Working calculators
Polishing Cut Level SelectorPick the right compound aggressiveness for your paint condition. Ceramic Coating ROI CalculatorWhether a ceramic coating actually saves money vs traditional sealants and waxes.Strategy & business articles
Pricing detailing by vehicle class: why one menu loses money on both endsCharging $200 for a Civic and $200 for a Tahoe means losing money on one of them. The vehicle-class pricing matrix that captures real margins and stops the race to the bottom. The effective hourly rate audit: what your $200 detail actually paysTravel time, setup, breakdown, materials, depreciation. A $200 detail with 1-hour drive each way and $35 in materials pays $14.30/hour. The audit framework that exposes where the leak is. The ceramic coating margin model: where the real money livesCeramic is the only service in detailing that lets a solo operator clear $80-150/hour. The pricing, packaging, and operational specifics that make it work. B2B and fleet contracts: where consistent detailing revenue actually livesDealership prep contracts, vacation rental returns, corporate fleets, real-estate vehicle staging. Each pays differently, signs differently, and has different blind spots. The honest playbook. Solo to crew: when to hire your first detailer (and what role)Most detailers hire too early or too late. The financial threshold, the readiness signals, and what role to actually hire first ā not the manager you don't need yet. Mobile vs shop: the honest economics most operators get wrongMobile saves overhead but caps revenue per day. A shop adds 30-40% to gross margins via add-on traffic. The financial model that exposes which path fits your market.Advisory
Strategic conversations for detailing operators
Frameworks for operators in detailing and adjacent service-business niches ā vehicle-class pricing, effective hourly rate audits, ceramic margin model, B2B fleet contracts, mobile vs shop economics. If something on this site resonated, reach out on LinkedIn.
Plain note about money: Some product links are affiliate (eBay Partner Network). Small commission on purchases. Doesn't change your price. The math comes from real hands-on time, not marketing.
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Gear actually worth buying
Smart eBay searches we'd start with ourselves. We earn a small commission on qualifying sales through these links; the price you pay is the same whether you use them or go direct to eBay. Full disclosure.
Dual-action (DA) polisherA DA polisher cuts correction time from hours to minutes and is nearly impossible to burn paint with. Entry point: Porter-Cable 7424 or Griots.
Clay bar decon kitClay removes bonded contamination that washing misses. Use before any polish or coating application.
Foam cannon (pressure washer)A foam cannon pre-soaks the car and lubricates dirt before contact washing. Saves paint and time.
Microfiber towels (bulk pack)Detailing burns through microfibers. 30-50 pack of 16Ć16 300gsm towels handles a full detail session.
Ceramic spray coatingSpray ceramics like Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic give 6-12 months of hydrophobic protection with one application.