Mobile detail questions

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Ty07allstar

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Me and my friend started detailing out our garages. But this year I talked to a guy that owns a performance shop and he said that he could probably get us a lot of business. The only thing is that his shop doesn't have a decent water supply. Right now we don't have water or a power washer. What would you guys recommend that we do? We are going to use one of my friend's uncles trucks so that isn't an issue but now we need water and a pressure washer. What would be the cheapest way that we could go about doing this? If we can we would like to use an electric pressure washer. Thanks for the help.
 
I would think just starting out, you could do without a power washer for awhile. I limit my power washer usage to engine detailing, floor mats, & wheel wells. However, you could accomplish this without a power washer, just some extra elbow grease. You will need a 50 gal tank for your water supply... I have a 35 gal and I can do one car or a large truck. It works great because you can add some 'Optimum-No Rinse" to it and it acts as a water softener; a must have when working out in direct sunlight.

If you do go with a power washer, an electric water pump like the "Wayne Portable Pump" is a must have so you don't burn out the pressure pump... I'm not sure about electric, but for a gasser you would need one. I think others would disagree with me on that but from being safe to being sorry, it's better to play it safe.
 
scrubs147 said:
I would think just starting out, you could do without a power washer for awhile. I limit my power washer usage to engine detailing, floor mats, & wheel wells. However, you could accomplish this without a power washer, just some extra elbow grease. You will need a 50 gal tank for your water supply... I have a 35 gal and I can do one car or a large truck. It works great because you can add some 'Optimum-No Rinse" to it and it acts as a water softener; a must have when working out in direct sunlight.

If you do go with a power washer, an electric water pump like the "Wayne Portable Pump" is a must have so you don't burn out the pressure pump... I'm not sure about electric, but for a gasser you would need one. I think others would disagree with me on that but from being safe to being sorry, it's better to play it safe.
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I thought the only way to use a water tank was with a power washer but now that you say I don't need one I probably won't get one. What would I need to buy and about how much would I be looking to spend if I were to just get a tank and a water pump? If you could provide links that would be great. Thanks
 
I have a 1550w Karcher that's gravity fed (no pump). It flows at 1.3 gpm. I've got a 40 gallon tank and can do 5-6 cars before refilling.
 
CleanGene said:
I have a 1550w Karcher that's gravity fed (no pump). It flows at 1.3 gpm. I've got a 40 gallon tank and can do 5-6 cars before refilling.
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Do you have a link? Also how much did it all cost you?
 
Ty07allstar said:
Would it work if I bought this pressure washer, Amazon.com: Snap-On 870552 1,600 PSI Electric Pressure Washer With 20-Foot Hose: Patio, Lawn & Garden, and got one of those big blue barrels? If so how would I hook up the hose to the barrel to get the water to flow?
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Not all electric pressure washers have pumps that siphon, so I can't say whether or not the one you've listed does. Ideally the tank needs to be elevated higher than the pressure washer. Mine is mounted in the back of my truck and flows down to the pressure washer that sits on the ground. You would also need to tap the barrel on the bottom or as close to the bottom as possible to maximize your water supply.
 
CleanGene said:
Not all electric pressure washers have pumps that siphon, so I can't say whether or not the one you've listed does. Ideally the tank needs to be elevated higher than the pressure washer. Mine is mounted in the back of my truck and flows down to the pressure washer that sits on the ground. You would also need to tap the barrel on the bottom or as close to the bottom as possible to maximize your water supply.
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What pressure washer would do what I need it to do? I found this on ebay, NEW KARCHER ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHER 1550 Power Wash - eBay (item 370488810888 end time Mar-03-11 13:25:17 PST)
 
Ty07allstar said:
What pressure washer would do what I need it to do? I found this on ebay, NEW KARCHER ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHER 1550 Power Wash - eBay (item 370488810888 end time Mar-03-11 13:25:17 PST)
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That's the exact model that I have and it will work gravity fed. :dblthumb2: I put a quick connect valve on the end of my hose and attached the adapter to the pressure washer. Open the valve and let water flow into an empty bucket for a few seconds to push some of the air out of the hose, then close the valve, connect it to the PW, open it again, and you're ready to go.
 
Sweet. Could you post a picture of the quick connect valve for me?
 
I see, thanks. What kind of tank do you have? If you have a link that would help.
 
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