Start up packages

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dbinnc

New member
Besides detail king, are there any other places that provide complete business start-up packages? Or would love to hear from the pros of what their list of start-up equipment and materials would be. Under $3k.



Thanks,

Derek
 
Thats a lot to consider and what works best for you. Are you currently detailing? I'm sure any vendor on here would give you an awesome price on bulk supplies and such.
 
I am not currently detailing. Haven't detailed since late 90's. So lot's has changed I'm sure. But I am looking to get into it again. That DK pkg is just so easy it's all thought out already. I realize I will have to play with different things to find what works best for me, but I need a starting point/product. I did a quick search, but are there any threads of the pros' #1 product for each facet of detailing?



Thanks,

Derek
 
I believe Rightlook.com has a start up package. The products are OK but you will eventually start experimenting with better products. When I started my business I

bought products from Rightlook, Meguiars Pro line, chemical guys, and Clearkote and did alot of trial and error until I found my current combo which Im happy with and so are my clients. I would start small with 16oz. bottles until you find a good product then buy in gallons. Good luck.
 
I would highly suggest investing about $500 into a couple machines, pads, few polishes, and sealants/waxes... the main things you'll need to figure out for yourself are which polish to use, which pads you need most, and which sealants you like best... after you do that, you can easily buy, even individually, all the necessary products to start up the business, unless you're planning on getting some expensive extractors, etc.



I'm talking from experience only but I'm not sure how much business you plan to bring in and how...



Either way, I think you should start small to both get clients and practice to see what works best for you, before you go all out on all the supplies, etc.
 
I would like to get an extractor. I want to do interior as well as exterior. I guess I am in the mindset that I have to have everything so I can do the best job and be able to offer more. Need to probably get that mindset straightened out. I am only going to start out part-time for now. Weekends etc. then go from there.



Thanks,

Derek
 
$3000 isn't really alot to work with when talking about starting up a business. First you need to take inventory of what you currently have? How are you going to detail? Mobile? In your driveway? A garage somewhere? What do you already have at your disposal? If mobile do you have a dependable vechile that is big enough to haul around all your supplies? If in a garage is it already set up with proper electrical and water supplies?



I think your absoulte basics would have to be

Business Cards with all relevent info on them

Extension cords

5 gal buckets

wash mitt/sponge/whatever you want to actually wash the car with

garden hose

nozzel of some sort.

Pack of MF towels

Shop Vac

Hologens lamps

Products for - washing/waxing/cleaning/rims/rubber/glass/odar/polishing/sealing



I would highly recommend various polishing machines. From D/A to Rotaries. (getting to be a wide selection) as soon as you can and learn how to use them properly.



Things that are nice are the Carpet extractors the pressure washers, A logo on all your company documents and uniforms Various other machines to help out the processes. Foam guns etc etc.. And all the other things we tend to spoil ourselves with. I opened my shop with about $15,000 and quickly put another $15,000 into it after that. It's a never ending story of upkeep and upgrades. I'm currently in the midst of re-opening in a new location this spring and I'm trying to keep that cost under $50,000 but it's going to be real tight to keep that budget. $3000 can get you a good chunk of products but to actually open a business I'd be worried I was stretching myself way to thin.
 
ok, I guess I should give a few more details.



It will be done at home for now.

I have shop vac, gas pressure washer, compressor, MF towels, buckets, hose, nozzel, lamps, 10" orbital polisher, palm orbital polisher, bonnets, dash cleaning tools, various misc. stuff. Guess more than i actually thought.

I also have a 6" polisher that is 2 speed 1400/1650 RPM 4.5 amps. Not sure if it is strong enough for this work tho. Similar to this http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ortable+Power+Tools&sName=Buffers+&+Polishers



The $3k would just be for materials. Would have another $2k for advertising, biz cards etc.



Derek
 
Sounds like you have a pretty good start then on what your planning. Advise though. You're not going to need anywhere near $3000 worth of product considering your set up. In the end product choice is almost purely personal preference. They all work fairly well. (all being most lines mentioned on this site) You don't need 10 gallons of mezerna etc etc.. So pick up the basics that you need. I would probably get a better rotary. The makita is a very good entry level polisher that holds up well to all levels. I would spend as much as you can in advertising to get things kicked off right. I tell everyone that ask me the same question. You can all of the top of the line equipment and products and it all means jack if no one knows you exsist. Advertise effectively and you'll be swamped in work that pays for all sorts of new products.
 
I would start off with about 500 bucks and work your way towards more products as you fine tune...otherwise you might end up with 1000's of wasted products sitting on your shelf like I do...
 
I have dealt with Detail King alot, and am very impressed with their products/customer service. My service rep is Bill. He actually just called me today out of the blue to see how things were going and if there was anything he can do for me for the upcoming detail season. I am actually kicking around investing in their mobile wash trailer to start doing full mobile detailing. I am checking a few other sponsors and sites before investing. Good Luck with your endeavors.
 
toyotaguy said:
I would start off with about 500 bucks and work your way towards more products as you fine tune...otherwise you might end up with 1000's of wasted products sitting on your shelf like I do...
Click to expand...



toyota what trade wasted for wasted? lmao i got a bunch what do you have?
 
My partner and I started with $500 worth of products, will need to rebuy for this season but they did last a while. I also had some back ups in my garage to use. Also check local stores for deals sometimes you can get a real steal on some items, for example Target sells a pack of 20 terry towels for $14.95 or so, may not be awsome quality but they serve their purpose. I also saw Zymol leather cleaner and conditioner there along with the NXT 2.0 wax for $14.95 as well.
 
Detail King and Right Look have a VERY large array's of tools and products, but you may also want to look at getting things from more than one source.



Rick at ADS is awesome and is the only place I will go for my Meguiars Products. His prices are hard to beat too!



Pro Detailer Programs
 
Street5927 said:
I have dealt with Detail King alot, and am very impressed with their products/customer service. My service rep is Bill. He actually just called me today out of the blue to see how things were going and if there was anything he can do for me for the upcoming detail season. I am actually kicking around investing in their mobile wash trailer to start doing full mobile detailing. I am checking a few other sponsors and sites before investing. Good Luck with your endeavors.
Click to expand...



Do you use their products exclusively? Have you gone to any of their seminars?
 
RaskyR1 said:
Detail King and Right Look have a VERY large array's of tools and products, but you may also want to look at getting things from more than one source.



Rick at ADS is awesome and is the only place I will go for my Meguiars Products. His prices are hard to beat too!



Pro Detailer Programs
Click to expand...



Meguiars seems to get a bad rap based on their consumer products. I have never used their pro products however.
 
I love Meg's Detailer line. Just about everything in it performs as expected if not better.



I think their APC+ is probably one of my all time favorite products. And who can argue with the amazing versatility of M105?
 
dbinnc said:
Meguiars seems to get a bad rap based on their consumer products. I have never used their pro products however.
Click to expand...



Their Detailer line has some amazing stuff in it. APC+ is one of my favorite products from them, and who can argue with the amazing versatility of M105?
 
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