New to starting detailing

[followalong]

Gotcha, a business plan may be something to work on. I wouldn't not do it just because you don't have one though (if that makes sense.) Maybe you can get your mom to work it into your home school though as an economics project or something lol. I wasn't home schooled so I'm not sure how that all works though.



I stopped at my O'reilly's, they have to order it but they can have it in next day. It's kind of expensive through them though, 16.99 for a 16 oz. I believe. 32 oz. can be had for 19.99 on detailersdomain.com though.



Starting off small is a good idea, but that doesn't mean you have to buy OTC. You can usually find better products and/or better prices online. You'll still be starting out small but with better products. The only thing is that the temptation to order more than you need is much greater online I believe. In store they have the essentials so there isn't much temptation. But online you see everything under the sun and the "maybe I'll try this for just a couple bucks more on my order since I'm already paying shipping" sets in lol.

I will start working on one. I just want to make sure I can get business being a teen and all before I start working on a business plan. I have been working on sources of advertisements, different packages, and different equipment i will need as I grow. Haha nah my mom doesnt teach me its not that type of homeschooling its where its all online and you have books and finish at your own pace.



Well Im glad you found it! Sorry I didn't know the price was that higher.



Thats exactly what I was doing last night I was about to buy a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff then my mom just said start smaller. Glad its not just me haha.

 

[followalong]

Good, cuz it's the critical bit. And don't overlook free sources like Craiglist, etc.



(I have found that Pepboi has a pretty decent selection of products if you have access to one of their stores. I'd also identify where your local body shop supply store is and get a line card from them. That resource can be important to you as you build up and need more products.)

Yes, actually I don't even have to pay for the advertising because my father knows a alot the owners of the local parts and auto stores and I contacted them and they said they will refer customers to me and hand out my business cards.



Hmm I thought I had a pep boy around me because I always see the commercials for them, but the closest one is 140miles away! So Ill have to stick with Online and other automotive stores in my area.

 

[Randomhero]

Oh I am so sorry I missed putting that information in! I am still in high school but I home school, so I am allowed to work full time and do school at night. Which is ideally what I would like to do. I am going to start out this summer doing it, and see how it takes off from there, if business is going well I will do it full time. I do have a few people that I have detailed cars for before that are wanting me to do it again. Also where I live my father knows a lot of the owners of the parts and repair stores and I have contacted them, and they said they would refer people to me and hand out business cards, because those places don't do detailing.

This is exactly how i started, in highschool looking for extra cash over summer. Now im a junior in college and have a address book full of repeat customers. I print out 1/2 page fliers and put them around nicer neighborhoods (helps make running more interesting ha). Sadly ive been doing everything by hand lol, but i got a PC now, so i can step up my game and offer more thorough detailing. My semi-exotic highlights have been Jaguar XJ, Porsche Boxster S, and a Mercedes SL65 AMG. All were fantastic looking cars, even before i detailed them!

 

[followalong]

This is exactly how i started, in highschool looking for extra cash over summer. Now im a junior in college and have a address book full of repeat customers. I print out 1/2 page fliers and put them around nicer neighborhoods (helps make running more interesting ha). Sadly ive been doing everything by hand lol, but i got a PC now, so i can step up my game and offer more thorough detailing. My semi-exotic highlights have been Jaguar XJ, Porsche Boxster S, and a Mercedes SL65 AMG. All were fantastic looking cars, even before i detailed them!

This makes me feel good! I should try doing the fliers. Yea i will start out all by hand then get more equipment. Did you have a hard time finding people that would hire a teenager to detail their car?

 

[Accumulator]

... Ok should I just use the Megs Quik Interior detailer instead [of products like 303]?...

Yes, exactly :xyxthumbs That's what I do on my cars.



If something's really dirty then you should clean it with something like a mild APC (All Purpose Cleaner) solution, and getting "seriously involved" with leather is a whole 'nother, and somewhat involved, topic. But most of the time a vacuuming, wiping with a damp MF, and then wiping again with the Meguiar's Interior Quick Detailer will suffice.



Note that buying products like that in bulk (i.e., a gallon of it) can add up to a considerable savings. One little bottle is OK..you'll have the bottle to refill and you can see how you like it. But don't end up buying a dozen small bottles instead of getting a gallon. This applies to a lot of products!

 

[followalong]

Yes, exactly :xyxthumbs That's what I do on my cars.



If something's really dirty then you should clean it with something like a mild APC (All Purpose Cleaner) solution, and getting "seriously involved" with leather is a whole 'nother, and somewhat involved, topic. But most of the time a vacuuming, wiping with a damp MF, and then wiping again with the Meguiar's Interior Quick Detailer will suffice.



Note that buying products like that in bulk (i.e., a gallon of it) can add up to a considerable savings. One little bottle is OK..you'll have the bottle to refill and you can see how you like it. But don't end up buying a dozen small bottles instead of getting a gallon. This applies to a lot of products!

Well thank you for your help!



That's what I was planning on doing, is getting started with the products I bought yesterday then buy in bulk

 

[Randomhero]

This makes me feel good! I should try doing the fliers. Yea i will start out all by hand then get more equipment. Did you have a hard time finding people that would hire a teenager to detail their car?

Eh, someone with a Cadillac CTS-V once asked if i was Bonded. Guess that was the deal breaker for them. For the most part no one had an issue with it. One time after I did all 3 cars from one owner, he told me he was unsure at first, but i was good enough for all 3 apparently. My top package currently is $130, so its not crazy. Ill post a flier.

Ive used that format the past 4 years and its worked very well. Last summer i was making 2x more money detailing than my old part time job. I had like 2 weeks solid of cars.



I used publisher to make it, saved it as a PDF, then went to my local Kinkos where i printed hundreds of them ha.



Hope this helps!



Also, im open to constructive criticism on the flier. Ideas are welcome



The middle column uses KAIO and KSG (since i have alot of it, and likely not using it on my car). The right column uses Meguiars Claybar, M205 with either a LC white or black pad depending on the paint, and Megs Ultimate Paste Wax.