What machine to clean carpets and full interior jobs?

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Detailing=Artwork
My buddy owns a mechanic garage and I asked him to give me some of his customers when they ask for detailing work. (This in a VERY VERY WEALTHY AREA..VERY WEALTHY). He has a guy already but will share the work with me.
GET THIS NOW>>YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT:

He said he offers them a "compound" with shampoo interior...
I said "what????!"
He said, "just acompound and simoniz" with an interior shampoo..

I said "WHAT???".. "A compound...WTF is that-that's it..compound????"
I tried very HARD to explain that a compound is not a finished job...
"You don't have the car polished sealed and waxed??"

His reply, "my customers don't know the difference bewteen polish-smr's etc etc etc etc.."

I said how much do you charge them..
he said he charges a certain price but he'd pay me $100.00 for a car $125.00 for SUV's..
I said..are you crazy..an SUV for $125.00 compound-polish-sealant-wax..no one does that for under $250.00-minimum.

He said "Nick, You don't understand..."
.."These people don't need the 4 phase you car maniacs apply..all they want is a clean looking slick surface and a clean interior.."

My gosh..at that rate I'll finish the car in under 2 hours..I'll just apply AIO and UPP..(-most cars are German and quite new-) Not much elbow grease and I'm done.
If he just wants a slick clean surface and a clean interior..who am I too complain... :dunno ;)


I'm just concerned about the best way to clean the interiors..I haven't done that before to the extent of shampooing or deep cleaning..
I just can't believe that people fall for those key words..
"Compound and Simoniz.."
 
At those prices I'd skip the UPP and just us AIO. Also if you give the customer and informed educated lesson in proper care you might pick up that extra $125 your losing on that $250 SUV detail.
 
Hi there. For carpet and fabric seats I use an all purpose cleaner, towel, scrub brush, bucket, and a carpet extractor. To minimize the amount of water used in cleaning and rinsing (aids in dry time) I take a wet (lightly wrung) towel and apply APC with a foam sprayer to the towel. Then I spread the apc on the towel over the area to be cleaned. (I chose this method to apply the apc because the foaming sprayer doesn't spread real even over the carpet/fabric surface. The towel gives a more even application of foam.) Agitate with the brush. Rinse and extract the water.

I employ the same towel technique to clean trim/plastic/dash.

This is coming from a weekend carwasher. I'm curious to learn the techniques from the people that earn a living detailing cars.

Hope you find this useful.
 
Sorry I forgot about the topic . Sean (GSRstilez) did a helpful review on cleaning carpets and interiors . Read this over for some great info. >>LINK Good luck
 
For the outside I would use a one-step wax and concentrate more time on the inside. I would start simple and add more equipment as you receive more work from your friend. For know you could puchase a LGM.

How much is he charging the customer for this service?

Eric
 
As a detailer who does this full time, I've got to admit that a lot of customers don't want to pay 200.00 for a "full detail", so I offer full details that use a one step (PwC) that range from 120.00-180.00. I explain the difference between a one step and the use of SMR's, polishes, and compounds, and then let them decide after giving them my opinion. (Although I never us a compound as a one step!) As for the interior, invest in a hot water extractor, they range from 600 up, but they are well worth the investment if your looking to do many vehicles in short time frames. I use the Mytee lite and its perfect for my mobile setup.
 
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