I think I found a way to make extra $$

[deevergote]

I wish I enjoyed washing cars, or working on them. It really is a great way to make money on the side! And the best part is, you can be picky about what you choose to clean or repair, so if a job is a pain in the ass (or a liability... I wouldn't want to touch a Ferrari!) you can turn it away!

[toycar]

Op;

Nice hustle!!!




Another easy hustle for a car guy is powder coating, ceramic coating, bead/sand blasting, texturizing finishes and re-working old desired car parts.


I could give some elaborate examples/pics, but this isnt my thread. Just thought I would offer up another suggestion for anyone feeling inspired. Getting started on anything above I mentioned is fairly inexpensive, and you would want these tools anyways if you are into custom car shit.


Ive got around two grand invested in basic setup(s), accumulated over time- and I hustle compressor housing, BOV's, valve covers, charge pipes, OEM brackets, manifolds, suspension parts and the like all day every day. I've always got something in my shop to tool around with and the pay is excellent if you can do quality work. Its pretty easy to strip something and refinish it with nice hardware and quality paint.

Bonus;

Anytime I want to do something for myself, I usually already have the materials from some other side job so the cost is minimal.

Im going to be buying a hydrographics/water transfer setup next.

[cloudasc]

The bead/sand blasting, and powder coating stuff would definately be handy, and quite profitable too, plus easier. Detailing the interior of a car can be quite time consuming, and back-breaking.

@ Quashish
Dam thats pretty bad; my wifes car is trashed, not as disgusting as that, but close, and I get to look forward to cleaning her car soon, as its the only car my mother will be able to drive when she comes to visit in a month. The carpet is so stained, I am probably going to be forced to remove the front seats, yank it completely out of the car, and do the bathtub & tide w/vinegar method, and even then I have my doubts that I can get it looking good again.

For the detailers out there, what product(s) and/or method do you recommend to clean upholstery?

Has anyone steam cleaned a car interior before? How did it work?

[SilverShadow]

If I'm cheap..I go to the drive through. If I have some time and a little money..I go to a car wash and let them wash it and get the inside vacuumed. Now if I want detailing, I will fork over 100+ and they better wash it wax it and do a job on the interior too. The word detail in my opinion means they get into detail:not wash and dry and a cardboard smelly thing. I paid 100 for a wax at local car wash on the wagon that I'm sure had never seen wax. It turned out fabulous. They also washed and cleaned the interior! Do it completely and right (look for a handheld vacuum/steam cleaner for the interior like a hoover steam vac with upholstery attachment)...folks will pay the fee for their "Baby" to look awesome. That is what people want when they envision "Detail"

[MikeW]

Where I work (dealership) we charge 45 for a full EXT detail. Wash, dry, wax, windows, etc etc. Full INT detail will run you close to $100 and a Full INT/EXT detail runs you about $135.

There's a legitimate detail shop right down the road that buffs and waxes and takes ALL day..they quoted me $125 for my car, so...we're ripping someone off somewhere.

I, too, would be careful doing it off work hours but on the same point, a lot of the guys here work on people's cars at their own homes/shops. And, yes, some of them are our customers. How they get away with it, IDK, but they do.

Depending on your area and local prices, Id adjust accordingly, but also, maybe, have like a "Heavy-Duty" package for instances like above where it's REALLY gross. Or if someone has a big, muddy truck or something.

[crazymikey]

If I'm cheap..I go to the drive through. If I have some time and a little money..I go to a car wash and let them wash it and get the inside vacuumed. Now if I want detailing, I will fork over 100+ and they better wash it wax it and do a job on the interior too. The word detail in my opinion means they get into detail:not wash and dry and a cardboard smelly thing. I paid 100 for a wax at local car wash on the wagon that I'm sure had never seen wax. It turned out fabulous. They also washed and cleaned the interior! Do it completely and right (look for a handheld vacuum/steam cleaner for the interior like a hoover steam vac with upholstery attachment)...folks will pay the fee for their "Baby" to look awesome. That is what people want when they envision "Detail"

When I detail, I DETAIL.

I'm so picky about my work, and I treat the customer vehicle as my own. If I'm not happy with it, they won't be.

I do everything in my power to restore the appearance of a vehicle. That's what the word "detail" is all about to me....the details.

I wash a car, wax it, try and polish out any scuffs and scratches and if I have a paint pen available, touch up stone chips etc. I clean the glass in and out, clean the wheels by hand, clean the inner fenders, door jambs, trunk & under hood. I dry it to a water spot free finish.

Inside, I vacuum and scrub carpets and seats, wipe down all surfaces, remove stains, clean out accumulated crap and clean out door pockets/storage compartments. I spend HOURS on interiors.

I keep my car super clean inside, and it still takes me about an hour just to vacuum, wipe down and clean it out weekly/biweekly.

Under the hood, I pressure wash it with degreaser and then clean the rest by hand.

I take my time and I spend hours working to as near to perfection as I can get.

[CB7 R3ason]

i just got my car detailed two weekends ago it was 70 just for the exterior 140 for both..