Car detailing is a real hot topic right now, with detailer channels on platforms like YouTube blowing up with new fans and subscribers. How many generations of parents have been waiting for their kids to be so into the idea of cleaning the car?
In fact, the burgeoning interest in detailing is both amateur and professional. Starting up a car detailing business has become the dream of many young entrepreneurs who are looking for profitable enterprises to get their careers off the ground. But whether you’re aiming to be a professional detailer or just a much better amateur one, what steps can you take to become better?
Tip 1: Invest in Quality Products
The first thing you have to do is find the best car detailing products. There’s a lot of tools out there: buckets, washing mitts, car shampoos, microfiber cloths, squeegees, synthetic car waxes, paint correction kits, and so much more. It’s an entire industry unto itself, truly. Investing in quality tools that are durable, non-abrasive and effective is firstly important. Next, you want to get cleaning agents, car shampoos, upholstery conditioners, waxes and other products that suit your customer base.
The smarter you invest your money in the right gear, the easier it will be to do a better job to a much higher and more professional standard.
Tip 2: Watch the Pros Online
Like in any industry, it’s good to pick up tips and tricks from the pros, and the best thing about doing this in 2021 is that you can watch the pros from the comfort of your own home. There’s no need to attend grand conferences or listen to seminars, you can learn about new techniques, new products, and new ways to get the job done from the many skilled professionals who share their know-how online.
YouTube is a good place to start, but you might also find good advice on other social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Video media is always best though because you can see and hear the information first-hand. Therefore, don’t rule-out short-video media like Tik-Tok.
Tip 3: Work Smarter, not Harder
Detailing can and does take longer than a regular car wash. It’s part of the reason why professional detailing services cost more. Having said that, the best detailers find ways to get the same results in a more efficient way. So long as you’re getting the right quality, the time factor is actually irrelevant. While you’re familiarising yourself with industry pros and their latest tactics online, you can pay special attention to tips and techniques that help you to detail in a smarter and more efficient way.
Tip 4: Rinse, then Wash
This deceptively simple trick is one that many amateur detailers miss. Before you start your detailing job, rinsing the car with a power washer, hose or just any clean water you can get your hands on is essential. Why? It removes the top layer of dust and dirt that’s just sitting there on the paint and has been for a while. Getting rid of that reduces the risk of micro-scratches when you start cleaning with your shampoos and other products.
Tip 5: Use a Mitt, not a Sponge
Sponges are ok for amateurs, but if you want to detail more like a pro, there’s no substitute for a microfiber mitt. Sponges have larger pores in which dust, dirt and grit can get more embedded and are much more difficult to remove. You can much more easily rinse all of that off a microfiber mitt, which means it stays cleaner and better for longer.
