How bad for leathers?

BuffMe said:
Sorry, I call BS on that one (not that I think my opinion really matters, anyway). But, no help from the parents? Was this kid on his own since age 6 paying rent?
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Oh c'mon, if he had to pay rent he never could have saved up that much...
 
BuffMe- Gotta take that "no help from parents" with a bit of perspective...kids need "help" with most everything, but parents can guide/teach/etc. as opposed to just giving them the money or doing the work/etc. for them.



I grew up with kids who were thinking about such stuff at that age. They came from well-off homes, but their parents taught them that they had to earn their (own) money and be careful how they spend it.



truzoom said:
College is a bad time to have a nice car unless you live at home and commute...
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Even then it can be a huge distraction. When I realized that I had to get serious about my studies I just got a beater ...just ran it through the carwash and didn't think about detailing until I'd gotten my education squared away. One of the smartest things I ever did.
 
Accumulator said:
BuffMe- Gotta take that "no help from parents" with a bit of perspective...kids need "help" with most everything, but parents can guide/teach/etc. as opposed to just giving them the money or doing the work/etc. for them..
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I understand the "no help from parents" perspective doesn't mean he was on his own like an adult would be, but I've been saving money since I was that age as well, years and magnitudes of money greater than anyone I know, so I'm just trying to understand where this money came from if it wasn't from the parents at all.



(note: this is not to take this off topic, just really damn curious)
 
Ha wow 250k. Nice amount of cash; I thought having 35k+ and being 19 was a huge accomplishment haha.



I kind of regret purchasing the car and you should probably listen to the other guys. The car takes up too much of your time, and you tend to spend hours working on your car versus studying. Also it kind of sucks to think I could have had about 80-90k by the time I am done university and have enough to put a down payment on a house; rather than owning an assest which value is constantly decreasing...



You are only 14 so you got about what; 2 years before you can even drive a car? You should have enough cash to purchase a really nice car if infact you can make 10k like that in a short period of time.
 
Wow, I can't think of a thread like this where I have agreed with everyone who has posted. Don't worry about the nicer car or whatever. Trust me, no matter what, someone is going to have a nicer car than you. Also, although you may think you are the next Michael Schumacher, no one is that good of a driver when you first start out on the roads, especially in a fast car. I am one of the few people I know who is still driving their first car and has never gotten any accidents or tickets. Worry about your classes, get a career (not a job), and then live the high life.
 
Great advise guys! ... I go through so many stages. One day i say... hmmm maybe i should sell everything and buy an '02 911, then some days i think im going to invest in stock's CD's and everything like that. To be honest i dont think im very good with money. I think im going to be the guy that lives the high life but is living pay check to pay check.



LOL! I think that im just going to put all the cash i have right now into a CD ($500) then in a few years cash it in, so that im not tempted to buy any more detailing supplies lol. Boy, do i want to succeed in life!



And i think that im going to start raising my prices. (dont want to change the subject) Hows does this process sound?



Wash-Z7

Clay-Sonus Clay or z18

spray bottom half with p21s autowash

sip

106

50/50 wipedown

z5 (zfx'ed)

z2/z3 (zfx'ed)



250$ for cars? and 300 for SUV's?
 
Not sure those prices would work in VA. Where are you located and what's your customer base? How much are you raising the price over what you do now?
 
baseballlover1 said:
Great advise guys! ... I go through so many stages. One day i say... hmmm maybe i should sell everything and buy an '02 911, then some days i think im going to invest in stock's CD's and everything like that. To be honest i dont think im very good with money. I think im going to be the guy that lives the high life but is living pay check to pay check.



LOL! I think that im just going to put all the cash i have right now into a CD ($500) then in a few years cash it in, so that im not tempted to buy any more detailing supplies lol. Boy, do i want to succeed in life!



And i think that im going to start raising my prices. (dont want to change the subject) Hows does this process sound?



Wash-Z7

Clay-Sonus Clay or z18

spray bottom half with p21s autowash

sip

106

50/50 wipedown

z5 (zfx'ed)

z2/z3 (zfx'ed)



250$ for cars? and 300 for SUV's?
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Daniel, those prices sound about right, why not do a ZAIO instead of a 50/50 wipe and then another shot of Z5 or whatever? it should cut down a step and further cleanse and prep the surface for other Zaino.



How long does that process take you? about 6 hours? Are you using the rotary or PC?? If using the rotary I would charge more as it will take you much longer and the results will be soooo much better.
 
BuffMe said:
Not sure those prices would work in VA. Where are you located and what's your customer base? How much are you raising the price over what you do now?
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You telling me $250 for a wash, clay, 2 x's buffed, 2 x's sealed and interior cleaned is too much? Wow. I still think it's too cheap, but more reasonable than what he was charging...
 
Buffme-i detail in Roanoke VA, i work with very rich clients (not necessarily high end cars tho). So far i mostly have only worked with my dads friends and neighbors, but im starting to get more and more customers. I have charged 115 for cars and 145 for trucks SUV's and vans.



Josh- Yea, ide be working with my rotary (most likely, maybe ile get a flex for a few special cars that ide have to sell my sole for to repaint). And odds are it would take longer then 6 hours for me to do that, just because im slow.



And i thought that for zaino you cant have any oils left on the paint and menzerna does leave it. Will Zaio remove it? I would def replace it, i just didnt know that it would be better.
 
D&D Auto Detail said:
Do you live in VA??
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And dan, he may be right. In my area there arent high quality detailers, so they dont charge much. Im not exactly sure how people are going to react to my prices. From what i know the only other (moderately good) detailer charges a lot, but he uses so many fillers that its funny... but he says that its better and people believe him...
 
Daniel, to be honest you should have a couple of processes, not just one big one for people to choose. Not everyone wants or cares about there paint being swirl free and not everyone will pay for it either. Give them a basic (no paint correction) package and a full scale (paint correction) package or whatever.



If you're using the rotary, then I'd cut out the 106 and put in a ZPC, then it'll be preped for the Z5 and Z2.



Just a thought.:2thumbs:
 
BuffMe said:
I understand the "no help from parents" perspective ..I'm just trying to understand where this money came from if it wasn't from the parents at all.



(note: this is not to take this off topic, just really damn curious)
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If this it too off topic somebody can spank us.



I dunno how some people do this stuff either, but I know it does happen. IIRC there are custodial investment accounts for minors that can be great (or not ;) ) places to park accumulated monies. I don't see the old savings account approach working out all that well these days.





baseballlover1- While it's very difficult, one of the best things you can do to succeed in life is to learn to accept delayed gratification. Think long-term. And *NO* I didn't at your age either :D



But living paycheck-to-paycheck isn't my idea of a good life, and having a posh lifestyle that you can't *really* afford will only last for so long. And as the saying goes, it's a lot tougher to do without luxury once you've had it than it is to never have it in the first place.



Heh heh, you're already used to Porsches!



What you oughta buy for college will depend on a whole lotta things (e.g., winter weather?)...and some colleges (if you live on campus) don't let freshmen keep cars anyhow. If you were my son, I'd be after you to get an old ('86-'91) Mercedes 300SE for your college beater. Slow as molasses but reliable as sunrise. I'd probably say that if you pay for it yourself I'd get you a limited slip diff for it ;)



Oh, and while I'm rambling and the topic is going all over the place anyhow :o I'd like to congratulate you- when you first started posting here a few people gave you some grief (OK, you did deserve some chiding for your spelling ;) ) and said you were all BS, but IMO you proved them wrong. A lot of people woulda just said [screw] it and quit posting here but you stuck around. And it sounds like you really do pay attention to the advice you get.



Heh heh, see....the young fellow really *does* have a Porsche :D



Your process sounds good if you want to go the Zaino route on customers' cars. Can't comment on the rates as I just dunno about such stuff. If *I* were doing this professionally, I'd give some thought to what the *customers* want as opposed to what *you* want. Getting a vehicle good enough for a sealant is tough, keeping it that way is even harder, and you can only do a big correction so many times before you start to really thin the clear. Depending on your customers, you might want to consider a wax-based approach where you don't do as thorough a job of correction. IMO it's all about giving the customers what they want for the price they want to pay; remember, they're probably not as hard-core about this stuff as people here at Autopia. Just my $0.02...but FWIW, I don't know very many people who'd appreciate the sort of job that would satisfy *me*...most people don't even see much marring when I point right at it.
 
HAHA! Already on my way for cutting out time!... The ZPC arrived in the mail today!... :)



And for the no paint correction would i just wash the car and put like z5 on it? Or KSG?
 
Accumulator said:
If this it too off topic somebody can spank us.



I dunno how some people do this stuff either, but I know it does happen. IIRC there are custodial investment accounts for minors that can be great (or not ;) ) places to park accumulated monies. I don't see the old savings account approach working out all that well these days.





baseballlover1- While it's very difficult, one of the best things you can do to succeed in life is to learn to accept delayed gratification. Think long-term. And *NO* I didn't at your age either :D



But living paycheck-to-paycheck isn't my idea of a good life, and having a posh lifestyle that you can't *really* afford will only last for so long. And as the saying goes, it's a lot tougher to do without luxury once you've had it than it is to never have it in the first place.



Heh heh, you're already used to Porsches!



What you oughta buy for college will depend on a whole lotta things (e.g., winter weather?)...and some colleges (if you live on campus) don't let freshmen keep cars anyhow. If you were my son, I'd be after you to get an old ('86-'91) Mercedes 300SE for your college beater. Slow as molasses but reliable as sunrise. I'd probably say that if you pay for it yourself I'd get you a limited slip diff for it ;)



Oh, and while I'm rambling and the topic is going all over the place anyhow :o I'd like to congratulate you- when you first started posting here a few people gave you some grief (OK, you did deserve some chiding for your spelling ;) ) and said you were all BS, but IMO you proved them wrong. A lot of people woulda just said [screw] it and quit posting here but you stuck around. And it sounds like you really do pay attention to the advice you get.



Heh heh, see....the young fellow really *does* have a Porsche :D



Your process sounds good if you want to go the Zaino route on customers' cars. Can't comment on the rates as I just dunno about such stuff. If *I* were doing this professionally, I'd give some thought to what the *customers* want as opposed to what *you* want. Getting a vehicle good enough for a sealant is tough, keeping it that way is even harder, and you can only do a big correction so many times before you start to really thin the clear. Depending on your customers, you might want to consider a wax-based approach where you don't do as thorough a job of correction. IMO it's all about giving the customers what they want for the price they want to pay; remember, they're probably not as hard-core about this stuff as people here at Autopia. Just my $0.02...but FWIW, I don't know very many people who'd appreciate the sort of job that would satisfy *me*...most people don't even see much marring when I point right at it.
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Thanks for the complements! Im sure their are still guys on here who would rather me shutup. But if they feel that strongly, just dont pay attention to me. I mean, i am honestly a quick learner. As much as i love waxes, i dont fancy their life. And i dont think that some of my customers will want to come back to me 3 and 4 times a year, it really just depends on what the customer wants... i just dont think i can continue detailing at my house if im offering my services to the public. I think it will either be great for my business if i can get my building or get my license... or maybe i cant get my parents or friends to drop me off at houses.
 
Dan,



Im almost 16, and was in your place about 2 years ago. At this point, I currently have just shy of $38,000 saved up after 4.5 years of hard work. The key is to save it, and dont spend it. You also have to work hard in school, and know how to manage your cash.



I'm about to purchase a 2003 Mercedes G500, have my father sign for it, and make the payments. Stupid? Utterly. But I'll only be this age once, and when you love cars like we do, its the way to be. Then again, I do plan on retiring by 30, we'll see if I can make that happen!



Good luck man! PM me with any questions.
 
whitejavaS500 said:
Dan,



Im almost 16, and was in your place about 2 years ago. At this point, I currently have just shy of $38,000 saved up after 4.5 years of hard work. The key is to save it, and dont spend it. You also have to work hard in school, and know how to manage your cash.



I'm about to purchase a 2003 Mercedes G500, have my father sign for it, and make the payments. Stupid? Utterly. But I'll only be this age once, and when you love cars like we do, its the way to be. Then again, I do plan on retiring by 30, we'll see if I can make that happen!



Good luck man! PM me with any questions.
Click to expand...



Man I can't even imagine what it'll be like to drive a MB G500 in high school. I hope you're on good terms with your class mates because you can't always keep an eye on your baby.
 
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