I have the $200 version of that steamer and I rip through interiors with it. Once you master using it you won't want to go without it. We live in Hawaii so we get a lot of sand in cars, this steam...
People don't have any clue about car care so they go for these types of places and you're right they do damage the paint. 1 sponge doing 20-30 cars a day is going to be the same as a drive through...
First off, do you have a paint depth gauge? If not do NOT try to remove the scratches 100% because you may burn through, also if it isn't a show car does it really matter if you have some scratches...
I charge what I am worth and believe me many times people go with someone else, good because I don't want the cheap customer that expects you to go above and beyond what the package is. Always do...
Our shop is similar doing $3-$5k a week with only a two man crew and I'm over the stress and I'm planning on going completely mobile, the money isn't worth the lack of time with family and friends.
My website doesn't bring me much money but me talking to people brings tons of business! Also, charge $100 an hour that's what I do, I don't tell a customer that I'm charging that much I just...
Now that you mention it the carbine fiber hood is a bit much but you have to see it in person to see why he went with it. It looks like snake scales under the sun.