Let me tell you about Mike. He started washing cars in our apartment parking lot with a $30 vacuum from Walmart. Today? He’s got a six-figure mobile detailing biz with 3 employees. The secret? He figured out people will pay stupid money to never visit a car wash again.
Why This Works So Damn Well
- Convenience crack: People hate waiting in line more than they hate spending money
- Guilt factor: That layer of pollen makes them feel like bad car owners
- Instant gratification: Nothing beats that “new car” feeling in 30 minutes
The Starter Kit That Fits in Your Trunk
Mike’s original setup (that still works today):
- The $19 hero: Chemical Guys waterless wash (cleans without a hose)
- Microfiber army: 20-pack from Costco ($15)
- Secret weapon: A $40 cordless vacuum (looks pro, fits anywhere)
- Profit booster: Tire shine gel ($8 bottle does 50+ cars)
How to Price Like You’ve Been Doing This For Years
Basic wash: $35
“Office Special” (interior vacuum + wipe down): $55
“Date Night Deluxe” (full interior/exterior + air freshener): $85
Real-World Example:
Sarah parks outside a Tesla service center every Friday. She does 15 “quick refreshes” at $40 each while owners wait for repairs. That’s $600 in one day working 9-2.
The Marketing Hack That Gets You First Clients
- Find the nicest cars in your complex/neighborhood
- Leave this note on the windshield:
“Your [BMW/Tesla/Range Rover] deserves better than automatic brushes!
First wash free – text [your number] to claim” - Knock it out of the park for those first 3 free washes
- Watch word-of-mouth do the rest
Upsells That Actually Work
- “Baby on Board” package: Extra sanitizing for parents ($20 add-on)
- “Dog Mode Special: Pet hair removal + odor bomb ($35)
- “Executive Express: While-they-work office parking lot service
When It Goes Wrong (And It Will)
- The “Oops I Dropped It”: Keep a bottle of quick detailer to fix your mistakes
- The Control Freak: Send before/after pics before touching anything
- The Never Satisfied: Have a “100% happy or it’s free” policy (you’ll rarely need it)
How to Scale Without Losing Your Mind
- Subscription model: “4 washes for $120” (gets you repeat biz)
- Commercial accounts: Hit up real estate agents with open house fleets
- The Hail Mary: Partner with a local body shop for referral kickbacks
Pro Tip Nobody Tells You
Buy black towels for interiors and white for exteriors. Mixing them causes swirl marks that make you look amateur.
Final Thought
The guy in my neighborhood making $12K/month detailing cars isn’t some detailing savant. He just shows up on time, doesn’t scratch rims, and texts customers when he’s done. That’s it. That’s the business.