It takes time to build a detail business

Detailing by M said:
Detailing is an art form that not everyone can do correctly.
You have to train, train and keep training.

Everyday there's new product, new paint and new techniques.
So you have to always be aware.

I've detailed all my life but only recently got serious.
So following a great detailer was my method of learning the proper way to run a detailing business.
On top of that I've been a regular at Meguiar's HQ soaking in all of there knowledge.
I wouldn't touch a customers car unless I knew all I could.
I was a "hack" detailer who "thought" I knew everything, boy was I wrong.
So after a few years I was set straight and my business has never been better.

So TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN!!!!
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Singed up to Meguiars 101 classes for tomorrow, because of your post. I even called to confirm and I got to speak with Michael Stoops
 
I understand what you said. I am not a pro, not even close, but even with skills you need customers and, at least in here, is hard to convince a person of the care of the car.

My ex-co workers used to give the car to a person for a wash, who uses a old sponge, detergent and towels or old t-shirts.

Part of growing as a detailer I think is that you can give what you offer.
I know a person who started as a detailer, but when a car was stain with something, he offered to remove them, after a polish the stains remain, the customers get mad and never again give him jobs.
 
Great thread! I think a lot of people overlook the word business in detailing business. They just want to make cars shiny and overlook the fact that making ANY business successful requires a lot of learning, research, dedication, and organization.
 
Great thread and replies. I have noticed a lot of "I'm opening shop" threads lately with minimal experience.
I have been doing this coming up on 5 years this December full time and I still get nervous quoting and charging clients. I wish I had the confidence to open shop after 3 cars
 
danieledwards12 said:
detailing cars for a university has given me my "experience". with no one to teach me I had to teach myself everything. it took allot of hours and then even more hours when I realized I had done everything all wrong and had to go back and fix my mistakes.

now im to the point where I am "comfortable" with what I do, that is when I decided to go into business for myself. but I have enough common sense to not quit my regular job until I have my clientele built up enough to support me. I really don't think that will take long because right now I am living off of barely over minimum wage. but I am able to get my bills paid and I don't own a single penny to anyone.

so being debt free, not married, no kids, and learned to live on a very tight budget I feel I will succeed as long as I trust God and work hard.
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Me too!
Low and slow is the tempo.

I love detailing and I intend to keep it that way.

Sent while I was Detailing or something related to detailing ;)
 
I'm glad people are posting in this thread I just wanted people to under stand its not easy and takes time to build a detail business. Detailing is luxury for people not a necessity for people. To keep repeat customers you need to do quality work and stand out above the other guy.
 
I'd like to take some classes but I haven't heard of or seen any near my area I don't have the time or money to travel I'm sure the training would pay for itself but its just something I can't do I work full time am a member of the national guard and have a family to support so I've been teaching myself and I've been picking up a lot of tips from this forum. If there are any guys from MA on this forum that own a shop I'd like to go by and just shadow a detailer here and there to pick up some new tips tricks or just watch someone else's techniques and possibly try to improve my own.
 
I think that one of the biggest surprises for anyone starting out in detailing is the difference in time and effort between detailing your own well maintained car and someone else's car which is much worse condition
 
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