Prioritizing Big Purchases (Air Compressor, Steamer, etc) - What would you do?

A

ahheck01

New member
Hello all,



I'm getting my first official shop space in the next month or so, and over the next year I'd like to equip myself to do both efficient and top-notch quality details. I've got the bulk of the standard washing and polishing regimen covered, but the larger investments are more difficult to tackle financially.



My number one desire is to get better results in my details - for example, a steamer may be able to clean things better than without in many instances, so the purchase of a steamer would better my results assuming proper use.



My secondary desire is efficiency. An air compressor can help accelerate proper drying, removal of wheels, cleaning of pads, etc., shaving valuable time off of a very long process of a complete detail.



So if you're building up a detailing shop from scratch, assuming basic washing and buffing supplies are already there, how would you prioritize the bigger things? The main ones I'd like to see in order of your priority are:



Air Compressor

Paint Thickness Gauge

Steamer

Power Washer

Scissor Lift

Extractor



Are there any other big guys that have a great impact on effectiveness or efficiencies?



Also, I should mention, my philosophy is to buy quality once. I'd rather save a bit to spend $800 on a compressor I buy once and it reliably meets my needs for a long time to come, than to buy a cheap $150 pancake that does a so-so job for a while and then poops out. Cheaper is often more expensive. I know that can make a big difference for these things, so I thought I'd throw that out there.



So how would you prioritize?
 
If my main focus was paint renovation-

1. Paint Thickness Gauge

2. Power Washer

3. Scissor Lift

4. Air Compressor

5. Steamer

6. Extractor

 
TOGWT said:
If my main focus was paint renovation-

1. Paint Thickness Gauge

2. Power Washer

3. Scissor Lift

4. Air Compressor

5. Steamer

6. Extractor
Click to expand...



Excellent, thank you! Would you be willing to share why?
 
TOGWT said:
If my main focus was paint renovation-

1. Paint Thickness Gauge

2. Power Washer

3. Scissor Lift

4. Air Compressor

5. Steamer

6. Extractor
Click to expand...



This is close to what I was thinking also except the lift would be moved to #6. The compressor is a must for blowing out under seats and interior cleaning plus exterior chores. A lift is great but a jack and sturdy jack stands would suffice until funds were available. I have a 2 post lift but now wish I also had a scissors lift.
 
What is your big money maker? That's what you need to facilitate being efficient on first. Second most? Third? ect...



A shop means much more overhead. If you've got a nice bit of overhead, you need to be focused on either volume or high profit/expensive services. Most folks need to hit up volume services as it takes a long time to build the reputation that commands expensive services. If that's the case, focus on what will rock cars in and out the fastest.
 
JC hit the same remarks I was thinking.



I would put power washer up as one of the 1st. For in an outs, cars will be faster cleaning overall, if not a better more efficient time than spending it on wheels.
 
I don't consider most of your options as "big" expenses. And sometimes you can get away with cheaper things for awhile.



Examples:

Extech PTG $150 ish

Harbor Freight Vertical 26 gal oiled-motor air compressor $130 ish on sale (I've used mine as an auto hobbyist for 9 years)

McCullogh steam cleaner ($100)

Electric power washer (Karcher good one is probably about $200 decently equipped with a longer hose and accessories. )



You've then got to think that maybe buying a cheaper/not-professional alternative wont last you as long as a pro model but even if the item lasts a year and saves you maybe 10 hours at $30/hour, or improves your quality such that you get 2 new customers based on word of mouth, or just saves some headaches with doing a task "manually" you've still made money on all of the above.
 
dfoxengr said:
I don't consider most of your options as "big" expenses. And sometimes you can get away with cheaper things for awhile.



Examples:

Extech PTG $150 ish

Harbor Freight Vertical 26 gal oiled-motor air compressor $130 ish on sale (I've used mine as an auto hobbyist for 9 years)

McCullogh steam cleaner ($100)

Electric power washer (Karcher good one is probably about $200 decently equipped with a longer hose and accessories. )



You've then got to think that maybe buying a cheaper/not-professional alternative wont last you as long as a pro model but even if the item lasts a year and saves you maybe 10 hours at $30/hour, or improves your quality such that you get 2 new customers based on word of mouth, or just saves some headaches with doing a task "manually" you've still made money on all of the above.
Click to expand...







I dunno.....I subscribe to Buy Once Cry Once. To each it's own, within your budget...
 
and that's a great mindset, but making a business choice it makes sense to buy something now that can quickly make up its own value plus some. this will help you make more after you recoup the purchase to put towards the better item. plus you'll then have a backup for the future if you have either a failure on your goto machine or want one across the shop.



similar to why guys jumped on the harbor freight polisher. only to use as a backup.
 
dfoxengr said:
and that's a great mindset, but making a business choice it makes sense to buy something now that can quickly make up its own value plus some. this will help you make more after you recoup the purchase to put towards the better item. plus you'll then have a backup for the future if you have either a failure on your goto machine or want one across the shop.



similar to why guys jumped on the harbor freight polisher. only to use as a backup.
Click to expand...

OP here - so you bring up a very compelling point. The concern I have is this: Is a $150 paint gauge worth anything at all, or is the compromise of accuracy and flexibility make the added assurance moot? Is a $100 steamer going to be powerful enough to where it actually saves time, or actually does things that I couldn't do without it?



Since the good steamers are $2k+, as are the high end paint gauges, I'm definitely open to getting by for now with the cheaper alternatives - but only if they actually do any good at all. Open to references to peoples own experiences here.
 
Updated order based on feedback:



1) Air Compressor

2) Pressure Washer

3) Paint Thickness Gauge

4) Steamer

5) Scissor Lift

6) Extractor
 
The stated tolerances of the $150 PTG's are about 2-3% I believe. Many others have good success with the Highline brand of PTG. Just ask yourself this: if it saved you one time from somehow burning through some 65mil paint, would it be worth it? Just repainting a door or fender is going to cost 3-400 and it'll definitely lose you a customer and hurt your reputation.



If the $100 steamer helped you clean a few gunky areas or stains in a carpet or really clean around those exterior emblems that you would've taken 5x as long to do, or that you couldn't do by hand, wouldn't that increase your quality and be something you could brag to the customer about?
 
I think this order is really close and you have to do what works best for you, but I would go:

1) Pressure Washer (as you'll wonder why you ever lived without one each time you wash a car)

2) Air Compressor

3) Paint Thickness Gauge

4) Extractor (because I would bet that adding just a +$15 hot water extract to your basic or mid grade interior detail for cloth seats will get you a ton of new business)

5) Steamer

6) Scissor Lift



Ahheck01 said:
Updated order based on feedback:



1) Air Compressor

2) Pressure Washer

3) Paint Thickness Gauge

4) Steamer

5) Scissor Lift

6) Extractor
Click to expand...
 
Whats your market? If your focus is on high end exterior detailing the order will be different than if your focus is going to be on normal volume type detailing. If your just starting out and you want to be able to take on as much work as possible I would suggest getting the extractor and compressor first assuming you already have the basics (pressure washer, polisher, washing stuff, etc). If you are getting into a fixed shop location with all the overhead that goes with it you should probably have all the necessary stuff from go so you can work as efficiently as possible.
 
JPostal said:
Whats your market? If your focus is on high end exterior detailing the order will be different than if your focus is going to be on normal volume type detailing. If your just starting out and you want to be able to take on as much work as possible I would suggest getting the extractor and compressor first assuming you already have the basics (pressure washer, polisher, washing stuff, etc). If you are getting into a fixed shop location with all the overhead that goes with it you should probably have all the necessary stuff from go so you can work as efficiently as possible.
Click to expand...



One of my major weaknesses in running this business seasonally from my home has been the cheap/quick jobs. I truly struggle with cheap and quick. I know they only asked for exterior 1-step polish, but... that interior is a disaster, it would only take an hour to totally transform it, and those RIDS... a little time with 105 and I know we can get a near perfect finish.... I spent as much time on a $50 wash and wax as my $250 full detail. Not good business.



So while I may be open to smaller jobs to supplement, my desire is to service high-end customers. I've spent a lot of time in marketing and customer service roles in other businesses, and I believe I can create the environment necessary to attract and maintain higher-end clientele, who want to spend $500 on a masterfully complete detail twice a year, and pay $100 a month for two follow-up wash and waxes to maintain the finish. I'd like to offer Opti-coat for an additional $250, while including a 30% discount on maintenance washes & polishes if they choose that option (much much easier than starting from scratch).



I'd like an expectation of keeping the car overnight for the full details - maybe 3 days depending on where it's starting from. While efficiency is important, my main goal is that they can't find anything to be dissatisfied with when they get their car back.



That's what I have in my head, though I may have to spend at least a little time working up to that. My service has always been top-notch, and whenever I've run this business seasonally, referrals have always kept me busier than I can keep up with. We'll see how things go, but I'd like to somewhat plan for that.
 
Obviously everyone wants to do multi-day details on exotics if given the choice but unless you are in an area that has the customer base to support that you will likely need to expand your offerings and run your shop as a business, not a hobby. If a customer is paying $50 for a detail give them the best $50 detail they will ever get without losing time/money on the job. In my opinion the hardest part of going from enthusiast to full time business owner running a shop is being able to put your ego aside and do what it takes to run a profitable business. That doesn't mean hacking up cars, but it does mean doing what the customers pays for and not much more (ok, maybe a little bit more). Its hard enough making money detailing...don't make it harder on yourself by doing way more than what is being paid for.



All that to say, get the equipment you need to service the business you are most likely to get when you first open your shop which is probably going to be minivans, dog haulers, work trucks, and the odd higher end car. You have to pay the bills somehow.
 
JPostal said:
Obviously everyone wants to do multi-day details on exotics if given the choice but unless you are in an area that has the customer base to support that you will likely need to expand your offerings and run your shop as a business, not a hobby. If a customer is paying $50 for a detail give them the best $50 detail they will ever get without losing time/money on the job. In my opinion the hardest part of going from enthusiast to full time business owner running a shop is being able to put your ego aside and do what it takes to run a profitable business. That doesn't mean hacking up cars, but it does mean doing what the customers pays for and not much more (ok, maybe a little bit more). Its hard enough making money detailing...don't make it harder on yourself by doing way more than what is being paid for.



All that to say, get the equipment you need to service the business you are most likely to get when you first open your shop which is probably going to be minivans, dog haulers, work trucks, and the odd higher end car. You have to pay the bills somehow.
Click to expand...



Well fair enough. Given that probability, what would be your priorities?
 
dfoxengr said:
Just repainting a door or fender is going to cost 3-400 and it'll definitely lose you a customer and hurt your reputation.
Click to expand...



Not necessarily. That ultimately comes down to how you handle the situation if/when something bad happens. And of course it is also dependent on the type of cars you're working on -- if you destroy the original paint on a pristine classic or exotic it is a major blow to the car's value, whereas on somebody's daily driver refinishing a door or fender isn't likely going to have a *huge* impact on its resale value. Though obviously, avoiding that situation in the first place is always preferable.
 
Ahheck01 said:
Well fair enough. Given that probability, what would be your priorities?
Click to expand...



Top 3 would be pressure washer, good hot water extractor, air compressor (assuming you already have the basics like a good vac, polishers, etc).



Next I would probably go with a commercial grade steamer, and then whatever else you feel you need.



Your first priority should be to get quality equipment that will allow you to handle most jobs that come your way.
 
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