Q: Is there any real money in auto detailing? There are a few detail shops in my area that seem to do pretty good, and it seems a pretty easy service to add.

— Jim, Salt Lake City

A: There can be some “real money” in auto detailing — it all depends on how you market the service and the types of customers you acquire. And productivity… don't forget that you will have to turn these over pretty fast to make decent money.

Many carpet cleaners perform automobile cleaning and find it quite lucrative. Some do the carpet and upholstery only — but others do complete auto detailing, cleaning all surfaces, even the exterior, including a wax and polish.

What you do is up to you, but doing more means additional revenue.

You already have much of the equipment and cleaning supplies that you will need, but no doubt you will have to pick up a few items.

You also have to decide if you are going to do this on-location or in your own shop.

If you have a shop, you have better control of the job and can take more time since you won't be in the customer's driveway or garage with them waiting for you to finish (that is, if they drop the car off and come back at a predetermined time to pick it up).

You can set up your workstation much easier in your own shop, and dry the carpet and upholstery much faster. There are multiple advantages to doing it at your own shop.

Remember that auto detailing is just that — detailing. It takes a lot of patience and determination to do the job right.

Q: I'm an office manager for a carpet cleaning and restoration company, and heard recently that insurance adjusters need to have continuing education credits just like we do. I wonder if that could be an opportunity to get to know some of them. What do you think?

— Barb, Springfield, MO

A: There is definitely a need for insurance adjusters to obtain continuing education credits (CECs), much like a certified technician in our industry does.

Each state's requirements are different, so be sure to investigate what adjusters may need in your area.

Do an Internet search and find insurance adjuster associations that can give you the details on what it would take for you to host or even teach a CEC course.

Even if a CEC course isn't feasible for you to do, you can still develop and promote an educational program to adjusters. They are professionals — just like you — who want to learn more about the industry.

You might contact several adjusters in your area and just chat about what might be good topics for you to develop.

Q: One of my customer's dogs chewed on an ink pen and left ink all over the carpet. I went to the job and cleaned up most of it, but there is still some residue left that is unacceptable. What can I do?

— Sherman, Billings, MT

A: Ink stain removal is a tough chore, but fortunately we have some great products at our disposal.

You didn't mention what you used on the ink spots, but you probably used a dry solvent or gel solvent initially.

If you didn't try a peroxide-based stain remover, that would be the next step. Apply to the fibers, allow dwell time, carefully introduce heat to the area with a steamer or clothes iron — but monitor the area and stop working if you notice any color loss at all.

You can also apply the peroxide product to the ink and cover the area with wax paper or plastic wrap to keep it moist for several hours. The product keeps working until dry.

All of this should be done at the express permission of the customer as color loss and other damage is possible.

Have a question for us? Ask at Cleanfax.com/experts or jcross@ntpmedia.com.