Upgraded the detailing truck a little

Pb2theMax said:
Well, it's just getting started. Not full-time yet. The business should grow pretty quick once I really start advertising. There's not much competition in my area, and there certainly isn't any competition that details cars as good as I do. ;)
Click to expand...



Let me know if you want to take a look at my brochure to get some ideas, or newspaper ads, and definatly get your self an A-frame.



(you have probably seen this pic, but im to lazy to upload a new one)

52outfront.jpg
 
"I've also got a big halogen lighting system in the bed of the truck, in case I need to shine some light on a car if I'm detailing in the evening".



IMHO, Halogens are required equipment when buffing. Always, my friend, always. Time of day is irrelevant.



EDIT: I just assume, since you've posted in the "Pro Forum", that you buff with a rotary...



Also, please checkout the "Click and Brag" Forum... This post really belongs there.



Hope you had a good day.



Jim
 
Yeah, I use a rotary most of the time on customers cars. On my own cars and cars that I routinely detail I might use a PC.



A moderator can delete this thread if they want. I'll post in the proper forum.
 
I like the truck very much.In fact I will admit to being a little green with envy.Having said that I was hoping to see a bit of your detail stuff, equiptment chemicals and such. Do you pull a trailer ?
 
I pull a utility trailer, but not for doing detailing work. I'd like to get a detailing trailer though.



Here's some updated pics. I use the rack for hunting trips, but I put it on for these pics.











That's a 1/2" Ingersol Rand impact gun connected to my onboard air system.









 
I've got more customers than I can handle. I'm thinking about quitting my main job and doing detailing full time. It's a tough decision.
 
Nice mods...but how do I know that you detail cars? Do you have any signs for the truck? I am guessing that you detail part time since the money spent on the upgrades would have gone to marketing, equipment, licensing, etc. if this was a full time business. If you continue to grow, consider a trailer (enclosed and wrapped with a color scheme and lettered well). This would be your mobile advertising while not having to put something on your truck's paint.



Rob
 
Seems like this belongs in the Click & Brags instead of the Pro Detailers section? How is this related to professional detailing?
 
Yeah, It should be in click & brag. Sorry



Anyway, I'm having a hard time with the idea of quitting my secure full time job and getting serious about my detailing business, which is part-time right now. I think I would have plenty of customers. There are no real serious detailers in my area. Right now I have to turn people away because I have dozens of people lined up already. How did your guys detailing business do when it first started? Making the first step is scary.
 
The first step can be scary, but ifyou do your due diligence, the stress is quite less. You should sit down and at the min. write a plan for yourself..salary, costs, 1-3-5 yr. projections, etc. Have a mission statement, how will you work within the community- support your community, etc.?

How will you reach your market and how will you sustain it? Why is there not detailing there now? Sometimes there isn't a market to sustain it full time. Sometimes it just hasn't been "hit" yet.



Too many guys start out very excited with customers on the weekends and don't do their homework correctly and end up quitting or shutting down after a short period of time. You don't want to turn work away- that's lost money. So if you do this full time, how will you be able to keep up? Employees? 2 detail units? etc.



Just some very beginning questions before you make such a big decision. There are some great books out there at the library about marketing, sales, and so on. Hit the business section and see what you can find. Many are filled with very real ideas.



Rob
 
if you are currently turning people away, then hire someone to help you out so you can get to two cars a day...puts more in your pocket and you dont have to turn away work. You may be booked a month out, but sometimes that shows you are in demand and people will wait for you...sometimes...good luck
 
Can you start by cutting down hrs on the crane? You will probably make alot more money with your current job, but if you hate it and want to be on your own thats a bit different.



Its kinda scray to start off, just make sure you have a few bucks in the bank;)



Thank God for tacomas:woot2:
 
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