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wanting to start a side job of detailing cars

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by Marioso, Oct 11, 2008.

  1. Oct 11, 2008 at 4:19 PM
    #1
    Marioso

    Marioso [OP] Risueno

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    can u guys help me with getting started?

    i feel like going over to a local car wash and volunteering saturdays to learn some stuff

    i do my work to my truck based on sit i buy at autozone...scratch removers, polish, turtle wax...the small stuff but i really wanna get into it...can u guys help a brotha out?
     
  2. Oct 11, 2008 at 4:47 PM
    #2
    neontrail

    neontrail ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

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    sure, I'll help ya. What would you like me to do?
     
  3. Oct 11, 2008 at 4:48 PM
    #3
    Marioso

    Marioso [OP] Risueno

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    haha nothing u can do

    just advice tips...u know i wanna work at a car wash on the side like on saturdays but i dont know how to approach the owner without him bugging out about me trying steal business
     
  4. Oct 11, 2008 at 4:53 PM
    #4
    neontrail

    neontrail ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

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    i really dont think u would learn much drying cars at your local car wash. You would learn more reading everything in the detail section here.

    I wish you all the luck!!

    I suggest you come up with a name, make business cards and get a little web site up for people to contact you. Its all about image, look professional.. and talk like you know what you're doing.

    USE QUALITY PRODUCTS!
     
  5. Oct 11, 2008 at 5:16 PM
    #5
    eordonez

    eordonez Living vicariously through mjp2

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    LOL i want to start that kind of business too not a lot of good detailers here in town, i figured rent a space then train a guy to do it....
     
  6. Oct 11, 2008 at 5:20 PM
    #6
    RicnDenver

    RicnDenver Stop talking and START wheeling

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    toyteclift, budbuilt, stubbs,
    http://www.griotsgarage.com/

    some AWESOME products, Id suggest getting the Poter Cable random orbit buffer/polisher, but not from Griots, get it at Home Depot, its half the price, lol

    To "properly" do a FULL detail a vehicle, can take 6 hours, or atleast thats what it takes to do my 4Runner when I do it. and thats NOT steam cleaning the seats/carpet.
     
  7. Oct 11, 2008 at 5:22 PM
    #7
    RicnDenver

    RicnDenver Stop talking and START wheeling

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    Oh, like others said, get some business cards, maybe a website, do a couple of your friends vehicles for real cheap, have them pass out your cards, its cheap advertising :D let people see your work.
     
  8. Oct 11, 2008 at 5:36 PM
    #8
    Anthony

    Anthony San Antonio Detailer :)

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    www.autopia.net

    dont detail cars using turtlewax, etc. get some real products.

    ive had a "side gig" detail biz for about 9/10 yrs
     
  9. Oct 11, 2008 at 7:20 PM
    #9
    neontrail

    neontrail ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈ ✈

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    how much $ do you have to invest and get going?
     
  10. Oct 11, 2008 at 10:43 PM
    #10
    Marioso

    Marioso [OP] Risueno

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    nah no drying cars haha but they have sections where they detail cars
     
  11. Oct 11, 2008 at 10:45 PM
    #11
    Marioso

    Marioso [OP] Risueno

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    funny u say that i waxed my tacoma to a point where its a reflection of me on their no a weird one almost like a red mirror and i offered my manager to wax his silverado for 40 bucks and he said hed think about it
     
  12. Oct 11, 2008 at 11:46 PM
    #12
    humanoid

    humanoid bite me

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    Hope you understand that there's more to detailing a vehicle other than just a wash and a wax?
     
  13. Oct 11, 2008 at 11:57 PM
    #13
    pittim

    pittim mittip backwards

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    If you had nothing, I'd say it would cost maybe $350.

    A random orbital will run around $100, then pads, towels, buckets, and any dressing (polish, sealant, wax, etc.)

    I'd say polish, sealant, wax, bug remover, etc would be about $100-150 depending on what brand you go with.
     
  14. Oct 11, 2008 at 11:58 PM
    #14
    Marioso

    Marioso [OP] Risueno

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    obviously but they said do jobs for friends nothing too big...of course theres alot more but i wanna start slow u know get to know everything
     
  15. Oct 12, 2008 at 12:04 AM
    #15
    pittim

    pittim mittip backwards

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    If you do get a random orbital buffer, definately don't try it out on anybody car for the first time. go to some bodyshop and check if there are any hoods laying around that are painted. ask the manager of the shop if you could have it (you'll probably have to pay a little bit for it because they most likely have a guy come and give them money for scrap metal) and get good using it.

    Just think how upset you would be if someone came and used something that they advertised they knew how to use but they were horrible at doing it.

    For advertising, I'd throw some adds up on craigslist. Say something like "New business, first 10 custmors get half off special" or something.
     
  16. Oct 12, 2008 at 12:26 AM
    #16
    Marioso

    Marioso [OP] Risueno

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    yeah i read the ask a detailer thread it sounds good

    i think ima upgrade on products and practice on my truck but i know what u mean about messing up someones car thanks
     
  17. Oct 12, 2008 at 4:10 AM
    #17
    TicTacOma

    TicTacOma UnderWater Monopoly Champion

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    It's all in my head at the moment...
    Do you have some extra cash on hand to "pay" for damages if and let's hope "if" you have an incident? Burn marks, scratches, damage moving the vehicle around the lot.

    Like it was mentioned. There is sooooooo much more to detailing than slapping on a coat of wax. You know how particular you are about your vehicle. You could do what you think is the world's best detail job...the customer might think it is the worst. Hope you have some thick skin and good diplomatic people skills too.

    I see you're in San Diego. A market that I'm assuming is flooded with car care folks. Some that don't even have an established business. A cardboard sign and a bunch of friends. I lived in Phoenix and that's where I got my truck done all the time. Miguel and a half dozen of his "bro's" working out of a shopping cart. They ran a hose off the back of a building (pretty sure it was "hot" water) and with in a half hour. That thing was sparkling. Think about the competition and the "toes" you'll be stepping on.

    Your time is worth $ but so are your expenses. Ok, $40 bucks to detail your boss' truck. If it takes you 4hours that's $10 per hour.(McDonald's money without the worry) Where is the water coming from for the wash? Where you plugging that buffer in at? How much to restock the materials you used? If it's not great how much time to redo it?

    Grap a pencil and paper and start a budget and plan. Call around other shops and be a bogus customer and get prices and how long it takes for a particular detail. Get in good with a body-shop who can make repairs "if" you "f-up".

    Say you do a good job on the boss' vehicle, he recommends a friend to you. That friend shows up in a new BMW 7 series, I'm sure that might be a bit nerve-racking.

    In no way am I discouraging you. Just think it through.....ALOT!!!!!

    Turtle Wax may be cheap for overhead but when the wax-job doesn't last more than a week, what do you do when the customer calls back and says that his shine faded, in only a week?

    Best of luck.
     
  18. Oct 12, 2008 at 8:33 AM
    #18
    Anthony

    Anthony San Antonio Detailer :)

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    get a portercable kit from autogeek.net

    using one of those, its going to be damn near impossible to "ruin" someones paint. a unit like the dewalt or makita is for pros really.
     
  19. Oct 12, 2008 at 9:56 AM
    #19
    Marioso

    Marioso [OP] Risueno

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    is that like a buffer?
     
  20. Oct 12, 2008 at 10:05 AM
    #20
    Marioso

    Marioso [OP] Risueno

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    i have money for damages i wont say how much since i dont talk numbers when it comes to my money. i know theres alot more to it then turtle wax and i read the "ask a detailer" thread and i learned alot, obviously if im asking for advice it is because i dont know much about detailing, just the simple stuff. my people skills are good, been working customer service since my first job. my skin? very thick haha for all the shit i talk? i can take anything from a customer, plus they are always right depending on the situation. competition is nothing, you think companies care about stepping on toes? plus this is a side job and at most id be working probably weekends. doing my managers truck for 40 dollars is just a start. i dont care for the money i just want to get the experience and from what he has seen from my truck he thought it was a good job he knows im not an expert either. no buffer and he would supply the water since he wants me to do it at his home. im sure 40 dollars would cover more than enough as far as products i use and at this point im not to worried about profit, again its more for experience than money. a bmv is whatever...a lambo, thats another story haha jk. but true like u said there is alot to think about and i am in no way trying to jump in quick thats why i come on here and ask u guys for advice and you gave me some and it is much appreciated
     

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