Help w/ Possible Fleet Contract

what do you guys think about using Simple Green as a wheel cleaner for this work? i know its not really recommended, but i figure i might be able to get away with it for fleet maintenance....

 

I have read that it not the best used around bare metal, now I have also read that you can get the Simple Green made for cars and that is safe. Just use a cheap APC lk the ZEP or MS Super Green Stuff and use it to clean the wheels. I am betting there are many detail supply stores in PA around you that you can get gallons or 5 gallon jugs of a APC such as Megs, Zep and will be cost effective to use all around the car. I will let other chime in on simple green.

If I were you i would find some detailing supply stores around you and go to them and write down what bulk products they have and how much. Then look online and see what is the best way to get your products. I would go for a APC you can use for the inside and the outside of the car, get a powerful degreaser for wheels and hard to clean areas, some sort of tar/bug remover. Then the normal soap, sealant, ext.

 

im going to talk to my Ardex guy about pricing on some bulk stuff as far as APCs and Wheel Cleaner and see if he can match or beat what i would be spending elsewhere.

 

I buy the Majestic Solutions Super Green Stuff (APC) for less than $40 for 5 gallons. I mix it 2:1 and it will clean everything. Not only does it clean like no tomorrow but it's safe too. It has a really high PH but contains no caustics. You can use it on engines, tires, wells, paint, bugs, tar, you name it and you can also use it as a wheel cleaner too.

Oh and I second the vote for DG 105. The Aquawax would be a great topper in between applications (at least 4-5 months) of 105 and would really make the cars shine like new money. The AW step would probably really make you stand out even though it was just a touch up detail.

 

do you buy it direct from MS?

 

You can only get MS direct from MS. Two ways, one is to go to the store in Raleigh, NC or order it online ( Majestic Solutions :: Exterior Products )

They do not show the 5 gal online, but they do have it in the store.

I can backup what JL said, I just got some last week from the store and used it this weekend and it works great!

 

Yeah I always buy from them and haven't had anything shipped. I love their Ultragloss soap for a maintenance shampoo but you could probably find cheaper alternatives.

 

ok guys so heres a little update on the situation:

i talked to my friend matt again whos father works for the company offering the contract. i will be meeting with him later this weekend or possibly this weekend. seems that i will not have to financially supply any of my own supplies or products. there is a company expense card set aside for his, which i would have at my disposal, within reason obviously. they have around 31 vehicles total, including 24 nissans, 2 mercedes, 1 BMW, 4 Dodge pickups, and a handful of work vans. since they would be picking up the tab on my supplies, here's a list i have compiled thus far:

5 Gal of DG soap
Gallon of DG105 (what quantity should i go for?)
Gallon of DG Aquawax (quantity?)
5 Gallons of Majestic Solutions Super Green Stuff or Megs APC
3 Gallons of Megs Hyperdressing
10L of AutoGlym Custom Wheel Cleaner or Megs Wheel Cleaner
10 Wash Sponges
2 Large Quantity Pump Sprayer for Wheel Cleaner and Exterior Presoak
10 MF Apps
50 MF towels
Leaf Blower
10 WW Drying Towels
10 32oz Spray Bottles
4 Wheel Brushes
Glass Cleaner (Megs or CG or Zep or Ardex)

and if i can talk them into it, a Karscher powerwasher lol. anything else im missing guys?

 

Glass cleaner, vinyl dressing for dash, carpet/fabric cleaner, leather cleaner/conditioner if any of them have leather.


I would say dont get the AutoGlym because of cost and just go for Megs wheel cleaner in the detailer's lineup. If MS Super green stuff get to be expensive to ship over to PA just go for Megs APC or Zeps.

You could get Megs APC+ for use on fabric, vinyl and leather which would be cost effective. Also could use it for exteriror use and make it even more cost effective. I have a feeling the owner will be shocked at the initial cost and may have to have a small run of products at first. Finding local companies I think will be your best bet to supply detailing products such as APC, soaps, and dressings.

 

Fun to spend other people's money, isn't it? I would pass on the leaf blower and try to get the power washer..that one is important. I'd get a gallon of 105 and a gallon of AW to start. The gallon of 105 will last a long time. The AW not as long but you can see how you'll incorporate it into your routine as you get going. Your list will change a bit as time goes on I would imagine. Good for you man, this thing is shaping up!

 

cool thanks for the suggestions.

 

thanks for the suggestions. as far as the DG LSPs, i was figuring i could get away with giving all the cars a good coat of the 105 the first go around and then just top them off with aquawax for the next 4 or 5 consecutive washes. then restart the cycle. thanks for you help.

 

I would go with Meg's Wheel brightener 4:1 and one gallon of concentrate runs you like 17 or 18 bucks. You will need to look at the vehicles to make sure it is safe, but use it where you can. I seriously doubt they have high rolling rims on work vans and trucks. Bone stock wheels is most likely..most likely coated, and therefore WB safe! Not to mention it cleans like no other!

 

I only do commercial work for dealers (currently about 20 yards) and they pay pretty well. Make sure they pay regularly and you know exactly whats expected and also that you dont get stung for damage done to the cars by their staff. Do they have a set area to work? Look at legalities like water runoff, biodegradable chamicals, shade, lighting etc. What equipment is needed? A home vac isnt going to cut it and setting up the right gurni/wetvac, buff etc can be expensive. It may be better to rent a small shed somewhere close and then try and pick up a few other corporates and make a living from it. Thats how i started and now turnover $300k+ a year.

 

the pay will be a set for every month, and the max amount of work each month will be that all the cars in the fleet get done. some months it will be less depending on which get used more etc. there is a large garage where all of the cars are kept, which is where i would be working. they already apparently have a powerwasher there, which is a plus. from what im hearing about the gig, all i need to do is basically meet with the guy who is making the decision on this (my friends father), propose to him a monthly supply cost, and tell him what i would need, etc. obviously there are some other finer details, but this is the meat of it.

i think ive decided to go with the megs detailers line of products actually, and then go with DG105 and Aquawax for LSPs. i figure i can get everything i need to last me about 3-4 months for around 350 if i go this route. the first order would be probably over 400 though, taking into consideration the extras to get me started like, buckets, wash mitts, wheel brushes, grit guards, MF towels, spray bottles, etc. this is also assuming they dont have all this already, which im guessing they dont.

 

Sounds like you have it all figured out Billy. If they don't agree with your monthly costs, try to convince them to let you do it for a month, and show them how the cars turn out, I'm sure it'll be a big step over the previous guy since we are working on DB standards to some extent :mounty:

For wheel cleaner, definitely use Meguiar's Wheel Brightener, cut 4:1. It cleans like no other, as long as the wheel is coated (which almost all are) then it's safe. I can bang out 4 horrendous wheels in like 6 minutes. Just spray, let dwell for like 10 seconds, then agitate and the brake dust will just slide off. If you check out the thread I just posted of the BMW X3 I just did, the rims were BLACK. They're perfect now.

 

im going to meet with the exec tonight about the contract. wish me luck guys!

im praying it shouldnt be hard to land. from what im being told the last guy was a real hack and the cars all had water spots etc after he was "finished" with them. if he was doing work like that, these people will think im a miracle hopefully haha. im going to almost insist that they let me do a quickie on one of the benzs or bimmers just to show them the quality of my work. ill post up how it went as soon as i get home.

thanks for all the help thus far guys.

 

Good luck! :thumb:

Just an idea - if you get the biz, maybe offer your machine polishing expertise for a "corrective detail" on the higher-end vehicles, on an "as-needed" basis - especially if the company uses them for seeing clients. Of course, this should be an additional charge, "a la carte" style service... but maybe you could offer the service at a slight discount from your normal rates, since they've already got you under-contract for the maintenance of their fleet (assuming you both agree and move forward with this).

Again, good luck - sounds like a lucrative gig, and could potentially lead to even better ones down the road if all goes well. :headbang:

 

thanks! yeah i was planning on concentrating on just landing the contract first, and then if i get it, bring up the idea of offering my correction services for the execs cars, which are the benzs and the bimmers, at a discounted rate. if i get this it could definitely open up a lot of doors and opportunities to make more money and get some connections, which is always good. :headbang:

 

Well? How'd it go? opcorn: