Need Advice from pro detailer

B

banana13

New member
Hi everyone,
so basically i posted this ad on kijiji to detail and clean people cars. Im only 14 years old but I have a passion for detailing and want to expand my experience with detailing. yesterday someone emailed me and said that he has a car that needs interior cleaning with leather and he asked me how much an dhe said i can work in his garage.

So i replyed saying that he should send me pics of his car so i can see the condition of his interior and then i will tell him how much.

I told my parents already and they were like no way you can this they said that if I dont know what im doing the owner might complain if I mess his leather up. Which I dont think I will screw anything. They also said that its not safe since your young and you dont know if the person is bad or not?

I dont know how to respond to this :wall the car is a 98 lexus es350 and i think that if you drive a so called lexus it doesnt mean you cant be a bad person. I mean really what are they gonna do they just asked me to detail there car.

Thank you everyone if you respond hopefully i can change my parents mind.
 
I say enjoy being 14, dont worry about detailing cars. Its hard work, and at 14, I could've done so many more fun things! I give you major kudos for your work ethic and go getter attitude but take it from someone who is getting older by the minute, enjoy being 14! Decline the job and go to the movies with your friends!
 
Honestly, your folks are right. You need to carry insurance in case something does go wrong. Without insurance you're in a world of hurt if something goes wrong. I admire your drive but I think you should wait or better yet, see if you can get a helpers job with a pro detailer in your area. You'll be able to learn a lot.

A passion is great, but you need to have a working knowledge of products, application, and how to fix things that don't work out how you hoped
 
Docpeanut said:
Honestly, your folks are right. You need to carry insurance in case something does go wrong. Without insurance you're in a world of hurt if something goes wrong. I admire your drive but I think you should wait or better yet, see if you can get a helpers job with a pro detailer in your area. You'll be able to learn a lot.

A passion is great, but you need to have a working knowledge of products, application, and how to fix things that don't work out how you hoped
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I agree. A helpers job is where you need to start. There is a lot to learn and it is a whole lot better learning from someone with experience who has learned from their mistakes and they can save you a lot of headaches from creating your own. After you kind of learn the ropes, I would suggest that you start doing small jobs for family and close friends to get additional experience before you branch out on other peoples vehicles. You have got plenty of time. No need to rush things.
 
I'm sittin on the fence with this. I did this when I was his age. (before the invention of fire). I applaud his initiative.

So......

I'd like to see you do it, but won't give advice on how so I can't get blamed or the site in trouble.

If ya do it, remember to post pictures
 
Thanks everyone for the supportive feedback. I guess you guys are right .
i will just keep detailing my parents car then or find something else to do.
 
Ronkh said:
I'm sittin on the fence with this. I did this when I was his age. (before the invention of fire). I applaud his initiative.

So......

I'd like to see you do it, but won't give advice on how so I can't get blamed or the site in trouble.

If ya do it, remember to post pictures
Click to expand...

Alright i will try thanks .
 
Son,
Thanks for coming on here and asking for help - this is one of the best places, where you get good, unbiased, no fighting/flaming/ negative, etc., feedback..

In today's world, it would be best if you would see if you can work with a Pro Detailer, and learn the ropes from the beginning..

It would be more beneficial for you and along the way you can decide if you really want to do this for a long time, later..

Please be sure you are doing great ( great, not just good) in school and do not sacrifice any part of your education - ever...

It would be too hard to get a business started legally at your age anyway...

I love that you have what looks like the drive to want to do this - not many people come with that gene... I did, and I will always look at every vehicle from a Detailer's point of view!

Everyone ahead of me has been spot-on with advice and this is something you should think about and talk to your Family about for future plans..

You will always be welcome here to start a thread, and participate !

Best of luck to you and your siblings and family !!
Dan F
 
Aside from the possibility that it could be dangerous also keep this in mind......If you do (and you will eventually) screw anything up it is your parents that have to take the heat and pay for your mistake.
 
I would like to add that doing it for strangers may be dangerous. (after foghorns post, I went and re-read the original post)

I would suggest if you're going to do this type of stuff, stick with family and friends of family.
 
I would have to agree with the advice above. While detailing cars on the side can be fun, sometimes It can be a nightmare. If you have a passion I would suggest try and get a part time job working with professionals. You would probably learn a lot and it would help you determine if this is something you would want to do for a living early on. Then Once you have you can drive yourself places look into markets and how you could make a business out of detailing. Detailing your parents cars and parents friends cars will lend itself great for helping you figure out a good system (what works faster than others). While I don't think the guy wants anything other than his car cleaned I can't blame your parents for worrying. At 14 I was washing vehicles for free on my parents driveway because I enjoyed it (only worked when it was sunny out). I am not a full time detailer but I do side jobs for friends and family. Some vehicles are easy and others can be a real pain if they aren't working the way you thought.

I was given this advice when I was young, I never listened but I now understand. You have your entire life to work, you can only enjoy being a kid once! Enjoy the not having the stresses of midterms or final exams, rent or mortgage payments, credit card bills or car loans.
 
I was 14 when I started working with my dad detailing cars on the side, and working in my uncles body shop with dad as well. I learned from 2 of the best in this area, and if it wasn't for them, I would probably be flipping burgers somewhere because I didnt care about school or what I was going to do with my life. I applaud your drive because honestly there aren't many young men your age who want to do anything that involves manual labor these days (my kids included). Stick around here and learn everything you can. Do the family cars, maybe some aunts and uncles cars, etc but I wouldn't take any outside jobs until your ready for it. As stated above, insurance is nessesary and if you don't have it, your parents are responsible if something happens. Stick with it though, and you'll be awesome by the time your 21 :)
 
Ok sorry, but i disagree with a lot that's been said here.

First, all the people who said enjoy being a kid, are saying it from the prospective of an adult. The reason they weren't enjoying it that much when they were your age is they didn't have the prospective of an adult. You don't either.
That doesn't mean they aren't right. It just means you would have a very difficult time enjoying your youth as much as you would if you could have it back in your 30's or 40's.

Second, you're not a kid anymore. 14-18 are the years of being a young adult. It's the period where more responsibility and accountability are put on you and gradually more privileges ( the privileges come a lot slower, as they should) are given. You'll notice as you go through high school how much differently each grade is treated. You'll also notice that in the job market you'll be treated differently as you move through the years to your 20's.

I worked most of my youth. From running door to door passing out flyers for the local dairy (11-12), to paper routes (13-14), to working for local businesses when I was 16. I don't feel I missed out on much and I always had money to do things when I wanted.
I have 3 daughters and a son. The two oldest girls didn't work until after high school; the other two worked at a local ice cream shop all through high school. They've all done very well in there lives ( all college/college+ grads who were able to get well paying jobs during the little depression we just had). As far as doing things in high school and moving into the job market, I would say the younger two had a better time of it.

I would agree with the others that the two biggest concerns (as a parent) would be a bad person you could run into and the liability you could incur.
So why couldn't you work from your house? Set up and schedule appointments. Start with washes and maybe interior wipedown/vacuum. You can easily add spray wax/sealant.
If, in a couple years, you feel the desire to move on to more advanced procedures, save up some wash money and go through your parents to get some insurance.
 
notime said:
Ok sorry, but i disagree with a lot that's been said here.

First, all the people who said enjoy being a kid, are saying it from the prospective of an adult. The reason they weren't enjoying it that much when they were your age is they didn't have the prospective of an adult. You don't either.
That doesn't mean they aren't right. It just means you would have a very difficult time enjoying your youth as much as you would if you could have it back in your 30's or 40's.

Second, you're not a kid anymore. 14-18 are the years of being a young adult. It's the period where more responsibility and accountability are put on you and gradually more privileges ( the privileges come a lot slower, as they should) are given. You'll notice as you go through high school how much differently each grade is treated. You'll also notice that in the job market you'll be treated differently as you move through the years to your 20's.

I worked most of my youth. From running door to door passing out flyers for the local dairy (11-12), to paper routes (13-14), to working for local businesses when I was 16. I don't feel I missed out on much and I always had money to do things when I wanted.
I have 3 daughters and a son. The two oldest girls didn't work until after high school; the other two worked at a local ice cream shop all through high school. They've all done very well in there lives ( all college/college+ grads who were able to get well paying jobs during the little depression we just had). As far as doing things in high school and moving into the job market, I would say the younger two had a better time of it.

I would agree with the others that the two biggest concerns (as a parent) would be a bad person you could run into and the liability you could incur.
So why couldn't you work from your house? Set up and schedule appointments. Start with washes and maybe interior wipedown/vacuum. You can easily add spray wax/sealant.
If, in a couple years, you feel the desire to move on to more advanced procedures, save up some wash money and go through your parents to get some insurance.
Click to expand...

Well you have a point in that someone who is 30 or 40 will admire they're childhood more than someone who is in it. I would caution you on wanting to start your own business at 14. You would be suprised who easily a passion can be turned into work, when that happens it becomes harder and harder to wake up every morning and do the same thing. Also high school is not the best example to start taking on more responsiblity. Ultimatly your still pretty sheltered there. The real test starts coming in when you will leave home and go to college or if you skip that and start your own business or go get a full time job. I was in your shoes before as well, not very long ago since I am 24. 10 years ago, you'd be suprised how much you will learn over the next 10 years. If you do go through and start detailing you have to keep in mind that you are very young and most likely don't look experienced. That isn't to say that you don't know what your doing, as you most likely do. But perception you might find it difficult to get people to take you seriously. I do wish you the best of luck if you do decide to go through with this and start making some money. I suppose we all live and learn. I would agree with the advice given by others. As much as that is not what you want to hear. I don't think you'll find too many people who have detailed cars for money before that will say they could have done it when they were your age. If detailing is something you really want to do, I would encourage you to start reading up on business books about opening your own business. Get as much accounting experience as you can, and take a class in high school about accounting if you can! I have many friends who own their own detailing businesses started when they were in their early 20's and some in their 30's. The one thing they will all say is the business aspect of it plays a huge role. It's nice to see there are still some young people out there who are willing to work for a dollar, no expecting it! I started work when I was 14 as well, but that was painting appartments for a friends dad who owned mutilple companies and real estate. Money was crap but the experience of hard work was great. Running my own busines though, that isn't something I could have done at 16 let alone 14. Learn the business from someone in it. The insruance that everyone is talking about is not something to take for granted. While you most likely won't make a mistake, if you do that will quickly impact how you feel about detailing. The people above all know what they are talking about.
 
Notime -

Pretty much most of the old guys here including me, all started when we were young - but the thing you have to take into consideration - is that back then, it was way easier to have a job/s; people did things with a handshake which was the same as a legal document, etc...

Life was wonderfully non-complicated for most, we were all taught in school by Teachers that really cared about us and dressed and acted the part..

We learned much and there were not all the rules and things that there are today in school..

If someone was picking on you, if you could not get them to stop, you met them out back after school, and kicked their A$$, and it was over..

In today's world, it is much more complicated, with rules, rules for rules, ad nauseum..

A lot of people are just a tick away from getting an Attorney to sue you for about anything..

Learning about hard work (and if you do this for a living, you KNOW, it is really hard work) can be had at many other venues besides Detailing..

I had paper routes all through middle school, and high school, sports, and still worked at my Dad's Shops on weekends, so I am very acquainted with what hard work is and the value of learning how it works..

I stand by my advice and the rest of those here that say let it go for now, and perhaps get to learn with a real professional Detailer, who is willing to take the time and mentor the lad..

You mention the early years as becoming a young adult.. I totally agree with that, but have you looked recently at the sizes and maturity levels of kids this age?

In any event, appreciate your feedback, Im sticking with the rest..

Besides, at the end of the day, this young man will sit down with his Parents and family, and they will all work out the best thing for him and them...

Dan F
 
Keep in mind that the liability of making a mistake with someone's car is much greater than making a mistake cutting someone's grass, painting, delivering papers, etc. (all the traditional jobs of a 14 year old.) You can't get insurance at your age and you can't legally enter a contract so your parents are on the hook for anything and everything. As has already been pointed out, it is hard to earn the trust and respect of potential customers when you aren't even old enough to drive. How much money could you realistically expect to earn? The costs could easily eclipse the benefits.

If detailing is something you want to do then find someone in your area to mentor you. If you were in my area I would consider taking on someone in your position. I'd rather have a young person with passion for the business than an employee looking for a paycheck. If it just a hobby then stick with doing cars for just family and friends. Odds are your priorities will change over then next few years anyway.

When I was about 16 a wise person told me "Don't ever turn your hobby into your business. It will cease to be fun and you will no longer have a hobby to escape to." It didn't really sink in until I worked as a ski instructor. Friends would come to visit to go skiing and the last thing in the world I wanted to do on my day off was go skiing. When I later managed a snowboard shop and got to go skiing/boarding every day I was much happier. It is important to enjoy what you do but find a way to keep your personal life separate.

Nobody is trying to discourage you from this business, just from biting off more than you can chew at this point in your life. One thing I've noticed about good detailers is that they would be good at anything they do. It just goes with the personality of a detail-oriented person.

I wish you luck, Banana13.
 
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