Is it possible to start a mobile detailing business for under 200 dollars.

I'm new to detailing, but not new to business.



Your better off taking the $200 and betting it all on Black.



If you are serious about this... how can you only round up $200? That's only like 2-3 tanks of gas? How are you going to drive your mobile business around town? Forget supplies, you dont even have enough for flyers at Kinko's and a comfortable pair of shoes...
 
Taj5944 said:
I would suggest making a business plan. Scout the area for local competitors and examine what services they offer, what products they use, prices and packages they offer, etc. Examine every detail possible and even call them with any questions you may have (without letting them know you are looking to become a competitor of theirs). This information will give you a much better understanding of the mobile detailing business in your area as a whole. After this information is obtained, that's when you start identifying your costs to start your business. The idea of just buying $200 worth of detailing supplies gets you nowhere imo. You're going to need much more than $200 worth of supplies, let alone marketing expenses, etc. Good luck to you, but if you're serious about this you'll need to start looking at the endeavor from a business point of view.
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Thanks i plan on saving more money first, and i will check with local completion first. I now understand it will cost more money to start this business
 
mikenap said:
There are a ton of these threads popping up lately, and it's got me wondering why....:think: Does it seem like easy money? Cause it damn sure isn't.
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Well this business seems to have a low start up cost compared to other business. I understand that there is no quick get rich in any type of business. I understand it will take years of work to become successful in any type of business. Its just that this business has my attention. I am serious about detailing also.
 
hademade said:
I don't have any supplies right now, and i don't wash cars regularity. I think this is a great business oppurtunity to start. But i have washed a car before and cleaned the interior before. I just haven't used the wax or paint selanet or anything like that. I plan on practicing for a month, everyday until i feel comfortable enough to start my business.
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No offense and im not trying to be critical, but I'd STRONGLY recommend you at least try some things on your own car before messing around with someone elses...even if it is just a wax job. You say you've washed cars and done interiors before and thats where we all start but trust me if you want to get into DETAILING and really earn the name and not be one of these guys that us REAL detailers get steamed about, you'll need some experience under your belt, and your own car is the best place to start.



When you say you've washed cars and done interiors, how do you wash the car..what is your method, do you use two buckets, do you use proper car soap and mits and towels to dry with, do you use separate ones for tires and rims...are you DISCIPLINE in doing it the right way everytime, even when you're tired..even when you've already been busting your butt for 6 hours or more and this is the last job you have for the day. Technique goes a LONG ways and as someone else said, read like crazy on this forum for good tips and starting techniques.



Again, not trying to be rude, but don't think this is just something you can 'do for a month' and bam you have a business. It does take a LOT of work and im NOT trying to discourage you at all, but trying to keep you from being one of these 'quickie' jerks that either gives the rest of us a bad name, or undercuts and under-defines what REAL detailing is. I started off with my sis doing $30 wash and wax jobs with a basic interior for a retirement community as a teenager. It was hard and i didn't make much, but what i did make i saved and put towards getting more supplies. And when i wasn't working i was reading and asking questions and using my head to figure out what makes sense and what doesn't.



So again, to start out, practice on your own car...and id recommend this for anything you plan to do. I've always tried things on MY car first before offering it as a service. I owned my DA polisher over a year before ever offering it as a service to a customer...maybe it was a little excessive but, i didn't want to screw up and i didn't want to over or under charge someone...i wanted to know what speed i could effectively work at and what time it took and to KNOW what i was actually doing, not just...oh i spread this stuff on the paint and it looks pretty.



Go buy 2 buckets....a decent car wash soap (megs gold class is over the counter and a decent product), a couple wash mits and a couple wash sponges (i prefer sponges for the grunge on the lower parts of cars so i dont jack up my mits with tons of tar), a couple decent MF drying towels & some all purpose ones (Target carries some made by 'Vroom'...they are decent quality and good OTC to start out with if you're not ordering online), a decent wax and sealant (Id say Megs NXT 2.0 for a sealant and a decent wax...leave that up to you...), a clay bar kit (Mothers makes a decent kit, also OTC to start out with), i'd also get some MF or foam applicator pads...then go home and practice.



Wash your car, clay it, check it to make sure its super clean and be CRITICAL of yourself. Work top to bottom. IF you mess up...GOOD! You caught it, you learned something from it and you hopefully wont do it again. Better on your car where you can go back and do it than a customers car where he/she says 'wait whats this...did you miss all this?'. Do your door jambs...rims...wheel wells. After your prep is done, then give wax a try...do a thin coat, dont glob it on. Spread it evenly and dont scrub it on, just spread it. Most of all just try things, get yourself USE to doing things in a certain order, then you have less of a chance of forgetting something.



Of course you have this forum for help...but still its on you to try the things recommended and don't be afraid to use your own mind to do things in a way that helps you. Everyone works differently in one way or another, but there are a few foundational rules like....dont drop your mit on the ground and then pick it up and start washing the hood. Or don't have a MF towel you just used to clean rims with and use it to dry the paint...things like that lol.



I heard someone say that "Success has taught me very little, but failure has taught me a lot"...basically saying that its ok to screw up but learn from it...and in this case, better to screw up on your own car than someone elses.







mikenap said:
There are a ton of these threads popping up lately, and it's got me wondering why....:think: Does it seem like easy money? Cause it damn sure isn't.
Click to expand...



You've got that right. I dont think that ALL of the people interested in doing this are looking for just easy money, im sure (i hope at least) some have a true passion for it. And it is hard to really wrap your head around all the different aspects of detailing if you dont KNOW, but thats why i have close to 2000 posts on AG and have done a ton of reading and a decent amount of posting on here as well...i taught myself, never had anyone in person to show it to me. But i do think there are some out there that think its sooo easy 'washing cars' and wow we can get paid HOW much for doing it!?! ...yeah thats not cool...i never charged a big amount of money for washing or waxing a car...but again some people think thats all detailing is...but for those who really want to learn and get into it...i say go for it, but pay your dues!



Dan said:
A lot of folks think a detail is a wash and a wax, and $300+ sure seems like good money for two hours work!
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lol YUP, had a guy last year that i was talking to...he was selling his boat and made mention of just having his two Mercedes 'detailed' for $200 EACH and the guy was in and out in 4 hours...made me steam a little bit...just a little.
 
hademade said:
My business will me more of a wash and wax type business. I plan on offering a complete detail also, once i get the right equipment.
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I've been running a Mobile Detailing business for 7 years now. I learn something every week. What do think a "complete detail" consists of? Gain knowledge before product. Without knowledge you won't know what to buy.
 
MrWillsi3 said:
No offense and im not trying to be critical, but I'd STRONGLY recommend you at least try some things on your own car before messing around with someone elses...even if it is just a wax job. You say you've washed cars and done interiors before and thats where we all start but trust me if you want to get into DETAILING and really earn the name and not be one of these guys that us REAL detailers get steamed about, you'll need some experience under your belt, and your own car is the best place to start.



When you say you've washed cars and done interiors, how do you wash the car..what is your method, do you use two buckets, do you use proper car soap and mits and towels to dry with, do you use separate ones for tires and rims...are you DISCIPLINE in doing it the right way everytime, even when you're tired..even when you've already been busting your butt for 6 hours or more and this is the last job you have for the day. Technique goes a LONG ways and as someone else said, read like crazy on this forum for good tips and starting techniques.



Again, not trying to be rude, but don't think this is just something you can 'do for a month' and bam you have a business. It does take a LOT of work and im NOT trying to discourage you at all, but trying to keep you from being one of these 'quickie' jerks that either gives the rest of us a bad name, or undercuts and under-defines what REAL detailing is. I started off with my sis doing $30 wash and wax jobs with a basic interior for a retirement community as a teenager. It was hard and i didn't make much, but what i did make i saved and put towards getting more supplies. And when i wasn't working i was reading and asking questions and using my head to figure out what makes sense and what doesn't.



So again, to start out, practice on your own car...and id recommend this for anything you plan to do. I've always tried things on MY car first before offering it as a service. I owned my DA polisher over a year before ever offering it as a service to a customer...maybe it was a little excessive but, i didn't want to screw up and i didn't want to over or under charge someone...i wanted to know what speed i could effectively work at and what time it took and to KNOW what i was actually doing, not just...oh i spread this stuff on the paint and it looks pretty.



Go buy 2 buckets....a decent car wash soap (megs gold class is over the counter and a decent product), a couple wash mits and a couple wash sponges (i prefer sponges for the grunge on the lower parts of cars so i dont jack up my mits with tons of tar), a couple decent MF drying towels & some all purpose ones (Target carries some made by 'Vroom'...they are decent quality and good OTC to start out with if you're not ordering online), a decent wax and sealant (Id say Megs NXT 2.0 for a sealant and a decent wax...leave that up to you...), a clay bar kit (Mothers makes a decent kit, also OTC to start out with), i'd also get some MF or foam applicator pads...then go home and practice.



Wash your car, clay it, check it to make sure its super clean and be CRITICAL of yourself. Work top to bottom. IF you mess up...GOOD! You caught it, you learned something from it and you hopefully wont do it again. Better on your car where you can go back and do it than a customers car where he/she says 'wait whats this...did you miss all this?'. Do your door jambs...rims...wheel wells. After your prep is done, then give wax a try...do a thin coat, dont glob it on. Spread it evenly and dont scrub it on, just spread it. Most of all just try things, get yourself USE to doing things in a certain order, then you have less of a chance of forgetting something.



Of course you have this forum for help...but still its on you to try the things recommended and don't be afraid to use your own mind to do things in a way that helps you. Everyone works differently in one way or another, but there are a few foundational rules like....dont drop your mit on the ground and then pick it up and start washing the hood. Or don't have a MF towel you just used to clean rims with and use it to dry the paint...things like that lol.



I heard someone say that "Success has taught me very little, but failure has taught me a lot"...basically saying that its ok to screw up but learn from it...and in this case, better to screw up on your own car than someone elses.











You've got that right. I dont think that ALL of the people interested in doing this are looking for just easy money, im sure (i hope at least) some have a true passion for it. And it is hard to really wrap your head around all the different aspects of detailing if you dont KNOW, but thats why i have close to 2000 posts on AG and have done a ton of reading and a decent amount of posting on here as well...i taught myself, never had anyone in person to show it to me. But i do think there are some out there that think its sooo easy 'washing cars' and wow we can get paid HOW much for doing it!?! ...yeah thats not cool...i never charged a big amount of money for washing or waxing a car...but again some people think thats all detailing is...but for those who really want to learn and get into it...i say go for it, but pay your dues!







lol YUP, had a guy last year that i was talking to...he was selling his boat and made mention of just having his two Mercedes 'detailed' for $200 EACH and the guy was in and out in 4 hours...made me steam a little bit...just a little.
Click to expand...



Awesome write up!



OP,



Ive been doing my own car for the past 4 years. I started knowing absolutely nothing washing my own car. I started by using some old products I found in the garage. You just have to treat you car as a canvas and be really critical about EVERYTHING you do.



Thats how I learned. A year or so into it. I was "detailing" my own cars drying them bath towels, claying with the *useless*TW Ice kit, TW wax and only cleaned the face of the wheels. Thought I was hot #$%! till I discovered this forum and soon after autogeek. I realized I knew nothing. I read alot, practiced on my car, learned about swirls, bought my own GG ROP, microfibers etc, compounds, various brushes etc. And I still dont feel like I am ready for doing this as a business.



Lucky for you OP, you discovered this place early on. Took me two years. These guys will set you straight, just read read READ!
 
mbaoo said:
Awesome write up!



OP,



Ive been doing my own car for the past 4 years. I started knowing absolutely nothing washing my own car. I started by using some old products I found in the garage. You just have to treat you car as a canvas and be really critical about EVERYTHING you do.



Thats how I learned. A year or so into it. I was "detailing" my own cars drying them bath towels, claying with the *useless*TW Ice kit, TW wax and only cleaned the face of the wheels. Thought I was hot #$%! till I discovered this forum and soon after autogeek. I realized I knew nothing. I read alot, practiced on my car, learned about swirls, bought my own GG ROP, microfibers etc, compounds, various brushes etc. And I still dont feel like I am ready for doing this as a business.



Lucky for you OP, you discovered this place early on. Took me two years. These guys will set you straight, just read read READ!
Click to expand...



Yeah unless you have someone to teach you, you start out thinking if you wash it and WAX it...i mean oh man...WAX it...then you're at the top of the line. I have to give a speech to new customers, even ones with nice cars about the difference between each step...telling them helps...but SHOWING them is what helps them understand.



I was in the same boat...from the old school of using dish soap and any old towel i could find (as a kid to maybe 13?) and turtle wax was IT! But then the research started...and the experimenting and the search for something MORE...and yeah here i am at 25 with a pretty decent thing going....but it does take work...for me though, you can't beat it..i love working for myself and i love restoring neglected paint/cars.
 
[quote name='MrWillsi3']No offense and im not trying to be critical, but I'd STRONGLY recommend you at least try some things on your own car before messing around with someone elses...even if it is just a wax job. You say you've washed cars and done interiors before and thats where we all start but trust me if you want to get into DETAILING and really earn the name and not be one of these guys that us REAL detailers get steamed about, you'll need some experience under your belt, and your own car is the best place to start.



When you say you've washed cars and done interiors, how do you wash the car..what is your method, do you use two buckets, do you use proper car soap and mits and towels to dry with, do you use separate ones for tires and rims...are you DISCIPLINE in doing it the right way everytime, even when you're tired..even when you've already been busting your butt for 6 hours or more and this is the last job you have for the day. Technique goes a LONG ways and as someone else said, read like crazy on this forum for good tips and starting techniques.



Again, not trying to be rude, but don't think this is just something you can 'do for a month' and bam you have a business. It does take a LOT of work and im NOT trying to discourage you at all, but trying to keep you from being one of these 'quickie' jerks that either gives the rest of us a bad name, or undercuts and under-defines what REAL detailing is. I started off with my sis doing $30 wash and wax jobs with a basic interior for a retirement community as a teenager. It was hard and i didn't make much, but what i did make i saved and put towards getting more supplies. And when i wasn't working i was reading and asking questions and using my head to figure out what makes sense and what doesn't.



So again, to start out, practice on your own car...and id recommend this for anything you plan to do. I've always tried things on MY car first before offering it as a service. I owned my DA polisher over a year before ever offering it as a service to a customer...maybe it was a little excessive but, i didn't want to screw up and i didn't want to over or under charge someone...i wanted to know what speed i could effectively work at and what time it took and to KNOW what i was actually doing, not just...oh i spread this stuff on the paint and it looks pretty.



Go buy 2 buckets....a decent car wash soap (megs gold class is over the counter and a decent product), a couple wash mits and a couple wash sponges (i prefer sponges for the grunge on the lower parts of cars so i dont jack up my mits with tons of tar), a couple decent MF drying towels & some all purpose ones (Target carries some made by 'Vroom'...they are decent quality and good OTC to start out with if you're not ordering online), a decent wax and sealant (Id say Megs NXT 2.0 for a sealant and a decent wax...leave that up to you...), a clay bar kit (Mothers makes a decent kit, also OTC to start out with), i'd also get some MF or foam applicator pads...then go home and practice.



Wash your car, clay it, check it to make sure its super clean and be CRITICAL of yourself. Work top to bottom. IF you mess up...GOOD! You caught it, you learned something from it and you hopefully wont do it again. Better on your car where you can go back and do it than a customers car where he/she says 'wait whats this...did you miss all this?'. Do your door jambs...rims...wheel wells. After your prep is done, then give wax a try...do a thin coat, dont glob it on. Spread it evenly and dont scrub it on, just spread it. Most of all just try things, get yourself USE to doing things in a certain order, then you have less of a chance of forgetting something.



Of course you have this forum for help...but still its on you to try the things recommended and don't be afraid to use your own mind to do things in a way that helps you. Everyone works differently in one way or another, but there are a few foundational rules like....dont drop your mit on the ground and then pick it up and start washing the hood. Or don't have a MF towel you just used to clean rims with and use it to dry the paint...things like that lol.



I heard someone say that "Success has taught me very little, but failure has taught me a lot"...basically saying that its ok to screw up but learn from it...and in this case, better to screw up on your own car than someone elses.







Thanks for the good feedback. I don't use the two bucket method, i just wash the average way. I plan on changing the way i wash my vehicle, i will use the two bucket method and i will practice with onr. I will also practice using wax, paint sealant and etc. I am not going to wash or detail other people's vehicles until i can detail my vehicle perfectly without making any mistakes. I understand that it will take a long time to get to that point, but i am willing to work for it.
 
hademade said:
[quote name='MrWillsi3']No offense and im not trying to be critical, but I'd STRONGLY recommend you at least try some things on your own car before messing around with someone elses...even if it is just a wax job. You say you've washed cars and done interiors before and thats where we all start but trust me if you want to get into DETAILING and really earn the name and not be one of these guys that us REAL detailers get steamed about, you'll need some experience under your belt, and your own car is the best place to start.



When you say you've washed cars and done interiors, how do you wash the car..what is your method, do you use two buckets, do you use proper car soap and mits and towels to dry with, do you use separate ones for tires and rims...are you DISCIPLINE in doing it the right way everytime, even when you're tired..even when you've already been busting your butt for 6 hours or more and this is the last job you have for the day. Technique goes a LONG ways and as someone else said, read like crazy on this forum for good tips and starting techniques.



Again, not trying to be rude, but don't think this is just something you can 'do for a month' and bam you have a business. It does take a LOT of work and im NOT trying to discourage you at all, but trying to keep you from being one of these 'quickie' jerks that either gives the rest of us a bad name, or undercuts and under-defines what REAL detailing is. I started off with my sis doing $30 wash and wax jobs with a basic interior for a retirement community as a teenager. It was hard and i didn't make much, but what i did make i saved and put towards getting more supplies. And when i wasn't working i was reading and asking questions and using my head to figure out what makes sense and what doesn't.



So again, to start out, practice on your own car...and id recommend this for anything you plan to do. I've always tried things on MY car first before offering it as a service. I owned my DA polisher over a year before ever offering it as a service to a customer...maybe it was a little excessive but, i didn't want to screw up and i didn't want to over or under charge someone...i wanted to know what speed i could effectively work at and what time it took and to KNOW what i was actually doing, not just...oh i spread this stuff on the paint and it looks pretty.



Go buy 2 buckets....a decent car wash soap (megs gold class is over the counter and a decent product), a couple wash mits and a couple wash sponges (i prefer sponges for the grunge on the lower parts of cars so i dont jack up my mits with tons of tar), a couple decent MF drying towels & some all purpose ones (Target carries some made by 'Vroom'...they are decent quality and good OTC to start out with if you're not ordering online), a decent wax and sealant (Id say Megs NXT 2.0 for a sealant and a decent wax...leave that up to you...), a clay bar kit (Mothers makes a decent kit, also OTC to start out with), i'd also get some MF or foam applicator pads...then go home and practice.



Wash your car, clay it, check it to make sure its super clean and be CRITICAL of yourself. Work top to bottom. IF you mess up...GOOD! You caught it, you learned something from it and you hopefully wont do it again. Better on your car where you can go back and do it than a customers car where he/she says 'wait whats this...did you miss all this?'. Do your door jambs...rims...wheel wells. After your prep is done, then give wax a try...do a thin coat, dont glob it on. Spread it evenly and dont scrub it on, just spread it. Most of all just try things, get yourself USE to doing things in a certain order, then you have less of a chance of forgetting something.



Of course you have this forum for help...but still its on you to try the things recommended and don't be afraid to use your own mind to do things in a way that helps you. Everyone works differently in one way or another, but there are a few foundational rules like....dont drop your mit on the ground and then pick it up and start washing the hood. Or don't have a MF towel you just used to clean rims with and use it to dry the paint...things like that lol.



I heard someone say that "Success has taught me very little, but failure has taught me a lot"...basically saying that its ok to screw up but learn from it...and in this case, better to screw up on your own car than someone elses.







Thanks for the good feedback. I don't use the two bucket method, i just wash the average way. I plan on changing the way i wash my vehicle, i will use the two bucket method and i will practice with onr. I will also practice using wax, paint sealant and etc. I am not going to wash or detail other people's vehicles until i can detail my vehicle perfectly without making any mistakes. I understand that it will take a long time to get to that point, but i am willing to work for it.
Click to expand...



Well hey man if you're sincere with your work ethic nothing can stop you from becoming good at it. Like others said, read on here...the old saying 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is very true, you'd rather do your research on here and other sites to not make huge mistakes to begin with rather than screw up and then come here or elsewhere for help. Some things are inevitable as far as mistakes, but just don't make 'the big ones' and just be sure to correct the smaller ones. Just retain what you learn and let it become second nature and you will continue to get better, i feel this is true in EVERYTHING. I'm not a 20 year detailing vet like some guys on here (hell im not much older than 20 lol) but i did start in my teens...and have a few years under my belt...and im still learning...and i see guys who HAVE done this for 20+ years say they're still learning...as long as you keep that kind of attitude of being open and willing to learn from others AND yourself, you'll improve.
 
I would say that isn't enough. I really like MrWill advice. But like said before anything is possible. You could use a house vac on neighbors cars, but I got a portable shop vac from home depot, its 5hp(which I would say is minimum), and it was $80. Then $40 extra for the car kit which I say it basically a must have. Do a LOT of research, you will find you learn something new every day. Read everything here, watch the junkman on youtube and read his threads over on Adams polishes forum. He teaches well, the true 2 bucket method, and has very good points. Start by washing your own car, you will probably get addicted like most of us here, then you will want to keep making it look better, as you do that you will learn about better products and techniques.



Don't forget to do things, like taping off all trim with painters tape before you wax, cleaning door jams, gas caps, etc. Its DETAILING, deft. don't rush. The first time I properly did my truck, it took me at least eight hours(which was just wash, dry, tires, clay and wax), no shampooing etc. And don't dry with those shammies, they can't scratch the paint. You will learn all this as you read here and follow the junkman2000.



Best of Luck!
 
apoirier594 said:
I would say that isn't enough. I really like MrWill advice. But like said before anything is possible. You could use a house vac on neighbors cars, but I got a portable shop vac from home depot, its 5hp(which I would say is minimum), and it was $80. Then $40 extra for the car kit which I say it basically a must have. Do a LOT of research, you will find you learn something new every day. Read everything here, watch the junkman on youtube and read his threads over on Adams polishes forum. He teaches well, the true 2 bucket method, and has very good points. Start by washing your own car, you will probably get addicted like most of us here, then you will want to keep making it look better, as you do that you will learn about better products and techniques.



Don't forget to do things, like taping off all trim with painters tape before you wax, cleaning door jams, gas caps, etc. Its DETAILING, deft. don't rush. The first time I properly did my truck, it took me at least eight hours(which was just wash, dry, tires, clay and wax), no shampooing etc. And don't dry with those shammies, they can't scratch the paint. You will learn all this as you read here and follow the junkman2000.



Best of Luck!
Click to expand...



You are right about that, i haven't even did a complete detail yet. So i need to clean door jams, gas caps, and tape off the trim with painters tape. I know i have a lot to learn, i don't want to scratch a vehicle or leave swirls into the vehicle while detailing a car. That would be an embarrassing situation to have. I will read the adam polishers forum and i will listen to junkman2000. Thanks for the great advice.
 
MrWillsi3 said:
[quote name='hademade']



Well hey man if you're sincere with your work ethic nothing can stop you from becoming good at it. Like others said, read on here...the old saying 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is very true, you'd rather do your research on here and other sites to not make huge mistakes to begin with rather than screw up and then come here or elsewhere for help. Some things are inevitable as far as mistakes, but just don't make 'the big ones' and just be sure to correct the smaller ones. Just retain what you learn and let it become second nature and you will continue to get better, i feel this is true in EVERYTHING. I'm not a 20 year detailing vet like some guys on here (hell im not much older than 20 lol) but i did start in my teens...and have a few years under my belt...and im still learning...and i see guys who HAVE done this for 20+ years say they're still learning...as long as you keep that kind of attitude of being open and willing to learn from others AND yourself, you'll improve.
Click to expand...



I will definitively have that attitude, i always figure there is more for me to learn. The more i browse through forums and watch detailing forums. I learn about new products and detailing techniques. There are so more products to choose from, i will have to practice for a while before i find the one product that works the best for me.
 
I learned to clean a car when I was a kid and I wanted to get paroled from restriction. My mom has a very discerning eye and can see individual molecules of dirt. It was always a contest with myself to see how clean I could get it.



I learned to use a buffer when I spent 2.5 years working at a factory making clear-coated cultured marble kitchen and bath fixtures. I had never used a buffer until the day I started working there and the lady in charge of the finishing department taught me all the tricks to making things shiny with a rotary polisher. I learned to use a paint thickness gauge, various wetsanding techniques, wool pad polishing, foam pad use, airbrushing clearcoat repairs, fiberglass molding, multi stage compounding, all kinds of different stuff that directly relates to professional auto detailing.



I learned to detail after basic training where I gained an even deeper understanding of what it means to put out the best possible product. Then I applied the knowledge of cleaning, machine polishing and overall pride in workmanship to vehicles and found out I was pretty decent at it.



I think what I'm saying is that it took 5 years (and a few boo boos) to lay down the knowledge base to be able to make clearcoat corrections and return a truly finished product. You can apply things that you learn in other occupations to auto detailing. Can you find work that relates to auto detailing in your area to build up your skill set and get paid while doing it? Cultured marble manufacturers are almost always looking for finishers and willing to train since the gelcoat is so thick. You could wash cars on weekends to get a better feel for products and getting all the basic cleaning details right while you build your skills with a buffer during the week. Hmm, what else? Maybe a boat repair shop where they do gelcoat and fiberglass work?
 
pmnewton said:
I learned to clean a car when I was a kid and I wanted to get paroled from restriction. My mom has a very discerning eye and can see individual molecules of dirt. It was always a contest with myself to see how clean I could get it.



I learned to use a buffer when I spent 2.5 years working at a factory making clear-coated cultured marble kitchen and bath fixtures. I had never used a buffer until the day I started working there and the lady in charge of the finishing department taught me all the tricks to making things shiny with a rotary polisher. I learned to use a paint thickness gauge, various wetsanding techniques, wool pad polishing, foam pad use, airbrushing clearcoat repairs, fiberglass molding, multi stage compounding, all kinds of different stuff that directly relates to professional auto detailing.



I learned to detail after basic training where I gained an even deeper understanding of what it means to put out the best possible product. Then I applied the knowledge of cleaning, machine polishing and overall pride in workmanship to vehicles and found out I was pretty decent at it.



I think what I'm saying is that it took 5 years (and a few boo boos) to lay down the knowledge base to be able to make clearcoat corrections and return a truly finished product. You can apply things that you learn in other occupations to auto detailing. Can you find work that relates to auto detailing in your area to build up your skill set and get paid while doing it? Cultured marble manufacturers are almost always looking for finishers and willing to train since the gelcoat is so thick. You could wash cars on weekends to get a better feel for products and getting all the basic cleaning details right while you build your skills with a buffer during the week. Hmm, what else? Maybe a boat repair shop where they do gelcoat and fiberglass work?
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Thanks for the answer, it shows me that i will need a lot of experience before i detail other people's car. I believe there is a boat repair shop within my area i can go to. But i will start off washing peoples car on the weekends i like that idea the best.
 
A couple of quick tips as you learn -



- Only buy wax that is trim-safe and will not stain trim.

- When claying, stay away from trim, emblems, etc - otherwise the clay will get caught under the edges and you'll have to go back with a toothpick to get it out.
 
pmnewton said:
I learned to clean a car when I was a kid and I wanted to get paroled from restriction. My mom has a very discerning eye and can see individual molecules of dirt. It was always a contest with myself to see how clean I could get it.



I learned to use a buffer when I spent 2.5 years working at a factory making clear-coated cultured marble kitchen and bath fixtures. I had never used a buffer until the day I started working there and the lady in charge of the finishing department taught me all the tricks to making things shiny with a rotary polisher. I learned to use a paint thickness gauge, various wetsanding techniques, wool pad polishing, foam pad use, airbrushing clearcoat repairs, fiberglass molding, multi stage compounding, all kinds of different stuff that directly relates to professional auto detailing.



I learned to detail after basic training where I gained an even deeper understanding of what it means to put out the best possible product. Then I applied the knowledge of cleaning, machine polishing and overall pride in workmanship to vehicles and found out I was pretty decent at it.



I think what I'm saying is that it took 5 years (and a few boo boos) to lay down the knowledge base to be able to make clearcoat corrections and return a truly finished product. You can apply things that you learn in other occupations to auto detailing. Can you find work that relates to auto detailing in your area to build up your skill set and get paid while doing it? Cultured marble manufacturers are almost always looking for finishers and willing to train since the gelcoat is so thick. You could wash cars on weekends to get a better feel for products and getting all the basic cleaning details right while you build your skills with a buffer during the week. Hmm, what else? Maybe a boat repair shop where they do gelcoat and fiberglass work?
Click to expand...



Air brushing clear coat repairs sounds interesting, dont want to steal the tread but maybe you could PM me some info on that?



Boat and RVs are much safer and much BIGGER to work on lol...gel coats are nice and thick...ive heard of lots of people liking to work on them due to the extra 'play room' they offer...a nice oxidized RV could teach you a lot lol
 
extrabolts said:
A couple of quick tips as you learn -



- Only buy wax that is trim-safe and will not stain trim.

- When claying, stay away from trim, emblems, etc - otherwise the clay will get caught under the edges and you'll have to go back with a toothpick to get it out.
Click to expand...



Thanks for the advice i will keep that in mind, i don't want to go over again with a toothpick. It sounds really time consuming.
 
Wills.WindowsAndWheels said:
Air brushing clear coat repairs sounds interesting, dont want to steal the tread but maybe you could PM me some info on that?



Boat and RVs are much safer and much BIGGER to work on lol...gel coats are nice and thick...ive heard of lots of people liking to work on them due to the extra 'play room' they offer...a nice oxidized RV could teach you a lot lol
Click to expand...



Thanks, but won't you need a ladder for an rv. But they sound more safer to work on.
 
I keep thinking about this thread and the more I think about it, the more crazy it sounds to me. I just don't see getting into a line of work based on thinking you will make lots of money. The fact that you don't regularly clean/wax your car means you don't like doing this.
 
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