Questions about equipment/supplies.

C

coolnuttz

New member
Im currently looking into going through Rightlook.com for training, purchasing a mobile detail trailer, and start-up supplies along with some marketing.



Does anybody have any pro's or con's on this company?





Anyone out there on this board use rightlook chemicals and supplies?





Im looking at about $20,000 to get a new business started up.
 
If at all possible i'd like to be full speed by late Feb. I need tips and pointers, mean while i'll keep reading this board.
 
Never heard of the company myself. You really shouldn't need that much to get a top notch set up though. I had about $15,000 when I started up and only used about $8000 to open the doors. I'm sure you can burn though it though if you really wanted to. But you really shouldn't need it all.



You say you're looking into for training. What type of training do you already have under your belt?
 
I don't know much about Rightlook.com. In fact, I've never heard of them. I did train a detailer back in October. It was a similar situation to you. He wanted a comprehensive knowledge of how to polish paint and detail interiors - I spent three days with him, one on one.



It's a lot better than sitting in a classroom I think. I taught him everything I know.
 
Im a complete amateur with no training just the love for nice clean cars.



What kind of set-up did you get for $8,000?



In that 20k i refered to is a package i kind of put together with rightlook. I think its like just under $2,000 for hands on training thats 3 days long and covers alot of different things from business start-up, marketing, and of course the trade itself. $2,000 for a start-up kit of all cleaning products, polisher, pads, etc. I think its a 5X8 enclosed trailer with full advertisment all around pretty much loaded w/water tank, compressor, generator, extracter, ozone odor remover, pressure washer.



I wonder if anyone on this board has took their classes or uses their supplys.
 
Rightlook.com has been around for quite awhile. I started my own detailing business just by studying and reading up a lot about it and getting to work. I just get some old cars and parts of them and practice and in no time I was able to begin charging for this service. Since I was already in the automotive business, I already had wholesale contacts with other distributors and began ordering my detail supplies from them for much less than places like Rightlook.com. Shop around, get a retail license and get your supplies at wholesale and get everything for much less and build up your own detail business. Rightlook.com is a good start if you got the moola. Good luck in your auto detailing venture.
 
Personally if i wanted to spend 20K and get into a detailing related field, i would look at their micro repair (minor body work and paint repair) and maybe another service like PDR. Probably more profitable and more of a niche market, depending on your location.



The detailing field you could learn on your own, with reading, some trial and error and maybe some one on one time as Holden stated.
 
I would recommend buying high quality products like Lake Country, Menzerna, and Zymol. They give an excellent finished product, and can save time. Unfortunately the detailing industry is not what is used to be, and people are more price conscious than ever. Start off with a high quality product at a low cost, and people will be very happy with your services. Then you can raise prices gradually. Good luck with your venture.







John
 
I can agree with JohnKleven to a point. You can get most of the supplies needed for alot cheaper than $2000. Few things I can easily tell you that you won't need are more than likely the trailer the generator the ozone machine and probably the water tank unless you're detail mainly office complexes. More often than not you'll find most people have their own water source and electrical outlets and have zero issues with you using them. Trailers can be good and bad again pending on where you detail at. Most will use a SUV or Van set up. Most seem to like them better. (Some will love the trailer more so it's really nothing more than personal preference)



What you do need (IMO) is the following with the know how on how to use them properly.



1 Polisher- (Dewalt or Makita seem to be the popular choices Flex is also up there)

1 D/A machine

Plenty of Pads for each.

Extention cords

5 gallon buckets

Wash mitts

Halogen lights

Good supply of MF towels

Terry towels

Air compressor with air gun

Plenty of brushes for scrubbing interiors, wheel wells, etc etc etc.

Professional floor mats

Products to do the following (wash, clay, polish wax, sealant, tires, rims, glass, Carpet shampoo, freshner, stain removers, Tar removers)



This should get you set up and going to start off with. Upgrades will come later as demands dictate. Extractors wet sanding PDR etc etc etc are all upgradable skills that you will more than likely come across.



You'll also need a good logo and a good supply of business cards on the ready to hand out everywhere to get the name out. At first it'll be slow until your name gets out there. But be out there everywhere talking with anyone that owns a car LOL. And when you get up and going focus soley on the quality of your work. Never give anyone a timeframe at first. Let it take as long as it takes to get to where you need the detail to be. Getting faster will come with experience. But at first should really be your last priority.



Of course these are just my suggestions to getting started. Lots of guys on here will offer up anything I might have missed. Although I will add this,,, when it comes to products in the end it's about 90% detailing and skills and 10% products. Don't go super cheap or skimp out but don't break the bank trying to get the so called "flavor of the week best of the best product" Most of the lines discussed on this site are more than sufficent to do top notch detailing. Some are more user freindly than others.
 
Rightlook is very pricey. Many of the items you can buy there you can get elsewhere cheaper. IMO to save some time and money just start buying gallons of product instead of 16 or 32oz bottles too. Make sure the product is something you know your going to use and or like very much. In the end your going to save a lot. Take advantage of the holidays deals going on now or comming soon , I know Autogeek usually has some great deals and maybe some others vendors will to.



Good luck on the endevor:up
 
Ok I may need some different input here.



I was going through sallie mae for a loan of $20,000 and it sort of fell through for the time being. I have about $6,000 of my own personal cash that I did not plan to use I wanted to sit on for slow times and was going to let the business pay for itself and loan.



I own a 2008 Nissan Titan crew cab truck and would like some input on how I may be able to get into business with what I got as far as truck and cash on hand.



Im still going to be working on getting a business loan as i have good credit and not sure what this banks problem was unless its a debt to income issue.
 
I would contact Dwayne at Autogeek.net he is the wholesale accounts rep. I believe the minimum first purchase is $1500 then a reorder of $500. This will help you get the best prices on equipment and supplies. But contact Dwayne for more info on a wholesale account with autogeek
 
upon 2nd thought, You are in oregon, I'd call Rick with ADS (auto detailing solutions) and see what he can do for you. If you call in your order then he may can cut you a deal? not sure, Rick is alot closer in Arizona than Autogeek in FL ;) but still check with both though
 
coolnuttz said:
Ok I may need some different input here.



I was going through sallie mae for a loan of $20,000 and it sort of fell through for the time being. I have about $6,000 of my own personal cash that I did not plan to use I wanted to sit on for slow times and was going to let the business pay for itself and loan.



I own a 2008 Nissan Titan crew cab truck and would like some input on how I may be able to get into business with what I got as far as truck and cash on hand.



Im still going to be working on getting a business loan as i have good credit and not sure what this banks problem was unless its a debt to income issue.
Click to expand...



I think it is very possible to use your Titan and the cash you have to start. My suggestion though is to use at least half of the cash to advertise. You can have all the equipment in the world, but if you have no clients, what good is it. Trust me, I know from experience. There have already been some suggestions as far as equipment and supplies. Depending on what you are going to offer, and who your target market is, you could get by with very little equipment and only the essential supplies.
 
If you can get your business started with the cash on hand that you have, DO IT! Slow times are going to come (especially in this economy) and go no matter if you have $6000 or $20,000. However, if you borrow a sum of money, it's just one more bill (and a potentially large bill) that you have to pay, even during those slow times. The less bills, the better. Anytime you can do something without borrowing money, you'll be better off (big Dave Ramsey fan here if you couldn't tell).



Another thing I would suggest is to start simple. Don't attempt to "do it all" right from the start. Focus on basic services (ie - wash, clay, wax or sealant, interiors). These are the services that will allow you to "get your foot in the door" with a lot of people. They are also services that a) don't take as long to perform b) require less "work" for the money and c) keep prices reasonable for more customers. Offering basic services like this in the beginning will allow you to focus your efforts on quality and service from the get-go.



Remember that for most of us, it's the non-enthusiast type customers that are going to keep the bills paid. As you do these types of basic services, you can build up your reserves of money to purchase professional equipment, etc., allowing you to offer higher-level services (while still keeping the basic services available). When a customer with a nice car comes around, looking to spend some bucks on your best work, it's just an added bonus.



Since you have a full-size crew cab truck, you should have no problems fitting your tools and products into your vehicle. Everyone here knows what Scottwax can cram into his 4-door Maxima.



Another piece of advice I can give is to get a business plan written before you even start your business. Even if it's just something short and simple, you need to have a plan of action and goals that you're trying to reach. Otherwise, you are operating for the present, and not the future. As the old saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."



Lastly, good luck with your business. Have fun with it! That's why most of us here are in this business. We love what we do!
 
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