Questions from Our Customers
Want to start a detailing business? Got questions?
Ask Bob at bob@startacardetailingbusiness.com or post your question to our Facebook Page.
Question:
Hello Bob,
Great site and very informative! I found you at the right time. My question to you pertains to the premade website. Do you host the sites, or do we pursue a host, and are there any other investment cost associated with your company? Ivy.
Answer:
We provide you with a free webhost. No monthly fees. Also included is a video you follow step by step to get your website online.
Question:
First of all, I love everything you’ve sent me! I have had a mobile detail business for over 9 years. However, the economy has really hurt me lately. I lowered my prices which has proven to be a bad mistake because profits have plummeted to nothing. Until I saw your ad, I was actually thinking of leaving the business and getting a regular job. Thank you for re-energizing my spirits.
However, my question has to do with Craig’s List. I followed the instructions carefully and posted my ad initially, everything looked great and my ad was on the first page for most of the day. But, when I tried to get a second account and post a new ad, craig’s List kept taking me to my original page and ad information. It did not ask me for a phone number or set up a new account with a different number. On the second account attempt, I used a different email address and a different number, but it always brought me back to the same account. This was the result even thought I deleated the first add. What can I do to solve this problem?
P.S. Your information works!!! I signed up on all the free listing sites and got work the very next day. One account payed me over $700.00! Thanks again. Michael
Answer:
Hi Michael. Thanks for the compliments. I suspect you’re not logging out of the first account before creating the second account. I’ll get a video ready for you later today showing the process and email it over to you.
Comment
I just want to first thank you first for this in depth and informative ebook. I have always washed my car so I was just a little skeptible about starting a car wash because I am not sure I would be up to everyone else’s standards. This book gave me a blueprint to go by and giving me the confidence to believe that if I give it my all I can succeed. Thank you so much…
Mario T.
Perfect Shine of Orlando
Comment
The website looks great. Thanks.
Cal S.
CHS Auto Detailing
Question:
Hey Bob,
I have a detail business that I run on a very part time basis and I’m fine with that. My question on your ebooks and videos is can you teach on “old dog” new tricks. I would like to learn how to work less hard but produce the same results. I’m am not looking for how to get more business or market as I do ok as it is.
Thanks,
Mike
Answer:
Hi Mike.
I think there are some methods that would cut down your detail times significantly. Some of the subjects I cover:
1. How to clean and dress an engine without touching it.
2. How to completely wash and prep a car (wheels, wheel wells, door/trunk jambs) in just 5 minutes.
3. How to clean and shampoo an interior with just compressed air, all purpose cleaner, a painter’s brush, and a carpet scrubbing brush.
4. How to polish and wax a car in one step in 10 minutes.
If you’re not using a pressure washer or an air compressor, it would be worth reading my books and reviewing my videos. As you know, time is money.
Question:
Hey Bob,
I was just wondering what the best product/method would be for odor removal on a car that has had some rain seep in from the roof…? And also can you tell me the best way to clear old seat belts that look black due to being so grimy? Gary.
Answer:
Hi Gary. Until the headliner is dry and free of mold, the odor wont stop. The headliner needs to come out, the leak sealed, the headliner dried out, mold removed, then reinstalled.
Seatbelts are tough. They don’t clean well. Extend them to full length. Place a large alligator clip to keep them extended. Wash in a bucket of warm soapy water and scrub with a stiff carpet brush. Vacuum dry then air dry.
Comment
Thanks for the info Bob! We’re rocking East TN! Keep the great stuff coming; I really like the site and the info.
Kevin Cook
Parkway Detail Center
Question:
Hi Bob,
I recently purchased your car detailing business plan and look forward to launching a detailing business with my son-in-law. I had one question for you. Did you have insurance for your business? And if so, and suggestions as to what kind of policy to have? Much thanks!
Bill
Answer:
Hi Bill. Insurance is not necessary, but I do recommend it. What you need is called “garage keepers’ insurance”. Call your local insurance agencies who sell commercial insurance. Almost all garage keepers’ insurance policies have a deductable of $1000. So if you buff off the paint on a fender, or a hood, you’re probably paying cash for it. But once, I had an employee ruin the fuel injection system on a Ford Explorer. The repair was $1600, so I got $600 help from the insurance co. Garage keepers insurance should be about $500 a year.
Question:
Bob, I am currently a full time gov employee and want to start a part time mobile service. Is you offer good for this type of business? I need all of the help i can get. Detail schools are too far away, too expensive and take too much time away from my job. Thanks.
Johnnie
Tucson, AZ
Answer:
Hi Johnnie. Actually 90% of detail businesses are started on a part time basis. You can’t just start from day 1 with a full schedule. I created the online training system for people like you: the detailing schools are simply too much to invest in with no guarantee of success and too much of a time commitment. Tucson has an active Craigslist. If you posted an ad on Craigslist you could get a few jobs a week on weekends to fit your schedule.
Question:
You’re website has got me thinking, I can do this. I’m 29 years old and have been detailing cars for about 10 years and I now know I’ve been wasting time not starting a business. Thanks for the words, they helped. Adam
Answer:
Whether you use my ebook or not, I encourage you to start your own detailing business. It’s the only way to make real money in the detailing business. Post an ad on Craigslist. Detail your friends, families, neighbors cars. Get a few car dealers. In time, it will grow into something that can support a family. Join http://autopia.org as soon as possible.
Question:
Hey Bob,
Do you have any drawing of how to set up a van for detailing? Hector.
Answer:
Here’s a few pics of the van I sold 4 years ago.
Question:
Dear Bob thank you very much for your kind reply. I’m Nikhil from Mumbai India.I planning to start a car washing and detailing shop in Mumbai in next two months.So i dont wanna start blindly and will need all the expertise and business plan for the same. I’m realy eager to buy your book and video package. But is it possible for you to deliever it to India. Also is it worthy for the indian conditions. As Detailing is very new concept in India and i know it has great potential.So please tell me bout that. I have opted steam wash concept due to scarcity of water in MUMBAI. It would be appreciated if you could tell me more about steam wash. Also it would be nice if you could let me know where to buy chemicals like shapoos, waxes and other equipment. Do let me know.
Answer:
Hi Nikhil. We don’t actually ship a book. You download it digitally on your computer immediately after your order. Will detailing work in India? There are a lot of cars in Mumbai. I’m sure there are people who want to keep them clean. Where can you get shampoo, wax, and cleaners? In America, we buy them at our local auto parts stores. I assume, they sell these things at your auto parts stores in India.
Question:
Your training videos are incredible, and I have learned some great tips! What product is being misted onto the car for wax removal? I have “never” learned that trick!
Thank you,
Ivy
Answer:
Hi Ivy. The product misted on the car is Meguiars’ final inspection:
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-M3401-Final-Inspection-Gallon/dp/B0002SQW34?tag=amaz98-20
You can buy Final Inspection or any other “detailing spray” (they’re chemically 98% the same) from your local auto parts store. The purpose of detail sprays is to remove excess wax that causes you to see polisher trails, wax trails, and buffer trails. It evens out the wax on each panel, without actually removing the wax.
Question:
Bob: If I am the first in my area (small town) to start using your web site design for my co. will it be protected from future buyers of your program in my area?
DAN
Answer:
This very rarely happens, but when it does, we have an alternate version of the website for you.
Question:
Hey how are you doing bob I’m about to open a detail shop what do you think about using your Ideas I’m about to rent a local shop detail and carwash together I’m asking this because you said in your ideas the is for mobiel detail so can you tell me DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO WORK IN MY SHOP????
Sino
Answer:
Hi Sino. The ideas work the same at a shop. At a shop AND as a mobile detailer:
1. You need a website.
2. You need a systematic, structured cleaning routine.
3. You need resources for customers (relationships with other automotive businesses, relationships with car dealers, placement on Google, Yahoo, and Bing).
4. You need a Craigslist advertising strategy.
So yes, my books and videos are 100% useful for shops.
Question:
I purchased your information a little over a year ago and it has worked great for my craigslist ads. I noticed that the program has some new information and new craigslist ads. In order to get that information would i need to purchase the whole program again or do you make the new updates available to your old customers.
Jeff
Answer:
No need to buy the program again. I’ll send over the latest version.
Question:
Bob, In our area, I do a lot of every day driven pick-ups. Most of them are only frequently washed by their owners and will get detailed once a year. My question is on the truck beds. Did you just wash them, or did you was them, use a spray on wax or what. Thanks for all your tips.
Don
Answer:
Hi Donald.
I’ve washed out some nasty truck beds. Here’s the process:
1. Park the truck on a DECLINE (ie, cab higher than the bed).
2. Stand in the bed, wearing knee high boots and pressure wash from the front of the bed to the back. This may take up to 20 minutes. The pressure washer will break up and wash away bark, stones, dirt…even latex paint.
3. Wash the truck bed with a long handle washing brush like this: http://www.autodetailingwarehouse.com/deluxe-wash-brush-telescoping-handle-da1517.html
4. Pressure wash away soap suds.
5. While the bed is still WET, Liberally spray on Meguiars Hyper Dressing everywhere on the bed.
6. Allow to air dry 30 minutes.
7. Wipe up any puddles of dressing.
8. Bed will be dry and solid black with a nice, NON-GREASY dressing.
Do I buff/polish/wax the inner areas of the bed? Never. Only the outer areas of the bed.
Hopefully my books and vids have some shortcuts in there to get cut down your pickup detail times a few hours. I used to be able to do them in 6.5 man hours on average. Average charge was $275.
Comment:
Hi Bob. I just received your “How to Start a Car Detailing” course. Great stuff. Very informative.
Frank
Pro Car Mobile Detailing
Comment:
Thank you for this easy to learn process, it shows a much easier and less time consuming method to getting the job done. Thank you for such great info.
Jake
Question:
Hello Bob,
Thank you so much for the 62 Detailing steps as it was quite educating.
If it is not much to ask, i will appreciate it if i can get the cost of the e-books, the list of materials ( chemicals, brushes n rags) and equipments needed while bearing in mind that i am just starting this business( meaning i am still running solo) and will really like to make a difference.
My part of the world does not give me much and though the market is saturated, i still belief i can make a difference with all you have and will arm me with.
It is a pleasure coming across such a distinguished entrepreneur and hope to here from you soon and more often.
Thank you.
Lance
Answer:
Hi Lance. The cost of my course is $39…refundable if you don’t feel you got your money’s worth.
Don’t know where you are in the world, but in US dollars, your equipment cost will be $1500 to start. If you’re in a major city you can almost always buy the bulk of your equipment used (buffer/vacuum/compressor/pressure washer) and have a startup cost of $1000.
Question:
Hello Bob,
I was wondering what your thoughts are regarding steam cleaning.
Peter
Answer:
It’s a $1k investment and I don’t recommend it for starting detailers. It does a great job on delicate fabrics (ie, coffee stains on certain Jeep cloth seats) without having to get the seats too wet.
For cleaning of door panels, dashes, steering wheels, etc.: forget it…it takes too long. You can still clean those delicate fabrics by shampooing them. Just be sure to GET THE ENTIRE SEAT WET so you don’t get water rings when the seat dries out.
Comment:
Your guide to starting a detail business has been extremely helpful and a great resource for getting my business off the ground. Thank you for that.
James
California Reflection Mobile Detail
Question:
Hi Bob,
I have a detail set-up for Thursday Dec 1st. The guy wants me to remove some stickers off his wife’s Toyota 4 Runner. I guess it was her business car and so he wants me to remove the stickers off the car and off the back window. I have never done this before. Should I just try to use some spray on Goof Off? I don’t want to damage the paint with a razor scraper either. Please help me out. Thank you so much, have a great day!
Gary
Supershine Mobile Detailing
Answer:
Hi Gary. I’ve removed 100s of these stickers.
On the bumper/paint:
1. Heat (from a distance) with aheat gun.
2. Peel back with your fingers.
3. You will have sticker residue remaining, Remove with paint thinner (goof off is too weak).
Same process on the window, but you can use a razor to remove the sticker, then follow with paint thinner.