Hi huys I have some more questions again. Last night my boss (knows I am a car nut) asked me about cleaning his 3 autos. He has a Mercury Sable silver with leather,Toy van slightly used silver,and a Toy Tacoma black. He wants all washed,vac,tires shined,windows cleaned,inside shiney. He wants the car and truck waxed and wants protection. I am thinking about doing this.I will have to get some wax/polish what do i need,i am getting it in town,walmart,auto zone etc.I want to get quick detailer,wax or polish, wheel cleaner,leather condiontior. What brands do I need,Mothers,meguiar's,etc. I was thinking about $150.00 to $200.00 total.I am not doing the engine(he does not want it done),shampoo,clay,or paint correction.I am doing this be hand. sorry for the long post and thanks
need help may clean up 3 cars
- Thread starter dolfans
- Start date
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
I have a couple of thoughts about this. One I think that its great that you've got the potential for these jobs. However I worry that you don't have the experience level to do them.
Product selection is not just that easy, and some practice on non-customers cars is where I would suggest that you get that. Next you are asking a pretty decent amount for each car, maybe he can afford it, but you are right up there IMO with the local detailers that have the expertise in detailing. If your boss knows that you are still a newbie at this and is willing to let you learn then I say right on!
Product selection is not just that easy, and some practice on non-customers cars is where I would suggest that you get that. Next you are asking a pretty decent amount for each car, maybe he can afford it, but you are right up there IMO with the local detailers that have the expertise in detailing. If your boss knows that you are still a newbie at this and is willing to let you learn then I say right on!
shuddleston
New member
Man that seems cheap to me for three vehicles especially waxing the two. You don't want to go so cheap that if you get more work your stuck at that cheap price. I did three cars recently and it was $425 for all just to give you an idea of pricing. However, those were all full details. I guarantee he knows he cannot go anywhere and get full details on three cars for $150 so don't sell yourslef short. In addition, if you don't already have some basic products you could spend 3/4 of your profit just getting those - stuffs not cheap.
JaredPointer
COME AT ME BRO
I say go for it. From what you said he is asking you to do, it doesn't sound like he is expecting polish / paint correction work done. It will give you some good experience on things to look for when cleaning other people's vehicles and what sort of time you should allow and price to charge.
$50 per car for a wash wax is not pricey, at least not in my opinion.
As far as products go, if you are looking at buying over-the-counter stuff, I'd suggest something along the lines of Meg's car wash shampoo, Meg's ColorX as an AIO type product, NXT 2.0 as a sealant. Get some Folex for the interior. Stoner's Invisible Glass for the windows. You should be set on tire dressing for a little while when your package arrives.
My only advice would be not to over-represent what it is you are doing to your prospective customers. If you can make some money doing something that interests you and learn along the way, that's great. Don't let the experience part keep you from doing paying jobs - no matter what you read on detailing boards, none of this stuff is rocket science. With a little reading and practice, I think anyone can be a very good detailer.
$50 per car for a wash wax is not pricey, at least not in my opinion.
As far as products go, if you are looking at buying over-the-counter stuff, I'd suggest something along the lines of Meg's car wash shampoo, Meg's ColorX as an AIO type product, NXT 2.0 as a sealant. Get some Folex for the interior. Stoner's Invisible Glass for the windows. You should be set on tire dressing for a little while when your package arrives.
My only advice would be not to over-represent what it is you are doing to your prospective customers. If you can make some money doing something that interests you and learn along the way, that's great. Don't let the experience part keep you from doing paying jobs - no matter what you read on detailing boards, none of this stuff is rocket science. With a little reading and practice, I think anyone can be a very good detailer.
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
Experience has everything to do with pay big bucks for detailing. A simple car wash wax IMO is not $200...you can get the hackers in about any city to do that for much less than half that.
My details are 200 and up on full bumper to bumper details. That's what my area bares in most cases, and I have over 30 years of hands on detailing.
Also if he has to buy product to get these done, then that's the cost of doing business. Your profit comes from the total amount of cars you can do with a given product, gallon, quart,etc. In the end profit is not made in product its made in man hours
My details are 200 and up on full bumper to bumper details. That's what my area bares in most cases, and I have over 30 years of hands on detailing.
Also if he has to buy product to get these done, then that's the cost of doing business. Your profit comes from the total amount of cars you can do with a given product, gallon, quart,etc. In the end profit is not made in product its made in man hours
JaredPointer
COME AT ME BRO
$150-200 is the price for all three cars - at least that's the way I am reading the post.
thanks guys i ahve been into cars and keeping the cars i have clean and up.I have been waxing since the late 1980's.I use to use Meguiar's stuff all the time untill the mid to late 90's.about the last 4-5 yrs i have not been as active in it untill the last yr or so. He has money but i dont think he will go to high and he is a chef and he is making a cake for me for free this coming week also wifes b day
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
This is solid advice that's what I was saying. If his boss knows he is new at this and willing to let him learn, then right on.
We all started someplace and this could be his start into the world of weekend detailing for some extra $$
shuddleston
New member
I realize the product is part of doing business just wanted to ensure he was taking that into consideration. It's easy to oporate at a loss with all those cool products out there 
especially just starting out.
especially just starting out.
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
Your right I misread that...and for a starter guy that's not a bad starting cost
I realize the product is part of doing business just wanted to ensure he was taking that into consideration. It's easy to oporate at a loss with all those cool products out there
I agree, start up costs can / due eat into your profit on the first round of car, at least that's been my experience so far. To understand that when you buy your products is key. I'd say that he will drop about 60 ish based on what he listed needing
JohnHenry
New member
Where do you live, dolfans? (If that's short for "Dolphins Fans," I'd bet that there's a S FL detailer/member or two who wouldn't mind you hanging out and learning.) Just curious.
JaredPointer
COME AT ME BRO
He's in NC if I remember correctly.
No need for me to add anything to the above.
I did bold one very sage piece of advice from my pork eating crusader.
