Can I Start a Home Service Detailing Business with this Tools?

[Stevenzee]

Hi AutoGeekers..
I'm planning to start a home service detailing business.. But, i only have few products on each sections..
1. Can i do the job only with this list of products?
2. What else should i buy?
3. What should i learn before starting this business?

Wheels&Tires:
1. Sonax Full Effect
2. Megs Endurance Tire Gel

Washing:
1. Megs UWW
2. Megs GC Shampoo
3. CG Citrus Wash&Gloss

Claying:
1. 3 pcs CarPro Clay
2. Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine & Med Grade
3. Megs Quik Detailer (Clay Lubricant)

Cutting/Compound:
1. Megs UC

Polishing:
1. Megs UP
2. AutoFinesse Tripple

Waxing:
1. Megs GCCW
2. Megs UW

Glass:
1. Glass Science Glass Scrub
2. Glass Science Rain Clear

Interior:
1. Sonax Leather Cleaner
2. Megs QID Cleaner
3. Megs Dash&Trim Protectant

Others:
1. AutoGlym Intensive Tar Remover
2. Megs All Purpose Cleaner
3. 3M All Purpose Cleaner

Machine:
1. Nilfisk High Pressure Washer
2. ShineMate Dual Action ERO600
3. Dry Vacuum Cleaner

Pads:
1. 6 pack Cobra Cross Groove 6.5”(Cutting-Polishing-Finishing)
2. 1 Foam Polishing Pad
3. 2 MF Cutting & Polishing Pads
4. 2 MF Hand Applicator Pads
5. 4 Foam Hand Applicator Pads

Tools:
1. 2 Wheel Brushes
2. Lug nut brush
3. 6 MF towel


Sorry for long post.. Feed back please

 

[ExoticAutoDetai]

If it gets the job done at the quality you looking to give why not. Look what works for you and your market.

Sent with my Note 2, from Planet Namek.

 

[Scott@IncrediblyDetailed]

You need more microfiber towels, microfiber waffle weave towels for drying, smaller pads to get into tight areas (and backing plate), a pressure washer and a vacuum.

The amount of different cleaners and such does not matter, it's about your ability to use them and the results you can achieve with them.

Also, this book. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...enny-doyle-s-book-now-available-autogeek.html

 

[ThomasonCarCare]

You need more microfiber towels, microfiber waffle weave towels for drying, smaller pads to get into tight areas (and backing plate), a pressure washer and a vacuum.

The amount of different cleaners and such does not matter, it's about your ability to use them and the results you can achieve with them.

Also, this book. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...enny-doyle-s-book-now-available-autogeek.html

I agree with most of this. I do not need a pressure washer as I do not offer a 2 bucket wash mobile unless they allow me to use their water. It is cheaper and easier for me and they don't mind.

When you're just starting out (like me) keep in mind that you don't need everything under the sun, you only need to match your services to your skill level, products, and tools you currently have.

 

[custmsprty]

I'd go with the Griot's DA for sure over that shine mate.

 

[Scott@IncrediblyDetailed]

I agree with most of this. I do not need a pressure washer as I do not offer a 2 bucket wash mobile unless they allow me to use their water. It is cheaper and easier for me and they don't mind.

When you're just starting out (like me) keep in mind that you don't need everything under the sun, you only need to match your services to your skill level, products, and tools you currently have.

Ahh home service = mobile detailing. Not a business you run from your home.

So you'll be doing rinseless washes? If so you'll need a good 20 towels, more if you plan on doing more than one detail a day. I use 30-50 towels detailing a car, I think that's probably the norm.

I'm barely touching the surface of starting out supplies, it's not cheap to offer quality detailing services.

Also, consider purchasing a spot cleaner. Amazon.com - BISSELL Spot Clean Pro Portable Deep Cleaner, 3624

Also, a leaf blower or air compressor. You'll need to blow water out of the cracks and crevices (trim, emblems, grill, etc) so it doesn't drip later or when it rains, whatever you didn't blow out will drip and then a water droplet trail of dirt is left on the surface.

 

[cardaddy]

I second the motion for;

1. Leaf blower for sure.
2. Moving up to the GG6 as your buffer of choice

You'll need;

A 6 pack of grout sponges for general duty, easy find at Lowes or the like.

Many MANY M-A-N-Y more foam buffing pads than half a dozen. Say 4", 5½" and 6½". (Or at least 4" and 5½".)

If you are wanting to work with MF pads you'll need at least 4 cutting and 4 finishing to start off. Later on grab more.

Tons of spray bottles. The Meg's 6-packs here on AG are a great deal, especially with a 20% off sale.

Plenty of brushes. From generic paint brushes for washing and interior duty to long handle brushes for wheel wells, rocker panels etc. and you REALLY need to consider some dedicated wheel cleaning brushes. The Daytona style brushes are great but be prepared for them to splatter in your face, on your chest, around your back, down your throat and all over your internal organs, maybe even on your unborn children. :laughing: Wheel Woolie 3-pack is a must and you'll love yourself for it.

Speaking of cleaning wheels. Megs D140 and/or D143 is something you'll need. I find that D143 I like more and more as it cleans rubber really well and don't have to worry about acid on the wheels.

Megs glass cleaner is surely the way to go making 11 gallons under $20.

And for Microfiber, you are going to need a TON of them! Even if you pickup the Costco ones for generalized duty and hard paint you'll need 3 packs of 36 to start. As you use then you'll have to keep a close eye on how/when/what they were used on and what you'll be able to use them on next time around.

You'll also need a decent number, (although not a ton of them) of high-quality microfiber to work with. Microfiber Tech is a great supplier with case lots being very affordable.

Some swear by dedicated MF cleaner but I do fine (so far) with a shot of quality detergent mixed with a shot of Woolite. (Do make sure to grade your towels before you wash them keeping the cleanest ones together and the really dirty ones together.)

Soap/shampoo Megs has everything you'll need from rinseless to Hyper Wash and Shampoo Plus have great cleaning power. Although Duragloss 901 (it's 902 in the gallon size) and well worth having in your arsenal. Along those lines, if you're considering a 2-bucket method you might want to pickup a foam gun just for the heck of it. Look for the "butchers foam gun" as it's the same exact gun for half the money, over there on the large south American rain forest place.

Same thing with spray wax/sealer, no need to have a ton of them but find a couple that work for you. Megs D156 and Duragloss 951 (952 in the gallon) are both great.

And of course something for shine/dressing. Megs Hyper Dressing can be diluted nine ways from Sunday and used both inside and out. Just a thought. Although I like 303 and PERL for interior work.

Finally, you'll want a nice quality exterior trim protectant/sealer. While not cheap, Ultima Tire & Trim Guard Plus is pretty darned good stuff, along with Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant, (I'm thinking UTTGP is a bit more affordable though).

 

[ThomasonCarCare]

I'm just saying for staring out there is no need to get a pressure washer, tank, pump, foam gun, etc... A ton of microfiber towels are a lot cheaper than all of that. Once his business kicks in high gear he can think about that. If money was no object there are at least 15,000 dollars worth of stuff I would recommend.

 

[Bates Detailing]

You can start a business with next to nothing man. I started a mobile detailing company with only a Makita, a vac, and a few chemicals. Then I added knowledge, better quality, and drive to the equation. In 3 years I had 10 employees and pulled about $250,000 a year in revenue. rops:

 

[Stevenzee]

:wow:

Thanks all for your response.. Really really appreciate all of the comments above..
I'm sorry, i can't reply it one by one.

But, in my conclusion i should have:
1. Plenty of MF Towel
2. Many buffing pads from different size
3. Skills and experience

Is that true?

 

[Stevenzee]

You can start a business with next to nothing man. I started a mobile detailing company with only a Makita, a vac, and a few chemicals. Then I added knowledge, better quality, and drive to the equation. In 3 years I had 10 employees and pulled about $250,000 a year in revenue. rops:

This comment really motivate me..:awesome:
Hope i can be like you someday

 

[ThomasonCarCare]

:wow:

Thanks all for your response.. Really really appreciate all of the comments above..
I'm sorry, i can't reply it one by one.

But, in my conclusion i should have:
1. Plenty of HIGH QUALITY MF Towel
2. Many buffing pads from different size
3. Skills and experience

Is that true?

Fixed

Don't forget to upgrade that DA as soon as able to a Griots or better. I currently have a PC 7424XP and next year I am putting that down to carpet duty only and I am going to pick up a Griots and a Flex 3401 or a Rupes 15 (haven't decided yet)

Also, don't skimp on your polishs and compounds. If there is only a few products you pay good money for let it be them.

 

[FUNX650]

How to Start a Detailing Business on a Shoestring Budget

Sure...A successful detailing business can easily be started by one person who does
everything from purchasing, invoicing, marketing, to the actual detailing.
You can even have this start-up as a part-time business, keeping a full-time job,
until the business grows and can support your lifestyle, if that's the goal.

Yes...You can start a detailing business with only a small investment in supplies and equipment.
-Working from a "Home Base" will be a money-saver on rent/utilities for another location (including being mobile).
-As your business and skill level grows (that includes business acumen), and you offer more services:
You can buy or lease more equipment. More on this later.

Many small business entities start out as a sole proprietorship.
As the business grows is when you can consider changing that structure to a Corporation or LLC.
-Will your municipality allow for a Home Based detailing business?
This may require an attorney in some municipalities...plus a nominal fee for the "paperwork".
-Now's the time to also not forget about obtaining insurance!!!
More on these points later.

Now...Cutting to the Chase:

1.) Business Plan:
Begin this journey by writing a: Business Plan. This does not have to be that long of a document... nor is it to be cast-in-stone.
Just a few pages of a "living document" that will help you focus and decide the basic parameters of the Business.
Include items such as:
Business name, location/ geographic area you will serve, services to be rendered,
marketing plan [particular niche(s) on which to focus], accounting-procedures/cash-flow spreadsheet.

2.) Marketing:
When just starting out you can definitely manage on a Shoestring Marketing Budget.
Avoid expensive (and often ineffective) newspaper/radio ads. Instead...
Market your services through the social-networks, your local Chamber of Commerce, cold calling, word-of-mouth.

3.) Supplies:
Try to establish a relationship with a local distributor.
Through them you'll be able to buy larger, concentrated, and more effective chemicals.
Saves time and money. (They may also have leads/referrals you can check into.)
Buy from retailers on an as-needed-basis for certain products for certain customers, if need be.

4.) An Accountant:
To tie-in the above: 'More on this later'...
Make daggone sure they're more than a tax preparer!
Should also be to provide a plethora of financial advice/guidance throughout the entire year!
Choose with caution...Make sure they have your best interests also in mind.

5.) Lastly: Environmentally Friendly:
In both form & function...Nowadays this is a desirous characteristic of which folks are clamorous.


So...Good Luck in your new venture!
After all, life is messy. So are many, many vehicles.




Bob

 

[Stevenzee]

Fixed

Don't forget to upgrade that DA as soon as able to a Griots or better. I currently have a PC 7424XP and next year I am putting that down to carpet duty only and I am going to pick up a Griots and a Flex 3401 or a Rupes 15 (haven't decided yet)

Also, don't skimp on your polishs and compounds. If there is only a few products you pay good money for let it be them.

Yap.. Thanks for advice..
Btw, you are putting PC 7424XP for carpet duty? Do you polish carpet & upholstery with DA?
IMHO Rupes has better design than Flex..

How to Start a Detailing Business on a Shoestring Budget

Sure...A successful detailing business can easily be started by one person who does
everything from purchasing, invoicing, marketing, to the actual detailing.
You can even have this start-up as a part-time business, keeping a full-time job,
until the business grows and can support your lifestyle, if that's the goal.

Yes...You can start a detailing business with only a small investment in supplies and equipment.
-Working from a "Home Base" will be a money-saver on rent/utilities for another location (including being mobile).
-As your business and skill level grows (that includes business acumen), and you offer more services:
You can buy or lease more equipment. More on this later.

Many small business entities start out as a sole proprietorship.
As the business grows is when you can consider changing that structure to a Corporation or LLC.
-Will your municipality allow for a Home Based detailing business?
This may require an attorney in some municipalities...plus a nominal fee for the "paperwork".
-Now's the time to also not forget about obtaining insurance!!!
More on these points later.

Now...Cutting to the Chase:

1.) Business Plan:
Begin this journey by writing a: Business Plan. This does not have to be that long of a document... nor is it to be cast-in-stone.
Just a few pages of a "living document" that will help you focus and decide the basic parameters of the Business.
Include items such as:
Business name, location/ geographic area you will serve, services to be rendered,
marketing plan [particular niche(s) on which to focus], accounting-procedures/cash-flow spreadsheet.

2.) Marketing:
When just starting out you can definitely manage on a Shoestring Marketing Budget.
Avoid expensive (and often ineffective) newspaper/radio ads. Instead...
Market your services through the social-networks, your local Chamber of Commerce, cold calling, word-of-mouth.

3.) Supplies:
Try to establish a relationship with a local distributor.
Through them you'll be able to buy larger, concentrated, and more effective chemicals.
Saves time and money. (They may also have leads/referrals you can check into.)
Buy from retailers on an as-needed-basis for certain products for certain customers, if need be.

4.) An Accountant:
To tie-in the above: 'More on this later'...
Make daggone sure they're more than a tax preparer!
Should also be to provide a plethora of financial advice/guidance throughout the entire year!
Choose with caution...Make sure they have your best interests also in mind.

5.) Lastly: Environmentally Friendly:
In both form & function...Nowadays this is a desirous characteristic of which folks are clamorous.


So...Good Luck in your new venture!
After all, life is messy. So are many, many vehicles.




Bob

Noted..
Thanks for your advice.. :dblthumb2:

 

[ThomasonCarCare]

I clean a lot of nasty interiors so I use the carpet and upholstery brush on the PC. It helps a ton when trying to get the shampoo worked in and getting the nasty stains out.

 

[Gsrjake]

theres alot you cant see but I started with almost nothing and ended up with all this in about 6 months and probably already gotten 15x my money back on everything.

 

[Stevenzee]

I clean a lot of nasty interiors so I use the carpet and upholstery brush on the PC. It helps a ton when trying to get the shampoo worked in and getting the nasty stains out.

What tools do you use for drying the wet carpet & upholstery?
Blower or Wet Vacuum Cleaner?

theres alot you cant see but I started with almost nothing and ended up with all this in about 6 months and probably already gotten 15x my money back on everything.

:wow:
Thanks for motivation bro..

Btw, 6 months is really fast.. What do you use for advertising and marketing?
Website or brochures?

 

[Gsrjake]

What tools do you use for drying the wet carpet & upholstery?
Blower or Wet Vacuum Cleaner?



:wow:
Thanks for motivation bro..

Btw, 6 months is really fast.. What do you use for advertising and marketing?
Website or brochures?

Shop vac I have can suck up wet or dry, and it has a blower port. On the other hand mainly word of mouth, car clubs, Facebook, business cards, and so on. Just do a lot of research and practice. I also have another car a 97 ford that I test all my products, compounds, etc. that also helps a lot and by having a nice sports car I have a lot of friends with nice cars who like keeping there's clean lol

 

[ThomasonCarCare]

What tools do you use for drying the wet carpet & upholstery?
Blower or shop vac

I have a durrmaid hot water extractor that I clean with. It's not the best but it's better than most. Usually carpets are not that wet, more of a light moist when I am done and they dry fairly quickly.

 

[Stevenzee]

Shop vac I have can suck up wet or dry, and it has a blower port. On the other hand mainly word of mouth, car clubs, Facebook, business cards, and so on. Just do a lot of research and practice. I also have another car a 97 ford that I test all my products, compounds, etc. that also helps a lot and by having a nice sports car I have a lot of friends with nice cars who like keeping there's clean lol

I have a durrmaid hot water extractor that I clean with. It's not the best but it's better than most. Usually carpets are not that wet, more of a light moist when I am done and they dry fairly quickly.

Thanks for your information.. It helps me a lot..

I have more question and i posted here
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...408-about-compound-polish-aio.html#post961367

Can you help me? Hehehe..