Mobile Van still in progress!

[Kristopher1129]

Wow... only made it to page 18, and will have to pick it back up again, there's some great info here! This thread definitely sparked my interest as I just bought a 05' Chevy Express Extended Cargo Van (3/4 ton) V8 and roughly 1/2 of my desired tool arsenal for a mobile/self-contained set up.

Kris,the custom bottle holders are awesome & great job on the exterior! I wanna do a complete vinyl wrap on my van (later) as it has at least 3 small dents on every side...LOL. So, I have my share of work to do first. So far, mechanically she rides tight, although I think the driver's side wheel bearings are going, which is on the to-do list w/ the body work.

Regarding my set up, I just scored a Troy-Bilt 3550 Generator today *new in the box for $125 on Craigslist (*BINGO!) - Had to drive 150 miles round trip to pick it up, but well worth it. I picked up a floor model 3000 psi Craftsman pressure washer and saved roughly $100 on it.

Planning on picking up a 275 gallon tank (Craigslist $150) probably never fill it more than 1/2 -3/4 unless the demand requires. -Ordering a ShurFlo pump from Northern Tools ($60), an in-line Filter from Home Depot, and scoping out a 4 Gallon Craftsman Air Compressor ($180) & Ridgid 6gallon Wet/Dry within next 30 days.

*I really wanted 3 good cord reels but can't afford em' yet...unless Harbor Freight has some cheap ones. The MyTee Lite II is also "On Hold" til funds permit, so upholstery will be a workout; Folex, agitate, and wet/dry. *Wife has a Bissel with heat, but it's bulky...all tho might try it out for now.

If everything goes well, I am driving to AG in the next 10 days and picking up the following:

Note: Might add or subtract some things by then, but the wishlist consists of...

-Meg's (MC-PC-1500XP) Portar Cable XP 5.5" Kit
-Metro Vac N' Blo (MV-VBN-94BD)
-Dual Bucket Washing System (GG-Dual-C)
-Cobra Micro Starter Kit (Cobra-922)
-Auto Geek Foam Cannon (AG-LS3-1)
-The Bone by Cobra x2 (Cobra-195)
-DP Series Xtreme Foam Shampoo (DP-800)
-ShMitt Black Wheel & White/Yellow Combo (E-801802)
-ScMitt White Wash & Yellow/White Int Combo (E-800803)
-2-in-1 Wash Mitt x2 (SM-3622)
-Brinkmann Maxfire Xenon Swirl Finder (*$5 off w/ Meg PC Kit)
-Meg's Mirror Glaze #3 64oz. (M-o364)
-Poor Boy's Air Freshener (*Decided to wait)
-Detailer's Pro Series Odor Eliminator 6pk (DP-900-6pk)

Guesstimating about $1k @ AG Store??? (*Excludes other tools listed above)

*Already loaded up on microfiber towels, terry towels, shop towels @ Sam's and a few other goodies.

*Made a mistake buying a bunch of crap from Walmart, before I really knew what I needed, but have brushes, bug scrubbers, sponges, wash brush, tire brushes, bunch of Meg's tire dressings, clay, etc...

Point of this post was certainly not to brag, as truth be told... I am scared s..tless, being I have yet to wash or detail a single car! (*aside from my own) - Almost scared to touch a car worth more than $30k with a polisher...til I get some hands on practice & some time in using the PC.

-Going with either the Coleman 12'x12' or the Quickshade 10'x10' Canopy from Walmart, but know I'll need a second one soon.

Total investment thus far (*including planned purchases in the next 14 days) I am at roughly $6,500 and nearly $4k was the van w/TTT.

Add another $2k -$3k for the final touches...a Pressure Washing License and $1M-$500k General Liability insurance, Fictitious Name, Incorporating, Advertising, and (*maybe) a lot rent at a high traffic location on weekends, and I estimate to be "all-in" for Just under $10,000

Considering I priced skid rigs, trailer set-ups, and complete rigs on Craigslist, it seems a better investment and more rewarding to DIY. Naturally, I had to cut out some of the fat for now (*Like a vinyl wrap on the van, the MyTee Lite II, and a few other 'wants' - I think the ROI will be good as I gain experience, clientele, and train-up "the crew" consisting of my 17 tear old Son, the wife, and 2 our teenage girls who'll likely be working the car wash on weekends, while I focus on wax/polish/and complete paint restorations... thanks to Mike, AG, and this forum, I am learning a great deal about now.

Sorry for the long post... I will post some pics in the next few days, and appreciate Kris starting this thread, and congrats on a nice looking rig!!!:dblthumb2:

All the Best,

-Art

Hey, man. Thanks for the compliments!

You certainly are on the right track. I'm a big believer in going all in, and doing things the correct way and staying professional. You certainly seem to be very much moving in that direction.

I contemplated the vinyl wrap, and got some quotes...I just couldn't make sense of the money it would take without knowing how successful a mobile unit would be for me. I already have a busy shop location...so the mobile was a reach. I know...most people are the opposite, ha.

It certainly seemed like a no brainer at the start, and luckily I ended up being right about that. But, the price of the vinyl wrap just didn't make sense for me in the beginning. I had already dropped a ton of dough (as you can see) on the body work, and equipment, as well as a few mechanical issues. I had a buddy with a body shop, and he gave me an offer I couldn't refuse for all the body work, and some of the mechanical issues.

It just made sense to paint it the way I did. I'm glad I did...cause a wrap would still be something I'd be paying off.

You should check out page 25, where I list things I've learned along the way. Could be some things in there that you may have not thought of, or don't know yet.

I'm glad this thread is inspiring people, and helping them make better decisions. I agree with you that you will save money building your own unit. Those trailers that come all prepared and built are a waste of money IMO. Unless you are so completely established that you can drop $12k on a trailer full of maybe $5k worth of equipment...then it just doesn't make sense. It's a horrible way to start. It's like going to college for 4 years and coming out without a major, ha.

Good luck to you, and if you have any questions or anything...feel free to PM me, or better yet bring it up on this thread so others can read the discussion. :dblthumb2:

 

[sullysdetailing]

Would have to area the pre made trailers are a waste. I have a set location now and we stay busy with everything that comes in between detailing and all the other stuff we do. But we have a lot of clients that still want us mobile so I am getting an open trailer just for water and power and the rest will be in the bed of my truck. I can get everything for about 2k

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

 

[Kristopher1129]

Would have to area the pre made trailers are a waste. I have a set location now and we stay busy with everything that comes in between detailing and all the other stuff we do. But we have a lot of clients that still want us mobile so I am getting an open trailer just for water and power and the rest will be in the bed of my truck. I can get everything for about 2k

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

Exactly. I appreciate the fact that they exist, and that you can just up and buy one...and be right in business. But, the money paid for labor, is obviously jacked WAY up. It's like anything else...if you can make, or build it yourself it will save you tons of money.

 

[mujahdi]

hello all im new here just started my cleaning company which offers auto detailing but i added a twist to it as im not specified as a detailer but a cleaner so i provide a no touch cleaning with foam cannon and dry with a blower. only time i touch your car is on touch ups and spots when neccesary. also i use spray wax which i can rub with a soft towel i use optimum no rinse and dilute for detail spray so it shines more and cleans at the same time. well thanks for having me and look forward to being around for a long time ....

here are a few pics this is my weekend project foam cannon 50 gallon water tank and etc:

FURTHERMORE IM DRILLING THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF MY WORK TRUCK WITH METAL DRILL BITS I PLAN ON PROBABLY PUTTING A WOOD FLOOR DOWN AND JUST MOUNT EVERYTHING TO THE WOOD FLOOR

ALSO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO VENTALATE MY PRESSURE WASHER AND GENERATOR THROUGH MY FLOOR IT SEEMS LIKE THE PIPE IS TOO BIG FOR SOMETHING TO GO OVER IT PLZ LOOK ABOVE

 

[CleanGene]

Got some nice pieces there. Hope it all comes together for you.

 

[mujahdi]

thanks i plan on mounting it to a wood floor bottom this weekend bc the fuel tank is in the way and i dont feel like dropping the fuel tank so i will just screw in a wood floor and mount my screws in b4 i put it down it seems the easiest way since i want my tank in the middle. do u have any suggestions as far as ventelation and placement

 

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

thanks i plan on mounting it to a wood floor bottom this weekend bc the fuel tank is in the way and i dont feel like dropping the fuel tank so i will just screw in a wood floor and mount my screws in b4 i put it down it seems the easiest way since i want my tank in the middle. do u have any suggestions as far as ventelation and placement

Hey there, welcome!

I think i already know the answer to this but i'll ask anyway...i'm assuming you'll be rinsing with soft water since you are just blow drying correct?

 

[mujahdi]

Hey there, welcome!

I think i already know the answer to this but i'll ask anyway...i'm assuming you'll be rinsing with soft water since you are just blow drying correct?

yea i plan on getting something to make my water softer but i mix my solutions with distilled water so mainly i will touch up with that i use the no rinse products

 

[mg6045]

yea i plan on getting something to make my water softer but i mix my solutions with distilled water so mainly i will touch up with that i use the no rinse products

so basically you plan on rinsing with ONR ?

if thats the plan and you intend to blow the car off after rinsing with ONR , you are going to see that there will be a ton of streaking. the ONR NEEDS agitation and towel drying. as does a foam cannon foam bath. road film will go NOwhere even with a super alkaline solution without being agitated.

The plan sounds good in theory, but I wouldn't want my car spray waxed after just being rinsed off with foam and ONR. I would want my car completely clean before even going near it with a dry towel and spray and wipe product (even if its ONR at QD dilution).

If i'm completely off base here and you have pictures that show your results I would love to see them. also, please let me know if I am not understanding something in your process as well. I'm just trying to be constructive with my feedback. Ive seen you post in a couple rinseless wash threads now and from what I am seeing you post if sounds like you think you can spray a car with ONR and blowdry it to a clean, spot and streak free finish. and then touch up area's with QD and spray wax that didn't come out clean. IMO, I would never allow anyone to use a process like that on my vehicle.

 

[mujahdi]

so basically you plan on rinsing with ONR ?

if thats the plan and you intend to blow the car off after rinsing with ONR , you are going to see that there will be a ton of streaking. the ONR NEEDS agitation and towel drying. as does a foam cannon foam bath. road film will go NOwhere even with a super alkaline solution without being agitated.

The plan sounds good in theory, but I wouldn't want my car spray waxed after just being rinsed off with foam and ONR. I would want my car completely clean before even going near it with a dry towel and spray and wipe product (even if its ONR at QD dilution).

If i'm completely off base here and you have pictures that show your results I would love to see them. also, please let me know if I am not understanding something in your process as well. I'm just trying to be constructive with my feedback. Ive seen you post in a couple rinseless wash threads now and from what I am seeing you post if sounds like you think you can spray a car with ONR and blowdry it to a clean, spot and streak free finish. and then touch up area's with QD and spray wax that didn't come out clean. IMO, I would never allow anyone to use a process like that on my vehicle.

its okay and yes constructive critisism is alwasy welcomed yes i foamed the car yes i sprayed with apc mixed with 2 ounce or 2 ounce optimum apc, and 1oz detail spray.

then i dried the car with my blower that came with the vaccum it took long for the vaccum blower to dry the car as it is not powerful and yes i have pics will post it now got to upload it for you bro right now

 

[mujahdi]

these photos are after a week of the wash i stated above im always trying to figure out a faster way to do things and i practice everything on my wife car first before i use on other cars after a week still looking good:

 

[mujahdi]

looks so clean i would eat off i was amazed after i seen the car after a week of driving up and down the road and it still shines

 

[mujahdi]

my process is just like everyone elses i foam the car let the foam sit as i clean the tires and rims of the car after cleaning the tires real good i then rinse the car clean with water then spray with apc mixture(2oz optimum all purpose cleaner 2oz onr and 1oz diluted detail spray made from my onr product which is made to make 4 different products then rinse again then blow dry the car till completely dry my dry takes longer as my blower is not strong enough to blow dry fast enough need to get a better blower

1 foam sit for 3 min
2 rinse
3 spray apc
4 rinse
5 blow dry

 

[Coakley Carwash]

Amazing work, Keep it up.

 

[JLC]

Very informative thread! Thanks, to all who contributed!

 

[Ashlee@ADTR_MD]

Is that really true I still find it hard to believe if a customer hires a mobile detail person they would let them use their water and electricity??

Exotic Auto Detail via tapatalk

I'm mobile. Every customer I've had has said if you need water or electric its on the side of the house. Lol! I guess all people are different rops:

 

[Ashlee@ADTR_MD]

Looking good bro!! I work out of a GMC Savanna 2500, older body. We have a decently large tank in ours takes up A LOT of space! But Rhino Lining, how genius! I may be stealing a few of your ideas there! Also, the bottle holders amazing I've been trying to find a way to increase floor space for my big machines that can only be on solid ground. Setting up for mobile can be a pain but so worth it! Goodluck and please keep us updated I'd love to see the finished product!

 

[kmsdetailing]

Is that really true I still find it hard to believe if a customer hires a mobile detail person they would let them use their water and electricity??

Exotic Auto Detail via tapatalk

Could it be for detailing cars at an airport or some other parking lot where a spigot won't do the trick? I'm not sure either but I have not had anyone refuse me either of those two resources.

 

[cajundetail]

I have tried the shop thing.. didnt work so well.. I have always been pretty mobile, but now I am truly mobile.

I can do commercial vehicles with a hot water pressure washer (Alkota 5355) or I can do a personal vehicle with a water hose, all connected to my trailer.. not having to use either the customers water nor electricity.. I call that truly mobile!!!!

Cathy

 

[dajuanNonly]

Does running a generator in the van with the doors open affect the generator performance