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View Full Version : Business picked up and need some solutions.



piranah
05-17-2013, 12:16 AM
So business magically went from nothing for a month to three cars booked in an hour, with more on the way.

I am nearing the end of my product supply and need some input on what to get. I mainly do daily drivers and cars that people are cleaning up to sell. It's about 95% of my business. With the other 5 percent being classic show cars that see maybe 1k miles a year and are never dirtier than bugs on the front and a quick interior vac.

So most of my focus is on the interior and I have that down to a science. I've been detailing for dealers for 6 years and never focused to much on the outside since they came off the truck, got a wash and went straight to the lot.

I need help with what to get to make exterior cleaning quicker and give good results. I have the two bucket system, but no foam gun. I do hand washes and usually clay and then do a cleaner wax. Nothing fancy, just make it look good and give some protection to the paint. On a whim I bought a PC 7424 and have been using it on family cars to get some practice. I got the kit that had the pinnacle xmt fine swirl remover and the glaze. It does what it's supposed to.

I would like to be able to wax the cars using the PC, since I think it would be quicker. I probably will only see 1-2 full corrections a year so it's not like I'm doing full corrections daily. I have heard about WOWA and think it might be good for my customers.

Any suggestions on what a good sealant, wax, combo of the two if it exists, that could be applied by machine and give good results? Also stuff that's available in larger size bottles so I have a steady supply. Remember I'm a exterior noob so details on why a certain product is better than another would help. Thanks.

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Evan.J
05-17-2013, 12:32 AM
Well for exteriors You can get an AIO like D151 from Meguiars. Economical, provides good cut, finishes down well, and has a wax build it that has good durability. For WOWA you could look at D156 Synthetic Xpress spray wax. It can be applied wet or dry. Sealants are going to give you much longer durability than a traditional carnuba wax will. If you would like a sealant that can be applied by machine the maybe something like DP poli-seal or Klasse High gloss sealant would be a couple options.

What do you want to spend for a wax or sealant?

Pureshine
05-17-2013, 12:50 AM
You should try an AIO product that would save you a lot of time.

AutowerxDetailing
05-17-2013, 12:54 AM
I'm a fan of the Meg's Detailer line. +1 for D151 and D156. :props:

T3 AutoDetails
05-17-2013, 05:17 AM
I'm a fan of the Meg's Detailer line. +1 for D151 and D156. :props:
:iagree:

07rs
05-17-2013, 05:58 AM
Opti-seal is one of the easiest sealants to use, I have done 18 cars and still have over half of the 8oz bottle left, with it you just spray it on the applicator and wipe on I can do the whole car in less than 10 minutes.

smokescarclean
05-17-2013, 07:27 AM
I'm a fan of the Meg's Detailer line. +1 for D151 and D156. :props:
:iagree:

Second that. I also do mainly DD's and Car lot cars for resale. D151 allows you to keep your prices cheap but still remain profitable. You and customer both stay happy!
Very economical and highly recommended. :dblthumb2:

Just another thought. Why not upsale the sealant? Not everyone with a DD will appreciate the sealant. They are just looking for something shiny.
Maybe you already do this. Just a suggestion.

piranah
05-17-2013, 08:32 AM
Good idea on upselling the sealant. The community I am in is a higher income community and its more of a "get it done make it look excellent" attitude. Its great, and is the first time since I started detailing that I have not been pressured.

So going the D15x route. Would doing a wax with D151 using the da, then going over it with D156 be overkill? Looking at the details of 151, is it a wax or sealant or is it just a corrector with polish?

Sorry for the confusion, I've been looking at so many products, they are blending together.

smokescarclean
05-17-2013, 09:26 AM
D151 is a cleaner/wax. It has the ability to provide some cut for light defect removal and also finishes down well. Just don't expect the results of a full paint correction when you have more severe defects.

IMO i dont see a problem with adding D156. As long as you are covering your time and materials cost in your price. It will only add more protection and help your work last longer.

As for the sealants. I don't have as much experience with those. But I have heard only good things about the Opti-Seal. I have this in my shopping cart as we speak.

Hope that helps at least some. And guys feel free to correct me if I am mistaken.

piranah
05-17-2013, 01:02 PM
Ordered the 151. People dont know what swirls are here, they just want a clean car.

VP Mark
05-17-2013, 03:26 PM
Ordered the 151. People dont know what swirls are here, they just want a clean car.

Indeed. Use the 151 for most details. Upsell them to something like opti seal.

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Theo_Auto_Fines
05-17-2013, 03:33 PM
In a busy high volume business you are going to need to constantly buy in bulk. So here you go.

Car Polishes And Waxes | Detail King (http://www.detailking.com/store-home/paint-correction-protection/)

List: Wax - Liquid & Spray | O'Reilly Auto Parts (http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/Wax+-+Liquid+%26+Spray/N0458/C0209.oap?mn=Superior+Products&mc=SCP)

ProductionCarCare.com - WORLD'S FINEST Car Care Products (http://www.productioncarcare.com/)

and of course

Car Wash, Wax, Polishes, Microfiber Towels and Best Auto Detail Supplies - Chemical Guys Professional Car Care Products - Wholesale and Retail (http://www.chemicalguys.com)