Something to do During Retirement

[UncleDavy]

I love detailing my cars and right now it is just a weekend/spare time hobby. Now that I am in my 50s I think about future retirement years and the possibility of making some money detailing cars in my 60s and 70s. Has anyone else had the same thoughts or have actually been successful as a detailer in retirement?

[Buster906]

I retire next year from the Armed forces. I would love to detail as a retirement income. My wife however is not so keen on the idea. I may just try on weekends. Good luck if you go fourth with your plan and idead.

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[KirkH]

I retired from state government in May 2017. I have successfully restored my income to pre-retirement level doing mobile detailing. I would love to have more business and make more money, but that will take more marketing-including social media- than I am willing to do right now. I get customers with word of mouth referrals and from my directly speaking to people who admire my own car.

Regarding detailing into your 60's and 70's: I am in great shape and 50 years old but I still get repetitive use/over use injuries from detailing. I am sure they will get worse as I age.

[Rsurfer]

my own car.

Regarding detailing into your 60's and 70's: I am in great shape and 50 years old but I still get repetitive use/over use injuries from detailing. I am sure they will get worse as I age.

Believe me it will Kirk.

[BillE]

I did some 'under the table' work until last year. The home front just was taking much to much time and nothing left (body wise) to continue.

Oh, turned 74 this summer.

Bill

[Pats300zx]

I am in the same boat as you UncleDavy. I just retired last year after 30 years in law enforcement. I have been working in a support role the last year and half in state government and am considering retiring completely in January. I am looking to support my income with detailing again when Spring comes around. I am not looking to do anything extensive but something limited to compliment another part time job.

[RippyD]

Maybe... detailing my 3 cars is pretty hard on the body in my 50s and I'm in decent shape. I think you'll want to get the right tools (pads, stools, etc). and a good long throw machine that takes less muscle to operate.

[mc2hill]

I am in my 50's too (just went over the 'hump') and only do this as my 'side hustle'. I have found the 'work' part easier if I maintain a regular exercise/cardio routine - 30 minutes of stair climbing 3 days a week for me. It makes a long detailing day less painful, and I am not so tired either.

[Sharply Dressed]

I retired 4 yrs ago at age 56. Always loved detailing (or at least I thought I was detailing) but wanted to learn more. Internet searches brought me to Junkman and Darrien and I watched their videos. My search also lead me to AG and I became product fixated and wanted to learn more. I knew I'd eventually do it as a business (small, part time) so I wanted to test my interest and skills so I attended Mike Phillip's detail boot camp 3 yrs ago. Learned a ton about products, tools, processes and met some great folks (Flex team, other detailers and enthusiast, Mike, Nick, etc). But what I really got was assurance that I knew what I was doing and had the passion to do the work and be good at it. I like a lot of folks initially kept researching, thinking, looking at videos, rethinking, talking...but not acting. Finally said go for it, printed up cards, got my pricing, put up a website and started talking myself up on Facebook, subdivision newsletters, neighboring newsletters, etc. Great service and work gets folks talking about you. So yes, I did it. If it weren't for another business venture, I'd open a shop and teach a select few what I've learned. As a few have mentioned, it is physically demanding work so things like rest, hydration, pacing yourself, knowing your body and limits all come into play. But if it's in you with passion coupled with the willingness to keep learning, nothing can stop you.

[chet31]

Seems like a great idea. You're retired, it's not like you're going to do this 5 days a week. Plus, I'm a believer that detailing is good exercise. Exercise and make some money doing something you like, why wouldn't you?