Hello from Central NY!

J

JimmyJames

New member
Hello! My name is JJ and I am from Cental NY right in between Binghamton and Syracuse. I have been thinking about starting a detailing business for some time and I am finally starting to make the move!:D

I want to start out just doing this part time, mainly on the weekends. This way I test the market in my area and see if I can make it full time in the future.

I have been surfing a bit through this forum and I was really impressed with the advice and support you give each other...so I thought this would be an awesome site to become a member!!

I have done very "basic" detailing on cars since I was a kid. I used to wash, wax, vacuum the interior of my older brothers vehicles when I was 12 years old. I now just work on my own car and some friends...but with very limited (and basic) equipment. My cars do turn out nice (not as nice as they could though) and it can be very time consuming. My question would be what you would recommend in equipment when starting out in the business. What I currently use to vacuum is a Craftsman (5.0 HP, 4 Gal) canister shop vac, and a Bissel green machine for basic interior steaming. I use basic car washes and tire dressings that I purchase at Walmart, and have the normal supplies such as microfiber cloths and the like. Any opinions on the above would be appreciated!!

One thing I am missing is a polisher - which is probably my priority at this time. I have read threads on PC, UDM and the FLEX...but everytime I think of one, something makes me choose another! :passout: What would you all recommend at this time? I want to make sure that it will do a good job (clear up scratches and the like) and last a while. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks and I am glad to be a part of the DC team!!!!:dcrules

JJ
 
Hello JJ,

Welcome to DC.

Will you be mobile or just be detailing out of your house?

Yes it does sound like a polisher should be your next purchase. The type of polisher really depends on the type of details you plan to put out. The Flex will get the job done fastest but is also quite a bit more expensive. (as far as dual action machines go)

A commercial extractor or atleast a commercial vacuum that has the suction of an extractor would be a priority as far as the interior. The Green Machine just isn't strong enough IMO to be worth while using. You would be doing just as well using good shampoo methods.
 
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!!! :)

Sliique, I wouldn't miss the snow and cold either!! And the potholes seem to get bigger each year!! I hit a bad one earlier in the spring and it bent my rim...I was not a happy camper.:mad:

Troy, I am actually working out of my home at the moment...but doing some jobs at customer's homes(I guess I am a hybrid...) Everntually I would just like to be a mobile service.

Thanks for your input on the equipment. I thought that the small extractor I had wouldn't do the trick...so I need to look around for a good extractor that won't cost me too much. Any ideas on brands would be appreciated! I think I am going to spring on the Flex since I got a little extra bonus at my current job.

Thanks again for the warm welcome and I'm sure I'll be talking with you all more soon!

JJ
 
JJ, I'm a newbie too, so getting good advice from from this thread. I think you came to the right place. I stopped in at DC this week and met Troy... got some good tips.

Hey, I'm in FL now (again), but moved here from Endwell, NY. I've also lived in PA, Washington, DC and CO. I swore when I left Binghamton that I would NEVER complain about road construction again.

See you at the Dinosaur BBQ sometime, JJ.

John Henry
 
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