Detailing Business Help
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 20
From: New Milford, CT
As someone who can't even get Turtle Wax to behave properly, I'd definitely swing through if by some bad Google map I'm ever in Missouri.
I'm pretty good at cleaning my engine bay, but for $20, I'd let you take a crack at it. Also, throw in a complimentary visual inspection and perhaps a fluid level check while you're under the hood. It looks good to the customer, it takes less than five minutes of your time, and you can always refer them to the kind landlord next door for things like serpentine belts, disappearing fluids, etc.
Many people will ask for touch-ups, so that'* definitely an area to expand into. But, as a few have said, that'* a veritable nightmare. My Bonnie'* already a few shades lighter than Advance'* touch-up paint. Your best bet is to, down the road, find a good painter in your area that you know and trust, and refer your customers. Perhaps you two can work out some business deal — free/cheap (to the customer) Bronze or Solo Interior package with any of their paint jobs, or a discounted touch-up at their place with your premier detailing package. Never underestimate a good business relationship.
Keeping a good stash of BonnevilleForum/GMForum contact cards by the register would be nice, too, but who are we to tell you how to run your business?
I'm pretty good at cleaning my engine bay, but for $20, I'd let you take a crack at it. Also, throw in a complimentary visual inspection and perhaps a fluid level check while you're under the hood. It looks good to the customer, it takes less than five minutes of your time, and you can always refer them to the kind landlord next door for things like serpentine belts, disappearing fluids, etc.
Many people will ask for touch-ups, so that'* definitely an area to expand into. But, as a few have said, that'* a veritable nightmare. My Bonnie'* already a few shades lighter than Advance'* touch-up paint. Your best bet is to, down the road, find a good painter in your area that you know and trust, and refer your customers. Perhaps you two can work out some business deal — free/cheap (to the customer) Bronze or Solo Interior package with any of their paint jobs, or a discounted touch-up at their place with your premier detailing package. Never underestimate a good business relationship.
Keeping a good stash of BonnevilleForum/GMForum contact cards by the register would be nice, too, but who are we to tell you how to run your business?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 1
From: Wentzville, Missouri
As someone who can't even get Turtle Wax to behave properly, I'd definitely swing through if by some bad Google map I'm ever in Missouri.
I'm pretty good at cleaning my engine bay, but for $20, I'd let you take a crack at it. Also, throw in a complimentary visual inspection and perhaps a fluid level check while you're under the hood. It looks good to the customer, it takes less than five minutes of your time, and you can always refer them to the kind landlord next door for things like serpentine belts, disappearing fluids, etc.
Many people will ask for touch-ups, so that'* definitely an area to expand into. But, as a few have said, that'* a veritable nightmare. My Bonnie'* already a few shades lighter than Advance'* touch-up paint. Your best bet is to, down the road, find a good painter in your area that you know and trust, and refer your customers. Perhaps you two can work out some business deal — free/cheap (to the customer) Bronze or Solo Interior package with any of their paint jobs, or a discounted touch-up at their place with your premier detailing package. Never underestimate a good business relationship.
Keeping a good stash of BonnevilleForum/GMForum contact cards by the register would be nice, too, but who are we to tell you how to run your business?
I'm pretty good at cleaning my engine bay, but for $20, I'd let you take a crack at it. Also, throw in a complimentary visual inspection and perhaps a fluid level check while you're under the hood. It looks good to the customer, it takes less than five minutes of your time, and you can always refer them to the kind landlord next door for things like serpentine belts, disappearing fluids, etc.
Many people will ask for touch-ups, so that'* definitely an area to expand into. But, as a few have said, that'* a veritable nightmare. My Bonnie'* already a few shades lighter than Advance'* touch-up paint. Your best bet is to, down the road, find a good painter in your area that you know and trust, and refer your customers. Perhaps you two can work out some business deal — free/cheap (to the customer) Bronze or Solo Interior package with any of their paint jobs, or a discounted touch-up at their place with your premier detailing package. Never underestimate a good business relationship.
Keeping a good stash of BonnevilleForum/GMForum contact cards by the register would be nice, too, but who are we to tell you how to run your business?
ooo thats a good idea! we just introduced the $20 oil change club at the business so if they need an oil change they're good to go 
hmm i like that idea most def, i havent really looked around but i'm sure theres prob a body shop round here somewhere. u know what i've actually thought about that. i wanna make up some sort of card thing for both this forum & MCF to put in people'* cars that are either monte carlos or GM vehicles so i'm way ahead of ya on that one
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,089
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
The prices seem fair. here'* what I do. I say bring your car and I'll give a quote. I walk around the car with the owner and point out problems, scratches, chips, what ever. A full detail for me, wash, clay, polish, glaze, wax, and clean inside is between $150 and $200 depending on the condition of the paint. A basic wash is about $25, toss on another $20 to clean the inside and wipe it all down.
Line up a few cars and then start investing in the tools, you will be much happier. Right now I'm in the market for a larger polisher and might be selling my porter cable. If your interested, I'll give you first shot at it. A great, and I mean great polisher. I just want a bigger one.
Line up a few cars and then start investing in the tools, you will be much happier. Right now I'm in the market for a larger polisher and might be selling my porter cable. If your interested, I'll give you first shot at it. A great, and I mean great polisher. I just want a bigger one.
The prices do look a little low but I do not know the area. Unless I missed something there is no polishing step in your process. You will need to point that out to the client. Unless you use a filler type wax there will still be swirl marks and spider webbing visible under the wax.
Too bad you cannot make it to NEBF this week. There should be a lot of polishing happening. LOL
A nice way to see in person that a Porter Cable cannot hurt a car finish unless you drop it on the car.
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 40
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
I suggest Meguires products. #80 is a good mild cut polish, hard to mess up with it and will clean up the swirl marks good. Then use #7 glazing compound. This is a oil that fills in imperfections, best used on dark colors. Then finish off with meguires NXT v2.0 Best wax around. Lasts forever. Wax looks good, wax with a good polish will blow your mind.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 1
From: Wentzville, Missouri
I suggest Meguires products. #80 is a good mild cut polish, hard to mess up with it and will clean up the swirl marks good. Then use #7 glazing compound. This is a oil that fills in imperfections, best used on dark colors. Then finish off with meguires NXT v2.0 Best wax around. Lasts forever. Wax looks good, wax with a good polish will blow your mind.
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 40
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Check in tech info under exterior, I have a few write ups in there about detailing. Once you switch to a polisher, your going to need the liquid. hand waxing is easy compared to hand polishing. Your going to want a polisher, so start saving right away.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 1
From: Wentzville, Missouri
alright i most def will start saving once the income starts flowing lol gotta pay my friend tim off for the decals that are on the monte now & then the poilsher & tires will be next on the list =)
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Im assuming that the meguiars is cheaper than 3M products. Ive used the meguiars wax before but never the polishing compounds. At work I have nothing but 3M products and alot of em. But I buff parts for Toyota so the buy me the nice stuff one quart of one of the many compounds I use is like $50 a quart