List of items to get started?

Hey all, I'm starting my business up in the spring and I was wondering if you all had to start over again what tools and supplies would you recommend to get a GOOD start?
So far I have a Craftsman 6.5hp shop vac all attachments with the detachable blower
A little bit of know how and a strong back. I have a good rig that I'm going to use I'm going to find a trailer so I can go mobile, I have a guy down the road who is going to do the grafix on my Jeep and a lot of people who said that they would use me when I get up and running.
I would truly appreciate some info.

Thanks again
Mike
Everything you want in life is just outside of your comfort zone.

Mike-
Use the search feature to check past posts on this question .

In general, buy equipment that can save you time. Even small things like the Drillbrush ( www,drillbrush.com ), which allows you to use any cordless ( or cord ) drill to brush shampoos and stain removers into carpets & upholstery can save time and effort .

Dollar store plastic sponge mops allow you to apply dressing to Jeep cladding fast. They can also be used to apply Meguiar's #26 wax fast . ) www.meguiars.com

A horsehair truck brush and long-handled mops speed up the wash process because you cover more area with each swipe .

A big microfiber or cotton towel speeds up the drying operation because you don't have to stop and get fresh towels ; one towel dries the whole car .

Steam cleaning is probably the fastest way to clean engines, wheel wells, and door jambs . Daimer is a well-known maker of steam equipment .

Compressed air allows you to blast out dirt that would take longer to wipe or brush out . A powerful enough compressor can also run tools .

A pressure washer is essential. It can blast dirt out from behind moldings and is great for rinsing floor mats you've brushed with chemical . Buy some clamps to hang the mats with so they rinse and drip dry quicker .

You'll need an extractor to do really dirty carpets . A steam cleaner is great for stain removal and can be used on relatively-clean carpets .

Look at generators, fire extinguishers , spiffy uniforms, aprons , the waterboom or containment mats , a wide-brimmed hat , plastic bags for any property found in the cars , temporary floor mats , a utility heater or air mover to speed up interior drying and instructional DVDs .

Let's not leave out Zaino. Three coats of Z-2 Pro can last 6 months or more and that means you can charge a lot for this special polymer treatment over and above the detail . I'd figure at least $100 bucks extra . www.zainostore.com

LOL : ( Or just watch the videos posted on the Web and do the exact opposite of what the featured " experts" do ! ) LOL

Doug

HAHA Thanks a lot Doug I appreciate the information very much.
There is just so much out there its hard to find the right product and tools.
Thanks again!

Mike Snellgrove
General Detail
Everything you want in life is just outside of your comfort zone

You will need a more powerfull vacum than that(stainless steel shop vac) trust me, you get a minivan full of cat and/or dog hair OMG.

big1poop-
BigDane's Shop Vac is 6.5 HP . I think that is the most powerful you can buy. It is the power I have and mine works great, much more powerful than the big coin-operated ones at the DIY car washes.
My Shop Vac could suck a golf ball through a garden hose or when truck detailing, suck the chrome off a bumper hitch . ( Can I say that on the Internet ? ) LOL

Doug

BigDane-
Here is a previously-published list of products you might wish to stock :

Occasionally, someone will ask what types of chemical products he'll need. Below is a list I compiled with examples. See what you think. Comments are welcome.
1) Household window multi-surface cleaner ( Windex Multi-task Orange )
2) Auto Glass Cleaner ( Invisible Glass )
3) Ammonia ( Parson's Ammonia )
4) Glass polish ( Auto Glym Glass Polish )
5) Carpet Spot Remover ( L.A.'s Totally Awesome )
6) Carpet Shampoo ( AM Carpet Shampoo )
7) Special Stain Removal Kit
8) Car Wash Soap ( Meguiar's Soft Wash Gel )
9) Dish Washing Liquid ( Dawn Original )
10) De-waxer ( Griot's Paint Prep )
11) Dressings for vinyl/rubber/tires/engines/wheel wells ( Meguiar's #40 )
12) Plastic cleaners and polishes ( Plexus )
13) Metal Polishes ( Meguiar's All Metal Polish )
14) Chrome Polish ( Mother's )
15) Compounds and polishes ( Optimum, Zaino, Menzerna etc. )
16) Wax and cleaner/wax
17) Clay ( Malm's Deracer )
18) Detailing Spray ( Griot's Speed Shine )
19) Bug and Tar Remover/adhesive removers ( Goo Gone )
20) Degreaser ( Mean Green etc. )
21) All Purpose Cleaners ( Spray Nine, Simple Green etc. )
22) Leather Dressing ( Griot's, Meguiar's Medallion )
23) Leather soap ( Lexol )
24) Fragrances ( AutoMagic )
25) Trim Restorer ( Forever Black )
26) Alcohol ( generic )
27) Heavy-Duty Vinyl Cleaner ( Meguiar's )
28) Interior Cleaner ( Griot's Garage )
29) Distilled water ( generic )
30) Lubricant for door latches ( Siloo white grease )

Here are some optional types of products that a detailer might wish to keep on hand plus examples :
1) Flat black spray paint for wheel wells, etc.
3) Gloss black spray paint for wiper arms, etc.
4) Wheel cleaner
5) Undercoating spray for wheel wells etc.
6) Hi-Temp black muffler paint
7) Silicone Grease for door weatherstrips ( Syl-glyde )
8) Windshield treatment ( Rain-X )
9) Paint for plastic trim ( SEM)
10) Stain guard ( Bissell, Scotchguard )
11) Whitewall cleaner ( Westley's Bleche-White )
12) Clear touch-up paint and touch-up primer
13) Baking soda ( Arm & Hammer ) for cleaning batteries
14) Grease ( Ford Long-life ) for coating battery clamps and hold-downs
15) Rust remover ( Naval Jelly )

Holy crap Doug! Thank you! that's a fantastic list.
Again I appreciate the time you've put into helping me out =)

Mike Snellgrove
General Detail
Everything you want in life is just outside of your comfort zone

That a great list Doug. It covers just about everthing.

Below is more info. Credit Auto Magic's Rick Schmitt for much of this :

Detail Procedure Equipment

For de-trashing

• Shop vac with car tool, radiator brush tool, crevice tool, flex crevice tool, turbo brush
• Carpet brush, grout brush, scrub brush, car body brush
• Trash can
• Razor blades and scraper
• Clear plastic bag for property
• Pre-spotter spray bottle

For Wash Bay

• Degreaser, wheel brush, wash mops, mitt, brush, fender brush, fabric softener sheets for tar and bugs
• Bug and tar remover ( Goo Gone )
• Towels
• Simple Green for floor mats
• Soap ( Dawn dish liquid )
• Buckets

Interior

• Windex multi-task orange
• Alcohol window cleaner
• Carpet shampoo
• Griot’s Interior Cleaner
• Compound

Dressing

• Meguiar’s #40 for almost all surfaces
• Griot’s leather dressing

Exterior

• Clay
• Lubricant
• Compound
• Polish
• Wax
• Bonnets and pads
• Towels
• Lint-free disposable window towels
• Detail brushes
• Detail spray
• Window cleaner

Final Prep :

• Temp floor covers
• Scents
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FULL DETAIL PROCEDURE

De-trash and Vacuum, Remove Stickers

Equipment : vacuum cleaner, carpet brush, trash can, pre-spotter chemical, razor blades, clear plastic bag ( for owner property ).

1) Remove exterior debris from hood surrounds, etc.
2) Remove trash
3) Brush and vacuum . Remove floor mats
4) Pre-spot carpet stains and agitate

Wash Bay

1) Remove spare tire. Pre-soak entire car with plain water ( includes engine )
2) Spray degreaser on all lower areas including lower half of door jambs, gas door and spray engine compartment. Agitate . Clean spare tire and tire compartment.
3) Rinse the degreaser and rotate the wheels to clean all areas
4) Apply soap with a wash mitt and rinse
5) Spray remaining bugs and tar, agitate and rinse
6) Dry the car with two cotton towels. Re-install spare tire .
7) Inspect .
8) Pressure wash floor mats if applicable

Interior

1) Start in passenger side front
2) Wipe headliner, visors, dash, glove box, passenger door
3) Clean passenger carpet and seat
4) Wipe passenger door jamb
5) Move to passenger side rear and clean that area same way
6) Move to driver side rear and clean
7) Move to driver side front and clean
8) Inspect. Use compound on bad scuffs .

Dressing

1) Dress all vinyl and rubber inside and out including tires and engine compartment, wheel wells . Correct and coat discolored vinyl as needed. Undercoat wheel wells if applicable
2) Dress leather seats

Exterior

1) Clay
2) Compound
3) Polish
4) Wax
5) Remove any wax residues from emblems, etc.
6) Clean windows and mirrors inside and out

Final Prep

1) Check to see that all interior surfaces are dry
2) Reinstall floor mats and trunk mats
3) Install temp floor covers
4) Inspect all work
5) Adjust and line up all vents, seats, visors, mirrors, switches etc.
6) Apply scent if applicable

As a mobile detailer this is the equipment you will need:

100 gal (min.) Water Tank w/ Pump
100 gal (min.) Water Containment Tank for Waste Water w/ Pump
Water Containment Mat or Vacuboom System to Contain Discharge Water
Pressure Washer
Generator
Hoses
Heat Soil Extractor
Vapor Steamer
Electric Buffer
Electric Dual Action Buffer
Electric Orbital Waxer
Wool Cutting Pads
Poly/Wool Cutting Pads
Foam Cutting Pads
Foam Polishing Pads
Misc Brushes
3 Different Color Microfiber Towels - one for glass; one for water/wax; one for chemicals/grease
Razor Scraper & "Razor Blades
Dressing Applicator Pads
Scrubbie Pads

CHEMICALS

Engine Degreaser
Tar & Grease Remover
All Purpose Cleaner
Car Wash Shampoo
Wheel Cleaner (non-acid)

Extractor Shampoo
Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo
Dressing
Window Cleaner
Various Stain Removers - Coffee/Tea; Red Juice/Protein/Tar & Grease/Rust/Pet Stain

PAINT FINISHING

Heavy, Medium, Light, Fine COMPOUNDS
Swirl Remover/Polish
Wax or Paint Sealant


That is all the equipment,but for the business you need:

Business License
Insurance - liability and garage owners policy
Workers Comp Insurance - if you have liability
A good bookkeeper
A good marketing & advertising person
A good printer for promotional materials
A good salesperson to hit the street making sales calls
MONEY- operating capital to sustain the business and yourself until the business can

Membership in the INTERNATIONAL DETAILING ASSOCIATION www.the-ida.com