Mobile Rinseless Wash

[Jeremyblevins]

Hello Everyone,

So i'm planning on starting a mobile detailing business over the next few months. I'm currently just practicing my skills on friends and family members.

I have been a fan of using the Microfiber towel method. Where you just grab a new towel for each panel. My only concern for doing it for profit is that adds up to quite a few towels. I do have a Costco membership so I have the Kirkland towels. However I know everyone recommends a plusher towel such as the chinchilla towels. The chinchillas are just too expensive for me to justify at this point though. My other concerns are the fact that it would just be a lot of towels to presoak and haul around. Not to mention the washing loads that would be required.

So I did some researching on here and see that people recommend using Proline Sponges with Rinseless washing. The sponges would greatly decrease the amount of laundry as the only thing i would need to wash would be the drying towels. However I see the issue with this being that you have to change out the water with each car. So that would mean I would roughly need 4 gallons of water for each car I plan on washing. As you can imagine in a Camry I am quite limited on space.

So what do all the professionals use for Rinseless washing media?

Thanks everyone for your help! Plan on hearing a lot more from me. :xyxthumbs:

 

[Real Riders]

I use two buckets with Grit Guards and ONR. It's a good idea to use ONR in both buckets so the solution does not get diluted. I use a Lowes Proline K56 yellow (2 pack) sponge. I then take a spray bottle and fill it up with the ONR solution in the bucket. If it is cool outside I pre soak the whole side of the car and wash the whole side (top half), flipping the sponge half way thru the wash. Then take an older sponge or an old Microfiber Towel and wash the bottom (dirtier) parts of the car. Then dry the whole side of the car with a waffle weave and move on to the next section.

 

[Jeremyblevins]

I use two buckets with Grit Guards and ONR. It's a good idea to use ONR in both buckets so the solution does not get diluted. I use a Lowes Proline K56 yellow (2 pack) sponge. I then take a spray bottle and fill it up with the ONR solution in the bucket. If it is cool outside I pre soak the whole side of the car and wash the whole side (top half), flipping the sponge half way thru the wash. Then take an older sponge or an old Microfiber Towel and wash the bottom (dirtier) parts of the car. Then dry the whole side of the car with a waffle weave and move on to the next section.

That's the basic idea that I like. So do you do the car it 8 sections? Hood, roof and upper sides, trunk, front bumper, lower sides, rear bumper? Also how do you handle the water issue? I couldn't even really fit a 35 gallon tank in my trunk. Thanks for your input!

 

[Real Riders]

If you clean multiple cars in one day you will need a water source to refill your buckets unless you use the GDWM with multiple towels. I only clean one car a day so i do not need to refill the buckets. If you are doing multiple cars with no access to water, you may want to use towels and the GDWM so the solution stays clean. I wash a few panels at once. Washing and drying one panel at a time is safer but takes more time.

 

[Kengo123]

I flip between using rinseless and traditional wash methods with the customers water, because i dont carry my own water.

When i choose rinseless, i do the garry dean method. It just makes sense. You can pull up to your job site and do over 10 cars with a 5 gallon bucket of presoaked towels, without needing a water source.

As far as using better towels than costco ones... have you used the costco towels for rinseless? I use sams club towels with decent technique, and only experience slight marring, which is ok for me.

For nicer cars or more "important" parts of the car, maybe just carry a few plusher towels.

As far as laundry goes... i have about 100 towels that i circulate for rinseless. So basically for every 10 cars i wash, i gotta wash my towels. (Not really, but its just an example)

 

[Jeremyblevins]

If you clean multiple cars in one day you will need a water source to refill your buckets unless you use the GDWM with multiple towels. I only clean one car a day so i do not need to refill the buckets. If you are doing multiple cars with no access to water, you may want to use towels and the GDWM so the solution stays clean. I wash a few panels at once. Washing and drying one panel at a time is safer but takes more time.

Okay. I think it might be awhile before I have to worry about doing multiple cars in a day. Even if I manage two cars I would at most have to carry an additional 4 gallons.

 

[Jeremyblevins]

I flip between using rinseless and traditional wash methods with the customers water, because i dont carry my own water.

When i choose rinseless, i do the garry dean method. It just makes sense. You can pull up to your job site and do over 10 cars with a 5 gallon bucket of presoaked towels, without needing a water source.

As far as using better towels than costco ones... have you used the costco towels for rinseless? I use sams club towels with decent technique, and only experience slight marring, which is ok for me.

For nicer cars or more "important" parts of the car, maybe just carry a few plusher towels.

As far as laundry goes... i have about 100 towels that i circulate for rinseless. So basically for every 10 cars i wash, i gotta wash my towels. (Not really, but its just an example)

I have used the Costco towels on my car. The biggest issue I have with them is they grab onto the larger pieces of dirt and I can never seem to get them completely clean again. Like recently with all of the pollen we're having here in Florida.

 

[Real Riders]

Yes, if you only do two cars a day just carry 4 buckets with you with Gamma Sealed lids. I don't like using Microfiber Towels because the towels hold to much dirt and debri. The Lowes Sponge releases dirt quickly when dipped in the rinse bucket. I have never had a problem with marring using a sponge that is rinsed out often.

 

[silverfox]

If there's anything better than a Microfiber madness incredi-sponge for rinseless washing, I haven't found it. I dropped the use of MF towels 5 seconds after I wiped my first panel with one. They shed dirt like a conventional sponge, with the benefits of MF .

 

[Mask]

If there's anything better than a Microfiber madness incredi-sponge for rinseless washing, I haven't found it. I dropped the use of MF towels 5 seconds after I wiped my first panel with one. They shed dirt like a conventional sponge, with the benefits of MF .

Good info.

 

[Jeremyblevins]

If there's anything better than a Microfiber madness incredi-sponge for rinseless washing, I haven't found it. I dropped the use of MF towels 5 seconds after I wiped my first panel with one. They shed dirt like a conventional sponge, with the benefits of MF .

That's definitely an option later on. But starting out I would like to keep expenses on the low end. What benefit do these have over the grout sponges?

 

[Real Riders]

That's definitely an option later on. But starting out I would like to keep expenses on the low end. What benefit do these have over the grout sponges?

Another good quality Grout Sponge is a Home Depot Grout Sponge. It's low price and is very durable

 

[Jeremyblevins]

Another good quality Grout Sponge is a Home Depot Grout Sponge. It's low price and is very durable

Thanks! Luckily there was a nearby Lowes that had 17 of the Proline Multipurpose sponges 2-packs. I picked up two of them. I'll give them a try on my car today if it stops raining. Otherwise i'll try them in the morning.

So What do you use for wheels? I had just been using microfiber towels to clean them. I'm going to order the full suite of mother's brushes this weekend from amazon. I plan on scrubbing the tires with a tire brush and Meguiar's APC. Then for the wheels I would go one of two ways. If they are filthy I plan on getting Meguiar's Wheel Brightener spraying them down, Then scrubbing with the wheel brush soaked in the left over ONR. If the Wheels are aluminum or mildly dirty just hit them with the ONR spray bottle and then the wheel brush.

 

[ralliartjuggalo]

I wouldn't use wheel brightener unless you have a water source to rinse it really well

 

[rwright]

Meguiar's D114 in a strong ratio should clean wheel faces. If you only plan 1 car per day then spend the money up front on quality equipment. Water is very easy to source. Nearly every gas station, grocery store, and business has a means to tap water. You shouldn't need more than 3 gallons total depending on the size of the vehicle. After you have washed the vehicle, use your leftover water to clean the wheels & tires.

 

[Jeremyblevins]

Meguiar's D114 in a strong ratio should clean wheel faces. If you only plan 1 car per day then spend the money up front on quality equipment. Water is very easy to source. Nearly every gas station, grocery store, and business has a means to tap water. You shouldn't need more than 3 gallons total depending on the size of the vehicle. After you have washed the vehicle, use your leftover water to clean the wheels & tires.

Thanks. I'll take your advise and just stick with ONR. I've never had any issues cleaning my wheels with it. I haven't had a change to try the D114 but am differently looking forward to giving it a shot. Do you not consider the proline sponges to be adequate for rinse-less washing?

I wouldn't use wheel brightener unless you have a water source to rinse it really well

Okay, I'll stay away from this stuff for now then and just stick to ONR.

 

[Busy mind]

To be successful and have less headaches, you'll need to invest some money into this business. If the cost of MF towels are holding you back, then wait till you need some of the larger equipment to help the jobs get done quicker.

 

[Jeremyblevins]

To be successful and have less headaches, you'll need to invest some money into this business. If the cost of MF towels are holding you back, then wait till you need some of the larger equipment to help the jobs get done quicker.

I'm sorry but what is your experience in this? Not trying to dis you but you don't seem to have been a member here very long or with many posts. I have no problem investing in microfiber towels. I have a ton of the Costco towels and some supreme shine towels. But why in the world would any Business owner invest $75 in 9 Chinchilla towels when $3 worth of sponges will do 90% of the work? Not to mention with the towels if i wanted to do two cars in a day i would have to wash them in-between, which isn't very quick with my washer and dryer, or by another set. So two cars would be $150? cost of the sponges still $3. As for larger equipment i've already invested in the Meguiars MT300 and foam pads. I also have the DA microfiber kit. I have an old harbor freight vacuum that i'm using for now until i work up enough profit in the company to purchase the rigid WD4070 and auto detailing kit. Please if there's something flawed in my thinking let me know. :xyxthumbs:

 

[rwright]

Thanks. I'll take your advise and just stick with ONR. I've never had any issues cleaning my wheels with it. I haven't had a change to try the D114 but am differently looking forward to giving it a shot. Do you not consider the proline sponges to be adequate for rinse-less washing?

Honestly I haven't used that sponge so I really can't comment on it. I used the grout sponge from Home Depot once and moved right back to microfiber. If you're wanting to do a 2 bucket method, which will require slightly more water than I mentioned above, just about any microfiber mitt will work. If you're wanting to use the multi-towel method then catch them on BOGO or during a sale. Meguiar's D114 Rinse Free Express Wash is a very versatile product. I will be happy to send you a sample if you would like. I keep over a gallon on hand at all times. I use it as a prep wash, a rinseless wash, and even mix it with alcohol to make a panel wipe. D115 is a great product as well.

Additionally, if you are sticking solely with ONR then maybe pick up a bottle of Opti-Seal. A couple guys have posted videos of washing with ONR first then immediately following it with Opti-Seal during the drying stage.

 

[Jeremyblevins]

Honestly I haven't used that sponge so I really can't comment on it. I used the grout sponge from Home Depot once and moved right back to microfiber. If you're wanting to do a 2 bucket method, which will require slightly more water than I mentioned above, just about any microfiber mitt will work. If you're wanting to use the multi-towel method then catch them on BOGO or during a sale. Meguiar's D114 Rinse Free Express Wash is a very versatile product. I will be happy to send you a sample if you would like. I keep over a gallon on hand at all times. I use it as a prep wash, a rinseless wash, and even mix it with alcohol to make a panel wipe. D115 is a great product as well.

Additionally, if you are sticking solely with ONR then maybe pick up a bottle of Opti-Seal. A couple guys have posted videos of washing with ONR first then immediately following it with Opti-Seal during the drying stage.

Thanks. Yeah I'll test the sponge out on my car and see how I feel about them. I will absolutely take you up on the sample offer. Thank you! I'm a big fan of Meguiar's products. After I burn through my ONR I plan on buying D114 from there. If I use any kind of drying aid it will be D156. Not sure if I'll include the spray wax in the basic package or as an upgrade.