A new girl in a mostly guys world

Thanks detailking,



That's helps, I was a little overwhelmed and intimidated by all the Zaino 1, 2, 5, 6, 16 etc.. products. I'd prefer to keep it simple until I get comfortable with all this paint cleaning, polishing, waxing, washing... I mean, who knew!! LOL! I definately would prefer the longer lasting wax, so once the meguiars runs out, I'll see about ordering some Zaino. I do appreciate your post.

Dave
 
Hey all,

I am in Ontario Canada. Currently gearing up to get my own mobile detailing business going and to work my way into having a shop as well as mobile service. I have a lot of the essentials ready neat and organized but of course I want to stand out and separate myself from the rest by offering superior detailing either threw processes, products, the little things etc. I have been reading a number of post and I am finding some great info here.
I am currently getting packages and pricing together for my services and looking for tips and tricks. What are the most popular combo's? What is the best way to break down the pricing? Being that I have not had the experience some or most of you have had what are the biggest complaints and compliments customers offer for feed back?
I am not concerned about being relatively green but I do want to go out with my best foot forward. I have detailed many cars for friends and family but now venturing out into referrals and advertising.
A big headache for me so far is the salt stains... maybe a basic question but hey I'll ask anyhow. How can i get these out with out killing myself and my time. Product recommendations?
One of my referrals will be for doing aircraft interiors for a charter company. Anyone detailed a plane that can give me a heads up on pricing breakdowns products etc.

I guess that's a long intro but I need the dirt (so to speak)....

Thanks
Holly
 
Holly1176 said:
Hey all,

I am in Ontario Canada. Currently gearing up to get my own mobile detailing business going and to work my way into having a shop as well as mobile service. I have a lot of the essentials ready neat and organized but of course I want to stand out and separate myself from the rest by offering superior detailing either threw processes, products, the little things etc. I have been reading a number of post and I am finding some great info here.
I am currently getting packages and pricing together for my services and looking for tips and tricks. What are the most popular combo's? What is the best way to break down the pricing? Being that I have not had the experience some or most of you have had what are the biggest complaints and compliments customers offer for feed back?
I am not concerned about being relatively green but I do want to go out with my best foot forward. I have detailed many cars for friends and family but now venturing out into referrals and advertising.
A big headache for me so far is the salt stains... maybe a basic question but hey I'll ask anyhow. How can i get these out with out killing myself and my time. Product recommendations?
One of my referrals will be for doing aircraft interiors for a charter company. Anyone detailed a plane that can give me a heads up on pricing breakdowns products etc.

I guess that's a long intro but I need the dirt (so to speak)....

Thanks
Holly
Click to expand...

Welcome Holly,
You have landed on a good learning site, unfortunately I am not the one to give advice on business directives.There are lots of pro's that hang around here,and they will help you along,as far as being a girl,dont sweat it, we like girls ! :biggrin:....just kidding , and best of luck with your business.:)

Steve.
 
Welcome to TID Holly!

Unfortunately, I can't help you with your business questions either, as I do this mostly for myself (maybe this summer I might be able to make some extra money). Nice to have you here at TID. Enjoy your stay and I am sure you will get a few guys here who could help you out.
 
Welcome to TID! :smile:


I have yet to find a quick solution for salt deposits on carpet. It has always been a repetitive time cleaning process for me but I would be interested if anyone else has any tips.

Currently I just use an All Purpose Cleaner, extractor, carpet brush, and a lot of elbow grease to get them clean. I do have a battery powered brush similar to that of the attachment for the PC7424 people use. This makes scrubbing them a little easier.

I do see a fair amount of salty carpets though...

IMG_0563.jpg



IMG_0568.jpg



IMG_0567.jpg



IMG_0576.jpg




Rasky
 
Thanks guys!! Well I have found some resources that I can tap into for most of my business questions :hurray: but I will always have open ears for any advise from some guys on here. I will however be like a sponge for fine tuning detailing skills. Like Rasky, removing salt is cleaner, brushes and the mad scrubbing. Any tips - I am all ears...

I need to get an extractor... what is a good machine to start with? Needs to be portable for mobile uses.

Thx again:thumbup:
 
Holly1176 said:
Thanks guys!! Well I have found some resources that I can tap into for most of my business questions :hurray: but I will always have open ears for any advise from some guys on here. I will however be like a sponge for fine tuning detailing skills. Like Rasky, removing salt is cleaner, brushes and the mad scrubbing. Any tips - I am all ears...

I need to get an extractor... what is a good machine to start with? Needs to be portable for mobile uses.

Thx again:thumbup:
Click to expand...

The Mytee 870 Lite II is a smaller, but powerful extractor that can should fit in most Mobile rigs, unless you are using a small car like a Corolla.

As far as getting started, I would recommend starting slow (keeping your day job if possible) and focusing on garnering the experience necessary. It may be hard to get the first couple of clients, but your goal should be increasing quality and/or efficiency. It pays to know your market as well: Detailers in more affluent areas may focus on higher end exotic cars and charge a premium, were detailers in more normal areas are likely better served to focus on volume work. Each is an art forum and there is no replacement for experience.

A couple of tips regardless. Focus on really cleaning the areas the driver will sense. Clean and wax under the door handle, they will feel that every time they open the door. Make sure the steering wheel is completely cleaned and scrubbed. Most steering wheels get very grimy as we transfer our oil, moisturizer, grime, and dirt from hands to them. Cleaning them thoroughly will restore that soft feel and make quite an impression the first time the owner grabs the wheels. Make sure the windows are crystal clear and streak free. Make sure the insides of the wheels and brake calipers are spotless. It is the little things that make the biggest impressions on new clients.

As far as pricing, this will depend on your market, but Sam Walton (Wal-Mart fame) said it best, "Be the cheapest or most expensive, but do not be one of the millions in the middle." Do not under estimate how much people are willing to pay for good, reliable, quality work regardless of your market. You must keep it relative though.

I would focus on Meguiar's Detailer and Mirror Glaze, Eimann Fabrik, and Optimum car care products. Each can be bought in bulk, making it cost effective, and offers great products. Let me know if you want more specific recommendations.

Todd
 
th0001 said:
The Mytee 870 Lite II is a smaller, but powerful extractor that can should fit in most Mobile rigs, unless you are using a small car like a Corolla.

As far as getting started, I would recommend starting slow (keeping your day job if possible) and focusing on garnering the experience necessary. It may be hard to get the first couple of clients, but your goal should be increasing quality and/or efficiency. It pays to know your market as well: Detailers in more affluent areas may focus on higher end exotic cars and charge a premium, were detailers in more normal areas are likely better served to focus on volume work. Each is an art forum and there is no replacement for experience.

A couple of tips regardless. Focus on really cleaning the areas the driver will sense. Clean and wax under the door handle, they will feel that every time they open the door. Make sure the steering wheel is completely cleaned and scrubbed. Most steering wheels get very grimy as we transfer our oil, moisturizer, grime, and dirt from hands to them. Cleaning them thoroughly will restore that soft feel and make quite an impression the first time the owner grabs the wheels. Make sure the windows are crystal clear and streak free. Make sure the insides of the wheels and brake calipers are spotless. It is the little things that make the biggest impressions on new clients.

As far as pricing, this will depend on your market, but Sam Walton (Wal-Mart fame) said it best, "Be the cheapest or most expensive, but do not be one of the millions in the middle." Do not under estimate how much people are willing to pay for good, reliable, quality work regardless of your market. You must keep it relative though.

I would focus on Meguiar's Detailer and Mirror Glaze, Eimann Fabrik, and Optimum car care products. Each can be bought in bulk, making it cost effective, and offers great products. Let me know if you want more specific recommendations.

Todd
Click to expand...

I am so glad you offered your advise, I am still working FT but will be facing a layoff in the near future approx 3 months or less. This doesn't mean that I will be jumping straight into detailing on my own FT but perhaps taking on more of a PT roll then a weekend warrior on it. I absolutely need more experience - I know where I want to be but can be honest to say I'm not there yet. I have found myself almost trying to race through a detail trying to achieve better volume, doesn't feel right and I don't like the results.

Until I really started to sink my teeth in I didn't realize how much more to fine detailing there was then what met the eye.
Great tips, especially like polishing the inside of the door handle - simple but very effective. Still working on mastering a number of things.

Not having anyone in my social circles that is really into detailing for the results I want to achieve is the reason I started looking into the web for answers, glad I have stumbled on to TID. I may ask some lame questions but I have to get the info somewhere.
I will be doing a lot of brain picking .. you have all been warned :driving: Thanks!
 
Holly,

Welcome to our community. While I am a bit bias, I beleive our members are smart and practical, professional and non-professional detailers. They are all willing to give a comment or suggestion you can count on. They may not use the same method, but are all after the same goal. Ask away!

jk
 
I'd also look into getting an air compressor of some sort. I honestly could not imagine doing an interior without one. Pair it up with a nice trigger attachment and cleaning all those nooks and crannies is a breeze. ;)


Rasky
 
I can add to Todd's recommendation of the Mytee Lite series of extractors. I've had one now for about 3 years and I love it.
 
Thanks Jack! I do agree the advise from the members on here is valuable.

Puckman, thank for letting me know your opinion as well on the Mytee Lite.
 
RaskyR1 said:
I'd also look into getting an air compressor of some sort. I honestly could not imagine doing an interior without one. Pair it up with a nice trigger attachment and cleaning all those nooks and crannies is a breeze. ;)


Rasky
Click to expand...

Good point - would be a lot faster then getting brushes in there...
 
Sounds like you have received great advice already, so I suppose all thats left is this > Director Welcome to TruthInDetailing Holly. Hope to see you around :rockon:

P.S. As far as the pricing on detailing Airfcraft. You should come up with an hourly rate and charge the same for whatever your working on. I think $20 an hour is a good rate for a beginner :2 cents:
 
Holly,

Being out in Cobourg, where you do you intend on getting most of your business? Are you going to be mobile and if so, is Toronto where you plan to find a majority of your work?

Not sure what the population of Cobourg is but I would imagine you could charge a lot more for the same work in Toronto, as well.

I'm not a professional detailer by any stretch, but I do know a bit about business and I think Todd gave some great suggestions with respect to products and keeping costs down in the beginning.

Obviously you should also consider what type of business you intend on running (in terms of the structure) as Canada has some very business friendly laws for sole proprietorships as well as CCPCs.

Good luck!
 
Hey Flash thanks.. the advise is great. I am starting to get a huge wish list for the stuff I want and need. :scared: I can't believe how addicting it can be when you go beyond the surface. Thanks for rate indication for where I am at!!
 
User Name said:
Holly,

Being out in Cobourg, where you do you intend on getting most of your business? Are you going to be mobile and if so, is Toronto where you plan to find a majority of your work?

Not sure what the population of Cobourg is but I would imagine you could charge a lot more for the same work in Toronto, as well.

I'm not a professional detailer by any stretch, but I do know a bit about business and I think Todd gave some great suggestions with respect to products and keeping costs down in the beginning.

Obviously you should also consider what type of business you intend on running (in terms of the structure) as Canada has some very business friendly laws for sole proprietorship as well as CCPCs.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Cobourg is not an overly populated area but there are a few areas in a reasonable travel distance, I would gladly travel the GTA for business. My goal right now is to get my skill level up, LEARN, build a great name for myself. It seems to make sense to build a decent mobile set up with the right equipment. Just trying to sort out the winter months and where I am going to get business then.. a little concerned about the mobile aspect. I don't want to set myself up for failure. You said you know a bit about the business.. perhaps you can fill me in on what you know. Metaphorically, I am a sponge just taking in what I can where I can. I will be taking up a lot of the recommendations and advise I have been getting.

Baby steps for now... I find myself wanting to run although I haven't mastered the walk yet. Ultimately I would like to specialize, high end vehicles, charter planes/jets and yachts but its going to take me a few years to get there. I have a great amount of work ahead of me and really trying to put everything into a logical order to get where I want to be. BUT! When I do get there....you can all claim some credit :p

I may be coming up to my first real challenge, an '82 Porsche 911 carrera. Its been quite neglected, dirty and dull. Just detailing the exterior for now, interior needs some repairs. Really excited to get my hands on that. I should know by the weekend, fingers crossed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top