With so many different products, what is a cost effective combination for a business?

[JJCHARL]

I am in the start up phase of a mobile detailing business and in purchasing the necessary products for paint correction I am confused as to which combination of products to carry that is cost AND time effective (time is money). I want to accomplish every task of paint correction from removing deep scratches to light swirls and oxidation. Currently I have been using just m105 and m82 while using both a rotary buffer as well as a DA polisher. While this works flawlessly 95% of the time, there are sometimes i feel that I cant quite get the finish I want in the time frame I need to succesfully run my business. My questions is, are all of these different compounds, cleaners, and polishes necessary or is there an alternative to having all these products on hand all the time as they can get costly? Can i achieve the same results faster by just using m105 with varying pads, speeds and machines to eliminate all other cleaners and polishes all together? It would be cheaper just to carry one effective product, but will i save time by purchasing m83, m84, m85, m205, m80 and others as i could possibly be limiting the amount of steps/processes needed in order to accomplish results? Some of the products seem so similar in composition but vary in price and my biggest concern is having a comprehensive combination of products in my arsenal to accomplish any task in the least amount of time. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Shawn T.]

Re: With so many different products, what is a cost effective combination for a busin

I wish there was one effective paint cleaner for everything!!!!

However, with the different paint systems, ages and thicknesses, I would do you harm by telling you that one product could solve it all.

I would go with the DA Microfiber correction system though. It works really nicely with with the microfiber pads and provides fantastic cut and finishing abilities. Plus, it takes a 3 step process down to 2. Plus, with more finicky paints the system can be used with foam pads and works beautifully!

[wifpd4]

Re: With so many different products, what is a cost effective combination for a busin

While this works flawlessly 95% of the time

That's a pretty high percentage. As Shawn indicates, DAMF will cover some more of that missing 5%. However, what about those delicate clear coats?

Who are your intended clients? What will be the majority of your work? Can you purchase in smaller quantities until you're established and then buy in Detailer/wholesale quantities after seeing what you need most? At the hobby level, that seems to work, perhaps more pros can weigh in on this issue.

[JJCHARL]

Re: With so many different products, what is a cost effective combination for a busin

That's a pretty high percentage. As Shawn indicates, DAMF will cover some more of that missing 5%. However, what about those delicate clear coats?

Who are your intended clients? What will be the majority of your work? Can you purchase in smaller quantities until you're established and then buy in Detailer/wholesale quantities after seeing what you need most? At the hobby level, that seems to work, perhaps more pros can weigh in on this issue.

perhaps 95% was a slight exaggeration...but it is a majority of the time. Most of my clients are in higher income neighborhoods and a lot of my work is simple maintenance on newer model cars and trucks (quick polish and wax). But i often get some clients in need of a serious restoration! Ex. I recently had a 1991 mercedes 190e that had considerable defects ranging from deep scratches and what seemed like hundreds of deep "nicks" in the paint to extremely stubborn swirl marks that must have never been addressed in 20 years. What I thought would be a 4-5 hour job took me 2 full 8 hour days to complete a full interior and exterior restoration. In the end i achieved the desired results with spot sanding, m105 and m82 but not without countless combinations of pads and speeds and an exhausting number of applications. I guess what i am asking is, could this have been sped up with an intermediate cleaner? and if so what is the most versatile 3 step process i can keep in stock? I do not have the time or money to try every product out there and i am seeking professional advice. m80 or m83? m105 or m84? m82 or m205 or m7? can i accomplish more, faster by having all these products on hand, are they really that much different? or should i try to improve efficiency through practice using just a few products perhaps, m105, m83 and m82? i just feel like some jobs are taking me too long and i want to know is it my technique or perhaps i need different tools to get the job done quicker.

[JJCHARL]

Re: With so many different products, what is a cost effective combination for a busin

I wish there was one effective paint cleaner for everything!!!!

However, with the different paint systems, ages and thicknesses, I would do you harm by telling you that one product could solve it all.

I would go with the DA Microfiber correction system though. It works really nicely with with the microfiber pads and provides fantastic cut and finishing abilities. Plus, it takes a 3 step process down to 2. Plus, with more finicky paints the system can be used with foam pads and works beautifully!

I have researched the microfiber correction system and it seems like a great alternative to expand the versatility of the DA polisher. Im interested in trying this system, thanks for the input!

[smack]

Re: With so many different products, what is a cost effective combination for a busin

Your best bet will be to pick up the mf system and give that a try as that should give you the results you are looking for in a two step process. Most of the time when doing correctice work on clients vehicles this is the system I reach for and it provides excellent results in a timely fashion.