First REAL detail job on Thurs, how does my list of supplies look?

T

TechSol

New member
Well, I was asleep, and I got a call asking for me on my cell... I thought it was a sales call, but realized it was my cell so it could only be one thing. Sure enough, someone from my school (not sure if she is a professor or just works there) got ahold of my number and wanted just the inside of her car done. I handled the call VERY well, even though I was thinking "OMG what do I say, I have no price plans yet!". She said that she wanted just the interior done... except her seats are clean, have always had seat covers, and she just needs her floors pretty much. I asked about the outside, she said it was clean so she didn't really need it done. I thought I might as well go for a "special" rate since I need to get my name out, and this car looks like a good candidate. I told her that I would clean the inside and outside, and wax the car for $60. (I probably could have got more out of her, but I didn't know since she only wanted her floors cleaned originally.. ) I know i undercharged, but hopefully it should be pretty easy and hopefully I'll get some sort of tip lol



Here is what I have... what should I buy??



Interior:

Various scrub brushes

Woolite w/ water

SIG

303

Zymol leather cleaner

Zymol leather conditioner



Exterior:

QEW

Zymol auto wash, zymol wax

Zymol quick detailer

Back-to-black

Meguiars cleaner wax

Rim cleaner (AA)

A GREAT bug and tar remover

Rubbing compound

Meguiars swirl remover

Meguiars showcar glaze

Bleechwhite tire cleaner (followed by probalby meguiars hot shine?)



I know I won't need a lot of this stuff for THIS job, but am I missing anything? Everything is all packed into a nice Armorall Duffel bag I just happened to find lol
 
Lose the rubbing compound!!!!!!!!!!! You wont need it. If you have scratches that need rubbing compound, then you better have a paint booth!



J/k! Seriously, dont even open the rubbing compound. It looks like you have everything else to do an awesome job.



Just re-read your post. It looks like you wont be using it.

Oh well. Happy detailing.



Trent
 
Yep, thanks! I just packed everything that I thought I might have the need to use sometime... had the RC left over from when I wetsanded my car so I threw it in the bag lol
 
Get some good MFs, also some MFs for door jambs, wheels, interior..etc...,Foam Apps, MF Apps, Terry Apps, Spray & Wipe, some kind of sealant. Almost forgot clay.
 
I have some MFs (about 35)... they're not the really expensive kind but they definately work ok for now... I have applicators, tire swipes, and all of that... the only thing I don't have anymore is clay since my claybar is only good for wheels since it has been used a lot.
 
Just got done detailing the car... it took SO long and was MUCH dirtier than expected. (bad tar, etc). We got right to work though and it looks beautiful now for being a NEVER waxed, seldom washed, 1997 silver Camry. To make it worse she was standing over my friend and I watching everything we did, asking why we are doing things the way we are, suggesting we do something else, and pointing out minor spots that either A.) we hadnt done yet, or B.) are so hard to get to that we couldnt.



It seemed like she was unhappy, until half way through when we finished waxing the car and were working on the mats. Then she was watching and commented on how good I was at cleaning cars, and that I was doing such a good job. She asked me how much to maintain the car, and I told her $20 for an inside/outside wash. (I figure that I can do a QEW after class at the college, waste no gas money, and probably get it done once a week). She is very serious about me doing work on her car from now on, and even asked if we do any mechanical work. (she made sure I knew where her office was, gave me a card, and told me to come talk to her in a week or two)
 
Congratulations on your success. Hopefully she

will have referals for you as well.:xyxthumbs



Ditch the Back To Black, and get some Mr Clean Magic Erasers

intead. Less expensive, and will do a much better job of cleaning

the trim as oppossed to trying to hide stains.



Invest in some painter's tape or masking tape, and some old

newspaper. This will help keep polish and wax off the areas

you do not want it getting on.



Some good MF applicator pads (for wax) and some foam ones

(for sealants). You can get these at most major auto stores.



Get a pack of the general purpose terry towels and a pack

of shop towels (the shop towles I'm refering to are actually

blue heavy duty paper towels). You can get these at Home

Depot.



If you dont already have one, you might also want to get a soft

or semi stiff toothbrush. Better yet, get a used one from your

house (just make sure it will not brush any more teeth:D )



Some large plastic garbage bags, preferably the see-through

kind. You can use these in place of seat covers or floor mats in

case the seats or mats are still damp and the car has to go out

right away. It my look cheesy, but you can always cut the bags

to shape, and most of the time the folks will appreciate that little

extra effort (no one wants to sit on damp seats or have their

feet sliding around on damp carpet or floor mats).



You don't need more than one car shampoo, so let

the situation dictate what you will need. Personally,

I prefer to use QEW if I have to do some additional

work like polishing and such, or, if I do not have ready

access to a garden hose. I would use the Zymol (or any

other car shampoo) if the car is real dirty, I have a little

more time on my hands, and have a hose available.



And be sure to charge what you work is worth, in case she

does happen to refer you other folks. Let her know that the

price you charge her is between you and her. Then go make

out an hourly work rate sheet. Once you have an idea how

long a certain task will take, you can charge everyone else

accordingly. Once you do that,I think you may find that

the lady is indeed getting a bargain.
 
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