Looking to start a HOG detailing business. What do I need besides customers?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 1,813
From: In a house
Originally Posted by MobileTechRX
These resources might be helpful for you starting out:
- Detailing Prices in LA county
- How to make your own business cards for car detailers -
- 7 Tips for a profitable auto detailing shop
- Car detailing prices in California
I hope this is helpful!
- Detailing Prices in LA county
- How to make your own business cards for car detailers -
- 7 Tips for a profitable auto detailing shop
- Car detailing prices in California
I hope this is helpful!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 3,411
From: Idaho Panhandle
Detailing a Harley can be quite difficult.
Its not the tins, or the engine, or the trim so much. But you need to do a good inspection of the forks and stock wheels before quoting. This is one area I'd pay extra to have done right. Even wire wheels can be easier than stock Harley cast wheels.
I'd do several bikes at a break even or loss to determine how to clean or talk to customers about forks and wheels.
Be careful with tire cleaners, like grease on treads.
Detailing is so much more than washing and drying. That is better done by two or three bikini babes. But a detail is serious business. All grease, carbon, oil, road dirt, tar, needs to be removed. Oxidation is the next step. Are you going to tackle that issue. It can be straight forward, but once a year it takes me over an hour to clean up both my stock wheels and reseal them. Stock had no protective coat.
I'd play with different bikes from EVOs to M8's until I have developed a routine for each model and year.
I detail mine once a year, then wash as required. Mines not a show bike, but a tourer. One thing I enjoy about detailing my own bike is checking all the fasteners. You need to be able to point out to any owner what might be loose on his bike. It's part of a detail service.
Good luck and with the right attitude, it should be fun.
Other guys have or will cover all the other bases.
Its not the tins, or the engine, or the trim so much. But you need to do a good inspection of the forks and stock wheels before quoting. This is one area I'd pay extra to have done right. Even wire wheels can be easier than stock Harley cast wheels.
I'd do several bikes at a break even or loss to determine how to clean or talk to customers about forks and wheels.
Be careful with tire cleaners, like grease on treads.
Detailing is so much more than washing and drying. That is better done by two or three bikini babes. But a detail is serious business. All grease, carbon, oil, road dirt, tar, needs to be removed. Oxidation is the next step. Are you going to tackle that issue. It can be straight forward, but once a year it takes me over an hour to clean up both my stock wheels and reseal them. Stock had no protective coat.
I'd play with different bikes from EVOs to M8's until I have developed a routine for each model and year.
I detail mine once a year, then wash as required. Mines not a show bike, but a tourer. One thing I enjoy about detailing my own bike is checking all the fasteners. You need to be able to point out to any owner what might be loose on his bike. It's part of a detail service.
Good luck and with the right attitude, it should be fun.
Other guys have or will cover all the other bases.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 3,411
From: Idaho Panhandle
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 35,239
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From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
^^^^ Op might be dead, the original post is from 2006..on another note, I want to add ,as an answer to the original question,
you need insurance and a bunch of disount coupons for all your customers who will bitch about scratches that were already there..toss them a "coopin" and they will STFU...
you need insurance and a bunch of disount coupons for all your customers who will bitch about scratches that were already there..toss them a "coopin" and they will STFU...
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