Detailing side job

So ive come to really enjoy detailing (exterior only) and am considering doing it as a side job in the evenings/weekends. Just curious to see what would all be needed? Would you upgrade from a GG6 to say a G21 or even a rupes? Definitely a wide assortment of pads, compounds, polishes etc. Trying to get an idea if I just wanna do for hobby or actually make it a legit consistent side job. I know there are a lot of detailers on the forums and wanna pick their brains

 

I do detailing as a side hustle, and take care of the cars in my family. The average daily driver is owned by a person who wants 'clean, shiny and protected'....easily achieved with a GG6. I did just get a G8 last Christmas, because a 3 inch polisher comes in handy. You can achieve excellent results with an AIO (All in one), that cleans, polishes and protects, and will take care of some light scratches/imperfections. I've really come to like Blackfire AIO for this, as well as 3D Speed (fka HD Speed). Combine either of these with a polishing or light cutting pad and you can make most people very happy. You will lose your mind sorting through all of the products out there.

I'm now offering a 'no frills' package...wash/clay/Griots 3 in 1. Works very well for a lot of people...low cost, good protection. Start small, under promise and over deliver.

 

Thanks for the info @briarpatch ! Can definitely easily get lost in all the different products out there. I would like to get a G21 or even a G15 eventually.

I like your no frills package, that's pretty sweet and definitely under promise and over achieve. Thanks for the info

 

No worries....lots of options out there. Unless you are doing a lot of correction, a long throw is not necessary. I'm a big fan of the Griots BOSS pads......get the 5" conversion kit...then go out on Autogeek...they have mix and match 6-packs of pads at a very good savings. Pick up a grey finishing pad, two orange cutting pads and three yellow polishing pads to get started. I just came up with the 'no frills' package for a friend who was turning in a leased vehicle and wanted it cleaned up. Griots 3 in 1 is the real deal.

 

I’ve considered it, but feel like it would take the enjoyment out of it.

I’d say 99% of people are going to be thrilled with the results from what you already have. You get to a point of diminishing returns pretty quickly. Almost no one is going to be able to tell the difference between what you’d get from the GG6 vs a more expensive buffer.

The most common advice I hear amongst professional detailers is to work with the customer’s expectations, not your own. You’ll kill yourself chasing perfection that won’t even be noticed. I like high end stuff and expensive toys as much as anyone, but it’d be a whole different story if I was doing it professionally.
I’ve rarely been 100% satisfied with the work I’ve done on someone else’s vehicle. All of them have told me I was crazy and they couldn’t even see what I was bothered by.

@briarpatch ’s no frills package is going to be more than good enough for pretty much anyone.

 

I actually thought about that too. I enjoy detailing so much, that once it becomes a job, it will no longer be fun and I don't want that. It definitely wouldn't be my one and only job, more a hobby to make some side cash.

I 100% believe you with the expectations. I can do a full detailing on my truck, walk away, come back and notice this little thing or that and spend another couple hours chasing down minute details that most probably wouldn't see or care about... Good thing to keep in mind. We shall see though, I'm waiting to get my new shop built before I consider a detailing side job

 

This is spot on. The no frills package will work for most cars out there and they will look great. You don’t need a rupes machine to get most jobs done. If light correction is necessary then a aio will do the trick most the time. Boss pads or lake pads done and done. I’ve been using 3-1 as a top coat after a aio and eraser wipe down it’s been bad ass.

 

Bro I do it on the side and have not had it take away from the enjoyment but I am picky about the cars I do. The pros are it allows you to always purchase products when you need them which is very nice. I really enjoy using the best products out there and coming up with my routines. I don’t try out a lot of new products anymore I like what I like and give something new a try if I feel it will be worth it. The guys on this thread know there stuff.

 

Plus on the other thread I see mentions of lake pads and shine supply products so that tells me your on the right track. Nice rv btw