do you want to extend to your clients?



When ever I drive by and see a detailer with their pop up tents with no company logo, (anywhere) I think they are one of these fly by night operations. Someone you have to take to small claims court if you have any challenges. What do you tell the judge, " I gave this person with No company logo, signage, business cards etc., $ and Keys to detail my car and found it (car) later wrapped around a tree." Judge Judy will call you Stupid, your case is dismissed on national TV!



Do you give you keys to the valet driver that looks and act the part with the company logo on, or to the guy who is just wearing a t-shirt and jeans with a big smile.



When I see a company logo, I think they have pride in the company and business and are professional. That they might be around for a while. That they went the extra step to be in their market. That the person shows the INTENT to run a bussiness.



Logo or no Logo, if business has no integrity, then that's another story.



Marketing 101: People with do business with you if they- Know, Like, and TRUST you.
 
Soarer V said:
What image to you want to extend to your clients?



When ever I drive by and see a detailer with their pop up tents with no company logo, (anywhere) I think they are one of these fly by night operations. Someone you have to take to small claims court if you have any challenges. What do you tell the judge, " I gave this person with No company logo, signage, business cards etc., $ and Keys to detail my car and found it (car) later wrapped around a tree." Judge Judy will call you Stupid, your case is dismissed on national TV!



Do you give you keys to the valet driver that looks and act the part with the company logo on, or to the guy who is just wearing a t-shirt and jeans with a big smile.



When I see a company logo, I think they have pride in the company and business and are professional. That they might be around for a while. That they went the extra step to be in their market. That the person shows the INTENT to run a bussiness.



Logo or no Logo, if business has no integrity, then that's another story.



Marketing 101: People with do business with you if they- Know, Like, and TRUST you.
Click to expand...



Well put.
 
I am placing an order for logo'd polo shirts for my staff this year. personally i will be wearing a button down shirt with no tie (shortsleeve of couse) to do estimates, and to supervise, as far as working, the staff will have blue polo's, and i wil have a white one, as will my VP. As with the above post, i feel that image is very important, and i spare no cost in maintaining the best image possible
 
http://www.wearguard.com/



has some very nice stuff and it's pretty cheep also.







Sean might like this on his shirt







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I wear Timberland work boots, work belt with cell holder/PDA,Arpon when detailing,tucked in logo shirt t shirt,. Winter i wear a work jacket that will have my logo on it. Hair it is short and neat.
 
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