list of materials to get started

SoFlo1

SoFlo1

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Im looking to start my first detailing business here locally. Mobile detailing. I have a pickup and a 6x10 enclosed trailer. I also have a local supplier im going to get my chemicals from.

Is there a list I can check off to make sure im good to go?

Also what kind of buffer should I search for on craiglist?
 
This thread will be some great assistance to you as Mark did a great job at putting this together

The $500 Mobile Detailing Startup - A Simple Walk Through

:props:

Some other are here:

A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business

Your Signature - Don't leave one...

I highly recommend both of these books. One is Mike's book and he goes into great detail on a show car detailing with this book. The other is a book by Renny Doyle who gives a good base on how to start a home based detailing business.
Show Car Shine Detailing Book Combo
 
I've started my own little business as well, just for something to do on weekends.
Here's what I've learned over the last few months:
1. A good supply of products, cleaners, waxes, sealants, etc... You never want to come across a task and not have the appropriate tool for it.
2. A really good vacuum, I picked up a Rigid 6.5hp vac / blower. This thing is worth it's weight in gold!
3. Portable Canopy. Not everyone has a garage you can work in, bringing your own shade is a huge benefit.
4. LOTS of microfibers... No really... LOTS!
5. A good electric pressure washer, Many of my customers have mentioned how they have no idea I'm there working on their vehicle because I don't have a lot of equipment making noise. For some reason a gas powered pressure washer seems to get on some peoples nerves (doesn't bother me a bit, but some people are picky I reckon).
6. Lots of buffing / cutting pads / polishing pads.
7. Spray Bottles - Lots of them (a Brother P-touch labeler comes in really handy as well to label your bottles, as well as note your mix ratio's on the spray bottle itself).
8. Knee pads... All jokes aside, Crawling on the ground is just part of the job, These are a life saver, especially when you're not working at an ideal location.
9. Steam cleaner, I have one from harbor freight and the results are fantastic! In the future I hope to upgrade to a Vapor Clean model, but for now this little guy does wonders, and I always get compliments from customers regarding how clean their car smells.
10. Get a good Carpet Extractor, A steamer, shop vac, and brush will do wonders. A good Carpet Extractor can work miracles.
11. Buffers- I've got a Porter Cable 7424XP (dual action) & a Makita 9227C Rotary Buffer. They both are great tools to have, The Makita is a little heavy, but it has worked wonders for me and is as reliable as they get (a buddy I do details with has two of his own, one of them being about 20 years old).
12. Bags- Lots of bags to Organize things, I picked up a few husky bags from Home Depot, they work great! I have one that holds my two buffers & cord. One to hold my most commonly used exterior products, one smaller one for doing interiors to keep in the car with me while working. Another larger one to hold my less commonly used products, but still have it in the vehicle if needed.

I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of stuff, but I'm sure others here will have tons more information for you.

God Bless, and happy Thanksgiving! :-)
 
SoFlo1 said:
How about this polisher for my first time? whats the difference between 6 inch and 7? this is a 6 below... good reviews.

6 in. Variable Speed Dual Action Polisher
Click to expand...

I'm not too big on Harbor Freight tools... the only reason I bought my steamer from them is due to the fact it is sold in many different stores under the same brand, and has incredibly high reviews from many different sources. And there's that whole 20% off coupon thing with Harbor Freight as well.. :-)

I'm a firm believer in the spend the money and buy it once, I know that my PC-7424XP (porter cable dual action polisher) was about double the cost of the one you linked to. However, porter/cable is a very well known and trusted name in the industry, it's an incredibly reliable machine, and there often stories of people having these machines 10+ years and they are still working great.
This is a great time to be looking around on autogeek, they have a huge sale going on with their buffers right now, as well as free shipping. It may be a few extra dollars, but it's a tool that you know will last much longer, and be much more reliable. Plus you might be able to save on one of their kits and pick up some pads, and a backing plate as well.
 
Well I was thinking about getting it only because I am just starting out. So that way I can get my foot wet in the business and see how I really like it before I go spending more money. If it breaks a few months down the road I wouldn't even care.

Would the 6 inch do the job though? Even if it was for a short time?
 
The HF DA polisher is actually a great polisher. The only draw back it has is that the backing plate needs to be changed and replaced with a better one.

If you are going that route you can pick on up for i believe 50 bucks. I would then buy a 5" packing plate here alone with some 5.5" pads as these are a bit easier to use and makes the machine have more correction power of the 6.5" pads.
 
SoFlo1 said:
So if I go with that 6 inch machine I can use smaller pads such as the 5 inch on it? Does HF sells those pads?

Or what about this polisher? Auto Polisher

And this for a wet/dry vac??

SHOP VAC (CRAFTSMAN) 12/OR 16 GAL. WET/DRY
Click to expand...

No you need a quality backing plate such as this
lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate


You will also need pads as well which can be found here
Lake Country Flat Pads


That polishing is a wax spreader don't waste your money.

You can get any vacuum you want. I have a small 5 gallon portable one
 
I'm going to check out this vac in a few. They are a real old couple who is selling it for their old neighbor who was 85. Craftsman 6.0 HP vac, hope to get it for $40.
 
I just picked up two 16 gallon 6.2 HP craftsman wet/dry vac. One is BRAND NEW and the other one needs a motor which I can probably get from sears. I got both for $60. Came with all accessories, manual, etc.

:)
 
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