How to approach businesses for waterless washes

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Steadfast detailing

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I was thinking of filling in the time I have between doing high paying paint correction and paint protection jobs by going around to small businesses and offering mobile waterless washes on their cars parked in the parking lot or garage (wherever it may be).

How should I approach this? Was thinking that would I approach a business and asking to speak to the manager/boss etc with the following:

1. Introduce myself, my business and where I'm from. Hand them a business card.
2. Explain that I'm approaching businesses and inquiring whether they want their car conveniently cleaned whilst they are working and then they can go home in a nice clean shiny car.
3. If they agree, I will ask what car so I can quote them a price based on car size, let them know that there will be an extra fee for vehicles exceptionally dirty.
4. Ask them to come out and show me their car.
5. Get to work.

Should I collect money afterwards when the work is done? I mean it's not like they are going to cheat me, I know where they work after all haha.

What do you guys think of this approach? Any changes I should make, any tips or advice? Thanks.
 
What do you mean by waterless wash? Can you share your washing and cleaning process? Can you also share what you charge for an exterior waterless wash?
 
Real Riders said:
What do you mean by waterless wash? Can you share your washing and cleaning process? Can you also share what you charge for an exterior waterless wash?
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I'll be using a waterless solution (duragloss rinseless, ONR, etc) with microfibre towels.

Will probably start my prices from $70. I'm in Australia.
 
Steadfast detailing said:
I'll be using a waterless solution (duragloss rinseless, ONR, etc) with microfibre towels.

Will probably start my prices from $70. I'm in Australia.
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You will be doing Rinseless Washes correct? You will be using a bucket? You will charge $70 (American dollars) for exterior only wash?
 
Real Riders said:
You will be doing Rinseless Washes correct? You will be using a bucket? You will charge $70 (American dollars) for exterior only wash?
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Waterless wash but with ONR and other rinseless or dedicated shampoos (haven't decided yet, not too concerned with this atm). No bucket. I said I'm from Australia, so Australian dollars. Google converts that to USD $51.
 
Im no professional but i dont think you can use onr as a waterless wash. You can use it as a QD but in my experience its not the same as waterless wash.
 
I think it's fine for lightly soiled cars but any more than that no. I'm not really fussed about what product I'm using because I can get all that later. Just trying to work out my approach.

Thanks for the tips.
 
ev_g35 said:
Im no professional but i dont think you can use onr as a waterless wash. You can use it as a QD but in my experience its not the same as waterless wash.
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The reason why everyone uses ONR as waterless wash is because it's so economical. Some RTU waterless wash products cost $15 to $20 for a 24 oz bottle. You can make 256 gallons of RTU waterless wash with ONR for $40
 
Real Riders said:
You will be doing Rinseless Washes correct? You will be using a bucket? You will charge $70 (American dollars) for exterior only wash?
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70.00 just for a exterior wash.who on earth would pay that on a consistent basis.
 
I'm from south fla,but I don't offer wash services.I only have 4 vehicles a month at 60.00 a pop,but it's more involved than just a wash.Going rate for washing is from 15 to 35.00.just can't make a living on that and interferes with making good money detailing.
 
I don't know what the mentality of the average Australian is, but even for $51 US, the vast majority of the American public would flatly refuse to pay $51 for a full "wash and wax" and forget a waterless/rinseless wash, which the public probably doesn't even understand. "How can you wash my car without water? This sounds like a scam!"

Have you considered approaching car dealerships with the same goals in mind?
 
Keep in mind I'm also taking into account middle to high socioeconomic areas. So $70 is not unreasonable.

I don't want to approach dealerships because they will probably ask $3 per car or something like that.
 
So back on topic, any tips for approaching businesses? Pricing, products can all be adjusted and changed around so I'm not fussed about that.
 
Real Riders said:
The reason why everyone uses ONR as waterless wash is because it's so economical. Some RTU waterless wash products cost $15 to $20 for a 24 oz bottle. You can make 256 gallons of RTU waterless wash with ONR for $40
Click to expand...

ONR is horrible as a waterless wash, great rinseless but poop as a waterless. OP try Ultima Waterless, its a rinseless and waterless combo. And as far as approaching business, I usually talk to the people who are in charge of managing the office parks, they usually have the hot in as to where you can park on their property and such.
 
Don't pitch this as a waterless wash.

I would propose the idea as a car wash for $70... Unless some law dictates you disclose your process. If not, nobody really cares what your technique is as long as you aren't damaging the paint and it looks clean afterwards.

Also, will this include any additional services such as tire dressing?
 
natewood70 said:
Don't pitch this as a waterless wash.

I would propose the idea as a car wash for $70... Unless some law dictates you disclose your process. If not, nobody really cares what your technique is as long as you aren't damaging the paint and it looks clean afterwards.

Also, will this include any additional services such as tire dressing?
Click to expand...

I don't believe there's a law which forces me to disclose this. I plan on doing this right in car parks, private business parks, public spaces so I don't see how I could pitch it any other way other than a waterless wash as people will be asking how I plan on washing the car and wondering where I will be hooking up the water if I don't tell them outright that it's waterless.

I want to apply tyre dressing but not sure how to go about it. Do I just use a degreaser/APC and scrub it down and then use spray bottles of water to rinse it down a bit and then apply the dressing? Or should I forego it all together.
 
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