Hey guys, I'm not used to being on this side of the fence. I'm into the 73-87 forums! Currently I'm in school but thinking after my course is over to take a local collision repair class. My grandfather sold GM for years, got my father into it, and I grew up into it as well. We sold our chevy dealership in 2006 and i've dreaded it ever since. I wish I was older at the time, but life goes on.
Being that I was raised in cars and trucks all my life until my teens, now that I'm an "adult"
I would like to get back into it, not selling cars but repairing and detailing. I need some tips and advice. I have a few good buddies that could really help this business idea take off and go great. Couple years ago when I got my first square, it made me fall in love with learning how to fix it up and make it look nice. The course is 2 years long, the first year is dedicated to learning to mask, body work, paint, detail, ect. The second year gets deep into estimates and that sort of thing.
If I go down that pathway, after completing the class I would like to open a business. I want a shop with a paint booth, room to work on vehicles, and also space for detailing cars exterior and interior.
Is this a business to get into? If this takes off, it would benefit my family and myself. My father is retired, and has a HUGE background in selling cars, as well as part ordering. My mother is working full time and can do accounting like no other.
What I have questions about is what is a good paint supplier? A good supplier of cleaners for detailing? What brands of paint guns and tools to go with? I am willing to give this everything I have and work my butt off to make this work.
Most likely I will be building a shop beside my house. The building where our dealership was is right beside my house as well. The showroom was converted to a funeral home but the shop where the lifts were etc is still the same. Don't see that working out, so I planning to build to my needs. It is up for sale currently, but it doesn't fit my needs and he's asking an arm and a leg! I was figuring on a 75 x 125 building with a 25 foot carport over the front area to keep cars out of the elements if needed. What is your views on this? Any help is appreciated