Starting Auto Detailing Business!

[Dante]

Hey,
I've been detailing my car for 2 years now using Meguiars, and It's fun for me to get the car to it's best apperance. The idea has been going through my head of possibly starting a Neighboorhood business or hobby of detailing people's car's. I have no idea how sucessful it would be but I was going to give it a shot and make flyers. I'm only 17 so this would be a good way to get experience and money. Right now I'm using Meguiars three-step process which I've enjoyed and I use a rotary buffer to apply it. I think the average:

Car Wash
Fine Paint-Cleaner
Polish
Carnuaba Wax

I think this set up would be great for anyone that would want there car to look nice and protected for months. I don't know how what Meguairs says on how long the coats last, but I'd say it would be fine on everyday automobiles within the neighboorhood. This type of auto detail usually takes me 5-6 hours and I was thinking of charging $75 for the whole works. What do you guys think of this plan? Anything I can change, or is the price to high? low? I was going to make flyers, what should I add to them to get people interested? Remember, this is for common people, not car ethiusists. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

[BrantlyJ]

Sounds like a fine Idea, You might want to go to Car Care as Detainling Dude has written up something on strarting a detailing business. You might want to try to get you time a little quicker though. The pro's I doubt take 6 hours to do a car. Probably half that. I know I can wash/wax my car in about an hour. Now that isn't any kind of special prepping but a standard wash/wax dosen't take long.

Good Luck!

Brant

[MercMobile]

I would go to Car Care.. Detailing Dude posted a nice "How to start and help keep your detailing business alive" thing.. I just skimmed through it.. and while there is a lot missing on the business end.. and a lot that could be added, which I am sure I will throw to him shortly.. it seems like he has a good grasp and a good handle on what needs to be done.

[TennisMenace]

That's a good idea! My 17 yr old brother just sits around playing video games all day. Maybe that's why he doesn't have any money... ;)

Make sure you figure in the cost of your supplies... that stuff's expensive!

[saidsevn]

Talk to Murph i think he runs his own detailing service or at least knows a lot about it.

[1aRIDE]

There is a local shop around here that does the same sort of thing.

For $100 you get..
..complete vacuum job (including trunk)
..dash cleaned
..windows cleaned (inside/out)
..engine cleaned (not sure if its steam cleaned)
..car washed and waxed
..tires shined up

Not bad considering that would take a good part of the day to do yourself. Plus, it's a great idea for a xmas, birthday, or anniversary present.