Don't start out with a rotary if you don't have any experience with one. Get a UDM or PC and start with that, then progress to a rotary. If you start with a rotary with no experience, you should be prepared to buy some people a new paint job as you will surely do some damage. I have yet to see any detailer on those forums recommend a noob to start out with a rotary

Ryan, I disagree with those people. I think they are just holding people back. Some people detail for years before buying a rotary because internet forums scare them from it. I think it is a shame. Yes, one should practice on scrap panels or a junk car first, I agree with that. It is going to be very difficult to have a profitable business without a rotary. The other machines just aren't fast enough to be efficient.

Right, but it isn't just the internet scaring people away from rotary use in the first place. Most people are scared as heck to touch their paint in the first place.

I know first hand that rotary use in inexperienced hands can be a bad thing. I used one of my friends, ( under his direction and he worked at a body shop ) on my '93 when I first got it. The flat panels turned out OK, but I just touched my spoiler and burned the paint off it in three spots. You can't see it unless you are really looking for it, but I know it is there and I wouldn't use a rotary on someone elses car yet until I get more experience with my UDM and looking for flaws in the paint.

One other reason I would start out with a random orbital anyways is for the final polish and LSP. An RO is foolproof with those steps and almost impossible to leave buffing marks so you have a better chance of a "show car" finish.

I absolutely agree with a rotary is the way to go, and I myself will be moving up to one later this year or next year, but there will always be a place in my arsenal for my UDM.

Good luck with getting into the detailing world. I've spent a lot of time looking through the Autopia forums myself and it'* still mind boggling. There'* so much to do and so many products to choose from.

I'm looking to fully detail my car for the first time within the next few weeks so I'm trying to research and prepare myself for the process.

Ryan, there will always be a place for the UDM, you are right. Mine will be getting carpet cleaning duties as well as finish polishing for the first few cars. I guess I have been a bit disappointed in the UDM as of late. I spent 3 days on a 2000 Monte Carlo SS that could have been finished in 1 day with a rotary. Time is money. I picked up the Makita immediately after that job as I don't want to experience that again. SIP and speed 6 can only do so much, even with aggressive pads.

In the past, I have charged $50 to wash (including engine bay), clean/vacuum the inside, handwax (before the UDM) the outside, and clean the wheels/tires thoroughly along with putting some dressing on all the plastic parts.

When going wash/claybar/wash/machine wax, depending on the size of the vehicle (SUV vs. Car), I've charged from $65 - $90. This including powerwashing/scrubbing engine bay, clay bar, detailing wheels, detailing wheel wells, using my UDM w/ Meguiar'* Gold Class over the whole vehicle, and dressing the plastics and tires. Also includes a total interior detail including windows and removing carpet stains. If they want the carpet washed, I add $10.

I've not gotten anyone yet that was as meticulous as what I want to do to my car. It includes the above, taking the wheels off and cleaning them until they're perfect, scrubbing wheel well until they're perfect and dressed, paint touch up, stopping interior rattles, triple carpet steaming, and going over the whole car w/ UDM an 3m light cut/final glaze, followed by meguiar'* gold class, or possibly liquid glass.

The reason I haven't yet marketed myself in any local ads? Liability. I don't want someone to blame a huge *** scratch in their paint on me and going after me legally. That would suck. I stick with friends, friends of friends, coworkers, and family. Maybe some day I will go ahead and do it and make up a waiver saying I'm not responsible for any damage done to the vehicle.

I'd love to be able to stick a sign out front with business cards or something of the like .

Wow, that'* really cheap. Maybe I should make a trip and you can detail mine!

I've gotta do my car first, that'* only requirement. It hasn't been touched since dealer last june And I feel really bad...

I feel you there. I go to school full-time so I don't have access to anything I'd need to wash my car which sucks. I'm going to have to buy my own supplies and go to a nearby car wash I guess.

Same story. School full time, 20 hrs of work a week, and a gf lol. I have about $300-$400 in supplies though.