Detailing Business Start Up

Lately there have been quite a few guys asking about starting a detailing business. It can be overwhelming with everything out there to be honest so I thought I'd share a simple plan that I wrote up to help another member get going. As you read this, please remember that this plan was written with the intent of keeping things simple and that means not having all the equipment that is available to us and not offering every service available. We had a budget to work within and set his business up accordingly. For guys doing this part time or on a shoe string budget, this plan may help you. As you guys go through, feel free to comment, constructively of course, and together maybe we can put together an awesome plan for future reference. If you have had success with certain products or equipment, say so and I'll add it into my copy. After all, not all products and equipment are available in all areas.

Ken

Starting a detailing business

I firmly believe the key to starting a successful detailing business lies in simplicity. By reducing the number of choices given to potential customers, you enable yourself to hone your skills on a limited number of tasks which will allow you to master them quicker. I suggest you start with two simple packages. This allows you to master the cleaning of the vehicle which happens to be the basis of all of your present and future packages. If the car is not cleaned properly, no amount of wax will improve how it looks.

Wash / vacuum package
•hand wash exterior of vehicle
•clean inner fenders
•detail tires and wheels
•dry vehicle and wipe clean all sills
•clean all glass inside and out
•vacuum interior including trunk/cargo area
•wipe all interior surfaces
•dress tires

Wash / vacuum including sealant
•clean all jambs / sills
•clean around all trim pieces, lettering, seams in body etc
•presoak body with foam / APC from pump sprayer and rinse
•hand wash exterior of vehicle
•clean inner fenders
•detail tires and wheels – faces and barrels
•dry vehicle and wipe all sills
•clay vehicle if applicable
•apply coat of sealant
•clean all glass inside and out
•vacuum interior including trunk/cargo area
•wipe all interior surfaces
•dress tires
•remove sealant
•do final wipedown

The beauty of these two packages is that they are both inexpensive so that they will appeal to a greater number of people which will enable you to build a client list a lot faster and they don’t take a considerable amount of time to accomplish. If you were to do one wash / vac each day (1.5 hrs avg @ $50 ) that would be an extra $1300/mo.


Now lets examine the products you will need to accomplish the packages outlined above. Once again simplicity is the key. With all the products and suppliers available, choosing which products can be overwhelming but as you will see, there is no need to have a bunch of money tied up in products. As I have been using Autoglym products for about 18 years, I’ll use them for demonstration purposes.

AG Bodywork Shampoo – washing
AG Powermax3 – Cleaning engines, jambs, tires, wheels, inner fenders and can be used to foam exterior before washing.
AG Interior Shampoo – for wiping down interiors and cleaning upholstery/ carpet
AG Fast Glass – Windows, mirrors, etc
AG Instant Tyre Dressing

There you go. Five products will clean everything your car can throw at it. No need for shelves full of products. Now, to complete the wash/vac with wax package, we will add a few more products.

Automagic Blue Clay and clay lube
Collinite 845 – because it has great durability and looks great on every colour

Eight products are all you need to start your detailing business. Are there other products that would be handy? Sure.

AG Tar and Adhesive Remover – great for removing tar from body panels and wheels
Metal Polish – for polishing exhaust tips

You can substitute other manufacturers products for these as you will. My point was to show that you can start and run a successful detailing business without spending a tonne of money on products.

Tools for the job
Ahhhh. Tools. We all love em and would trade our spouse for them in a heartbeat! As for the products, there are some tools which are necessary to get your business going and some which are optional.

Washing
Hose and Nozzle
Presssure Washer – (optional ) a 1500psi Karcher electric can be had for $2-300
Brushes – Body, wheels,tires, ( Raceglaze brush set, Raceglaze XL )
Wash mitts – body, wheels
2 Buckets w/ Grit Guards
Drying towel ( waffle weave – not your old beach towel! )

Interior
Vacuum ( Ridgid 4070 $99 low end or Michaels 315-C $450 high end)
Brushes ( Best brush to use while vacuuming is a natural bristle paint brush )
Towels
Extractor (optional) Mytee
Steamer ( optional )

Polishing ( optional )
Porter Cable 7424XP
Lake Country Pads
2-6.5” Purple Foamed Wool (heavy cutting)
2-5.5” Classic Flat Orange (light cutting )
2-5.5” Classic Flat Green (polishing )
2-5.5” Classic Flat Black ( final polishing )
2-5.5” Classic Flat Gold ( LSP application )
Menzerna Power Gloss (cutting )
Menzerna Power Finish ( polishing )
Menzerna 85RD ( final polishing / jewelling )
Menzerna Top Inspection – IPA wipedown after polishing
Towels

Keep in mind this is a very simple set up to get you going. It is not meant to be the be all to end all detailing start up plan.

 

Great post! Extremely helpful. Thanks Ken. :thumb:

 

very useful post. Thank you, Ken!

 

nice one ken . . . . . i need to get with you on a couple of things when you have a minute. Don't want to really clutter you up as i know you have a business to run LoL.

I'm trying to revise my prices before i slap them up on my new website so was wondering if you could give me a hand with that maybe?

 

Awesome post Ken and a great idea...Top man :thumb:

I think it is imperative that anyone starting out gets into the routine of ensuring that every single vehicle that passes through their store leaves protected from any future damage. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, something like the 845 is what I would have recommended.

I also feel that clients coming in for a simple wash would appreciate you going the extra mile and topping up/applying some form of protection. Whilst it can be argued that the cost of the wax isn't covered by the initial fee, I am sure the client will almost certainly return thus generating repeat business :thumb:

 

+1. I have never NOT applied LSP. LSP is tangible, in the sense that they can actually SEE their money's worth when it rains. A coat of 845 should only run about $5-10, incuding the hourly wage to apply/remove.

Of course, it all depends on the demographic, and what the "competitors" are doing. If they are offering a cheaper wash/vac and no lsp, then by all means add it to your list.

 

instead of starting a new thread i figure i ask this hear. Do you guys think it would be slightly better to list everything that is included in a detail package in the form of a list such as

1. Hand wash
   Rims & inner barrels cleaned
   Tires and wheel wells cleaned with APC etc . . .

or would it be better to write it in like a paragraph or essay style:

We first start off by giving the vehicle a extremely thorough foam down, this helps to remove any lose debris that might induce any light scratches and marring to the paintwork. The wheels/ inner barrels, wheel wells and tires are then treated with the utmost care as they are cleaned free of dirt, grime and brake dust . . . . . . etc.

i have been having a little trouble trying to figure out what would be best.

 

Great info Ken

 

I really appreciate this post Ken. You are a great resource!!!

Believe it or not I'm still having issues with how long it takes me to detail a vehicle. It usually takes me twice as long as many folks here to get a car done.

I've done time studies when performing details (I'm an Industrial Engineer) and I'm really consistent with the times it takes me to perform services.

I can't seem to work any faster ... I think it's hilarious that I'm the guy that times everyone at work and complains that they are not working fast enough ... lol.

 

Your not alone. :doh: I feel like I take forever.

Ken great write up by the way.

 

i find it amazing that some people can get so much done in such a short period of time. Even though i feel like i manage my time rather well it still takes me forever and a day to finish a correction job. I am still trying to work out a system in which will save me a little time.

 

Awesome write up Ken

 

Great write-up Ken, thnx.

 

Although I agree that I would like to see every client leave with a coat of wax, its just not feasable. You would go out of business giving a free wax job on every $50 carwash/vac package. You could use a product like DG Aquawax after washing to add a bit of protection if you wanted.

I have used both and find that the point form system is easier to read on brochures, business cards etc.

See above

 

Awesome write up Ken. I have a client this weekend and can't wait to see how long it takes me =)

 

Perhaps we should have a 'Buisness Section' and this should be its first sticky...

 

Ken, that is an awesome amount of info. It's amazing how helping one person can help many more through this forum. This is tremendously helpful and very motivating.

I can't thank you enough. And a big thanks to all who added suggestions. you guys rock.

 

^^^^THIS!!! I'd love a business section.

 

a business section to talk about business type stuff, advertising or marketing ideas and things of that nature would really benefit the forum.

 

I'd have both available online. show the quick list on the services page and then have a link to the details. When I'm looking for a wash it's easier to choose from a list then reading a paragraph. But the paragraph is great for those who want to know what they're actually getting. For brochures I'd use the lists as well.

BTW, I like your description, makes me want to call you for a wash.