Hello I'm Count

Count

Count

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Hello all, I have been snooping around for a couple days. Figured I'd make the formal intro. I am looking to get into detailing part time for now. I have put together a few items, tell me what you guys think.
Cargo trailor, water tank, pressure washer, shop vac, air compressor and a generator. Have not gotten any chemicals yet. (Not sure what I need)
Things I don't have but think I need. Buffer, (although I don't know how to use one yet) some type of upholstery cleaner. What else might be missing?

So what do you guys think. How should I go about getting started. I have a job lined up in a couple weeks after I return from vacation so I want to be prepared to do good work.
BTW. I'm in Gainesville Florida and am currently employed as an electrician.

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys may have.

Count
 
Welcome Count. That doesn't sound like a part-time rig to me but whatever. I encourage you to do a lot of reading for a week or two here on the forums. Then decide what you need. You will make a better, inormed choice that way. Check out posts from Mike Phillips among others.
 
hello and welcome . great place here to interact . learn and get product recommendations. not to be mean here but if u have no experience with a machine I don't think u should be lining up jobs. start off with your own vehicle or families. machine use is not some slap it on , turn it on and off and wipe it off deal . there is some great learning to using the machine as well as the product itself. read all the how to's , watch the videos and search the forum for questions . good luck and get buffing . enjoy
 
not to be mean here but if u have no experience with a machine I don't think u should be lining up jobs.

Point well taken. Maybe I should have been more clear. The job is just a wash and vacuum. Not a full detail. Although I am ready to start practicing on my personal vehicles, I would never try and learn how to use a machine on someone else's.


Count
 
:welcome:

Articles by Mike Phillips

Read, read, read, read, and then read some more. Just think of a question and scan through the links. Chances are you will find what you are looking for. :dblthumb2:
 
very well count. to the basics of washing, 2 bucket method with grit guards. use a quality car wash soap and wash mitt. dry with mf waffle weave towels or a blower .
 
Hey Count,

Welcome to the forums...stick around and you will learn a great deal from the members and Mike.

Couple of things concern me with your post - never working a machine and wanting to start a side business don't mix. It takes a little time and skill to work the machine to get the results your after.
Also, not knowing what products to buy, etc.

It looks like you are going to drop some serious coin for a mobile unit - not working on cars by machine, I would get some experience with that to see if you even want to do it. It is tough work!

It just seems you want to get a ton of this equipment and do not have some of the basics down yet...I would just hate for you to spend all that money.

.02

But I have learned a ton on this site - I spend many hours researching and asking questions. Everyone is cool on here, so ask away!!!
 
Hi Count,

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:


For just starting out you're already very well prepared. Since you're new to detailing in general, like everyone else already posted, a good way to start is to do some reading, there's a lot of information on the forum and just like any craft or profession, knowledge is power.

I have a lot of articles on most topics related to the work you'll be doing in my article list. I'm going to update it today so I'll make sure to remove all the current "new" tags and add them to the articles that are actually new as of the update.


I teach two classes here in Stuart, Florida, I think you would enjoy the first one as it's all about machine polishing for the kind of work you're going to be doing.

If you want to attend my next class or set of classes then send me an e-mail with the words,

Class Request


in the subject line of the e-mail and I'll place your e-mail in my notification folder.


E-mail to [email protected]


One thing for sure, detailers that hang-out on detailing discussion forums know a heck of a lot more than detailers that don't so invest some time getting head knowledge it will help you to detail cars and also speak intelligently about the topic to your potential customers.


Also, I created an Avatar for you... seemed to go with your name... if you don't like it just let me know...


:)
 
Welcome from Memphis. Count Chocola is one of my fav's FWIW :dblthumb2:
 
:welcome: To Autogeek Online Count!

This is "the" place to learn some of the finest ways to detail your car. There is a wealth of knowledge here for the beginner to the most advanced. A simple question is all that's needed to initiate helpful responses from members here and also Autogeek Professional Staff.

This is something I've posed several times and it covers many areas at a high level but give you an idea of what's available and some of the prices.

Everyone starts off as a beginner but with some reading, questions, and trial, error, and practice you'll be amazed how much you'll be able to do. After reading and understanding some of the basics, the more hands on your are the quicker you'll build your knowledge and gain experience.

This link contains articles written by Mike Phillips and has allot of great reading within.

Articles by Mike Phillips

Basic steps in order are:

  • Wash
  • Clay
  • Paint Correction & Polish
  • Seal
  • Wax
Make detailing enjoyable and practice. Take your time and do not become overwhelmed. Just because there are a thousand product doesn't mean you have to use them all.

Pick one product from each category from the steps above. You already have some great waxes so you're that far ahead of the game..

Autogeek has a kit section that contains everything you need to get started. For starting off I recommend a dual action polisher. These come on a variety of flavors and Autogeek carries most of them so take your time and educate yourself.

The kit pages below will give you an idea of what's available but if you do decide to purchase a Porter Cable 7424 style polisher opt for the 5 1/2" flat pads right off. The 6 1'2" are just too large and this has been confirmed many time over.


Kit Page

Car Care Kits, Car Care Cleaning Kits, Complete Detailing Kits

Decent kit

Pinnacle Twins & Meguiar's G110v2 Dual Action Polisher Kit FREE BONUS

Much better kit

Menzerna Porter Cable XP Maximum Shine Kit FREE BONUS

Flex Kit

If I were in the market for a kit this would be the one I'd choose.
Pinnacle Flex XC3401 Polishing & Swirl Remover kit, Pinnacle polishes, swirl removers, finishing polish, flex buffer

Don't overlook a one step product

One Step Product

Klasse

Klasse ALL-IN-ONE Auto Polish, Klasse All In One, klasse aio, Acrylic polish

Menzerna Sealing Wax

Menzerna Sealing Wax APO 60, Menzerna APO 60, Menzerna wax

Meguiar's D151

Meguiars Paint Reconditioning Cream D151

Pinnacle XMT

Pinnacle XMT Clean & Shine Bundle

Forum Favorite

Klasse All-In-One, Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze, Pinnacle Souveran, Pinnacle Crystal Mist Spray Wax come together to create a forum favorite kit.

Sealants

Paint Sealants like Klasse, Wolfang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant

Menzerna Power Lock Paint Sealant

Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant, Menzerna auto sealant, car sealant, paint sealant protectant

Other quality sealants

Wax

Car Wax - Carnauba Waxes- Pinnacle Carnauba Car waxes, P21s Concours Carnauba car wax

Collinite 845 - One of my favorites

Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax
 
Thank you all for the welcome and the advice. I will be asking questions as I suck up all this information around here. Mike thanks for the avatar "The Count" is my dude! I am super excited to know that there is hands on training so close to me. At any rate thanks again for the welcome and advice, I will be seeing you all around.

Count
 
Welcome Count. Sounds like you have some nice gear for wash and vac. If you do decide to get into machine polishing, even if only your own cars, I highly recommend you attend Mike's next class. It will give you an opportunity to learn about all of the machines AG sells (and it is all of the good ones IMO). You get some very valuable one on one instruction plus an opportunity to try out the different machines and see what feels right to you. Every machine is not for everybody. The class is inexpensive for what you get. I recommend it without reservation. Good luck with your new endeavor.
 
Robert8194 said:
Welcome Count. Sounds like you have some nice gear for wash and vac. If you do decide to get into machine polishing, even if only your own cars, I highly recommend you attend Mike's next class.
Click to expand...


Most definetly plan on getting in to machine polishing. I'm especially excited about the classes offered right here in my own state.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
 
Count said:
Most definetly plan on getting in to machine polishing. I'm especially excited about the classes offered right here in my own state.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Depending on the date, I am going to try to attend again. It was an amazing experience. Mike is an amazing teacher.
 
Robert8194 said:
It was an amazing experience. Mike is an amazing teacher.
Click to expand...

Does that mean you have already attended a training at AG? Which one? You live in FL?


Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
 
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