The Talkin' Paint blog

Guides for auto detailing, PPF, ceramic coating and window tint shop owners. I write every one from what my guests and I actually said on the show, so each article links to the episode it came from and you can hear it straight from the shop floor.

Starting a shop

Auto detailing business plan: the levels from solo to seven figures A detailing business plan you can fill in on one page: the levels a shop climbs, what revenue and team look like at each, and what you give up to move up. 13 min read How to start a car detailing business that doesn't repeat year one How to start a car detailing business from owners who did it: what to set up first, what to ignore, and a 90-day checklist you can use this week. 13 min read

Pricing and sales

Detailing packages and pricing: how to build a price list that sells How to build detailing packages and a price list from your real costs, and how to get paid more for PPF and ceramic coating without discounting. 12 min read How to close more sales in a detail, PPF or ceramic coating shop How to close more sales in a detail, PPF or ceramic shop: a first-call script, a day-by-day follow-up plan and how to answer price objections. 12 min read

Team and systems

Detailing SOP template: write shop systems your team will follow A copyable detailing SOP template, a filled-in vehicle check-in example and a daily shop checklist, plus why most shop SOPs never get used. 13 min read Auto detailer job description and pay: why bad hires are your fault A copy-and-paste auto detailer job description plus a PPF installer version, real pay numbers, interview questions, and why your last hire didn't stick. 15 min read

Customers

How to handle difficult customers in a detail or PPF shop How to handle difficult customers in a detail, PPF or ceramic shop: what to say when they yell, a drop-off checklist, and when to fire one. 11 min read

Marketing

Car detailing advertising ideas that compound over time Car detailing advertising ideas that keep paying off: more Google reviews, a built-out Business Profile, showing your work, and a weekly routine. 12 min read

PPF and tint

How to start a PPF business or add PPF to your detail shop Starting a PPF business? The 5 levels of PPF shops, where to train, what to charge, and the film brand deal that can tie your hands for years. 12 min read How to start a window tint business (shop or mobile) Starting a window tint business? What your software has to do, how to sell tint without racing to the bottom, and a checklist for shops and mobile tinters. 11 min read

Rather hear it? Browse every episode or start listening.