ATTN: Mobile Detailers

[sectachrome]

I am planning on starting some form of a small time detailing business this summer to make some extra money. Nothing major.

I would be doing pretty basic stuff, interior, basic washing, and waxing.

I was trying to decide wether it would be best to go to the customers house, or have them drive to mine. After some reading on here it seems that a lot of you guys do pretty well with the mobile thing.

Shade-what to do about it? I cant afford a canopy, and Im assuming most people will want me to do it in their driveway, not their garage.

What are some tips you guys can give me? Thanks in advance!

[05PhillyStang]

You say "nothing major," but you want to wax people's cars. Keep in mind that the paint needs to be properly prepped before waxing it.

As for shade, without a canopy, I don't know what to tell you. If the the homeowner has a shady part of their driveway or if they will allow you to use their garage, you may be in luck...but you can't count on that everytime

[sneek]

ya canoppies are the only way to go i used to use 2 10x10s but a brand new costco opened up close to my house and i found a great 10x20 that is pretty tall too

i am not a mobile detailer, i just love my car and meguiar's

[sectachrome]

Originally posted by 05PhillyStang
You say "nothing major," but you want to wax people's cars. Keep in mind that the paint needs to be properly prepped before waxing it.

As for shade, without a canopy, I don't know what to tell you. If the the homeowner has a shady part of their driveway or if they will allow you to use their garage, you may be in luck...but you can't count on that everytime

Yes, Ive waxed a car before.

[Jimmy Buffit]

Yes, Ive waxed a car before.

We welcome your presence on the forum!

That sort of (perceived) sarcastic response will get you no advice at all.

You are reminded that this section is for PROFESSIONAL detailers; folks who earn a substantial living from this craft.

If you can't justify/afford the canopy, well...

Jim

[5.0 Junkie]

I got a cheap canopy at Wal-Mart for $100. An easy-up one is about $200.

[Texastb]

If you have a Pep Boys, around, check them out. I picked up an EZ up type canopy for $59 on sale. I think the brand is Quick Shade. Check them out and see what they have. I have to drive for little over an hour to get to the Pep Boys here.

[silverline]

You certainly don't need a canopy to detail a vehicle. There are many many products that are rated for full sun including compounds, polishes, sealants, and waxes. I have a mobile operation and only break out the canopy if temps reach 90 degrees and above. You'll also want to have some form of polisher unless you plan on polishing by hand. As others have mentioned, the paint will need properly prepped prior to waxing; which in most cases will involve removing swirls and such.

[buda]

I welcome you to the detail business if you operate your detail business according to the laws of the land:

a. Have a business license
b. Have insurance both liability and damage insurance
c. Have a system to contain the waste water rather than allow
it to drain into the storm sewer or on to the ground polluting
the rivers and streams and ground water.
d. Get educated on paint finishes; glass; wheels; plastic trims,
carpets; leathers and vinyls, etc.
e. Get educated on the detailing tools of the trade and their use;
chemicals and processes

The detail business is a highly specialized business and requires some expertise for someone to enter the business.

If you do not operate your detail business in this way you are doing the industry and your customers a grave injustice.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Regards
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS

[5Hondas]

Not to thread jack or anything, but I was doing some reading on some old posts and came across this one.

What kind of system would you need to contain the waste water? Is that for mobile businesses or those operated out of a shop??

Also, where can I learn more about detailing and paint, etc. Would you reccommend any books? Are their books that focus on Meguiars products, such as giving exaples of the condition of the paint, and what the best Meguiars product would be???

I'm trying to learn as much as possible, I know a fair amount, but I would need to learn a lot more before I start a business.

Thanks!! --Again, not trying to thread jack, but this thread answered a lot of my questions, but also made me think of some new ones.

[MaxImage]

Originally posted by 5Hondas
Not to thread jack or anything, but I was doing some reading on some old posts and came across this one.

What kind of system would you need to contain the waste water? Is that for mobile businesses or those operated out of a shop??

Also, where can I learn more about detailing and paint, etc. Would you reccommend any books? Are their books that focus on Meguiars products, such as giving exaples of the condition of the paint, and what the best Meguiars product would be???

I'm trying to learn as much as possible, I know a fair amount, but I would need to learn a lot more before I start a business.

Thanks!! --Again, not trying to thread jack, but this thread answered a lot of my questions, but also made me think of some new ones.

5Hondas, there are a couple of instructional DVDs out. The first is the Professional Education Series Video and a video about using the Dual Action Polisher (aka Porter Cable [PC]) as seen here:



You, having said that you know a "fair amount," I'm assuming you know how to wash and wax a car. As far as prepping the paint and following the Meguiar's "5 Step" program, do a search for it on here and you are bound to find the information you are looking for.

However, the best piece of advice I'm sure that any one of these professional detailers here can offer is to actually practice. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect, and that holds true here. Washing your own car regularly (i.e. once a week) goes a long way into perfecting certain techniques. It is only when you get to the next level in using the "machinery" (i.e. PC or rotary) that it could get a bit hairy. So you'll want to practice on junk cars or even parts of cars that are being discarded. Try you local junk yard to get these types of parts, or even try asking body shops. The PC is very easy to use, and the learning curve isn't too steep.

Try different products in/for different situations so that in time, you will be able to make a decision based on instinct. Experiment with what works best for you. You may find that you have to mix and match products from different companies so that you are able to work the most efficiently. Observing others, taking a Meguiars class if you are lucky enough to be in a location where it is offered, having other professionals teach you--provided they are doing it correctly themselves (believe me, I've both seen and heard of some improper ways to detail, from "professionals"), are all ways that you could learn more about detailing. Call up some of the detail shops in your area, volunteer with one, or ask them if you could come down in your free time to watch. In closing, let me restate my point by saying that there is no substitute for on-the-job training....aka Practice.

[5Hondas]

Thanks for your help MaxImage!!

I will probably order those DVD's from ADS soon. I'm also hoping to order the DA soon, that way I can start practing right away. I have a red del Sol, a black Prelude, and a beautiful "fiji blue" Element.

So, I really want to make the paint on all three cars as close to perfect as I can get, no swirls and plenty of shine!!

My neighbor's also said I could practice on their Kia and older MR2. So, I have a lot of cars to work on, but I don't think I will do a thing with the DA until I watch the DVD a couple times and take some notes.

THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR INPUT!!!

Maybe I will get good enough and can start a small business on the side, and see if I can grow it to a full time job!!!!!!!