Would I person like this have any business looking for customers?

drew.haynes

New member
Ok... I've been picky about car care for a LONG time... but always stuck w/ zaino, and no prep beyond clay. Lately I've really been getting into using so many more products and using a PC and recently getting some results I really like. The thing is... interior. When it comes to interior... the most I've had to do on my car and friends' cars is just cleaning and protecting rubber, plastic, vinyl, etc. I haven't ever messed w/ leather really... I don't have a wet-vac... and I've never really had to clean carpets.



I'd really like to start trying to detail some cars. Even if 50% of what I was payed just covered my materials costs... I would like the experience and the little extra cash. Does someone like me have any business wanting customers, or should I not even try until I know how to do interiors alot more and have the tools to do it? Does anyone ever do mostly exterior-only jobs... or only minor interior work?



Just give me some thoughts... I've just had this on my mind alot lately.



Thanks





Drew
 
Depends on how you want to market yourself. Quality interior work is just as demanding as exterior, The training is in many cases harder as you are dealing with a dozen different types of materials each with their own needs.
 
Grouse said:
Depends on how you want to market yourself. Quality interior work is just as demanding as exterior, The training is in many cases harder as you are dealing with a dozen different types of materials each with their own needs.



I agree. But is it realistic to think I can make money detailing w/o doing any serious interior work? If people know you don't do anything interior other than very minor things... will they still let you detail their car? Not sure if I am making sense. I'd like to get the tools for interior work eventually.. but for now I don't wanna put up all the money for that when I have no personal need for it.
 
Unless you know how to clean and protect interiors, your business potential would be limited. There are people who really only care about paint work but even they at least want their interior vacuumed and wiped down.
 
market yourself as a paint correction guy....tell them you dont do interiors beyond vacuum and plastic protection....



you may find it hard to get customers, but its possible
 
Well, I do detail interiors. and I do as much stain removal, etc. as possible, but if there's any serious stains that won't come out with some quality carpet cleaner (awesome, etc.) I don't go out of my way to pull it out. I also only charge 100 dollars for exterior and interior (i'm flawless when it comes to exterior) so technically I only vaccuum, clean, shine, and protect interior, clean and condition leather, and remove some stains. So long as you clean REALLY good the majority of the interior, the only thing that WONT be spotless will be the carpet.
 
TA4U2NV said:
Well, I do detail interiors. and I do as much stain removal, etc. as possible, but if there's any serious stains that won't come out with some quality carpet cleaner (awesome, etc.) I don't go out of my way to pull it out. I also only charge 100 dollars for exterior and interior (i'm flawless when it comes to exterior) so technically I only vaccuum, clean, shine, and protect interior, clean and condition leather, and remove some stains. So long as you clean REALLY good the majority of the interior, the only thing that WONT be spotless will be the carpet.



Gotcha. What kinda vacuum is good enough? They have a wet-dry vac @ walmart... several actually... but the one I was looking at was 5 gallon and 2 hp. Would that be sufficient? It's only 30 bucks!
 
The one at Wal-Mart you mentioned is a 2hp peak motor. Though I don't have any experience with that particular vaccuum I would tend to think it's not going to be a good choice. Honestly I'd go with something from the Rigid Pro line as I've found all their tools to be top quality and very well thought out from a design standpoint. Two that might suit your needs are the WD4550 or the WD 5500 from Home Depot that are pretty powerful and compact.



Granted it's a good deal more money than the others but as with all things you pay for what you get. Also, Rigid is extremely good about honoring their waranty in case something does go wrong.
 
Charlies02GLS said:
The one at Wal-Mart you mentioned is a 2hp peak motor. Though I don't have any experience with that particular vaccuum I would tend to think it's not going to be a good choice. Honestly I'd go with something from the Rigid Pro line as I've found all their tools to be top quality and very well thought out from a design standpoint.

Here's one that might suit your needs:

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...ID=cccfaddifhgijmicgelceffdfgidgml.0&MID=9876



Granted it's a good deal more money than the other but as with all things you pay for what you get.



Gotcha... 30 dollars seemed too good to be true. It doesnt need to be high capacity does it? I mean who's sucking up 10 gallons off their floormats? HP more important?
 
I would definately be more concerned about the power ratings than the capacity of the machine you choose. You can always carry an extra couple of 5 gallon with lids if you want to err on the side of caution and it really doesn't matter how large it might be if you can't remove the dirt in the first place.
 
Keep an eye out in Lowe's and HD ads. Every once in a while they'll run sales on their wet/dry vacs. I picked up my 10gal/6hp for around 65 or 70 bux. At the time they were over 100reg price. It's only for personal use but it definitely gets alot of it :bigups
 
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