Searching for a career in detailing

[George Wax]

Using a highspeed rotary is very time consuming and carries a big liability especially when I am working on very expensive car's..100K plus..Not worth the risk in my book..

[rusty bumper]

Hi George,
I think that I will be using more of the BSP line of products, now that I have had a chance to try them...Thanks for posts!

[detailthis]

I am an 18 year old college student and found car detailing to be an excellent side job. However, im still experimenting with products and perfecting my techniques. Don't have a pressure washer yet, but you can do alot with a PC, a shop vac, and a little shade. I just wish the weather was better here in San Antonio; it's hot and humid most of the time.

[Reflections]

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

and you only charge $100? that's a VERY good deal!! I bet you have repeat customers. I charge extra to clay a car. after recommending the clay bar, I do a small section on the hood and let the owner feel it. good trick....

[gauchoy2k]

$100 thats cheap. Local car wash joints charge 125 for the disaster job they call detailing. Armor all **** stuff all over everything which makes it look like an oil spill. I do it on the side in Long Island but with all these car washes doing it for this price it's hard to charge 150-350 for the right job done. I do some work for a used car lot right across from a car wash place and he gives me problems all the time and i hate to cut corners and do a half a$$ job.
I hope to expand this opportunity at the marina i have my boat at.
Am trying to show case my boat cause that is how am going to get further jobs. Jobs ops are out there and deals are waiting to be made just have to spend a little time finding them.

[mirrorfinishman]

Originally posted by deadman98

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!

deadman98,

It sounds like you are too focused on the 80% of people who don't care what their car looks like. That can be a rather negative view.

I would highly recommend that you start focusing on the 20% of the people who do care about the appearance of their cars. Then you will begin to see a more positive view.

It is all about going after the market segment that needs the good detailing services that you have to offer. Those potential customers are there. You just have to figure out how you are going to go out and get them.

Here's is an example of how I just got a new customer who owns a Hummer.

Earlier today I visited a nearby garden center about a half mile from my home. About a week ago I had noticed a White Hummer parked at a house next to a garden center and since I needed a few tomato plants, I decided to stop there.

As I got out of my truck a gentleman walk up to me as I started looking at the plants and asked if he could help me. I turned to him and said sure; are you the owner of that Hummer? He looked at me with a grin and said yes. That's when I introduced myself and handed him one of my detailing business cards. I proceeded to tell him about my detailing services and how I could make his Hummer look like brand new again. I also explained that I would spend about five or six hours cleaning, polishing and waxing.

Well, he was like a kid in a candy store. He wanted to know how soon I could do it and then said he'd really like to have it all cleaned up before the family goes away on vacation in a few weeks. The very last thing he asked about was the price. I told him that most cars run about $185 to $225 and that the Hummer, because of the extra time involved, would be $275. He didn't even blink.

And thanks to his wife overhearing our conversation, he is also going to have another vehicle detailed later this week. How is that for getting a new customer?

Oh, and those tomato plants. It's a little too early yet, so I'll stop by and get those plants in about a week.

True story.

[Airborne Ranger]

hey mirrorfinishman,

that's quite a story and thanks for telling me to look more of a positive view on it. I would never really think of it that way!

Knowing me, I'm not really the social type. I usually don't say much and I'm pretty reserved when I'm around alot of people or even just a few. Though your right. Spreading the word around does help.

Couple years ago when I was starting out charging $50 a car, bottle of Turtle wax, some rags, and come APC. I think it was Coastal Power Clean or something like that. I got my first customer. 96 F150, faded but clean. Just needed a PC, and some DACP. At the time I didn't know about the Meguiars line like I do now. So I took my Turtle wax, moms hoover and cleaned it up as best as I could. I got my $50 but I was tired and exhausted from all that rubbing and what not. Took me about 11 hours If I remember right to do everything. Wash, wax, wheels, tires, and interior. Didn't know about engine detailing at the time. Thanks,,,,,deadman98

[George Wax]

This past weekend on Saturday client brought me his 2001 Pewter Color Chevy Silverado, with a toneou cover I think that's what you call it, I washed it ,clayed, used M-83 with the PC and a yellow pad, and finally hit it with NXT, and did a final wipedown with Final Detail..and also a did an interior detail..Charged him $160.00 and he enjoyed the end result so much he gave a ten dollar tip..so I ended up with $170..took me about 5 to 6 hrs of labor..and it was hot about 90 degrees plus..What do you guy's think on the price I charged him..do you think it was too cheap..?

[rdarwa]

I have the same kind of truck...2002 Tundra with bed cover and I wouldn't have done it that cheap. I clayed, polished, and waxed mine and shined up the dash and trim and it took several hours on Sunday. CHARGE MORE. That is alot of work on trucks with the bed covers.

[George Wax]

What would you have charged?

[Reflections]

Originally posted by George Wax
This past weekend on Saturday client brought me his 2001 Pewter Color Chevy Silverado, with a toneou cover I think that's what you call it, I washed it ,clayed, used M-83 with the PC and a yellow pad, and finally hit it with NXT, and did a final wipedown with Final Detail..and also a did an interior detail..Charged him $160.00 and he enjoyed the end result so much he gave a ten dollar tip..so I ended up with $170..took me about 5 to 6 hrs of labor..and it was hot about 90 degrees plus..What do you guy's think on the price I charged him..do you think it was too cheap..?

I don't think that was bad at all. Maybe in Cali things are more expensive but $160--$200 is pretty good for a truck. Key thing is that the customer was happy and impressed. Give him a call a week later and ask him if he still happy about it. Small details like those really make a difference.

[Reflections]

Originally posted by mirrorfinishman
deadman98,

It sounds like you are too focused on the 80% of people who don't care what their car looks like. That can be a rather negative view.

I would highly recommend that you start focusing on the 20% of the people who do care about the appearance of their cars. Then you will begin to see a more positive view.
<>

excellent advice. people who don't care are not going to pay. focus on those nice cars. those are their babies, toys, rides...they will pay the money without fussing. and if they fuss too much, like a pro tell them that you are a professional who offer a superior service. after all, nobody haggles with a dentist or doctor.

[gauchoy2k]

people who don't care are not going to pay. focus on those nice cars. those are their babies, toys, rides

Relections: you are totally right. Most people think driving there car threw the car wash machine think thats detailing.
So when they hear $100 plus to detail a car they think thats crazy. It's hard to find people that will pay especialy when you don't have a shop or roll up with a van with lettering on the sides.
And i hate to detail cars for friends and neighbors. So if i do it. it's because they have seen my car and understand that i do a good job and am not ripping them off cause time is money and it does take TIME to do the right job. And the products i use are all top notch. One day i hope to really expand and do this as a full time/part time business.

[Reflections]

<> It's hard to find people that will pay especialy when you don't have a shop or roll up with a van with lettering on the sides.
And i hate to detail cars for friends and neighbors. So if i do it. it's because they have seen my car and understand that i do a good job and am not ripping them off cause time is money and it does take TIME to do the right job. And the products i use are all top notch. One day i hope to really expand and do this as a full time/part time business. [/B][/QUOTE]

hang in there. your excellence will pay off with time. I have a minivan with the magnetic sides and as long as you keep a professional image, you will have a better chance at succeding. always keep your ride spotless. wear a "uniform". I'm working on polo shirts with my business name embroidered on them. don't go with the cheapo buss cards. pay a little more, but keep your image as a professional. always keep all your products organized. always ask the customer, when you're done, if he's satisfied and if he has any questions or concern. and finally, don't ever make any job sound too easy. always look at it like it needs work.work

[scrub]

Reflections That's some good dirt!! Thanks