I need some suggestions

V

VetteChick

New member
Hi everyone, I'm new and starting my detailing business for real (got sick of every other guy at shows asking me to do his car for free)since I always win.

Anyway, having a legal background, I was wondering if anyone could share a sample work order with me?

I can't figure out what language to include, what to exclude. Your help is greatly appreciated, and if anyone needs and suggestions on advertising or marketing, just ask - THAT I'll give away free!



Also, I will use my very wicked custom Corvette to advertise my business with a window sticker, but sure would like to post a pic of it here - any ideas how?



Also, any and all tips on starting are greatly appreciated. I plan to do customer's cars on THEIR property and not go mobile or get a shop just yet. Whadda think?
 
I've never used a work order. I detail privately owned vehicles and I have not had any problems relying on a verbal agreement. I think it is understood that if I damage a customer's vehicle I am responsible for any needed repairs. If you detail for car dealers, rental fleets, etc., then you would need some sort of wordy, verbose and hard to understand written agreement (just kidding...sort of!). You would probably need to include something about any damage a vehicle incurs while in your possession, agreements of services that will be performed, and a disclaimer saying that while detailing can make a car look much better, there are some problems (deep scratches, cigarette burns, etc) that cannot be corrected through detailing and will require a repair.

Your car can be your best advertising-mine is. BTW, a 195 hp Vette? L-48 perhaps? I believe the L-82 was around 220 hp then (but 245 hp in the 1974 Z-28 I used to have). Here is a picture of the window sticker on my car:

1shinelg.jpg



To post a picture, if it is on your conputer, you can attach it using the attachments option-just click on it, browse the folder you have it in and click 'open'. If you have it on a website, you need the exact url, then structure it like this:

{IMG}url{/IMG} but use [] instead of {}. You can also select the quote link under my post and you can see how I put my picture in this thread.
 
I am not a professional detailer, and I don't know about work orders or arbitration clauses, but there is a vehicle inspection form on the Automotive International site that I have always thought would be useful if ever I decided to detail other peoples cars for money
 
I use a Flex 3401 VRG DA polisher, and i am looking to step up to something with more power and the capability to cut through more scratches. I use my flex sometimes 3 or 4 times a day , so my next one needs to be able to handle the work load without the worry of overheating. I thought about the 2mode makita but am not sure if its enough power or even if its better than the flex i have now. Does anyone have suggestion for my next buy?
 
MatthewsDetailing said:
I use a Flex 3401 VRG DA polisher, and i am looking to step up to something with more power and the capability to cut through more scratches. I use my flex sometimes 3 or 4 times a day , so my next one needs to be able to handle the work load without the worry of overheating. I thought about the 2mode makita but am not sure if its enough power or even if its better than the flex i have now. Does anyone have suggestion for my next buy?
Click to expand...


I'm kinda where you are at Matthew. I am on the threshold of eeking out that last 2% of perfection :-B

My thoughts are giving the DA sander a whirl. However, the learning curve I'm sure is going to be quite an expierence :-t

I am going to make a thread in the next day or two that might peak your intrest. Stay tuned :wizard:

Oh yea, Welcome to TruthInDetailing. Hope to see you around @-)
 
Welcome to TID.

The only place to go for you if you want to step up from your Flex is a Rotary. The only option that you might have is to try the Surbuf pads on your Flex. They will give much more cut then traditional foam pads.
 
bmw5541 said:
Welcome to TID.

The only place to go for you if you want to step up from your Flex is a Rotary. The only option that you might have is to try the Surbuf pads on your Flex. They will give much more cut then traditional foam pads.
Click to expand...

Oh come on Barry. The Da Sander sounds so much more sexier, and dangerous :biggrin:

Good ideas here Matthew. Have you tried the Surbufs yet. There intended purpose was to polish wood, so they have that whole danger level excitment factor also :soldier:
 
Flash Gordon said:
Oh come on Barry. The Da Sander sounds so much more sexier, and dangerous :biggrin:

Good ideas here Matthew. Have you tried the Surbufs yet. There intended purpose was to polish wood, so they have that whole danger level excitment factor also :soldier:
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Okay Flash. You are right. A DA Sander is way sexier then a Surbuf pad.
Hey my friend, I am catching up to you in posts:partaaay: Not really, but I hit 2000:clap:
 
bmw5541 said:
Okay Flash. You are right. A DA Sander is way sexier then a Surbuf pad.
Hey my friend, I am catching up to you in posts:partaaay: Not really, but I hit 2000:clap:
Click to expand...

IDK now, the Surbuf does have its on sex appeal for sure :Snowman:

Congrats on the achievment and also for the warning. You will never catch me now. I was caught slippin Sleep
 
MatthewsDetailing said:
I use a Flex 3401 VRG DA polisher, and i am looking to step up to something with more power and the capability to cut through more scratches. I use my flex sometimes 3 or 4 times a day , so my next one needs to be able to handle the work load without the worry of overheating. I thought about the 2mode makita but am not sure if its enough power or even if its better than the flex i have now. Does anyone have suggestion for my next buy?
Click to expand...

What are your present pads and polishes?
 
I have 3 random orbitals and a Makita and Flex Rotary and I always use the Makita for quick removal of anything that I see is going to take a long time, like say for instance, that last 2 cars I did - '2000 Lexus never been detailed,, always been at the carwash, and the '2006 Mercedes E320, completely scratched from carwashes and about everything else. Both vehicles were black.

My Rotary and L/C Cyan Pads and Menzerna Super Intensive Polish made pretty quick work of these cars, and my Flex 3401 VRG with the "GEWB Special 5" cut down pad and Tangerine Pad with Menzerna PO85RD made the already smooth beautiful finish pop even more..

Since I work alone, I dont have as much time to finish all the steps, so I have to use the Rotary (in my experience and techniques), to try to save time.

Sure, the Flex would be able to come close, but it takes longer for me, and I dont have "longer" in my plan. Maybe I can get some time away from work on Client's vehicles and experiment with the Flex more.

I havent had time to try out Surbuf, but have heard many great things about these pads here and other places.

There are people here who do beautiful work with Random Orbitals and I hope they will get time to share their vast experiences with you.

Dan F
 
I have not tried the surbuf pads yet. I thought about the flex rotary but dont know if it is better than any makita,dewalt, etc. I like the flex i have know but i am realizing i am going to have to send it away for service, due to the fact of the carbon brushes and i am going to need a new trigger switch and the closest service center is a states away witch sucks
 
I use lake country pads, yellow-heavy,green-light and Polish with meg. M105 and M205.

I also work alone so if dont want to spend the extra time that it might take with my flex DA, cause time is money

Thanks for all the suggestions and keep em coming
 
Flash Gordon said:
If I told ya, I would have to kill ya Da Rules!
Click to expand...

Director Just for clarification. This above comment was meant to be a joke. I don't need a SWAT van riding 8 deep rackin on my door with there battering rams X_X

MatthewsDetailing said:
I have not tried the surbuf pads yet. I thought about the flex rotary but dont know if it is better than any makita,dewalt, etc. I like the flex i have know but i am realizing i am going to have to send it away for service, due to the fact of the carbon brushes and i am going to need a new trigger switch and the closest service center is a states away witch sucks
Click to expand...

I've been using a Ratary for nearly 30 years. I've used many different makes and models and would recommend the Makita 9227c if you wanted to get one. The Ratory certainally has its place and should be without doubt in every profesionals arsenal (those who do this for a living) having said that, it is not the cure all for every situation :rolleyes:

Another thought. Check your local area for a Armature Service Center. They could probally have you up and running in 1 day and you wouldn't have to ship your machine off :wink:
 
MatthewsDetailing said:
I have not tried the surbuf pads yet. I thought about the flex rotary but dont know if it is better than any makita,dewalt, etc. I like the flex i have know but i am realizing i am going to have to send it away for service, due to the fact of the carbon brushes and i am going to need a new trigger switch and the closest service center is a states away witch sucks

]I use lake country pads, yellow-heavy,green-light and Polish with meg. M105 and M205.

I also work alone so if dont want to spend the extra time that it might take with my flex DA, cause time is money

Thanks for all the suggestions and keep em coming
Click to expand...


For me, the Flex is the way to go. M105/PFW can handle anything you throw at it. with the benefits of no swirls or holograms. and anything to sever for that just needs wetsanded anyways. the only thing the flex can't handle is the tight areas that a 4in backing plate on a rotary can handle.

Rotary buffer can offer more cut, but you have to compound, polish, and jewel if you dont want the holograms. which isn't a quicker route. it takes a whole lot of skill and time to finish down properly with the rotary.

if you want more cut with your FLEX then just pull out the PFW pad, prime it with m105 and make a few passes in a 2x2 area on speed 6 with lots of pressure. then once you get the correction you are looking for, all that is left is the polishing. That is way quicker then a full rotary correction.
 
MatthewsDetailing said:
I use lake country pads, yellow-heavy,green-light and Polish with meg. M105 and M205.

I also work alone so if dont want to spend the extra time that it might take with my flex DA, cause time is money

Thanks for all the suggestions and keep em coming
Click to expand...

IMO the yellow pads are horrible with a DA. You will want some of the tangerine 6.5"

http://www.properautocare.com/lch2o6combo3.html

Get a few of the black LC too, they work great for finishing out with using M205.
 
If you decide on a Rotary, think about getting the Makita 9227C which has a very slow start up speed (600) vs the Flex Rotary which starts at 1100.

I have found for me that the slower speeds of the Makita 9227C allow me to work the material longer and safer when the total material thickness measurement is low, and when I just want to be able to see my progress easier. There is also less chance of slinging material when you start off slower too.

The Makita 9227C is going to be heavier and longer than the Flex Rotary L3403 VRG, which starts up at 1100.

At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself if you want the ultimate in cutting ability - forced rotation, which is why everyone that does boats, airplanes, heavy duty polishing of stone, etc., rely on Rotary power.

While I can compound swirl/hologram free with a Rotary, I still like to take a break after doing an entire vehicle with one, and jewel up the finish with the Flex 3401 VRG, and something like Menz PO85RD, 106FA, 3M Ultra Fina, etc.

Good luck with your search!
Dan F
 
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