I know at least one car wash equipment manufacturer that makes such a undercarriage device for self serves (coin ops). Its basically a set of nozzles on wheels pointing upwards. I could see that being a popular option in the snow belt during winter months. One of the problems we have is limited...
Well Rippy, thanks for the work. You have inspired me to try my own variation of durability test, but I'm going to test mine through my touch free automatic car washes. I've had customers ask me for recommendations from time to time and I'm going to try and find out which one can withstand the...
Yeah, I learned real quick that a tornador makes a mess and it needs to be step one. Its unreal how much debris it will blow out of carpet, even after its just been vacuumed.
Why passenger side first? I would think I want clean driver's seat first to allow it to dry
I don't have one to really recommend but will say I have a commercial belt driven with Honda motor and Cat Pump. Its a workhorse with hundred of hours on it. I always discounted an electric 110V pressure washer. However, a few weeks ago I saw one of the cheap electric greenworks from Lowes on...
I'm in self serve and automatic car wash business. Bucket washing hurts revenue, sometimes substantially if it gets out of hand. People are in a rush these days and will not wait very long if at all before they'll drive off. bucket washing slows throughput and increases the chances of drive...
Quickbooks for me, even though I liked previous versions much better. Find out what your tax preparer or accountant likes. The two softwares may integrate and save you some money at tax time.
Yes, on the surface $70-80 sounds high but once you figure in hours for marketing, travel, etc. your true hourly/weekly wage is much less than your billable rate.
Since exercise and stretching has been mentioned, I'll throw in my input. I'm 52 and I've had back trouble most of my life. I was a regular at the chiropractor. Around five years ago I started a routine of both standard and side planks. Within a few months my back trouble was all but gone. My...
One thing I will add if you decide to try the flyers. The International Car wash Association does fairly frequent studies on consumer washing habits. One of the things they determined is if you're going to do advertising, marketing, and offer freebies do it to potential customers driving clean...
Congratulations on your sale! I'm in the automated car wash business so my situation is different from most of you. There was an old business talk show by a guy named Bruce Williams I used to listen to. Many people would call about buying a small business and when numbers were discussed and...
I haven't used nu finish in a looong time- like maybe the 90s'? I don't recall using it more than a couple of times, and reverting back to my meguiars. but i preferred cleaner waxes, so that may have been why. If they still tout the "rated #1 by a consumers magazine" I would see how long ago...
I wouldn't use it unless it was needed. I've never used Meguiars wheel brightener . However, I've used other bulk packaged aluminum brighteners with HF/ABF, even greatly diluted they can add a nice "sparkle" to the wheel. You may want to experiment with how weak a solution you can use and...
101 APC is good for interiors. D108 Degreaser would be more effective for engine bays, undercarriage, and tires. Get both if you can afford it. I don't think It won't go bad if stored above freezing and both could be used around the house.
Good advice IMO.
One thing about a fixed location- There is usually water, electricity, and sewer bills at a minimum. All of these eating up profits. OP, have you figured how many details do you have to do a month just to pay for your location? Staying lean in the beginning ensures chance...
New guy here, and admittedly a detailing no-nothing- but I've been in the commercial (mechanized) car wash business for a while. D108 contains potassium hydroxide, which is caustic. D101 contains sodium metasilicate as a builder, which is generally safer to metals and other surfaces. So 101 is...
Cool car!
One other thing about spray wax- it allows you to give that car that little bit of "extra love" extra time you wash it. I use Meguiars Synthetic X-press Wax and like it. I have read some even use that product on interiors.
I've found that applying the pre soak followed by high pressure rinse is enough to clean my car if it hasn't been driven while the roads are wet. Otherwise, there will still be remnants of road film on the car after washing. I do use the foam brush on the glass.
If the spot free rinse is...
old post, but you can usually replace the lead acid battery for 20-30 dollars in your defunct unit. Take it apart and find out what size is used, and find a replacment on ebay.