Starting Small.

Stupid question, but what does a handwash and vac include? What do you do if you come across a car that has not been washed in over a year and the paint is not ****ed but its got some sap on it that wont come off? Do charge more or bust out the line of chemicals to remove it?
 
i would think that you have every right to charge more IF you specify what the wash includes.....I.E. you are not going to spend 2 hours washing a car for 10 bucks....but if they paid you 50-60 bucks to wash a filthy mud coated truck, then the customers have every right to expect a squeaky clean truck......but not if they only paid 10 bucks....



that is why I am coming up with a checklist to bring with me and have customers sign what they are getting for their money....like clay, wash, wax, polish, tires, wheels, and windows for XX amount, or all the above plus engine steam cleaned for XXX amount. This helps them know exactly what they are getting and cant really get upset that you didnt shampoo the carpets when they didnt pay for it, but they thought you were going to....
 
So I guess I should just have a basic wash and a more advance. When I get there just explain it would take the more advance wash to get this car clean?
 
BradUF said:
So I guess I should just have a basic wash and a more advance. When I get there just explain it would take the more advance wash to get this car clean?
Click to expand...





You got it. If you explain to them anything needs a little more work and hence more cost... they'll understand. I try to tell them up front when evaluating a car. Better than surprising them afterwards. :shocked
 
I've had a number of customers ask for hand polishing only, actually. It's quite possible to sell hand only work as a niche, as many owners have seen what their car looks like after hack work with only a wool pad and compound, and automatically assume that all machine polishing is bad. Although these people are misinformed, you can definetly capitalize on that.



As far as insurance, OSHA, etc, goes, you can get away without it for a couple years. Don't ask me how I know ;). Same with power, water, etc, I did quite well over the summer and I just worked out of my GTP without bringing my own water and power.



If you're going to get into polishing, I'd highly reccomend a Cyclo. I ran one for several months before I bought a rotary, and I still use it today on sensitive jobs and for finishing polishing. It's not a cheap machine, but it's MUCH faster than a PC, and it's basically impossible to ruin a paintjob with.



Brad, do you go to UF? I go to FIT down in Melbourne, and I brought all my equipment with me, so might be able to hook up some training or something.



-Tim
 
No I dont go to the UF right now but I do go to SFCC and I will transfer over to the UF once I am done here. Yeah if you happen to be down here and can drop by when you are that would be great. I could buy you lunch or something for your time.
 
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