Starting work at a detailer

L

larrendeuce

New member
I have been detailing cars for friends and family for 2 years now and I'm moving into a professional position. I have been doing full details, engines, stain removal, buffing paint, etc. Alot of the people I have been detailing for live in apartments and as a result the cars are left in the weather and are seldom washed or vacuumed. I have found that on average it takes me 8-9 hours to get done a car in this condition. My question is what can I expect now that I am moving into a shop? It looks like they run a 3 man crew and they finished 25 cars in a day. Are there any tricks to getting done faster? The 2 things that take me the most time are removing dirt and debris from carpet fibers, and buffing out scratches.

I start saturday :wait
 
A "full detail" but maybe some cars weren't so bad. He told me alot of the cars don't need to be buffed out. They don't use steam or an extractor on the interiors everything is done by hand right now.
 
cool not alot of competiton down there really just two. the one who is next to Dodge I forget their name ,and Sarge's but he's retail only I think. As for the amount of time you'll be spending on a car , it sounds like this is a "quick prep'em and sell'em operation.
With that in mind , you won't be doing all that you're use to doing or all that you would do on your own car. Pretty much you just a want to make the car look good enough to sell. Personally I don't like detailing this way but it's what some people want. At 25 cars a day with three guys there's really no way it's a full detail , I would say wash and wax , with a vac and quick clean of the interior. I will be different if you're use to a full 8-10hr detail.
 
He also did say that if there was any major defects in the paint, wheels or anything that the dealer sends them out to be painted or replaced. So I guess they are all in pretty good shape. Every car I saw looked new and in good shape so either luck of the draw or the detailers do a good job. They do have full service, and he's gonna teach me the rotary once I'm shown the ropes.
 
Good deal.

I used to work for a tire shop around the corner from my father's place. When I was just starting out, it would take me about almost an hour to mount and balancee 4 tires. By the third week, I cut that time down to less than half, and I never crossthreaded a lugnut to a stud. More often than not the most smart places you work for will have guys on staff that will show you the ropes. Knowing that it will helps get some of the work off their backs, they will work with you so you can learn how to get things done properly, and quickly.

Stick with it and learn as much as you can. Pretty soon, you'll be the teacher learnin some new guy:bigups
 
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From my experience, the best way to build up speed is to follow the procedures and keep at it -- the more you do, the faster you get. Listen to the direction of those who have paved the road you will be walking -- they have a lot to offer. As for getting 25 completes done a day -- with a well versed crew working as a team (Ego's have no part in a team), where everyone knows their responsibilities and is commited to the final product, it is easily accomplished:)

Oh -- Congradulations on the position
 
Good Luck in your new position!

I caution that for 3 people to complete 25 cars is perhaps using methods that really do not equate to the word "detailing"! More like..cleaning!

None the less...making a car cleaner than it was before is still an OK feeling! I hope it works out for you! I for one, could not work in a shop that "pushes em" through!

Keep in mind...25 Cars divided by three people equals 8.3 cars a day per person!

This means you have to do one car an hour if you work an 8 hour shift? And a little faster if you plan on breaks or a lunch!

Anyway..I'm trying not to be negative, but if you are a real detail nut, then you can't let your ethics get in the way of the job!

Just push them through, and do the best you can! I'm not sure it would fill my needs and wants as a detailer, but it will be good experience for you!

Be sure to keep us posted on the speed tricks you learn!
 
Good luck on the new job. Don't let any of the older guys send you out for blinker fluid or anything!!
 
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After a day detailing I did two cars. He had me start off with another new guy doing half of a jeep cherokee each. He is very focused on quailty, as much or more so then I am. After he approved my work he had me detail his demo. :bigups The other guy I was with left after doing the jeep to goto lunch, and never came back. He didn't seem to like what he was doing. I also found out that there is more then just the 3 people working there. Finally a profession I enjoy. :headbang
 
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