RaysWay
Autopia Specialist
I just wanted to share some of this weekends details and some of my thoughts and experiences. I`ve learned that mobile detailing is a completely different monster compared to detailing at home or in a shop, and hopefully discussing my experiences can help others.
I seriously underestimated the power of business cards. Not only does it make it easier for customers to contact you, it also gives them an initial impression of professionalism. I`m also still learning on what to bring and how much to bring. I`ve learned there`s a thin line between bring too much stuff and too little.
Saturday
The weekend started with a basic wash and wax on a black Honda Civic (no pics) scheduled for 8am. This was my only scheduled detail for Saturday. I arrived 5 minutes early and had to call the customer several times to wake her up since the car was locked. I didn`t wake up at 6:30am to drive across town to leave empty handed! The wash and wax was quick and simple and I was back on the road in an hour and a half. My wash and wax package includes light interior and I can normally finish in an hour, but this Civic had a lot of hair. Borderline enough hair to require additional charge. Business cards were left in a dash compartment and I`ve already received a referral call from this detail. $$
MVP`s: Autobahn Max Vac, Rubber Pet Hair Brush, Montana Boars Hair Tri-Angle Car Wash Brush, CarPro Hydro
After the Civic detail, I decided to get a hair cut. The barber shop I go to is always very busy and waits can go over 2 hours. It was early enough in the day that I had a good shot of only having to wait an hour. While I was getting a hair cut I mentioned to the barber that I just finished a detail...next thing you know he`s enthusiastically handing me the keys to his Volkswagen for a wash and wax. Luckily the barber shop has water and electric access from outside.
I noticed he had aftermarket wheels and tires and decided to make them a high priority. If someone spends money on a nice set of wheels and tires, they probably want them looking their best....
Since a few of the other barbers voiced interest in having their cars washed too, I wanted to make a great first impression. As they came outside one by one to watch me work, I made sure to answer all of their questions enthusiastically and positively.
Optimum Power Clean and Optimum FerreX made great work out of the brake dust covered wheels and tires.
Sure enough the first place the owner of this VW inspected were his wheels and tires. He was really happy mentioning that he loves to have his car clean and shiny but doesn`t have enough time to keep it up. So having his car detailed while he worked was great. He wants me to come back next week and mentioned offering his customers that are waiting a detail too.
He handed me cash + tip and I ended up detailing two more cars (Chevy Sonic and VW GTI - no pics). What started as a single wash and wax day ended up being 4 wash and waxes because I was ready and mobile. $$$
MVP`s: Optimum Power Clean and FerreX, Montana Boars Hair Tri-Angle Car Wash Brush, CarPro Hydro2
Sunday
Sunday started like Saturday with a single appointment on the books. This time, with a very familiar car. Some of you will recognize this car from a previous Pinnacle Black Label Coating Detail almost 2 years ago. I love this car since nobody else has washed this car besides me from mile 14.
The owner mentioned the car needs a lot of love and she wanted another coating applied. I talked her into Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating and arrived to start at 8:30am.
She mentioned having a lot of interior stains she wanted removed too. Luckily with the last few details, I`ve been really dialing in my interior details with the tools and products needed to be used.
Most of the fabric seats had these water or dirt stains. A mixture of tanning oils, sunscreen, sweat and water from the beach make this a common issue here in Florida. I`ve also renamed my vacuum the sandman, since 90% of my bags end up filled with Florida`s finest beaches.
I started with the wheels and tires.
Before washing and claying. I was actually taking my sweet time since I didn`t have any other details planned for the day. But during the polishing step, I was approached by a neighbor who asked if I had a business card. She mentioned she had a Pontiac that needed a lot of love and was excited to see someone detailing in her neighborhood on a Sunday. She took my card and after answering a few generic questions...she left.
Everyone loves clean glass!
The same lady with the Pontiac came back about an hour later and asked if I could come give her a quote. I walked over to her garage and spoke to her and her husband before agreeing on a 2 step coating detail in 2 weeks.
Remember those dirty seats? Wolfgang Carpet and Upholstey Restorer to the rescue.
This was just after a single application. A couple more applications and the seats were back to perfect.
By now, TWO more neighbors stopped by and inquired about details. Everyone seems very enthusiastic about having their cars detailed in their own driveways and the Subaru was starting to become a glowing shiny piece of advertisement for my work. The same neighbor that booked me in 2 weeks came to check on the Subaru and kept saying "man that looks good!".
I decided to move the Subaru to face the street, making it easier for people to see me working.
After a quick wipe down with Wolfgang Perfekt Paint Prep, Uber Ceramic was ready to be applied.
I started to hurry now as I had THREE more cars to do and losing sunlight began to be a problem.
The Subaru was finished and looked amazing. She told me the Subaru would now be spending nights in the garage. I`m really looking forward to washing this again so I can see some great beading!
The next job was a headlight restoration on a work truck. This was one of the neighbors that drove by.
Sorry no after pics but they came out great! I was starting to run around like a mad man. (p.s. I`m glad I packed lunch and brought plenty of water this time)
The next detail from a drive by was this Toyota truck. Wash and Wax was all it needed.
Did I mention that I love Hydro2 and Poorboy`s Leather Stuff?
The 4th detail was on his wifes Toyota Rav4 (sorry no pics) which I mostly did in the dark using my LED Light Stand for light. I really don`t mind washing cars in the dark since everything stays nice and cool.
MVP`s: Wolfgang brand products, RUPES LHR 75E, CarPro Hydro2
Conclusion:
What started out as a slow weekend with only 2 details scheduled, ended up being 8 vehicles detailed and 1 appointment made in 2 weeks and other jobs pending. With mobile detailing, organization is KEY. Know where to put your tools and chemicals makes jobs much easier. For example, I have an Autopia Detailing bag with all of my headlight restoration tools (including a Griot`s 3 inch) to make jobs easier and faster.
Thanks for reading everyone and if you have any questions on products used or the process on any of the 8 cars let me know. I know I skipped over a lot, but I had a lot to cover!
Thanks,
Ray
I seriously underestimated the power of business cards. Not only does it make it easier for customers to contact you, it also gives them an initial impression of professionalism. I`m also still learning on what to bring and how much to bring. I`ve learned there`s a thin line between bring too much stuff and too little.
Saturday
The weekend started with a basic wash and wax on a black Honda Civic (no pics) scheduled for 8am. This was my only scheduled detail for Saturday. I arrived 5 minutes early and had to call the customer several times to wake her up since the car was locked. I didn`t wake up at 6:30am to drive across town to leave empty handed! The wash and wax was quick and simple and I was back on the road in an hour and a half. My wash and wax package includes light interior and I can normally finish in an hour, but this Civic had a lot of hair. Borderline enough hair to require additional charge. Business cards were left in a dash compartment and I`ve already received a referral call from this detail. $$
MVP`s: Autobahn Max Vac, Rubber Pet Hair Brush, Montana Boars Hair Tri-Angle Car Wash Brush, CarPro Hydro
After the Civic detail, I decided to get a hair cut. The barber shop I go to is always very busy and waits can go over 2 hours. It was early enough in the day that I had a good shot of only having to wait an hour. While I was getting a hair cut I mentioned to the barber that I just finished a detail...next thing you know he`s enthusiastically handing me the keys to his Volkswagen for a wash and wax. Luckily the barber shop has water and electric access from outside.
I noticed he had aftermarket wheels and tires and decided to make them a high priority. If someone spends money on a nice set of wheels and tires, they probably want them looking their best....
Since a few of the other barbers voiced interest in having their cars washed too, I wanted to make a great first impression. As they came outside one by one to watch me work, I made sure to answer all of their questions enthusiastically and positively.
Optimum Power Clean and Optimum FerreX made great work out of the brake dust covered wheels and tires.
Sure enough the first place the owner of this VW inspected were his wheels and tires. He was really happy mentioning that he loves to have his car clean and shiny but doesn`t have enough time to keep it up. So having his car detailed while he worked was great. He wants me to come back next week and mentioned offering his customers that are waiting a detail too.
He handed me cash + tip and I ended up detailing two more cars (Chevy Sonic and VW GTI - no pics). What started as a single wash and wax day ended up being 4 wash and waxes because I was ready and mobile. $$$
MVP`s: Optimum Power Clean and FerreX, Montana Boars Hair Tri-Angle Car Wash Brush, CarPro Hydro2
Sunday
Sunday started like Saturday with a single appointment on the books. This time, with a very familiar car. Some of you will recognize this car from a previous Pinnacle Black Label Coating Detail almost 2 years ago. I love this car since nobody else has washed this car besides me from mile 14.
The owner mentioned the car needs a lot of love and she wanted another coating applied. I talked her into Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating and arrived to start at 8:30am.
She mentioned having a lot of interior stains she wanted removed too. Luckily with the last few details, I`ve been really dialing in my interior details with the tools and products needed to be used.
Most of the fabric seats had these water or dirt stains. A mixture of tanning oils, sunscreen, sweat and water from the beach make this a common issue here in Florida. I`ve also renamed my vacuum the sandman, since 90% of my bags end up filled with Florida`s finest beaches.
I started with the wheels and tires.
Before washing and claying. I was actually taking my sweet time since I didn`t have any other details planned for the day. But during the polishing step, I was approached by a neighbor who asked if I had a business card. She mentioned she had a Pontiac that needed a lot of love and was excited to see someone detailing in her neighborhood on a Sunday. She took my card and after answering a few generic questions...she left.
Everyone loves clean glass!
The same lady with the Pontiac came back about an hour later and asked if I could come give her a quote. I walked over to her garage and spoke to her and her husband before agreeing on a 2 step coating detail in 2 weeks.
Remember those dirty seats? Wolfgang Carpet and Upholstey Restorer to the rescue.
This was just after a single application. A couple more applications and the seats were back to perfect.
By now, TWO more neighbors stopped by and inquired about details. Everyone seems very enthusiastic about having their cars detailed in their own driveways and the Subaru was starting to become a glowing shiny piece of advertisement for my work. The same neighbor that booked me in 2 weeks came to check on the Subaru and kept saying "man that looks good!".
I decided to move the Subaru to face the street, making it easier for people to see me working.
After a quick wipe down with Wolfgang Perfekt Paint Prep, Uber Ceramic was ready to be applied.
I started to hurry now as I had THREE more cars to do and losing sunlight began to be a problem.
The Subaru was finished and looked amazing. She told me the Subaru would now be spending nights in the garage. I`m really looking forward to washing this again so I can see some great beading!
The next job was a headlight restoration on a work truck. This was one of the neighbors that drove by.
Sorry no after pics but they came out great! I was starting to run around like a mad man. (p.s. I`m glad I packed lunch and brought plenty of water this time)
The next detail from a drive by was this Toyota truck. Wash and Wax was all it needed.
Did I mention that I love Hydro2 and Poorboy`s Leather Stuff?
The 4th detail was on his wifes Toyota Rav4 (sorry no pics) which I mostly did in the dark using my LED Light Stand for light. I really don`t mind washing cars in the dark since everything stays nice and cool.
MVP`s: Wolfgang brand products, RUPES LHR 75E, CarPro Hydro2
Conclusion:
What started out as a slow weekend with only 2 details scheduled, ended up being 8 vehicles detailed and 1 appointment made in 2 weeks and other jobs pending. With mobile detailing, organization is KEY. Know where to put your tools and chemicals makes jobs much easier. For example, I have an Autopia Detailing bag with all of my headlight restoration tools (including a Griot`s 3 inch) to make jobs easier and faster.
Thanks for reading everyone and if you have any questions on products used or the process on any of the 8 cars let me know. I know I skipped over a lot, but I had a lot to cover!
Thanks,
Ray
) to apply coatings, but I love giving my customers the convenience of mobile detailing.
