Starting up

C

capt512

New member
Hey guys and gals,



I plan on starting up a small mobile detailing business and am on a small fixed budget for now ( will have to use the money being made to buy more supplies, etc). My first question is, what would you guys suggest as the best choices for what to buy as basic materials for detailing.

I know that a PC is a good idea, just what other things would you guys also suggest? And in what order?

Another question I have is, I am a perfectionist about many things, especially if they include doing a job for someone. I have found that to an extent this cripples me, because I spend so much time making something just right, that I over invest myself. So, what do you guys suggest as ways to minimize time consumption while still maintaining quality work?



Thanks
 
Paint cleaners, polishes and sealants and waxes are always mandatory. Grab some microfibers as well, about 1 dozen should suffice for a while. You will also need some car wash soap, sheepskin washmitts, buckets, waffle weave drying towels, window cleaner, vinyl/rubber protectant, wheel cleaner, tire treatment, assorted brushes, shop vac, and clay treatment. This will get you started, Im sure i left out a few that others will bring to your attention.

You can always add swirl mark removers after your up and running, and your budget grows a little.....

As for minimizing time spent, you will learn your own shortcuts along the way, its best to take your time in the beginning, gain confidence and knowlege first, the rest will come naturally. If your not having fun, slow down.
 
Basically, you could use many of the same supplies and and products that you already use for detailing your own car. Also, in order to minimize your time while still maintaining quality, you would be very smart to find ways to create a more efficient process.
 
ok, about the polishes, sealers, cleaners, waxes, are there any you guys would suggest for best bang for the buck??
 
Not to try and rain on your parade at all, but it looks like you should look into it on your own a little bit more and search around a bit, there is a lot of good information, and you would be able to ask more specific questions.



Poorboys products will probably get suggested for their price. I just got some of the 1Z line for myself, and have been impressed with them so far. Klasse AIO/SG is a combination that everyone falls back onto.



If you get a PC and pads, make sure you have enough pads, I would imagine that you would need lots, probably a couple pads for each product that you plan to use the PC for, that way you don't end up mixing and matching.



A lot of microfibers, and a couple waffle weave ones for drying. You can never have enough. Keep in mind too, that when removing product, it comes off a lot easier with a clean microfiber then a dirty one.



A lot of people who detail also shampoo carpets, you may want to look into that. It's an easy way to get stains out, which is an easy way to amaze people.



Don't forget leather cleaner/conditioner also, I use Lexxol, but that may be a bit expensive and not fit your bang to the buck wants.



As for being a perfectionist, so am I, I could spend all day on a single section, neglecting the rest of the car. What I do though, is do the entire car, making note of areas I feel I can improve upon, and then if time alows I go back to them.



Try looking around the "Good Deals" section on the site, or some of the vendors, they may be able to help you out if you are buying a few hundred dollars worth of stuff from them, especially if you keep going back. I have found the detailing business to be the best when it comes to dealing with owners, they always want to please their customers.



This is just all what I am thinking, I'm only 17, and looking into trying to make some money off detailing this spring/summer, so you may be able to get better advice from someone else.



A PC/pads should probably be your first investment, it will be the best thing you can do for productivity once you know how to use it.
 
Well first of all if you search the forums here then you will find a great wealth of information that will answer your questions but here are a few things I suggest.



APC - Castrol Super Clean from Walmart for $6.50/gal

Polish - DACP $22/gal from local megs distributor

Wax - #26 $22/gal from local megs distributor

Car Wash Soap - Megs Gold Class $10/gal at target

MF's - Sams Club $10/12pk

Brushes - $2ea blue and black from Walmart

Window cleaner - Stoners Invisible Glass $3.50 from Walmart

Vinyl & Rubber - Megs Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner and Conditioner $20/gal from Megs Distributor

Shop Vac - Rigid 6 Gal/5HP shop vac from Home depot $60

Spray Bottles - 4/$6 from Sams Club

Wax Containers - Mustard Bottles from Megs Distributor $0.60 ea

PC - $100 from Lowes

PC Pads - $18/2 Lake County Pads from Topoftheline.com





Tire Shine - I don't have any good solutions for this without buying 5 gallons of it but I would try something from Megs in 1 gallon or just use something from walmart







If you get everything above then you should be able to do a very good job detailing someones car and then get some more things when you have more money. I would suggest some S100 for $15 when you buy the pads from TOTL and some AIO and SG as well. Have fun and when you come across a problem then come to autopia to figure out how to fix it and you'll do fine.
 
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