Looking to start a mobile detailing operation. My head is spinning!

R

rm25x

New member
Ok guys, so I have been researching starting a mobile detailing business. I plan to only offer washes, interior details and one steps.



I have read every thread on this forum, detailing bliss, and the Adam's forum I could find in regards to mobile detailing.



The thing I am confused with, is how much stuff do I actually need? I know for washing it's best to use the 2 bucket method with grit guards. I have read some about the foam cannons. Can you foam a car without using a pressure washer? My thought is that if I am advertising a hand wash, and show up with a pressure washer they will feel as if they could have done the same thing at the local coin wash.



I guess what I am asking is if you had to start over today, with not a lot of money, and running it out of your car what would you purchase?



I plan to detail only when I have power and water hookups available. I do have a Honda 1000 watt generator, but would rather not have to use it. I am not sure if it would run anything other then lights anyways for me.



Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Best thing is to keep it simple. You don't need a ton of equipment or products to get started with what you want to do. IMO, there is no point in foaming unless you are prepping for full correction. Here is what I would get to get started:



ONR for washing. Bring a couple buckets pre-mixed and you won't need a water hookup at the job site. Very helpful when detailing at someone's job.

For one-steps you can do a true one step like HD Speed or Optimum GPS, but I think it's better to polish with something like HD Polish and then top with something like Opti-Seal or OCW, just about as fast, better cut and finish and better durability than a true one-step product. IMO HD Polish is hands down the best polish you can get and a little goes very far.

A couple dilutions of APC will clean just about everything you need interior and exterior. ONR also works well on interiors. For APC I've been using 3D APC and like it alot.

An inexpensive steam cleaner like the one from Harbor Freight for interiors if you like cleaning with steam.

A leather cleaner/protectant like Optimum Leather Protectant. This product can also be used on interior vinyl and trim.

A tire dressing you like. I use Race Glaze Trim & Leather Renewer, looks amazing on both trim and tires and very durable, I think it's a very underrated product.

A good glass cleaner like D120.

A DA like the 7424XP or the HD unit.

A selection of a few different pads. An orange or white LC pad will prob do for 90% of what you want to do.

A good wet/dry vac for vacuuming and extraction when/if needed.

Folex for interior stains and maybe a few cans of Tuff Stuff.

A selection of brushes.

MF towels, the ones you can get in bulk at Sam's or Costco are good for general cleaning and a few nice plush ones for the paint.



You can always add more equipment/products as you grow/see the need, but that will def get you started. Down the road you may want to add a good hot water extractor, pressure washer, etc, but these things are more to make your life easier than completely needed IMO. I'm getting along just fine with a very simple and basic setup and my work speaks for itself and I def do more than you are planning on starting out with doing. It's much more about knowing how to use your equipment/products than having the biggest, baddest pressure washer or an expensive extractor or whatever, so research, practice and best of luck to you!



Oh, and don't only read about mobile detailing, read EVERYTHING on this site and you will learn how to detail like a true pro!
 
I think Richard covered a lot of the bases for you, and I agree with his post completely. If you have any other questions though, let us know!
 
Rich covered a lot but as for starting with not much money, it will cost several thousand dollars to get up and running. I started last year and it cost me close to 4 grand. I will spend probably close to 3 grand more this winter. Good luck.
 
rustytruck said:
Rich covered a lot but as for starting with not much money, it will cost several thousand dollars to get up and running. I started last year and it cost me close to 4 grand. I will spend probably close to 3 grand more this winter. Good luck.
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Yeah, I didn't want to get into the business and financial side of it in this thread, but it's very important to plan things out first to see how much you need to invest to get started and even more important to run it as a business person, not just a detailer. I started with under a grand doing basic washes and AIO details and worked my way up as I could invest the money back into the business so it can be done with a minimal investment, depends on what the individual plans to do.



The danger in starting with a small investment like I did though, is if the detailing is your only source of income, even a small down time could put you out of business. I wasn't worried about this since I had other forms of income at the time, but this is important to consider as well.
 
The biggest thing you need it enough money to keep you going until you get established. I actually worked part time as a waiter at Denny's (I'd been a manager so I knew their system and could go on the floor immediately) at night while putting out flyers during the day and doing the 1-3 details a week I was getting. While raising two kids on my own with only $200 a month in child support. If I hadn't had the part time job (which wore me out working nights), I would never have been able to build up my clientel enough to keep going. You either need to have some money on hand or a way to work part time that won't interfere with getting a business up and running.



Just as important as having the right equipment, polishes, sealants, waxes, etc is having good marketing skills and business sense. I took a few marketing classes in both high school and college, along with business classes. Plus as a GM at Jack in the Box, I was responsible for running a $1 million plus location and my own local marketing. Really helped out a lot.



You will find your best marketing comes from satisfied customers. When their friends call, they are looking to book an appointment.
 
You'd be better off starting with a DA polisher instead of a rotary. Especially if you don't have a lot of detailing experience.
 
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