local detail shop hire me, a 16 year old?

bad news :( i called em back friday afternoon and the guy who answered said he didn't get my message so i asked if they needed any help... hw says no, not right now, but try back in a few weeks. :(



i called the other shop yesterday and left a message. i pray they call me back.
 
I am 16 (for only two more days!) and I looked into getting a detailing job. I was going to be paid 6.00 an hour. I laughed and left that shop. I started handing out fliers, and didn't get any responses. I gave one to the owner of a local pizza chain, and he asked me to do his the next day. I did. He liked it. He had me do all of his cars, and offered to let me put fliers and business cards in his store. I though I would get no feedback from them, but he offered so.. o well.



I had people call me, and grill me about detailing. Most thought I couldn't do it since I am 16, but I told them to go talk to the owner of the shop (and i gave them the time he was always there.) I got sooo many return calls during the winter I was actually busy. The shop down the street had almost no cars!



Now I am swamped with business. I am doing cars for shows (which always looks good when you have a picture of you, and trophy, and a show car on your flier) and daily drivers. I have gotten to be able to pass off mini vans (ALWAYS digusting) unless they are willing to pay per hour.



I do 2 cars per weekend and get paid 125-300 per car (obviously depending on what the person wants)...



At my old job I got paid 6.50 an hour, and worked 16 hours a weekend. After taxes it was like 75-80 bucks per weekend. Now I can make 250-500 per weekend (very rarely have two 300 buck details in the same weekend). I think I like it more doing this!!



I am booked until the 2nd week in june.



The downside is.... You halfto constantly check your inventory of detailing supplies. After my first month, I learned it is alot wiser to buy in bulk. I now get everything I can in gallons or cases.



Sure I might have 36 wash mitts, but when am i going to run out :lol
 
samiam513 said:
I am 16 (for only two more days!) and I looked into getting a detailing job. I was going to be paid 6.00 an hour. I laughed and left that shop. I started handing out fliers, and didn't get any responses. I gave one to the owner of a local pizza chain, and he asked me to do his the next day. I did. He liked it. He had me do all of his cars, and offered to let me put fliers and business cards in his store. I though I would get no feedback from them, but he offered so.. o well.



I had people call me, and grill me about detailing. Most thought I couldn't do it since I am 16, but I told them to go talk to the owner of the shop (and i gave them the time he was always there.) I got sooo many return calls during the winter I was actually busy. The shop down the street had almost no cars!



Now I am swamped with business. I am doing cars for shows (which always looks good when you have a picture of you, and trophy, and a show car on your flier) and daily drivers. I have gotten to be able to pass off mini vans (ALWAYS digusting) unless they are willing to pay per hour.



I do 2 cars per weekend and get paid 125-300 per car (obviously depending on what the person wants)...



At my old job I got paid 6.50 an hour, and worked 16 hours a weekend. After taxes it was like 75-80 bucks per weekend. Now I can make 250-500 per weekend (very rarely have two 300 buck details in the same weekend). I think I like it more doing this!!



I am booked until the 2nd week in june.



The downside is.... You halfto constantly check your inventory of detailing supplies. After my first month, I learned it is alot wiser to buy in bulk. I now get everything I can in gallons or cases.



Sure I might have 36 wash mitts, but when am i going to run out :lol
Click to expand...



Stories like this make me proud. :usa
 
yeah, i like to hear that stuff too.... but when i presented the fliar idea to my parents they seemed to think you had to be insured to mess with other people's cars so they quickly rejected my plan. :(
 
I do not have insurance for detailing. No one helps me, and I only drive 1 person's cars. They live 2 doors down :rolleyes:



I refuse to do jobs such as wet sanding, and dressing motorcycle tires (i have no clue why the genius asked). I have no problem refusing jobs I know I have a large chance of screwing up on. I also do not use a rotary. Only PC or hand.



As long as you go slow, you should be just fine. My parents were scared too. Heck, my dad thought the PC was a waste of $$$ until he saw me take a car from black to grey!
 
i wouldn't mind not working for a detail shop if only i could find some local detailers! heck, maybe i could find someone to partner up with.. unfortunately it seems nobody here is concerned with cleanliness and the most advance detailing you see is an occasional wax :(
 
glass_image said:
could you tell me what method you use/products you use when you detail other people's cars?
Click to expand...



I use Viking wash mitts, s100 paste wax for regular details (1 can can get me 40+cars). Meguiar's detail line (purchased from auto body supply stores) has some really good cleaners. Lexol and 303 mainly for interior surfaces, and APC+ for carpet (really really good)



For show details the sky is the limit on what I use. At last count, I had 80-90 somthing individual products. I don't use them all on the same car (obviously because some do the same job as others) but they are there if somthing doesn't work.
 
I wish I were him, I really doubt that anyone around here really cares that much about their car, though. The bummer for me is that I don't have power tools and don't really have the money to get them right now...maybe after I get a job this summer at a dealership detailing. Oh well, at least I'm assured work there, and if there aren't specific jobs to do, then I can grab a car off the lot and start working. I thought I'd get good experience and maybe even teach the dealer a few things. (when I asked, they said that I should stop back in a few weeks to talk and that they want somebody to start being trained and broken in because their current guy is leaving after this summer) I went and looked at the supplies...a bunch of (hopefully) cotton terry towels and some large compound-bucket sized containers of washes and "all purpose cleaners". I looked at the product shelf which consisted of Meguiars #20 polymer sealant, Race Glaze, some GM Cleaner Wax, and some other product in a metal can that I didn't recognize. and Armor All. Now, I could certainly do fine with this stuff, but for a dealer selling new and used products, I would think they would have more. My revisions would include microfiber towels, some type (probably multiple) abrasives for used cars, and clay for new or used cars. I would also be willing to QD their showroom cars every day. Power tools would also be nice. (PC)...I've been thinking...how would air tools be? (there must be such things as air orbital buffers and maybe I could even get to know a rotary on the older cars...I bet air tools are cheaper)



People are just jumping on me trying to hire me, lol. two people asked me if I wanted to work at this summer camp thing, either as a counsiler or a cook. Also, the owner of a gas station that my dad is friends with asked me if I wanted to work weekends. I'm still contemplating this one...they were reasonable hours, only early part of day or later part of day...that means you have the other half to do stuff.



Ok, I started rambling a long time ago...does this dealer job sound good to you people, and do you think I could improve this department there? Maybe I could demonstrate what I could do with my own products, then let them get some. (they probably aren't even that picky)...like claying and polishing (by hand...argh).
 
Working for a dealer (or a pro detailing shop) is a GREAT experience for a young detailing fanatic and it can be great for the employer too. I worked in new car prep during the summer when I was in college and it was GREAT! I'd show up early to start detailing or clean up the shop (off the clock), take short lunches (again, no overtime), they thought I was nuts, but they sure didn't mind! And for me, I was getting PAID to clean up new cars!



Don't worry about how much you get paid unless you have a real, pressing need where every penny you can bring in is critical.



The downsides can be: what you're working with (materials and equipment) and the expectations you'll be facing. And remember, you won't always have all the time you'd like (and other times you'll have slow days where you'll be cleaning the shop out of boredom).



Your employer probably WON'T want to hear how they could/should use different stuff. They can be funny about this, so tread lightly. I had a rotary with ONE wool pad, had to really SEARCH for the spur to clean it (and this was in the days of single-stage paint). All-purpose "green glaze" and "pink cleaner", CRAPPY towels, etc. but hey, it was their shop. I just did the best I could. I'd occasionally pop over to the dealership's bodyshop for a polish if I really needed it (or you could bring some from home, but that's like paying them to let you work there).



Expectations..most people won't even NOTICE a great job, but then there are people who will REALLY go off about something that you're powerless over. For me, it was an early lesson about NOT getting worked up over the opinions of other people.
 
I just checked back on this post, thanks for your story, Accumulator. I guess I've been thinking about some of the issues you talked about, and now I can put it to rest that sometimes things are just "that way". Thank you.
 
You can also try some local bodyshops. You might land a paint prep position. The paint prep guys usually do the wet sanding and final polishing after the paintwork is done.
 
Stick at it!



Theres only one way to catch your dreams and thats to be persistant.



Don't take no for an answer and be patient, but ready when you get the break.



Heres what happened to me:





I spent 13 years earning ALOT of money, sometimes $500 a day to literally sit around and do nothing.

Hard to believe, but its very, very common in my particular field.



'It' came to me at about 4am (Dark o'clock .....) during a 12 hour night shift 800 miles from the nearest town, working on a gas development in the middle of the desert. (We used to call it 'Camp Mofn', I'll let you work it out.)



We were there sat in a cabin with everyone else smoking themselves silly and betting on scorpion fights the Rumanians ran.



I was wasting my life!



Sure I had plenty of money, but what use is that when every day is a drag and your bored outta your tiny mind.



So I went home, sold everything and went travelling, finally settling here in the USA.

I had to wait weeks and weeks for my damn Social Security number, so I couldn't find a regular job and I started detailing.

I discovered Autopia, improved my technique and the rest is history!



Anyway, I digress.



As Jngrbrd said, job satisfaction is a hell of alot.



To be your own boss, get up every morning knowing someone is going to trust you with their beautiful vehicles.

Some vehicles you would prolly never SEE, let alone look after.



For me ..... that'll do nicely.

As long as I earn enough to get by, do a good job I can come home and be content.



Big houses and expensive toys are all very nice, but really in the scheme of things they don't mean jack.



So stick at it!!!!



What do parents know anyway ?



:rolleyes:
 
samiam513 said:
I am 16 (for only two more days!) and I looked into getting a detailing job. I was going to be paid 6.00 an hour. I laughed and left that shop. I started handing out fliers, and didn't get any responses. I gave one to the owner of a local pizza chain, and he asked me to do his the next day. I did. He liked it. He had me do all of his cars, and offered to let me put fliers and business cards in his store. I though I would get no feedback from them, but he offered so.. o well.



I had people call me, and grill me about detailing. Most thought I couldn't do it since I am 16, but I told them to go talk to the owner of the shop (and i gave them the time he was always there.) I got sooo many return calls during the winter I was actually busy. The shop down the street had almost no cars!



Now I am swamped with business. I am doing cars for shows (which always looks good when you have a picture of you, and trophy, and a show car on your flier) and daily drivers. I have gotten to be able to pass off mini vans (ALWAYS digusting) unless they are willing to pay per hour.



I do 2 cars per weekend and get paid 125-300 per car (obviously depending on what the person wants)...



At my old job I got paid 6.50 an hour, and worked 16 hours a weekend. After taxes it was like 75-80 bucks per weekend. Now I can make 250-500 per weekend (very rarely have two 300 buck details in the same weekend). I think I like it more doing this!!



I am booked until the 2nd week in june.



The downside is.... You halfto constantly check your inventory of detailing supplies. After my first month, I learned it is alot wiser to buy in bulk. I now get everything I can in gallons or cases.



Sure I might have 36 wash mitts, but when am i going to run out :lol
Click to expand...



You sound like a good kid with a real work ethic but I have a bit of a problem with your attitude towards getting a job. It's symptomatic of most younger people today unfortunately. You say you apllied for a job detailing cars and were offered $6.00 per hour to start. Exactly what professional qualifications do you possess to entitle you to more? Have you ever had any professional training whatsoever? Reading up is great and following "enthusiast" forums can give you some background but does not make you a professional detailer whether you can do what seems to be a good job or not. Do you possess the knowledge to positively know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the products you use on a vehicle will not harm it today or cause problems 6 months or a year or 2 years down the road? You also mentioned you do not have any insurance - not very business like and God help you if you run into the wrong person or a accident. Don't get me wrong. I am not posting this to slam you or put you down at all. I am quite impressed with your desire to do something with yourself at such a young age. However, when working at any job you may and often will have to learn the trade and then bust your *** to make decent money. Kids have it too easy these days because we grew up in a society of plenty where a majority of kids didn't have to work. Just get it straight, nobody owes you the big bucks - if you are worth it, earn it and then enjoy it. Good luck with the business.
 
Folks, please excuse me if I lose it a lil.





Shineshop, I gotta take issue with ya here.



Its people like you that make 'kids of today' wanna give up before they even start.



Gee, I started my apprenticeship on 80 bucks a week -

Yeah 2 BUCKS AN HOUR.

I did a full 4 days at work plus an 11 hour day at college, the overtime for which I didnt get paid.

The second year was the same hours PLUS another night school.

It wasn't 'Social Studies' either, Control Engineering Degrees are very math-based and damn hard work.



However, at 16 I still thought I was a millionaire, most o my old schoolmates were still on pocket money and odd jobs in a store on a saturday.



I didnt ASK or EXPECT someone to give me a job or a living, I damn well worked my socks off to get where I am now, helped along by the odd lucky break.



Much like this kid sounds like he wants to.



So it seems the kid thinks he shows talent, knows his stuff (I know some 16yr olds still have trouble writing their name) PLUS he managed to find Autopia and have the balls to post!



Cmon, give the kid a break.



Most 16yr olds biggest concern is if Mary Jane wants to go down to McD's for a shake.



Any problems you have with 'uppity kids' are best kept to yourself in my view.
 
Smoker said:
Folks, please excuse me if I lose it a lil.





Shineshop, I gotta take issue with ya here.



Its people like you that make 'kids of today' wanna give up before they even start.



Gee, I started my apprenticeship on 80 bucks a week -

Yeah 2 BUCKS AN HOUR.

I did a full 4 days at work plus an 11 hour day at college, the overtime for which I didnt get paid.

The second year was the same hours PLUS another night school.

It wasn't 'Social Studies' either, Control Engineering Degrees are very math-based and damn hard work.



However, at 16 I still thought I was a millionaire, most o my old schoolmates were still on pocket money and odd jobs in a store on a saturday.



I didnt ASK or EXPECT someone to give me a job or a living, I damn well worked my socks off to get where I am now, helped along by the odd lucky break.



Much like this kid sounds like he wants to.



So it seems the kid thinks he shows talent, knows his stuff (I know some 16yr olds still have trouble writing their name) PLUS he managed to find Autopia and have the balls to post!



Cmon, give the kid a break.



Most 16yr olds biggest concern is if Mary Jane wants to go down to McD's for a shake.



Any problems you have with 'uppity kids' are best kept to yourself in my view.
Click to expand...



I think you missed the point of my post. I complimented the young man on his ambition and drive to make it on his own at such a young age. If I need to clarify my intentions then here goes. What I take issue with is the statement of "I laughed in his face" after being offered a job. I believe this sets a poor example for anyone applying for a job regardless of how much they are being paid. I much like yourself busted my *** from the age of 14 at crappy jobs where I didn't get paid as much as I should have but I gained something more valuable than an extra few bucks a week. I learned work ethic, business savvy, and the value of doing a good job regardless of the pay. Kids have it too easy now and expect too much as if they are doing employers a favour by "allowing" them to hire them. Ask anyone who runs a small business and you'll get a clear image of kids attitudes toward a job. Nobody who works for me wants to "give up before they start" if they work hard and do a good job. It's just that simple. I simply disagree with a 16 year old telling anyone how much they should pay them and not be willing to prove they are worth it first. No disrespect was intended to anyone.
 
Thats all the more reason to give a kid that WANTS to work a break!



I understand where your coming from, I served my apprenticeship alongside 60 or so other kids, there being a few that thought it was all a big joke, never turned up for classes and really didnt give a crap about what they were sposed to be learning.



Of course they all got fired or quit, but O how I bet theyre regretting it all these years later, throwing away the chance to learn a trade and be set for life.



On the other hand don't tar all kids with the same brush, for every kid that doesn't want to work theres 2 'small businessmen' who want folks to work for nothing and keep all the profit.

A friend of mine always moans when his boss keeps the $20k 'Branch Performance Bonus' (thats sposed to be shared) all to himself.



I found out the same thing when one contract company actually tried to hire me on $8 an hour less than the Blue Book** rate for my trade.

Was I wrong to laugh in his face ?



Bear that in mind .....









**Blue Book is the Industry Set Minimum Wage for various trades in the UK (e.g. My trade is around $22/hr).

Any company worth its salt will START hiring at this wage and it should only go up depending on experience.

The mentioned company specialised in using 'Improvers' - basically non-accredited people who learned 'on the job'.

Needless to say their work, being in such a technical field was wildly sub-standard.
 
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