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Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

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  • #1

    Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

    Hi everyone! I have been an inactive member for some time now and am coming here to become more active again due to.... A - buying a new car i love and enjoy detailing (2015 Red Ford Focus ST) and B - I need money and have decided to create a detailing business again... I had one in the past but it was very vague and I needed to borrow customers electricity and water in order to go to them to complete a detail. I will have 5,000 dollars for a vehicle expense and roughly $3,000 dollars for equipment / supplies... (more or less depending on what all is needed)

    Can you guys chime in on the list of products / equipment I need or recommend any I may have missed? I would surely appreciate it....

    Parts I currently own...

    *** DA polisher 'meguiars' purchased about 11 years ago.


    Parts and equipment I am planning to buy...

    ***Generator (not sure what one..... or what wattage rating... ?)
    ***10x15 canopy (down the road I want to have 2 x 10x15 canopies but think 1 will be fine to scrape by a new business)
    ***Rotary Polisher (I want one to use as practice as my ultimate goal is paint restoration and I feel a rotary is needed on more aggressive type of work needed)
    ***Pressure washer
    ***WATER???? I don't know what to do here as I don't know how much water would be required for the work I'm trying to do? I'd prefer to focus on detailing mainly AND maintenance washes for customers.... (I don't want to do 'only' car washes to people who don't have me detail their car,....... OR DO I?)

    ***Pads, hoses, polish, sealants, many many other liquid product I will buy but for now I'm wanting to get an idea of what I should buy initially? Thank you guys so much for any input




    Thanks again!

    -Josh

    p.s. I have a website in the making... an instagram IG: josher_paint_care also have about $500 dollars for advertising whatever I decide to use it for I still don't know.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

    In the past my business included the following:

    Car I drove to clients - 2003 Nissan 350z (yes i know that is way too small!!!

    ***G100 DA porter cable
    ***12x12 canopy (i laid it in the front seat lol)
    ***2 buckets, grit guard
    ***polishes, sealants, soap, and other liquids
    ***small vacuum
    ***lots of towels
    ***extention cords
    ***hose


    That's about all i would take.... I would request that any client provide me with WATER and POWER.... ( I know this.... it's not very professional to have to ask for that... or it's not very ideal for being mobile....) NOW is where I want to be mobile.... I would like to see if I could avoid having such a huge water tank and still be efficient / successful at detailing.... is having 50+ gallons needed or can i get by with something smaller or maybe another washing method? Thanks again

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    • #3
      Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

      Hi sign writing on your car. business cards knee pads. Good luck I hope all goes well

      Tall Golfer

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      • #4
        Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

        Originally posted by Tall Golfer View Post
        Hi sign writing on your car. business cards knee pads. Good luck I hope all goes well

        Tall Golfer
        Thank you Tall Golfer! Knee pads idea is great! Thank you..... also business cards is a must. Appreciate you taking the time

        =)

        anyone else? Thank you guys for taking a moment.... I appreciate it

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        • #5
          Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

          Not a lot of replies but I'm going to just list all of the stuff I have decided to get...... as I decide. If anyone has GOOD or BAD information about any item I opt to go for please I would like to hear about it!!

          I am going to more than likely get this Pressure washer from COSTCO https://www.costco.com/Briggs-%2526-...100318686.html BRIGGS AND STRATTON 2.7GPM 3300PSI

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          • #6
            Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

            Welcome back! Congrats on the new car & on the returned business venture.

            Regarding a DA Polisher: You can certainly get by with the older DA machine you have but, you might consider upgrading. Our MT300 dual action polisher is a nice tool, especially for the price, & especially for the option of using small pads on the same machine with a small 3 inch backing plate. If anything, I would upgrade to some thin low profile pads, like our Soft Buff DA Foam Discs. For a standard stroke tool, the 5" size is recommended for best performance, as opposed to the 6". More information on these items can be referenced below:

            Meguiar's Soft Buff DA Foam Discs

            Our DA Microfiber Correction System along with our new D166 Ultra Polishing Wax would be a must if I were in your position. Our DA Microfiber Correction System can obtain rotary like cut, but with the safety & ease of use of a dual action polisher machine. It's designed for high production reconditioning. Our new D166 Ultra Polishing Wax is our highest cutting most durable one step cleaner wax we have ever produced, with similar durability to our M21 Synthetic Sealant 2.0, with crazy easy wipe off. Below is an article on our DA Microfiber System (article is a little older. i've been meaning to update the article, on my list of articles "to do.")

            Using Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction System

            Below is more information on our D166 Ultra Polishing Wax:

            D166 Ultra Polishing Wax

            There are really two types of detailing, what many would call "Show Car Detailing" & "Production Detailing." "Show Car Detailing" is when the customer's goal is to obtain around 90%+ "correction" meaning 90%+ of the defects are removed, the paint is polished to a high gloss & then sealed with a protectant, aka a "multi step process." Typically a wash, clay if needed, dedicated compound if needed, dedicated polish, dedicated protectant (carnauba or synthetic) for the paint. In "Production Detailing", the customer's goals are typically different. They are typically not concerned about obtaining a perfectly swirl free finish, and are more so concerned about just keeping a clean car that is glossy, protected, with a clean interior. The reason I bring this up is it's important to decide what type of jobs you are going to try to get, as this will impact the products you should have, at least in the beginning.

            Hope this helps

            Nick
            Nick Winn
            Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Online Forum Administrator
            Meguiar's Inc.
            Irvine, CA
            nawinn@meguiars.com

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

              Thank you Nick! Appreciate all of the info.... I was considering another DA polisher due to the room there has been for improvement since I got my G100.... I think I will consider what you say... I also will be attending the class this coming Saturday.... Hope to see you there! Thank you again ^ ^

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              • #8
                Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

                RIGHTLOOK is another company I am considering to help me retrofit my Van once I get it.... Anybody have experience or information I should know before making such a decision? Thank you

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                • #9
                  Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

                  Originally posted by tripmachine View Post
                  Thank you Nick! Appreciate all of the info.... I was considering another DA polisher due to the room there has been for improvement since I got my G100.... I think I will consider what you say... I also will be attending the class this coming Saturday.... Hope to see you there! Thank you again ^ ^
                  Nice! See you Saturday!
                  Nick Winn
                  Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Online Forum Administrator
                  Meguiar's Inc.
                  Irvine, CA
                  nawinn@meguiars.com

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

                    I am not sure if these would be called tools. They would be considered start up costs.

                    Business Licenses in Cities you would be working in (even if mobile).
                    Especially with the drought in California, Cities became aware of who was detailing. They were looking for good business practices for water conservation and runoff control.

                    Business Liability Insurance - This is a more difficult decision.
                    You will be moving other people's cars and on other's property.
                    Do you need protection if damage done to cars?
                    What if you open a gate to hook up a hose and their dog gets out and is injured? Or worse injures someone else? (just examples).
                    Sadly, there are a small number of people in our society who set up situations where they can gain through lawsuits or threats of law suits.

                    Possibly others will share their experience and thoughts on Business Liability Insurance with us for new detailing businesses.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

                      Originally posted by Old Bear View Post
                      I am not sure if these would be called tools. They would be considered start up costs.

                      Business Licenses in Cities you would be working in (even if mobile).
                      Especially with the drought in California, Cities became aware of who was detailing. They were looking for good business practices for water conservation and runoff control.

                      Business Liability Insurance - This is a more difficult decision.
                      You will be moving other people's cars and on other's property.
                      Do you need protection if damage done to cars?
                      What if you open a gate to hook up a hose and their dog gets out and is injured? Or worse injures someone else? (just examples).
                      Sadly, there are a small number of people in our society who set up situations where they can gain through lawsuits or threats of law suits.

                      Possibly others will share their experience and thoughts on Business Liability Insurance with us for new detailing businesses.


                      thanks Old Bear for your input!! I appreciate all of the items you brought forward... I will go to a few city halls if I have to and get licensed (soon since I am planning on launching my business early 2018. Do you have any ideas on water reclaiming?? I have seen the mat method but that seems like a huge step to take if you show up to wash 1 car at 1 location..... Should I be purchasing my stand alone water tank / pressure washer / pumps.... etc?? I live in So. California and am stumped on how would be easiest to reclaim my water to be legal with the laws...? If I have to go another method for washing a car I just might not even want to get a water tank and pressure washer although that is what I would prefer to do ultimately... I like the traditional method of washing.... my water provided pressure washer / foam cannon.... anyway one more thing do you have any insurance recommendations? I don't know exactly what kind of insurance I need and who to go for this said insurance? Thank you sir!

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

                        Originally posted by tripmachine View Post
                        anyway one more thing do you have any insurance recommendations? I don't know exactly what kind of insurance I need and who to go for this said insurance? Thank you sir!
                        I have general liability insurance for $1 million coverage from Erie Insurance....and the premiums are really reasonable....about $1200 per year.
                        Of course I have an LLC established...and you may need to get your business under the umbrella of an LLC.
                        Best to go with a MM-LLC (Multi-Member)....vs Single Member.
                        2014 Porsche 981 Boxster - Black Basalt Metallic; 21" wheels with oversized Toyo T1R racing tires.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

                          Originally posted by syswizard View Post
                          I have general liability insurance for $1 million coverage from Erie Insurance....and the premiums are really reasonable....about $1200 per year.
                          Of course I have an LLC established...and you may need to get your business under the umbrella of an LLC.
                          Best to go with a MM-LLC (Multi-Member)....vs Single Member.
                          Awesome thanks for the advice!! I will be looking into the business licensing very soon as I am almost ready and will soon need to be insured and established with an LLC i'll look into the MM - why exactly would you recommend MM vs SM? I am so new to the business aspect of things that I have a lot of learning to keep up with each day.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

                            I actually got my van back from the shop today.... I bought this van in Oregon about a month ago... since then I drove it home to Southern California.... then took it down to San Diego about 70 miles south of me.... put a good chunk of change into the mechanics of the vehicle to have it mechanically fit and reliable... took it to another shop a few days ago and just got it back. I have a ton of supplies to go in the van but the first step was to get the hardware that was going to be mounted fitted first.... so now I can measure for everything else I want to put in the van... (fridge, microwave, shelf, product, 2 - 10x15 canopies... ) p.s. the water tank is 275 gallons... a bit over kill but it will work and it fits between the dully wheel wells!

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                            • #15
                              Re: Detail Business startup TOOLS - SUPPLIES needed - Opinions appreciated

                              https://imgur.com/a/gwAzy <---- - PICTURES OF MY MOBILE DETAIL WORK IN PROGRESS

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