First steps on bussiness , what else i need

[Reno]

Dear Mike,
i have on my hand Rupes Mark III 15mm and an 75mm mini polisher. As i make my first steps i want to invest money wise on what else i need for my first step on
bussiness. i have all the rupes collection of compounds and 2 pads from each colour. But i think i must invest on pads. i know you say i need at least 6 pads but as
pads are high cost i want to know which colours i should invest. greens? yellows? byuing some MicroFiber pads for heavy cutting or rupes wool pads? any one step polish or something else that i will need?

thank you for your hospitality

[Eldorado2k]

What size bottles of the Rupes compounds do you currently have?

[Reno]

250ml bottles

[Eldorado2k]

250ml bottles

Ok so based on that I’ll go ahead and assume you’ll be having a motherload of an order in your near future. Get ready to put together an order that will run at least $400-$500 dollars and you best be prepared to not bat an eye at it because it’s the only way to get it done right... If you’re really planning on doing this as a business then there’s just no other way.

You’ll need, at the bare minimum:

6pk of cutting pads.
LC HDO Microfiber 6” pads =$70 [my 1st choice]
Or Rupes Blue Foam 6” pads =$63

6pk Polishing pads.
Rupes 6” Yellow foam pads = $63

4” pads for your small polisher setup.
Minimum 6 pk Rupes pads.
3 Blue cutting/3 Yellow Cutting = $45

Compounds/Polish
If you plan on sticking with the Rupes, and you might as well...
Zephir 1 Liter = $48
Med. Gel 1 Liter = $37
Keramik 1 Liter = $37

You want a AIO?
Rupes UHS 1 Liter = $40
4 UHS 6” pads to go with it? $48
Skip the UHS 4” pads for now, or add extra $36 to the tab...

You’ll also need many other things and you’ll need them in bulk.. You’ll need:
-Wheel $ Tire Cleaner
-Tire Dressing
-Leather Cleaner
-Leather Conditioner [optional but more than likely]
-Spray Wax
-All Purpose Cleaner [more than anything else]
-Car Shampoo
-Glass Cleaner
-Clay Bars/Lube
-Detail Spray

And a whole bunch of other random stuff because you’re a “detailer” and that means you have to be ready on the spot for Anything that comes your way.

Suddenly I think it could be more like a $500-$600 order but don’t sweat it... Worst case scenario you’ll have everything you’ll need to maintain your own vehicles for the foreseeable future and never really need to spend on this again. Best case scenario you’ll be equipped to get the jobs done like a true pro and pay for this initial cost in no time!

[Eldorado2k]

And don’t forget a proper vacuum cleaner too! Lol

[Reno]

You’ll also need many other things and you’ll need them in bulk.. You’ll need:
-Wheel $ Tire Cleaner
-Tire Dressing
-Leather Cleaner
-Leather Conditioner [optional but more than likely]
-Spray Wax
-All Purpose Cleaner [more than anything else]
-Car Shampoo
-Glass Cleaner
-Clay Bars/Lube
-Detail Spray

already have these in my arsenal. thanks for pad info.what about wool pads on a DA like rupes' wool pad? also what do you suggest? to invest in a nano polisher or pxe or instead go for a rotary or forced rotation...or just stay with the DA for corection?

[Eldorado2k]

already have these in my arsenal. thanks for pad info.what about wool pads on a DA like rupes' wool pad? also what do you suggest? to invest in a nano polisher or pxe or instead go for a rotary or forced rotation...or just stay with the DA for corection?

I’ve never tried those Rupes Wool pads.. I’ve never really had the need for more than microfiber pads on a long throw polisher.

I use the Griots Boss G21, so I’m more familiar with using non Rupes pads like Lake Country but I do have some Rupes Blue and Green foam pads.. For heavy cutting I prefer the Lake Country HDO Microfiber pads and haven’t had a situation it couldn’t handle even without a washer mod. I’d say you should be alright too, and worst case scenario have the washer mod available to use in your tool bag.

As long as you’re working on OEM paint there really shouldn’t be many if any situations your polisher/compounds won’t be able to handle. Usually those extreme situations occur when dealing with non factory custom paintjobs of having to correct sanding jobs, which go hand in hand with custom paint jobs.

Off the top of my head there’s only been 2 times where I was unable to get correction on paint, and 1 of the times was due to it being a custom paintjob and both times were before I upgraded to a long throw DA polisher.

You’ll be ok without a rotary for mostly everything that comes your way... And if ever for some odd reason you find yourself trapped in hole and can’t make it? Fake it! You’ll have to figure your own way out! Lol.
[hint: it’ll involve hiding the defects]

[Billy Baldone]

When you first start out, get your interior game on, way on. You won’t be polishing a lot of anything right away. Get a quality steamer and a quality vacuum

[cleanmycorolla]

Solid time to open a business.

[Reno]

indeed