Ultimate Detailing Facility,need help

[dad07]

Just what the title says.....I need some help and suggestions.

I may have just put myself into a chance to be partners in what could be the "Ultimate Detailing Facility"

I ran into a Architech that I worked with a couple years ago......and he asked me if I was still detailing on the side and I told him yes, we talked about a lot of things and then he said "If you could open the most Ultimate detailing facility what would it be like and consist of? "

I started to rattle off a bunch of stuff, and he actually understood what I was talking about then the conversation got deeper and he told me he was looking to invest some money into a facility that would bring in some serious high end vehicals! ( AT this point I'm all ears)

He has a building in a SUPER GOOD location that with little money could be upfitted for this kind of facility.

this is where my AGO Family comes in...what would you guys want in a facility of this nature?
The Building is a 15,000 square box empty.....with some basic "have to haves" like floor drains,water,overhead doors (that a 18 wheeler could drive in) heat and air and secured!

I need your opinions on equipment wants and must have!

Lifts,dio water,etc,
Chemicals I have got handled.........

I Have my own Ideas just want to see what you Guys think........

My main concern is being eco freindly and to keep in mind this facility would offer ANY part of reconditioning a vehical,PDR,even some minor paint work,interior repair( leather,vinyl repair) and so on.....

So put your thinking caps on! sorry for the long post!

Please let me know what ya'll think!

 

[Finemess]

Lots of light and waste water come to mind first.

 

[IID]

Seems as if you have the basics covered but make sure of:

Lights,Lights,and then more lights!

Sounds like you fell into a excellent opportunity,especially if it's something you enjoy doing-which obviously it is rops:

 

[opie_7afe]

if it was me id have certain areas for each step. for instance a couple areas for paint correction with alot of lighting, then certain areas for washing a vehicle where there is waste runoff and treatment so it would cost less then having the whole area fit for washing,what i would do is do alot of web surfing and look at alot of others high end detailing facilities and borrow ideas from their buildings.if your doing bodywork i would keep that in an enclosed area just for that so sanding dust and all that mess wont make it over to the freshly detailed cars,on that note have good air filtration inside the facility so you have very little dust landing on the freshly detailed cars. and have a good floor coating, something that cleans easy. good luck with it. one day i want to have a huge warehouse where everything is done inside, year round heated and cooled.

 

[dad07]

Lots of light and waste water come to mind first.

Waste water is a big concern for me too! Im in the reserch mode on this as is my architect!

Seems as if you have the basics covered but make sure of:

Lights,Lights,and then more lights!

Sounds like you fell into a excellent opportunity,especially if it's something you enjoy doing-which obviously it is rops:

Lighting system is already under design, My brother does light design and my brother-in -law is a lighting supplier.....

 

[dad07]

if it was me id have certain areas for each step. for instance a couple areas for paint correction with alot of lighting, then certain areas for washing a vehicle where there is waste runoff and treatment so it would cost less then having the whole area fit for washing,what i would do is do alot of web surfing and look at alot of others high end detailing facilities and borrow ideas from their buildings.if your doing bodywork i would keep that in an enclosed area just for that so sanding dust and all that mess wont make it over to the freshly detailed cars,on that note have good air filtration inside the facility so you have very little dust landing on the freshly detailed cars. and have a good floor coating, something that cleans easy. good luck with it. one day i want to have a huge warehouse where everything is done inside, year round heated and cooled.

Opie, thanks for insight......looking at having a paint booth for sanding and for some minor paint work....

Like I said the Ultimate Detailing Facility!

 

[Jason Rose]

Vehicle lifts for the following...

• undercoating application
• wheel, wheel well detailing
• polishing the sides of cars at ergonomic friendly height
• cleaning interior carpets at ergonomic friendly height

Chemical injection system for the following...

• More aestetically pleasing shop
• Metered concentrates for accuracy and lower waste/cost
• Chemical storage, dispensing, and safety
• More room to put other stuff on detail carts besides spray bottles
• Efficiency

Water reclaim and "wet bay"

• I suggest only one wet bay with water reclaim
• De-emphasize water use with waterless and rinseless car washing technologies

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Opie, thanks for insight......looking at having a paint booth for sanding and for some minor paint work....

Like I said the Ultimate Detailing Facility!

You don't really want to be sanding inside your paint booth; you'd want a separate prep station for that.

Something else I would consider is a "wet bay" or two set up with a pressure washing system like your typical coin-feed wash would have. That would make washing very efficient since you wouldn't need to set up and tear down your equipment or have to fight with hoses on the ground.

 

[zkeeper]

Then how about a decent, comfortable, clean, place to sit if someone came to visit or was waiting. Most shops are great on the noisiest and often cramped corners--read muffler-shop-deco here. I know, I know...space for most places is limited, but if you have the choice a nice place to sit down, have a cold drink etc is welcome. Maybe a bit away from the payment desks--nothing worse than someone sitting innocently waiting, while you have SOMEone who is asking more questions or using a tone you do not wish all to hear. Just a couple of thots...:xyxthumbs:

 

[sserdlihc]

15,000 square feet sounds like alot of room, but if you start trying to do to much in the beginning, that 15k will shrink up real quick. How many vehicles would you like to be able to service at one time? I saw your coment about having a door big enough for a semi to drive thru, are you wanting to detail semi's? That is a big footprint to have to deal with. I like the idea of the lifts for polishing the sides of an automobile.

 

[slickooz]

Lots of good ideas here. Everything I would of mention was already said. Lights, separate area for washing, and separate areas for each specific jobs. Good luck with everything Tim!!! rops:

 

[dad07]

Vehicle lifts for the following...

• undercoating application
• wheel, wheel well detailing
• polishing the sides of cars at ergonomic friendly height
• cleaning interior carpets at ergonomic friendly height

Chemical injection system for the following...

• More aestetically pleasing shop
• Metered concentrates for accuracy and lower waste/cost
• Chemical storage, dispensing, and safety
• More room to put other stuff on detail carts besides spray bottles
• Efficiency

Water reclaim and "wet bay"

• I suggest only one wet bay with water reclaim
• De-emphasize water use with waterless and rinseless car washing technologies

Thank you Mr Rose Chemical injection and lifts are at the top of the list, your suggestions are a great reinforcement!

You don't really want to be sanding inside your paint booth; you'd want a separate prep station for that.

Something else I would consider is a "wet bay" or two set up with a pressure washing system like your typical coin-feed wash would have. That would make washing very efficient since you wouldn't need to set up and tear down your equipment or have to fight with hoses on the ground.[/QUOT

Thanks Charlie!!!! Your "wet bay" suggestion makes very good sense to me and has been noted!!!

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

15,000 square feet sounds like alot of room, but if you start trying to do to much in the beginning, that 15k will shrink up real quick. How many vehicles would you like to be able to service at one time?

:iagree: When I started looking into building a facility, I ended up estimating for about twice that much space. Designed in a modular fashion, it could be built out in phases when the funding and justification for expenditures becomes available.

I saw your coment about having a door big enough for a semi to drive thru, are you wanting to detail semi's?

If the goal is to cater to high end automobiles and have a "state of the art" secure facility, the ability to have a semi drive in would be essential as potential clients may have their vehicles shipped to the shop in enclosed haulers. Being able to pull in and unload behind closed doors is an added bonus for collectors who might not want their vehicles seen going in and out of the shop. rops:

 

[FUNX650]

Congratulations dad07!!!


1.) General Layout


2.) Full Bays


3.) Wash Bay


4.) Equipment Room[/B]


5.) Carts


6.) Manual Chem. Dispenser

7.) Auto Chem. Dispenser


8.) Customer Waiting Room


9.( Management's (Your ) Desk


10.) Cool Shop[/COLOR]
Cool Shop

11.) BIG BUCKS!!!!


Just a few "borrowed": Setting up the shop tips.



Bob

 

[Shane731]

Are you looking to be detailing by yourself or with help? I would love to be able to detail with someone, as I am tired of doing hack dealership washes. :nomore: Just a thought. rops:

 

[dad07]

Then how about a decent, comfortable, clean, place to sit if someone came to visit or was waiting. Most shops are great on the noisiest and often cramped corners--read muffler-shop-deco here. I know, I know...space for most places is limited, but if you have the choice a nice place to sit down, have a cold drink etc is welcome. Maybe a bit away from the payment desks--nothing worse than someone sitting innocently waiting, while you have SOMEone who is asking more questions or using a tone you do not wish all to hear. Just a couple of thots...:xyxthumbs:

MY thoughts also...I used to work for the before mentioned and this was My 2nd most concern....I would like to provide a "home away from home" feeling.

Clients/customers have to feel that they are #1 no matter what....and an area that they can wait and have a cup of coffee or whatever is really important.

Free WiFi, coffee,water ,softdrinks etc is on my radar....I want ALL customers to feel like family!

 

[Shane731]

I want ALL customers to feel like family!

Max? Is that you?

 

[dad07]

Are you looking to be detailing by yourself or with help? I would love to be able to detail with someone, as I am tired of doing hack dealership washes. :nomore: Just a thought. rops:

Shane, if I could do all myself I would......but to make this work I'll need some real help!
You my Freind will be be one of the first to contact (if your willing to relocate) to make this a succesfull and profitable biz!

 

[dad07]

Congratulations dad07!!!


1.) General Layout


2.) Full Bays


3.) Wash Bay


4.) Equipment Room[/B]


5.) Carts


6.) Manual Chem. Dispenser

7.) Auto Chem. Dispenser


8.) Customer Waiting Room


9.( Management's (Your ) Desk


10.) Cool Shop[/COLOR]
Cool Shop

11.) BIG BUCKS!!!!


Just a few "borrowed": Setting up the shop tips.



Bob

BOB I new I could count on you!!!! some great suggestions here!

 

[Shane731]

Shane, if I could do all myself I would......but to make this work I'll need some real help!
You my Freind will be be one of the first to contact (if your willing to relocate) to make this a succesfull and profitable biz!

:dblthumb2: