Car detailing service

[Reborncarcare]

Yes do some research. Also clarify what you mean by car detailing as some here think it is a 150-300 Baht deal and others are talking about expensive imported auto cosmetics. What for example would be the range of services and approximate costs?

will like to ask what kind of service they providing for just 150-300 Baht? if i'm not wrong 150-300 baht is those what we call quick shine in singapore. which is just wash, cray, wax and vacuum.

Currently i have no idea how many they are charging for a full comprehensive meaning to say removing of water marks, swirl marks and coating for exterior and leather cleaning vacuuming glass cleaning for interior.

what is the common product we can find in chiang mai?

Perhaps you should check into the Automotive Forum on TV.

Mind to share those forum?

[true blue]

propaly find a niche in cnx with all the mercs a beamers I see on the roads in chiang mai, They must want a quality service, Think adjusting the price is not going to be easy, One place by me do a very good valeting job inside and out But they only charge 200bht,shell garage huay kaew reasonable job 150bht, There the cheap ones. Not really noticed how much wax job at these places will check next time I pass.

[arunsakda]

I'm not likely to buy a car in Thailand but would be willing to pay a premium for a proper service twice a year.People don't understand that NEW cars are often delivered in appalling condition. To Thais "new" is "clean", Mai Phen Rai. No no no. Cars have often been sitting for months outdoors. Such vehicles need a good (solvent) wash, clay bar treatment, wax, AND sealant. (In the US cars have often been shipped overseas then long distances by truck or rail and are all chipped up! The big dealerships have staff working on this and are insured to cover shipping damages, BTW.)

Initial detailing is gonna take 3-4 hours to do properly. No way this can be done for 150 baht!

Edited March 17, 2016 by arunsakda

[MadMac]

I'm not likely to buy a car in Thailand but would be willing to pay a premium for a proper service twice a year.People don't understand that NEW cars are often delivered in appalling condition. To Thais "new" is "clean", Mai Phen Rai. No no no. Cars have often been sitting for months outdoors. Such vehicles need a good (solvent) wash, clay bar treatment, wax, AND sealant. (In the US cars have often been shipped overseas then long distances by truck or rail and are all chipped up! The big dealerships have staff working on this and are insured to cover shipping damages, BTW.)

Initial detailing is gonna take 3-4 hours to do properly. No way this can be done for 150 baht!

In BKK you get a decent carwash starting at 80B. That's all Burmese, they cost basically nothing.

Still not working if you want to run such business as a farang as you need to employ at least 4 Thais and you wont find them.

Edited March 17, 2016 by MadMac

[arunsakda]

What do you get for 80 baht but casual labour? A few disinterested youths wiping your motor with dirty rags from a bucket of grey water?

Hardly Le Concourse de Elegance.

Edited March 17, 2016 by arunsakda

[MadMac]

You get a clean car, inside out. Perhaps not that "detailing" but that's not the point.

You can't build a business case as foreigner if you are up against these slave workers, and you can't hire them either as you won't get a work permit yourself. So it's chicken and egg.

[Reborncarcare]

What do you get for 80 baht but casual labour? A few disinterested youths wiping your motor with dirty rags from a bucket of grey water?

Hardly Le Concourse de Elegance.

I guess 80 baht is base on normal washing. No cray no nothing, just shampoo and drying.

[Reborncarcare]

Hmm... seem like i need to go down personally to those car detailing shop to find out more.

Let me settle 1 by 1 first. I need to find a place to rent first. once settle down than i will start my my research. Any 1 have contact to property agent that do rental of house and condo?

[CP3]

bro. I am also from SG but I am at CR tho, here, they charge around 10k ish for the detailing with coating

[Reborncarcare]

bro. I am also from SG but I am at CR tho, here, they charge around 10k ish for the detailing with coating

Hi bro,

Good know to there is ppl from singapore... what kind of coating there using?

[taotoo]

Are you crowd-sourcing a business plan?

[Trujillo]

This whole business model is not sound for Chiang Mai.

There are many outlets that do "advanced" car washing and care. They are very expensive. You can leave your car at Central Festival, for example, and have your car detailed for a varying price -- seems like 3,000 to 5,000 baht. It's insanely outrageous if you ask me, but there are people with more money than sense everywhere.

As far as location, you don't get much better than this -- captive audience for sure.

You have to remember that most cars on the road here are pretty new. We don't live near the sea, they don't salt the roads in winter (I don't think, anyway...), and "brake dust, industrial fallout, acid rain deposits, and rail dust," would hardly register here (rail dust? Really?).

Another problem, among many, would be that there is no established culture of "detailing" a car here. There is basic washing, then waxing, then polishing and protective coatings. To a large extent, it's like trying to sell someone high-end audio equipment. A car can only be so clean. Try to show the difference between a 200 baht wash and the multi-thousands of baht for the whole works (see bill of fare here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/586660-a-good-car-wash-center/) and see if anyone is motivated.

Here is a 3,000 baht stereo and here is a 25,000 baht stereo, hear the difference? You might, but are you willing to spend that much more (and a car detailing does not last as long as a stereo)?

If you really wanted to be in the car wash business, start a chain of DIY stalls and automatic "Breaking Bad" car washes. That's where the future is, and the money. Remember my consultation fee when you make it big. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[MadMac]

If you really wanted to be in the car wash business, start a chain of DIY stalls and automatic "Breaking Bad" car washes. That's where the future is, and the money. Remember my consultation fee when you make it big. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Why would you invest in a multi-million automatic carwash when you can get Burmese slaves basically for free? Does not make any sense.

[Dante99]

If you really wanted to be in the car wash business, start a chain of DIY stalls and automatic "Breaking Bad" car washes. That's where the future is, and the money. Remember my consultation fee when you make it big. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Why would you invest in a multi-million automatic carwash when you can get Burmese slaves basically for free? Does not make any sense.

You guys are just trying to be clever.

The real issue is a lack of demand and already an oversuply of service providers.

[CP3]

much like thai massage huh

[Reborncarcare]

This whole business model is not sound for Chiang Mai.

There are many outlets that do "advanced" car washing and care. They are very expensive. You can leave your car at Central Festival, for example, and have your car detailed for a varying price -- seems like 3,000 to 5,000 baht. It's insanely outrageous if you ask me, but there are people with more money than sense everywhere.

As far as location, you don't get much better than this -- captive audience for sure.

You have to remember that most cars on the road here are pretty new. We don't live near the sea, they don't salt the roads in winter (I don't think, anyway...), and "brake dust, industrial fallout, acid rain deposits, and rail dust," would hardly register here (rail dust? Really?).

Another problem, among many, would be that there is no established culture of "detailing" a car here. There is basic washing, then waxing, then polishing and protective coatings. To a large extent, it's like trying to sell someone high-end audio equipment. A car can only be so clean. Try to show the difference between a 200 baht wash and the multi-thousands of baht for the whole works (see bill of fare here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/586660-a-good-car-wash-center/) and see if anyone is motivated.

Here is a 3,000 baht stereo and here is a 25,000 baht stereo, hear the difference? You might, but are you willing to spend that much more (and a car detailing does not last as long as a stereo)?

If you really wanted to be in the car wash business, start a chain of DIY stalls and automatic "Breaking Bad" car washes. That's where the future is, and the money. Remember my consultation fee when you make it big. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thanks for the advice. what u said make sense. as a lay man like most of my customer, They don know nut about detailing and the different. it me who educate them and the rest is their choice. I think it can be done if i'm able to find customer or any car lovers in chiang mai.

Cheers

[Dante99]

This whole business model is not sound for Chiang Mai.

There are many outlets that do "advanced" car washing and care. They are very expensive. You can leave your car at Central Festival, for example, and have your car detailed for a varying price -- seems like 3,000 to 5,000 baht. It's insanely outrageous if you ask me, but there are people with more money than sense everywhere.

As far as location, you don't get much better than this -- captive audience for sure.

You have to remember that most cars on the road here are pretty new. We don't live near the sea, they don't salt the roads in winter (I don't think, anyway...), and "brake dust, industrial fallout, acid rain deposits, and rail dust," would hardly register here (rail dust? Really?).

Another problem, among many, would be that there is no established culture of "detailing" a car here. There is basic washing, then waxing, then polishing and protective coatings. To a large extent, it's like trying to sell someone high-end audio equipment. A car can only be so clean. Try to show the difference between a 200 baht wash and the multi-thousands of baht for the whole works (see bill of fare here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/586660-a-good-car-wash-center/) and see if anyone is motivated.

Here is a 3,000 baht stereo and here is a 25,000 baht stereo, hear the difference? You might, but are you willing to spend that much more (and a car detailing does not last as long as a stereo)?

If you really wanted to be in the car wash business, start a chain of DIY stalls and automatic "Breaking Bad" car washes. That's where the future is, and the money. Remember my consultation fee when you make it big. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thanks for the advice. what u said make sense. as a lay man like most of my customer, They don know nut about detailing and the different. it me who educate them and the rest is their choice. I think it can be done if i'm able to find customer or any car lovers in chiang mai.

Cheers

Do you understand Thai Culture and speak Thai Language well enough to "educate them"?

[Trujillo]

I think it can be done if i'm able to find customer or any car lovers in chiang mai.

Even so, your market share will be miniscule. It's just not going to fly. Unless of course you can find a remote (read: cheap) location and expect only to break even, then it's still a "maybe" in by assessment.

[Reborncarcare]

Guess it not that easy to do detailing business in chiang mai

[Puwa]

Guess it not that easy to do detailing business in chiang mai

Anyone who has ever started a business knows that you'll encounter a thousand naysayers with ten thousand reasons why it won't work. None of that should affect your decision. It will work if you make it work, and only you know if that's possible.

My only other advice is to consider whether this is a hobby business that you can afford to give up or a lifeline that will provide your income and security. If the latter, the risk goes up.

[Reborncarcare]

Guess it not that easy to do detailing business in chiang mai

Anyone who has ever started a business knows that you'll encounter a thousand naysayers with ten thousand reasons why it won't work. None of that should affect your decision. It will work if you make it work, and only you know if that's possible.

My only other advice is to consider whether this is a hobby business that you can afford to give up or a lifeline that will provide your income and security. If the latter, the risk goes up.

For me, it will be a lifeline. I will make it work no matter what.. SU SU!!!