Is it too late to start a Car Detailing business?

[@mickwharton]

I started my valeting business at 52, I’m 55 now and still love it.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Nice one this is really encouraging for others thank you 🙏

[@leehiggins8171]

I started at 52 pal just like your self

[@williamclick9771]

I'm a beginner detailer I'll be 70 on May 9th. I'm learning on my 2000 Camry LE given to me by my late cousin. I enjoy detailing my Camry. It makes me feel good.

[@purpleeinstein]

Glad to hear you're rocking a detailing business my man! Just goes to show that age is just a number and what is possible if you set your mind to do something. I'm 62 and am getting everything together to start my own mobile detailing business soon. Cheers!

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Sorry to hear about your cousin 🙏 that's great when you find happiness from something like detailing. It's very different as a business but you can still find inner peace

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Love this 🙏❤️

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

I couldn’t do it full time it’s still a passion for me KZbin and doing the occasional cars and soon tractor’s it’s my escape from full time welder and weld inspector for Network Rail great video I love this guys work ethic all the best for the future I’m older at 53 😊

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

The KZbin side of things for me is the fun part now. It's definitely an escapism

[@DavidHalfordsLane]

Good luck. Nice to see a bloke prepared to graft. I clocked the water wiper at the start - not surprised you commented on it!!!

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Yeah he's a real hard worker 💪

[@eamonkelly2792]

Hi dave, i think it's never too late to start your own business, if it's something you are passionate about then go for it

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Definitely mate

[@PJvaleting]

All best ❤ building my customer list at mo working full time and fitting in cars when I can love it , not easy but that happy customer is always worth it 😊

[@basementracer]

It's never too late to start anything. As a man we never stop trying, we never stop pushing forward. I am 54 and have just started work on a new business venture. Just keep keeping on. It keeps you young and inspired. Geet er dun.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Nice one keep it up 👏

[@steveferrier1986]

I started my detailing business 2 years ago, at 59 years of age. Still loving it!

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Awesome how are you finding the physical aspects

[@steveferrier1986]

I pace myself pretty well. We had some 40 degree days last summer. That was a bit taxing. Made sure to drink plenty of water.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

@@steveferrier1986 I can't remember what warm weather feels like living in the UK it's so rubbish here lol

[@TheDetailExpertYTUK]

If you've seen the news in the South UK you would know about the thunderstorms we been having. I cleaned a car yesterday. Today the guy called me saying his car got dirty after the storm. 😂

[@jamienevill1768]

I started up my own valeting business just over 10 years ago at 43 years old after working full time in another job, building up part time clients as a weekend warrior. However, after four years full time with that and a couple of very wet (cancellation causing) years, I threw in the full time towel and took a night job. I then changed my valeting business into a promotions business as I frequently attended motoring events at weekends and was promoting other people's valeting products. Sadly, my health has since deteriorated, but I now teach some of my tricks to amateurs who don't have loads of money to spend on their cars.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

It's such a drain on the body. I totally understand with all the rain. It's really tough to get momentum. Hopefully you feel better now you cut back on work

[@kevinthacker8349]

At 62 years old I went for my HGV licence , after having a cataract removed. It’s never to late to go after something your enjoy doing

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Amazing stuff well done 👏👏

[@MrLambRoganJosh]

This video is LITERALLY brilliant.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thank you

[@Rushizzxx]

Love you too see my van! I got sooo much stuff, but super organised! You’d be blown away! I’m ocd so my stuff has to be organised and clean

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Get in touch. Lets see it 👌

[@1R9T7G5]

I’ve been a paint sprayer for over 30 years,mostly prestige and I’m 48.Seriously considering starting a business dealing in detailing and valeting,but maybe offering smart repairs also.Would definitely consider using a workshop though.🤔

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Yeah a workshop is definitely easier

[@waynefitzgerald7936]

This was fantastic really enjoyed it an the comments was interesting im a caby at 65 but want to get into car dan is an inspiration thanks for sharing

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Brilliant this is nice to see. Dan's a great guy. He's got a good system that's given him freedom for a good family and work life

[@tommyholt3465]

I’m 52 and I find that the only thing that my back can’t take is a lot more work sitting on the ground. I’m going to buy a set of Quick Jacks or a scissor lift so that wheels and polishing the lower parts is easier. I’ve used lifts at a couple of garages where I have worked and it makes a huge difference. I’ll only do maintenance mobile jobs for existing customers.

[@Greg-pi7xx]

Currently a keen weekend warrior who details mine and my wife’s car regularly and will do friends and families for a token fee (£20/3 pints/some haribo’s etc) may sound strange but I don’t think I could go full time simply because I enjoy it so much, it’s a hugely therapeutic escape from my very stressful full time job as an ops manager at a bus company and I wouldn’t want it to become more about the money than the enjoyment of it, 37 (a good age I’m sure you’d agree Dave 😜) so definitely not too old but would rather keep it as a passion. Love the channel mate keep the videos coming

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Yes you made a point that others need to see. When a hobby becomes a business it's no longer a hobby

[@Greg-pi7xx]

@@epicautomotivedetailing nail on head, my wife is an example of that, she loved photography and tried going solo as a wedding photographer a few years ago… within 2 years and after a fair amount of money spent she closed her business because doing it for a living took away the enjoyment she had, she now works in adult education. I have 100% respect for anyone who can turn a hobby into an income and still enjoy it but it’s a lot harder than videos blogs etc would have you believe

[@antonywalker8837]

Good luck Daniel, I wish him all the best. The only other bit of advice I would say is.( Get yourself a good accountant) They are always worth there weight in gold.👍

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Cheers Dad

[@ianrobinson68]

I’m 56 and a keen weekend warrior and would love to do the job. Whilst I class myself as reasonably fit and healthy for my age when I do a general clean inside and out on 2 or 3 family cars in a day it knackers me out and ache so much the next day. I know as a job you find ways to make it easier but it does concern me that I am to old.

[@professorlou]

I started at 53 and I just turned 60. You work hard for someone else, why not work that hard for yourself. I have someone who does the interiors but I limit my business to one vehicle per day. My goal would be to do full scale restoration like Jim White and do one per week.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

That's incredible well done mate 👏👏

[@marktrower2267]

Once again another fantastic and informative video Dave.

[@ilikechickensausages2075]

Depends on your body, good knees and back then go for it.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Yes agreed

[@ScrappersDetailing]

Wow. That's impressive. I'm 50 and can't imagine "physically" doing it full-time. It's a nice side income though!

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Sometimes a side hustle is the best way 👌

[@Bigdaftboy]

Another great video mate

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thank you. It's a bit different to normal but I think there's a lot of people out there who may have that desire to start a business and People Like Dan are doing a great job stepping out there

[@emzy415]

I 'd like to go out and do some work experience, purely to learn for myself / own vehicles. 57 recovering from a fall from height 2 years ago. I developed a much deeper love of some vehicles and would love to bring to have the knowledge on all types of paintwork etc. If anyone can help I'd love to spend some time with you........FOC of course.

[@MrOldSkoolMan]

Never too late in terms of age but perhaps in time it will become too late for the small business owner. I used to do detailing in Norway and having returned to Norway, the law on waste water was tightened up in 2022. Without professional installation of an oil separator tank and documented evidence of service history, type of chemicals used and emptying of the tank etc, one can't rent a garage for use as a wash hall. This also applies for interior-only operations. In Norway, you also need to be registered in a 'car care' register which shows that you are legal and approved. No problems regarding the latter but the waste water regulations makes it very expensive to have a detailing garage. Mobile detailing isn't a thing here & it isn't just down to the geography & sparse demographics; regulations apply to chemical & contaminated water running into the ground at your home too. Not illegal to wash at home but in a business setting, it is so which means mobile valeting is prohibited. It's only a matter of time before these regulations spread elsewhere. Essentially, it is just the big corp gas stations who now control vehical washing and increasingly so with monthly subscriptions for their self or auto wash machines.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Wow that's mad. That's a lot of hurdles to jump through

[@MrOldSkoolMan]

Indeed. Seems to be a trend nowadays where virtually everything is so much harder and plastered in red tape.

[@andylyon3859]

You’re also never too old to get a Toy Story tattoo by the looks of it 😆

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Yeah love that, I should have referenced that in the video 👌

[@andrewrogers4341]

No Chopper mention Dan ?

[@RayBrooks-e1n]

66 and still valeting

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Nice one that's awesome

[@mitchell0103]

Great video👌quick question can I use a non acidic wheel cleaner on the car paint that brakes down brake dust? TIA

[@Vendzy.]

Also do know which autoglym product would work best to remove finger prints stained into the paint ?

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Sun cream marks?

[@Vendzy.]

@epicautomotivedetailing they could be I only bought the car recently and it came with a few prints on the front. Tried a few different products can't seem to get rid of them

[@PsychoFalcon]

Hi dave i have a question that i hope you might be able to answer, you’ve seriously got me into car cleaning so this is something that i may turn into a business so im getting some good old infinity wax to test the waters 😅 Anywho im wondering if after applying sealant do i need to reapply after every wash and will using citris cause the sealent to rub off or am i good to wash as normal using rapid detailer till i need to reapply sealent again just a little advice would be amazing. many thank

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Oh nice, sealants can last up to 3 months on average, you can maintain with a quick detailer. I've moved onto foam sealant now and haven't looked back

[@Vendzy.]

Hi i am thinking about starting a mobile valet business do you need your own water tank and generator or can you use the customers?

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

No I made do without either in fact I never had my own generator in the end. I did have one at the start but then realised I was carrying around something that I hardly used

[@Vendzy.]

@epicautomotivedetailing ok cheers for the reply. Hoping my buisness works out as well pretty sure I have most of the correct equipment.

[@shaun7638]

Great video but for me the van is so messy and what with the Chopper...

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

I think there's definitely ways to improve the functionality in his van but that's not my place to say

[@shaun7638]

@@epicautomotivedetailing Yes i understand it just seems odd to me....

[@parcfermeautospa4745]

I'm 57 and still at it and Judo 4hours a week

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

That may be handy for non payers 💪

[@parcfermeautospa4745]

I always get paid 🤪@@epicautomotivedetailing

[@DeeCee-nb6ev]

Your 37 and already think you are physically done in?

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Don't take it to heart