From Jugaad to Premium: How a Small-Town Car Enthusiast Built a Leading Car Detailing Studio in Aligarh

🏁 Introduction

In a city better known for locks and hardware than luxury cars, Aligarh is witnessing a quiet revolution in car care. From dusty roads and makeshift car washes to gleaming ceramic-coated SUVs and graphene-treated sedans, premium detailing has finally arrived.

This is the story of Ayaan Malik, a young entrepreneur who transformed a humble 500 sq. ft. workshop into a state-of-the-art car detailing studio, setting benchmarks not just for Tier-2 cities but for India’s fast-growing auto-care ecosystem.

🚗 The Beginning – Where Passion Met Jugaad

The Problem:
Until 2020, most car owners in Aligarh had very limited options:

• Quick pressure washes at fuel stations

• Local garages using old rags and low-quality polish

• Polishing jobs done under trees or open spaces

Luxury services like ceramic coating or graphene coating were unheard of. Detailing was considered a luxury exclusive to metro cities.

The Spark:
Ayaan Malik, a self-taught car enthusiast with a mechanical engineering background, spotted this gap. Inspired by YouTube tutorials and online detailing courses, he realized there was a huge demand for high-quality car care in his hometown.

🛠️ The Setup – From Tin Shed to Premium Studio

Location & Initial Investment:

• 500 sq. ft. rented tin shed near Aligarh’s highway

• Rent: ₹12,000/month

• First setup investment: ₹2.5 Lakhs (bootstrapped)

Initial Tools & Services:

• Local pressure washer (₹6,000), DIY foam gun, 3M rubbing compound

• Basic foam wash – ₹299

• Polish + wax – ₹999

• Interiors cleaning – ₹499

Marketing: Free demo sessions at housing societies to showcase the difference.

💡 Pivoting to Premium – Understanding What Quality Really Means

1. Learning from Mistakes:

• Swirl marks returned quickly

• Hard water spots remained

• Customers were skeptical of “coating” claims

2. Investing in Quality:

• DA polishers, imported microfiber towels, professional-grade coatings

• PH-neutral shampoos and better lighting for paint inspection

3. Enhancing Customer Experience:

• Closed AC bays with false ceiling

• High-CRI lighting for precise paint assessment

• Customer lounge with coffee, product displays, and viewing window

“People don’t just buy detailing—they buy trust and experience.” – Ayaan Malik

💸 Financial Growth

Monthly Expenses: ₹45,000 (rent, staff, electricity, products)
Revenue After 1 Year: ₹1.2–1.5 Lakhs/month
Coating Jobs: ₹9,999
Cars Serviced Daily: 4–6

📢 Marketing in a Small City

What Worked:

• Instagram before-after reels (hyperlocal targeting)

• WhatsApp broadcast groups

• Local influencers and tie-ups with auto dealerships

• Referral program (₹500 off for both parties)

What Didn’t:

• Google Ads (low conversion in Tier-2 cities)

• Newspaper ads (expensive with limited reach)

“In small towns, word-of-mouth travels faster than Wi-Fi.”

🎯 Transitioning from Basic Wash to Premium Studio

🏆 Signature Services Today

• Ceramic Coating (3 & 5 Year)

• Graphene Coating for SUVs

• Deep Interior Detox with Steam

• Underbody Anti-Rust Coating

• Headlight Restoration & Paint Protection Film (PPF)

🔍 Lessons from Aligarh’s Leading Detailing Studio

• Premium isn’t about location—it’s about experience.

• Educating customers is half the job.

• Tier-2 cities have customers willing to pay for high-end services—they just need to see the value.

• Scaling with trust is more sustainable than shortcuts.

🔮 What’s Next for Ayaan Malik

• Opening a second studio in Agra or Bareilly

• Partnering with auto dealerships for pre-delivery detailing

• Launching “The Aligarh Detailers Meet” – a car-care awareness event for UP

• Training the next generation of detailers with Ritesh from Detail Crafters

• Promoting women in detailing and breaking industry stereotypes