Hello all, I have a question. I just recently completed my first detail (DD Maxima) and it was awesome!! Loved every minute of it. I really would love to make this a good side business. BUT, what I didn't like is my body feeling like a ton of bricks afterwards. Hunched over washing wheels, scrubbing seats, dressing tires, claying and polishing...my back and whole body is killing me (I'm 19 too)! How do you guys manage your body when working on a vehicle? Do you use a roll stool for wheels, raise the car, anything? Thanks all, much appreciated. (I'll be posting my first detail up soon, btw.) :headbang:
For starters, you should keep in mind that any time you make your body do something it's not accustomed to, it will always feel sore afterwards. Secondly, even if you get used to it, the best way to keep a good shape is to work out (nothing strenuous, just enough to get a little cardio, strength and flexibility). Your body will grow used to certain movements, but will retain elasticity and free movement in a paint-free way. Another thing to keep in mind is to have the right tools and working positions. Ideally, a lift to raise the car helps a great deal by preventing from bending over. But while this is a very expensive way to go, there is cheaper alternatives. When getting down on lower portions of the car, put one knee down on the ground (rear leg) and keep the other knee raised, with your foot well planted (front leg) This will give you good stability, low "altitude" and good maneuverability. Making sure you have proper tools will also help greatly. a Good rolling stool, long reach brushes, a pressure washer with a good reach on the wand, etc. Bob (Auto Concierge) will probably have more to put in as he is well equipped* but also has great tips and tricks. *Get your heads out of the gutters people! lol
The ones that have their own shop usually have a lift to bring the car to their working height I find that stretching before detailing works for me. Not yoga type stretching, but just the basics like u would do in ur high school gym class. If I don't stretch, my body aches the next day. Just learn ergonomic positions to work from instead of rushing into the detailing task without thinking first.
This title was misleading, I was hoping to see some hot chicks getting swissvax rubbed on them..... or something close to that. What a let down.
/\/\ lol. Time to get in shape and just allow your body to roll with the punches even though it may be a lil sore along the way.
Avoid leaning over for extended periods of time...aka detailing motors, I found out the hard way, felt it for 2 weeks.
Good tips. Been working out for quite some time now, but dang, my back was still achy afterwards. Guess I'm on the hunt for a rolling stool and a detailing cart. Thanks all for the help!
Thanks for the mention, everything has been pretty much covered. You want to work from your armpits to your waist as that "Sweet spot" will help with keeping soreness to a minmum, and I practice this daily as I do big corrections constantly and I am 49 years old and can still do it(Have knee issues from martial arts and partially tore my rotater cuff working out with strongman Dave Saunders last August so I need to really pay attention to these concepts) get a pad to kneel on and that can be a foam gargeners pad from Lowe"s or the big foam pad I have from MAC tools which folds out and I can lay on that when I have mobile jobs.....................the lift is nice but you need a dedicated garage or shop to put that equipment to use,
