Looking to become an interior detailer!

Squid

Squid

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Hello everyone, I'm a college student looking to make some extra cash.

I stumbled on this website while looking at how to get rid of an odor in my car, which I'm confident is in my a/c system somewhere but anyhow.

I'm looking to get started in the interior detailing business. I've been lurking on here for tips and tricks and so far I've concluded that I will need a steamer, a vacuum cleaner, and an extractor. Since I'm a college student looking to do this on the side, I'm getting cheaper stuff that members here have been vouching for. If this proves to be lucrative at all I will upgrade to more professional equipment.

Here's what I have purchased so far:
Wagner 915 1,500-Watt On-Demand Power Steamer and Cleaner

Ridgid Wet/Dry Vac

Folex
Spraway Glass Cleaner
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to be updated
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to-buy list:
extension cord
buckets
mf towels (suggestions for just interior ?)
some kind of moisture control towel (for steaming with a cheap steamer)
spray bottles
apc (suggestions ?)
galvanized trash can with lid

I will probably be buying an air mover/dehumidifier so I don't end up with wet interiors.

The reason I'm doing interior only is I feel like I can pick up and focus on one skill set better than doing both interior and exterior. I also live in a very wet state (Oregon) where I would probably see a fluctuation in my customer base for exterior vs just interior.

I will be getting to practice on my friend's car (very nasty) and mine (also nasty haha) as soon as my steamer arrives, possibly even documenting with pictures.

Any tips for using the specific equipment I have, or time saving routines would be greatly appreciated :)

-Squid
 
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I've always believed that a good interior detailer is worth ten guys who just know how to polish paint.

People live a good part of their lives in their cars, not on them. Newly cleaned exteriors last about as long as it takes to eat lunch , whereas a nice clean interior is a thing that comes in contact with the driver and where your friends hang out with you.
 
Don't count out

Bissell LGM ( good for interior carpets and spot cleaning)

And a cheap APC that i still use today is megs d101. Great product 16 bucks a gallon, can be used on everything. I posted in another thread that I've used it on everything besides wheels and paint.
 
Welcome!

Good extension cord (outdoor/professional type, 12 or 14 gauge wire)

Waffle-weave microfibers for windows. Dedicated (color coded) for scrubbing seats/carpets/door panels and dash.

Applicators for protectant/cleaner

Nitrile gloves

AG has spray bottles. You can find some at auto supply stores also.

Mike Phillips' book or video on detailing.

Somebody smarter than me will chime in with a better list.
 
I applaud your efforts and wish you the best of luck! I hate to say this but I just can't imagine there is a pent-up demand for interior-only detailing. Once the interior is clean, it generally stays clean for much longer than the outside. Also, every car I've seen that needs a good interior detail ALSO needs a three-step exterior detail. I just can't imagine a situation where someone drops off their car (trashed, inside and out) and is excited to pick it up with the same look on the outside and a clean interior. I think you'd be better off partnering up with an "outside detail specialist". That way you could do your thing and he/she could do theirs. I, for instance, HATE cleaning the interiors of my cars. And conversely, I LOVE working on the exterior where my work will be displayed to all. We would work out together really well. So, I hope it works out for you but I think maybe you'd be better suited as a member of a team. Hope this helps.
- Mike
 
Flatlander said:
I applaud your efforts and wish you the best of luck! I hate to say this but I just can't imagine there is a pent-up demand for interior-only detailing. Once the interior is clean, it generally stays clean for much longer than the outside. Also, every car I've seen that needs a good interior detail ALSO needs a three-step exterior detail. I just can't imagine a situation where someone drops off their car (trashed, inside and out) and is excited to pick it up with the same look on the outside and a clean interior. I think you'd be better off partnering up with an "outside detail specialist". That way you could do your thing and he/she could do theirs. I, for instance, HATE cleaning the interiors of my cars. And conversely, I LOVE working on the exterior where my work will be displayed to all. We would work out together really well. So, I hope it works out for you but I think maybe you'd be better suited as a member of a team. Hope this helps.
- Mike
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ok you don't have to do paint correction but you should offer at least a wash and wax/sealant to out side. There are lots of high volume shops who don't do true paint correction and most people are not willing to pay for it.
 
I think it's a good idea for interior cleaning only when you live on the west side of the mountains in Oregon or Washington. We have wet weather from November through April when many people don't even wash their vehicles. The consensus is why wash it when it's going to rain tomorrow. I keep the interior of my truck clean but don't wash the exterior much in the Fall and Winter due to the amount of rain we receive and some months it will rain 25 days during the month. I frankly don't know how detailers survive in the rainy Northwest.
 
Flatlander said:
I applaud your efforts and wish you the best of luck! I hate to say this but I just can't imagine there is a pent-up demand for interior-only detailing. Once the interior is clean, it generally stays clean for much longer than the outside. Also, every car I've seen that needs a good interior detail ALSO needs a three-step exterior detail. I just can't imagine a situation where someone drops off their car (trashed, inside and out) and is excited to pick it up with the same look on the outside and a clean interior. I think you'd be better off partnering up with an "outside detail specialist". That way you could do your thing and he/she could do theirs. I, for instance, HATE cleaning the interiors of my cars. And conversely, I LOVE working on the exterior where my work will be displayed to all. We would work out together really well. So, I hope it works out for you but I think maybe you'd be better suited as a member of a team. Hope this helps.
- Mike
Click to expand...

I second the motion.
 
Im not in any way bashing your attempts at becoming an automotive detailer in any way but you really should think about it.
You stated your going to practice on your friends car ...This leads me to believe you dont have much experience with detailing much other than your own vehicle. I would highly recommend that you maybe detail your family and friends cars first in order to gain some experience prior to offering such services to the public for profit. Auto detailing is much harder than most people realize especially when most towns have 3 or even more automatic car washes with free vacuums ect for under $14 and not to mention an even tougher economy. Trying to start a detailing venture with not much experience is a tough road to travel. Not saying it cant be done..but if your gonna be dependent on this as constant income and have NO experience....best of luck
 
Flatlander said:
I applaud your efforts and wish you the best of luck! I hate to say this but I just can't imagine there is a pent-up demand for interior-only detailing. Once the interior is clean, it generally stays clean for much longer than the outside. Also, every car I've seen that needs a good interior detail ALSO needs a three-step exterior detail. I just can't imagine a situation where someone drops off their car (trashed, inside and out) and is excited to pick it up with the same look on the outside and a clean interior. I think you'd be better off partnering up with an "outside detail specialist". That way you could do your thing and he/she could do theirs. I, for instance, HATE cleaning the interiors of my cars. And conversely, I LOVE working on the exterior where my work will be displayed to all. We would work out together really well. So, I hope it works out for you but I think maybe you'd be better suited as a member of a team. Hope this helps.
- Mike
Click to expand...

I'm the same way Mike. I dread cleaning anything that I can't show off lol. I think that is why I don't like cleaning my engine bay or my interior, but love cleaning my paint :buffing:

I do agree that maybe just a wash N wax service should be offered.
 
Hey, I started off as an interior only detailer and did extremely well!! In 2 years time, I only had 1 person cancel an appointment because she realized I didn't wash cars.

I now offer plenty of exterior services as well, but my point is that you CAN survive in this industry working solely on interiors!

Good luck and PM me with any questions; I am happy to help.
 
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Dougw4355 said:
Im not in any way bashing your attempts at becoming an automotive detailer in any way but you really should think about it.
You stated your going to practice on your friends car ...This leads me to believe you dont have much experience with detailing much other than your own vehicle. I would highly recommend that you maybe detail your family and friends cars first in order to gain some experience prior to offering such services to the public for profit. Auto detailing is much harder than most people realize especially when most towns have 3 or even more automatic car washes with free vacuums ect for under $14 and not to mention an even tougher economy. Trying to start a detailing venture with not much experience is a tough road to travel. Not saying it cant be done..but if your gonna be dependent on this as constant income and have NO experience....best of luck
Click to expand...

Maybe I didn't clarify. I'm going to practice on my friend's car first but in addition to that I already have three other people that want me to do theirs (for free because I'm practicing) and I'm gonna keep practicing till I feel comfortable but there's no cleaning gonna happen without some equipment so I went ahead and bought that so I wouldn't talk myself out of it.

Secondly pertaining to the wash and wax thing my idea was if someone really wanted their interior I could add a hand wash and dry for an added fee but the problem is I have no waxing skills and its also always raining g in Oregon so I'm not sure if I want to offer that or not....I do have a couple buddies that would probably be willing to be part of the crew if I need to though.. I also figured to do. A good waxing job I'd need more tools like a buffer that I don't feel like investing in just yet.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AG Online
 
I know all about that Oregon weather after growing up in Portland.
Just seek out the vast knowledge on this forum and use the search option to find basic info regarding detailing topics and your well on your way,,This site has TONS of info and people willing to share
 
vet said:
Welcome!

Good extension cord (outdoor/professional type, 12 or 14 gauge wire)

Waffle-weave microfibers for windows. Dedicated (color coded) for scrubbing seats/carpets/door panels and dash.

Applicators for protectant/cleaner

Nitrile gloves

AG has spray bottles. You can find some at auto supply stores also.

Mike Phillips' book or video on detailing.

Somebody smarter than me will chime in with a better list.
Click to expand...
I love it, you seem to be the only one with a list at all, I've got more stuff, buckets, extension cord, spray bottles, goof off automotive, meguilars interior detailer, gloves, steel wool, some brushes for carpet agitation, I'm not sure if they're soft or hard enough yet I will have to experiment with that.

One thing I was curious about is a towel that's really good at sucking up water, and where to get high quality MF's in bulk, I like your idea of color coding them, would have never thought of that :) !

ZerboAutoWorks said:
Does the Wagner work well?


Saturday by Appointment - Home
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I have no idea yet, it's still in the mail, I will let you all know my results with my tools in a separate post once I receive the rest of my equipment and get to work. :)

Dougw4355 said:
I know all about that Oregon weather after growing up in Portland.
Just seek out the vast knowledge on this forum and use the search option to find basic info regarding detailing topics and your well on your way,,This site has TONS of info and people willing to share
Click to expand...
Yes, in Oregon you get 5 minutes of sunshine every week :P

Thanks bud.
 
Hi Squid,

Welcome to AutogeekOnline... :welcome:


I moved your thread out of the "intro" forum and into Detailing 101 as a thread like this will get more attention in the right group.


One suggestion if you want to carve out a niche doing only interior work and that is to become friends with someone that only does exterior work.

Then come to a gentleman's agreement that you'll send them exterior work if they'll recommend you for interior work.

Win/Win


Just a suggestion...


If you brand yourself correctly you can do very well as there are a lot of people that are more interested in a clean interior than a clean exterior.


Brand Yourself, Brand your Forum Nickname and Brand your Business Name

How to choose a name for your detailing business



:xyxthumbs:
 
rustytruck said:
I second the motion.
Click to expand...

I third that motion, all hands in approval? ;)

Squid said:
Maybe I didn't clarify. I'm going to practice on my friend's car first but in addition to that I already have three other people that want me to do theirs (for free because I'm practicing) and I'm gonna keep practicing till I feel comfortable but there's no cleaning gonna happen without some equipment so I went ahead and bought that so I wouldn't talk myself out of it.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good idea to practice, especially to your friends as they get if for free. I'll let you practice on my wifes Denali too if you're willing to drop by. :)

The biggest thing is most detailers just hate to do interiors. Read around here long enough and you'll see them say just that. :dunno: So the idea of finding one (or FIVE) in your area that will work with you on that is a great way to get business that 1: you want to do, and 2: not having to do the work you DON'T want to do. ;)
 
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