Topic: Decided to open my own "shop"
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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No engine rebuilds here though 
I've been thinking about doing this for the last year or so, and I finally decided that now is the time. Just beginning to get the word out, hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can be open for business by April 1st 
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LOL Bear is a Shepherd/Lab mix (I think, he's a shelter dog). He's very gentle but has a lot of "bark" and sometimes people are actually afraid of him 
I'm going to get a picture of him behind the wheel of the 'Vette for "gallery" section.
PSU 98 2007-03-13 13:10:24
I'm going to get a picture of him behind the wheel of the 'Vette for "gallery" section.
Hey, maybe I can pick-up and deliver your car Karen. Give me a day for the detail service and two weeks for the trip 
Good luck with the business. You're about 2 hours away from me, what kind of detailing are we talking about ?
If I wanted my engine compartment detail what would you do ? I'll be in Wilkes Barre next week for a day or two, maybe I'll stop by and say hello !
Lifetime MemberGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
Good Luck Stephen hope the business really takes off for you.
TUX...
TUX...
Ah, the engine compartment detail is a little touchy I'm going to assess it initially and be very careful when I offer it to people as an option. Too much chance of something under there getting wet and messed up, especially new cars and everything electronic; or, somebody has a catastrophic engine failure after a detail and attributes it to me 
If someone like yourself wants it done though, I'll still offer it. What I do for my cars is cover all the "delicate" parts (fuses, battery, PCM, etc.), spray the block with a good degreaser, wash the rest of the engine and underhood with soap and water, then rinse. Drying all standing water with a cotton towel and idling the engine with the hood closed afterwards helps too. Then dress all rubber and plastic pieces. When the engine has been neglected for awhile, a good cleaning can make a real impression.
PSU 98 2007-03-13 15:24:08
I'm going to assess it initially and be very careful when I offer it to people as an option. Too much chance of something under there getting wet and messed up, especially new cars and everything electronic; or, somebody has a catastrophic engine failure after a detail and attributes it to me If someone like yourself wants it done though, I'll still offer it. What I do for my cars is cover all the "delicate" parts (fuses, battery, PCM, etc.), spray the block with a good degreaser, wash the rest of the engine and underhood with soap and water, then rinse. Drying all standing water with a cotton towel and idling the engine with the hood closed afterwards helps too. Then dress all rubber and plastic pieces. When the engine has been neglected for awhile, a good cleaning can make a real impression.
As for detailing the exterior, I love it! 
I really like to see the condition of the paint before I go ahead and make recommendations. The services I offer are really just guidelines. For the serious car owner I don't want to offer a "cookie-cutter" detail. For example, a Porter-Cable machine polish can usually get rid of "fisheyes", fine scratches, and swirl marks, but it achieves that by cutting down your clear coat. Sometimes a good sealant (like the Zaino products I use) applied by hand will be enough to hide imperfections. Fortunately for me and my business, that sometimes takes a couple applications I love to talk about detailing with people who are passionate about making their cars look good.
I really like to see the condition of the paint before I go ahead and make recommendations. The services I offer are really just guidelines. For the serious car owner I don't want to offer a "cookie-cutter" detail. For example, a Porter-Cable machine polish can usually get rid of "fisheyes", fine scratches, and swirl marks, but it achieves that by cutting down your clear coat. Sometimes a good sealant (like the Zaino products I use) applied by hand will be enough to hide imperfections. Fortunately for me and my business, that sometimes takes a couple applications I love to talk about detailing with people who are passionate about making their cars look good.I had wanted to also offer powdercoating and metal polishing services but couldn't get that worked out. The "shop" is going to be housed in my personal garage for awhile until I see what kind of response I get in the area. Let me know if you're in the area warbird 
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
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Where in Pa are you. I may have to give you some business!!
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WOW !!! $99 for Claybar, Swirl removal, and polishing 
Man you need to raise those prices, thats like a $270 detail job out he in my area.
cilrah 2007-03-14 07:14:33
Man you need to raise those prices, thats like a $270 detail job out he in my area.
Good luck with the new business, my brother actually opened a detail shop in Connecticut but had to drop it due to too much business. He actually did not have time for it with the two jobs he already had.
MARK
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[QUOTE=LukesVette] Where in Pa are you. I may have to give you some business!![/QUOTE]
Where in Pa are you. I may have to give you some business!![/QUOTE]
Paul,
According to my Rand McNally it's on or near Rt. 61 north of Pottsville between Wilkes-Barre & Harrisburg (I-81) I estimate about 2 1/2 hours for you.
WOW! Good Luck! I have to tell you your prices are HALF of what they charge by me. Im sure you'll have carefull folks too. Last time(of first and last time) I used a detailer was for my Alfa SPider. 249.00 for the entire car but the motor comp, AND they tore off my wiper arm! Boy I wish you were in Cnetral NJ!!!!!
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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