How To Start A Car Detailing Business In India!

Industry estimates peg the Indian car servicing industry anywhere between Rs. 20,000 to 30,000 Crore annually. The rapidly growing presence and the arrival of big car brands in India are driving the Indian car market towards becoming a world leader in the coming years.

• So, if you’re wishing to start a Business in the Automobile Sector, We say, it’s a Great Business Plan.
• As per the recent market trends, Car Detailing Business is one of the most promising & profitable businesses to start in India.
• Before we talk further about How to start up a Car Detailing Business, Let’s begin by understanding what Car Detailing actually is.

What Exactly is Car Detailing?

Well, many people think that Car washing and Car Detailing are one and the same thing. That’s where they go wrong. Detailing a Car goes beyond a normal Car wash. Car Detailing is an overall cleaning and polishing of the car to its minutest detail. Car Detailing involves detailed touch-ups to repair the Car’s paintwork and its overall look.

The aim of this is to restore the paintwork by eliminating scratches or swirl marks to make the car look almost brand new like it did when you first drove it out of the showroom.

Car Detailing is divided into two parts: Exterior Detailing and Interior Detailing.

1. Exterior Car Detailing

Exterior Car Detailing includes washing, degreasing, claying, Paint Correction (sanding, compounding, polishing), Paint Protection (Ceramic Coating, Wax, PPF, etc.), and more by using specialized tools, machines, and products. The different parts of the car (paint, windshield, tires, etc.) are detailed using a specific process and specialized products.

2. Interior Car Detailing

Interior Car Detailing is deep cleaning the interior parts of the car by vacuuming, brushing, steam cleaning, Leather conditioning, carpet cleaning, and finally applying some dressing to protect the surfaces.

In Brief, Car Detailing means giving the Car a total facelift to the extent that it looks as good as new.

Now, let’s come to our main topic, ‘How to start a Car detailing business in India?

Starting your own car detailing business can be a challenge. This is even more challenging in India because the industry is fairly new and complicated.

Well, no need to worry about it; here are the necessary steps to follow to get your business started.

Get Trained – Do a Professional Detailing Course:

Detailing isn’t an industry that requires you to have a four-year degree or any specific certification in order to get started. But in order to be a Successful Detailer, you do need to know techniques and methods, as well as the business side of the Industry.

Just like buying the best bat in the world won’t teach you how to play a cover drive, buying the best polishing machines is not sufficient if you want to bring a flawless finish to a car. You need to first learn the technique and then practice.

In India, Autofresh Detailing Academy is a Certified Car Detailing Training Institute. The chief trainer, Mr. Anckur Sama, has been an IDA Certified & Skills Verified detailer since 2008 and has been in the Auto Detailing industry for over 14 years. The courses offered are hands-on training courses meant to train budding detailers on the art and science of car detailing.

You can also explore this online course we have created which aims to give you an overview of the detailing industry, target audience, budgeting, studio layout, pricing of services, and other important topics you should know before deciding to enter the industry.

Practice to Improve and Become a Professional Detailer:

Just reading online articles or watching some internet videos is not really going to make you an excellent Car detailer unless you Practice and try it on your own. The best way to practice Car Detailing is with your own vehicle. You may also ask a neighbour or friend if they wish to get their Car details from you.  Ask them to give you an honest review of your work. This helps you to understand your grey areas and skills in Detailing. Work to eliminate any grey areas and develop your strengths further.

Even if you are not planning on detailing cars yourself and are looking to hire workers, you NEED to know the products, processes, and techniques.

Find a Good Location:

Unless you want to be a mobile detailer, you need a good location for a detailing studio. Make sure the location permits easy in-out of cars. You should also check for the drainage system, water TDS, electricity connection, etc., and make sure it’s suitable for detailing cars.

Invest in the Essentials Tools & Equipment:

It is an important step to know exactly where to invest and which products are necessary for your start-up Business. Of Course, it is possible to spend more if you wish to start out as a larger operation, but generally, it’s not an especially expensive industry to break into. Take some advice from an experienced detailer to know exactly which tools and products you should buy for a start-up Business.

To buy Detailing products at wholesale prices, visit our website Autofresh India. Our support team will help you choose products according to your needs.

Hire & Train Manpower:

Any business needs employees. Even if you are planning to work on cars yourself, you still need additional help to service more cars simultaneously. And don’t fret. YOU DON’T NECESSARILY NEED TRAINED MANPOWER. Yes, you don’t. Most trained workers have a set way of operating and are comfortable with older technologies. With the advent of next-gen Dual Action machines, detailing is very different than it was. Get trained, hire employees, train them, and set your own process that achieves desired results and delivers quality consistently.

Advertise your Detailing Business: 

Show your work on social media. We can’t stress this enough. Consumer awareness about car detailing is very low in India. Educate them on the processes you follow and why they need your services.

If you are able to deliver quality and create trust, you don’t just have a customer for life but you will reap the benefits of word-of-mouth publicity too. You should actually list your business on Google and request Google reviews from customers.

You can also promote your services with seasonal discounts and offers.

Grow More When You’re Doing Well:  As your business grows, you might find it beneficial to make some further investments.  You may want to expand your business area so that you can work on more cars. You may also want to hire more team members to expand your operations. You may consider offering pick-up – and drop-off facilities as well.

Also, you should create your own website with “Call to action” buttons to generate more leads.

GOLDEN ADVICE: Acquiring new customers is always more expensive than retaining existing customers.

80% of a detailing studio’s sales come from existing customers coming back. So, focus on providing good service to the customer. Don’t cut corners; use good products. And ALWAYS inspect the car properly before delivery.

In Conclusion: Now that you know how to start a Car Detailing Business, we still recommend starting a Business after getting proper Training as it requires Professional Detailing Skills. Take the recommendation of a professional detailer or products supplier to guide you on which necessary equipment you may need for starting. Look for a good serviceable location to set up the studio. Once you are done with the Business setup, promote your Business to attract more customers.  Marketing will offer you the reward of more customers and more profit, and it will far outweigh the cost of what you put into the Business.

Want to join our Autofresh Detailing Academy to become a Certified Detailer or still have any questions about starting your Car Detailing Business? Reach out to us: Email: trainings@autofresh.in / Call: +91 9924004567

*Franchise opportunity:

We understand that starting a completely new business on your own can be overwhelming. Especially in an industry that is so technical, you may require more support and marketing help. So, we recommend you explore Franchise options in this field. Look for a reputable brand. In India, CarzSpa is one of the biggest brands you can consider partnering with.