Questions about small side detailing business

[Marc08EX]

Hey guys, how are you all doing? I just have a question about detailing for somebody else and hopefully, you guys can help me out. Someone is interested in having me detail his Porsche Cayenne and I just wanted to ask what are the proper things that needs to be done.

I'm just kinda scared because there's money involved and what if the customer will not be satisfied with the results? I would never want that to happen. Do you guys think that using the G-100A will be sufficient already? I'm charging the guy $150 just for the exterior considering it's a SUV which will take longer and I said I would do a complimentary vacuum of the interior and dust down.. The reason why is because I don't do interior detailing.. I don't know what equipment you guys use for steam vacuuming the interior of the car. If it's also possible, I would appreciate input on this.

TIA guys! I would appreciate it!

[Chris Nemlich]

Bri,

I've just recently started detailing as a small side business. I am currently charging $140 for a full detail (Inside and Outside).

I think the best thing to do is to let your customers know upfront what you can and cant do. For instance I tel me customers that I won't detail the engine bay for fear of damaging something by accident. I also do no have an extractor for the carpets so I tell them I can remove light to moderate stains.

Also long as you make it clear to them what you are and what you aren't going to do you should be fine.

One thing i've noticed while detailing cars for other people is that it is important to know your customer. For instance, I detailed a car for a very old woman. After just washing the car she was amazed, so instead of using 2 or 3 polishes with 2 coats of wax I simply used 80 follwed by NXT and MPPP. It saved me a ton of time over doing 5 or 6 products. Since the lady was impressed with the car after it had just been washed, I knew that my extra time polishing wouldn't be noticed. Budget your time according and set yourself up to make a decent profit while still supplying a top of the line detailing.

What color is the Porsche?

Before yo start detailing, walk around the car with your customer and have them point out spots of concern. Then you can tell him what to expect from you for each spot. It is beeter to be upfront than to promise things you can't come through on.

If you have any further question just let me know!

Good Luck

[Marc08EX]

Originally posted by williams22
Bri,

I've just recently started detailing as a small side business. I am currently charging $140 for a full detail (Inside and Outside).

I think the best thing to do is to let your customers know upfront what you can and cant do. For instance I tel me customers that I won't detail the engine bay for fear of damaging something by accident. I also do no have an extractor for the carpets so I tell them I can remove light to moderate stains.

Also long as you make it clear to them what you are and what you aren't going to do you should be fine.

One thing i've noticed while detailing cars for other people is that it is important to know your customer. For instance, I detailed a car for a very old woman. After just washing the car she was amazed, so instead of using 2 or 3 polishes with 2 coats of wax I simply used 80 follwed by NXT and MPPP. It saved me a ton of time over doing 5 or 6 products. Since the lady was impressed with the car after it had just been washed, I knew that my extra time polishing wouldn't be noticed. Budget your time according and set yourself up to make a decent profit while still supplying a top of the line detailing.

What color is the Porsche?

Before yo start detailing, walk around the car with your customer and have them point out spots of concern. Then you can tell him what to expect from you for each spot. It is beeter to be upfront than to promise things you can't come through on.

If you have any further question just let me know!

Good Luck

Thanks for replying williams22!

The color is the seal grey metallic i think.. It's a big car that's why I charged more.. hahaha! So, do you just use the G-100 to detail the exterior? I'm just planning to wash the car, clay the car, then do #83, #80 then NXT so that it can save me time.. I'm just afraid that what if I won't be able to remove all the swirls and the customer is not satisfied.. What will I do? I already told the guy that I won't be able to fully detail the interior and he said, that it doesn't need detailing anyway.. I'll just vacuum..

[Chris Nemlich]

Just make sure to take before pictures. That way if there is a problem you can show him the improvement that has been made.

[Marc08EX]

Originally posted by williams22
Just make sure to take before pictures. That way if there is a problem you can show him the improvement that has been made.

I will have my camera ready! BTW, he asked me what product do I use, I was proud to say "Meguiars, only the best!" It was really cool.. Then he asked about Zaino.. I said I don't know what's with the hype.. hehehe!

Would the other pro detailers care to chime in?

[tdekany]

can you show a before picture? The car should be in fairly good shape, so 83 should be strong enough. Hey maybe even just #80 and NXT is all you need. #80 is very easy to use and is very effective!

[Lt1Corvette]

Originally posted by tdekany
can you show a before picture? The car should be in fairly good shape, so 83 should be strong enough. Hey maybe even just #80 and NXT is all you need. #80 is very easy to use and is very effective!

I am not sure how bad the Porsche is scratch wise, However I just helped a friend remove some light scratching on his dads Porsche. It is also silver. I gave it a good work in with 80 on 4 and it removed all the defects. With a silver car especially, I would give it a try with 80 first.
Good luck with the SUV

[Marc08EX]

The only problem is that I don't have #80 yet.. I only have #82.. So do you think that #83 then followed up by #82 as a polish would work? Then NXT afterwards? Well, he said that the car is only less than a year old and it's washed twice a week and it has only entered a car wash once.. Well, there's money involved that's why I don't want to screw up.. When I get the money, I'd buy #80!!! hahaha!

BTW, the owner is just 17.. DAMN!!!!

[Chris Nemlich]

Bri,

Meguiar's policy is always to use the least aggressive product that works. This would mean that you should do a test spot (maybe half of the hood) with #82. Examine this spot and see if the swirls can still be seen. Perhaps apply NXT Tech Wax to the spot too as it will hide swirls. If you can still see swirls after this perhaps try a test spot with 83 then 82 then NXT.

If just the 82 followed by NXT looks good then definitely go with that.

Post some pictures to show us your results!

Chris

[SprintKing]

williams22 has given you some great advice ... be honest about what you can and cant do. Also a good approach to any business transaction would be to under promise & over deliver
that way the client feels like they've gotten something extra. Its called the WOW factor

good luck and dont forget the photos

[Chris Nemlich]

Originally posted by SprintKing
under promise & over deliver

Chris