What to buy for hand wash and wax business

[minigearhead]

I am planning to start a hand wash and waxing business next summer. I will work on cars for about an hour each and charge around 30-35$. I think this is a fair price for what I am doing, especially considering that i am a novice. I care about cars though, so want to make each car look good. What products should I buy ( total cost not exceeding about 65-75$)?
I might get into detailing but for now, I will stick to washing and waxing.

[rjd598]

so you want a complete wash and wax kit essentially for maximum $75 bucks? sounds like meguiars will be your friend but dont forget you'll need the proper tools as well (i.e. buckets, grit guards, wash tools, brushes, etc.)

[studntloan]

if thats all your charging it will cost you more in supplies then you will make, also, where do you plan on doing it, check out autofinesse products, there working on commercial size products

[gatorfast]

I think OP is just a 13yo kid. Go for some typical auto store products like Meguairs and you should be good to go. Good luck!

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

I think OP is just a 13yo kid. Go for some typical auto store products like Meguairs and you should be good to go. Good luck!

Yes. I am 13. I have buckets , I need microfiber towels and I want a semi high quality wax. I am thinking auto finesse but I need to know what I need to buy to prep the car for waxing after I wash it. Can someone tell me what else I need? Also, what is your opinion on no. 7 polishes? They seem to work nicely on the m3 and only cost about 8$ a tub.
Should I bother with clay bars?
I also have materials to wash the car but not much equipment.

[Martin_D]

Wash
Clay
Polish
Wax

This way you are actually doing something to the car. If you just wash and wax the car, you will be waxing dirt.

-Martin

[ottoblotto]

You have a lot of research ahead of you. If you want someone to trust you with their car, you have to know what youre doing. Even a quick wash can swirl/scratch paint and you dont want that. Imagine you (or your pops) having to pay for a paintjob on a door or hood... Read below, some of the better places to find info. I wish you luck on your venture, young entrepenuer...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/
http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/detailers-domain/
http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/detailing-car.php
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27
http://web-cars.com/detail/
http://www.ehow.com/how_2212871_get-...equipment.html

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by Alex@dirtywerkz

if thats all your charging it will cost you more in supplies then you will make, also, where do you plan on doing it, check out autofinesse products, there working on commercial size products

How much do you think I should charge?

[Templar]

Yea, agree with the others. If you're going to get into it, start with full detailings. Do research, and test it out on a test vehicle (as I call them, like my girlfriend's Chevy Malibu or my F-150, lol). Of course, the methods will be a little different on each car because the paint on each car is different, but you'll get some experience and you'll learn the basics.

If you really just want to wash cars, look up some methods to minimize swirling as much as possible. You'll need two buckets with grit guards in the bottoms and a couple of very nice wash mitts (I use one for the lower parts of the cars where the majority of road grime is and a different one on the upper half so I don't spread as much gunk around). Plenty of good MF towels to dry (they sell large ones that are specially made for drying) OR invest in a leaf blower or air force master blaster things to dry the car without touching (always a good thing).

As far as car shampoo and wax goes, don't skimp. You'll need some good stuff. I recommend Auto Finesse's Citrus Power to remove bugs and some light road grime. This can be used before you even touch the car. Spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then use the hose or pressure washer and spray it off. A lot of bugs and stuff just come right off. When washing, I really liked Chemical Guys Citrus Wash, but I just ran out and am looking for something else to try.

For wax, I have always been a fan of P21S, but have been using sealants more and more lately. Auto Finesse's Tough Coat pretty much can't be beat!

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

You have a lot of research ahead of you. If you want someone to trust you with their car, you have to know what youre doing. Even a quick wash can swirl/scratch paint and you dont want that. Imagine you (or your pops) having to pay for a paintjob on a door or hood... Read below, some of the better places to find info. I wish you luck on your venture, young entrepenuer...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/
http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/detailers-domain/
http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/detailing-car.php
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27
http://web-cars.com/detail/
http://www.ehow.com/how_2212871_get-...equipment.html

Thx
This is very helpful

[MikeE92M3]

so you are 13 and your signature says you bought an M3? hm...

[SamS]

You are going to need to invest a lot more than $75 to get a wash/wax service started.

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by MikeE92M3

so you are 13 and your signature says you bought an M3? hm...

I meant we, dad and I.
U haven't seen me on the forum yet? I've been on for a few months...

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by SamS

You are going to need to invest a lot more than $75 to get a wash/wax service started.

How much are you thinking?
It will be a small one, 3 or 4 cars a week...
Again, what do you guys think of #7 waxes?

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by minigearhead

How much are you thinking?
It will be a small one, 3 or 4 cars a week...
Again, what do you guys think of #7 waxes?

At least a $100. Write out a list of what you need and what you have and go from there

[SamS]

Originally Posted by rjd598

At least a $100. Write out a list of what you need and what you have and go from there

Yep.

Are you going to do this from your house? Do you plan on getting a business license, paying taxes, etc?

Not trying to discourage you, just trying to set realistic expectations.

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by SamS

Yep.

Are you going to do this from your house? Do you plan on getting a business license, paying taxes, etc?

Not trying to discourage you, just trying to set realistic expectations.

it will mostly be my neighbors cars in the hamptons. the money will go in a bank account and will be taxed. I will be doing from my house. just a small job for the summer

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by Martin_D

Wash
Clay
Polish
Wax

This way you are actually doing something to the car. If you just wash and wax the car, you will be waxing dirt.

-Martin

any autofinesse products you reccomend if i will spend about 100$?

[Martin_D]

Lather - Car Wash
Citrus Power - Bug Remover
Tripple - All in One Polish
Tough Coat Paint Sealant

Tomorrow I am starting a 20% off sale so order more and take advantage of the sale

http://www.autofinesse.us/the-store/

code: iloveautofinesse

[minigearhead]

Originally Posted by Martin_D

Lather - Car Wash
Citrus Power - Bug Remover
Tripple - All in One Polish
Tough Coat Paint Sealant

Tomorrow I am starting a 20% off sale so order more and take advantage of the sale

http://www.autofinesse.us/the-store/

code: iloveautofinesse

How long will the sale last?

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by minigearhead

How long will the sale last?

All of August but don't waste your time order now! Af line has some really amazing products