Hobbiest vs Pro

Jaretr1

Jaretr1

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Hello,

Many of my friends know I am pretty deep into this detailing stuff, and I have done some minor work for a few of them without taking a penny. I enjoy detailing, polishing etc as a hobby and for fun. A couple of my friends have asked me to polish their cars and what would I charge. My answer was nothing. They could pay me whatever they felt the job was worth. Several of my friends have asked why I do not do this for money. I think making it a job rather than a hobby would take away the enjoyment I get from it.

I know there are lots of professionals on this forum that not only take pride in what they do, but love detailing. The fact they can make a living doing what they love is just icing on the cake.

I am just wondering if others share my same feelings, or the reverse, are pro detailers but do not enjoy it as a job.

Just my random thoughts for the day!
 
I think about this all the time. Detailing my car is my hobby / escape. I worry that if I left the corporate world and did detailing professionally, would I regret it in a year or so after dealing with unappreciative customers or if it becomes another mundane job.
 
I like detailing my own stuff, I go the extra step and take my time.

I'm not sure I could take the time necessary to detail someone else's as thoroughly as my own.

I took 3 days washing, claying, compounding, polishing, and wax my truck, something tells me there's no money to be made in this field for me!! LMAO but I understand...
 
I'm with you guys - as a stress reducing hobby I enjoy the process as much as the results. There's no way I'd ever turn a profit!

Whenever I help a friend out detailing their own ride, I teach as I go, have them purchase the compound/polish/wax products we'll need, and I'll provide my DA and other supplies. That way there's no hard feelings over $, they "own" the process, and are able to repeat it on their own.

If a project is too big for a weekend/ or paint condition beyond my comfort level I'll recommend a local professional Geek for the job.
 
LRC3 said:
I like detailing my own stuff, I go the extra step and take my time.

I'm not sure I could take the time necessary to detail someone else's as thoroughly as my own.

I took 3 days washing, claying, compounding, polishing, and wax my truck, something tells me there's no money to be made in this field for me!! LMAO but I understand...
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Same exact thoughts here.
I CARE for my vehicle, i cant say the same for others.
Detailing is hardwork, regardless if u enjoy it or not. We are talking about 10+ HOURS of paint polishing.
 
Love staying a hobbyist. I'm the type that could never work on a car that I didn't put the same effort as I would with my own car...and that's not practical in a market where most people just want a clean car at the lowest cost...not premium detailing.

I just accepted an early retirement package. Done at the end of the year. Money in the bank...soon its my time to really enjoy my passion on a whole new level.
 
I've always taken great pride in keeping my cars clean. It's only in the last couple of years did I start to learn the true art of detailing. With my perfectionist nature, I spend way too much time working on my own car and I show the same effort in working on others. Although I probably have enough products to start as a business, I much rather enjoy detailing as a hobby!
 
281 said:
I've always taken great pride in keeping my cars clean. It's only in the last couple of years did I start to learn the true art of detailing. With my perfectionist nature, I spend way too much time working on my own car and I show the same effort in working on others. Although I probably have enough products to start as a business, I much rather enjoy detailing as a hobby!
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Yes! Finding AutoGeek has ruined me! Now instead of just basic touch and using OTC products, I'm using the plastic Baggie test, testing paint with swirl lights, and doing a waterless wash every 3-4 days. Hobby has become obsession.
 
LaFawnduh said:
Yes! Finding AutoGeek has ruined me! Now instead of just basic touch and using OTC products, I'm using the plastic Baggie test, testing paint with swirl lights, and doing a waterless wash every 3-4 days. Hobby has become obsession.
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Or how about "Look at the swirls on that car!" wifey thinks I'm nuts lol
 
281 said:
Or how about "Look at the swirls on that car!" wifey thinks I'm nuts lol
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I am not married, but I do the same thing in my head and say to myself "I am nuts"
 
Jaretr1 said:
I am not married, but I do the same thing in my head and say to myself "I am nuts"
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I have an inventory of my products in a spreadsheet - confirms I'm obsessed and nuts lol
 
I'm glad I'm not the only on here that feels this way...

People thought I was nuts using my long vacation weekend to detail a car.

They don't realize that's my "zen time" as I call it. My get away from everything and just work on my car by myself.
Besides, the car doesn't talk back or give me crap.

I don't think I could ever detail full-time... I think it would loose something.
 
I started off detailing as a hobby and became addicted. I have a corporate job that I would never leave due to the income level - I did the math and would not be able to match it detailing. I also use detailing as an outlet to escape the full time job I have. I am afraid if I went into detailing full time, it would ruin it for me.

That being said - I feel I have the best of both worlds. A job that provides for my family and a side venture that allows stress relief and I do charge enough to make it worth my time. I used the profits to buy my wife a Mini Cooper so she is just fine with me spending weekends in the garage working on cars.
 
Coyote33 said:
I started off detailing as a hobby and became addicted. I have a corporate job that I would never leave due to the income level - I did the math and would not be able to match it detailing. I also use detailing as an outlet to escape the full time job I have. I am afraid if I went into detailing full time, it would ruin it for me.

That being said - I feel I have the best of both worlds. A job that provides for my family and a side venture that allows stress relief and I do charge enough to make it worth my time. I used the profits to buy my wife a Mini Cooper so she is just fine with me spending weekends in the garage working on cars.
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I can relate! :dblthumb2:
 
Detailing as a full time business is just that - a business. I really like detailing but you have to understand that to do this as a full time income it is much more than just working on cars. I believe if you want to do this as a business you have to love detailing but also have an entrepreneurial spirit to do really well.

Remember that when you do this as a hobbyist you do it for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the work and results. Doing it as a business comes a whole list of outliers and other situations that cause there to be tough days.

I love detailing, and I love my business. That being said, some days it is merely just a job and I can't wait to pull in my driveway and wrestle with my kids a while before they go to bed.
 
VP Mark said:
Detailing as a full time business is just that - a business. I really like detailing but you have to understand that to do this as a full time income it is much more than just working on cars. I believe if you want to do this as a business you have to love detailing but also have an entrepreneurial spirit to do really well.

Remember that when you do this as a hobbyist you do it for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the work and results. Doing it as a business comes a whole list of outliers and other situations that cause there to be tough days.

I love detailing, and I love my business. That being said, some days it is merely just a job and I can't wait to pull in my driveway and wrestle with my kids a while before they go to bed.
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:iagree: There are some very important things people for get about.

Taxes: Local,state,self employment tax
Insurance
supplies
equipment
 
I'm too slow to make any money at it and like many others, I do it for the solitude and relaxation. That having been said, I wear out pretty easily in the heat. I've accepted enough to cover material a few times but it's just a hobby for me. Or an obsession...
 
Strictly a hobby for me. A lot of my colleagues golf; I like to keep my cars clean. I'm a details-oriented guy, and doing this with my car makes sense. Always have loved doing it, but buying a nice car and discovering AGO has just made this beyond enjoyable.
 
It is more like a hobbytunity for me. I have a business so I can make a little cash pay taxes and not have the Law after me. But I end up using all my income for supplies and tools that I will use on my cars as well. It's not going to make me rich enough to tell the boss man to kiss my ass.
 
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