How to dress for detail work?

Bill1234

Bill1234

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Apr 22, 2012
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Hi Ag, I have been not doing much car care since its winter, however In the spring and summer, I would probably have about 7 or 8 cars that are possible for me to do for others that I know and dont know. I was thinking about how to dress for this? I thought all black workwear or something similar . thoughts?
 

There is a reason why mechanics and such were dark blue and similar. Easy to hind spots and stains.


I prefer kaki shorts or dark shorts and a dark "dry fit" polo.

 
Depending on where I am doing work will depend on what I wear.

If I'm at home its all about comfort. If I'm out on a job its all about looking professional so kaki shorts and a polo shirt with my logo.
 
I tend to wear Armani, it's really soft and doesn't scratch the paint...okay, maybe it's just a pair of soft cotton sweats and a plain t-shirt, but the two are easily confused for Armani.
 
Do you own your own business? Work out of your garage or own/lease a building? I wear something loose and comfortable. I work out of my garage so I wear shorts and t-shirt in the spring/summer and some loose fitting pants and long sleeve shirt in them winter. I can close the garage doors and turn the heater on or wear thermals when it's cold outside.
 
I dont own a business, and I work outside. On my last job for my friend, I had work pants and work tee. However, at something like a non well known person I dont know if that would work.
 
I wear a black shirt
Black pants
And black shoes

I've been wanting to embroider my business name on my shirt too
 
T shirt and scrub bottoms.

No watch, rings, belts, buttons, keys in pockets, etc.

Only want to touch car with something that won't induce any more scratches.
 
Bill1234 said:
exactly. I would probably wear a pair of work shoes
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Waterproof shoes with good support. Nice if you can put down a rubber non-slip mat as well. Don't ever underestimate the long term effects of good shoes and a padded floor.
 
Another "If it were me" response from me, BUT;

If I was a pro, I'd invest in a handful of nice looking polos or oxford style shirts in a nice, neutral color with my logo on it. That along with slacks and tennis shoes. Looks professional yet casual. Also looks like you're the boss, not the grunt of the company. People want to do business with the boss (even if you are the only one- they don't know that!). So, when networking, going to car shows, even running to the bank or grocery shopping, I'd wear that as my 'uniform'. Taking every opportunity to network to people looking professional. You yourself should also be clean cut, shaven or trimmed, and appearing clean and professional (if you look scruffy, whose gonna want you to clean their stuff?). If you aren't networking and marketing your business while running your errands, then you are losing business to the guy who is!

I can speak to the comfort and utility of the 'above'. I'm a Pastor, so people expect me to look professional and I expect that of myself! (As I'm not one of those hip urban Pastors who has a soul patch and preaches in a graphic T-Shirt and bluejeans, hehhe). But wearing a jacket and tie can be cumbersome AND pricey to maintain when you are dealing with funeral homes, nursing homes, hospitals, or even just visiting parishioners homes and places of work. So during the week, when I'm not leading worship or in a meeting or doing some other sort of 'at the church' type work, I often wear slacks, a polo or short-sleeve collared shirt, and a nice neutral colored (brown) pair of tennis shoes. It looks nice, but it's not a big deal to get something spilled onto you or get a stain, and it doesn't look AWFUL and wrinkled at the end of a long day. It's also very comfortable!

When 'working', I think T-Shirts with your logo and pants that don't require a belt (aka waist-mounted paint scratcher) and foregoing rings, watches, etc., is a wise choice.

To answer the question personally, I'd detail in my underwear if I could! Hehe, okay maybe not. I just detail in whatever I'm wearing, sans belt/watch/ring/pocket contents. But I just do it for myself!
 
I have 2 black polo shirts and 3 pairs of simple black cargo pants. My belt has a smoothed bucket and would be very close to my waste, should be fine =)
 
Make sure you are comfortable, whether you are wearing jeans or khakis. However, if you are going to be in front of clients, or prospective clients, make sure to wear clean pressed clothes, clean pressed pants and pressed polo or casual shirt (a tee with your company logo is acceptable, but a polo or collared shirt looks better) and clean shoes. Clean professional appearance in front of clients leaves a good first impression.
I am not a professional detailer, and as a consumer, a person's appearance makes a difference in my book. It shows that they care enough to make a good impression, which tells me they care enough to do good work.
Other than that, anything else you do to protect my car from accidental damage (no belt buckles (I'm in Texas), no jewelry, wearing an apron) add to your professionalism.

Look at Auto Obsessed videos for some good examples.
 
hamlyn said:
Make sure you are comfortable, whether you are wearing jeans or khakis. However, if you are going to be in front of clients, or prospective clients, make sure to wear clean pressed clothes, clean pressed pants and pressed polo or casual shirt (a tee with your company logo is acceptable, but a polo or collared shirt looks better) and clean shoes. Clean professional appearance in front of clients leaves a good first impression.
I am not a professional detailer, and as a consumer, a person's appearance makes a difference in my book. It shows that they care enough to make a good impression, which tells me they care enough to do good work.
Other than that, anything else you do to protect my car from accidental damage (no belt buckles (I'm in Texas), no jewelry, wearing an apron) add to your professionalism. Look at Auto Obsessed videos for some good examples.
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I got two aprons and my clothing would be similar to that of meguiars staff
 
I also have some black martial arts pants, they are great, but I prefer sweatpants since I work alone in my garage with appointments only.

I'm thinking of having the local tailor make me a pair of MF pants....could you imagine wearing something like that...I hate the way the feel on my hand!
 
bsmith0404 said:
I also have some black martial arts pants, they are great, but I prefer sweatpants since I work alone in my garage with appointments only.

I'm thinking of having the local tailor make me a pair of MF pants....could you imagine wearing something like that...I hate the way the feel on my hand!
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Just haven them be silk lined! Hehehe.
 
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