Below are some tips for someone just starting out their detailing business!

What Kind Of Wheels Are You Detailing?

I get it!  You are likely not going to get an exotic vehicle booked or a luxury car with $10,000 of modifications.  Some black wheels scratch very easily.  It is wise to have an idea of what kind of wheels you are cleaning.

Details In Adverse Weather

As someone starting out your area has a unique climate and that should be considered in your approach.  The environment you are in (through 4 seasons) is going to create different problems with cleaning a car.  In northern climates you may need to have a plan for road salt.  In some areas you will see cars with a lot of traffic film from state highways.  You may see a lot of road tar.  Some areas, bugs are a huge problem.  Your area, like Hawaii, could have significant water-spot problems.  Often, we see videos of the alleged ultimate pre-wash treatment for vehicles.  But we do not consider that person has different challenges than you.

Windows

Rolling down the windows halfway to look for hidden grime, is something often missed by many of us.

Washing In Circumstances That Are Not Ideal

An acidic quick detailer or having a water spot cleaner available can save you when you are caught in non-ideal circumstances.  In other words, this will help you if you can’t work in a shaded area or you do not have a water treatment system.

Don’t Allow Others To Marginalize Interiors

That includes those within this industry.  A lot of damage has happened because detailers treated interior detailing like (basic mindless) cleaning of a car.  Managing expectations with interiors can be just as important, if not much more important as with the exterior.  You realistically cannot often guarantee stain removal, but most customers do not understand this.  The attitude of accepting interior detailing as menial work is not only going to compromise your quality of results, but it will attract more people who do not appreciate detailing.

Bonus

Regardless of the point that I am about to make you should always be working at your standard.  How I do anything is how I do everything.  But I have heard a lot of people imply that they put a different effort or use ‘nicer’ products on certain cars versus others.  For one you never know how much that means to a certain individual, regardless of status.  Also, many people are quick to judge someone.  Multiple times I have booked or talked to someone about their daily driver or grocery vehicle, to ultimately work on their OTHER luxury car.