A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business

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Originally Posted by CU2MIKE

I've got a question, what exactly do you consider me to be?

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A professional who cares enough to educate their customer and evaluate their customer before moving forward and creating a new customer.

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Originally Posted by CU2MIKE

Please tell me what you think of it? Do you think I'm doing/charging for good, honest work? I absolutely refuse to be another hack detailer who do hack jobs......

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Sounds like you fit the description I share here,

The Mindset of a Professional Detailer

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Originally Posted by CU2MIKE

And also, am I more in between the 2 categories (production and show car detailing?)

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I agree, the two categories I listed are from a "Big Picture" point of view, I didn't want to get too deep on that segment of this article. There's lots of wiggle room where detailers fit into any particular category.

The big picture though is to evaluate your customer and either match your services to your customer's wants and needs or know when to walk away and let some other detailer have the blessing.


:)

Thank you Mike!
I started detailing because of the sense of accomplishment I get from it, and the big grin on my customers faces when I show them the final results.
sorry for not reading your thread on "mindset of a professional detailer first", d'oh!

Mike C.

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Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

In my list of articles I have 3 as of today's date under the topic Waxes Paint Sealants...

Waxes and Paint Sealants
Frosting on the cake
How To Choose The Right Wax or Paint Sealant for your Detailing Project
The Final Wipe – Tips for creating a streak-free, show car finish


In the "How to Choose The Right Wax or Paint Sealant for your Detailing Project" article I list all the cleaner/waxes, cleaner/sealants and cleaner/hybrids we carry...



:)

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Thanks Mike, I knew they were here, just looked in the wrong places. Got it book marked now. Thanks again.

great article

for the one step / production detailing would you include any of the following?

-really cleaning dash / headliner with APC (instead of a 'wipe down')
-dressing interior plastics
-condition leather
-shampoo or extract carpets / seats (at least the big stains?)
-UV protection for convertible top


If not I assume it would be my responsibility to upsell the customer to an 'advanced' interior or exterior package

Hi Gurge,

Since this was your first post to our forum...

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:

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Originally Posted by Gurge

great article

for the one step / production detailing would you include any of the following?

-really cleaning dash / headliner with APC (instead of a 'wipe down')
-dressing interior plastics
-condition leather
-shampoo or extract carpets / seats (at least the big stains?)
-UV protection for convertible top


If not I assume it would be my responsibility to up-sell the customer to an 'advanced' interior or exterior package

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For a production detailing job what you do is based upon the package you sell, all of the services you list can be offered but not usually for production detailing, especially the shampoo or extract carpets, seats and removing big stains. That would be your 5 Star Package.


Production Detailing would be very basic as that's all you have time to do for the money you charge,

Outside
Wash and dry car
Clay paint
One-step cleaner wax
Clean glass
Dress tires


Inside
Vacuum interior
Use a one-step cleaner/conditioner on vinyl and/or leather surfaces
Clean glass
Use a deodorizer or fragrance to impart a fresh clean scent


The above is pretty basic but depending upon what you're charging it's at least a good starting point.

You can do more and better work like cleaning the dash with a dedicated cleaner and then dressing with a dedicated conditioner/protectant, but somewhere you need to make time and cover costs.


Good question...


:xyxthumbs:

Another great article Mike!

I will definitely be incorporating this one step stuff into my business :props:

I have been detailing on the side for a few years now, and just started building my website. These articles you have written, have been a great help to me. Thanks, Mike.

Trent.

mikes the best! the how to videos are exellent!

I am totally trying to put together a small detailing bussiness of my own to make a little extra income along side of my regular job. I am kinda of new to this bussiness, so I was wondering if you could give me any guidance on maybe where i could purchase some used equipment, also so recommendations on equipment, tools, products that i should have to get started. Due to economy, just trying keep it on the lowest budget i possibly can. Thanks

As a beginner wanting to start detailing part time I have a couple questions. Trying to save some money, so I want to buy in bulk and I was thinking Meguiar's Detail line. I was planning to buy the X-press liquid wax and for that need more work, D151 then the X-press wax.
Second question, is there a different process for single stage and cleared finishes? I'm trying to save money and time, I want to do a wash clay and wax. But there have been some single stage jobs that I've done that need serious cleaning and polishing before waxing. And of course those easier clear coat finishes that just need to be clayed then cleaner wax or just wax. (sorry for rambling sometimes i just keep going) Thanks in advance for any help and or feed back.