Starting off my buisness... Need advice

Ok guys, I've been researching opening a detailing business for an extremely long time. I understand everything, and think it's finally time to buy all my tools for summer. I'll be buying tomorrow or Monday since Phil at Detailers Domain is having a 20% off and has most of the stuff I need, and then some other stuff from Rubbish Boys.


Please give me advice on my potential equipment. Answer any question or suggestion you like, you do not need to answer all of them. Thanks!
Polisher:
Makita 9227

Pads
3M Backing Plate (does this only fit 5.5 inch pads?)
Need suggestions as far as brands and sizes. How many should I get of each?

Microfibers:
A LOT.
Detergent for cleaning.

Polishes:(Need advice to add/drop any)
106FF or 106FA?
PO85RD
SIP (Do I need this with M105 or one or the other?)
M105
PO203S

LSPs:
Collinite 915 or 845
RBOE
BH Auto Balm
I need a suggestion for good-looking, durable wax for customers.

Clay:
Hopefully some Riccardo or BH.
I have some Clay Magic Blue

QD:
Optimum QD

Misc:
EZ Detail Auto Brush
SW Wheel brush
Tire Sponges
Painters Tape
Unigrit Sandpaper (Grit suggestions needed.)
ONR
PB Wheel Sealent
P21S
Anything else?

I have an old 750 PSI pressure washer, an insecticide sprayer and some various OTC products. I appreciate all of yours guys help, and look forward to detailing some cars :thumb:

 

Are you going for a fixed location or will you be mobile?
What is your target market?
Will you be doing higher volue work?

 

-Fixed at my home location, maybe I'll go mobile for just some easy maintenance washes but fixed at my home for now.

-Target market: Anything I can get until I establish a secure customer base. This is going to be a summer only thing because I go to school in fall/spring, so I might move it up there (about an hour away.)

-No, probably not, I'm just starting out.

Thanks for the questions, keep them coming :thumb:

 

If you do not have a "niche" market I would keep your supplies very simple. I would go with a Flex 3401 and stay with something simple like MG 105 and 205 and possibly some 3M UF. I would go with CG or Meguiars Professional line for you concentrated cleaners and dressings just due to ease of use and cost. As for LSP keep it simple. I have a wide variety of waxes up at the shop but I always reach for M-Seal or 5050 just because of ease of use and I know how they will act.

I could not be without:
citrus wash and gloss
ABC wash
gray clay
lots of MF's
sticky wheel gel and grime reaper
green clean
Ph balanced leather cleaner
trizact system

 

Do you know how to use a random orbital and/or rotary?

 

Thank you very much I'm on the fence between the Flex and Makita but I've seen that the flex has some problems and the makita is tried and true, but I am still heavily considering it.

And Denzil, I have no prior experince, but I am doing spare body panels -> My car -> family -> friends -> clients

and I will not move on till I am completely comfortable. I've been reading about how to use one A LOT and will be very careful before moving on to anyone's car but my own.

 

Ah, that's great then! I've seen far too many newbies try to start a business right off the bat and it's not always a positive experience. I'm not implying that you're one of them but I just thought I'd share my experiences. For your reference, it took me roughly three years before I decided to make the plunge of making detailing a side business. :applause2:

 

Yea, I definitely realize that I need experience and want to get comfortable first. I don't really expect to have much business this summer, but it will give me valuable experience which I can put to use for next summer, when I expect to start getting more clients. So far I've had a bunch of people tell me a rotary breathes fire and burns through everything and I shouldn't do it, and a lot tell me that it's not as scary as everyone makes it to be. Idk who to believe :shead:

And yea ha it is a big decision, but I want to start getting into a better paying work line than lifeguarding as I have to pay for school, and plus I LOVE detailing cars. It's been hours before I realize it, so hopefully this all works out.

Thanks for your support:mounty:

 

Bump.

 

I have used both machines for countless hours (not exaggerating) and neither have given my grief. My hitatchi rotary - not the same story.

 

If I were starting out and had all kinds of money to spend and with the knowledge I have now, this is what I would buy at minimum:

Polisher:
Makita 9227 or Metabo PE12-175
Flex 3401 or PC 7424 or UDM or G110

Pads
3M Backing Plate for rotary
GI 3" BP for rotary
5" BP for random orbital
3"/3.75" BP for random orbital
3M UK pads (two of each type) or whatever pads of your preference

Microfibers:
MF's from TheRagShack, PakShak, Tropi-Care, etc.
Normal detergent soap to wash MF's

Polishes:
M105
M205
SIP
PO203S
106FF or 106FA
PO85RD
3M UF

LSPs:
Collinite 915 or 845 or 476s
DG 105

Clay:
Anything that's cheap, they all pretty much work fine

QD:
Optimum QD or Meg's Last Touch (I think Meg's is cheaper)

Misc:
EZ Detail Auto Brush
SW Wheel brush
Tire brush
Tire Sponges
Painters Tape
Unigrit Sandpaper (for paint get 2000, 2500, 3000)
ONR
CG Sticky Wheel Gel
PB Wheel Sealent
Tire dressing

This would be a good start. :applause2:

 

Yes, sticky gel should be on that list. I'd also add Majestic Solutions Super Green Stuff APC. Paint safe, and very cost efficient. @3:1 is stronger then Megs APC straight.

 

Wow Denzil! Thank you so much for that, you are awesome :worship2:

I think I'm probably gonna go with a PC 7424 or some version and the Makita combo. Kinda a stupid question, but do Backing plates only fit once size? Like is a 5" only compatible with 5", and not 5.5" and 6"?

That list is perfect for everything I need, but due to money issues, I'm looking to cut some of it off. Not that I don't have the money, just that I don't want to buy everything at once and not get that into it.

I'm probably gonna take off the Sandpaper till I'm at that level, and it would be nice to knock maybe a polish or two off that list since those are pretty expensive. Can I just use 106 FA or FF in place of 205? And what about just 85RD instead of 3M Ultrafina?

I think after these questions, I'm set. Actually, one more, can I get samples of polishes from somewhere before I buy a lot? Where from?

Thanks everyone :worship2:

 

Welcome aboard Darkstar. I'm not sure what your budget is so I'll assume you don't have a lot to spend and only want essentials.

Wash - Poorboys Super Slick'n Suds
Sheepskin washmitts from Rubbishboys - The nicest I've used. Period.
Microfibre washmitt for wheels
OXO bottle brush ( no kidding ) for wheels. Inexpensive and lasts.
Swisswax style brush / 2.5" Sash Natural Bristle paintbrush for around lugs. The paintbrush has
longer bristles which work better,you just have to wrap the metal band in duct tape to protect
the wheels. The natural bristles won't lose their shape either.
Autoglym Powermax3 for inner fenders, jambs and engines. Dilutes down 6:1 for everyday use.
Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner for tires and Wheels
Blackfire Tire Gel or Gloss-it Tire Dressing
For drying I have been using Poorboys WW but have recently been led to ( DAMN YOU DANA!! )
Pak shak's towels as well. Their WW drying towel is so soft as is the one from RubbishBoys.

Clay - Clay Magic Blue w/ Auto Magic Body Shine Lube or Blackfire Poly Clay w / Poly Clay Lube

Polish - Makita 9227 / Flex 603 / Flex 3403 or PC 7424 / Flex 3401
I have been using the 9227 for years but recently got the 603 and will probably never use my Makita
again. The Flex, although louder, is way smoother and way better balance. Even though it weighs as
much as the Makita, when using it on vertical panels, you just don't feel the weight. The 3403 is a
great, lightweight rotary, but lacks the torque for major compounding and severe correction. It
weighs about 2 lbs less than the other two, so if your goal for your type of clients is mainly going to
be light correction, this machine will work. The PC is a random orbital in that it oscillates only. It will
do some decent correction with the right pad polish combo. The Flex 3401 is a dual action polisher. It
oscillates but is force driven as well ( 900 rpm ) so it can do some decent correction. Having said all
this, the pads and polishes available now allow serious correction at lower speeds and thus lower
heat so I would say go with a rotary and keep the speeds low until you are comfortable and work
your way up.
Menz Power Finish (203S) used with the right pads will yield up to 90% correction easily and finishes
down as nice as 106FF. In most cases you can go straight to LSP after using it.
Menz Po85RD will give the finish that extra pop if you so desire.
I currently use the 3" and 5" rotary backing plates from Gloss-it. You can use all pads from 4" through 6.5" with
these.
Menz Top Inspection for IPA wipedowns
As stated above, pad choices vary and are a personal thing. I have and use LC CCS , Menz, 3M and Gloss-it

LSP - If you are doing cars for paying clients, longevity is an issue. Other than Collinite and Autoglym Hi Def wax, most nubas
won't last long and will leave clients feeling short changed. I would suggest sticking with sealants for customer cars. They
are easy to apply and will typically outlast waxes. Blackfire, Werkstat, Gloss-it and Bilt Hamber are my faves. 2 coats of
the Blackfire, Werkstat and Gloss-it will give close to 6 months with BH outlasting Collinite!

Interior - Poorboys APC is my current fave.
Einszett Cockpit Premium is a fave among members and I like it although I have limited experience with it.
Autoglym Fast Glass for windows
Pak Shaks WW glass towels and my Exclusive WW Glass towels are awesome.
Werkstat Essential towels are great because of their textured weave
Lexol Raceglaze leather cleaner / conditioner are excellent

QD - The Gloss Enhancer from Gloss-it is fantastic.


Sorry for all the reading material. I hope it helps.

 

Nope, a 5" BP will work with a 5.5" and 6" pad... it really just comes down to preference really. However, it's a good idea to use a pad that's not smaller than the BP.

Since you want to cut down on the polishes, I'd go with M105, PO203S and 3M UF. I think you'd be set with these three and I stand behind them.

 

Thanks 911 :worship2: That list is great, you will definitely have my business in the future. Do you have a website up for the products you offer yet?

And thanks for the advice Denzil, those are the polishes I'm probably gonna go with :applause2:

 

Yes. You can find us at Products - Autowerkes Exclusive

 

No problem, any time.

 

I need one more thing from you guys, I am ordering today so I need a speedy answer.

What pads should I get for M105, 203S, and 85RD? Pads will be Uber for foam and LC for the PFW. And what is the formal name for W7006, 8006, etc?

2 Purple Foamed Wool for M105
2 Orange(Med. Polishing) or Green(Polishing)?
2 Blue Finishing Pads

I also need size suggestions.

 

I would actually get two of each color.