Motorcycle Detailing - Is it a Good Business to Start?

Many people want to get into a small service business, because service businesses generally do better during hard economic times and recessions. And while they are not recession proof, no business is, they do tend to do better, and might be a good way to make money. The question is what type of business to start? Not long ago, a gentleman asked me about starting a mobile Motorcycle Detailing company. He wanted to know about what type of cleaning products to use, and it was a good business model, and so we asked;

"Do you have any suggestions/recommendations on cleaning product that is economical and does a good job of cleaning motorcycles? For cleaning chrome, tanks, seats, tires etc... Autoglym maybe?

Autoglym is a good product for sure. There are plenty of metal cleaners for chrome, aluminum, etc. For seats, it's rather tricky, as you need to protect them from the elements, but have to be extremely careful due to slickness and safety issues. On vinyl, sometimes a little floor wax works, but make sure it is completely dry before riding, and use it sparingly.

For leather, best to use a saddle soap, and you can by actual saddle soap rather than automotive detailing products to save costs. There are tons of very good metal cleaners, not sure what is available locally there, I've only visited your city once. (He lives in Edmonton Canada works very cold, and people a ride their motorcycles in the summer time for the most part.)

The next asks me; "I am hoping to make my service a mobile service so I can go to either people's homes and/or places of business."

Makes sense, I had met some gals doing this in a trailer in Orange County CA, and some folks in Reno NV, both making good money. They wheeled the bikes into the trailer, and that was that. You might even come to AZ, FL, or CA Desert as a Snow Bird with your Motorcycle Detailing Trailer and then run the business year round, 1/2 in South (one-day shy of six months for Canadian healthcare qualification), and 1/2 year in Edmonton, might be a thought there?

When it came to equipment, or how to set up his mobile business he stated; "I realize that this may pose some challenges however it does eliminate having to have large overhead or carrying secondary insurance for pickups. Some items that I think I may need to make this possible, is a trailer, large water containers, generator or AC/DC converter to power a pressure washer or leaf blower and of course basic cleaning items such as a wash/dry cloth, wash gloves etc."

Indeed, it will take a lot of small tools, small buffing wheels, an air compressor, a small toolbox, safety goggles, toothbrushes, and as you really get into it, you will find more and more small things you need to make your job efficient. I hope you will please consider this if you are considering starting a mobile Motorcycle Detailing business.