What will I be doing?

An auto detail service professionally cleans, washes, waxes and maintains the interior and exterior surfaces of cars, trucks, RVs and other vehicles. There are more than 12,000 full-time auto detail services in the U.S. with thousands of them operated from homes and garages. This is a business you’ll either love or hate. If you enjoy cars and enjoy making them look their best, you’ll love this job. Otherwise, they couldn’t pay you enough to do it. It’s hard work.

What will I need to start?

To start an auto detailing service, all you really need is some time. You can begin by offering to wash and clean cars at a local car lot for an hourly rate or priced per car—on-the-job self-training. If you already have experience waxing and cleaning cars, you can apply this knowledge to your new business. If you know something about automotive paints and touchup, all the better.

Equipment is minimal. You can buy a power buffer later. For now, purchase quality wash, wax and interior cleaning products. Use a washing bucket to hold everything. You’ll soon learn which products work best for you at the least cost. Once learned, you can buy your products at wholesale or quantity prices.

Who will my customers be?

Your customers will include new car owners, classic car owners, new and used car dealers, trailer and motorhome owners and dealers, boat owners and dealers, and just about anyone who owns a vehicle and cares about its appearance. You can specialize or work with a variety of vehicles.

How can you find customers? Place a small ad in the automotive section of a local newspaper. Prepare a flier about your services and distribute it in parking lots, to car dealers and post it on bulletin boards.