So I want to start detailing...

L

licensed

New member
Hey guys, I've been lurking here and at detailingworld.co.uk, and I decided to start detailing my car and possibly even doing weekend detailing to make some cash. I'm 16, just got my license and a 96 ES:spot . So...I have a list of what I think I need and I want to see what you guys think. Should I ditch some of these products for other ones? Do I need more? And if anyone has any tips on starting up a detailing business I would appreciate it very much. Thanks.:thx



The List:



megs #62 wash

megs smooth surface clay kit

megs #9 swirl remover

megs #1 medium cut paint clean

megs #7 show car glaze

megs #26 wax

megs super degreaser (engine)

megs hot rims (wheels)

megs hot shine tire gel

megs quick interior detail

megs quick detailer

eagle one 20/20 auto glass clean

303 aerospace protectant

forever black bumper and trim kit

3M blue painter's tape

woolite

pc 7424 random orbit buffer

(+appropriate applicator pads)

3 terry towels, 3 old towels

3 microfiber drying towels

2 grit guards

2 buckets

2 wash mitts

2 brushes+ 2 toothbrushes

2 sponges

AG foam gun



I know there's as lot of Meg's products here which is why I wanted to ask what people thought. You'll also notice I have "(appropriate applicator pads)" after the PC 7424...I don't know what pads to get! :think: This is a lot of stuff that costs money, which is why I want to start a business (after I get some experience of course). Again, thanks for any help.





edit: oops, completely missed the welcome section. my bad.:wall
 
Not a bad start, but you need way more stuff than that to detail a car professionally if that is what you want to do.



Also watch out for megs hot rims, its acid based and you wouldnt wanna mess up your customer's rims now would you?
 
And I'll recommend a Flex XC 3401 VRG instead of the UDM. Actually, I shouldn't say that as I've never used a UDM, but I'm really in love with my Flex right now after this past weekend's detail. Allows you to work so much quicker.
 
what are the benefits of UDM over PC? And what is the price difference? I will do away with the hot rims; does anyone have any suggestions for a wheel cleaner then? ron, what do you mean by "way more stuff"? examples, please. do I need a wider base of products? the above lsit is specific to my car, and i realize potential customer's cars may have heavier scratches that need wet sanding (i wll never do, too afraid) or some other treatment. but what else would i need to properly clean a car? thanks for the advice so far.
 
Well ok me saying you need more stuff is mainly because I have a very extensive arsenal of products. #1 you need more microfibers, I have around 300 and could not deal with less than 100.



As far as other products, do you want me to tell you what you need to detail like I do or more what an average detailer would use? I do a little more in-depth, many of my jobs are multi-day so as you would imagine, I have a lot of stuff.
 
ron231 said:
Well ok me saying you need more stuff is mainly because I have a very extensive arsenal of products. #1 you need more microfibers, I have around 300 and could not deal with less than 100.



As far as other products, do you want me to tell you what you need to detail like I do or more what an average detailer would use? I do a little more in-depth, many of my jobs are multi-day so as you would imagine, I have a lot of stuff.
Click to expand...



wow, cool. to me right now the average detailer is a simple DIY car wash; i am simply mesmerized by the work some of you do.



for now, as i am just starting and really don't have a lot of money to spend, i'd say give me somewhere in between average and you and i can draw the line where I feel is necessary. thanks.



oh and 300 micros?!!? my gosh:shocked
 
ok...i have an updated list and am currently writing a business plan, which includes total initial costs. so i want to know if there is anything i'm missing which is imperative to mobile detailing. something i'm bound to run into. i'm talking 2 cars/weekend and nothing during the week due to school.



the list:



Woolite

P21s wheel cleaner

dawn dish soap

megs gold class shampoo

clay magic clay (both types)

megs #9 swirl remover

megs #1 medium cut paint clean

megs #7 show car glaze

megs #26 wax

Menzerna Intensive Polish

Menzerna PO106ff

Klasse AIO

p21s total auto wash

zaino z16

megs QID

megs UQD

Nu Glass

303 aerospace protectant

forever black bumper and trim kit

3M blue painter's tape

5 terry towels, 5 old towels

15 microfiber towels

2 grit guards+2 buckets

3 wash mitts

5 brushes

goo gone automotive

Lexol leather conditioner

Woolite

P21s wheel cleaner



Flex XC 3401 VRG ROB

Orange Ensure 6in cutting pad (3)

yellow 6.5in LC CCS cutting pad...white, green, blue ( 2 each)

cobra 6in terry bonnets (2pac)

cobra 6in microfiber bonnet (2pac)

snappy clean pad cleaner



i think i have most of the exterior covered. i'm less focused on the interior. what more do i need? thanks for any help!
 
BradUF said:
You need bug/tar remover.
Click to expand...





I disagree, I advise against using these because I have seen them cause severe damage, instead go with clay and a bug scrubber (pinnacle safe scrub is what I use) with some strong degreaser (megs safe degreaser should be fine).
 
licensed said:
ok...i have an updated list and am currently writing a business plan, which includes total initial costs. so i want to know if there is anything i'm missing which is imperative to mobile detailing. something i'm bound to run into. i'm talking 2 cars/weekend and nothing during the week due to school.



the list:



Woolite

P21s wheel cleaner

dawn dish soap

megs gold class shampoo

clay magic clay (both types)

megs #9 swirl remover

megs #1 medium cut paint clean

megs #7 show car glaze

megs #26 wax

Menzerna Intensive Polish

Menzerna PO106ff

Klasse AIO

p21s total auto wash

zaino z16

megs QID

megs UQD You should just settle on one Qd if

Nu Glass

303 aerospace protectant

forever black bumper and trim kit

3M blue painter's tape

5 terry towels, 5 old towels

15 microfiber towels Need atleast 50+

2 grit guards+2 buckets

3 wash mitts

5 brushes

goo gone automotive

Lexol leather conditioner

Woolite Why you have this on here two time's ??? lol

P21s wheel cleaner



Flex XC 3401 VRG ROB

Orange Ensure 6in cutting pad (3)

yellow 6.5in LC CCS cutting pad...white, green, blue ( 2 each)

cobra 6in terry bonnets (2pac) I don't think you needs this

cobra 6in microfiber bonnet (2pac)

snappy clean pad cleaner



i think i have most of the exterior covered. i'm less focused on the interior. what more do i need? thanks for any help!
Click to expand...





Also you need to get a Vaccum 5+hp and a extractor (Try little green machine with heater) and some brush for the interior



Don't forget to get some tire aersol cans for wheel wells and some tire dressing for the tire's and some Metal polish for wheel, Exhaust pipe's, trim
 
i don't understand why people keep saying i need 50+ microfibers.can someone explain? that seems like overkill to me. megs UQD is for exterior, meg QID is quick interior detailer. and i'll take your advice (jesselyons) on the vacuum. thanks. this is getting mighty expensive. hopefully the stuff will pay itself over time.
 
Well with the 50+ MF towel. You don't want to always use the same towels on the car. Also on some of my detail's, I have used up to 30 towel's on one car.
 
You can geat deals on MF towels at Costco( 20 pack for $12), Wal-mart ( 2 pack of waffle weave MF for $3), Target (vroom 8 pack for $7) as well as some online places like Pakshak, Danase, and chemical guys. Good luck with your business.
 
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