I already posted this in the Welcome Center, but thought that this might be a better place to post to ge some response. I am a long time perfectionist when it comes to my Mustangs over the years. I had a black '05 Mustang GT that had etching, and it was giving me anxiety. And so it began. I researched forums and wound up wet sanding the horizontal surfaces (to my wife's horror), followed by M105 and a wool pad on a cordless drill, OTC Meguiars swirl remover, polish, and NXT Tech Wax. It turned out quite nicely. I am now about to take early retirement with the Post Office, if offered, or I may just quit and walk away with nothing but a cash settlement if not. It's gotten that bad there, and I have a true PASSION for detailing, especially the paint. I am willing to work my butt off to make it happen. I am sick of working for the man! I have a ravenous appetite for learning about the business. I'm going to start out in my garage, and market like a madman in every way I know how. I love the idea of practically no overhead. We are under water restrictions, so I'm thinking that ONR is the way to go, whether mobile or not. I'm also thinking of promoting the new business as a "customer choice" business between mobile and my/their garage. Thanks for all of the good advice!
Commited to success
- Thread starter WhippleGT
- Start date
IHA Mark
New member
What advice are you looking for specifically? I just started a full time mobile operation and might be able to help you out. This is my second business and I have a BA in business management. Just roll out a list of things that you are curious or need help with and I'm sure myself and others more experienced than I will be happy to help you.
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
~The Keys to Success~
• PRACTICE ~ learn ‘how to’ use tools and chemicals
• PREPARATION ~ the final finish can only be as good as the prepared surface it’s applied to
• PROCESS ~ learn what products really work and in what order to apply them
• PRODUCTS ~ what’s available and what ‘fixes’ a given paint condition
• PATIENCE ~ it’s the journey not the arriving, so enjoy
• PRIDE ~ in a job done to the best of your ability
• CREDITABILITY ~ is the biggest challenge for small businesses.
• PRACTICE ~ learn ‘how to’ use tools and chemicals
• PREPARATION ~ the final finish can only be as good as the prepared surface it’s applied to
• PROCESS ~ learn what products really work and in what order to apply them
• PRODUCTS ~ what’s available and what ‘fixes’ a given paint condition
• PATIENCE ~ it’s the journey not the arriving, so enjoy
• PRIDE ~ in a job done to the best of your ability
• CREDITABILITY ~ is the biggest challenge for small businesses.
http://www.autopia.org/forum/detail...ng/136438-becoming-professional-detailer.html
http://www.autopia.org/forum/detail.../136439-essentials-starting-new-business.html
TOGWT said:
IHA Mark said:
I guess that I should have said "thanks to everyone in advance for answering the hundreds of questions I'll be posting"! Thank you very much for the response and offer to help. I've got to get my head and plan together to know what to ask about first.
Thomas Dekany
New member
I'd keep the postal job as long as you can, unless it is done, not sure by reading your post.
In that case, I'd offer details on the weekends. Gives you time to build a clientele.
How well you will do, no one can tell you. I know some people get lucky almost right away, some struggle for a long time to make good $$$$
The key is to provide exceptional service and results.
If I look back, the detailers (1 or 2 man operations) who only did paint corrections are the ones being successful today. If you are providing so so results there are 100 other ones doing the same.
PS: before someone jumps on me, my opinion is not including the car wash type operations. I am looking at what the OP is after. If I am wrong I apologize.
In that case, I'd offer details on the weekends. Gives you time to build a clientele.
How well you will do, no one can tell you. I know some people get lucky almost right away, some struggle for a long time to make good $$$$
The key is to provide exceptional service and results.
If I look back, the detailers (1 or 2 man operations) who only did paint corrections are the ones being successful today. If you are providing so so results there are 100 other ones doing the same.
PS: before someone jumps on me, my opinion is not including the car wash type operations. I am looking at what the OP is after. If I am wrong I apologize.
Am I correct that a typical "full detail" consists of wash/wax/vac/carpet and seat steam clean/ clean and protect dash, doors, etc.? And any actual DA polishing is "paint correction" at a much higher cost, right? I'd love to do just paint correction, but I'm guessing that it would take a while to build that customer base. I'm definitely going to target the upper middle class sports car guys as much as possible, as that seems to be the typical paint correction customer, right? And yeah, obviously the "smart and practical" way to do things would be to keep the postal job, and slowly transition to the detailing business, but I'm the only one in the world that knows how much I hate that job right now, and how completely committed and excited I am to start this detailing business. Trust me, I will be posting my "I told you so" and my "I'm so glad that I did this" thread in the near future.
Thomas Dekany
New member
Being positive is very important.
Any actual da polishing IS NOT paint correction.
You need to read a lot, understand what regular detailing, or paint correction actually is and the difference between them for one.
How much experience do you have? What is the going rate where you live, who is your competition? What services are you able to offer? Do you really want to wash and wax? I personally can't do that without decontaminating the car first. How much $$$ are you expecting as you start out? What if nobody comes? What will you do?
How will you handle low ballers? Will you take the job anyway? You will hate detailing faster than you can say it! remember it is the customer who has to feel passionate about YOU working on their car. That will bring the business to you. Word of mouth. Which brings me to my original unspoken question. What is it that you offer that the competition doesn't? Lower prices and better quality? Or higher prices but unknown quality work because you are new? Do you think that is enough? If someone asks for an exterior detail how will you sound in your explanation of paint correction if the client has never heard of it? How do you sell the difference? Can you actually correct paint? How is your polishing skill?
These are just a few random thoughts. Please don't take me too seriously. But I am trying to help you.
Where exactly do you live?
Sincerely
Thomas
Any actual da polishing IS NOT paint correction.
You need to read a lot, understand what regular detailing, or paint correction actually is and the difference between them for one.
How much experience do you have? What is the going rate where you live, who is your competition? What services are you able to offer? Do you really want to wash and wax? I personally can't do that without decontaminating the car first. How much $$$ are you expecting as you start out? What if nobody comes? What will you do?
How will you handle low ballers? Will you take the job anyway? You will hate detailing faster than you can say it! remember it is the customer who has to feel passionate about YOU working on their car. That will bring the business to you. Word of mouth. Which brings me to my original unspoken question. What is it that you offer that the competition doesn't? Lower prices and better quality? Or higher prices but unknown quality work because you are new? Do you think that is enough? If someone asks for an exterior detail how will you sound in your explanation of paint correction if the client has never heard of it? How do you sell the difference? Can you actually correct paint? How is your polishing skill?
These are just a few random thoughts. Please don't take me too seriously. But I am trying to help you.
Where exactly do you live?
Sincerely
Thomas
IHA Mark
New member
Good for you. Enthusiasm plays a big part in starting a business like this. A few answers to your questions:
1. A "full details" consists of whatever you want it to consist of. I created several different packages to offer services to clients with different needs and budgets. I have a low end, medium to high end, and a full correction detail that I offer.
2. I offer 1 step polishing on my medium to high end detail (which is better than most locals do on a "full detail"), but anything beyond that the client wants is done by estimate. This way I can discuss what their expectations are, as well as the amount of money they will need to spend to achieve those expectations.
3. If you don't already, write up a business plan and stick to it. Do you want to be a volume oriented detailer? high end? middle of the road? Make a plan, put it on paper, and start to take steps to put that plan into action. Keep asking questions, I usually check Autopia 1-2 times per day and am more to happy to help you if you need any other advice.
1. A "full details" consists of whatever you want it to consist of. I created several different packages to offer services to clients with different needs and budgets. I have a low end, medium to high end, and a full correction detail that I offer.
2. I offer 1 step polishing on my medium to high end detail (which is better than most locals do on a "full detail"), but anything beyond that the client wants is done by estimate. This way I can discuss what their expectations are, as well as the amount of money they will need to spend to achieve those expectations.
3. If you don't already, write up a business plan and stick to it. Do you want to be a volume oriented detailer? high end? middle of the road? Make a plan, put it on paper, and start to take steps to put that plan into action. Keep asking questions, I usually check Autopia 1-2 times per day and am more to happy to help you if you need any other advice.
Concours.John
Auto Detail & Restoration
WhippleGT said:
Knowing your process and products will be key. The group you want to target can range from collectors daily driver to someones garage queen.
Knowing how each product and process works with original paint and interiors can save you from a bad day. Also knowing if it is safe to fully correct based on condition and owners habits. Asking many questions about how they care for the vehicle can help establish the process.
While many people say they want it perfect the finish may not be able to substain a full correction without compromise or future failure. People will always be wowed by a perfect finish not much if they are told it can never be polished again.
I'm not being negative just some food for thought before jumping into true corrections.
Best of luck! Great to hear the passion you have.
As I read my own post, I realize that I had had a couple of bourbons, ha ha! I know that paint correction would be a multi step process on abused paint, not the typical customer that I was referring to. Would you say that "paint correction" would normally be achievable with a Flex DA, or would a rotary, and possibly even wet sanding be necessary? I'm going to get a lump sum of separation pay that I'm going to invest into the necessary equipment, accessories, and products, and am still sorting out my shopping list and plan of action. I spend literally hours every day researching, mainly on this website. As I've said, I have a true passion for this stuff, and have confirmed many many things during that research that I had figured out on my own, but I am still at the beginning of the process, which I know will never end. In the end I know that if I get off to a slow start, and can't pay the bills, I'll get a part time J O B to supplement my income. I honestly don't think that there is much real competition around here. I have NEVER seen any coupons, flyers, ads, business cards, etc. I am going to out market, out hustle, and out perform. The out perform part will take some experience, I know. I don't want to say exactly where I am. I'd rather take them by surprise, and then I will already be up and running.