Thread: How did some of you get started in detailing?

I have always been interested in owning my own mobile detailing business. I think what got me thinking was the relatively low overhead. So im just curious what it was like when you first started. Thanks. Shawn

that will be my story:
55 Ferraris , 12 Porsches , 2 Bentleys + .. in 8 months! - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

have a business plan is a must!

Great story man. Truly inspirational to hear it and how you didn't give up. Sound like you had a lot of different avenues of marketing your business. What really made me think was when you said "you can be superman and no one knows who you are you are nothing" keep up the awesome work. Its amazing how much you put back into the business but it must be working out for you. Shawn

I was thinking about trying to get an entry level detail job. I'm sure they would do some kind of on the job training?..cant be THAT hard to learn ...

Originally Posted by Stance

I was thinking about trying to get an entry level detail job. I'm sure they would do some kind of on the job training?..cant be THAT hard to learn ...

Like all things ; if you apply yourself nothing is that hard to learn


A detailer combines chemicals, equipment as well as knowledge of the materials used in automotive manufacturing (vehicle surfaces). ‘Chemicals’, refers to the cleaning and protection products used, ‘equipment,’ refers to the tools used, for example, random orbital polishers, high-speed rotary polishers, extractors and power washers, to name but a few.

Vehicle surfaces require a basic understanding of chemistry and how to rejuvenate and protect each of the many and varied material surfaces, regardless of its specific surface composition making objective observations based upon experience, the results obtained, and adjusting the techniques and products used as necessary.

It requires -
• Knowledge of paint technology and the differences between single stage and multiple stage paint
• Knowledge of clear coats and their reactions to different types of compounds and polishes
• Ability to appropriately choose proper equipment, pads, and match chemicals to different materials
• Knowledge of various types of fabrics, carbon fibre, finished leathers and other very difficult surfaces

I started at 15 for Turtle Wax in the midwest and then had a couple of other car wash jobs, made my way up to detailer. Decided to take the next level when I was 21 and started my own mobile detailing company. Still have the detailing company but not my main focus now but I still do it on the side and make pretty good money. ItS TOUGH work but if you love the after math of a clean car that you did. its def worth it....

I used to work at a car wash, but not being in the best of shape, it started to kick my ass after a while. All the bending over, and being on my knees cleaning people's dirty ass wheels in 100 degree heat just got to me. Multiply that by 500+ cars on any given weekend.

Something slower paced would be nice, where the managers actually cared about the quality of the work, not just the volume of cars being pumped out.

I got tired of picking up my cars and being disappointed with the result. I do most of my own work now. Not the quality of some of you guys, but enjoy doing it too.

did you ever take your car to bob willis, I believe he is up in your area and would probably change your thought process!

Did any of you have decent products or did you use like meguiars etc at first?