Wills.WindowsAndWheels
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- Oct 31, 2009
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Looks nice...$600 though for 2000 psi? Whats the big deal w/this one compared to others that give more power (not downing it just asking)
That would be cool
rops:Mobile Van still in progress!
- Thread starter Kristopher1129
- Start date
Looks nice...$600 though for 2000 psi? Whats the big deal w/this one compared to others that give more power (not downing it just asking)
That would be cool
rops:
ExpressDetail
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- May 10, 2011
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tcfatboys
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- May 30, 2011
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for just Mobile auto detail is ok a Medium size Pressure Washer.
But there come's a time when Car Detailing is just not enough. You have already the Van / the Water Tank / generator / everything to go Pressure Washing Cleaning.
That's when the difference come's with a Nice Big Machine help's you to finish quicker.
I have in my Van a Briggs & Stratton 16hp / 4000psi & 150ft of hose ready to work on a Bank / Restaurant / or a wherehouse
it really make's the difference to have a powerfull machine.
If you plan to do some Pressure Wash cleaning / go with Nice HP & PSI
This is my advice
But there come's a time when Car Detailing is just not enough. You have already the Van / the Water Tank / generator / everything to go Pressure Washing Cleaning.
That's when the difference come's with a Nice Big Machine help's you to finish quicker.
I have in my Van a Briggs & Stratton 16hp / 4000psi & 150ft of hose ready to work on a Bank / Restaurant / or a wherehouse
it really make's the difference to have a powerfull machine.
If you plan to do some Pressure Wash cleaning / go with Nice HP & PSI
This is my advice
Kristopher1129
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- Jan 3, 2011
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- #205
I was actually looking at something like that too. You guys really got me wanting to get rid of that Stanley sooner than later, haha.
Rav777
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- Jun 6, 2011
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I just read the whole tread lol. I am also starting a rig, but it's in my camry. I think im going to call it Project Camry from Hell lol.
I will also post pictures once I get the whole shebang done
gumbedamit
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- May 6, 2010
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Sorry for just getting back to you. Here's the list:
NorthStar Pressure Washer $650
5000 Watt Inverter $500
4-125ah Batteries $500
220amp Alternator $500
200amp Isolator $60
Cable and Misc connectors $300
Misc $300
I've made this money back many times over just by going to company business parks. I make a deal to give a % to charity and also promote myself as a Green Cleaner,(which I am) and as long as it doesn't rain, I can make a killing. I do a lot of wash/wax at business parks, referals to details. win/win... hope that helps
Kristopher1129
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- Jan 3, 2011
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- #208
My van is actually FINALLY complete. I just need to take some photos of what the inside looks like. I still have some very minor changes to make. But everything is in, and in working order. I've actually already done 3 jobs with it. Works great!!!
You guys will probably find some of my setup to be pretty interesting.
Kristopher1129
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- Jan 3, 2011
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Alright, here's the post you've all been waiting for! The van is done, and I've used it on a few jobs already. Took longer than I thought to really get this thing in working order. Mainly due to some mechanical issues, and under estimating how much work was really involved in building this unit. There are still some minor additions I'd like to make. But for now, it's done!
So, just to recap quickly. I basically started with a hunk of junk. Those who have been following this thread know exactly how much time I've put into this. Here's a couple pics of what I actually started with...
Here's the van right after I picked it up. Ugly as hell. Looks to be in ok shape. But, no. ha
This was obviously an issue, haha
Little bit of rust...
The blue HAD to go. Fortunately, the previous owner was nice enough to not prep the factory paint before spraying the blue. So it all had to be sanded off.
Here she is right after paint. An obvious headlight restore was to be done in the future.
Pinstriping, and the vinyl lettering was done next.
Basically, months of work on the exterior led to this...
Also, the rims were REALLY sad looking. So, I gave them some life by painting the steel rims black, cleaning up the dog dish center caps, and adding chrome trim. Here they are afterwards.
Now for the inside. The inside was actually much more simple than I thought originally. The exterior is what really drove me nuts.
So, here's some shots of the inside as it stands right now...
These shelves were already in the van when I bought it. Except they were mounted on the drivers side wall. I moved them to be more useful. Also had a friend build me the bottle holders on the doors.
This is the water pump hook up. This part I thought was pretty cool. The power for the pump is wired into the trailer light hook up in the back of the van. So basically, those clamps hook up to a positive and negative. Once I go around to the front of the van, and put my lights on...the pump has power. Pretty neat, and I avoided running a wire from the battery to the back of the van.
Here's the positive and negatives. I just ran them behind the shelves and screw them in so they're always easy to get to.
Since there was no wall to support the shelving up top...I screwed the shelving to a 2x4 and it fit flush between the water tank and the shelving. Therefore not allowing the shelves to tip, or wobble.
Here's inside the middle of the van. Mounted the air compressor to the wall so it's stationary. Then there's the generator, vac, extractor, and a 5 gal mixture of extractor solution, along with a shelter thats not visible along the wall in the back.
Allllll this work led me to operating in this fashion!
That's basically it folks. When you read through this post, it seems like it didn't take that long. But this took probably almost 7 months to complete. Even more if you count the search for the right van. Needless to say, I'm pretty proud of what I've done. I learned a LOT by doing this. So if anyone has any questions, comments, suggestions...they are more than welcome.
My original reason for creating this thread, was because I felt there was a lack of threads that really explain in detail what you need, or have to go through to build a mobile unit. Hopefully this filled that gap. Thanks! :dblthumb2:
So, just to recap quickly. I basically started with a hunk of junk. Those who have been following this thread know exactly how much time I've put into this. Here's a couple pics of what I actually started with...
Here's the van right after I picked it up. Ugly as hell. Looks to be in ok shape. But, no. ha
This was obviously an issue, haha
Little bit of rust...
The blue HAD to go. Fortunately, the previous owner was nice enough to not prep the factory paint before spraying the blue. So it all had to be sanded off.
Here she is right after paint. An obvious headlight restore was to be done in the future.
Pinstriping, and the vinyl lettering was done next.
Basically, months of work on the exterior led to this...
Also, the rims were REALLY sad looking. So, I gave them some life by painting the steel rims black, cleaning up the dog dish center caps, and adding chrome trim. Here they are afterwards.
Now for the inside. The inside was actually much more simple than I thought originally. The exterior is what really drove me nuts.
So, here's some shots of the inside as it stands right now...
These shelves were already in the van when I bought it. Except they were mounted on the drivers side wall. I moved them to be more useful. Also had a friend build me the bottle holders on the doors.
This is the water pump hook up. This part I thought was pretty cool. The power for the pump is wired into the trailer light hook up in the back of the van. So basically, those clamps hook up to a positive and negative. Once I go around to the front of the van, and put my lights on...the pump has power. Pretty neat, and I avoided running a wire from the battery to the back of the van.
Here's the positive and negatives. I just ran them behind the shelves and screw them in so they're always easy to get to.
Since there was no wall to support the shelving up top...I screwed the shelving to a 2x4 and it fit flush between the water tank and the shelving. Therefore not allowing the shelves to tip, or wobble.
Here's inside the middle of the van. Mounted the air compressor to the wall so it's stationary. Then there's the generator, vac, extractor, and a 5 gal mixture of extractor solution, along with a shelter thats not visible along the wall in the back.
Allllll this work led me to operating in this fashion!
That's basically it folks. When you read through this post, it seems like it didn't take that long. But this took probably almost 7 months to complete. Even more if you count the search for the right van. Needless to say, I'm pretty proud of what I've done. I learned a LOT by doing this. So if anyone has any questions, comments, suggestions...they are more than welcome.
My original reason for creating this thread, was because I felt there was a lack of threads that really explain in detail what you need, or have to go through to build a mobile unit. Hopefully this filled that gap. Thanks! :dblthumb2:
Last edited:
ExoticAutoDetai
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- Nov 30, 2010
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Nice beautiful astro set up. The towing wiring was neat, any mods to your suspension? What kind of suspension set up you got currently?
"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump
"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump
Kristopher1129
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- Jan 3, 2011
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- #211
I'm not even sure man. But I haven't had a problem with the weight. I don't even fill the water tank all the way up anyways. I probably use maybe 1/4 of the tank even after washing two vehicles. So I don't think weight will be an issue for me.
ExoticAutoDetai
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- Nov 30, 2010
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Sounds good. I'm taking the same route of getting a 100 gallon or 55 g.
"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump
"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump
Kristopher1129
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- Jan 3, 2011
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- #213
I would definitely recommend the 100 gallon. Mainly because it's nice to have some extra water if you need it. I ended up doing a couple extra washes just from people driving up and asking, and the water was nice to have. Made a few extra bucks just by being well prepared.
Also, you don't want to have to fill your tank all the way up to the top. It makes the tank top heavy, and it splashes around quite a bit. The 100 gallon gives you plenty of air space, and water. Just my opinion most likely...but I've been more than satisfied with the 100 gallon tank.
Kristopher1129
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- Jan 3, 2011
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- #215
Thanks man!
Yup. I just take it out, set it up, do my washing and put it back. It sounds like a hassle, but it's really actually not bad at all. The pressure washer is pretty light.
ExoticAutoDetai
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- Nov 30, 2010
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You got a strong point there. Do you take out your generator as well?
"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump
Kristopher1129
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- #217
You know, a lot of people told me I would have to do that...and I haven't taken it out. I've had no issues with fumes or anything like that. I do keep the side door, back door, and windows open when I use it. This particular generator has a muffler, and the exhaust also points out the side door. It doesn't seem to produce much fumes at all.
ExoticAutoDetai
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- Nov 30, 2010
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Sounds good man, how loud is it tho?
"You can help create your own luck, you can make things happen through hard work and intelligence."- Donald J. Trump
Kristopher1129
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- Jan 3, 2011
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It's actually not that loud. I mean I've had conversations with customers standing right next to it. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's quiet...cause it's still a generator, ha. But for a 4000 watt generator, it's plenty quiet. The muffler on it definitely helps.
I think I paid around $350 or so for it. It's been great. I've ran the buffer, and extractor off of it at the same time with no problem. I also plug the air compressor into it and it works great.