Mobile Detailing Business - questions

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Niko Molina

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I plan to use my own water. Will get some sort of filter to make sure the water I have is as clean as possible. I will be mobile so I'll have to carry my water in either cargo van or enclosed trailer (undecided).

-How does a mobile detailer move around with a 55gallon (I assume that's what's required) water tank in their van/trailer? Does the tank stay in the van/trailer and I just hook me generator+air pressurizer+hose up to or is there a way I should have it brought down from my van/trailer and out onto my client's driveway?
-What about filling it up when I'm done? How is that done without taking it out of the van/trailer?




Also if any of you guys have a method of filtering water (probably a product you buy, correct?) that you could recommend, feel free too!
 
For what it's worth I've been looking at the Cr Spotless water systems, not sure I can justify the cost.
 
I suppose there is the option of using the clients water but doesn't that look a bit unprofessional? I'd like to have my own water you know? I'd have to arrange some sort of filter for their water before it gets into my hose and onto their car as well.


And dirt, that seems pretty expensive for a detailer just starting out lol
 
DetailedGinger said:
I suppose there is the option of using the clients water but doesn't that look a bit unprofessional? I'd like to have my own water you know? I'd have to arrange some sort of filter for their water before it gets into my hose and onto their car as well.


And dirt, that seems pretty expensive for a detailer just starting out lol
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Most people don't care if you use their water and electric and I've read about many detailers removing the tanks from their rigs. You could always go to a rinseless wash as well.
 
I'm pretty sure a regular garden hose would be sufficient to refill your tank without removing it from your trailer.

Remember, 1 gallon of water = 8.34lbs or approximately 460lbs for your 55 gallon tank. Can you lift that much weight into a pickup bed?

Secondly, in the detailing world, and MY opinion 55 gallons is not enough to do anything worthwhile unless you have a sure way to refill on the road. I use a 125 gallon tank and cn usually do 6-8 cars without having to re fill.

Lastly, using a customers water is generally an assumption that they make (at least where I am) Nobody has ever commented on using their water.
 
DetailedGinger said:
I suppose there is the option of using the clients water but doesn't that look a bit unprofessional? I'd like to have my own water you know? I'd have to arrange some sort of filter for their water before it gets into my hose and onto their car as well.


And dirt, that seems pretty expensive for a detailer just starting out lol
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I use all my clients water and outlets they never care one bit. They always make feel as comfortable as possible and offer me food, drinks, and just about everything under the sun.
 
DetailedGinger said:
I plan to use my own water. Will get some sort of filter to make sure the water I have is as clean as possible. I will be mobile so I'll have to carry my water in either cargo van or enclosed trailer (undecided).

-How does a mobile detailer move around with a 55gallon (I assume that's what's required) water tank in their van/trailer? Does the tank stay in the van/trailer and I just hook me generator+air pressurizer+hose up to or is there a way I should have it brought down from my van/trailer and out onto my client's driveway?
-What about filling it up when I'm done? How is that done without taking it out of the van/trailer?




Also if any of you guys have a method of filtering water (probably a product you buy, correct?) that you could recommend, feel free too!
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IMO,....take it for what it's worth....lol.

1. Don't worry about a filter. Car washers who spray off the dust and dirt at dealership lots use a filter because they're spraying like 4-5 cars at a time and the two guys drying can't keep up,..thus increasing the possibility of water drying and creating spots. Doesn't apply in our case. Cost doesn't justify it's use.

2. When I used a water tank, (pre ONR), I had a 55 gal. low profile tank in back of my van on top of a pallet. This allowed me to strap tank to the pallet and also access to attach the pump at the spigot. Otherwise spigot is too low to floor of van to attach the pump. Tank stayed inside van. No way could I lift it in/out even half full.

Attach pump to tank at the spigot, then attach short pump hose to the pressure washer. Done. Pump plugs into generator which is located on ground outside of van.

If needed, refill tank inside van. Just unscrew big lid and fill with hose. At the end of the day I'd either be out of water and done for the day or unhook everything and dump the little remaining water by tipping tank over.

Hope this helped a little.
 
A point I would like to bring up here is that even though a lot of us focus on being professional. As a mobile detailer, being a little personal and intimate with customers can earn you loyalty and their trust. Plus, they will remember you more and pass your word forward. You could use 'Would it be ok to use water from the house to do the detail?' as a conversation starter. Little things can go a long way and developing a personal relationship in small businesses takes the business to a whole new level!

I would recommend waterless/rinseless unless you power wash the wells.
 
When i started i was really concerned about using the clients water and power. Every one on here said dont worry about it so i went forward. If you are confident and act like its normal then so will the customer.
 
I only plan on doing 2 cars a day, 3 maximum. I'm doing it on the weekends because I work 2nd shift Mon-Fri at my other job. 55gal tank be good for 2-3 cars?
 
I can speak from experience in that I feel that having your own water and electricity is a plus and it does look more professional. I had a trailer that had a 100 gallon tank and I would fill it up usually twice if I had a busy day. I don't think 55 gallons would be sufficient unless you were part time and knew that you were only doing a few cars each day.

HUMP
 
I use a 55gallon water tank and hardly ever use a clients water. Reason is, all my stuff is set up in the bed of my truck. If I use my pressure washer to their water I have to take it out undo the connections blah blah blah. I have a separate hose that I use if I ever use their water. Then I just use that hose with an on/off valve.
To refill I just have quick disconnects and I use the same hose that supplies my pressure washer to fill up the tank. So no I don't take it out I jut hook up the quick disconnects and my home water fills the tank though the existing hose on the tank.
 
DetailedGinger said:
I only plan on doing 2 cars a day, 3 maximum. I'm doing it on the weekends because I work 2nd shift Mon-Fri at my other job. 55gal tank be good for 2-3 cars?
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It all depends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evFTeRxtEEo makes a pretty good case for water conservation.

I think people often overthink professionalism and lose the human social element to business. I've never had someone say "wow that guy did a great job on my car but he used my water so he's not professional".
 
May like to see this set up I've gotten great help from MrClean My setup is slightly different I have a 35 gallon tank (Leg Style Storage Tank, 35 gal. - Tractor Supply Co.) and water pump (SHURflo Industrial Pump — 198 GPH, 115 Volt, 1/2in., Model# 2088-594-154 | Utility Pumps| Northern Tool + Equipment) Honda Inverter Generator (Honda EU2000i Model Info | Super Quiet 2000 Watt Inverter Generator | Honda Generators

with an electric KARCHER 2.050 pressure washer. not fully set up to go mobile but systems works needs a little tweeking, lol
 
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Alright then so I've decided I'll be using a cargo van as opposed to a small truck.

-55gallon water tank to hold water that I fill up from my house's spicket
-some sort of air pressurizer for my hose so I can have water pressure...
-generator (to run the water pressurizer)

Apparently no need for a filter then correct?


Looks good... now to decide on the exact products...
 
What do you mean by an air pressurizer? Don't apply air pressure to the water tank! They are not made for that and could rupture causing serious injury or death!! Get a $100 110v or 12v RV type water pump. They come in various GPM and PSI configurations and most are on demand. I have a 110v pump that works great...SHURflo Industrial Pump — 198 GPH, 115 Volt, 1/2in., Model# 2088-594-154 | Utility Pumps| Northern Tool + Equipment

I have plumbed in PVC water lines for both discharge into a pressure washer feed line or a fill whip. With a turn of a valve I can attach a hose to refill the tank. A single 55 gallon tank will last me at least 3 cars and even then, I rarely have to use my own water. I do let customers know that I CAN use my own if they prefer, but have never had to because of that. Let them know you are a pro by the quality of your work!!
 
Firehouse Mike said:
What do you mean by an air pressurizer? Don't apply air pressure to the water tank! They are not made for that and could rupture causing serious injury or death!! Get a $100 110v or 12v RV type water pump. They come in various GPM and PSI configurations and most are on demand. I have a 110v pump that works great...SHURflo Industrial Pump — 198 GPH, 115 Volt, 1/2in., Model# 2088-594-154 | Utility Pumps| Northern Tool + Equipment

I have plumbed in PVC water lines for both discharge into a pressure washer feed line or a fill whip. With a turn of a valve I can attach a hose to refill the tank. A single 55 gallon tank will last me at least 3 cars and even then, I rarely have to use my own water. I do let customers know that I CAN use my own if they prefer, but have never had to because of that. Let them know you are a pro by the quality of your work!!
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That's what I meant and was looking for lol. Something to give me some water pressure instead of the water just spraying out of the nozzle at it's normal speed... Sorry long day haha.
 
I think for a side business you really shouldn't get a van/tank/power

What do you mean by 2-3 cars a day? What type of services will you be offering?

Most guys (pros/weekend warriors) can't even finish a detail in 1 day. So i'm assuming you'll be doing wash and wash/wax

There are many people who work from a sedan, truck, or wagon and are working on high-end cars throughout the entire week

I have wanted a generator for a while, (i have a wagon so it doesnt even fit) but I don't want a loud one. Getting at a customers house at 7am, cranking a generator, turning on the pressure washer= wayyyyyyyyy to much noise for a simple wash

or a generator+steamer+vacuum. I dont want to disturb/wake anyone in the morning
 
thebamboo23 said:
I think for a side business you really shouldn't get a van/tank/power

What do you mean by 2-3 cars a day? What type of services will you be offering?

Most guys (pros/weekend warriors) can't even finish a detail in 1 day. So i'm assuming you'll be doing wash and wash/wax

There are many people who work from a sedan, truck, or wagon and are working on high-end cars throughout the entire week

I have wanted a generator for a while, (i have a wagon so it doesnt even fit) but I don't want a loud one. Getting at a customers house at 7am, cranking a generator, turning on the pressure washer= wayyyyyyyyy to much noise for a simple wash

or a generator+steamer+vacuum. I dont want to disturb/wake anyone in the morning
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Maintenance details which will take 1.5-3 hours
or Premium/'Showroom' details which will take 4-6 hours.

Could do 3 maintenance details in a day... perhaps 4 if I'm willing.

Could only do 2 'premium' details in a day.


Yes it would be nice to find a quiet generator. If you or anyone else knows of one, link it here I'll probably buy it lol
 
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