Searching for a career in detailing

[Airborne Ranger]

Hello everyone,

Over the past years I have been detailing cars for other people. Though, I don't have the luxury of a rotary buffer, or know how to use one thus far. I don't have a pressure washer, extractor but if it is necessary I can save the money and buy my own equipment if need be.

However, I am willing to learn how to use a rotary, proper compounding and polishing techniques and everything else that is required for the job. Whatever it takes to detail a car and do a good job for you. Over the years my passion for detailing has grown and grown. So much as I want to make a career out of it and I understand that it is not easy to do so.

I have the desire and patience to learn what it takes to "make it" out there in the real world.

If there is any shop out there or someone indepedent that could use some help, I am willing to travel, willing to learn the skills of real world professional detailing. I have seriously put alot of thought into this and this is my dream. I have a PC, and have utilized Meguiars products to help me do good work and build a good reputation.

If there is anyone out there who could use a 21 year old with desire please call me. My name is Michael or you can call me Mike if you wish. Please PM me for my contact information. We can sit down and talk about this. I am willing to negotiate, willing to listen and willing to learn. Thank you for reading this. 91

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Michael,

While I'm sure there is plenty of work where you live, one thing that has really been demonstrated to me since moving to Souther California from Oregon is...

Southern California is Car Crazy!

There a lots of DIFM customers out here and I think there is a better chance to make more money in the detailing industry in this area. Problem is it also cost a lot of money to live here.

Back in Oregon, and Washington too, you could starve to death in the winter if you depended upon detailing to pay the bills. Business really slows down when the rainy season hits.

There are lots of Pro-Detailers that hang out on Autopia, SCG, DC, and hopefully here as we grow this fourm that would be willing to answer questions.

As far as making it goes, (Becoming succssful), here's some advice one of my best friends game me a long time ago, in this case he was talking about having fun, but it applies to your vocation too,

He said, "You have to forge your own fun right out of the dirt, no one's going to do it for you". After he said that I went out and bought my Sanger Drag Boat.



The same thing applies for becoming a successful detailer. If you really enjoy rejevenating cars, and taking paint to it's maxium potential, then go for it. First defive what success will mean to you. Does success mean wealth? Of does it mean working for yourself? Sometimes you can have both.

I know three professional detailers in this area that make good money and work year around. I also know there are plenty more that I don't know about. Hopefully, two or more of them will continue to post here.

Mike

[Airborne Ranger]

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it man

I live in a town of roughly 6000 people. Problem is though, alot of people don't really give a rats a$$ what there car looks like. If they do wash there cars or trucks, they take it to the local car wash and run it through the swirl o matic or use that deadly thing in there called a brush aka a push broom with soap like dawn undiluted!

Who knows where that brush was last use on what car. A black cadillac could've come in and use the brush, but prior to that caddy, that brushs last job was maybe on the rocker panels of a Grand Cherokee that went muddin.

Anyway, Location for me is the biggest issue for me thus far. Also, money, I need money to get up and running If I want to do this right and move into a bigger city. Cleveland for instance. 2nd largest city in Ohio and I have relatives there.

I have a strong opnion about jobs in America. Thus far, we live in a society of capitalism, meaning, freedom of speech, freedom of the press etc... My point is, I think people should be able to do what they love to do best and stick to it. Me, I would much rather, and I mean much rather!! be doing something that I love to do than versus doing something I hate and making a boat load of money. This is just me. Hopefully this spring and summer I can make some real money detailing, and doing it for real this time.

As my skills develop I will learn more advanced detailing techniques such as, feather sanding, proper usage of a rotary buffer, wetsanding etc.... Ok I need to go to bed. later,,,,,deadman98

[Billorlando]

First off you must have alot of ambition even to think of moving! I would say that is something hard to find and I send you my deepest congrat's on that. There are two types of detailers Mobile and shop have you decided on which one yet ? I will tell you now in my area when you try both at the same time you go bankrupt quickly. As for training you might want to try local car dealership's to bite your teeth on. Most car dealers have the absolute basic in what you need. Now anyone who reads this is going to kill me for what I am about to say however here it goes do not stay with any car dealership or detailer mobile or shop if all they do is clean the car you will understand this at a later date. Also realize you are going to meet people in this buisness that do not know what a detail really is even though they have all the products just no talent or knack at understanding a paint job on a car. Sooner or later you are going to see some guy who drives a beat up car might be at a local dealership or detail shop to and from work. This guy is first going to inspect the car do a quick walk around and determine what the car needs. When you see this guy watch him carefully you will see his process for every car will change up a little. this is the guy to learn from. You will have a local guy come around to deliver shop supplies get to know him he can inform you on what you should use each product for. Now the most important part at any time in this buisness you go thru a week and hear or learn nothing new.
Leave the shop or dealership your training has stopped there, go some where else and learn more till you decide one day to pick up a buffer and start doing it on your own. Remember Satisfaction is hearing WOW that car has never looked this good even when I bought it ... One day you will hear this from someone and then you are a beginning detailer..Good Luck!

[George Wax]

I average about $400.00 to $600.00 additional income every month..However, I only do this as a part time business. I charge about $100.00 per detail complete..Average is about 2 car's per weekend..However, doing this for a living especially mobile must be really tuff..I use my own garage therefore I am stationary.

[4.6GT]

So many people go off to a job they hate, congrats on doing something you love. My dad always told me - do something you like and it won't seem like work. In my area [Fla] mobile detailers seem to do the best. Instead of the customer coming to you - go to the customer, make it easy on them. Do their car while they are at work or home.
Success isn't always about money - it's how you feel about yourself.



Although there's nothing wrong with making alot of money while your at it.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by George Wax
I average about $400.00 to $600.00 additional income every month..However, I only do this as a part time business. I charge about $100.00 per detail complete..Average is about 2 car's per weekend..However, doing this for a living especially mobile must be really tuff..I use my own garage therefore I am stationary.

What does the customer get for $100.00?...Does that include detailing the inside?

[George Wax]

Yes, it include's detailing the inside as well..

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by George Wax
Yes, it include's detailing the inside as well..

That sounds about right, but I think it should be more for a 4 or 5 step job...What do you think?

Seems like whenever I do a job, it winds up being a 5 step or so process....With a PC.

[George Wax]

I just wash, clay, M-83, NXT and I am done..

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by George Wax
I just wash, clay, M-83, NXT and I am done..

Sounds like you are skilled with a rotary...DACP leaves a little haze with a PC...At least for me.

[electricgreen]

Another option you might consider if staying in the northern climate is to detail during the summer, and find a winter occupation, like landscapers typically do (landscaping in summer, plowing in the winter). Good luck!

[Airborne Ranger]

hey tks guys,

I really do hope that one day I can do it full time and make a decent living at it. so far, Socal is the place to be, but damn the money and the distance are my 2 biggest issues right now. Otherwise I'd be on the road with job lined up somewhere. deadman98

[Details3]

Detailing

I know were you are coming from. I spent almost 15 years in the IT industry and really did not enjoy a lot. The stress was killing me and my doctor told me to find something else or I would not see 50. Six months ago I started my own mobile detailing company. I have been detailing cars since I was 14 and really enjoy it. I am now healthier and losing weight. I recently picked up a contract to detail very big boats. The first one was a test and boy did I blow them away. After working on the boat for about six hours the manager introduced me to their top salesman (he sells million dollar boats). He was so impressed that I now have more boats to detail and a million dollar boat after it has been refitted. The boat is bigger than my house. The best advice I can give is to produce the highest quality work and the customers will come to you. In this day of fast foods, fast carwashes, and people in a hurry, one thing stands above the rest - Give quality service and people will recommend you to others. To bad you are not in the Dallas, Tx area since I am currently looking for some assistance - it is only part time right now but I hope it will expand. Good Luck and go with your gut.

Cheers
Details3

[George Wax]

I basically set the PC at 5- Use a W-8006 pad, with M-83 I do the whole car with the product work the M-83 -32 very good, I then remove the M-83 with terry cloth's first and then remove with Micro-fiber's, and finally hit the paint surface with NXT and I am done..