Just Starting Out

dmiracle said:
You’re 100% correct I know me. I never said I didn’t try to get everything perfect, I said “it forces me to not work beyond what I’m being paid for”. This was and still is extremely hard for me. BUT when time is money, I have to push it to the side and do what they pay for.

If they pay for my OCD, then by all means I’ll strive for perfection inside and out. Most just want a simple wash and wax/inside vac and wipe down. I can’t give them perfection per say, but I give them as close as I can.
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you are correct. you would never make any money if you gave show car results on someones daily thats not going to pay for show car results and also in turn only run it through tunnel washes until the next time you detail it.
 
Exactly Opie! It took me a few trial runs to figure that out, but i've caught on. I hate doing it that way, but if my clients stay happy then I am happy!
 
To OP....

There are passion projects and there is work. You already know the difference so in this sense...you have a leg up on most who just starting out. I made my comments to you on page 1 regarding consolidating your process was for a reason which you stated later. Time is money.

Here is another point you might want to consider. Most of us tends to focus in on paint corrections but your day in and day out clients dont really care about that. They mostly looking for a clean and shiny vehicle. I once tried to explain my process to a potential client and it completely went over his head. He just couldn't understand why Johnny Car Wash down the road charges $XX while I charge $XXX and up. To him... we both performed the same service. Level set the expectations with your clients prior is the key.

Since you have a DA, you could offer an AIO one step enhancement service. It easy to do and with a little practice...you can get most car finished in under an hour. No real corrections will be done with this service but it would enhance the paint and give it a pop. Depending on your locality, tie this in with a claying service and this can add anywhere from $100 to $200 per job. BTW.... its hard to damage anything with paint enhancement. You have to be consciously careless to mess it up. You already shown you are not that type just by you joining this community. LOL.

Good luck and keep updating us on your progress.
 
I have been asked many ,many times to do exactly what you have been asked to do , and I think your plan is fine. Yes you can buy a couple combination products but spraying on something like Maguires ceramic spray Hydro wax When the car is still wet after a wash and then rinsing and drying ,is absolutely a great way to do for for people that want free details and you don’t want to spend a lot of time doing it. I concur with your plans, I just did this last week for my brothers two cars.

I don’t pull out my random orbital and do a polish for any of my relatives unless they’re going to do me a favor in some other way… Like get me tickets to a sporting event, etc. etc.
 
Thanks psnt1ol, I appreciate all of the suggestions and advice offered. I will take that into consideration and ask a few of my more loyal customers and see if they may be interested. If so I will get back and let you know how that goes.

Thanks again and i'll update soon!
 
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