Where to start

C

chris0112358

New member
I've been trying to figure out exactly what I need to get started. I want to start small because I don't have a bunch of clients lined up and I still need to do some marketing. What I'm wondering is if I'm going to be offering basic services without paint correction what I really need to start. Also, do I need to worry about capturing waste water if I'm cleaning engines? I don't want to dump a ton of money into equipment yet; I was hoping I could get what I needed and go from there as business picks up. So, if you were going to spend $1,000.00 or less to get started for a mobile detailing service. What would you spend it on? Thanks in advance.
 
I recently started my detailing business (actually got my LLC this year but started last year). If your not planning on offering paint corrections this is the basics of what you'll need to get started.

2-3 buckets with grit guards
Car soap - I personally like DP Xtreme Foam or Megs NXT
Clay Bar - I currently use Adams Clay but there are tons of options out there
Clay Lube - You can buy a dedicated Clay lube or use something like ONR diluted
Plenty of quality microfibers
All Purpose Cleaner - I have several of these
Interior Cleaner - I personally like 1Z Cockpit Premium
Interior Dressing - 303 Aerospace
Degreaser - I currently use Castrol Super Clean diluted 4:1 for engines, tires, wheel wells
Wheel brushes - daytona wheel brushes, lug nut brush, wheel well brush
Tire dressing - DP Tire gel is my current go to
Wheel Wax/Glaze - DP wheel glaze is awesome, but I also have some Wheel Armour which works well
Metal Polish - Mothers Metal Polish or P21s Metal polish is what I currently use
Windows - Stoners Invisible Glass
Interior brushes - For vents and crevices
Vacuum - I currently have a small vacuum I got at Lowes.
Pressure washer - I currently have a $100 one I got at lowes. I'd suggest spending a little extra money and getting a quality one.
Drying microfibers
Leaf Blower - For assisting in drying
A couple quality waxes and sealants - I currently use Collinite 845 for a wax and Menzerna Power Lock as a sealant

Depending on your mobile set up you may want to look into water tank, generator, etc. I offer mobile detailing but explain to my customer that running water and electricity must be supplied to me since I don't want to invest in the water tank and generator (these can get expensive). I've never had a customer complain about this.

I'd suggest maybe picking up a dual action polisher like the Porter Cable 7424xp or Griot DA. They make applying wax very quick and will enable you to practice paint correction.
 
If you are planning on running even a small part time business insurance is a must. Accidents can happen to the best of us and one small mishap can ruin you in a heartbeat. I would also suggest investing in a DA at some point. I personally use a Griots and love it. Full corrections may not be something your interested in doing, but polishes like Poorboys Polish w Carnuba would benefit you a lot and don't require extensive experiance with machines.
 
I would say start with what you know. If you're not familiar with paint correction, I wouldn't jump into that field yet. Create some income the best way you can. I'd still invest in a Dual Action polisher as it's going to be your best friend for a while. Even if you're just doing wash and waxes, you can still apply wax with the machine and cut your working time in half.

How long have you been detailing? What have you worked with in the past?
 
mrclean81 said:
If you are planning on running even a small part time business insurance is a must. Accidents can happen to the best of us and one small mishap can ruin you in a heartbeat. I would also suggest investing in a DA at some point. I personally use a Griots and love it. Full corrections may not be something your interested in doing, but polishes like Poorboys Polish w Carnuba would benefit you a lot and don't require extensive experiance with machines.
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From personal experience insurance isn't exactly easy to get. At least not here in MA. I just got my LLC in Feb and I've been trying to get some insurance. I've talked to 5 different companies and none of them will give me a quote because I have not worked in the industry and according to them have no experience. Because they ask me what's your past work history, so I state that basically it was a hobby that I took to a part time business. So, they say oh well you have no experience and it's too much of a risk for us.

So currently I'm operating with no insurance until I get enough "experience" for an insurance company to give me a quote.
 
SeaJays said:
Apparently in MA they do. I know others have not had a problem getting insured. For some reason I can't seem to even get a company to give me a quote!
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Hmm..perhaps just tell them you've been doing it for X amount of years. Maybe try to educate them as to what you do is different from drive through car washes. They may have the wrong impression of what you're looking to create in a business.

Good Luck either way
 
[email protected] said:
Hmm..perhaps just tell them you've been doing it for X amount of years. Maybe try to educate them as to what you do is different from drive through car washes. They may have the wrong impression of what you're looking to create in a business.

Good Luck either way
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Yeah I've tried that. They want companies and references that they can call on. Which is ridiculous. It's like I just started my business and I've explained to them my real experience even if it was just a hobby.

I'm going to keep looking but for now I'm operating with out it. Just being REALLY careful! And ensuring I have a stash of money for when something does go wrong!
 
SeaJays said:
Yeah I've tried that. They want companies and references that they can call on. Which is ridiculous. It's like I just started my business and I've explained to them my real experience even if it was just a hobby.

I'm going to keep looking but for now I'm operating with out it. Just being REALLY careful! And ensuring I have a stash of money for when something does go wrong!
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post up a few show n shines here and then link them to this forum for your reference. :D
 
I say the key is to just get started. Obviously you need to have some basic equipment and knowledge but don't feel like you need to run out and buy everything and all the latest and greatest equipment. If you do that it'll be years before you turn a profit. Start with friends and family and gather some experience and just slowly work through word of mouth to gain clients, experience and more equipment!
 
shuddleston said:
I say the key is to just get started. Obviously you need to have some basic equipment and knowledge but don't feel like you need to run out and buy everything and all the latest and greatest equipment. If you do that it'll be years before you turn a profit. Start with friends and family and gather some experience and just slowly work through word of mouth to gain clients, experience and more equipment!
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Great advice! I unfortunately last year spent WAY too much money on products etc. At that time it was all out of pocket. I probably broke even last year on the money I made detailing and the money I spent. This year is different since I already have all the products and tools.
 
I want to detail legally as a side job. I haven't formed an LLC yet and not sure how to determine if you should form an LLC or incorporate??? Is that a question for an attorney or an accountant?
I know I can get insurance as I've already checked into it. I already have the tools and chemicals. The part I struggle with is that I've cleaned cars all my life but detailed seriously for about 3 years now for friends and family but before I really "get started" I feel like I should take some "professional" lessons or get some "professional" training. Maybe I'm not giving myself enough credit. I feel confident that I can start but just because I haven't received any official training I feel less confident.

I've searched and all I've found is training for $2000-$3000 and I can't afford that. Do you advise that I just go for it if I am comfortable? I do the two bucket wash method, clay, polish, I've used CG EZ Creme Glaze and love BFWD. My cars are not perfect but I think they look great. I know you cannot achieve 100% correction normally. I used PC7424 and Meg's MF Correction System. I've used Surbuf pads with M105 all successfully. I've detailed engines. I cleaned interiors and restored headlights. Don't plan to use any rotary buffers. I treat someone else's car like my own. I don't want to do more than 1 per day. Should I just go for it? Please share your opinions. I wanted to hang out with a local detailer but can't find anyone to ask. I would like to even watch a detailer in action so that I can see if I'm doing things the same way. Please help!!!
Thanks Everyone!
 
Hey Firebird.. Wow, you have asked a lot here and I can see you looking for answers that are quite important in the rest of your career. First, I have to say its nice to know that you have reached out for help. I will start out by saying its "Extremely Important" for you to get the professional training you say you can't afford. No smart business person gets started in business unless he first invest into getting the proper information and education in order to mitigate the risk. This business is a very confusing one to say the least. For the most part there are a lot of people doing what you are doing and making a few bucks on the side. If that is all your looking to do then keep going. There are so many variables in today modern and professional detailer. The one reason you pay for training is to be sure you don't end up doing what some of us high end professionals had to do to get where we are today. Either you pay the price for learning it all now or you pay the price for figuring it all out on your own over many, many years!

Ok, some tips...

1. Don't get to involved in information over load. It will only mess with your head and your ability to succeed.
2. Stick with one chemical company, learn what the product has to offer you, get the product wired. You will be much more productive and much more consistent in your work. Im a Meguiars man and have been for many, many years.. By brading yourself with a company like Meguiars it will enable you to look and appear a lot more professional. In any business when every you can brand yourself with another company that is bigger and better then you are that is very smart business.
3. Don't experiment on your customers cars
4. Learn the art of making money in this business. So many people get hung up on offering the perfect finish but forget about them self and end up not making money as a result of taking way to much time.
4. Be sure you run your business correctly using quickbooks, a contact management system and be sure you get the right insurance. Garage Keepers Liability is what you are looking for.
5. Do not hang out with other detailers that have not been properly trained... This will only result in you possibly having major challenges if you want to ever grow your company.
Last but not least... I have a payment plan for our training programs that you may find very beneficial and could end up getting you the training you need.

Ok, I hope I was able to at least guide you in the right direction. You can check out our company website at: Auto Detailing | Car Detailing Business | Auto Detail Training go ahead and fill out the request for more info and I will be sure to send you my smart start guide to detailing.

Good luck to you in your business endeavors. This is a great business with the potential to earn a very nice income. Did I mention to you its important to get professionally trained before getting started? LOL..

Have a great year and looking forward to hearing back from you from time to time to hear how you are doing.

MEL CRAIG
Founder
The Detailing Pros
 
firebird said:
I want to detail legally as a side job. I haven't formed an LLC yet and not sure how to determine if you should form an LLC or incorporate??? Is that a question for an attorney or an accountant?
I know I can get insurance as I've already checked into it. I already have the tools and chemicals. The part I struggle with is that I've cleaned cars all my life but detailed seriously for about 3 years now for friends and family but before I really "get started" I feel like I should take some "professional" lessons or get some "professional" training. Maybe I'm not giving myself enough credit. I feel confident that I can start but just because I haven't received any official training I feel less confident.

I've searched and all I've found is training for $2000-$3000 and I can't afford that. Do you advise that I just go for it if I am comfortable? I do the two bucket wash method, clay, polish, I've used CG EZ Creme Glaze and love BFWD. My cars are not perfect but I think they look great. I know you cannot achieve 100% correction normally. I used PC7424 and Meg's MF Correction System. I've used Surbuf pads with M105 all successfully. I've detailed engines. I cleaned interiors and restored headlights. Don't plan to use any rotary buffers. I treat someone else's car like my own. I don't want to do more than 1 per day. Should I just go for it? Please share your opinions. I wanted to hang out with a local detailer but can't find anyone to ask. I would like to even watch a detailer in action so that I can see if I'm doing things the same way. Please help!!!
Thanks Everyone!
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I say just go for it Firebird ! No offense to Mel Craig , Im sure the training would help you and be of great benefit but if you cant afford it Im sure you have enough online and hands on training to get you started .

Most of us dont have official training . The training I got from my friend who was going out of business was self trained and what I do now is very different than what he taught me although I did learn some valuable things ,others were just wrong I found out later or found my own techniques and products I liked better.

Youve had lots of online training through forums and hands on already and what you find in the proffessional detailing world will vary quite a bit than what you find here . In many ways you are already way ahead of many detailers out there who are already proffessional .

If you get stuck just ask your questions here and someone will help you !

Im not trying to discourage you either from getting proffessional training , its just the money involved can be very expensive.

Also since Mel Craig is in my area I would be glad to meet up with him and see the school for you if he is willing.
 
firebird said:
I wanted to hang out with a local detailer but can't find anyone to ask. I would like to even watch a detailer in action so that I can see if I'm doing things the same way. Please help!!!
Thanks Everyone!
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Where are you located? There are probably folks on this forum who are fairly close to you and may let you sit in on a job.
 
Mrclean81, I am located 25 miles southwest of Chicago. Far from So Illinois but nice of you think of that!
DC...thanks for your input. I just can't afford Mel's school but thanks for offering to check it out. Actually I found a detailing class in Chicago out of a shop. Will attend on 9/21 and found it on the forum here!
 
firebird said:
Mrclean81, I am located 25 miles southwest of Chicago. Far from So Illinois but nice of you think of that!
DC...thanks for your input. I just can't afford Mel's school but thanks for offering to check it out. Actually I found a detailing class in Chicago out of a shop. Will attend on 9/21 and found it on the forum here!
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Good luck and let us know how it goes. Id be interested to know what bases are covered in one of these classes.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
 
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