An automobile detailing business gives the pride and satisfaction of owning your own business. This profession requires hard work but is very rewarding. Auto detailers wax and polish the paint, chrome the wheels and clean the seats until the car shines like a new vehicle.
There is considerable difference between full-time professional automobile detailing and amateur detailing. Even the equipment is different. Professional detailing businessmen take great care in selecting supplies because they are consumed at a fast clip. They also pay great attention to price and quality. This is the only way they can beat competition.
Sales skills: You need to spend a lot of time selling your services. Also you need to inspect the customer's car in his/her presence and point out problems with paint, stains or interiors, and offer to take care of them. This will not only make your customers come back to you but also spread the good word. You also need to promote your automobile detailing business through fliers.
Another good business practice is to offer maintenance contracts consisting of a weekly car wash and two waxes every month. This will help you:
Get a nice check up front.
Have a steady customer
Be seen often in an area, which is good for business.
You can conduct a demonstration for the local car club members. Snacks and drinks can be thrown in to make sure that they turn up for demonstration. This may encourage several car owners to entrust the car washing to you. Everyone likes a smart, clean vehicle; no one, however, likes to spend hours cleaning it.
Start up costs: The automobile detailing business is the perfect business for people with small budgets because it can be started with a small investment. Also you may start with detailing cars in the dealers' showrooms and then move to detailing private cars.
A common way to start an automobile detailing business is to go to customers' homes and workplaces in a truck, trailer or van and clean their car at their location. You may use the local water supply or carry your own. Working from a fixed site though, you may offer better services. This may include pick and drop facility. However, it is important that your own vehicle or your location should look clean. Otherwise, it will be difficult to convince customers that you can make their cars look sparklingly clean and new.
Big cities like Las Vegas, Houston, Atlanta or Los Angeles have around 200 mobile detailers who wash five to ten cars per day, charging $12 to $20 per car. Some may get more and may also make good tips. Additionally, they may detail one or two cars at $60 to $100. In places like Silicon Valley, Century City, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Montecito, Newport Beach, Palm Springs, La Jolla, Laguna Niguel or Rancho Santa Fe, you can even charge $120 to $250 for big cars or SUVs.
The mobile detailers are not a big threat to full service car washes or to long-running fixed site auto detailing businesses because they enjoy strong referrals. Before starting you should study the auto detailing business scene in your area. You must find out the prices that are being charged, and the services that are being offered.
Statistics to make you happy: There are over 100 million cars and trucks on the road, all of which need to be washed regularly. People like to keep their cars for a long time and are willing to get them washed regularly. The competition is low in this business and there is enough opportunity for new entrepreneurs to get in.
Doug Dillard has started and run many home-based businesses over the past 25 years. He has created a great site for those of you looking to start your own home-based business, but don't know how to get started. Visit his website: [http://www.HomeIncomeOpportunities.com]HomeIncomeOpportunities.com for more information.
A small handful of "in-the-know" business owners are
watching their Yellow Pages Advertising response EXPLODE - to the tune of
300%... 500%... and more in a single year. They're putting their competition to
shame winning one new customer after another.
What do they know, that YOU don't?
Mobile Auto Detailing and Truck Washing Combination Businesses
If you own a mobile car wash or auto detailing business then perhaps you have considered what to do in the Winter Time where you live when it is downpouring rain or totally covered in snow. It is rather hard to detail cars in the snow and no one wants a car wash if God is doing it for free or if you are just going to spray snow off the car and turn it to ice. After all the last thing a property management company wants to see is a portable ice maker in their parking lot and people slip sliding away to the local slip and fall lawyer with paper work in hand for the courthouse the next day, that is for sure.
Recently a gentleman told me; I know a few dozen Landscape companies that have trucks, equipment and for a small fee, they are out on the road with clean trucks and making a good impression. I also know of two general contractors that have their trucks detailed at least once a year if not more. I can see the slow time would be the winter, but we do have a large garage that we can work out of if there are clients that need these services in the winter months.
Yes, these types of small businesses have lots of vehicles they make Excellent customers too. Fleet truck washing can definitely help an auto detailing or car washing business get thru the Winter Months and stay business and this makes a lot of sense. Contractors and Landscape business all need to keep their trucks clean, good points all of them. Well then, perhaps you should consider this in 2006?
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Recently a gentleman told me; I know a few dozen Landscape companies that have trucks, equipment and for a small fee, they are out on the road with clean trucks and making a good impression. I also know of two general contractors that have their trucks detailed at least once a year if not more. I can see the slow time would be the winter, but we do have a large garage that we can work out of if there are clients that need these services in the winter months.
Yes, these types of small businesses have lots of vehicles they make Excellent customers too. Fleet truck washing can definitely help an auto detailing or car washing business get thru the Winter Months and stay business and this makes a lot of sense. Contractors and Landscape business all need to keep their trucks clean, good points all of them. Well then, perhaps you should consider this in 2006?
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
How To Do Leather Detailing And Color Matching Properly For Your Vehicle
Leather is very durable and lasts a long time but it also shows wear. Cars with leather interiors need detailing on a regular basis to look half-decent.
American leather comes with a durable vinyl coating and refinishes and re-colors well. Seats that look like a detailed road map do well to be restored and this increases the resale value of a car by several hundreds of dollars.
To properly detail your leather seats, first thoroughly clean all leather panels to be restored. Use a water based and alcohol cleaner for best results. Sand out all cracks using 320 or 400 grit sandpaper, as far down as to bare leather if necessary. Once you have achieved your level of surface smoothness, seal all of the cracks and sanded areas using a water-based leather sealer or primer. Be diligent in this process, as if the leather is not sealed adequately it will absorb moistness and then stiffen. You can re-color or re-coat water based leather using vinyl paint. The result is highly flexible. This process is not to be mistaken for dyeing. Your last step is the clincher and seals the deal! Finish with a clear coat. The gloss can be adjusted with a duller or gloss reducer additive.
The next thing will look at is color matching, since the top color in automobiles today is gray let’s take a look at that. Begin with the lightest color of the pigment structure which is White, then yellow (90% of time it is yellow,) then black.
It is common to select a small amount of red or orange between the yellow and black. This helps to dirty up the mix a little bit. The eye matches best! For practical reasons it is a good idea to work on both colors and repairs. Do some good damage to your practice piece and then work to repair and re-color it. When you feel you are comfortable with this process they can move next to doing work on your actual vehicle.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing leather detailing or color matching yourself you can always find a detail shop to do it for you. The best and most qualified car detailing shops can go to great expense in providing superior franchised equipment, however, unless they can also provide the best and experienced detailers to operate the equipment, using the proper technique, they can very well find themselves without any customers.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about car interior detailing as well as car care products at http://www.waxyourauto.com
American leather comes with a durable vinyl coating and refinishes and re-colors well. Seats that look like a detailed road map do well to be restored and this increases the resale value of a car by several hundreds of dollars.
To properly detail your leather seats, first thoroughly clean all leather panels to be restored. Use a water based and alcohol cleaner for best results. Sand out all cracks using 320 or 400 grit sandpaper, as far down as to bare leather if necessary. Once you have achieved your level of surface smoothness, seal all of the cracks and sanded areas using a water-based leather sealer or primer. Be diligent in this process, as if the leather is not sealed adequately it will absorb moistness and then stiffen. You can re-color or re-coat water based leather using vinyl paint. The result is highly flexible. This process is not to be mistaken for dyeing. Your last step is the clincher and seals the deal! Finish with a clear coat. The gloss can be adjusted with a duller or gloss reducer additive.
The next thing will look at is color matching, since the top color in automobiles today is gray let’s take a look at that. Begin with the lightest color of the pigment structure which is White, then yellow (90% of time it is yellow,) then black.
It is common to select a small amount of red or orange between the yellow and black. This helps to dirty up the mix a little bit. The eye matches best! For practical reasons it is a good idea to work on both colors and repairs. Do some good damage to your practice piece and then work to repair and re-color it. When you feel you are comfortable with this process they can move next to doing work on your actual vehicle.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing leather detailing or color matching yourself you can always find a detail shop to do it for you. The best and most qualified car detailing shops can go to great expense in providing superior franchised equipment, however, unless they can also provide the best and experienced detailers to operate the equipment, using the proper technique, they can very well find themselves without any customers.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about car interior detailing as well as car care products at http://www.waxyourauto.com
Expanding Your Auto Detailing Business - The Pros and Cons to Aircraft Cleaning
As the founder of an aircraft cleaning business, and after franchising it all over the country, I often get asked about the industry. Detailing and Cleaning corporate aircraft is a great business and the pay is very good. Recently, a successful operator of a car detailing company asked me about the aircraft-detailing sector as a potential place to expand his business.
Subject: Expanding into Aircraft - Looking at expanding our current detail business into the aircraft industry. Where is the best place to investigate the pro and cons of this segment of the detailing business?
Well, perhaps the biggest cons to adding Aircraft Detailing to your mix is Time, Aggravation, and Cost.
Time:
It takes time to develop Aircraft Corporate Detailing Accounts, but once you have a few the word of mouth is good and brings you in lots of business.
Aggravation:
It is aggravating to have to deal with the many airport rules, background checks for all employees and the time it takes the bureaucracy to process your "Airport Activity Permit", but once completed it acts as a barrier to entry keeping out competition and gives you an exclusive on the captured customer base. Generally, there are only 2-3 aircraft cleaning companies on an airport.
Cost:
Cost is a huge consideration, as the airport will require increased liability insurance, and that could run you several thousand dollars, depending on the situation. Generally the airport wants to be additionally insured for 5 million or more in liability insurance. Insurance companies need you to pay some of that upfront, yet realize you have not cleaned your first aircraft yet. Worse, the permit at the airport can take as long as 3-months to process, usually faster, but it gets ridiculous sometimes.
Those are the biggest negatives.The pros are that you make a lot more money cleaning aircraft than anything else you will wash in the transportation industry, so it is a good business and the work is a lot easier too. Perhaps you should consider this if you wish to expand your auto-detailing company?
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Subject: Expanding into Aircraft - Looking at expanding our current detail business into the aircraft industry. Where is the best place to investigate the pro and cons of this segment of the detailing business?
Well, perhaps the biggest cons to adding Aircraft Detailing to your mix is Time, Aggravation, and Cost.
Time:
It takes time to develop Aircraft Corporate Detailing Accounts, but once you have a few the word of mouth is good and brings you in lots of business.
Aggravation:
It is aggravating to have to deal with the many airport rules, background checks for all employees and the time it takes the bureaucracy to process your "Airport Activity Permit", but once completed it acts as a barrier to entry keeping out competition and gives you an exclusive on the captured customer base. Generally, there are only 2-3 aircraft cleaning companies on an airport.
Cost:
Cost is a huge consideration, as the airport will require increased liability insurance, and that could run you several thousand dollars, depending on the situation. Generally the airport wants to be additionally insured for 5 million or more in liability insurance. Insurance companies need you to pay some of that upfront, yet realize you have not cleaned your first aircraft yet. Worse, the permit at the airport can take as long as 3-months to process, usually faster, but it gets ridiculous sometimes.
Those are the biggest negatives.The pros are that you make a lot more money cleaning aircraft than anything else you will wash in the transportation industry, so it is a good business and the work is a lot easier too. Perhaps you should consider this if you wish to expand your auto-detailing company?
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Mobile Auto Detailing - Sucking Water from a Tank and Airlock Issues
Anyone who uses a plastic tank to bring water to their customers in the Mobile Detailing Industry subsector knows that if air gets into the line between the tank and pump the pressure washer will not work. There is no time to waste when dealing with an airlock problem. Why does this happen?
You must understand that different pumps work a little differently. The engine generally is not the issue, rather the pump. Centripetal pumps usually do not such the water well from a tank. Diaphragm pumps do. Pumps like General or CAT or the look-a-like units suck from a tank okay, but it is better to prime them. They say CAT pumps have nine lives, so if you are only sucking air for a while, you will most likely not "burn it up" but on a General Type or knock-off pump you can ruin it and the porcelain pistons can crack, not good.
I recommend taking the hose that goes from the tank to the pressure washer off at the pressure washer side - then lowering it below the pump and turning the pump on. While water is flowing out by gravity, plug it or screw the hose threads back into the pressure washer or onto the hose barb. If it has a clamp on it, then tighten the clamp. This will insure the system is primed with water.
Make sure the connection is tight and no water is leaking out, as this means air can also get in, especially if the plastic tank outlet is lower than the height of the pressure washer inlet. Also, remember this procedure if you run the tank out of water. The tank should be not lower than the inlet for the pump or you will continually have these problems.
In addition, when you drive the truck the water tank in the back or on a trailer swishes and air can get into the line and make your life difficult when you go to use the pressure washer. Remember, since some pumps, suck well from tanks and others do not, the best policy is to put the tank as low as possible, this also helps with your weight distribution for safety.
If you are a Mobile Car Washer or Own a mobile auto detailing company; I would invite you to read my articles online: [http://www.ezinearticles.com/ ]www.EzineArticles.com
At the top center of the home page is a search feature so type in;
1.) "mobile car wash"
2.) "mobile detailing"
There are about 250 articles there for you to read. Sincerely, Lance.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
You must understand that different pumps work a little differently. The engine generally is not the issue, rather the pump. Centripetal pumps usually do not such the water well from a tank. Diaphragm pumps do. Pumps like General or CAT or the look-a-like units suck from a tank okay, but it is better to prime them. They say CAT pumps have nine lives, so if you are only sucking air for a while, you will most likely not "burn it up" but on a General Type or knock-off pump you can ruin it and the porcelain pistons can crack, not good.
I recommend taking the hose that goes from the tank to the pressure washer off at the pressure washer side - then lowering it below the pump and turning the pump on. While water is flowing out by gravity, plug it or screw the hose threads back into the pressure washer or onto the hose barb. If it has a clamp on it, then tighten the clamp. This will insure the system is primed with water.
Make sure the connection is tight and no water is leaking out, as this means air can also get in, especially if the plastic tank outlet is lower than the height of the pressure washer inlet. Also, remember this procedure if you run the tank out of water. The tank should be not lower than the inlet for the pump or you will continually have these problems.
In addition, when you drive the truck the water tank in the back or on a trailer swishes and air can get into the line and make your life difficult when you go to use the pressure washer. Remember, since some pumps, suck well from tanks and others do not, the best policy is to put the tank as low as possible, this also helps with your weight distribution for safety.
If you are a Mobile Car Washer or Own a mobile auto detailing company; I would invite you to read my articles online: [http://www.ezinearticles.com/ ]www.EzineArticles.com
At the top center of the home page is a search feature so type in;
1.) "mobile car wash"
2.) "mobile detailing"
There are about 250 articles there for you to read. Sincerely, Lance.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Secrets to Pressure Washer Use for Auto Detailing or Mobile Car Washing
Many auto detailers will recommend to not use pressure washers in auto detailing or mobile car washing. Recently this issue came up in an online question and answer session with “The Car Wash Guy” when he was asked by a Hawaiian inquirer the following question;
“Some of the people in the Auto Detailing or Mobile Car Washing business say it is unsafe to use a pressure washer and recommend washing by hand because they think pressure washing is to powerful and will eventually strip the paint. Is that true?”
No, that is basically bull. Now if this concerns you there is a guy at the government center on the other side of the island that uses dry wash n' guard so this is another option for you. [http://ezinearticles.com/?id=122851]Pressure Washer Use on Automobiles; Play It Safe With High Pressure [http://ezinearticles.com/?id=121890]Tips On Using A Pressure Washer
Additionally “The Car Wash Guy” was asked; “Do you have a type of nozzle that would prevent this?”
We do but you do not have too, just use the 1-foot rule at 1500 to 2000 psi, if you see chips back off to 18 inches and use the soap and sponge to remove the bugs, do not blast them, as being in salt air is tough on cars and you can chip them if they are already chipping.
If there is a chip do I need insurance or will I need insurance; “What kind of insurance do you use?”
For paint chips insurance does not make sense but we recommend a General liability, garage keeper’s policy. If you are a regular person with few assets mostly likely you probably need a 100K policy, not more than 300K aggregate with 150K per occurrence. And unless you are doing fleets or working in large corporate centers and they require it, I would not go hog wild on insurance costs. It is not a sue happy on the island as it is in lets say a CA, WA, MA, MD or DC. Consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
“Some of the people in the Auto Detailing or Mobile Car Washing business say it is unsafe to use a pressure washer and recommend washing by hand because they think pressure washing is to powerful and will eventually strip the paint. Is that true?”
No, that is basically bull. Now if this concerns you there is a guy at the government center on the other side of the island that uses dry wash n' guard so this is another option for you. [http://ezinearticles.com/?id=122851]Pressure Washer Use on Automobiles; Play It Safe With High Pressure [http://ezinearticles.com/?id=121890]Tips On Using A Pressure Washer
Additionally “The Car Wash Guy” was asked; “Do you have a type of nozzle that would prevent this?”
We do but you do not have too, just use the 1-foot rule at 1500 to 2000 psi, if you see chips back off to 18 inches and use the soap and sponge to remove the bugs, do not blast them, as being in salt air is tough on cars and you can chip them if they are already chipping.
If there is a chip do I need insurance or will I need insurance; “What kind of insurance do you use?”
For paint chips insurance does not make sense but we recommend a General liability, garage keeper’s policy. If you are a regular person with few assets mostly likely you probably need a 100K policy, not more than 300K aggregate with 150K per occurrence. And unless you are doing fleets or working in large corporate centers and they require it, I would not go hog wild on insurance costs. It is not a sue happy on the island as it is in lets say a CA, WA, MA, MD or DC. Consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Adding Battery Cleaning Services: Secrets from the Auto Detailing Industry
Most auto detailing companies miss potential money making opportunities for add on services, which are very easy to do. Those detailing companies who detail trucks for trucking companies, truck sales lots and truck auctions know all about such add on services. You see in the truck detail business much is about ongoing preventative maintenance, corrosion control and Department of Transportation roadside inspections. So when you detail a truck, well it is not just about how it looks on the outside it is about how it will run in sub twenty below snow storms driving over black ice and thru magnesium chloride put down on the road to melt that ice. Auto detailers often do not understand such things and thus many times their shops miss add on services they could provide such as battery cleaning services, but that does not mean that it has to be that way. How so you ask?
Well on your menu of services put up battery cleaning. Which will include removing all terminals, replacing them if necessary, using baking soda to clean the battery box or tray, wire brushing the terminal posts and terminals and using rubber dressing which will not gather dust or debris and putting it all back together. For this you can charge anywhere from $30.00 to $60.00 depending on the vehicle. Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Well on your menu of services put up battery cleaning. Which will include removing all terminals, replacing them if necessary, using baking soda to clean the battery box or tray, wire brushing the terminal posts and terminals and using rubber dressing which will not gather dust or debris and putting it all back together. For this you can charge anywhere from $30.00 to $60.00 depending on the vehicle. Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Auto Detailing Add-on; Headlight Repair
Have you thought of adding Headlight Repair to your auto detailing business? A new set of sealed beam headlights on a New Jeep Cherokee could run as high as $70, however your team can make money lightly sanding and coating these headlights with the Micro-Glass product in the Micro-Mesh Kit by Micro Surface Corporation. It is important for the detailing companies to constantly review such products, this innovation has propelled our team to come up with the solutions for our fleet customers and help us bundle services to compete against the other large vendors to these fleet companies. One company we compete with out of New Jersey does offer this service, but we do and we are able to use this to our advantage on bidding on fleet detailing work.
This is just one more way you can bundle services to provide a value added service to your customers. We have talked to managers of fleet wash companies and fleet detailing companies in their various markets. Some of these managers have told us they have been looking into doing headlight restoration, because their customers are now asking for the service. Many of the high-end to Auto detailing shops do offer headlight restoration using various methods. Recently with the floods that we've had in the United States, we have seen Auto auctions start to offer this service also. Generally the Auto auctions that we've seen do not know how to deal with sealed beams, instead they're much better with none sealed beams, and by removing the lens and wiping down the inside and using glass wax they are able to make the lenses look transparent and therefore the car looks sellable as runs through the auto auctions.
Whereas this is a good idea for auto auctions it is not good enough for the fleet customers especially those that assign their cars to specific individuals. Companies like the Baby Bells, quest, Cox cable, AT&T, FedEx, United States Postal Service etc. have thousands and thousands of vehicles. Generally these vehicles are assigned for the most part with very few as a percentage of the total fleet being pool cars like at the GSA office. As the vehicles get back from Iraq and Kuwait and were ever they do next to wipe out terrorism from the face of the planet, they will have sand blasted headlights, from the very fine silica type sand of the Middle East. So how does one go about taking care of this problem? Well, it is much simpler than you think.
The first thing to do is to assess exactly how bad the damage it is this can be done in a number of ways; first, you would get the opaqueness or cloudiness of the lens. Second, you look to see if there's any pit marks and hard water spots. This is how you assess which method you'll use to either clean or restore the surface. Let's face it if there's too much damage, the time it will take to fix the lens will cost you more than to replace it. The micromesh is cool because you can use it either wet or dry when you're sanding. How much do most detailers charge for this service? Well in depends the tupe of vehicles and locations of the fleets; vans such bread companies, wholesale companies, small package delivery companies, online grocery services, dry cleaners, flower shops, armored car services, limo services, school buses, garbage trucks any other fleets mentioned above, we have found that is not difficult to get 8 to $10 per lens, remember each of the service trucks or cars have between two and for lenses.
This can add up to quite a lot of money very quickly. We have also found that used car dealerships will go for it once you show them how it works. We also found it to be a nice add-on to keep our crews busy in inclement weather. As you know the Northeast United States has been slammed by snowstorms and Nor-Easters, these additional services provide an extra revenue generator when wash cars.
There is a great article in TSP magazine in the October -- November 2003 edition about this product and ease of use. The micromesh soft touch pads are only three by four inches with a phone center but they were killer since they have micromesh upon both sides. When using them they bend with the lens as you're working so you can go fast with even pressure. We found that we could clean, micromesh, white and buff a lens in about six to eight minutes. If you're working indoors on a fleet of vehicles in the winter in the northern colder climates of the US or Canada you can make money no matter what the weather is in this is just one more way we are solving the problem of continuing sales with a mobile carwash or mobile detailing rig in the harsh winter weather climates. By using the micromesh can't it cuts down the time to do the job significantly. The old way was to use different levels of fine grit sandpaper slowly working up. For instance starting with a 1000 grit and working upwards to 12,000 grit in a micro fiber. This is great if you're restoring your car, but it just wasn't worth it if you're detailing one. Another company which recommends using the product is Bud Abram’s detail plus: http://www.DetailPlus.com which I believe also sells these Kit's.
You should take a look at the micromesh product and its uses and think about using this as an add-on for your existing auto detailing business.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
This is just one more way you can bundle services to provide a value added service to your customers. We have talked to managers of fleet wash companies and fleet detailing companies in their various markets. Some of these managers have told us they have been looking into doing headlight restoration, because their customers are now asking for the service. Many of the high-end to Auto detailing shops do offer headlight restoration using various methods. Recently with the floods that we've had in the United States, we have seen Auto auctions start to offer this service also. Generally the Auto auctions that we've seen do not know how to deal with sealed beams, instead they're much better with none sealed beams, and by removing the lens and wiping down the inside and using glass wax they are able to make the lenses look transparent and therefore the car looks sellable as runs through the auto auctions.
Whereas this is a good idea for auto auctions it is not good enough for the fleet customers especially those that assign their cars to specific individuals. Companies like the Baby Bells, quest, Cox cable, AT&T, FedEx, United States Postal Service etc. have thousands and thousands of vehicles. Generally these vehicles are assigned for the most part with very few as a percentage of the total fleet being pool cars like at the GSA office. As the vehicles get back from Iraq and Kuwait and were ever they do next to wipe out terrorism from the face of the planet, they will have sand blasted headlights, from the very fine silica type sand of the Middle East. So how does one go about taking care of this problem? Well, it is much simpler than you think.
The first thing to do is to assess exactly how bad the damage it is this can be done in a number of ways; first, you would get the opaqueness or cloudiness of the lens. Second, you look to see if there's any pit marks and hard water spots. This is how you assess which method you'll use to either clean or restore the surface. Let's face it if there's too much damage, the time it will take to fix the lens will cost you more than to replace it. The micromesh is cool because you can use it either wet or dry when you're sanding. How much do most detailers charge for this service? Well in depends the tupe of vehicles and locations of the fleets; vans such bread companies, wholesale companies, small package delivery companies, online grocery services, dry cleaners, flower shops, armored car services, limo services, school buses, garbage trucks any other fleets mentioned above, we have found that is not difficult to get 8 to $10 per lens, remember each of the service trucks or cars have between two and for lenses.
This can add up to quite a lot of money very quickly. We have also found that used car dealerships will go for it once you show them how it works. We also found it to be a nice add-on to keep our crews busy in inclement weather. As you know the Northeast United States has been slammed by snowstorms and Nor-Easters, these additional services provide an extra revenue generator when wash cars.
There is a great article in TSP magazine in the October -- November 2003 edition about this product and ease of use. The micromesh soft touch pads are only three by four inches with a phone center but they were killer since they have micromesh upon both sides. When using them they bend with the lens as you're working so you can go fast with even pressure. We found that we could clean, micromesh, white and buff a lens in about six to eight minutes. If you're working indoors on a fleet of vehicles in the winter in the northern colder climates of the US or Canada you can make money no matter what the weather is in this is just one more way we are solving the problem of continuing sales with a mobile carwash or mobile detailing rig in the harsh winter weather climates. By using the micromesh can't it cuts down the time to do the job significantly. The old way was to use different levels of fine grit sandpaper slowly working up. For instance starting with a 1000 grit and working upwards to 12,000 grit in a micro fiber. This is great if you're restoring your car, but it just wasn't worth it if you're detailing one. Another company which recommends using the product is Bud Abram’s detail plus: http://www.DetailPlus.com which I believe also sells these Kit's.
You should take a look at the micromesh product and its uses and think about using this as an add-on for your existing auto detailing business.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Auto Detailing and Removing Odor in Vehicles
Auto Detailing can be a very rewarding job for the meticulous, professional technician and car buff. For some 27 years before retiring I had run a business cleaning cars, aircraft, boats, etc, and one issue which was always at issue was removing the smell or odor in customers' cars.
Knowing which product to use is one of the biggest keys to success in auto detailing. Since retiring I have written a number of articles on the subject of interior auto detailing. Recently I received an email from an auto detailer who asked me to clarify on which is the best product to remove odor and the detailer stated;
“I read your review on the product; Forceout. You mentioned that you do not swear by it but it is one of your approved products. Could you please let me know what product you do swear by for pet stains, pet odor and smoke odor?”
Well this is an excellent question indeed; For Stain Remover I like Folex. For odor removal I like "odor eater" but, really the best way to remove odor is to use an Ozone Machine, but for a mobile detailer that maybe out of the budget and not something you have room for on your rig or even time on the job to use, as it takes about an hour, then you have to let the car air-out because ozone can be harmful.
Forceout, works good too and to this day I use it in my motor home and it works good for many things. Including any bathroom, behind refrigerator with moisture, etc. It seems their product would be better for even home use. In aircraft having a small squirt bottle of it makes a lot of sense and it is simple to use and it only takes one squirt. I have written several articles on "Interior Detailing" here for your benefit; http://www.DetailGuys.com/detailbbs
There are certain things which work better on different materials and situations, but one thing is important do not spray any odor removal or odor masking products onto plastic clear dashboard areas or any of the newer after market auto accessories, which have plastic clear coatings to resemble wood grain or help accent the interiors. I hope this answers all your questions on removing odor for the professional auto detailer. Consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Knowing which product to use is one of the biggest keys to success in auto detailing. Since retiring I have written a number of articles on the subject of interior auto detailing. Recently I received an email from an auto detailer who asked me to clarify on which is the best product to remove odor and the detailer stated;
“I read your review on the product; Forceout. You mentioned that you do not swear by it but it is one of your approved products. Could you please let me know what product you do swear by for pet stains, pet odor and smoke odor?”
Well this is an excellent question indeed; For Stain Remover I like Folex. For odor removal I like "odor eater" but, really the best way to remove odor is to use an Ozone Machine, but for a mobile detailer that maybe out of the budget and not something you have room for on your rig or even time on the job to use, as it takes about an hour, then you have to let the car air-out because ozone can be harmful.
Forceout, works good too and to this day I use it in my motor home and it works good for many things. Including any bathroom, behind refrigerator with moisture, etc. It seems their product would be better for even home use. In aircraft having a small squirt bottle of it makes a lot of sense and it is simple to use and it only takes one squirt. I have written several articles on "Interior Detailing" here for your benefit; http://www.DetailGuys.com/detailbbs
There are certain things which work better on different materials and situations, but one thing is important do not spray any odor removal or odor masking products onto plastic clear dashboard areas or any of the newer after market auto accessories, which have plastic clear coatings to resemble wood grain or help accent the interiors. I hope this answers all your questions on removing odor for the professional auto detailer. Consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Auto Detailing Marketing and Books for the Beginner
Many people just getting into the mobile detailing business wonder what type of marketing works best? Well actually the marketing approach depends on how many customers you wish to have and if you wish to build a route scheduled business or a "call-in" for high-end service type business. I have always preferred the first building routes by day of week and block-by-block. Thus marketing should contain some amount of direct marketing, perhaps mailers by zip code and good community PR. Ads in the Newspaper do not pay, unless you buy a 1" X 2" ad in several places throughout a weekly community paper. Not a daily circulation type paper. The size of your market has a lot to do with the advertising your pick. Radio is killer, but not viable in larger markets for the auto detailing business unless you have 10 units. Need more information to answer your question each market must be slightly modified for best results of course.
Much of your question would be better served once you had a business plan and were pretty certain of the tact you wished to take. If you make a business plan you should have someone review it for you. Here is some additional worthy information for you:
www.DetailGuys.com/detailbbs
www.carwashguys.com/carwashbbs
www.AircraftWashGuys.com/aircraftbbs
Read as much as you can and then go buy some auto detailing industry books, if you find yourself truly interested? You can find books on auto-detailing on Google. You should read at least 2-3 Auto detailing books before you take the plunge into your business, be book smart about auto detailing you will be glad you played it by the book. Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Much of your question would be better served once you had a business plan and were pretty certain of the tact you wished to take. If you make a business plan you should have someone review it for you. Here is some additional worthy information for you:
www.DetailGuys.com/detailbbs
www.carwashguys.com/carwashbbs
www.AircraftWashGuys.com/aircraftbbs
Read as much as you can and then go buy some auto detailing industry books, if you find yourself truly interested? You can find books on auto-detailing on Google. You should read at least 2-3 Auto detailing books before you take the plunge into your business, be book smart about auto detailing you will be glad you played it by the book. Think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Protecting Your Auto Detailing Business
Once you build a small company and it is making money you will have to protect it from theft, damage and parasite ambulance chasing lawyers; actually all types of lawyers. What is the best way to protect yourself and your business? Well if you are a mobile auto detailing you will be carrying cash so you need to stay alert, do not frequent bad neighborhoods and maintain a somewhat unpredictable schedule.
If you own a detail shop you might consider a Smith and Wesson strategy. Perhaps you might start a neighborhood watch patrol in your city today: http://www.lancewinslow.org/efforts.shtml
Thus you can be part of the solution to curb crime instead of turning a blind eye and thus becoming part of the problem. Do you need insurance too? Yes, generally you will need this for wholesale detailing 1 million is common for limits of liability aggregate t work in larger corporate centers. If you work at airport parking structures you will need at least 5 million at most airports. Usually the cost of such insurance policies is based on gross estimated sales for the year, not cheap, but certainly not a killer. In fact often it eliminates competition and provides barriers to entry, not that I approve of decreased competition but it is a fact. Not that I like paying it either, but it tends to work that way.
There are many carriers who write auto detailing policies such as; AIG, American States, Firemen's Fund. Find a Business Independent Insurance Broker who carries such lines. Are you a Homeowner, if so Ask to add a small business policy if you go mobile and work from home. When will you need to buy an insurance policy? Well at airports to get an activity permit you will need one right away. If you have sufficient assets you need protecting, probably at the same time you get a business license and open a business checking account I suppose.
If you are going to start a mobile car wash, mobile auto detailing business or a fixed detail shop you will need to set forth a policy in advance to protect yourself, your assets and your business. So please consider these things and think on it.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
If you own a detail shop you might consider a Smith and Wesson strategy. Perhaps you might start a neighborhood watch patrol in your city today: http://www.lancewinslow.org/efforts.shtml
Thus you can be part of the solution to curb crime instead of turning a blind eye and thus becoming part of the problem. Do you need insurance too? Yes, generally you will need this for wholesale detailing 1 million is common for limits of liability aggregate t work in larger corporate centers. If you work at airport parking structures you will need at least 5 million at most airports. Usually the cost of such insurance policies is based on gross estimated sales for the year, not cheap, but certainly not a killer. In fact often it eliminates competition and provides barriers to entry, not that I approve of decreased competition but it is a fact. Not that I like paying it either, but it tends to work that way.
There are many carriers who write auto detailing policies such as; AIG, American States, Firemen's Fund. Find a Business Independent Insurance Broker who carries such lines. Are you a Homeowner, if so Ask to add a small business policy if you go mobile and work from home. When will you need to buy an insurance policy? Well at airports to get an activity permit you will need one right away. If you have sufficient assets you need protecting, probably at the same time you get a business license and open a business checking account I suppose.
If you are going to start a mobile car wash, mobile auto detailing business or a fixed detail shop you will need to set forth a policy in advance to protect yourself, your assets and your business. So please consider these things and think on it.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Auto Detailing - Choosing the Correct Buffing Pads for the Job
It is important to have the correct backing plate and buffer pad. You should find a durable Velcro backing plate and Velcro foam pads and wool pads. Look for a backing plate with holes in it to redistribute heat from the surface of the paint. Another cool design is the three leaf clover design which has great gripping power and cooling capabilities.
Make sure to buy foam pads that correspond to the holes on the backing plates. Look for a backing plate with a harder outer ring that is slightly beveled. This feature strengthens the plate and allows flexibility when buffing on the exterior step ribs of the hull.
You will find that air circulation is much better on these types of pads than on ‘waffle’ type pads which tend to fling more product. This is wasteful and also makes a mess causing extra taping, clean-up and a slight environmental situation if working on a boat in a slip. These pads have a very ‘tight’ hook and loop system which can grab the Velcro on the back of the pad too tightly. If you are not careful, you will completely rip the felt back off the pad. This is why we recommend a backing plate that uses a looser or more spread out design.
Unlike cars, which have a 1 to 3 micron thick clear coat, a gel coat on a boat is 10 to 15 times thicker and on more expensive boats as much as twenty times thicker than the clear coat on cars. For this reason a wool pad is preferable unless you are doing such light oxidation removal that you are simply trying to save hand motion. Double sided wool and synthetic fiber pads work great as well. They allow speedy change when you are on top of the boat and want to save time getting off the boat to change the pad. Just flip it over and go. They also have the right flex to allow proper buffing technique. S.M. Arnold is a place to get them.
Now there are a variety of wool pads to choose from. The jobs they perform best range from heavy cutting and compounding to light cutting, polishing and finishing. When finishing you may wish to switch to a foam pad. But if you feel comfortable with it stay with the wool. The wool pad may be made of 100% wool or a blend of synthetic and wool or natural lamb’s wool for finishing purposes. The colors of the wool pads tend to vary from company to company, so disregard the color of the pad since it’s only a dye. The features that make a wool pad appropriate for different types of jobs are:
Ply – Wool pads can be single ply, four ply, whatever. Ply is the number of twists per strand of yarn. The more twists the stronger and more aggressive the pad becomes.
Pile Height – This refers to how tall the yarn is. It can range from 1 1/4” to 2”. The shorter the height the less it gives and the more aggressive it becomes.
Description – Ply and pile height are important factors to determine how aggressive a pad will be but also the make-up of the type of wool is a significant factor. As you get away from 100% wool to synthetic and from four ply to one ply and increase height, the pad becomes softer and better for producing a finer finish.
Take good care of your finishing wool pads. Keep them clean and use a spur tool to clean them not a screwdriver. If you have synthetic wool pads you can wash them, but 100% wool pads will knot up and shrink. Four plys are the worst for this. Whenever possible or practical replace the pads. Save old pads for the tug boats and things that are rough and might ruin a good pad. With foam pads, you can easily tell their aggressive nature by density. The more dense the more aggressive. Also, they have ratings. Parts per inch (PPI). Most range from 40 to 100 PP. The higher the number the softer they are. 40 to 50 PPI is for swirls in clear coats of cars and light cuts. Foam pads tend to stick and grip more than wool pads and can heat up quicker. At 1700 rpm’s foam pads tend to max out in temperature unless they have heat holes. Cleaning foam pads is simple. Use warm soapy water, spur tool, tooth brush and wring them out to dry. Do not use real hot water because it delaminates the glue on the Velcro.
Catalog for Pads
S. M. Arnold Inc.
1-314-544-4103
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Make sure to buy foam pads that correspond to the holes on the backing plates. Look for a backing plate with a harder outer ring that is slightly beveled. This feature strengthens the plate and allows flexibility when buffing on the exterior step ribs of the hull.
You will find that air circulation is much better on these types of pads than on ‘waffle’ type pads which tend to fling more product. This is wasteful and also makes a mess causing extra taping, clean-up and a slight environmental situation if working on a boat in a slip. These pads have a very ‘tight’ hook and loop system which can grab the Velcro on the back of the pad too tightly. If you are not careful, you will completely rip the felt back off the pad. This is why we recommend a backing plate that uses a looser or more spread out design.
Unlike cars, which have a 1 to 3 micron thick clear coat, a gel coat on a boat is 10 to 15 times thicker and on more expensive boats as much as twenty times thicker than the clear coat on cars. For this reason a wool pad is preferable unless you are doing such light oxidation removal that you are simply trying to save hand motion. Double sided wool and synthetic fiber pads work great as well. They allow speedy change when you are on top of the boat and want to save time getting off the boat to change the pad. Just flip it over and go. They also have the right flex to allow proper buffing technique. S.M. Arnold is a place to get them.
Now there are a variety of wool pads to choose from. The jobs they perform best range from heavy cutting and compounding to light cutting, polishing and finishing. When finishing you may wish to switch to a foam pad. But if you feel comfortable with it stay with the wool. The wool pad may be made of 100% wool or a blend of synthetic and wool or natural lamb’s wool for finishing purposes. The colors of the wool pads tend to vary from company to company, so disregard the color of the pad since it’s only a dye. The features that make a wool pad appropriate for different types of jobs are:
Ply – Wool pads can be single ply, four ply, whatever. Ply is the number of twists per strand of yarn. The more twists the stronger and more aggressive the pad becomes.
Pile Height – This refers to how tall the yarn is. It can range from 1 1/4” to 2”. The shorter the height the less it gives and the more aggressive it becomes.
Description – Ply and pile height are important factors to determine how aggressive a pad will be but also the make-up of the type of wool is a significant factor. As you get away from 100% wool to synthetic and from four ply to one ply and increase height, the pad becomes softer and better for producing a finer finish.
Take good care of your finishing wool pads. Keep them clean and use a spur tool to clean them not a screwdriver. If you have synthetic wool pads you can wash them, but 100% wool pads will knot up and shrink. Four plys are the worst for this. Whenever possible or practical replace the pads. Save old pads for the tug boats and things that are rough and might ruin a good pad. With foam pads, you can easily tell their aggressive nature by density. The more dense the more aggressive. Also, they have ratings. Parts per inch (PPI). Most range from 40 to 100 PP. The higher the number the softer they are. 40 to 50 PPI is for swirls in clear coats of cars and light cuts. Foam pads tend to stick and grip more than wool pads and can heat up quicker. At 1700 rpm’s foam pads tend to max out in temperature unless they have heat holes. Cleaning foam pads is simple. Use warm soapy water, spur tool, tooth brush and wring them out to dry. Do not use real hot water because it delaminates the glue on the Velcro.
Catalog for Pads
S. M. Arnold Inc.
1-314-544-4103
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Auto Detailing; How Much Money Can I Make
One question that new entrants into the auto detailing, mobile automotive detail or mobile car wash business ask themselves is how do I get the training I need to succeed and please my clientele. Is there a detailing certificate I can get to show my customers? Will they ask me for such a thing to prove my abilities?
Personally having been in the mobile auto detailing and car wash business for some 27 years; I have never heard of anyone asking for proof of training or certification, if a customer did that, they are up to something, probably a competitor. Competitors do a lot of fishing, but are generally mentally inferior, lacking personal character and afraid.
Are there good places to get training? Well you could check out www.DetailPlus.com in Portland, I recommend them. But you will find such training in all parts of the country. Another question that is often asked my new entrants into the professional automotive detailing industry is; “How much money does it take to get started?”
The answer to this question is that; It depends on if you are going to try to service, wholesale car lot and auto auction detailing or retail detail or a combination. Perhaps you might be detailing aircraft? Perhaps you are a laid off aircraft mechanic and want to detail aircraft then you might be setting up an aircraft mobile detailing business or a hanger based operation. For aircraft cleaning an A & P mechanic would not need much training, except maybe quick buffer lessons and review of aircraft coatings and paint; Imron, Polyurethane, etc. and fabric, Stits, Ceconite, etc. You see the amounts you generate in income will vastly vary depending on the type of business you run. So think it all thru carefully before you jump into the deep end in the detailing business.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Personally having been in the mobile auto detailing and car wash business for some 27 years; I have never heard of anyone asking for proof of training or certification, if a customer did that, they are up to something, probably a competitor. Competitors do a lot of fishing, but are generally mentally inferior, lacking personal character and afraid.
Are there good places to get training? Well you could check out www.DetailPlus.com in Portland, I recommend them. But you will find such training in all parts of the country. Another question that is often asked my new entrants into the professional automotive detailing industry is; “How much money does it take to get started?”
The answer to this question is that; It depends on if you are going to try to service, wholesale car lot and auto auction detailing or retail detail or a combination. Perhaps you might be detailing aircraft? Perhaps you are a laid off aircraft mechanic and want to detail aircraft then you might be setting up an aircraft mobile detailing business or a hanger based operation. For aircraft cleaning an A & P mechanic would not need much training, except maybe quick buffer lessons and review of aircraft coatings and paint; Imron, Polyurethane, etc. and fabric, Stits, Ceconite, etc. You see the amounts you generate in income will vastly vary depending on the type of business you run. So think it all thru carefully before you jump into the deep end in the detailing business.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Auto Detailing Tools of the Trade MYTEE Products
In the auto detailing business there are many companies that serve the industry with equipment. One company, which seems to be omni-present it MYTEE Products, Inc. If you are in the industry you know them as the company, which makes carpet extractors and steam cleaners, which are used in the auto detailing shops across America. Our company uses them and I have seen these units in competitors detail shops and on mobile detailing rigs in many of the states I have traveled to.
Our company, The Detail Guys, have been using MYTEE Products for over a decade. So we thought we ought to visit the MYTEE Manufacturing Corporate Offices in San Diego, CA. We met with Mr. Matt Sawqed, manufacturing consultant for the company. We discussed many of MYTEE's new innovations, some of which are still secret to the Industry. We offered to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, but after ten years of doing business, that was not necessary since what is good for MYTEE is good for The Detail Guys. You will be glad to know that they are in fact working on some wonderful new tools for the industry.
We discussed with Matt our satisfaction with their products and changes we needed to continue our relationship. Matt discussed how these new innovations and engineering using the latest and greatest technologies would solve nearly all of our desires and certainly all of our real needs. Matt assured us after a tour of their new product lines, how their products would perform better, with less energy, smaller size and better performance. Only MYTEE is addressing these issues and revising it's entire product line to meet the needs of our detailing industry.
Our needs are that of size for small space requirements as we adapt our units to fit on industrial carts for parking structures and to take up less space for more water capacity. Also these new units will be able to run with less than 12-15 Amps. Which is a major concern due to the portable generators on the trucks. Our needs for quick heating water are easily met by MYTEE who has risen to nearly every single challenge we could through at them. It appears that their dealer network is also expanding and able to match our needs in all the states we are now servicing as well as those in remote regions and rural areas that we may never serve.
One of the major services that MYTEE makes products for is the Carpet Steam Cleaning and Carpet Extraction for interior detailing. As many of you know it is very important to have adjustable machines to put out very little water when cleaning the interior of corporate jets. Also needed is the use of special chemicals for older and antique cars with high values whether it be intrinsic or appraised. We are happy to report also that MYTEE has offered to change their injection molding process to produce customized YELLOW molded units, these are our company colors, but also great colors for any auto detailing companies for safety reasons.
If you are needing an additional steam cleaner or carpet extractor you will want to compare the MYTEE units before purchasing, think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Our company, The Detail Guys, have been using MYTEE Products for over a decade. So we thought we ought to visit the MYTEE Manufacturing Corporate Offices in San Diego, CA. We met with Mr. Matt Sawqed, manufacturing consultant for the company. We discussed many of MYTEE's new innovations, some of which are still secret to the Industry. We offered to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, but after ten years of doing business, that was not necessary since what is good for MYTEE is good for The Detail Guys. You will be glad to know that they are in fact working on some wonderful new tools for the industry.
We discussed with Matt our satisfaction with their products and changes we needed to continue our relationship. Matt discussed how these new innovations and engineering using the latest and greatest technologies would solve nearly all of our desires and certainly all of our real needs. Matt assured us after a tour of their new product lines, how their products would perform better, with less energy, smaller size and better performance. Only MYTEE is addressing these issues and revising it's entire product line to meet the needs of our detailing industry.
Our needs are that of size for small space requirements as we adapt our units to fit on industrial carts for parking structures and to take up less space for more water capacity. Also these new units will be able to run with less than 12-15 Amps. Which is a major concern due to the portable generators on the trucks. Our needs for quick heating water are easily met by MYTEE who has risen to nearly every single challenge we could through at them. It appears that their dealer network is also expanding and able to match our needs in all the states we are now servicing as well as those in remote regions and rural areas that we may never serve.
One of the major services that MYTEE makes products for is the Carpet Steam Cleaning and Carpet Extraction for interior detailing. As many of you know it is very important to have adjustable machines to put out very little water when cleaning the interior of corporate jets. Also needed is the use of special chemicals for older and antique cars with high values whether it be intrinsic or appraised. We are happy to report also that MYTEE has offered to change their injection molding process to produce customized YELLOW molded units, these are our company colors, but also great colors for any auto detailing companies for safety reasons.
If you are needing an additional steam cleaner or carpet extractor you will want to compare the MYTEE units before purchasing, think on this.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Water Softener Use In Mobile Auto Detailing
What is considered hard water and what are the degrees of hardness? Well very hard water would be 10.5 grains per gallon and 180 parts per million and above. But you need to realize that even moderately hard water of 3.5 to 7 grains per gallon and 60-120 parts per million will leave hard water spots. Slightly hard water such as 1 to 3.5 grains per gallon and 17.1 to 60 part per million will not leave noticeably hard water spots that you cannot cure with a chamois. But really as a professional auto detailer you are really looking for soft water of less than 1 grain per gallon and 17 parts per million.
What Makes The Water Hard?
Hardness in water is caused calcium and magnesium ions that form insoluble compounds; sometimes iron and even aluminum. There are many ways to soften water. Some are more complicated than others; Aeration, De-Ionization or ion-exchange, Distillation, Reverse Osmosis or Softening.
Softening by use of a water softener is the simplest concept used today; water softeners replace hardness ions like calcium and magnesium with sodium or non-scaling ions. The ion exchange resin used in the process is recharged periodically with salt drawn from a storage tank. Many water treatment experts agree and Lance Winslow concurs that softening can be most cost effective when the water has as few as one to five grains per gallon of hardness. Most mobile operators will be happy with one to three grains per gallon of hardness and probably won’t even purchase a softening unit until the hardness is five plus grains per gallon. Their theory is well taken because, if the total dissolved solids (TDS) is that low, there will be little water spotting on cars anyway.
One reason to put in a water softener even if your water is 5 gpg or less is because you wish to prevent scaling in the coils of your steam cleaner or save your pressure washing pump on your auto detailing rig. On a cold water machine, this is not as important because 5 gpg or less won’t ruin a pump. More than five can over time.
Hardness also hinders soap from doing its job. You may notice that your soaps are not cleaning properly. That’s because they are cleaning the water first and combining with the compounds in the water rather than the dirt on the car. You see, the hardness in the water has a tendency to neutralize those cleaning compounds and you have to actually use more soap to offset the neutralizing effect of the hardness minerals.
With hard water, you will use more soap and the cars still aren’t clean. I encourage you to talk to your soap vendors for helpful advice on water chemistry and treatment requirements. Your soap strategy should be custom tailored to your city and the hardness of the water you put in your tank.
Most independent auto detailing professionals agree that areas with hard water will also cause a film on cars that are washed when no softener is used. They also agreed at the annual conference that the decision to purchase a softener should be based on a real water test. You might wish to contact a water treatment dealer such as: Rain Soft, Culligan, Apollo, Calgon, Rayne water Systems or the Water Man in your area. They can help you by having the local water tested or ask city water authority for information on their supply. Once your decision is made to purchase a softener, selecting the proper equipment is easy. Softener sizes should be based upon two factors: Flow Rate (GPM) and Grains Per Gallon (GPG).
Flow rate would typically be six to eight gpm (gallons per minute) with your hose at your residence. We recommend you change your pressure regulator to 90-110 PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch). This would give you approximately ten gpm. So you need a water softener that is a little bigger than the basic model.
Water softeners are basically like refrigerators; says Car Wash Guys Founder Lance Winslow;
“They could last two years or twenty years…and a lot depends on how much goes in and how often it comes out.”
This is why you should monitor softening equipment. You can test the hardness with a testing kit or just pay attention when you’re washing cars. Steel softening tanks last for years. Fiberglass units last well also. Plastic units crack. You may need to change resin every couple of years.
Chances are you will choose to rent softeners for $30 per month and let the exchange company recharge them for you. Be careful when hiring water softener vendors. Ask us for help. You may even be able to trade services for water softening rental plus make money on the account because water softener rental companies have lots of delivery trucks. In any case think on these issues when considering a water softening strategy for your mobile car wash or auto detailing business.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
What Makes The Water Hard?
Hardness in water is caused calcium and magnesium ions that form insoluble compounds; sometimes iron and even aluminum. There are many ways to soften water. Some are more complicated than others; Aeration, De-Ionization or ion-exchange, Distillation, Reverse Osmosis or Softening.
Softening by use of a water softener is the simplest concept used today; water softeners replace hardness ions like calcium and magnesium with sodium or non-scaling ions. The ion exchange resin used in the process is recharged periodically with salt drawn from a storage tank. Many water treatment experts agree and Lance Winslow concurs that softening can be most cost effective when the water has as few as one to five grains per gallon of hardness. Most mobile operators will be happy with one to three grains per gallon of hardness and probably won’t even purchase a softening unit until the hardness is five plus grains per gallon. Their theory is well taken because, if the total dissolved solids (TDS) is that low, there will be little water spotting on cars anyway.
One reason to put in a water softener even if your water is 5 gpg or less is because you wish to prevent scaling in the coils of your steam cleaner or save your pressure washing pump on your auto detailing rig. On a cold water machine, this is not as important because 5 gpg or less won’t ruin a pump. More than five can over time.
Hardness also hinders soap from doing its job. You may notice that your soaps are not cleaning properly. That’s because they are cleaning the water first and combining with the compounds in the water rather than the dirt on the car. You see, the hardness in the water has a tendency to neutralize those cleaning compounds and you have to actually use more soap to offset the neutralizing effect of the hardness minerals.
With hard water, you will use more soap and the cars still aren’t clean. I encourage you to talk to your soap vendors for helpful advice on water chemistry and treatment requirements. Your soap strategy should be custom tailored to your city and the hardness of the water you put in your tank.
Most independent auto detailing professionals agree that areas with hard water will also cause a film on cars that are washed when no softener is used. They also agreed at the annual conference that the decision to purchase a softener should be based on a real water test. You might wish to contact a water treatment dealer such as: Rain Soft, Culligan, Apollo, Calgon, Rayne water Systems or the Water Man in your area. They can help you by having the local water tested or ask city water authority for information on their supply. Once your decision is made to purchase a softener, selecting the proper equipment is easy. Softener sizes should be based upon two factors: Flow Rate (GPM) and Grains Per Gallon (GPG).
Flow rate would typically be six to eight gpm (gallons per minute) with your hose at your residence. We recommend you change your pressure regulator to 90-110 PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch). This would give you approximately ten gpm. So you need a water softener that is a little bigger than the basic model.
Water softeners are basically like refrigerators; says Car Wash Guys Founder Lance Winslow;
“They could last two years or twenty years…and a lot depends on how much goes in and how often it comes out.”
This is why you should monitor softening equipment. You can test the hardness with a testing kit or just pay attention when you’re washing cars. Steel softening tanks last for years. Fiberglass units last well also. Plastic units crack. You may need to change resin every couple of years.
Chances are you will choose to rent softeners for $30 per month and let the exchange company recharge them for you. Be careful when hiring water softener vendors. Ask us for help. You may even be able to trade services for water softening rental plus make money on the account because water softener rental companies have lots of delivery trucks. In any case think on these issues when considering a water softening strategy for your mobile car wash or auto detailing business.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Mobile Oil Change and Mobile Auto Detailing Business Combinations?
Many a young man might consider a mobile detailing business and if they like to work on cars and are mechanically inclined perhaps a mobile oil change business too? This way they could detail customer’s cars every month, change the oil every three months and wash the cars each week. But does oil and water really mix all that well?
Well sounds good enough doesn’t it? However, personally even if you are a “Car Guy” well, I do not recommend cleaning cars and oil changes out of the same unit and further would say if you are cleaning cars you need five to six units worth of customers to support one oil change unit of those same customer, due to frequency and time on each job.
Oil and water do not always mix, so I am not advising that really. Might be better to find another company to market with and share customer lists and allow them to pitch it to their customers as a "bundling discount deal" and then give a price break for fast ramp up of customer base?
What if the oil change business is an add-on with a much higher price? What about mark ups? Depends on market and regional pricing, but generally mobile oil change companies are higher than fixed sites due to convenience or near those prices considering fleet sizes and economies of scale.
My advise to you if you are considering such a combo business is do not do it. I think you will be sorry if you do. There are much better businesses to start. So, many things that people want to have done really, so many businesses to do? Consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Well sounds good enough doesn’t it? However, personally even if you are a “Car Guy” well, I do not recommend cleaning cars and oil changes out of the same unit and further would say if you are cleaning cars you need five to six units worth of customers to support one oil change unit of those same customer, due to frequency and time on each job.
Oil and water do not always mix, so I am not advising that really. Might be better to find another company to market with and share customer lists and allow them to pitch it to their customers as a "bundling discount deal" and then give a price break for fast ramp up of customer base?
What if the oil change business is an add-on with a much higher price? What about mark ups? Depends on market and regional pricing, but generally mobile oil change companies are higher than fixed sites due to convenience or near those prices considering fleet sizes and economies of scale.
My advise to you if you are considering such a combo business is do not do it. I think you will be sorry if you do. There are much better businesses to start. So, many things that people want to have done really, so many businesses to do? Consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Business Case Study Automotive Detailing Franchise Company
How do automotive detailing companies start? What makes them work and how do they grow? How do they choose which services they will offer? This is an interesting case study about a test market of a franchise company in the cleaning business and how they went about setting up Auto Detailing Shops. It maybe of interest to your business study and research; I am familiar with this story because it is one of the companies that I founded.
It all started in Reno, NV where we had set up a mobile car wash franchise of the Car Wash Guys for a franchisee there. www.CarWashGuys.com . Because we have significant market share in Reno NV, we wanted to expand into different lines. So we looked at co-branding with Ziebart, yet their corporate culture did not mix with our Entrepreneurial Fiber and the cost of their franchises were quite high. On top of that they had sold so many franchises in the US, there would be a problem later if we decided to roll out our system nationwide or continue buying their units to expand with our current franchisees, still we felt this might be worth pursuing. So instead going thru all the mistakes, which had already been learned we wanted to buy into a proven system and wanted to exhaust this possibility first. They turned us down. So we have decided to take the market, city by city. But first we needed to establish a prototype unit and this is where our Reno Franchisee came into play. Ziebart instead of partner would become a challenge, as they had 216 units already up and running. We visited many of their locations including Hilo, HA at the time.
We decided we would put in co-brands at car washes as well, express detail centers. Also at Park and Flys and High End Parking Structures. These permanent Detailing Centers would provide a wide array of services. We are detailing for large dealerships, adding oil additives, which are guaranteed by Lloyds of London for 100,000 miles, bed liners, gold plating, window tinting, auto accessories, pin striping, Gold Plating, Dent Repair, Windshield Repair, Wood grain and Interior Paneling, Vinyl and Leather Repair, Paint Touch-Up, Engine Steam Cleaning, Rust Proofing, Odor Elimination. The business plan
is extensive, and the training intense.
We determined to be able to handle all the services we wished to provide the Centers would have to be 8 bay Detail Shops the largest of all organized Detail Shops. By having other WashGuy.com franchise systems customers to draw from there would be enough
customers to allow maximum synergy. This is where the tires meet the pavement. The Super Centers are exactly that. The smaller co-brand version was tested at our fixed site car wash franchise prototype in WA. Now realize we have been in the detailing business for years, www.detailguys.com and we know what we are doing and we are good at it.
This company was founded out of necessity to service the customers. Paul our franchise in Reno of the car wash guys kept getting detailing offers from the dealerships he was washing. One offer led to an onsite takeover of their in-house detailing facilities; a four-bay detail shop, which he grew out of in less than three months. Then he moved into an 8 bay detail shop keeping the four bay for a total of 12 bays in two shops. Before his second year he was on pace to do about $600,000.00 this year. He had only been in business 18 months. He was so busy trying to divide his car wash with all his detail work he had decided to sell part of it. We wanted him to be successful so we allowed the partial transfer and he will be using the money from the sale of one of his car wash guys franchised territories to fund his new detail center. He maxed the old center out and had to move into a bigger shop, and then at one point even that was not enough so he had to keep both. The next year we had set up smaller Detail Guys Centers in other parts of the country and established co-brands in WA, OK, OH, TN, and CA.
The entire business grew out of a mobile car wash operation, without any detailed advanced strategic thinking on our part until we had the customers breathing down our throats yellowing “We need more services” and that folks is how many opportunities are found in the market. You get into business and get tough and follow opportunity, this is why all the text books and business plans are not all they are cracked up to be and why reality based entrepreneurship come from the real world where people can. Not from the academia world where all they know how to do is teach. If you want to go from 0-60 in four seconds sure it is nice to have a venture capital bankroll, but all the real companies I know about started from scratch and then became built to last. From starting small to finishing big is all in the market place and minds of the greatest people on Earth, the Entrepreneurs.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
It all started in Reno, NV where we had set up a mobile car wash franchise of the Car Wash Guys for a franchisee there. www.CarWashGuys.com . Because we have significant market share in Reno NV, we wanted to expand into different lines. So we looked at co-branding with Ziebart, yet their corporate culture did not mix with our Entrepreneurial Fiber and the cost of their franchises were quite high. On top of that they had sold so many franchises in the US, there would be a problem later if we decided to roll out our system nationwide or continue buying their units to expand with our current franchisees, still we felt this might be worth pursuing. So instead going thru all the mistakes, which had already been learned we wanted to buy into a proven system and wanted to exhaust this possibility first. They turned us down. So we have decided to take the market, city by city. But first we needed to establish a prototype unit and this is where our Reno Franchisee came into play. Ziebart instead of partner would become a challenge, as they had 216 units already up and running. We visited many of their locations including Hilo, HA at the time.
We decided we would put in co-brands at car washes as well, express detail centers. Also at Park and Flys and High End Parking Structures. These permanent Detailing Centers would provide a wide array of services. We are detailing for large dealerships, adding oil additives, which are guaranteed by Lloyds of London for 100,000 miles, bed liners, gold plating, window tinting, auto accessories, pin striping, Gold Plating, Dent Repair, Windshield Repair, Wood grain and Interior Paneling, Vinyl and Leather Repair, Paint Touch-Up, Engine Steam Cleaning, Rust Proofing, Odor Elimination. The business plan
is extensive, and the training intense.
We determined to be able to handle all the services we wished to provide the Centers would have to be 8 bay Detail Shops the largest of all organized Detail Shops. By having other WashGuy.com franchise systems customers to draw from there would be enough
customers to allow maximum synergy. This is where the tires meet the pavement. The Super Centers are exactly that. The smaller co-brand version was tested at our fixed site car wash franchise prototype in WA. Now realize we have been in the detailing business for years, www.detailguys.com and we know what we are doing and we are good at it.
This company was founded out of necessity to service the customers. Paul our franchise in Reno of the car wash guys kept getting detailing offers from the dealerships he was washing. One offer led to an onsite takeover of their in-house detailing facilities; a four-bay detail shop, which he grew out of in less than three months. Then he moved into an 8 bay detail shop keeping the four bay for a total of 12 bays in two shops. Before his second year he was on pace to do about $600,000.00 this year. He had only been in business 18 months. He was so busy trying to divide his car wash with all his detail work he had decided to sell part of it. We wanted him to be successful so we allowed the partial transfer and he will be using the money from the sale of one of his car wash guys franchised territories to fund his new detail center. He maxed the old center out and had to move into a bigger shop, and then at one point even that was not enough so he had to keep both. The next year we had set up smaller Detail Guys Centers in other parts of the country and established co-brands in WA, OK, OH, TN, and CA.
The entire business grew out of a mobile car wash operation, without any detailed advanced strategic thinking on our part until we had the customers breathing down our throats yellowing “We need more services” and that folks is how many opportunities are found in the market. You get into business and get tough and follow opportunity, this is why all the text books and business plans are not all they are cracked up to be and why reality based entrepreneurship come from the real world where people can. Not from the academia world where all they know how to do is teach. If you want to go from 0-60 in four seconds sure it is nice to have a venture capital bankroll, but all the real companies I know about started from scratch and then became built to last. From starting small to finishing big is all in the market place and minds of the greatest people on Earth, the Entrepreneurs.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Choosing the Right Truck or Van for Mobile Auto Detailing
Choosing the correct vehicle for a mobile automotive detailing business is a key to success. If you choose the wrong vehicle you will have breakdowns and lose work and credibility with customers on your schedule or route. Worse off if you lose your breaks or an axle breaks you could cause an accident and things will get real serious really quick.
As the Founder of the Detail Guys a National Franchise Company for mobile detailing businesses, I can remember all the stories I heard from both our own teams and competitors in the field. Now in retirement I often reflect on this as other auto detail professionals ask for advice. So, what should you know in choosing the right Truck or Van for Mobile Auto Detailing? Well quite a bit actually.
We have used Ford F350, F250, F150, Econoline Vans 350, 250, Dodge Dakota, Ram 1500, Dually, 3/4 ton, Iveco, Isuzu, GM (all), Mitsubishi, mini-vans, trailers, you name it. F-we built units on Corvair Trucks, 53' Chevys, all sorts of stuff. Whatever worked, we even made a few pontoon Boat Washing Platforms. We eventually, due to volume, kept leaning back to the GM or Isuzu flatbeds for turning radius and such; http://www.truckwashguy.com/isuzu.shtml
Pick a vehicle and I will tell you about the good, bad and the ugly smugly. The fact is that every vehicle is a compromise and we thoroughly enjoyed the Isuzu Chassis for turning radius, big mirrors, visibility, payload, fuel economy and low maintenance. But you be the judge, just please do your homework. I hope this article has propelled thought and will indeed help you in your quest to be the best in 2007.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
As the Founder of the Detail Guys a National Franchise Company for mobile detailing businesses, I can remember all the stories I heard from both our own teams and competitors in the field. Now in retirement I often reflect on this as other auto detail professionals ask for advice. So, what should you know in choosing the right Truck or Van for Mobile Auto Detailing? Well quite a bit actually.
We have used Ford F350, F250, F150, Econoline Vans 350, 250, Dodge Dakota, Ram 1500, Dually, 3/4 ton, Iveco, Isuzu, GM (all), Mitsubishi, mini-vans, trailers, you name it. F-we built units on Corvair Trucks, 53' Chevys, all sorts of stuff. Whatever worked, we even made a few pontoon Boat Washing Platforms. We eventually, due to volume, kept leaning back to the GM or Isuzu flatbeds for turning radius and such; http://www.truckwashguy.com/isuzu.shtml
Pick a vehicle and I will tell you about the good, bad and the ugly smugly. The fact is that every vehicle is a compromise and we thoroughly enjoyed the Isuzu Chassis for turning radius, big mirrors, visibility, payload, fuel economy and low maintenance. But you be the judge, just please do your homework. I hope this article has propelled thought and will indeed help you in your quest to be the best in 2007.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Starting a Mobile Detailing Business on a Shoestring Budget with Little Cash
The topic for today is; Starting a Mobile Detailing Business on a Shoestring. Is it possible? Well, sure it is and if you are careful you maybe surprised just how inexpensive it is too. So you say you want to start an auto detailing business but you do not have very much money right?
Okay here is what I would do if I were you. First you need to mount your equipment on a skid, so you can take it in and out of the back of a pick-up truck or trailer really easy. I would say that you should get a pressure washer; Honda, 5.0 Hp from Home Depot (Excel Brand Pressure Washer). You can finance it there if you need too; about $450.00 and next you need to get out of town into an agricultural rural area and buy a 100 gallon plastic loaf polypropylene water tank with straps.
Then mount it on a sheet of ply wood with two iron "I" beam skids with a couple of ribs between them, weld it up for $100. You might be able to find some scrap to make all this. See pictures. Make sure the pressure washer has a pump that looks similar to a Cat Pump or General Pump, look them up online so you know what you are looking for.
The clear plastic water tank can be round or square; the round ones will cause the vehicle to rock back and forth when you accelerate or brake. Check out the competitors and maybe take a digital picture or two, as this might give you an idea on mounting. Also check out the Truck Mounts at [http://www.detrailers.com/ ]www.DeTrailers.com. Cool website. You can make one or buy theirs?
You will need 75 feet of high-pressure hose so you need to buy an additional 50-foot section. Your next purchase should be a portable generator after you make some money and a Milwaukee Power Buffer counter rotating lightweight unit and a shop vacuum. Well I hope the tip of the day helps you in every way on your quest to be the best.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Okay here is what I would do if I were you. First you need to mount your equipment on a skid, so you can take it in and out of the back of a pick-up truck or trailer really easy. I would say that you should get a pressure washer; Honda, 5.0 Hp from Home Depot (Excel Brand Pressure Washer). You can finance it there if you need too; about $450.00 and next you need to get out of town into an agricultural rural area and buy a 100 gallon plastic loaf polypropylene water tank with straps.
Then mount it on a sheet of ply wood with two iron "I" beam skids with a couple of ribs between them, weld it up for $100. You might be able to find some scrap to make all this. See pictures. Make sure the pressure washer has a pump that looks similar to a Cat Pump or General Pump, look them up online so you know what you are looking for.
The clear plastic water tank can be round or square; the round ones will cause the vehicle to rock back and forth when you accelerate or brake. Check out the competitors and maybe take a digital picture or two, as this might give you an idea on mounting. Also check out the Truck Mounts at [http://www.detrailers.com/ ]www.DeTrailers.com. Cool website. You can make one or buy theirs?
You will need 75 feet of high-pressure hose so you need to buy an additional 50-foot section. Your next purchase should be a portable generator after you make some money and a Milwaukee Power Buffer counter rotating lightweight unit and a shop vacuum. Well I hope the tip of the day helps you in every way on your quest to be the best.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Low Cost High Volume Mobile Detailing Strategies Considered
As the Founder of The Detail Guys and a retired business writer, I often find that my legacy prompts operators of successful automotive mobile detailing companies to contact me about their market strategies. I am happy to help out and give advice freely because it was not that long ago, I remember being in the thick of things. In fact, almost all the problems in the market today are nearly the same as a they were nearly a decade ago.
Recently, I was asked to intercede with a couple of Auto Detailing Entrepreneur Partners running a successful auto detailing operation in Chicagoland and they were questioning the price of an Express Wash and Wax for their customers. Immediately the days events were unveiled as they were having problems with generators on both of their current units. Well at 10 degrees in Chicagoland yesterday no wonder they might not work so well today? What do they say about Murphy Again?
One partner accused the other partner of selling services too cheaply on a new price menu flyer and asked how can you make money at $28.00 for a wash and wax? Well the fact is that you can easily make money on wax at $28.00 using a polymer solvent wax, and the cars will look better too, especially dark ones; think of an "Express Wax" marketing motif.
Now low price high-volume businesses are scary for most people and regarding Market Share and Price well perhaps you might like to know more about such theories; http://worldthinktank.net/art132.shtml
Think about the Market Winners;
Microsoft - gave software away FREE!Southwest Airlines - Low fairsMcDonalds - $.25 hamburgers, read grinding it outJapanese Auto Makers - Honda and Datsun VS, Chrysler, Ford and GMChrysler K-Car to recoup market share and dig out
If you charge too much, you drive too far between customers. Then you waste money in travel, labor and efficiency. If you stay busy all day, you will do better long run. Now if you are in Fat City, go for higher prices, but do not be surprised if someone else takes all the other market and then most of yours too. Everyone likes a good deal, even wealthier folks. How do you think one gets wealthy anyway; besides inheriting it? Please think on this in 2007 in your quest to be the best.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Recently, I was asked to intercede with a couple of Auto Detailing Entrepreneur Partners running a successful auto detailing operation in Chicagoland and they were questioning the price of an Express Wash and Wax for their customers. Immediately the days events were unveiled as they were having problems with generators on both of their current units. Well at 10 degrees in Chicagoland yesterday no wonder they might not work so well today? What do they say about Murphy Again?
One partner accused the other partner of selling services too cheaply on a new price menu flyer and asked how can you make money at $28.00 for a wash and wax? Well the fact is that you can easily make money on wax at $28.00 using a polymer solvent wax, and the cars will look better too, especially dark ones; think of an "Express Wax" marketing motif.
Now low price high-volume businesses are scary for most people and regarding Market Share and Price well perhaps you might like to know more about such theories; http://worldthinktank.net/art132.shtml
Think about the Market Winners;
Microsoft - gave software away FREE!Southwest Airlines - Low fairsMcDonalds - $.25 hamburgers, read grinding it outJapanese Auto Makers - Honda and Datsun VS, Chrysler, Ford and GMChrysler K-Car to recoup market share and dig out
If you charge too much, you drive too far between customers. Then you waste money in travel, labor and efficiency. If you stay busy all day, you will do better long run. Now if you are in Fat City, go for higher prices, but do not be surprised if someone else takes all the other market and then most of yours too. Everyone likes a good deal, even wealthier folks. How do you think one gets wealthy anyway; besides inheriting it? Please think on this in 2007 in your quest to be the best.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Secrets in Auto Detailing Products for Mobile Car Washing
All the professional auto detailers and mobile car wash operators realize that every dollar they save on auto detailing products is a dollar earned. Most professional auto detailing products are not over costly, but the costs do add up. Efficiency in the use of these products will definitely help your bottom line.
Wash & wax soap is the most commonly abused product by your auto detailing crews as they end up wasting it. The secret is to use only one cap full per five gallon bucket, it depends on how dirty the cars are however if you are soaping the whole car figure two or three cars per cap full, so it can last a month in a mobile detail operation.
Degreaser and cleaner; well you will want to use it fairly strong for whitewall figure a pint will last about 10 cars. You can cut it for rims and other uses but not more than 3/4. Heavy-duty degreaser; This works better for rims etc, I would use this instead and the other for more mild issues. Otherwise you will use too much and not get the desired results
Glass cleaner; You can buy distilled water and mix it with RTU or ready to use glass cleaner 50% / 50%. If you use window cleaner concentrate then mix it 75% distilled and 25% product.
Leather cleaner & conditioner; I recommend using Lexol and I would say you will spend about $15.00 per month cost on products. It will last a long time with a gallon, so unless you waste it and use too much further you should have a gallon for a couple of months anyway.
Clay bars; they last a long time, but you have to keep them moist and not allow them to dry out. If you are doing a lot of fall-out type removal then you need two Clay Bars, use AutoMagic products if they are available. Always keep them in a small container with moisture inside.
New car scent; A gallon of new car scent will last a few months, never spray on dashboard plastic always two squirts under each seat to conserve product, as any more is a waste.
Please be smart and efficient with your products, it will save you money and it is also better for the environment as well. Remember every dollar saved is a dollar earned. Consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Wash & wax soap is the most commonly abused product by your auto detailing crews as they end up wasting it. The secret is to use only one cap full per five gallon bucket, it depends on how dirty the cars are however if you are soaping the whole car figure two or three cars per cap full, so it can last a month in a mobile detail operation.
Degreaser and cleaner; well you will want to use it fairly strong for whitewall figure a pint will last about 10 cars. You can cut it for rims and other uses but not more than 3/4. Heavy-duty degreaser; This works better for rims etc, I would use this instead and the other for more mild issues. Otherwise you will use too much and not get the desired results
Glass cleaner; You can buy distilled water and mix it with RTU or ready to use glass cleaner 50% / 50%. If you use window cleaner concentrate then mix it 75% distilled and 25% product.
Leather cleaner & conditioner; I recommend using Lexol and I would say you will spend about $15.00 per month cost on products. It will last a long time with a gallon, so unless you waste it and use too much further you should have a gallon for a couple of months anyway.
Clay bars; they last a long time, but you have to keep them moist and not allow them to dry out. If you are doing a lot of fall-out type removal then you need two Clay Bars, use AutoMagic products if they are available. Always keep them in a small container with moisture inside.
New car scent; A gallon of new car scent will last a few months, never spray on dashboard plastic always two squirts under each seat to conserve product, as any more is a waste.
Please be smart and efficient with your products, it will save you money and it is also better for the environment as well. Remember every dollar saved is a dollar earned. Consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Buying Used Detailing Equipment and Rainy Day Services
Mobile auto detailing equipment becomes very inexpensive around March each year. If you look on eBay or your local classified section of the newspaper you will see. This is because mobile auto detailers are in a seasonal business. They find themselves scraping bottom when it is too cold to work because the water is freezing or it is raining and it becomes hard to sell detailing services. No one wants to see their business cards when it’s raining. The only people who page them are their girlfriends who they can no longer take out for dinner or a movie. They can’t use their car phone because it’s been turned off by Verizon or Sprint. In a rainy year their cash reserve, if they had one, has been used up by mid January. They are eating Top Ramen by February. Their business no longer supports their needs. So they quit. Too bad for them; they obviously are not winners because: “Winner’s Never Quit and Quitters Never Win!”
You will see lots of used equipment on the market in February and March. April and May many will try and start up again. They are undercapitalized. No money for marketing, no self-worth (deflated ego), no support system. Obviously, this means no success. But if you wish to add onto your equipment or start an auto detailing business you can really build fast around all the weakened competition. You can also buy equipment for $ .20 on the dollar, not a bad start indeed.
If you start your business first week in April, you can initiate rainy day services marketing and coupon discounts to build your customer base. If you have a hot water pressure washer then you can set up a night crew, which can clean concrete and heavy equipment at an average of $400-500 per night. Rent-A-Car companies clean their cars rain or shine. Federal Express vans are cleaned nightly no matter what. Post Office jeeps normally are cleaned on Sundays on a calendar schedule. We have reasons for cleaning these types of vehicles and it does not matter if it is raining or not.
Sometimes in business the weather can work in your favor, complaining about it will not help so use it to your advantage and win. Think about it.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
You will see lots of used equipment on the market in February and March. April and May many will try and start up again. They are undercapitalized. No money for marketing, no self-worth (deflated ego), no support system. Obviously, this means no success. But if you wish to add onto your equipment or start an auto detailing business you can really build fast around all the weakened competition. You can also buy equipment for $ .20 on the dollar, not a bad start indeed.
If you start your business first week in April, you can initiate rainy day services marketing and coupon discounts to build your customer base. If you have a hot water pressure washer then you can set up a night crew, which can clean concrete and heavy equipment at an average of $400-500 per night. Rent-A-Car companies clean their cars rain or shine. Federal Express vans are cleaned nightly no matter what. Post Office jeeps normally are cleaned on Sundays on a calendar schedule. We have reasons for cleaning these types of vehicles and it does not matter if it is raining or not.
Sometimes in business the weather can work in your favor, complaining about it will not help so use it to your advantage and win. Think about it.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Outsourcing Auto Detailing Services at Auto Dealerships
Automotive dealerships are notorious for outsourcing services, both services they sell to the customers and those operations they do in-house on their own vehicles. Take for instance auto detailing; each new car coming off the truck must be detailed prior to being placed on the lot. Each car that is traded in during the sales process must also be detailed in order to be put onto the used-car lot or sold at the auto auction.
This requires a full-time staff to detail all the cars at the auto dealership. Unfortunately, with unemployment so low and a shortage of auto technicians in the auto dealership industry this is not always possible therefore many auto dealerships have looked towards auto detailing companies to outsource all their work to.
Outsourcing auto-detailing services at auto dealerships is very common. It also makes a very good business. For over 2 decades my company has been involved with wholesale auto detailing at auto dealerships on an outsourced basis.
This is done by commandeering a couple of bays at the auto dealership and detailing all the cars on the property. Although the auto dealerships are slow to pay their bills and wished to get a very low price the amount of volume is truly incredible and therefore over all both the outsourced company and the auto dealership find a win/win situation in this arrangement. Consider all this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
This requires a full-time staff to detail all the cars at the auto dealership. Unfortunately, with unemployment so low and a shortage of auto technicians in the auto dealership industry this is not always possible therefore many auto dealerships have looked towards auto detailing companies to outsource all their work to.
Outsourcing auto-detailing services at auto dealerships is very common. It also makes a very good business. For over 2 decades my company has been involved with wholesale auto detailing at auto dealerships on an outsourced basis.
This is done by commandeering a couple of bays at the auto dealership and detailing all the cars on the property. Although the auto dealerships are slow to pay their bills and wished to get a very low price the amount of volume is truly incredible and therefore over all both the outsourced company and the auto dealership find a win/win situation in this arrangement. Consider all this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Mini Vans for Mobile Detailing?
Does it make sense to run a mobile detailing business using mini-vans? Well, I am the Founder of the Detail Guys and some of our franchisees ran mini-vans, many had problems with them. Therefore if you are going to use a mini-van in your business then please be smart about how you do it and how you mount the equipment.
For instance watch those transaxles in those mini-vans and the brakes, generally more than 100 gallons of water an you are pushing the envelop on safety due to black ice slides or breaking and costly repairs. It also makes sense to buy a square water tank rather than a round one, which actually rocks the van back and forth or side to side during turns and that can be dangerous. Perhaps it makes sense to buy a skid unit that you can take in or out.
There are several companies, which design and build mobile car washing and detailing equipment. Many of these units are van units for instance, check out the skid units at [http://www.detrailers.com/ ]www.DeTrailers.com . There are also companies that make such equipment in Florida and the prices are not so bad either. Or you might build something similar that ought to work for a 1-Ton full size van or a customized cargo mini-van.
If so you might use a 220 on the water tank, which makes a lot more sense. If your equipment breaks down you are SOL and sitting on your rear end waiting for expensive repairs and that is the kiss of death for a mobile auto detailing or mobile car wash company for sure.
If you are going to buy a new or used mini-van, it makes a nice work vehicle with lots of room for signage or a nice shrink rap, but please do your homework and know what you are getting into. I hope this article propels thought in 2007 and helps you in your quest to be the best.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
For instance watch those transaxles in those mini-vans and the brakes, generally more than 100 gallons of water an you are pushing the envelop on safety due to black ice slides or breaking and costly repairs. It also makes sense to buy a square water tank rather than a round one, which actually rocks the van back and forth or side to side during turns and that can be dangerous. Perhaps it makes sense to buy a skid unit that you can take in or out.
There are several companies, which design and build mobile car washing and detailing equipment. Many of these units are van units for instance, check out the skid units at [http://www.detrailers.com/ ]www.DeTrailers.com . There are also companies that make such equipment in Florida and the prices are not so bad either. Or you might build something similar that ought to work for a 1-Ton full size van or a customized cargo mini-van.
If so you might use a 220 on the water tank, which makes a lot more sense. If your equipment breaks down you are SOL and sitting on your rear end waiting for expensive repairs and that is the kiss of death for a mobile auto detailing or mobile car wash company for sure.
If you are going to buy a new or used mini-van, it makes a nice work vehicle with lots of room for signage or a nice shrink rap, but please do your homework and know what you are getting into. I hope this article propels thought in 2007 and helps you in your quest to be the best.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Thoughts on Starting a Mobile Auto Detailing Business
Starting a Mobile Auto Detailing Business sounds rather simple, right? You go get yourself a plastic water tank, pressure washer and some supplies and since everyone has a car getting customers ought to be rather easy. In essence this is all true however if you want to be profitable and make the most amount of money it is a little more complicated than that really. Having been in the Mobile Auto Detailing Business for decades we have learned all the secrets to maintaining efficiency and hence we have written them down.
In my many articles on this topic you will find strategies for getting your clientele, enhancing word-of-mouth advertising, acquiring referrals, designing brochures, preventing equipment failure, clustering accounts and working in winter weather. Many of the tips you will find nowhere else, as we have discovered most of these concepts thru trial and error and learning the hard way. You should use these articles as a manual and as an exercise in thinking as you prepare your business plan and marketing strategy.
Our company started out as a small company and then grew hiring Independent Contractors operating 53 units in 39 cities. Eventually we broke the company into two different companies and called them The Car Wash Guys ( [http://www.carwashguys.com/ ]www.CarWashGuys.com) and The Detail Guys and Detail Gals . We then franchised these companies in 450 cities, 110 markets, 23-states and 4-countries. Today I am retired and whereas we do not sell these franchises anymore, I wish to depart knowledge to the industry.
I wish to thank you for reading this article, as I know there are many other books out there that are also quite good on this subject; how do I know? Well, I have read them all too, in fact, whereas I did gain knowledge in reading each of them, I felt something was lacking and thus decided to write articles on this subject.
As you read these article sets you will understand why I felt this way and you will see the focus on the actual running of the business and not just the detailing of the cars, boats, aircraft, trucks, motorcycles or RVs. Although this is my first actual article on the subject for 2007, as I have written 1000s of pages of company manuals, I am quite certain it will not be my last. Perhaps this article is of interest to propel thought in 2007?
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
In my many articles on this topic you will find strategies for getting your clientele, enhancing word-of-mouth advertising, acquiring referrals, designing brochures, preventing equipment failure, clustering accounts and working in winter weather. Many of the tips you will find nowhere else, as we have discovered most of these concepts thru trial and error and learning the hard way. You should use these articles as a manual and as an exercise in thinking as you prepare your business plan and marketing strategy.
Our company started out as a small company and then grew hiring Independent Contractors operating 53 units in 39 cities. Eventually we broke the company into two different companies and called them The Car Wash Guys ( [http://www.carwashguys.com/ ]www.CarWashGuys.com) and The Detail Guys and Detail Gals . We then franchised these companies in 450 cities, 110 markets, 23-states and 4-countries. Today I am retired and whereas we do not sell these franchises anymore, I wish to depart knowledge to the industry.
I wish to thank you for reading this article, as I know there are many other books out there that are also quite good on this subject; how do I know? Well, I have read them all too, in fact, whereas I did gain knowledge in reading each of them, I felt something was lacking and thus decided to write articles on this subject.
As you read these article sets you will understand why I felt this way and you will see the focus on the actual running of the business and not just the detailing of the cars, boats, aircraft, trucks, motorcycles or RVs. Although this is my first actual article on the subject for 2007, as I have written 1000s of pages of company manuals, I am quite certain it will not be my last. Perhaps this article is of interest to propel thought in 2007?
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
I Want to Start a Truck Detailing Business
If you love trucks and 18 Wheelers then perhaps you might like to get into the truck detailing business. It may sound kind of funny to detail a big rig like you would a car, but believe it or not it can be lucrative business.
It will not be an easy business due to the size and shape of the vehicle, but there are a lot of trucks on the road and they need to be cleaned. There are two types of truck detailing customers for a truck detailing business; there is the long haul independent truck driver like B.J. and The Bear and there is the used wholesale truck detailing customer who owns a truck lot with either new or used trucks or sometimes both.
The independent truck driver is a dying breed however, they will spend big bucks to have their aluminum fuel tanks polished and all the chrome shinning. The truck dealer customer is much different as they are looking for a lowball price and will send you a ton of work. They need those trucks looking good to put on their truck sales lot so they sell fast. They may bring you three to six trucks a day if it is a high-volume truck dealer.
These customers will want the interiors claimed, the chassis degreased and the paint to look brand-new. They will also want the aluminum and chrome to shine like there is no tomorrow. But for this you can charge them $600 and now you are starting to see why the truck detailing business can be so lucrative. But be forewarned it is not an easy business as it is quite labor-intensive. Nevertheless a truck detailing business makes the top 10 list of small businesses you can start in trucking. So, consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
It will not be an easy business due to the size and shape of the vehicle, but there are a lot of trucks on the road and they need to be cleaned. There are two types of truck detailing customers for a truck detailing business; there is the long haul independent truck driver like B.J. and The Bear and there is the used wholesale truck detailing customer who owns a truck lot with either new or used trucks or sometimes both.
The independent truck driver is a dying breed however, they will spend big bucks to have their aluminum fuel tanks polished and all the chrome shinning. The truck dealer customer is much different as they are looking for a lowball price and will send you a ton of work. They need those trucks looking good to put on their truck sales lot so they sell fast. They may bring you three to six trucks a day if it is a high-volume truck dealer.
These customers will want the interiors claimed, the chassis degreased and the paint to look brand-new. They will also want the aluminum and chrome to shine like there is no tomorrow. But for this you can charge them $600 and now you are starting to see why the truck detailing business can be so lucrative. But be forewarned it is not an easy business as it is quite labor-intensive. Nevertheless a truck detailing business makes the top 10 list of small businesses you can start in trucking. So, consider this in 2006.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
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