mpm
New member
- Sep 6, 2010
- 77
- 0
I've been detailing(wash and vac mostly with some legitimate details) since August 2010 as my means of living. Busting my butt on the days it doesn't rain has provided myself and my family with a paycheck. I've had a number of weeks that approached $800 but usually hovers around the $600 area. Winter time cut into that amount pretty significant, but I managed. Where I live thats pretty good for what most people call washing cars. Cost of living is low enough combined with the usual customers I attract and I'm happy.
Having said that I want to add more potential customers. Dealerships are a pretty obvious target but they usually have their own cleaning department. But wait! I've noticed one common trait on many of their used cars. Cloudy, yellowish, crappy looking headlights. Not all the cars but usually enough that you can see them while driving down the road.
I made up a specific dealership only flyer focusing on headlight restoration the "dealership way". What is the dealership way?
I charge them $25 per lens unless heavy oxidation and near useless condition then its a little more. Water sand with 1000, then 1500 and finally 2000 grit. Polish with the PC 7424 and a 3" pad with Ultimate Compound followed by another pad using Megs PlasticX. Takes less than an hour and sometimes closer to 30 minutes for both lens. Obviously lens condition and how hard it is to sand affects the time frame. They aren't interested in any protective coating to replace what I just sanded off. A little wax doesn't hurt.
With less than 4 additonal hours work last week I added an additional $200 to my bottom line from dealerships. This week I'm hitting more dealerships on the rainy days in some neighboring towns. Its easy money and they like the quick turnaround.
Bottom line is I'm going to add some t-shirts to my work clothes that advertise headlight restoration, price and phone number as well as some magnetic signs for my truck. I want my new customers to be the dealerships with their check books. Targeting dealerships is the refocusing part. Traditionally I've dealt with private owners one on one and some businesses with company cars.
On a side note many new/used car dealerships require you that have insurance before you can work on any of their vehicles. No biggie for me but beware before you approach your local dealerships. Its a good selling point mentioning you are insured.
Having said that I want to add more potential customers. Dealerships are a pretty obvious target but they usually have their own cleaning department. But wait! I've noticed one common trait on many of their used cars. Cloudy, yellowish, crappy looking headlights. Not all the cars but usually enough that you can see them while driving down the road.
I made up a specific dealership only flyer focusing on headlight restoration the "dealership way". What is the dealership way?
I charge them $25 per lens unless heavy oxidation and near useless condition then its a little more. Water sand with 1000, then 1500 and finally 2000 grit. Polish with the PC 7424 and a 3" pad with Ultimate Compound followed by another pad using Megs PlasticX. Takes less than an hour and sometimes closer to 30 minutes for both lens. Obviously lens condition and how hard it is to sand affects the time frame. They aren't interested in any protective coating to replace what I just sanded off. A little wax doesn't hurt.
With less than 4 additonal hours work last week I added an additional $200 to my bottom line from dealerships. This week I'm hitting more dealerships on the rainy days in some neighboring towns. Its easy money and they like the quick turnaround.
Bottom line is I'm going to add some t-shirts to my work clothes that advertise headlight restoration, price and phone number as well as some magnetic signs for my truck. I want my new customers to be the dealerships with their check books. Targeting dealerships is the refocusing part. Traditionally I've dealt with private owners one on one and some businesses with company cars.
On a side note many new/used car dealerships require you that have insurance before you can work on any of their vehicles. No biggie for me but beware before you approach your local dealerships. Its a good selling point mentioning you are insured.
