Topic: Decided to open my own "shop"
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
What...no link to C3VR?!?!? Shame on u! 
Good luck with your new venture!
Just remember, tho...us Classic car guys are purdy dang picky!!!
Good luck with your new venture!
Just remember, tho...us Classic car guys are purdy dang picky!!!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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Prices are pretty low I guess, I don't really expect to have too much "high end" business since there aren't many "high end" cars around here. Just need to build a customer base and see what kind of volume I get initially. I'm counting on a lot of daily driver, $49 wash/wax jobs. Add $20 for an interior detail and that's a $70 total. But like they say -- "all prices subject to change without notice" 
Yes, I am about an hour south of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, an hour west of Allentown/Bethlehem, and less than an hour north of Reading PA. There is a Google maps link somewhere on the page.
Thanks for all the words of encourgement! I can take constructive criticism too 
Lifetime MemberGrand Blanc, MI - USA
Joined: 8/7/2002
Posts: 544
Vette(s): 1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.
Congrats. Hope all goes well for you. So, on a '79 Vette, what are the things you suggest covering in the engine bay and how do you cover them to protect against water damage? I'm assuming you never "wet" the engine when it is running. Too many chances for arcing!
I don't think there's too much to worry about on an older 'Vette... you just obviously shouldn't get any water directly into the alternator, the intake, or any electric components. On newer cars plastic wrap or grocery bags work fine for covering up sensitive pieces. I NEVER use a pressure washer or a steamer, just a regular adjustable garden hose nozzle with a light setting like "spray" or "shower". Spray the block and parts down with a degreaser or cleaner like 303 or Simple Green (they have this 'Purple Power' stuff at the local hardware store I'm going to try soon) -- even Dawn dish detergent diluted in water is a great degreaser. I clean the engine when it's not running and when I'm finished I just take care of the excess water lying around in there and then idle the car to clear the belts, keeping the hood down gets it hot under there and most of the water will just evaporate. Also I don't use any real "shiny" products (like Armor All) to dress engine parts, on an older car I think it just looks cheesy 
PSU 98 2007-03-14 11:21:21
Good luck on your new venture.
dwright 2007-03-15 09:43:21
Plan on giving it a year to get going and establish the customer base, word of mouth advertizing. You might want to offer your customers a referal prize. Free wash for every customer they recommend that purchases a service. Or something similar.
I'm curious why you picked the name of the business when the main service is detailing cars?
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[QUOTE=dwright]Good luck on your new venture.
The story behind the name -- when I "remodeled" my garage I wanted to add something to make it stand out. I had a couple metal signs lying around but I didn't want to make it look cheesy. I thought about painting a mural or even puttting a billboard on the side. I settled on a basic metal street sign over my door that I found at Carlisle, "Horsepower Alley." Seemed fitting since I live on a dead-end side street, and I've got all this horsepower hiding inside 
So when I decided to open for business, I thought not only would it be a cool name, it also would be easy for people to find me and recognize the place.PSU 98 2007-03-15 12:05:22
I'm curious why you picked the name of the business when the main service is detailing cars?[/QUOTE]
The story behind the name -- when I "remodeled" my garage I wanted to add something to make it stand out. I had a couple metal signs lying around but I didn't want to make it look cheesy. I thought about painting a mural or even puttting a billboard on the side. I settled on a basic metal street sign over my door that I found at Carlisle, "Horsepower Alley." Seemed fitting since I live on a dead-end side street, and I've got all this horsepower hiding inside So when I decided to open for business, I thought not only would it be a cool name, it also would be easy for people to find me and recognize the place.20111115155328r.jpg)
Best wishes with the business venture. Being a car person yourself is one of your best forms of advertisement to generate business. Now all your trips to car shows and events can be a business expense. Just past out cards or display a little sign.
Lifetime MemberDeBerry, TX - USA
Joined: 2/27/2002
Posts: 1006
Vette(s): 1971 383 Stroker- mille miglia red...5 speed
Now, if we could jus' git Joel to open his own business... yeah, I know it's a long way from Pa., but y'all got enough up there!
I know the voices aren't real, but they have some pretty cool ideas... 
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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