A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business

**aztec1987** · 03-30-2014, 10:17 PM

I need to learn to speed my process for a simple wash. Usually I take 2-3 hours to clay the car. When I put effort into my work I take about 8 hours in which how much I take to do my brothers car.

**RawDetail** · 03-31-2014, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by aztec1987

I need to learn to speed my process for a simple wash. Usually I take 2-3 hours to clay the car. When I put effort into my work I take about 8 hours in which how much I take to do my brothers car.

How does it take you 1-3 hours to clay a car?

Mike Phillips · 05-08-2014, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by aztec1987

I need to learn to speed my process for a simple wash.

Usually I take 2-3 hours to clay the car.

When I put effort into my work I take about 8 hours in which how much I take to do my brothers car.

You should be able to clay a car in under 30 minutes from start to finish.

Watch my video on how to clay a car, it shows you the proper technique...

Show Car Garage Video: How detailing clay works and how to use detailing clay to remove above surface bonded contaminants

**aztec1987** · 05-11-2014, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

You should be able to clay a car in under 30 minutes from start to finish.

Watch my video on how to clay a car, it shows you the proper technique...

Show Car Garage Video: How detailing clay works and how to use detailing clay to remove above surface bonded contaminants

Thanks Mike

**tigerwash** · 08-09-2014, 01:02 PM

I like how this article really breaks down all the core aspects of starting a detailing business and makes it a bit more manageable for us newbies. Great article once again, Mike!

Mike Phillips · 08-12-2014, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by tigerwash

I like how this article really breaks down all the core aspects of starting a detailing business and makes it a bit more manageable for us newbies.

Great article once again, Mike!

Thank you sir....

I could probably create a class around just the topics covered in this article....

I do cover all these point in my detailing boot camp classes....

**johnkx** · 11-16-2014, 04:01 AM

How would you ask a customer whether they want a show car finish or just a production detail if they have no knowledge about it?

Should I just ask them if they want it fully detailed or a quick detail to make their car shiny?

Also how much do you guys usually charge for both?

**Dereksdtail** · 11-16-2014, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by johnkx

How would you ask a customer whether they want a show car finish or just a production detail if they have no knowledge about it?

Should I just ask them if they want it fully detailed or a quick detail to make their car shiny?

Also how much do you guys usually charge for both?

If somebody isn't sure what they want done, I usually ask if they have a budget or what their main concern is.

**dicks details** · 11-16-2014, 09:21 AM

Nice write up

**SOMJoseph** · 02-24-2015, 01:28 PM

Bumping this up with a question I have for Mike and any forum members who do this part time.

How do you balance this with your main job? Does everyone limit themselves to weekends only? Is that the only way to go about a part time detailing business? I want to start this part-time, but getting home from work at around 5:30-6pm 6 days a week leaves me little day light time outside to detail in before it gets dark. Just wondering if anyone has had this obstacle and what you did to get over it?