Weekend Hobby for $$$$?

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valdeztke

New member
Well as the title says I have alot of free time on the weekends and I love autos :) I have only been employed in the detailing of cars on the ones I currently own. If you were me and wanted to begin to fill your totally BORING weekends with something to do, that is profitable how could I do auto detailing?



I live in Northern VA right in the heart of all the lobbyists of DC. I myself do congressional work for the US Army but would like to get into detailing vehicles on the weekends for fun, expierence and some extra spending cash. I don't want to do mobile detailing - I'd rather work out of a local shop for now.



Like I said this isnt going to be a means to generate a substantial amount of funds but rather to take the information that I've gathered from this site and apply it to my love for mans REAL best friend "the car".



What I would like from you guys is -



A list of some essential (up to date) items that anyone should have (specify brands if you'd like) before starting this adventure.



Do you think I will end up upside down financially on this venture?



Where and how is the best place to find a shop? (place that is closed on the weekends body shop, repair shop, etc) (rent vs lease). etc...





Thanks again for all your help and the amount of knowledge this site has offered.
 
You want to do it for fun!?!?



If you don't do it legally you can charge almost nothing.

It will not matter anyway because your doing it for fun. Your bills are getting paid by the Army not from detailing. It isn't important to turn a profit.



I have to do it legit. I have to pay taxes, workers, comp, holidays, SS, insurance and etc....... what is left over goes to feed my family and pay my mortgage.



I am not jumping all over you and for all I know your going legit and will run a top notch operation.



Just my prospective on the industry in general.
 
I do understand your position, like many others, have taken a path as an auto detailer by profession - I applaud those with the skills nessecary to make it a profitable business.



I myself would like to learn while also practicing. Once I am out of the Army I doubt I will have any interest in the political realm and will if you don't mind me saying "tired" of taking orders.



I am sure I will go on to law school and live the boring job of sitting at a desk for the rest of my life - but at this point I'd like to work with autos - in some manner. What better way they bringing them back from near death.
 
Have you ever owned or operated a buffer of any type? You say you take care of your car but what does that involve? You need to give the pros here (I don't claim to be one) some idea of your experience, what items you already have, and what paint problems you intend to tackle before they can offer a helping hand. Do you plan on carpet cleaning? There's a lot of info needed here.
 
Sounds like me about a year ago. I wanted to do something for some extra bucks and I have experience working with cars from years ago. I detail the vehicles of friends, family and friends of friends on Saturdays. - weather permitting. I don't think I'll ever do this for my main source of income even though I prefer it to my sales job. I just have too many years in with my company and I have too many bills to quit a good steady income. But, who says you can't work 2 jobs. You can spend hours on forums like this one reading opinions and all the pissing back and forth of what polish or wax is best. Personally, I find that most people here are really into their cars and the level of attention they do is waaaay more than the average detailer, I mean, there's a difference and it's easy to get caught up trying to polish up some guy's daily driver to show car standards and it's just too much. Remember KISS? not the band, the "keep it simple stupid"- motto. Follow that and you'll be ok. Another hint, don't try to buy and try every damn thing!
 
Thanks for the reply June-



I totally agree with the brand wars that go on in this place ... Zaino is the best.. no way man Adams is a miracle worker.. :nixweiss



Overall I'm looking for a venture that will keep my mind busy, allow me to touch different cars, and make a bit of green on the side to mod my own babies.



I have no overhead at the moment, make fairly good dough, and have my weekend very free... I seen it more of a question of "why not?" Its either this or lease a tanning salon :soscared:



Texas - I have a PC 7424 ...what products? Well it depends... what am I looking to tackle? Once again depends on what I'm brought. I'm not looking start a HUGE business here just wanted to know if you guys could give me some in site. I've read many of the flopped stories on here and the great successes; just a little personal motivation is what I'm after. :woot2:
 
Now the folks that can offer good advice know that you at least have a PC and presumably pads and some microfiber towels. That's a better staring point than a sponge and a bucket!
 
Get yourself some business cards and start giving them out to everyone you know, especially friends and family. Do whatever it takes to spread the word. A little advertising in a weekly shopper goes a long way. As far as products are concerned, just build on the products and supplies you currently use to detail your own vehicles. You really do not need much more than that to get started. Don't be too concerned about the process, just handle each vehicle as if it were your own car. Take your time and always deliver at top notch quality job. The rest will take care of itself.
 
I'm in the same boat as valdeztke, I'd like to do a few details every month, but I definitely can't quit my "day job", just want to earn some extra $$$ to spend on my car and have some fun at the same time. I definitely have enough product and tools to do the job and have been learning enough that I feel confident I could have very satisfied customers.



I've been reading this book:



Amazon.com: Start Your Own Automobile Detailing Business (Start Your Own . . .): Books: Eileen Figure Sandlin



and its a very worthwhile read for an aspiring detailer. Some guys from this forum are mentioned and quoted (Gary Kouba and Anthony Orosco, to name a few).



Problem is, I can't see putting up money for an attorney, garage keepers insurance, or other costs if I'm not sure I'll make it back and come out ahead. Do any of you believe that these things are 100% essential, i.e would I be doing my customers a disservice by not holding an insurance policy?



Thanks to all that resopond, and good luck to you, valdeztke!



Pete
 
Now this is just my opinion OK, nobody get their thong in a knot, if you just want to do a few friends cars to see if you like it - then do it. You'll soon find out if this is what you want to do and if you decide to go full time, then yeah - get the permits, insurance etc. There's pro's and con's to both. But try it first before you get too deep.
 
JuneBug, I already have been doing a few friends cars with much success - at least they told me they liked the job I did - hope they just weren't just being easy on me! :). Thanks for your response, I appreciate it!



Pete
 
I think I'll just look for a window tinting place to use, try and keep the cars local, and do mostly friends and coworkers. If I see this as something that is a big $$$$ maker then I'll look at it but I'm not really in a job I can quit (Army). lol





Like I said its either this or look into opening a tanning salon in a gym lol
 
valdeztke said:
I think I'll just look for a window tinting place to use, try and keep the cars local, and do mostly friends and coworkers. If I see this as something that is a big $$$$ maker then I'll look at it but I'm not really in a job I can quit (Army). lol





Like I said its either this or look into opening a tanning salon in a gym lol
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Hey... I'm a "weekend detailer" too. I do it for friends, bros in the frat, fellow students and family. It pays decently, but its so much less gratifying when your not doing it to your own vehicle hehe. Anyways its something I obviously enjoy so its nice to be putting together some cash on the side. :hifive:
 
Oh, and I don't have any of the insurance plans. I'm simply careful and don't drive my customers cars. Furthermore, I do it all by hand (though I charge less since I don't use a PC), so I doubt I'll have many issues.
 
mirrorfinishman said:
Interesting. You would think it would be better to charge more, especially since you are a specialized service where everything is being done by hand.
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With out a PC, I can't really polish the car or remove marring. So its not a "true detail" in the autopian sense. If anything, I think I save time by avoiding the PC. No taping, no switching pads, no breaking down polishes. Just WOWO or wait till hazes (do interior in the meanwhile) and WO.



Anyone here save time by using a PC?
 
You can polish and remove defects by hand, however, it is labor intensive. There is a small niche market who are interested in polishing only by hand. I prefer to polish by machine, however, I started off polishing by hand and achieved some good results. For polishing by hand take a look at One Grand's Special Touch and Omega Glaze. I believe polishing by machine saves time and produces superior results.
 
I wouldn't market your little business as DETAILING, more as wash and waxing...it gives those who truly DETAIL a bad name...think about it this way:



you have your DETAIL company go to a house and wash, hand apply a polish leaving swirls and only giving off a marginal better shine to the car, then topping with a concealer wax to hide most of the swirls, only to have them come back after a few washes. Now the client you serviced doesn't think its worth it to have someone detail their car in the future because its not worth the $200+ when they can get a wash and wax at the local car wash for $30...now you just ruined future detail customers for those who truly detail and polish and REMOVE defects from the paint and produce a truly superior appearance.



I have seen mobile guys in my area market only wash and waxes...I think its a smart move because if you have 5-8 cars to wash and wax at a minimum 50 bucks a piece and it takes you only one hour to do it, then you are making 50 bucks an hour. However, if you are only getting 200 bucks for an 8 hour full inside and out detail, you are making about 25 an hour...
 
Danforz said:
Oh, and I don't have any of the insurance plans. I'm simply careful and don't drive my customers cars. Furthermore, I do it all by hand (though I charge less since I don't use a PC), so I doubt I'll have many issues.
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If I had to do it by hand I would charge more!!! :waxing:
 
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