taspin
03-30-2017, 01:28 PM
Hey. I'm new around these parts. I'm looking to start a detailing business in my area. I have extensive experience with auto painting, prepping, etc. With alright skills in the detailing department. I've been away from the industry for a few years focusing strictly on marketing endeavours in unrelated fields. But due to the local need I'm looking to invest in this field. So with that out of the way we get to my question...
If you had $2500 USD to invest in starting a detailing business, where would the money go? I'm not interested in business costs, marketing, vehicle, etc. I'm looking for the best way to spend on tools and equipment to be as equipped and ready to rock as possible with a limited budget. After some research, here is what I have came up with. I'm wondering what you would do differently, if I am being unwise in my purchase decision in anyway. Could money be better spent elsewhere? You know. Stuff like that.
DetailersMaterial ListPolishes
Meguiars M105 Ultra Cut Compound 128 oz. - $82.99 USD
Meguiars M105 Ultra-Cut Compound 128 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-compound-gallon.html)
Meguiars M205 Ultra Finishing Polish 128 oz. - $79.99 USD
Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish, final polish, Meguiars polishes, car polish, 205 FP (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-finishing-polish-128.html)
64oz. Meguiars Mirror Glaze #21 Synthetic Sealant 2.0 64 oz. - $42.99 USD
Meguiars #21 Synthetic Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars21.html)
Meguiars Ultimate Paste Wax - $25.99 USD
Meguiars Ultimate Paste Wax, Meguiar's car wax, best car wax, Meguiars Ultimate Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-ultimate-paste-wax.html)
Meguiars D156 Synthetic X-press Spray Wax - $54.99 USD
Meguiars D156 Synthetic X-press Spray Wax Combo Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/d156-combo-pack.html)
Total - $381.54 CADDressings
Meguiars D170 Hyper Dressing Combo - $79.99 USD
Meguiars D170 Hyper Dressing combo (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-d170-combo.html)
Black Label Leather Kit - $129.99 USD
Pinnacle Black Label Hide-Soft Leather Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/black-label-leather-kit.html)
Total - $279.20 CADDetail Cleaning Products
Optimum No Rinse Wash and Wax 128 oz. - $49.99 USD
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax, no rinse car wash, rinse free car wash, optimum no rinse (http://www.autogeek.net/no-rinse-car-was-with-carnauba.html)
Optimum Car Wash 128 oz. - $29.99 USD
Optimum Car Wash Gallon: Concentrated auto shampoo with optimum suds to wash away grime from your car. (http://www.autogeek.net/opt200128.html)
Meguiars D101 All Purpose - $32.99 USD
Optimum Car Wash Gallon: Concentrated auto shampoo with optimum suds to wash away grime from your car. (http://www.autogeek.net/opt200128.html)
Mckees 37 Road Kill Remover - $42.99 USD
McKee's 37 Road Kill Bug Remover, best bug remover (http://www.autogeek.net/dp-101.html)
Total - $207.37 CADBrushes and Applicators
Interior Brush Kit - $49.99 USD
Ultimate Interior Detailing Brush Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/ultimate-interior-brush-kit.html)
Mothers Tire, Wheel and Brush Kit - $17.99 USD
Mothers Tire, Wheel & Well Brush Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/mothers-tire-wheel-well-brush-kit.html)
Total - $90.39 CADSpecialty Products
Chemical Guys New Car Scent - $49.99 USD
Chemical Guys New Car Scent 128 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/cg-air-101-128.html)
Wurth Odor Eliminator - $24.99 USD
Wurth Eco Biological Odor Eliminator, odor remover (http://www.autogeek.net/wurth-biological-odor-remover.html)
Total - $99.70 CADSupplies
Dual Action Accessory Kit - $199 USD
Complete Dual Action Accessory Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424.html)
Nano Skin Auto Scrub Speedy Prep - $24.99 USD
Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge Combo Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-speedy-prep-sponge-combo.html)
Total - $297.83 CADMiscellaneous Products
Kwazar 1 litre spray bottles(6 pack) - $79.99 USD
Kwazar Mercury Pro + 1 Liter Spray Bottle (33 oz.) - 6 Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/33oz-kwazar-6pack.html)
Cobra Microfibre Kit - $119.99 USD
Complete Microfiber Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-towel-kit.html)
Microfibre Towel Kit - $49.99 USD
Microfiber Towel Combo (http://www.autogeek.net/mitoco.html)
Color Coded Microfibre 24 Pack - $49.99 USD
Color-Coded Microfiber Bulk Detailing Towels - 16 Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-bulk-detailing-towels.html)
Gold Wash Mit Kit - $24.99 USD
Gold Plush Microfiber Kit, Microfiber wash mitt, microfiber towels (http://www.autogeek.net/gold-wash-mitt-towels-kit.html)
Dual Bucket With Grit Guard - $119.99 USD
Grit Guard® Dual Bucket Washing System - RED (http://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-wash-system2.html)
Total - $591.61 CADEquipment
Porter Cable 7424XP - $124.99 USD
Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Little Green ProHeat - $139.99 CAD
https://canada.bissell.com/little-green-proheat-portable-spot-cleaner-52075
Ryobi Electric Pressure Washer - $198 CAD
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.1700-psi-12-gpm-electric-pressure-washer.1000756406.html
Ridgid Convertable Shop Vac - $159.99 CAD
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.ridgid-15-litre--4-us-gallon-detachable-blower-vac.1000790444.html
Auto Geek Foam Gun - $69.99 USD
Autogeek Half Gallon Foam Gun with FREE BONUS (http://www.autogeek.net/auhagafogun.html)
Total - $757.24 CADMy prices are listed in Canadian dollars because that's where I'm from. With shipping, handling, etc. I can get this all for right around $2500 USD. What do you think? Of course. I would like to upgrade to a Mytee 8070, flex polisher, Tornador, compressor, water reclamation, etc but that would push me way over budget. I feel this covers the essential and will allow me to upgrade as revenue allows. Thank you for your thoughts and opinions...
If you had $2500 USD to invest in starting a detailing business, where would the money go? I'm not interested in business costs, marketing, vehicle, etc. I'm looking for the best way to spend on tools and equipment to be as equipped and ready to rock as possible with a limited budget. After some research, here is what I have came up with. I'm wondering what you would do differently, if I am being unwise in my purchase decision in anyway. Could money be better spent elsewhere? You know. Stuff like that.
DetailersMaterial ListPolishes
Meguiars M105 Ultra Cut Compound 128 oz. - $82.99 USD
Meguiars M105 Ultra-Cut Compound 128 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-compound-gallon.html)
Meguiars M205 Ultra Finishing Polish 128 oz. - $79.99 USD
Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish, final polish, Meguiars polishes, car polish, 205 FP (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-finishing-polish-128.html)
64oz. Meguiars Mirror Glaze #21 Synthetic Sealant 2.0 64 oz. - $42.99 USD
Meguiars #21 Synthetic Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars21.html)
Meguiars Ultimate Paste Wax - $25.99 USD
Meguiars Ultimate Paste Wax, Meguiar's car wax, best car wax, Meguiars Ultimate Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-ultimate-paste-wax.html)
Meguiars D156 Synthetic X-press Spray Wax - $54.99 USD
Meguiars D156 Synthetic X-press Spray Wax Combo Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/d156-combo-pack.html)
Total - $381.54 CADDressings
Meguiars D170 Hyper Dressing Combo - $79.99 USD
Meguiars D170 Hyper Dressing combo (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-d170-combo.html)
Black Label Leather Kit - $129.99 USD
Pinnacle Black Label Hide-Soft Leather Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/black-label-leather-kit.html)
Total - $279.20 CADDetail Cleaning Products
Optimum No Rinse Wash and Wax 128 oz. - $49.99 USD
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax, no rinse car wash, rinse free car wash, optimum no rinse (http://www.autogeek.net/no-rinse-car-was-with-carnauba.html)
Optimum Car Wash 128 oz. - $29.99 USD
Optimum Car Wash Gallon: Concentrated auto shampoo with optimum suds to wash away grime from your car. (http://www.autogeek.net/opt200128.html)
Meguiars D101 All Purpose - $32.99 USD
Optimum Car Wash Gallon: Concentrated auto shampoo with optimum suds to wash away grime from your car. (http://www.autogeek.net/opt200128.html)
Mckees 37 Road Kill Remover - $42.99 USD
McKee's 37 Road Kill Bug Remover, best bug remover (http://www.autogeek.net/dp-101.html)
Total - $207.37 CADBrushes and Applicators
Interior Brush Kit - $49.99 USD
Ultimate Interior Detailing Brush Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/ultimate-interior-brush-kit.html)
Mothers Tire, Wheel and Brush Kit - $17.99 USD
Mothers Tire, Wheel & Well Brush Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/mothers-tire-wheel-well-brush-kit.html)
Total - $90.39 CADSpecialty Products
Chemical Guys New Car Scent - $49.99 USD
Chemical Guys New Car Scent 128 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/cg-air-101-128.html)
Wurth Odor Eliminator - $24.99 USD
Wurth Eco Biological Odor Eliminator, odor remover (http://www.autogeek.net/wurth-biological-odor-remover.html)
Total - $99.70 CADSupplies
Dual Action Accessory Kit - $199 USD
Complete Dual Action Accessory Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424.html)
Nano Skin Auto Scrub Speedy Prep - $24.99 USD
Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge Combo Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-speedy-prep-sponge-combo.html)
Total - $297.83 CADMiscellaneous Products
Kwazar 1 litre spray bottles(6 pack) - $79.99 USD
Kwazar Mercury Pro + 1 Liter Spray Bottle (33 oz.) - 6 Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/33oz-kwazar-6pack.html)
Cobra Microfibre Kit - $119.99 USD
Complete Microfiber Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-towel-kit.html)
Microfibre Towel Kit - $49.99 USD
Microfiber Towel Combo (http://www.autogeek.net/mitoco.html)
Color Coded Microfibre 24 Pack - $49.99 USD
Color-Coded Microfiber Bulk Detailing Towels - 16 Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-bulk-detailing-towels.html)
Gold Wash Mit Kit - $24.99 USD
Gold Plush Microfiber Kit, Microfiber wash mitt, microfiber towels (http://www.autogeek.net/gold-wash-mitt-towels-kit.html)
Dual Bucket With Grit Guard - $119.99 USD
Grit Guard® Dual Bucket Washing System - RED (http://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-wash-system2.html)
Total - $591.61 CADEquipment
Porter Cable 7424XP - $124.99 USD
Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Little Green ProHeat - $139.99 CAD
https://canada.bissell.com/little-green-proheat-portable-spot-cleaner-52075
Ryobi Electric Pressure Washer - $198 CAD
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.1700-psi-12-gpm-electric-pressure-washer.1000756406.html
Ridgid Convertable Shop Vac - $159.99 CAD
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.ridgid-15-litre--4-us-gallon-detachable-blower-vac.1000790444.html
Auto Geek Foam Gun - $69.99 USD
Autogeek Half Gallon Foam Gun with FREE BONUS (http://www.autogeek.net/auhagafogun.html)
Total - $757.24 CADMy prices are listed in Canadian dollars because that's where I'm from. With shipping, handling, etc. I can get this all for right around $2500 USD. What do you think? Of course. I would like to upgrade to a Mytee 8070, flex polisher, Tornador, compressor, water reclamation, etc but that would push me way over budget. I feel this covers the essential and will allow me to upgrade as revenue allows. Thank you for your thoughts and opinions...