Professional detail supplies: how to stay organized

 

As the operator of a mobile detail unit, you must be prepared to work on a variety of cars every day. As soon as you turn the keys in your truck every morning, you will be completely alone. That truck needs to have everything it needs to get in, do a great job fast, and then get out, all without having to leave the workplace. What this means is that you will be carrying a large number of items, things that you will have to take out and use at various times during the day. The extra time it takes to find the perfect paint or the right type of sandpaper can really add up. In some cases, this additional time could equal the time it would take to do one more job in one day.

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Meticulous organization will always pay off in less time per job, and therefore more jobs per day. A mobile reconditioner could always use a mild case of obsessive compulsive disorder when it comes to keeping his truck in ideal working condition. The paint protectant exudes professionalism - they get in and out of the truck in an instant with the tool they need and the tool they will need next. Being hyper-organized can be fun and will definitely allow you to cut down on your detail time to the point where you detail more cars every day than you ever thought possible. Here are a few words of wisdom to help you keep all of your tools organized.

Inside the truck, it's more than just the driver's seat, it should feel ergonomic. Your shelves and toolboxes need to be organized to suit your unique overhaul method. Organize your shelves and tool holders with frequency of use in mind. Find the best arrangement and don't deviate from it. Over time, you will have a vision of what equipment you need to access at each stage of the detail. Most mobile reconditonators start with hard-hitting dirt fighting tactics: gross removal of build-up with high-pressure water. If you start by giving the car you're working on a full exterior wash, don't put your electric washer behind a bunch of toolboxes. This part is really quite simple. Ideally, you will be able to climb into the back of the truck, blindfolded, and find exactly what you need.

A common disadvantage of mobile retailers is that they do not have a reliable inventory system. As a retailer, you must be armed with enough paint of every color you may need. The same goes for your cleaning solvents. There's really only one way to make sure it's charged, and this is by checking the levels of what is working every day and then ordering the supply of any color or chemical that is below 3/4 full. The inventory system needs to be color-coded or similarly organized so you don't have to waste time unscrewing the tops of paint bottles or rooting through different drawers for the right-sized brush.