HHR Panel for Mobile Detailing unit?

this was a great thread to read, very nice setup and congrats on all the work you have received.
 
Status said:
Seems like stepping up a notch was a great move!
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Ill take any upsell instead of just a basic wash, and yup the megs synthetic spray wax worked out great.

refreshauto said:
this was a great thread to read, very nice setup and congrats on all the work you have received.
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Thanks for reading the thread! i hope this helps anyone thats starting this detailing thing as a business. The work isnt steady yet. But little by little and with alot of sweat and positive thinking business is steadily coming in :props:
 
Thanks for the inspiration! I am a full time college student living with parents to save money, have about a year left. I am detailing part time during school and full time during holiday breaks and during the summer. Haven't gotten too serious about it yet, just earning a little extra money. I mainly do all my work here in the garage of my parents house but I have done a few mobile details. The cost effectiveness and convenience of going mobile definitely intrigues me. The only question I have is how do you wash in the sun? I have thought of getting some portable pavilions from walmart but it seems like it would take too much time setting up and taking down. If tree shade is nowhere to be found, how do you effectively wash in direct sunlight like you did to that Honda Ridgeline? For a business as small scale as mine is right now this might not be worth it for me right now, but I am definitely thinking more about it since you now have a proof of concept.
 
woopigsooie said:
Thanks for the inspiration! I am a full time college student living with parents to save money, have about a year left. I am detailing part time during school and full time during holiday breaks and during the summer. Haven't gotten too serious about it yet, just earning a little extra money. I mainly do all my work here in the garage of my parents house but I have done a few mobile details. The cost effectiveness and convenience of going mobile definitely intrigues me. The only question I have is how do you wash in the sun? I have thought of getting some portable pavilions from walmart but it seems like it would take too much time setting up and taking down. If tree shade is nowhere to be found, how do you effectively wash in direct sunlight like you did to that Honda Ridgeline? For a business as small scale as mine is right now this might not be worth it for me right now, but I am definitely thinking more about it since you now have a proof of concept.
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Weekender Series
I have a green weekender series, takes one person ten minutes to properly setup and break down, if you are going location to location you can leave cover connected to frame (I would not) I had a pop up tent prior and over the years too much wear & tear from not taking cover off frame.
Now on detailing part in humid conditions (sun light) work panels (sections) This is where a RINSELESS WASH ([ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL1GvN_fwME]Review: Ultima Waterless Wash Plus Concentrate - YouTube[/video]) is great
 
mrclean said:
thanks for your kind words my friend. i want to wish you the best of luck on your project, keep me posted. take your time with the logo.. remember it will reflect and represent your company. here in miami, alot of mobile guys throw up a lambo and some loud color graphicss with wash and wax splatter all over the vehicle and make that their car wrap design. i wanted to stand out and at the same time look the part, and not follow the crowd.

one thing i would suggest is that eveything should fit and followed your company's THEME. colors, logos, shirts... try to keep everything in the same system. for example, my business cards have the same two colors, grey and light blue, my website as well.. vehicle graphics too.. shirts,.. you get my drift. try to make a brand out of your company.

also, if you take the pump pics that i posted with the close-up of the fittings to any home depot or lowes, they will definitely be able to help you out with the pump to tank connection.:dblthumb2:
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pump questions are both ends (inlet & outlet) a (one) inch and need a reducer from 1 in to 3/4?
 
The pump fittings are most likely 3/4 or 5/8 NPT(pipe thread not garden hose). I actually figured this all out when I went into a landscaping/lawn care store to get an inline filter. If you bring a pump into a place like I went to they can adapt pretty much anything. Also, pump I have is a sump/drop-in pump from HF and has done well for my Karcher; you only need like 2-4 gpm flow which most pumps far exceed. HF has a full stainless sump pump and an inline that are both around $65-$75, and and could be run on the same power source you would use for an electric PW, i.e. generator or customer's power. One of the reasons I am stuck on using an electric PW is that I will usually need power for the pump anyway and if not I still would rather not have a more obnoxious gas PW. Not that I will not be purchasing a gas one ASAP for larger/dirtier jobs.
 
ShaunD said:
The pump fittings are most likely 3/4 or 5/8 NPT(pipe thread not garden hose). I actually figured this all out when I went into a landscaping/lawn care store to get an inline filter. If you bring a pump into a place like I went to they can adapt pretty much anything. Also, pump I have is a sump/drop-in pump from HF and has done well for my Karcher; you only need like 2-4 gpm flow which most pumps far exceed. HF has a full stainless sump pump and an inline that are both around $65-$75, and and could be run on the same power source you would use for an electric PW, i.e. generator or customer's power. One of the reasons I am stuck on using an electric PW is that I will usually need power for the pump anyway and if not I still would rather not have a more obnoxious gas PW. Not that I will not be purchasing a gas one ASAP for larger/dirtier jobs.
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Thanks I was confused on right side (description says OUTLET FITTING SIZE 1 INCH
3/4 Horsepower Clear Water Pump
 
The pump I have actually has a 3/4 npt fitting going into the pump, which may be a 1" female opening for a standard sump pump hose; Idk if there is such a hose.
 
215Detailing said:
pump questions are both ends (inlet & outlet) a (one) inch and need a reducer from 1 in to 3/4?
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yes, both inlet and outlet are 1 inch, your going to need to buy a 1 to 3/4 reducer just like that white one that i got on my pump. do as shaunD saids, bring it in to home depot to avoid having to go back and forward. good luck :dblthumb2:
 
mrclean said:
yes, both inlet and outlet are 1 inch, your going to need to buy a 1 to 3/4 reducer just like that white one that i got on my pump. do as shaunD saids, bring it in to home depot to avoid having to go back and forward. good luck :dblthumb2:
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Thanks both mrclean & shaunD
 
woopigsooie said:
Thanks for the inspiration! I am a full time college student living with parents to save money, have about a year left. I am detailing part time during school and full time during holiday breaks and during the summer. Haven't gotten too serious about it yet, just earning a little extra money. I mainly do all my work here in the garage of my parents house but I have done a few mobile details. The cost effectiveness and convenience of going mobile definitely intrigues me. The only question I have is how do you wash in the sun? I have thought of getting some portable pavilions from walmart but it seems like it would take too much time setting up and taking down. If tree shade is nowhere to be found, how do you effectively wash in direct sunlight like you did to that Honda Ridgeline? For a business as small scale as mine is right now this might not be worth it for me right now, but I am definitely thinking more about it since you now have a proof of concept.
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im happy that my thread has inspire you. the sun is not a problem for me. like 215detailing told you, look into rinseless washes. for all my washes i do the initial rinse with the my electric pw, at 1800 psi, most of all the dirt is knocked off.. just like i did with the muddy ridgeline. most of all the mud was knocked out with the pw rinse. after that, just fill up 5 gallon bucket and pour your rinseless solution there, have an extra bucket for rinising. start panel by panel. i use a micro-chinelle mitt to wash each panel. after im done, i use a waffle weave mf towel to dry. therefore, no water spots. i hope this helps.
 
man said:
I would literally punch my mom in the mouth for 25 mpg!! For my area, my prices lean on the high side so It kinda works out. I also do mostly full details and rarely go to more than 2 sites at any given day. If I was flying around town doing smaller jobs, it wouldn't work. I like having a trailer cause I have almost everything you could ever want or dream of to detail with but it can be a drag trying to fit in places. Since I ofter do heavy equipment, I need the pressure washer and a huge tank. I use printed shirts with a small logo on the front and big one on the back. I must have been crazy getting black shirts in Florida when in the summer the sun feels like it's 4 feet away from your neck.
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it was like the detailing gods got together and said " ah, look at this kid.. he wants to detail for money... lets throw him the soccer mom van special" jesus christ, what a ton of work did i do today. this honda van was wrecked and smelled like chucky e cheese on crack! i knew it wasnt going to be easy, but damn.. i gotta say i wasnt ready for this one! but, you have to start somewhere and a interior detail on a soccer mom van from hell was what i got today.

this is why i never, ever let my kids eat inside the car.. what the hell!

dirty_floor_.jpg


seems like little timmy likes to save his gum for later.. and his wafers too..

dirty_back_seat_cupholder.jpg


but sometimes he gets bored and uses the side door as his canvas and his gum as his brush and paints away...

dirty_right_side_door_gum.jpg


oily, gummy, and just plain old dirty leather seats that have been thru hell and back

dirty_leather_seats.jpg


mom is a bit clumsy with her coffee..

dirty_cupholder.jpg


the family also had a walk in closet in TRUNK!

dirty_trunk.jpg


i went at it with this van. since 9 am thru 4 pm it fought a good battle and so did i. here's my results..

clean_interior_side.jpg


CAM00108.jpg


clean_interior-2.jpg


clean_leather_seat.jpg


i gave little timmy a new canvas..

clean_right_side_door_gum.jpg


clean_cupholder.jpg


and to finish it off, onr wash and wax to the exterior..

van_exterior.jpg


this family is very nice, and treated me and tipped me really well to say the least. they hired me because they wanted to trade in the van.. and after i was done, the mom and dad both said that they might just keep it now. very nice compliment to hear. they also said they had NEVER seen the van this clean.. to sum it up, i got two new customers.. and if you see in the back of the van, the husband drives a mercedes.. ill be doing that one next.. but its not beat up like the van. one day at a time, one wash at a time and everything is moving good. tomorrow i have a correction job to do in the morning.. that should be more fun. overall this was a good experience.
 
thats not that bad at all lol I have done interiors 3x as worse :D im not bragging doe haha

great turnaround! Your work payed off on this one!
 
oh yes the horrid mini van. I automatically assume the absolute worst when I book a mini van. People buy them for one purpose, to haul their unholy spawns of satan through hell. The things I have seen done to a mini van are absolutely unspeakable. Feces smashed into the headliner to long dead pets under the seat. It's enough to give a detailer the thousand yard stare. The horror.
 
thebamboo23 said:
thats not that bad at all lol I have done interiors 3x as worse :D im not bragging doe haha

great turnaround! Your work payed off on this one!
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3xs as worse and i wouldve acted like i was booked for weeks. at first i was like.. "man, am i ever going to finish this?" hats off to you for doing dirtier work :xyxthumbs: it was good to see that the clients atleast acknowledge the turnaround. it kinda gives me an artificial pat on the back.

catfish07 said:
oh yes the horrid mini van. I automatically assume the absolute worst when I book a mini van. People buy them for one purpose, to haul their unholy spawns of satan through hell. The things I have seen done to a mini van are absolutely unspeakable. Feces smashed into the headliner to long dead pets under the seat. It's enough to give a detailer the thousand yard stare. The horror.
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you're funny man! and i see you got great mini van stories to tell! "long dead pets under the seat" ###!??
the feces smashed into the headliner, i can understand that.. lol:xyxthumbs:
 
mrclean said:
im happy that my thread has inspire you. the sun is not a problem for me. like 215detailing told you, look into rinseless washes. for all my washes i do the initial rinse with the my electric pw, at 1800 psi, most of all the dirt is knocked off.. just like i did with the muddy ridgeline. most of all the mud was knocked out with the pw rinse. after that, just fill up 5 gallon bucket and pour your rinseless solution there, have an extra bucket for rinising. start panel by panel. i use a micro-chinelle mitt to wash each panel. after im done, i use a waffle weave mf towel to dry. therefore, no water spots. i hope this helps.
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I have considered the rinseless wash but I would assume I need to make a heavy investment in more microfibers which can be a little pricey. How many do you need to get through one day of one to a few cars? And you just wash them at the end of every day? Also, do you just use regular wash detergent (without softener) or do you actually buy the microfiber wash soap they sell on AG?

I appreciate the insight!
 
woopigsooie said:
How many do you need to get through one day of one to a few cars? And you just wash them at the end of every day? Also, do you just use regular wash detergent (without softener) or do you actually buy the microfiber wash soap they sell on AG?

I appreciate the insight!
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i do have quality microfiber towels, but i only use those for removing polishes or waxes ( paint only) i buy the regular bj's or sams club or costco mf towels for interior, glass and all around use. you can get alot for cheap. for the actual wash, i dont use mf towels. i use the mf mitts. like this one...

Super Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt, microfiber wash mitt, car wash mitt

i have 3 of them. thats enough for the day. when one gets too dirty, i use another one.. and so on. at the end of the day, i use the pw to clean them. apc, rinse and let them dry and theyre ready to use the next day. i have about 6 waffle weave towels, big ones 25x36 one of these can dry a suv. to clean them, i do the same process as i do with the mitts.
to clean the quality mf towels that i use to remove polishes and waxes.. i use hd towel kleen.
hope this helps, definitely consider rinseless washes. saves alot of time.. and alot of water.:xyxthumbs:
 
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