looking into new gig

[mrchip]

last week at one of my stops i noticed dr vinl fogging out a car..talked to him for a while and says he does quite a few cars a week..charges 25.00 ..did a little checking and seems there a few ways to go ..fogging / misting/ionizing..i know its not a real big money maker but the more you can do at dealers the better off we are..and even at retail stops when doing a wr repair....and if i'm going to do something i want the best..any tips/suggestions/pricing comments?? sources??

[GlassStarz]

most dealerships have thier own machine

[mrchip]

in all my years i have never known a dealer to have a machine..besides i was thinking more used car lots

[sgailey]

What is 'fogging'? Is it some sort of cleaning method?

[screenman]

We found that we were getting a lot of failures, in other words the smell came back after a few days. We would then have to go and do the job again FOC. It could have been the chemicals but I did try supplies from about 6 or 7 different suppliers. I also tried hot and cold fogging machine. We do not offer this services any more.

[harrellbenjamin]

I use a thermo-fogger(about $295.00) and only after experience(see screenmans comments he's right) do cigarete smoke odor/pet odor removal. You can use your u/v curing light to detect protein (urine ect) in the carpet.Very CSI. I also use a process(TOP SECRET LOL) I found works by trial and much error. Google- Unsmoke Products- and this will get you in the right direction.The reason techs have comeback problems is that the car must be Professionally detailed 1st.Carpets shampooed ect.This only works well after that is done.Remember this is a last resort method for problem odor ,not a cure-all.You can also use the fogger with a fragrance if you are just going to sell a fresh-up type service for inventory thats been sitting on the lot for a while.So that being said ,Used Car dealers / Detail shops are your market.Its very rare to find a fogger in a Dealership and I speak with over 20 years of working in them.Too much liabilty.This stuff is hard on your lungs!! Most of the time if they have anything its an OZONE GENERATOR.Too expensive and takes too long to be practical for a mobile tech.I get 35.00/45.00 for a Desmoke /pet odor job from a dealer and if they have multiple units (4 or more units)s I start at $18.00 for a simple fresh-up fragrance only and if they have more units its less.Once you are set up you can fresh-up in a factory style process.The only reason I do this service is that I already had the equipment before I got turned on to fixing w/shields and restoring H/lights.The chemicals are harsh and you had better wear a good respirator.When you get done with a unit you smell like the chemical.Would I get into this as an add-on business if I already did w/shields?? NO! I have used it as a way to get my foot in the door of a Dealership though.Remember if you use this stuff at your 1st stop in the AM you will smell like it all day long.I sell this service purely as a "I'll help you out" type of thing..........................

[GlassStarz]

im my 20 + years selling cars at muliple dealers on both coasts I cant remember a detail dept that didnt have one they are cheap and kill the cig or whatever smells that lots of used cars have they work good

[glassdoctor]

I know several dealers that have them. Obviously some don't and there are some vendors that sell it. I think the comments and advice so far are dead on.

[mrchip]

appreciate all the comments guys..

[harrellbenjamin]

im my 20 + years selling cars at muliple dealers on both coasts I cant remember a detail dept that didnt have one they are cheap and kill the cig or whatever smells that lots of used cars have they work good

I think the point was if this was a good add on service or not. Odor removal has a learning curve just like any other service.With the high turnover in the detail field I find the skill level and knowledge in dealerships that have this equipment is marginal at best.If they have them in your area, so be it.If they dont it might be something to look into.I think that was the question he asked.Remember this is a bigggg.....country.The situation is not the same everywhere.Some times people look for a reason for something not to work.I chose to find a reason why it "will" work.Just a thought.