New Detailing Rig

OnSite Details

OnSite Details

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Hey Guys, This is my first post. Ive been a member for a few months and read a lot of these threads. Ive been waterless detailing seriously for 2 years. 2014 I invested a couple grand to get started and profited about 15k just working out of my personal vehicle with little to no advertising. 2015 I more than doubled my profits, purchased an old van to carry my stuff around...it was pretty creepy. 2016 I just purchased a 2012 Ram Sport - Quadcab that I am in the process of making into my new detailing rig. I just figured I would document my adventure on this thread. Currently, I am having a custom made vinyl wrap created, I will be taking out the back seats and creating shelving and storage. I am also constructing a sliding bed so when I drop the tailgate I can easily reach things in the back. Because I do 99% waterless detailing I don't carry any watertanks, generators, power washers etc etc. I only use water to mix with my products, in my steamer and shampooer, and to rinse wheels. Stay tuned for updates!
 
congrats sounds like you have a nice set up,i have thought about being mobile,but I do the clay,polish,sealant etc. but more important worried about it not working out,thats why I do it from home,how was it when you first started out,any advise for this worry one....have fun keep detailing....AUTO ONE DETAILING....on facebook
 
Welcome into the clubhouse OnSite! Congrats on what sounds like doing it right. Good luck with the new rig and kick some a$$!
 
Welcome to AG. Sounds like your on the right track and I hope you continue to prosper.

I too do the rinseless/waterless washes as needed and only carry my generator when I have to. It really doesn't restrict one much at all. Wash em where you can.
 
This is awesome, it sounds like your really going for it and have an awesome plan. I look forward to seeing your progress on the truck! Where are you based out of?
 
Congrats on the new truck.
What's your choice of waterless wash?
 
Jarred, I live in SC, Bluffton/Hiltonhead area.

Dmund I do full service detailing as well (sealants, clay, polish, full paint corrections etc etc) I only do bigger jobs if the client owns a garage. I first started out by watching youtube videos and just keeping my prices low until I felt confident enough to charge more. Typically if you're doing real detailing and your customer is spending over $500 on their vehicle they will have a garage to go along with it. I try to stay in the upper echelon so I don't have to deal with extremely contaminated cars and uncontrolled environments.

Eldorado2k- Typically for my basic details I use EcoSmart or Backfire Waterless followed with a pressure steam to melt off any bugs/gunk and finish it with Hybrid V7 Sealant.

Thanks everyone for your support, I have always enjoyed reading threads on the forum because everyone is always so positive.
 
Man I wish i was as brave as most of you guys. I'm in the construction industry but would LOVE to start my own detailing shop but I am so nervous about that. We have one kid and one on the way and both have new cars and obviously a house note. Guess I could start as a hobby on the side then build it up?? And you started by watching YouTube videos?? Anyone specific? Good luck man.


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Mattmann - All I hear from you are excuses bro! I have a 1 year old boy, 2 new cars and a mortgage too, (And Im a full-time firefighter). Technically detailing is just my part-time "side job" honestly I now make more detailing than I do at my actual job. Just reinvest any money you make detailing and you literally CANT lose money! I learned most of my detailing skills watching Junkman2000 on youtube, He is awesome. I just adjusted my skills to suit my needs and made it my own. It's a learn as you go experience.
 
OnSite Details said:
Mattmann - All I hear from you are excuses bro! I have a 1 year old boy, 2 new cars and a mortgage too, (And Im a full-time firefighter). Technically detailing is just my part-time "side job" honestly I now make more detailing than I do at my actual job. Just reinvest any money you make detailing and you literally CANT lose money! I learned most of my detailing skills watching Junkman2000 on youtube, He is awesome. I just adjusted my skills to suit my needs and made it my own. It's a learn as you go experience.
Click to expand...

How is it possible to make more money detailing on the side than a firefighter???
 
WRAPT C5Z06 said:
How is it possible to make more money detailing on the side than a firefighter???
Click to expand...

Im not sure how to answer that question...I would suppose hard work and a solid client base. Also firefighting isn't a job you get rich off of haha.
 
Then you have not come to the age when you realize that health, retirement, savings, ect, THOSE benefits are actually worth money and are used as part of an employee's compensation package. Those benefits are not easy to come by when you are a business owner without going broke. I think there are very far and few detailers out there pushing a 6 figure personal take home income from doing this, or even gross for that matter. I personally will not get out of bed in the morning for less. So I think the important thing is to have realistic expectations on what your real ROI is going to be from washing cars as this as well as other online forums are full of members starting out into the detailing business with the expectation that all of the exotic cars and the very best of working conditions and environment that they see on these forums will be theirs for the taking as soon as they get themselves a new long throw polisher and some products. Then go take a look at home many are still washing cars in a parking lot barely able to make two dimes rub together with no idea how to calculate what exactly their profit margins really are. There are two kinds of people in the real business world. Those that work IN their business (top notch detailing talent or the schmuck that hoses your car down in a parking lot) and those that work ON their business (Business developers, Marketing Strategists, Advertising, ect.). And yes, they are mutually exclusive to each other as they are both different skill sets and require vasts amounts of time for the business to prosper. The one man gang will always fall victim to his own shortcomings and bottlenecks from not having the time needed to be successful at both promoting and improving the business as well as being the talent/labor for it as well. But benefits. THAT is where the good stuff is.
 
No, I realize plenty...we simply were not talking about benefits. As stated earlier. Thanks for explaining how they work to the group though.
 
Onsite thanks for the encouragement man and also for your service as a firefighter. I volunteered for 3 years but moved. I'd love to start doing this on the side and still have high goals of doing so. Running/owning a big commercial construction company seems to destroy my time when work is good and when it's not, we're going crazy looking for more! Lol


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