Mobile Detailing - Need tips (Beginner)

J

John_K

New member
Hey guys/gals,



I'm starting up my part time business detailing cars and I have a co-worker and my father that want their cars done with some basic wash/dry work with no wax/polish.



I have offered to do both for free to build up experience, but both wish to pay, so I'm going to let them decide what they think it is worth.



Anyways, I am now going to do my first cleaning job taking my stuff with me and I was hoping you guys could offer me some of your advice. Some basic information:



1.) I would like to use ONR on both jobs (if possible).

2.) I don't have a van. I will be using my 3-Series Coupe (E46) to transport everything.

3.) I think everything will fit in the trunk / backseat. My only concern is my Craftsman shop vac. It is very big.



What should I use to transport the goods? Plastic tubs, recycled shopping bags, etc. ? What do you use to transport good safely and dirt/dust free, and where did you get it (how much)?
 
If you're just doing a basic wash, you should be able to easily fit everything in your car. You should really find something a little more compact for a vacuum if you wish to do this a little more consistently. A large wet-dry vac isn't practical if you're going to be hauling everything around in a 3-series.



As far as transporting stuff, I use totes and a couple trays. Although, everything I use for a basic wash pretty much fits in two 5-gal buckets.
 
A few tips;



-Keep your car as clean as possible when going out to jobs, customers always look at it when you show up(at least with me they do) you don't want to show up in a dirty car. Thats just unprofessional.

-Stick with some totes, rubbermaid bins and the trays, stay away from the shopping bags(they just looks silly and are prone to ripping and falling apart)

-Get a 2-3 gallon shop vac and some extended hoses and small attachments.

-ONR will work great, just be weary that it will take a bit longer and it becomes difficult to do wheel wells with it- price accordingly.

-Practice with ONR on a personal vehicle first, without practice its going to take you a longgg time.

-Don't forget extensions cords.



Good luck and enjoy!
 
Thanks for the great tips guys!!! I did the job today, and the owners were happy, but I personally wasn't happy with it. They gave me a tip for doing it even though I refused it. The 5 gallon buckets is a great idea. I also need more empty spray bottles. The shop vac is pretty big, but it came with a blower so I couldn't refuse!!
 
John_K said:
I did the job today, and the owners were happy, but I personally wasn't happy with it.
Click to expand...

This happens to me often, where I finish a vehicle and still see some imperfections that drive me nuts. But, remember, you're getting paid for your time, so you have "x" amount of time to do as good of a job as you can. If you start becoming a perfectionist "at all costs", you're going to find yourself spending 6, 7, 8 hours on a single wash and only making $75 for it.



"You get what you pay for" is a line that a lot of us need to remind ourselves of every so often.



Also something to keep in mind, you're the industry professional. You see things that 99% of folks outside the industry would never see.
 
First off, I am not a pro detailer but I am someone obsessed with being organized. Too many engineering degrees will do that to a man.



I have found that the best storage tubs out there are the one that CVS/Walgreens use to ship stock to their stores from their distribution centers. They sell similar atrached lid totes at big box stores but they are in no way as sturdy as these, as these get bounced around the country for years and have to hold up.



You can ussually talk to the manager and pick some up. Here are some of the advantages I have found.



*really heavy duty

*all standard sizes and come in full size, 1/2 size and 1/4 size that all stack together nicely

*nestable when empty

*lids are attached

*Sizes are standardized across industry so they sell wheeled carts for them

*2 stacked on each other make a great work table



Here is an idea of what I am talking about but like i said you can pick them up from CVS or Walgreens. if one manager says no just go to a different store. Eventually you will get some.



Distribution Containers | Web Special on 27x17x12, 24x20x12 and 21x15x12 totes



THESE THINGS ARE AWESOME!!!!!
 
Refusing a tip might be construed by some customers as rude or admitting a mistake in some way. Review your reason for being in business..."To make others happy, or to make money?" If you can do both, that is key. However, I would not turn down the tip, but politely accept.



They were happy because I'm sure it was better than the $20 tunnel wash.



Yes, practice with the ONR- took me some time to get used to it. I was using 2 buckets and blah blah blah, but after talking with David G. and training with Yvan, I came to know that one bucket is fine based on how the product works. I just did my wife's black BMW a few min. ago- took me about 15 min. including wheels and applying spray wax and going over glass. It was a quick wash for sure, but it used to take me about double that.



When you get the money, the metro vac is small and incredible! I'm ordering one next week.



For you paint gauge guys, here is one on sale for 199 with shipping. I emailed about ordering 5 and if I can get the price down, I'll share the info. I've used this gauge with the ETG and both showed the same measurements- ok, off topic now.



Work that ONR and practice with different applicators..mf towels, mitts, foam mitts, etc. Get it down to where you can train someone to work with you. The most per hour you will make is with 3 total works IMO- I've done the math and worked with 1,2 and 3. Three was the best and gives you the work you want- the other two get to clean wheels, wheel wells, vacuum, etc. You get to talk with customers, do glass, etc. Drive your customer service hard--follow up with thank you cards. I do SOC- Send Out Cards. Send a customer a comment card (prepaid postage) and have a section for a quick testimonial on there and then use that with your website- put it on Yahoo pages. Work the traffic! Videos! Get a FlipCamera. It takes less than 3 min. for me to have a video done for my site.



Ok, seriously, now I'm done.



Good luck!



Rob
 
well first off good luck.I love having a mobile detail business,your not stuck in a shop all day long,anyway quick tip i always try to carry extra spray bottles and sprayers. nothing bothers me more when the sprayers get clogged and don't work ! good luck! have fun,
 
These all are great points... Thanks again fellas. I'm bookmarking and sending this to my personal email for reference.
 
Hi John_K ...



I don't post often, but I would like to pitch in my $0.02 ...



full or p/t ... make it worth your time



I'm NOT in sales, but I work in an office where I see enough salespersons on a monthly basis to tell you MAKE IT WORTH YOUR TIME!



family/friends ... regular joe's ... who cares, set an amount up front!!



make a checklist in microsoft word - carry it on a clipboard, show your customer what you are going to do ...



even if you are "NEW" .. you will look professional!
 
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