Run an Out-of-the-Trunk Detailing Business

This past summer I had to improvise my income. I was home from college, and I left my long-time grocery store job. Here is a good way to earn a decent income while at the same time you are your own boss with your own hours! Come with me now on a journey into time and space! You can start-up this business for less that $400, and cheaper if you are good. I did mine for $200. But it takes gusto, and all that other good stuff.

Supplies: I will quickly lay out your supply list for a full car detail. Waterless carwash system- this is mainly sold on the internet. http://www.freedomwaterlesscarwash.com has a great system available that has the wash, polish, and tire shine for $50.00 Rags- you can buy micro fiber rags by the bag at Wal-mart. $20 will get you enough rags to last for sometime. Window Cleaner-Invisable Glass is, hands down, the best. All Purpose- Tuff Stuff is a foam spray that will work on carpet, vynal, plastic, and just about anything. Get it. Wax and Buffer- Turlte was liquid compound is great, along with a small, electric buffer. Shop Vac-once again, you can get one cheap at wal-mart for about $20. The Power-since you are a mobile auto detailing business, you have to be able to clean anywhere. Find a really good power inverter that can hook straight up to your battery. It should be powerful enough to run your shop vac (which will pull the most juice.) Hint: don't run anythingelse while running the shop vac. Little Things- some other things that are very handy will be a hand brush for carpets, detailing brush kit for vents and cracks, a roll of trash bags, and a carrying case. (I got an awesome roller toolbox at wal-mart for about $20.)

The Know how :Before you even get your first customer, you need to know how to detail cars. The waterless car wash system is pretty much straight forward. -spray on, -wipe off, -buff in. and there is your basic car wash. But you also have to be sure to detail the car. This includes the trim, wheels, tires, and wheel wells. Tire shine can be used on the tires, trim, and wheel wells. And it works like a charm. Also, shiny wheels will really set a car off. If a customer asks for a buff, then that is something else. I posted a little video at the end of this to show you how it is done. The interior is your next step. It is simple, Wipe down everything and put interior shine on it (this makes it look like new, and really impresses your customers), clean the seats, (don't forget your all-purpose and your brush), windows, and vacuum and shampoo carpets. Shampooing sounds like a task, but it is simple. After you've vacuumed, just spray the carpets down with the all-purpose, and the brush out. Vacuum again for good measure.

The Start-up: After you have everything together and you think you can detail a car (I'd suggest giving a discounted trial on your friends/family.) you need to drum up business. Fliers are good, you can put your contact info on them, and a price list. Leave them in high traffic areas (ie. campus, church, ect) but your real business will come from personal contact. Keep some fliers with you, so when you talk to someone you can hand it to them at the end of the conversation. It will be slow goings at first, but after awhile, you will have made back your start-up cost and then some. Other TipsTry expanding. Get a friend to help you. I'd suggest having him buy in to help with supplies, and then splitting your earnings after that. Also, don't be afraid to try new products. who knows, they may make a huge difference. Search the web for advertising ideas (like cards, and mail-outs) and you may even want to think about a custom t-shirt. Good luck!