How to Start a Custom Auto Painting Business
Owning your own custom auto painting business can be a way to turn your skills, passions and hobbies into a money-making venture. You can do something that you enjoy while making money and being your own boss. But there are some things you should do to make sure your custom auto painting business gets off to a great start. Learn how to start a custom auto painting business and get started on your dream today.
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Things You'll Need
- Business license
- Employer Identification Number
- Paint
- Shop supplies
- Employees
- Business cards
- Shop car (to be used for advertisement at shows)
Instructions
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Create a name for your custom auto painting business. Go to city hall and register for a business license. You will need to supply your business name, your personal information, the kind of business you are operating and what kind of services you are selling. Let them know that you are a service business, not a retail business. This puts you into a different tax category. You will get a business license and instructions on how to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You will need your license and EIN to order products and paint supplies at discount business prices.
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2
Find a location for your business. A custom auto painting business can be run from your garage, but it must be approved by zoning officials when you apply for your business license. If the zoning does not allow your business to be run from your garage, you must find an approved commercial location. Some commercial areas don't allow painting because of the fumes and toxic products that will be stored in your shop. A real estate agent or city official can let you know the best place to look for a shop location within a proper zoning area.
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3
Contact product suppliers and set up business accounts. Paint supply wholesalers such as House of Kolor, allow you to become a dealer if you send them your business and tax information. This usually makes you eligible for discounts, but contact the wholesale or dealer department of the paint companies you are interested in to learn more.
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Buy enough supplies and paint to service at least four or five custom paint jobs. This will keep you ready for new customers and allow you to gauge what you need for future paint jobs. Customers coming in for custom paint jobs will probably know what colors they want, so you will need to order the requested colors. Have at least three different types of paint guns, a large air compressor with air hoses, lint-free towels, primer in white, black and other basic colors, 1 gallon of wax and grease remover, 10 rolls of masking tape in assorted sizes, five rolls of masking paper, sand paper (800-, 1,000-, 1,200-, 2,000- and 3,000-grit) and access to a water hose. These basic supplies should be kept in your custom paint shop at all times.
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Hire painters who have at least 5 years of automotive painting experience. Many new painters can apply regular paint to a factory colored car, but it takes skill and experience to complete custom paint jobs. If your business grows faster than you can handle alone, make sure to hire the most experienced custom painters. One bad paint job can ruin good business.
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Advertise your custom painting business in strategic places. Offer referral deals to regular paint shops that don't do custom paint jobs. If they send you a customer, you can offer them a bonus. You can also advertise at car shows by displaying a car you have painted. Paint your business name on the car, have your business cards ready to hand out and hang signs. Demonstrate your skills whenever possible so you catch the attention of custom paint enthusiasts.
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Tips & Warnings
Turn out quality work. One bad paint job can ruin your business image and cause you to lose customers. Go over every paint job and inspect the work of anyone you hire before the customer sees it.
