Mobile Van still in progress!

First wash test went down today with great success!!! I will take some pictures, and show you guys what I've done thus far. I've done a LOT since you guys last saw photos.

I finished the vinyl lettering yesterday, and got the water pump all setup literally probably two hours ago. I did a test wash outside the bays of my shop just in case anything went wrong...and sure enough, something did.

I bought a little Stanley pressure washer, and it fell over cause it's so light and snapped the little cheap plastic connector in the back. So, I went and bought some nice brass fittings that worked MUCH better. Once that was taken care of, I did a really nice wash on a Jaguar with ease!

I'll stop talking now, cause I could go all day. The next time I post, I'll have pics and a LOT of info to share. Thanks for staying tuned guys! :dblthumb2:
 
Kristopher1129 said:
First wash test went down today with great success!!! I will take some pictures, and show you guys what I've done thus far. I've done a LOT since you guys last saw photos.

I finished the vinyl lettering yesterday, and got the water pump all setup literally probably two hours ago. I did a test wash outside the bays of my shop just in case anything went wrong...and sure enough, something did.

I bought a little Stanley pressure washer, and it fell over cause it's so light and snapped the little cheap plastic connector in the back. So, I went and bought some nice brass fittings that worked MUCH better. Once that was taken care of, I did a really nice wash on a Jaguar with ease!

I'll stop talking now, cause I could go all day. The next time I post, I'll have pics and a LOT of info to share. Thanks for staying tuned guys! :dblthumb2:
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I agree that thing is SO light (the pressure washer)...i didnt break the back fitting but its leaking like a bit** now...so im going to buy a brass replacement asap. Its a nice little thing but...the hose it kinda short for me...i prefer atleast 25 (its only 20) and it seems to ALWAYS be tangled...hard without a second person to help untangle it or else the damn thing likes to tip over like you said lol. Its ok but, if i had room to haul a gas powered one i'd get it in a second!
 
Wills.WindowsAndWheels said:
We want update....we want updates!!!
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If I had any I would give them to you, haha. My van is currently at the mechanic shop getting new spark plugs...a little tune up of sorts. I've been having problems starting it on rainy days. After numerous brainstorming...I basically came to the conclusion that it's gotta be worn down spark plugs.

Come to find out, they were really bad. So, they're getting replaced with new caps and wires. I get it back tomorrow morning. I'll take some pics as a lot has changed since you guys seen it last. Then I'll post the update!

I swear I haven't forgotten about this thread. Just been really busy on top of trying to get the kinks worked out. Soon!
 
if you are having problems on rainy days make sure they replace distributor cap and rotor.
 
This whole van has been a LOT more work than expected. That mixed with the busy season...it's been tough to get the bugs worked out.

I have managed to do a test run, and everything worked fine. Aside from some minor things I'd like to do...it's ready to go. If this tune up fixes my starting problem...I will certainly be ready to start scheduling some mobile work.

I just want this next update to be THE update. The one that is the complete finished product. I wanted it stocked up, shelves in, equipment in, etc.

Here's a little teaser to hold you over for now...

I added my website on the drivers side as well. The van and the sign on my roof now match! The sign was another headache I had to deal with recently. That sign is 16' long. No joke to put up on that roof, ha.

243768_224359864244878_100000125971051_1006171_3047388_o.jpg
 
You have good stuff begining with the van & the extraction machine & generator

i have in my van a 16hp / 4000psi gas pressure washer with the exahust going down all the way to the van's out side panel. So i don't get that gas smeel inside my van

you can do this with your generator ass well. It will help you a lot.

The electric pressure washer i don't think is a good option going mobile detail
cause it comes with a really small pressure hose. The gun is typically really simple and easy to break

you need for sure at least a 100gl water tank. A 5 to 7hp gas pressure washer with a nice 50ft pressure hose at least
the hose real man help's a lot

there are ton's of thing's you can do to have a really bad ass working unit
all you have to do. Is keep on searching and try to save form each job & put it into your van detail equipment for sure
 
tcfatboys said:
You have good stuff begining with the van & the extraction machine & generator

i have in my van a 16hp / 4000psi gas pressure washer with the exahust going down all the way to the van's out side panel. So i don't get that gas smeel inside my van

you can do this with your generator ass well. It will help you a lot.

The electric pressure washer i don't think is a good option going mobile detail
cause it comes with a really small pressure hose. The gun is typically really simple and easy to break

you need for sure at least a 100gl water tank. A 5 to 7hp gas pressure washer with a nice 50ft pressure hose at least
the hose real man help's a lot

there are ton's of thing's you can do to have a really bad ass working unit
all you have to do. Is keep on searching and try to save form each job & put it into your van detail equipment for sure
Click to expand...

If you use cheap plastic electric pressure washers, sure they will break. I use the NorthStar Electric pressure washer from Northern Tools. No plastic anything to break. It gets heavy duty use at about 50 cars a week and I would put it up against any gas washer for durability. No, I don't work for the company. My rig is all electric, 5000 watt inverter, 750ah battery storage, 200 amp alternator and I'm good. No gas smell, no having to buy gas, no NOISE.... I have 2 years on the pressure washer, its a workhorse.
 
I hear you guys on the pressure washer. I personally hate the pressure washer I bought. But, for now...it will do just fine. I'll eventually just end up keeping it at my house for personal use.

I do have a 100 gallon tank in there already. I've actually also thought of the exhaust being ran out of the vehicle. That's an upgrade I will make.

For now, I have more than I need to get a head start. Plus, around here...there's not really much competition at all for mobile detailing. I'm pretty much it, ha.

Upgrades WILL be made as I go forward.
 
gumbedamit said:
If you use cheap plastic electric pressure washers, sure they will break. I use the NorthStar Electric pressure washer from Northern Tools. No plastic anything to break. It gets heavy duty use at about 50 cars a week and I would put it up against any gas washer for durability. No, I don't work for the company. My rig is all electric, 5000 watt inverter, 750ah battery storage, 200 amp alternator and I'm good. No gas smell, no having to buy gas, no NOISE.... I have 2 years on the pressure washer, its a workhorse.
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What did the inverted and the whole set up cost?
 
Kristopher1129 said:
I hear you guys on the pressure washer. I personally hate the pressure washer I bought. But, for now...it will do just fine. I'll eventually just end up keeping it at my house for personal use.

I do have a 100 gallon tank in there already. I've actually also thought of the exhaust being ran out of the vehicle. That's an upgrade I will make.

For now, I have more than I need to get a head start. Plus, around here...there's not really much competition at all for mobile detailing. I'm pretty much it, ha.

Upgrades WILL be made as I go forward.
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I agree man that Stanley pressure washer SUCKS...ESPECIALLY if you are using it alone...only 20ft of hose...the tool holder is always falling off...so is the little bottle for detergent and if you pull at ALL...it tips *sigh* if i had room for a gas one...i'd get it...no questions asked
 
Wills.WindowsAndWheels said:
I agree man that Stanley pressure washer SUCKS...ESPECIALLY if you are using it alone...only 20ft of hose...the tool holder is always falling off...so is the little bottle for detergent and if you pull at ALL...it tips *sigh* if i had room for a gas one...i'd get it...no questions asked
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Yup. Sad thing is, it had rave reviews at homedepot.com. Unfortunately these people must have used it maybe once or twice.

For now it's ok. But I will be buying that Northern Tool electric one. It's much more sturdy, and I like that I can just flick it on. I might just burn that Stanley, haha.
 
Kristopher1129 said:
Yup. Sad thing is, it had rave reviews at homedepot.com. Unfortunately these people must have used it maybe once or twice.

For now it's ok. But I will be buying that Northern Tool electric one. It's much more sturdy, and I like that I can just flick it on. I might just burn that Stanley, haha.
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Ya i know it had tons of good reviews...by people who probably pressure wash their 5x5 back porch maybe? Where is the Northern Electric one sold at? I think the pressure of the Stanley one is decent...just the actual build of the machine kinda sucks
 
Wills.WindowsAndWheels said:
Ya i know it had tons of good reviews...by people who probably pressure wash their 5x5 back porch maybe? Where is the Northern Electric one sold at? I think the pressure of the Stanley one is decent...just the actual build of the machine kinda sucks
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Yeah, the way it's built is absolutely ridiculous. It tips over, hose is too short, comes with plastic hose hookups (mine broke on the first test run), delay in pressure, AND the hose reel is useless on top cause it's so cheaply made. But you know, other than those things...it's GREAT! lol, not!

Here's the one I'll be getting. I'll probably get two actually. One for the shop, and one for the van.

NorthStar Electric Cold Water Pressure Washer — 2000 PSI, 1.5 GPM, 120 Volt | Electric-Cold Water | Northern Tool + Equipment
 
Nice part about that Northstar model, particularly for a mobile unit, is you can take the actual pump (pressure washer unit) and remove it from that goofy stand and mount just the stand in your van and get a 50 foot hose.
 
LuxuryMobile said:
Nice part about that Northstar model, particularly for a mobile unit, is you can take the actual pump (pressure washer unit) and remove it from that goofy stand and mount just the stand in your van and get a 50 foot hose.
Click to expand...

Now that's an idea! I like that. :dblthumb2:
 
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