The Hype vs Effectiveness When You Start Your Car Detailing Business

Scott@IncrediblyDetailed said:
Do you own a detailing business?

What you listed is not even in the ballpark of being able to do a "professional" interior job.
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Does that mean I'm a hack detailer because I don't have a steamer, extractor, traffic lane and acid rinse cleaner?

Because I had a VX5000/Aztec extractor and sold them

And remember, the $107 is for starting a detailing business.

Not "I'm the best detailer in my area. I charge $300 for 5 hours of work and nobody complains"
 
I want a Rupes and a Flex but my Makita 9237 and GG6 serve the purpose just fine. If I was starting out, I would rather spend the money on an air compressor then an expensive polisher. The air compressor is a necessity in MY opinion.
 
thebamboo23 said:
Does that mean I'm a hack detailer because I don't have a steamer, extractor, traffic lane and acid rinse cleaner?

Because I had a VX5000/Aztec extractor and sold them

And remember, the $107 is for starting a detailing business.

Not "I'm the best detailer in my area. I charge $300 for 5 hours of work and nobody complains"
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You're a hack if you don't have the proper skills and equipment to address your customers needs. What you listed for $100 is exactly that. Poor quality tools and minimal supplies. Good luck using degreaser on LCD screens, sensitive plastics and instrument clusters. It's unrealistic and irresponsible to suggest people should start a business with what you listed.

If you can only afford $100 worth of supplies to start a business then you're not ready to start a business. How is it even possible to have any detailing knowledge if you don't already have a bunch of different products?

How about insurance? How about a business license? $500-1000 is the absolute bare minimum to start doing BASIC detailing work for money.
 
Scott@IncrediblyDetailed said:
You're a hack if you don't have the proper skills and equipment to address your customers needs. What you listed for $100 is exactly that. Poor quality tools and minimal supplies. Good luck using degreaser on LCD screens, sensitive plastics and instrument clusters. It's unrealistic and irresponsible to suggest people should start a business with what you listed.
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We all have our own opinion.. I respect that :dblthumb2:

But I did list a bottle of glass cleaner and a glass towel.

So I wouldn't use degreaser for an LCD screen or instrument cluster. I would use the glass cleaner.

If you can only afford $100 worth of supplies to start a business then you're not ready to start a business. How is it even possible to have any detailing knowledge if you don't already have a bunch of different products?
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Like I said, I respect your opinion. But this is the reason why so many people on these boards spend ~$500-$900 before they even get 1 customer.

With $100 I can get the bare minimum essentials I need to do an interior detail, then find 3 people to pay me $150, then put that $450 into more supplies.

Which 1) I now have 3 customers, 2) I didn't have to spend my own money, 3) I can get referrals, and 4) it builds traction


How about insurance? How about a business license? $500-1000 is the absolute bare minimum to start doing BASIC detailing work for money.
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What about business cards? A website? Social media? shirts? a generator? hot water extractor? steamer?

What about a 6" & 3" polisher? 6 pads for compounding/polishing? A nano-coating? 17 microfiber towels?

I hear you loud and clear.

If you think that's what you need to start a detailing business, then by all means, do it.

There are 100 ways to start a detailing business.

A bucket, soap, and wash mitt works too.

Start from wherever you can start and work yourself up.

PS Btw, I spent ~$1300 when I started my detailing business. I would do everything completely different now.
 
Bamboo I'm sure a lot of us are interested in the question as to whether or not you actually own or have ever owned a detailing business?

You can provide basic services when starting on a budget, but it needs to stay basic. Promising or even insinuating you can provide elite level services with a bottle of degreaser and Wal mart towels is going to harm you a lot in the long run.

Simplicity is almost always better, but simplicity should never be combined with being cheap and unprepared.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using AG Online
 
VP Mark said:
Bamboo I'm sure a lot of us are interested in the question as to whether or not you actually own or have ever owned a detailing business?
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Yes, Houston Car Detailing - R3 Auto Detailing

You can provide basic services when starting on a budget, but it needs to stay basic. Promising or even insinuating you can provide elite level services with a bottle of degreaser and Wal mart towels is going to harm you a lot in the long run.

Simplicity is almost always better, but simplicity should never be combined with being cheap and unprepared.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using AG Online
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Yes, the main point I'm getting across is start where you can.

Eventually you will have to step your game up with the fancy and sexy tools :dblthumb2:
 
might want to correct your spelling on your opening page.. thorough not through
 
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