selling stake

[flight567]

hey guys, i've been in business (sans licence) for about two months. i left a card on the windshield of a car that was for sale. the owner called my and requested a 100% defect removal on an 06 Lexus. after talking for a while, he reveals that he has been detailing cars for many years, but his current job has not given him time to pursue it, nor to work on his car (concern #1). he tells me that he feels that headlight resto is going to take off quickly soon. i have been giving it away to any car i've done 2 stage or more compounding on. in his opinion i should add it as an upcharge at $50-100. this is fine and i will try that. we talk cars, advertising strategy, technique, etc. for a few days when he tells me (today) that he would provide me material for the headlight resto in exchange for 25% of my company. i don't have the experience yet to say if this is a good idea, what i might counter offer, if even it is a good idea at all. anyone who has business experience or advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

p.s.: i havn't got my TIN yet, that's in the works.
thanks all
Tyler Russell.

[Evan.J]

Re: selling stake

Why not go to a junk yard and get a light or two at are beat up and faded and use those for practice?

Your supplies are easy get 3" sanding discs ranging from 1000 grit 1500 grit and 3000 grit then you need something that has a UV protection in it like Opti-lens. You need to reapply a UV coating becuase once you sand the headlight you will have removed the factory coationg. If you do not apply a UV coating the lense will yellow and fade up in a few months.

[flight567]

Re: selling stake

i'll certainly do that.

i may ask about a monetary exchange ie, the money to buy products (not limited to headlight resto) for a percentage of the company.

my main concern is whether or not i should sell part of the company at all.

so opti-lens is a good UV coating? i'll have to look into it.

[Evan.J]

Re: selling stake

i'll certainly do that.

i may ask about a monetary exchange ie, the money to buy products (not limited to headlight resto) for a percentage of the company.

my main concern is whether or not i should sell part of the company at all.

so opti-lens is a good UV coating? i'll have to look into it.

Then to polish the head lights i use 105 and a 3" MF cutting disc then a foam polishing pad with m205 then use an IPA wipe down then apply the coating.

I wouldnt sell him anything getting what you need isnt too expensive do it yourself and you will be happy you did.

I use opti-lens and love it.

[jfelbab]

Re: selling stake

Headlight resto is bigger in the southern latitude states as headlights are usually much more severely damaged there. Headlights resto is not rocket science either. It is a good up-sale and worth $50-$100 depending on the severity and treatment(s) used.

I'd suggest you keep sole ownership of your business and move on. Do you really want a business partner for a short-lived cash infusion?

IMHO, You can get all the materials you need from sanding papers, blocks,polish, pads, baking plates, sealers, etc from your Meguiar's/3M distributor and it's inexpensive.

[jarred767]

I would also agree to keep the business as just yourself. Expenses in this field are super cheap comparatively to other fields, even if you get top quality stuff.

You'd be much better off, and happier in the long run, if you just built it a little slower and once it gets bigger you get keep all the profits. Good luck with it, this is a great business to be in!!

[flight567]

Re: selling stake

seems pretty unanimous that i should keep sole ownership of the company. now i just need a job to buy supplies...

[Detailing by M]

Re: selling stake

no, no, no.
just learn how to do it yourself, it's very, very, very easy.

[DrdetailNashville]

Re: selling stake

I agree with everyone else. You can get everything you need for headlight restoration for $500 maximum, probably much less if you shop around. And I mean everything including buffers, attachments, compunds, polishes, sanding supplies. Also like Mario said, its very easy. If you can polish paint, then restoring headlights is simple.