So i want to get started...

[JDMb18c]

Hey everyone, i'm an amature car nut and have been browsing these forums for a few months to try to gain some knowledge about what it takes to make that special car look brilliant and healthy. I want to start my own personal business, nothing too big, for detailing friends and familiy members' cars. I work at Starbucks and want to spread the word out to other customers of my detailing services. I'm looking for advice on what tools i need to have in order to work on detailing cars on a weekly or monthly basis. I dont plan on working on cars 3 days out of the week or so, but i do want to turn it into a hobby if you would say. Thanks!

[brickyardz]

Re: So i want to get started...

Hey everyone, i'm an amature car nut and have been browsing these forums for a few months to try to gain some knowledge about what it takes to make that special car look brilliant and healthy. I want to start my own personal business, nothing too big, for detailing friends and familiy members' cars. I work at Starbucks and want to spread the word out to other customers of my detailing services. I'm looking for advice on what tools i need to have in order to work on detailing cars on a weekly or monthly basis. I dont plan on working on cars 3 days out of the week or so, but i do want to turn it into a hobby if you would say. Thanks!

What things do you already have? I would look at the Meguiars 5 step car care cycle and choose the products you plan to use within those steps and start collecting them. Part of the answer will depend on what services you plan to offer. If you aren't going to do any paint correction, ie swirl removal, light scratches etc. that will make a difference in what products you will need and the tools to use with them. If your going to get deep in paint correction to the point of removing deeper scratches you will need more tools, knowledge and training before you damage someones car.

So, here is what I suggest:

1. Determine what services you plan to offer
2. Collect the equipment to needed to perform said services
3. Make business cards you can hand out to clients
4. If your in California, make it to some of the Meguiars classes for training
5. Practice on your own or friends vehicles first unless you are already very knowledgable.

We could make guesses at what services you might offer but I would rather have you determine that before we start making all kinds of product and tool recommendations.

[Andy M.]

Re: So i want to get started...

One of the most important things I would say is practice on your own vehicles first. Learn to do it well.

You can start here by looking at these threads.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2409

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7011

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1516

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1423

Andy
101impala

Hey everyone, i'm an amature car nut and have been browsing these forums for a few months to try to gain some knowledge about what it takes to make that special car look brilliant and healthy. I want to start my own personal business, nothing too big, for detailing friends and familiy members' cars. I work at Starbucks and want to spread the word out to other customers of my detailing services. I'm looking for advice on what tools i need to have in order to work on detailing cars on a weekly or monthly basis. I dont plan on working on cars 3 days out of the week or so, but i do want to turn it into a hobby if you would say. Thanks!

[JDMb18c]

Re: So i want to get started...

One of the most important things I would say is practice on your own vehicles first. Learn to do it well.

You can start here by looking at these threads.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2409

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7011

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1516

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1423

Andy
101impala

Thanks for those links, impala. One of those threads helped me answer my question of scratchx; if it was a cleaner or a polish. I do plan on offering removal of light swirls and scratches but i only want to begin doing it by hand. I plan to attend one of the classes in order to get more info on how to use a rotary.

[brickyardz]

Re: So i want to get started...

Thanks for those links, impala. One of those threads helped me answer my question of scratchx; if it was a cleaner or a polish. I do plan on offering removal of light swirls and scratches but i only want to begin doing it by hand. I plan to attend one of the classes in order to get more info on how to use a rotary.

To attend the advanced Meguiars class for rotory use you must attend their beginners class first to learn about cleaning and polishing the paint by hand and with the DA polisher. Keep this in mind when planning your classes.

For general swirl marks and light scratches a rotory isn't usually necessary. The DA polisher will usually do the trick.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: So i want to get started...

Invest in a DA as soon as you can. I did cars by hand...took forever and I was so sore afterwards.

A rotary might not be needed, but its still a good skill to learn.

[MaxImage]

Re: So i want to get started...

The most important thing when determining that you want make others' cars look healthy and brilliant is to hone your skills. Think of detailing as drivers ed or a science (which it is). There's usually two components; 1) the lecture/classroom portion found here on MOL and other detailing forums and 2) the lab/road portion where you actually take the things that you've learned in the classroom and apply them to the real world. In this case, start out with one machine at a time. The DA would be a good start, then work your way up to the rotary. Acquire body panels--hoods work the best--from a local junkyard or body shop that's getting rid of damaged parts. Take these home and learn the different tolerances of each machine. Learn what each of the different waxes, polishes and compounds do. Then learn the different combinations of these products when approaching a particular situation (i.e. fine swirls, deeper scratches, etc)

With time and in addition to what others have already posted here, you'll develop a system that you'll be able to take your detailing/paint refortification to the next level with friends and family members' cars. Best of luck, and we're all here if you need us!