Using Zaino in my detailing business

W

W.S.

New member
I'm working on starting a detailing business and I am wondering if I should do the traditional wash, clay, polish, glaze, and wax or should I use Zaino? Also can I apply Zaino with my PC? If so, with what pads?



Wade
 
I think a lot depends on your clientele. Observation of the professional detailers who are members would seem to indicate that their clientele breaks down into three major categories: 1) The pre-trade/sale detail 2) The I-run-my-car-thru-the-tunnel-wash-until-I-can't-stand-the-swirls-anymore-then-I-get-it-detailed-and-start-with-the-tunnel-wash-again 3) The regular wash customer, who only lets the detailer touch his car.



If you think you are going to have a lot of #3's, then it might be worth it to use Zaino, because it may actually save YOU money in the long run, if you take care of the car on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. IMO Zaino would be wasted on customers #1 and 2...plus they will need some heavy polishing which will take you out of the Zaino line anyway.
 
I am guessing I will get a fair number of 2's, since where I live is not the richest of towns. I would love to get some #3's as they would really help boost business. But for right now I will just stick with Zaino on my cars. I will get the set of 4 griot's polishes as well as pads and a container of P21S caranuba wax. What is the recommended product to apply to wheels for protection?



Wade
 
Zaino is a top end product line and if you use it for Pro detailing you will have to charge accordingly. If you have high end customers then without a doubt use it. Consider offering more than one product tailored to your customer. For a daily driver soccer mom's minivan then Duragloss or Collinite would be a good, durable, less expensive option.
 
I was thinking possibly of getting Klasse for the lower end cars/customers, as it is not nearly as expensive as Zaino, but seems to have very good results. Can anyone guidfe me to more info about Klasse? The price is quite a bit under Zaino (from what I have seen) but how much do you need to use. As far as polishes, what multi-step polish system would yeild very good or excellent results with my PC 7336?



The main point of my business is that I am, comming back with a bang! Last year I was detailing with limited use of clay and a tub of green turtle wax (I know, I know...). This year I want to be able to earn so real cash and be able to give back a swirl free car to the customer.



My first step (currently thinking) is to get my hands on some neighbors and friends cars (the higher end the better) and do a detail for them for 5 or 10 bucks, just so they will recommend me, and I can start to put together an album to show prospective customers.



What do you think?



wade



P.S. I do have a good understanding of the more delecate European paints, I drive a BMW 528i that I got for my 16th birthday last october.
 
The problem with using any products other than bulk generic detailing products is that 95% of your customers won't really appreciate, know, or care what are you using. They just want their car cleaned up until they get a chance to crap it up again.



Definately offer special packages for higher end cars and boutique customers where you can use products like zaino, but for the most of it, use products that are easy to work with, relatively durable, and that are cost effective.
 
I'd go Werkstatt over Klasse. Similar system but Werkstatt looks better and is easier to use. Durability for me has been every bit as good as Klasse and Zaino.
 
I detail a lot of cars and I don't tend to use Zaino much - I keep Z5pro and Z2pro around for customers that request it, and I've played with samples of pretty much all their other products (except Z-AIO, but I don't have much of a need for a chemical polish these days).



Their line is really aimed at the end user who cares for his car personally - they look great and last a while but they are very prep-specific and will show and highlight poor washing right away - I wouldn't use Zaino on any car I didn't plan on washing myself.



Plus they don't sell any of their products in bulk - why buy Z16 or Z8 when I could buy Chemical Guys dressings or sprays by the gallon for 1/4 of the cost (although I'll give it to Zaino on the Z8, its better than CG's spray sealant).
 
I still don't know what to do in terms of polishes. I'm planning on the following process for first time cars, which I assume will be the worst:



Windex on wheels

Wash with dawn

clay

Wash with dawn again to remove the left over clay lube

compound any areas that need it

polish all spots that have been compounded, working from most to least intense

polish the entire car with light polish

glaze the entire car

finish with wax

put some kind of protectant on wheels

dress all trim

polish all glass



how is my process? what will the most cost-effective products be? what is Werkstatt, and where can I buy it?



Wade
 
Wade-what you might want to try is both Werkstatt's Prime and Acrylic Jett and/or Zaino Z-AIO and Clear Seal. Both 'twins' should be easy to use for anyone in a professional detailing enviroment where you want excellent results but also have to worry about the time factor and what customers are willing to pay for.



Werkstatt products are only available here: JEFFS Werkstatt: the finest in automotive detailing wax and sealants



Another option and one that is very cost effective since you can buy in bulk is to use Optimum's Poli-Seal as your final polish/glaze. You can also use it as a one step polish/wax. Top it with Optimum Car Wax or any quality carnauba, Werkstatt's Acrylic Jett or Zaino's Clear Seal.



I'd advise trying products from at least 2-3 product lines to see what works best for your situation.
 
So after thinking I came up with "Sterling Detailing". I think this is a perfect fit, since my middle name is Sterling. I think my logo would be S diagonally merging with D in the center of the Bentley logo. What do you think?

Wade
 
W.S. said:
So after thinking I came up with "Sterling Detailing". I think this is a perfect fit, since my middle name is Sterling. I think my logo would be S diagonally merging with D in the center of the Bentley logo. What do you think?

Wade
Click to expand...



Um...I think you can't use someone else's logo.
 
I used the paint function on microsoft and the only part that is the same is the basic template. I am not trying to decieve anyone, its not like I'm selling fake Bentleys. I feel that my logo gives a sense of elegance without being too over the top. Anyway take a look.



I have put together a price list, see what you think (keep in mind I'm only 16 and have 0 credibility as well as the fact that the avage yearly salary in my town is about $33,000)



Wash:$ 30

Auto wash

Wheel cleaning

Rubber dressing

Glaze



Bronze Package:$50

all above plus:

Carnauba Wax



Classic Package:$65

all above plus:

Contamination removal via clay



Silver package:$100

all above plus:

paint correction via polishing

wheel well dressing



Platinum Package:$130

all above plus

Chrome & Aluminum polishing

Glass polishing

Door jam clean & protect

Wheel protect

Your choice of carnauba wax or multi step sealant



Additional services:

Leather cleaning and conditioning:$20

Interior vacuuming: $15

Plastic &vinyl cleaning (interior):$10

Interior wood conditioning:20

Carpet spot treatment: $20



* ALL PRICES ARE ESTIMATED, ACTUAL PRICING WILL BE AGREED UPON BEFORE SERVICES ARE RENDERED



(that is how it appears on the page)



Now I just have to get my products and wait for the weather to warm up:har:



Any way, I welcome any suggestions:thx

Wade



P.S. I welcome any advice on products:)
 

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Last summer I decided to detail part time. I've done a lot of friends, family and co-workers vehicles. It doesn't take long to spend a bunch of money buying products and it's so easy to get caught up in the search for the "best" of the best. My advice to you: remember the 6P principle - you don't know the 6P principle? OK, Proper prior planning prevents piss-poor performance. Next - KISS, as in Keep It Simple Stupid. You don't need a dozen polishes and waxes. Costs wise, buy what you can locally, you can get MF towels, buckets and brushes from Target, good price on Megs Gold Class Wash and Stoners Invisable Glass too. Next, Megs Clay Kit at Advance auto, Eagle One wheel and Tire Cleaner is good - Target / Advance/Auto Zone. As far as polishes go, I've never tried Optima, but I trust Scott and I wish I had bought that line instead I buying all the stuff I did. I assume you have a PC, I'd get the Edge 2000 pads, 2 cutting, 2 polishing and 2 finishing. I have to say that Duragloss 105 and AW are my favorite LSP's, I like DG's wheel cleaner, tire dressing and their Fast Clean & Shine Detailer too. Inside I've had good luck with Lexol products,303 and Prestone carpet cleaner. Now, I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice and there's other products that some folks will say are far better than what I suggested, but, the point is to get something that works, is cost effective and will satisfy your customer. I've found that most people don't really care what you use, they just like the results. I've done several daily drivers that were in bad shape, for my benefit - money and I'm not into cleaning up sewers on wheels - I've talked these owners into a regular maintenance program, a wash every 5-6 weeks for 20 bucks. Good luck and I have to say if you were my 16 year, I'd be mighty proud of you. Maybe my daughters will be that independant when they get older, they're pretty darn needy now!
 
It doesn't matter if you're selling fake bentleys or making felt hats for stuffed animals, you can't steal a copyrighted logo. If you're gonna get this in depth with all the planning, how much longer would it take you to make a longer? An hour?



Hell, just take off the wings and have a black circle with SD in the middle.
 
I'm not a pro, but I agree with Scottwax. Wheel well dressing is important. Depending on the vehicle, it looks like anywhere from "I can see that," to "The wheel wells are detracting from the way the car looks."



It does make a difference.
 
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