Input on detailing as a career

[Billy50H]

Not sure if this is the appropriate place for this but here goes...

Wondering if anyone has any experience with Smart Detailing University? If so, what? I've read up on it on their page and wanted to know your guy's opinion of there courses and if you recommend it as a business. I'm really interested in pursuing auto detailing as a career so any info will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

-Billy

 

[CC'S95GT]

IMO, detailing would be a good side gig till you get your name out there and get a consistent clientel. It's to hit miss to jump into it feet first. Have you looked into insurance incase you F up someones paint job by burning through the clearcoat.

 

[greenscobie86]

I'd start a side business out of your house or something and don't quit your day job. When you get good and big you should consider it but it's not an easy road if you want to be GOOD and it and make money. Lots of detailers are hacks who just throw glaze and dressing on without a proper paint correction, although its a function of cost/time and profit at a professional level.

I'd check out sites like autopia.org and seek help there as well..

 

[Obsessive Detail]

As mentioned above, I would start out doing it part time on the side and build up your client base. I actually detailed part-time for about 11 years until I decided to take the jump, I was just always afraid to do it, but I'm glad I did. If you are good at what you do and have the drive, you won't have a problem.

 

[justinschmidt1]

You can do it...but you better be good and you really need to find a good location, run some specials, get some clients in there that will spread the word.

its not easy getting customers, I can tell you that

Also, you have to work your ass off and you're not going to be making a fortune.

 

[MustangChris]

i figure itd be hard to pay the bills washing cars, but thats just my assumption.


do it as a side gig for a few weeks (do freinds, relatives, family, neighbors cars) and see if you really like it.

I washed my car this weekend and at first I was happy as hell. what fun. instant gratification.... but after hour 2 my hands hurt, my back hurt, my nose burned from the chemicals, my hands were chapped, .. . .. .. .. ... .. ug.

 

[Billy50H]

Thank you everyone! Jumping into it was my biggest concern because I couldnt understand how your business would be successful withought having a rough couple of months. Having it on the side seemed the best way. I haven't looked into insurance because I have yet to even start anything close to a detailing shop. It's just an option. I'm starting school next august so maybe I'll find something elsewhere but hopefully something to do with cars.

 

[g36 monkey]

I've started doing some cars on the side now that I have the porter cable. Pictures on facebook of my first couple jobs got everyone talking, so I have a pretty nice line of people that want in

 

[Billy50H]

I've seen your work and never would have guessed paint like that still had some life in it. lol I just live in a small(ish) town where I dont think people want to spend that kind of money on their cars. I'll stick to detailing mine and my girlfriends beetle

 

[justinschmidt1]

I've seen your work and never would have guessed paint like that still had some life in it. lol I just live in a small(ish) town where I dont think people want to spend that kind of money on their cars. I'll stick to detailing mine and my girlfriends beetle

Yea, thats kinda the biggest issue...you need customers and lots of them.

Let me put it this way, most people dont even seem to bother with general maintenance anymore, do you really think they are gonna pay some one 100-200 to clean it good?

Unless you live in a wealthy area where people have lots of nice cars and disposable income you wont have much work.

 

[Billy50H]

Exactly! I know my girlfriend wants to move to a bigger city so it wouldnt be too big of a problem till then. Then again shes gonna be starting school soon to be a pharmacist so she wont be done for 6 years. haha I do family and friends cars, not so much now as I barely have much free time, which is fun but detailing higher end sports cars is more interesting than toyota solaras or something. I'll just leave it as a hobby thanks guys.

 

[Mrstangerbanger]

I make anywhere from 5 to 6 thousand a month detailing but Im the best in my area and have the cars to prove it .. I started my business from the ground up and I only do mobile because having a shop is overhead and overhead is what kills new business .. I would only start detailing if you know what your doing and can detail a black car to swirl free perfection. Also make sure you can perfect interior and exterior not just one .. Its also going to cost to have the best buffer and extractor and steam cleaners and pressure washer and compressor and products .. It around 5 grand to get started with the best equipment ..

You need a
Makita rotary polisher
Flex or cyclo orbital ( porter cable if you cant buy those) must have for dark color cars our your a dip shit lol lol
polishing / cut pads for both buffers
need a good leveling polish / wax
need a good vacuum wet/dry
need a good extractor ( around 1000 used )
need a good compressor
need a good steam cleaner for interior
dont need but helps electric pressure washer for wheel wells and engine compartments
u need lots of products
u need a truck or van
u need business card
u need business license
u need to know what the **** your doing business you wont last long if you dont

U will need lots more but you can buy shit as you go ...


there is great money in detailing if you are the best and you should also know paint very well and know how to color sand and fix shit ..

good luck and remember its super hard work and you need to know how to run a business and deal with customers and have great customer service before everything else

You need to find out what people charge around your area also

good luck ..


also Im in chico ca its not wealthy and there are not a lot of nice cars .. No matter what there is money in this

 

[justinschmidt1]

Informative post....would like to point out that you live in California....I would think that helps since the weather seems to be relatively nice/warm there nearly year round vs say where I live its really only nice 6 months out of the year at best.

I dont think people are as likely to get their car detailed with it snowing then when its 90 and the sun is shining.

Anyways, there is always money to be made....mobile seems to be the way to go as well since you can go to them, do the car at their house or work etc.

When I detailed I really enjoyed the paint correction and I would spend 6-10 hours on a mild paint correction job....the issue is that I would use a lot of $$ in product and thats good bit of labor but most people dont want to pay 250-300 dollars for you to fix their paint...they want a 50 dollar rub down that makes it look pretty for a few days.


I would say the best way to do it would be mobile and focus on cheap packages...just would have to find a hand full of customers every day which is what the problem is.

 

[Mrstangerbanger]

Well Justin Im in northern California so its nnot like southern but we don't get snow just super cold rainy weather in winter but you can't be the best and the cheapest it just does not work also people will pay if your good period .. I would focus on high end Detailing not being tthe cheap guy .. I would say 150 is what a full detail starts at all over thr world ..

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[justinschmidt1]

Well Justin Im in northern California so its nnot like southern but we don't get snow just super cold rainy weather in winter but you can't be the best and the cheapest it just does not work also people will pay if your good period .. I would focus on high end Detailing not being tthe cheap guy .. I would say 150 is what a full detail starts at all over thr world ..

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True....people that understand and respect your work will pay....but to someone who doesnt know the difference and thinks a detail is a detail, sorry but I think they are going with the guy doin the full detail for 100 bucks even if its a shit job vs you for 150.

I just felt when I detailed that most people didnt want a high end detail.

If you cant do excellent work though you will never make it...nearly all my customers were from word of mouth just from being good.

 

[Mrstangerbanger]

Your crazy bro I make$ 250 a day doing Suv,boats and cars .. people will pay for the best just like anything else in life .. It takes me 4 to 6 hour to do a full detail and it starts at $150 and most of the time is more and I do a shit load of cars people will pay.I have run businesses all my life it just take skill if you only charge 100 bucks your saying that's all your worth and I won't touch a car for that unless its and exterior only .. I also have the best equipment and it took time to build what I have. Im in a town with 60,000 people and its most middle class so not charging enough will loose your business with high end cars and rich /wealthy people ..I don't need to prove it to u you bro I do it everyday and your wrong sorry ..

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[justinschmidt1]

Your crazy bro I make$ 250 a day doing Suv,boats and cars .. people will pay for the best just like anything else in life .. It takes me 4 to 6 hour to do a full detail and it starts at $150 and most of the time is more and I do a shit load of cars people will pay.I have run businesses all my life it just take skill if you only charge 100 bucks your saying that's all your worth and I won't touch a car for that unless its and exterior only .. I also have the best equipment and it took time to build what I have. Im in a town with 60,000 people and its most middle class so not charging enough will loose your business with high end cars and rich /wealthy people ..I don't need to prove it to u you bro I do it everyday and your wrong sorry ..

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I never said you were wrong or lying? Not sure why you are going off on this wild tangent.......more power to you if you can consistently make money at it.

My point is simple. 1 customer that doesnt know you or the other detailer. They see a cheaper price and assume they get the same job for the cheaper price cause they dont know the difference so they go for the cheaper price.

Ive never done a full detail for less than 200 and even that price was for friends.

I said in my own experience it wasnt easy to find customers willing to pay 200 bucks for me to clean their car.

How can someone possibly know that you're good at what you do if they have never been a customer before?

Basically my point is its not easy to get customers.

 

[g36 monkey]

Justins correct here. I've been doing my first few PC cars for about $70, since I'm not the best yet. Once I get better and get away from my friends, I'll charge 200 for paint correction. I didn't touch wheels, tires or interior, but it would really depend on time spent for me.

I don't think you really use too much material when it comes to the correction though. Just a few drops goes a long way.

 

[Hickrocket1258]

Yea, thats kinda the biggest issue...you need customers and lots of them.

Let me put it this way, most people dont even seem to bother with general maintenance anymore, do you really think they are gonna pay some one 100-200 to clean it good?

Unless you live in a wealthy area where people have lots of nice cars and disposable income you wont have much work.

You put it spot on Justin. It's about the demographic you live in/around. There's a kid a couple years younger than me around here that has a detailing BUSINESS. All high end cars, knows his shit and all. You won't really make big money off it though with the constant amount of supplies you'll need.

 

[JRad405]

Your crazy bro I make$ 250 a day doing Suv,boats and cars .. people will pay for the best just like anything else in life .. It takes me 4 to 6 hour to do a full detail and it starts at $150 and most of the time is more and I do a shit load of cars people will pay.I have run businesses all my life it just take skill if you only charge 100 bucks your saying that's all your worth and I won't touch a car for that unless its and exterior only .. I also have the best equipment and it took time to build what I have. Im in a town with 60,000 people and its most middle class so not charging enough will loose your business with high end cars and rich /wealthy people ..I don't need to prove it to u you bro I do it everyday and your wrong sorry ..

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You built a good business for yourself. Other people can't. I'm pretty sure I couldn't do that detailing thing and make that much every day as you are. And you also aren't doing just cars, so it does open up your client base. Out of curiousity, how long does it take to do a boat?