Getting Mobile Cheap - Details Inside

ehuth1

ehuth1

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Getting Mobile Cheap $500 Equipment Less Chemicals - Details Inside

Well it started off with driving my clients cars back and forth to the house wasting time for the "To and From Commutes". I said the heck with this and started thinking on the cost saving side and with help from AG and Justin, Nick?, and a few others I'm ready !

1. Very First thought was less fuel burned means more money saved. I went to Wal-Mart and purchased a Karcher 1400psi PW for $84 + tax. I can't say enough about this thing it just sits outside all the time and takes the biggest beating from me throwing the wand down, to running on it's side from pulling on the hose trying get some slack. It's worth the money plus a 1 year warranty.

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2. I Decided to visit tractor supply and check on some tanks. I went with the 65 gallon based on few talks with fellow detailers and from the amount I would do I wouldn't pass 3 washes and 65 would be plenty. $140 + tax.
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3. I kept going back and forth on a generator vs. inverter and believe I'm glad I went ahead with the generator. I had to have atleast 13 amps and 1500 watts for all my utilities. This generator normally sells for $399 @ Home Depot but I was fortunate to find a fleet washing individual that was selling out and had his for sale on atlanta.craigslist.org for $250 This thing is a jewel and really quiet for it's power.

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4. Well this was the biggest concern I had for this setup... How was I going to secure this stuff? Well I thought about it and all I could think was bungey cords for the product totes and ratchet straps for the heavy stuff... Well This is what I came up with. $5 a piece from the local bulk pallet dealer. I had to trim one to make the fit in the back of the truck. One thing is with all the holes the strapping capability is endless :)

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5. Well I thought I would toss this in for anyone who has thought about filtering their water. Wal-Mart has a RV Water filter with a no - kink hose that comes along with it. This particular filter cost $17 + tax and filters out Aluminum, Bacteria, Bad Taste, Cadmium, Chlorine, Fungus, Heavy Metals, Hydrogen Sulfide, Iron, Lead, Mercury, Mold, Odor, Turbidity, Sediment !!! I know some don't care but I'm looking for no possible water spotting if I don't have to being that I detail in broad day light.

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Just thought I would share my small journey to satisfying my mobile detailing opportunity. I hope everyone can have some luck with this if your looking to get into this hobby, passion, job, sickness :D

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Thanks for looking,

Eric:awesome:
 
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VERY sweet setup Eric!! You might be able to do more than 3 cars, maybe 4 or 5, it just depends on the size of the car, and how much water you decide to use, and if you use your pressure washer to clean mats; that's additional water, etc.

The only thing you forgot... was a digital camera, so you can share your experiences with the rest of us!


Good luck and God bless.




-Nick :cheers:
5-Star Auto Detailing
 
sounds like a sweet setup man goodluck, and yes driving back and forth is tough and wasteful of time, fuel, money
 
I wish you the best of look, it looks like you have a great set up...
 
How long is the filter from Walmart suppose to last, before you need to replace? Mike...
 
ehuth1 said:
Thanks for the follow up !!
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Hey bud, if you ever need some help, don't hesitate to PM Justin, or I, or anyone willing to offer some help, products etc. I'm going to PM you a link for some helpful startup info. Hopefully it will be beneficial to you, as I've lost repeat customers due to my learning experience. And the info I'll be sending you, is something I have learned from, and there's actually a few of my simple mistakes posted, so hopefully you'll be better informed, unlike myself. Being 19, it's a little harder to convince someone to choose a younger detailer than say an older. But time will fly, I promise. You can do it! There's no looking back now. :cheers:

PS. If you get a good enough accountant, he/she can right off your Gatorade, and lunch purchases (you can say it was a company expense to "seal the deal" etc. along those lines) I was lucky enough to have all Gatorade and most lunches written off.

Strokin04 said:
How long is the filter from Walmart suppose to last, before you need to replace? Mike...
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Probaby a month or so. But even if it lasts, and he enjoys using it, it's only $17.



-Nick
5-Star Auto Detailing

Again, Good Luck and God Bless you. I hope the very best for you. :cheers:
 
Probaby a month or so. But even if it lasts, and he enjoys using it, it's only $17.



For 17 dollars if it lasts for a month then I diffently will be going to Walmart because the water at my house will spot your car real fast if you don't get dryed off quickly. I was also wondering if there was an indicator on it like the mr. clean auto dry that will let know when it needs to be changed? One other question is what is the flow rate because I normally use my gas powered pressure washer?
 
Strokin04 said:
How long is the filter from Walmart suppose to last, before you need to replace? Mike...
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As soon as I opened the filter from the box there is a sticker on it that wants you to mark the start date and from then it last 3 months. It's a high flow filter but I'm not planning on using it inline with the PW. Good luck Strokin it will be a good buy either way.
 
WOW!
You gave me some ideas! Thanks for the write up bro.
I'm glad I could help.

Does that generator power the pressure washer ok? I didn't see your vac either?

Also, make sure you get the 25' extension hose for the Karcher. Makes a world of difference!
 
Justin, what up man yea I got the vac I just didn't picture it in. I'm still re-arranging the front pallet to accomadate the generator and other things. The generator does very good with the small karcher pressure washer (tested and approved) :) Oh yea I picked the 25' extension awhile back, the stock 20' is just really a nuisance with a large pickup. Thanks for the help man !!!
 
Man, great setup! If that Karcher really is only $85 plus tax, I just might have to look into that. My dad is a huge Karcher fan, they're big in Europe. He went crazy one day and bought about 5 of their appliances!
 
P1et The Karcher has been a good one. I always look at the larger setups 1500-1750psi but I my generator can only support the 13amp 1500 load with 1850 peak. You want be dissappointed.
 
Nice setup, yeah Karcher is big here. ive got one, works great.
 
thats what i'm talking about !!! Thanks for the link. I hate rounding up that 45' hose :)
 
ehuth1 said:
thats what i'm talking about !!! Thanks for the link. I hate rounding up that 45' hose :)
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Ain't that the truth. I have 50ft of air hose for water on a reel hooked to my flojet pump. That is easy to deploy and take up. My 50ft on the pressure washer is a beast. I imagine the higher quality hoses are easier to work with. Mine however is not one of those and is not on a reel. Everything in my truck has a place and is pretty neat except my darn pressure washer hose.
 
Good luck in your business endeavors. You've got a nice set up there. Best of luck to you. :)
 
ehuth1 said:
^^^ Ordered it 10 minutes ago. Can't wait for it to get here !!
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Awesome!

Did you see the single piece 50' hose? you would have to buy a trigger gun and nozzles though but it would be more industrial than the one Karchen sends. This is what I'm doing.
 
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