Help on Starting up Detail Shop

[B.Anderson]

Well, a dealership that I work for now is opening a detail center of its own and I have been given the task to purchase all the materials and equipment needed. This is a fairly large dealer and surprisingly actually do care about the quality of details that are done. I've always been accustom to the Meguiars products so I decided to make it all (Or mostly) Meguiars products used.

I was wondering if you geniuses would help me out by listing everything that would be needed for a full scale detailing shop, I mean everything.

Buffers, pads, compound, sand paper/block, polish, wax, clay, tire dressing, washing soap, mits, buckets, glass cleaners, mf towels, sealents, interior shampoos, dash dressing, leather conditioner, extractors, everything to get the best possible job done.

Make my detailers proud to be using quality supplies as opposed to the cheapest you can find on the market.

Thank you very much for any input, It is greatly appreciated.

[BS MXRacer]

Re: Help on Starting up Detail Shop

A very big task indeed, I would suggest taking a look at Meguiar's detailer line, as well as the professional line as both of these are available in larger quantities which cuts down on the cost some.
to name a few products,
soap: Super Soap D112 (dilute 128:1) or Hyper wash D110 (400:1)
Interior/all around cleaner: either All purpose cleaner D101 or All purpose cleaner plus D103
Windows: Glass Cleaner Concentrate D120
Leather: Leathe Cleaner/Conditioner D180
Detail Spray: Last Touch D150 or Final Inspection M34
Dressing: Hyper Dressing D170 or Water Based Dressing D171
Wax: Synthetic Sealant M21 or Hi tech yellow wax M26
Compound: Ultra cut compound M105 and others (M01, M02, M04, M95, M84, M85)
Cleaner/Polish: Ultra Finishing polish M205 and others (M09, M80, M82, M83, M66)
Pure Polish: Show car glaze M07, New car glaze M05, Machine glaze M03
Towels: Both Mequiars water magnets (drying) and Supreme shine microfiber (product/final wipes)
Clay: both Mequiars Blue(mild) and Red(aggressive) detailing clay though red is optional
Bucket: any five gallon bucket will do but be sure to pick up a grit guard from meguiars for each one
mit: Mequiars microfiber mit
pads: I really like my 7" soft buff 2.0 pads and some 4" soft buff pads

As for some of the above listed compounds and polishes they are rotary use only like M95 for example so only use those with a rotary.
that's a start, hope this helps.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Help on Starting up Detail Shop

Well, ads you to have a package to set up your own business. It is pretty inclusive. I would go to there website and check it out.

[ProAutoImage]

Re: Help on Starting up Detail Shop

You lucky duck!! This would be my dream come true, Get everything I could want and get it using someone elses money. Oh happy day!! lol Good luck man.

[HealthyCivic]

Re: Help on Starting up Detail Shop

Good information from BS MXRacer. Go get yourself the Meguiar's Professional Detailer catalogue and you'll be able to see bigger photos, descriptions, and item numbers for these products. Meguiar's also has a few other production items you may like such as chemical measuring tools (to pour a specific amount of product into a bottle) and special nozzles. Check out their catalogue for this.

[Black1]

Re: Help on Starting up Detail Shop

I would go with FLEX 3401 VRG Dual Action Polishers.... and you will need a good extractor (carpet shampooer) too. Something like a Mytee Lite II.

Being is "sunny" California, you will want to get setup with Meguiar's Headlight Restoration Kits too. That's always a big money-maker.

[B.Anderson]

Re: Help on Starting up Detail Shop

Would you guys consider the Meg's G110v2 a decent DA or is there something more reliable? Also what size pads would be optimal?

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Help on Starting up Detail Shop

As with working with Dealership based detailing companies, my exp has always been making sure not to waste product and make it where the tools and products can be used properly by all employees or at least the ones doing the work.

So long story short, the D-line has tons of great products and many options given the situation.

There are plenty of people here who can recommend actual products. I am more of the mind that as long as these guys know how to correct paint (use of the buffer and pad care), and make minimal mistakes while also being mindful of what products and how much they use will be a very key factor.

Seemingly Ardex gets the nod for quick dealership detailing but I would be estatic if Meg's can get the nod!

GL on your research.

[BS MXRacer]

Re: Help on Starting up Detail Shop

There are multiple factors to consider when looking at "optimal" pad size, such as what size cars will be worked on, do they have small areas, lots of flat surfaces, etc. as well as the amount of time allotted for each vehicle. large pads spread product faster and work a larger area at a time but can also be cumbersome in small sections. while small pads take longer to buff a car with but are nice for small areas. So you need to consider the vehicles to be worked on and pick which you think will be used most or decide to carry multiple pad sizes.