Young Future detailer needing advice - Honda Prelude Forum

Lucifer Caitiff · 06-12-2002, 10:26 PM

hey guys im starting a small detailing 'business' for a little extra cash here and there, i think it would be cool to one day get something professional going but for now....nyah...anyway, im covered under my dads insurance because im using his business name to do this...im gona be doing a hand wash, polish/wax, the works...any advice? what's good prices these days? etc...any good advice from is greatly accepted

Lucifer Caitiff · 06-12-2002, 10:28 PM

BTW im using all meguires products, and "Son of a Gun" protectorant for the dash and any rubber/vinyl trim

DjChowFun · 06-13-2002, 04:14 AM

hey lucifer are you on the SCL mailing list? if so i replied to your email and did a thread up top

JoeW · 06-13-2002, 06:16 AM

As far as pricing goes, I think that varies by region. I'd go around to other detailing shops and see what they charge. Also figure out how much money you spend on detailing products for the average car so you know how much profit you are actually making.
Make sure you do a good job on the interior because thats where they will spend most of their time.
Oh yeah, leave them an air freshener if their car is stank!

Lucifer Caitiff · 06-13-2002, 02:43 PM

yea im on so cali ludes, your mark right? hell i met you at extreme auto fest. thanks for the info dude!

i checked out meguires.com and figured ill spend about $100 to get all the stuff i need for a REALLY good job, not including an orbital buffer, for now im not gona charge a lot of money using the stuff i have now, which is mainly low end meguires. probly like $20 for small cars, $30 for big ones $40 for trucks/suv's

as of now i saw some place charging $40 for cars and like 60 for trucks and suv's...so whatever i do, itll be cheaper than that. im mainly lookin for a few extra bucks, not a living as of now, but i do want to do a good job.

JoeW · 06-13-2002, 04:24 PM

20 bucks?!?!?
I wouldn't waste my time. I detailed my neigbor's car for $50 and she was thrilled she got such a good deal! That was wash/clay/wax/interior. Charge more than $20 or you're just wasting your time. You probably use up a minumum of $5 worth of products and water/electricity.

Cleanprelude · 06-13-2002, 04:48 PM

Yeah, $20 thats too good of a deal. You can do my car anyday and everyday for $20, Oh wait my car is in my garage all banged up from the accident still. Yeah 20,30, 40 bucks is toooooo cheap. I used to do cars for 75 bucks which included: Wash, polish, wax, power wash the engine, the inside, tires, and door jams, and the rest of the trim. After a while I realize the $75 is too low of a price, thats just me. But I tell you to do it about the same price or even a little more. Good Luck w/ the little business.

-Bryan

Lucifer Caitiff · 06-13-2002, 10:44 PM

ok well im glad you guys let me in on this!! jeeez well i think im gona start by charging 40 bucks for cars, 50 for SUV's and full size trucks, maaaaybe even go as low as 30 for small cars like miatas or rx-7's....i wana START cheap cause im not using all the stuff that i want to be using, im using all the consumer quality meguiars...i wana move up to professional 5 stage body care and stuff like that. i also want to buy a orbital buffer, but first i need enough money to get a new steering rack on my car... its broke