Help getting started

[john m.]

Okay so im new to detailing and im a college student at UNT so i dont have a lot of money at the moment. However, in order to build up some revenue so i can buy the things i will need what do you guys think about offering a simple two bucket hand wash and dry with a quick interior detail for around 20-30 bucks?

Im planning on getting a pc or g110 later and working on paint, but im making sure to meet up with nick to learn everything and practice first! How do yall recomend getting started and building up some money to get the products i need?

[Nappers]

Re: Help getting started

Pretty reasonable.

Just remember to get two buckets, grit guards, quality Microfiber towels and a good wash (Gold Class, NXT, Mirror Glaze line etc). You don't want to instill swirls while washing.

Stick with Nick, he's knows his stuff and he is a good man!

[john m.]

Re: Help getting started

What do you recomend on interior cleaning? I have the QID for now but what do you suggest for more serious cleaning? Ive seen some people talking about APC? and extracter? sorry i dont know any of this lol

[Nappers]

Re: Help getting started

APC=All Purpose Cleaner, extractor is a powerful vacuum that gets the cleaner/dirt out of carpet and upholstery. You can use a wet/dry vacuum for that as well.

For Interior, the madness starts there too!

I use:
M40 for plastics/rubber shiny results, some like the smell, others don't.....

Natural Shine for the more matte finish (some prefer that so it's an option)

APC and APC+ for cleaning (APC+ is a lower foaming forumula for easier extraction from carpet/upholstery)

Gold Class Leather for the leather (Gold Class makes a two step cleaner/conditioner in separate bottles if you like)

QID for the inbetween of application of a dressing of some sort.

There's other products you can use:
Supreme Shine (new for '09)
NXT I think it's insane shine for the interior (AIO-All In One), leaves a shiny result
Hyper Dressing (dilute to your liking, shiny or matte)
And....M39 for cleaning, haven't used it but it works good. I found that M40 is a good cleaner and conditioner but like I said, it leaves a shiny result. I usually ask if I do some elses car if they want a shiny dash or not.

Then there's tires......

[john m.]

Re: Help getting started

AWESOME thanks so much!!! the more knowledge you have to offer me keep it coming im all ears.....or eyes lol and im really wanna learn as much as i can!!!

so you just dilute some apc or apc+ and scrub the carpets with that and then **** it all up with a wet/dry vac or extracter? and keep coming with info on tires all info is very much welcome

[Tuck91]

Re: Help getting started

i have all of Meguiars Spray detailers except M135. And Last Touch is my favorite out of all of them for claying and quick detailing

[john m.]

Re: Help getting started

So would you suggest offering a quick spray detailer or spray wax with the wash?? The package im thinking of offering would be a two bucket hand wash with grit guards, gold class shampoo, lambs wool mit or micro-fiber, some meg's micro fiber towels and possibly some cobra waffle weave drying towles, and then some sort of interior cleaning. Basically, this is to get a customer base and to get some money lol

[Nappers]

Re: Help getting started

AWESOME thanks so much!!! the more knowledge you have to offer me keep it coming im all ears.....or eyes lol and im really wanna learn as much as i can!!!

so you just dilute some apc or apc+ and scrub the carpets with that and then **** it all up with a wet/dry vac or extracter? and keep coming with info on tires all info is very much welcome

APC and APC+ in the Meguiar's bottles has ratio's of 10:1 or stronger 4:1. I eyeball around 7:1 (easier to mix for me with BlueZero's chart ).

I spray APC(+) on effected area, scrub with a terry cloth or if needed a brush. I then rinse with terry with water of course and then extract. I use a lot of water and extract quickly to get out all of the soap.

APC can be used for tires as well, then treat with a multitude of products to dress them:
M40
Hot Shine (my favorite)
Endurance
All Season Dressing
HyperDressing
NXT


If you end up waxing, you can't beat NXT 1.0 or 2.0 for it's price and how well it shines. I have a ton of wax that I pick, depending on mood really. I used to use liquids, but have learned to like paste waxes. To each their own on that.

If you do minor correction, the new Ultimate Compound, SwirlX and ScratchX 2.0 (and older) are good choices to start you out and pretty reasonable. Also, a lot goes a long ways. Always do a test spot and work small areas (12X12) and dial a process in before doing a whole car and not like the results.

The good thing about Meguiar's products is a little goes a long ways. My first application of APC was ridiculus, I oversprayed and spent 3X longer getting soap out when I didn't need to use so much.

[Nappers]

Re: Help getting started

So would you suggest offering a quick spray detailer or spray wax with the wash??

If your just going to spray detail or quick wax, the new Ultimate Quik Wax is a great product, Mark Kleis did a great video on it. Like I said in another of your answers, NXT wax is great and really doesn't take long to apply. Maybe up your price, wash and wax for 50 bucks or whatever. Also UQD is a great choice as well for that added shine for a quick shine and it does offer pretty good protection. The only problem with quik waxes/sprays if the paint needs major correction it may not look so hot when your done. So do your evaluation of the car/truck whatever first.

The package im thinking of offering would be a two bucket hand wash with grit guards, gold class shampoo, lambs wool mit or micro-fiber, some meg's micro fiber towels and possibly some cobra waffle weave drying towles

Good start on that. I know you probably can't buy a ton of towels right away but pick some up here and there and slowly build up your arsenal. I haven't used a Microfiber wash mitt so can't comment on it. I use lambs wool (real lambs wool, so check!) I happen to get a Meguiar's yellow washmitt and I love it.

, and then some sort of interior cleaning. Basically, this is to get a customer base and to get some money lol

If you want to skip dressing the interior, Quik Interior Detailer is a great product, it cleans and offers UV protection for your potential customers and it's......QUIK. I use it a lot and it's cheap.

[john m.]

Re: Help getting started

Nappers, I cant thank you enough!! your answers are exactly what i was looking for!!!!! Im ready to get out and wash some cars lol, i like the idea of putting on a coat of NXT 2.0 with the wash, I should have enough to get a g110 possibly. Tons of great advice! I cant tell you how much i appreciate it

Alright I think im ready to start building my arsenal where would you say the best place to buy is? I see a lot of people saying ads but im not sure what that is?

[Murr1525]

Re: Help getting started

autodetailingsolutions.com

[john m.]

Re: Help getting started

Awesome, thanks!

[Nappers]

Re: Help getting started

Kevin Brown is an Authorized dealer here on the site, he is a member. He may swing you some deals and he has the know how to use the products too!

I think RaskyR1 is an authorized dealer but can't remember.....

Search his name and get ahold of him. He's a good guy.

and what Murr said too as well as MeguiarsDirect.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Help getting started

Be sure to check out the Detailing for Dollars forum if you're going to start detailing as a hobby, part-time business and/or full time business.

If you want to do express wash and wax jobs the one approach is to keep it simple and fast, that could be as simple as

Wash
Dress Tires
Clean Windows
Apply Ultimate Quik Wax

Pour off the Ultimate Quik Wax into a generic bottle so your secret product stays secret.

The only downside of the above is if the paint needs claying as above surface bonded contaminants should always be removed before waxing for best results. Maybe offer claying as an up-sale to your customer. Simply have them feel the paint after you wash and dry their car and tell them you can restore the smooth surface by claying the paint for and extra $_blank

Explain this will restore gloss and help the wax to stick to the paint better and thus last longer.

Do try to keep it simple and fast for maximum profits.

[john m.]

Re: Help getting started

you guys are awesome i love MOL!

Ill make sure and try and get hold of kevin brown, and it should be pretty easy to get hold of rasky, i know him off of here and another forum

Mike thats great advice! I wouldnt have thought of that and it will work perfectly!

I think im gonna start stocking up my cart over at ADS and should be getting supplies soon!!!