Why Regular Detailing Isn’t Just for Car Lovers

You’ve just picked up your new car. The paint is flawless, the shine is dazzling, and you want it to stay that way for years. We get it—every new car owner wonders about the best way to protect that showroom finish.

Want your car to look and feel brand new again? We’ve got you covered. At JLK Detailing, we bring professional car care right to your home or office.

Have you ever wished for long-lasting protection that makes your car easier to clean and maintain? Ceramic coating services in Irvine and car detailing services in Lake Forest are the perfect solutions.

Get top-quality interior detail services in Lake Forest with JLK Detailing. We deep clean, remove stains, and restore your car’s interior for a fresh, like-new feel. Book now!

Table Of Contents: 1. Start With a Business Plan 2. Start Gathering Your Equipment 3. Detail Rig 4.Obtain Necessary Licenses & Insurance 5. Free Marketing 1. Start With a Business Plan Choose Your Services – Decide if you’ll offer basic washes, interior detailing, waxing, ceramic coating, etc. Target Market – Identify your ideal customers (e.g., busy professionals, fleet owners, or car enthusiasts). Pricing Strategy – look up other detailers in your area, try not to be at the lower end of pricing, but at the same time you can't exactly charge top tier pricing when first starting out. when I first started out I priced my packages right in the middle compared to other detailers, as your skill level starts to improve you can always adjust your prices on an annual basis. * bonus tip , detailing is a physically demanding job, it's key to stay fit and healthy. I recommend starting a regular stretching routine focused on staying limber in your lower back and hamstrings, I come from a physical therapy background, and you'll drastically decrease the chance of injury if you stay flexible ;) 2. start gathering your equipment You don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with the basics and upgrade as you grow. chances are if you're wanting to start a mobile detailing business, you probably already have some detailing supplies of your own. its ok to start with that, here's a list of supplies for just starting out Basic Equipment (~$300-$600) -Buckets, microfiber towels, wash mitts, and drying towels -Car wash soap, wax, tire shine, and interior cleaner -Portable vacuum, bigger isn't always better, when I was first vacuum shopping, I wanted the biggest vacuum I could find, I went with the 10 gallon ridgid shop vac, it turns out I didn't need that power, not only did it take up way too much space in my already packed van, it was pain in the but taking that behemoth of a shop vac in and out of the van, that vacuum now collects dust in the corner of my garage. I ended up buying the 4 gal RIDGID WET DRY VACUUM and never looked back, its super compact and light weight, and the suction is powerful enough for any detailing job. -Spray bottles and detailing brushes -Waterless wash solution (if you don’t have a water tank) -pressure washer and garden hose -most of these supplies can be purchased at home depot or your nearest detail store, you can also find everything you need on Amazon, I'll include a link at the end of the blog of the tools that I currently use in both of my detailing vans Mid-Tier Equipment (~$1,000-$3,000) Pressure washer and foam cannon Generator, " gas, Inverter or battery" Steam cleaner for deep interior cleaning Dual-action polisher for paint correction water tank, I would recommend at least 40 gal and at most 100 gal, remember a gal of water weighs 8lbs, so double check the weight capacity of the whichever vehicle you choose to outfit. heated carpet extractor MYTEE S300H this mytee s300h is hands down the best extractor that I've used so. The heating element only takes a couple minutes to heat up, great suction power, the 1gal tank capacity reduces the amount of refills that you would normally have to deal with other brands, it compact and only weighs 26 lbs. I own 3 and extremely satisfied with all 3. 3. Detail Rig Use your personal car, SUV, or small van. You don't have to drop 30k-40K on a new van to start detailing Organize supplies for easy access. Use a foldable table for product setup. build or purchase shelving for optimal organization and optimization of space 4. Obtain Necessary Licenses & Insurance Check local business licensing requirements. Get general liability insurance (~$30–$50/month). Create a simple business structure (LLC or sole proprietorship). Open a free Business checking account at your bank 5. Free Marketing Social Media: Use Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to showcase before-and-after pictures, you can start posting on your personal accounts, but you eventually want to create separate accounts with your business name, this will help you create your own brand Google My Business: Set up a free profile to appear in local searches. Creating a google my business page should be 1st on you list. this will help potential clients find you within your city limits, google my business is also where you want clients to leave reviews! Word-of-Mouth & Referrals: Offer discounts for referrals. Business Cards & Flyers: after every detail I suggest passing out door hangers 10-15 houses to the left and right of the location that you're at, it only take 10-15 min tops Bonus Tip #2 Start ASAP, don't overthink the process, make a small list of to do's everyday to push you closer to your goals. keep your list small 3-5 things. people try get everything done at once. Starting a business is a long term game, stay consistent and patient check out the tools I use everyday to run my detailing business, I'll have a direct link below let me know about other topics that you would want me to talk about in the comments. if you have any questions about how to start and run a successful mobile detailing business feel free to email me at lenny@jlkdetailing.com

At JLK Detailing, we specialize in Ceramic Coating Services in Irvine and are passionate about making your car look and feel its best.

Looking for the best car wash in Irvine, CA? At JLK Detailing, we believe that a car wash should be more than just a quick rinse.

At JLK Detailing, we’ve seen first-hand how ceramic coating can transform a car’s look while offering long-term protection against the elements.

With professional classic cars detailing, you can protect your investment and keep your car looking spectacular for years to come.