Recently, Inc.com posted an article on the internet about "7 Side Hustles in Today's Economy".
One of them was Mobile Detailing.
It made vehicle detailing sound quite simple to make "$125-$350" per detail and there is quite the demand for such a service. All that was "needed" is some gumption to clean thoroughly and a modest investment in car-care cleaning products and equipment. To those select few who stumbled on this detailing forum website who are reading this about getting started in mobile detailing, such is NOT the case. And would guess that the vast (well, few) Autopians members who ARE reading this are rolling their eyes at such a claim that ANYBODY can do mobile detailing as stated above.
I would also think, though, that the vast majority of Autopian members started somewhere, sometime, to do just that: make a little cash as a side job. I say this because I did, but it was 30 years ago and indeed, I made "little cash". I did so with the intent to use that cash to buy more detailing equipment and products, not to supplement my personal income. It is a much "different" economy today.
But if you are a "select few" who REALLY want to get into vehicle detailing, here are my suggestions:
1) Buy a detailing kit from a reputable internet detailing supply company or distributor. It will take about $500-700 commitment to do so. (THE Inc.com internet article did NOT mention the exact cash amount or investment they considered "modest" to get started!) I am assuming detailing means BOTH vehicle exteriors and interiors, not just a "car wash."
2) Research this forum for help on how to use the equipment and products. DON'T rely solely on YouTube videos. There is a lot of misinformation on it about detailing and it is sometimes difficult to separate detailing information and experience fact from detailing fiction that is trying to sell products or get viewer hits!!
3a) Get some experience by doing your OWN vehicle first OR someone's within your family. Any mistakes or screw-ups you make are on YOUR vehicle, not a customer's. You may find out how physically demanding "proper" detailing can be and is. It is not a desk job!!!
3b) Ask someone how good it looks to them when you are done and let them be frank and honest with you. Chances are you probably will need to do a few more vehicles to "perfect" your detailing skills and processes before doing a customer's vehicle.
4) Read this ENTIRE thread. It has my additional thoughts and opinions on getting started in detailing:
One of them was Mobile Detailing.
It made vehicle detailing sound quite simple to make "$125-$350" per detail and there is quite the demand for such a service. All that was "needed" is some gumption to clean thoroughly and a modest investment in car-care cleaning products and equipment. To those select few who stumbled on this detailing forum website who are reading this about getting started in mobile detailing, such is NOT the case. And would guess that the vast (well, few) Autopians members who ARE reading this are rolling their eyes at such a claim that ANYBODY can do mobile detailing as stated above.
I would also think, though, that the vast majority of Autopian members started somewhere, sometime, to do just that: make a little cash as a side job. I say this because I did, but it was 30 years ago and indeed, I made "little cash". I did so with the intent to use that cash to buy more detailing equipment and products, not to supplement my personal income. It is a much "different" economy today.
But if you are a "select few" who REALLY want to get into vehicle detailing, here are my suggestions:
1) Buy a detailing kit from a reputable internet detailing supply company or distributor. It will take about $500-700 commitment to do so. (THE Inc.com internet article did NOT mention the exact cash amount or investment they considered "modest" to get started!) I am assuming detailing means BOTH vehicle exteriors and interiors, not just a "car wash."
2) Research this forum for help on how to use the equipment and products. DON'T rely solely on YouTube videos. There is a lot of misinformation on it about detailing and it is sometimes difficult to separate detailing information and experience fact from detailing fiction that is trying to sell products or get viewer hits!!
3a) Get some experience by doing your OWN vehicle first OR someone's within your family. Any mistakes or screw-ups you make are on YOUR vehicle, not a customer's. You may find out how physically demanding "proper" detailing can be and is. It is not a desk job!!!
3b) Ask someone how good it looks to them when you are done and let them be frank and honest with you. Chances are you probably will need to do a few more vehicles to "perfect" your detailing skills and processes before doing a customer's vehicle.
4) Read this ENTIRE thread. It has my additional thoughts and opinions on getting started in detailing:
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