New/used mobile detailing rig project

[quicknclean]

Cruising around I saw a deal on a van that I couldn't pass up in a tow yard. With almost 300k miles on my old van, it's on it's way out so I figured this could be a fun project. With things being slow during winter I figure it's the best time to do it. I'll be updating this post as I progess on making it my new mobile detailing rig.

Project Van Details: 1993 Chevy Astro Cargo. V6-Auto. 130k Miles. Power locks. Price: $400 Including Tax.

About the van: Looked like to be an old painters rig or something. The van already had a nice cargo seperator, metal shelving, window cages and roof vent installed. After a small tune-up the van is running awesome.

So far I have mostly spent some time cleaning the van up, tons of junk inside. Also getting the outlines of the old stickers that were on the van, I found 2000 grit wet sandpaper to work perfectly. After some extreme amount of buffing and light wet sanding the paint is actually a nice maroon with some metal flake in it. Haven't decided if I am going to keep the side mirrors or not.

Ill shoot some more pics tommarow. Sorry if the pics suck they are from my phone.

Pic of the van in the tow yard:

 

[jesselyons2002]

I would get rid of the side mirrors. They looks like a stop light

 

[justin_murphy]

Thats a deal for 400.00. That 4.3 V6 is a strong, dependable motor and that van is on the S-10 truck chassis making is very rigid.

Nice find and can't wait to see more of your project. Keep us updated!

 

[quicknclean]

Started working on some custom boxes today to hold my bottles and chemicals. 2 of these boxes will sit at the back doors facing out for easy access.

This pick is the top of the 1st box I am working on. I have cut holes to hold all of the spray bottles. I have a board underneath angled so that the bottles in the back sit higher up.

This pick is the board that will go into the bottom of the box which will hold my small bottles of polish.

I still have a few more shelvs to put into the first box then I am going to sand/fiberglass and paint everything.

 

[quicknclean]

I would get rid of the side mirrors. They looks like a stop light

I was thinking about removing them, but then I have to fill the holes/sand/paint. Although ugly, they work EXTREMELY well. I might remove them down the road, but at this point it's not on the top of my to-do list.

 

[quicknclean]

Thats a deal for 400.00. That 4.3 V6 is a strong, dependable motor and that van is on the S-10 truck chassis making is very rigid.

Nice find and can't wait to see more of your project. Keep us updated!

I actually love these vans. My old detailing ride I mentioned in the first post is a 92 Astro with the 4.3. 270k miles on original engine and trans and it is still chuggin along. VERY reliable but it is definitly showing it's age. Actually got someone to take it off my hands today, which more the covered the cost of the new van.

 

[ReLoaDeD BuLLiTT]

you're my inspiration. I'd like to do something like this with an old van or truck with a tonneau!

 

[quicknclean]

you're my inspiration. I'd like to do something like this with an old van or truck with a tonneau!

It's actually fun, I get to fix things up the way I want up and it keeps me bussy during the slow times.

I could have got a newer/nicer vehicle, but I had to decide between taken a trip to Cozumel Mexico or getting a newer vehicle.....

Wasn't hard to decide between those
I figure this way I got more money for :cheers: in Cozumel

 

[ReLoaDeD BuLLiTT]

Funny you mention this. I'm actually in the same boat as we speak. I just found a Bronco for 2k that I really want so that I can put all my detailing stuff in the back of it, along with towing my 04 cobra across state if necessary. I can't wait to see if my bank will give me a loan for it.

 

[Jimmie]

This is going to be fun to follow your progress. Congrats on your find.

 

[Dust2Glory]

that's pretty sweet setup there.... if i could do it all over again, I wouldn't have a trailer... i would of done it all out of a vehicle... but that's life, live and learn!!! definately wanna see pics as they come up

 

[quicknclean]

Just some small updates. Got the bottom peace for the box done. six 2.5" holes on each side for smaller bottles of polishes and wut nots then 3 3.5" holes going down the middle

This box will have 2 shelfs, top one will be 20"W X 14.5"L X 9.5"H for buffing pads, second will be 20"W X 14.5"L X 5.5"H for things like my power balls, tire shine pads etc..

The other box will have 4 shelfs 20"W X 14.5"L X 6" for all the towles/cloths and possible holes on the top for more bottles, havent decided yet.

Took a little break from the box for some the important stuff... :righton:
Pulled out my old pioneer deck and my 2 JBL 300watt 6x9's. Slapped together a box for the 6x9's. Now i just have to dig out my old 150watt amp and ill be set.

I also made up a box to fit over the wheel wells on the passenger side of the van, which I am going to mount my generator too. Ill try and shoot some pics of it tomorrow.

On a side note, while building this stuff I realized I would have never made it as a carpenter.

So far I am pretty happy with how this is all going. The two boxes im building up and the generator stand box were big house speaker boxes that I got for free locally, and all the other wood is from pallets from my old workplace that just tosses them.

anyways I am going to get some drawer slider's tomorrow, so hopefully I will have the 1st box done & painted.

 

[quicknclean]

that's pretty sweet setup there.... if i could do it all over again, I wouldn't have a trailer... i would of done it all out of a vehicle... but that's life, live and learn!!! definately wanna see pics as they come up

I was originally going to go with a trailer, but with the type of clients I have it would be nearly impossible for me to pull a trailer around. Not to mention I don't have to worry about puting tons of miles on my regular car.

 

[Tonya]

Great idea! Looking good! Keep us updated please

 

[quicknclean]

Sorry for the delay in updates. Was enjoying Mexico so much I didn't want to come back. Unfortunately when I did get back some really crappy things had happened while I was gone.

First off, someone broke into my backyard and somehow took off with my 100lb generator. Which REALLY pissed me off. What made it even worse is that when I got back we had a bad storm and the power was out for 3 days... The only benefit of all this is that since the power was out I figured I might as well buy another Gen and I got a killer deal on one. Managed to talk the manager down at the local craigen auto parts and picked up a 4KW Champion Gen for $260 out the door. A little louder then my old one but that can be taken care of. Thing worked awesome during the power outage...Ran some lights, refridge, computer, internet/phone, TV and the house heater without a single problem. Got about 10 hours out of the tank running who knows how many watts.

2nd thing is some @#$(*#% keyed the side of my van...all the way through so I can't buff it out. Wet sanding helped a little but still very noticeable.

So anyways, I got a few things finished, still working on the drawers for the towels and will be have some vinyl graphics/lettering put on the van in a few days.

Little side note...Getting the van so cheap was awesome but it sure is a pain in the ass to get a salvaged vehicle registered in Cali. So much crap you have to go through. Thankfully it passed smog and finally got last inspection done. Honestly I don’t understand why they salvage a vehicle JUST because it was a donated car, it even USED to have a clean title before it was donated. Money I’m guessing!?

Oh well, I will post up some new pics tomorrow.

 

[killrflake]

Looks like you really got yourself a great deal with the van, shows like it has tons of promise for the purpose you mention. It really stinks about the theft and the keying of the van. So tired of hearing about people, probably kids, who damage peoples property for no reason and of course steal your generator. Lets hope they experiance the loss of something in their lives to give them the same feeling you were left with. I'll be looking foward to the updates on your van. Good luck.

 

[scottgt]

cool man...cant wait to see it finished

 

[lethalxls1]

That little van is a great find! I am a big fan of the 4.3 V6-great engine IMO. Anyways- maybe you can get some kind of vinyl stripe to run down the side where some gutless moron keyed it. Hope things get better for ya.

 

[quicknclean]

That little van is a great find! I am a big fan of the 4.3 V6-great engine IMO. Anyways- maybe you can get some kind of vinyl stripe to run down the side where some gutless moron keyed it. Hope things get better for ya.

Funny you mention covering up the scratches...I asked the guy doing my vinyl to make something to do that. Probably run a black strip of vinyl starting from the headlights to the taillights.

Anyways..here is a few pics. Again sorry for the crappy quality.

Pure cosmetic here, but I think the new headlights and clear corners really help make the van look newer/nicer. Not to mention I can see a ton better with these projection headlights. I pulled off the bumper today to remove that remaining rubber block on the left side of the bumper.

Lights and corners up close. Corner housing is black inside so it doesn't look nearly as bad as the chrome ones IMO. Was never fan of the clear with chrome look... Could have got the headlights the same way, but I imagine they wouldn't work very good without having anything for the light to reflect off of.

The first box completed. Lots of room for buffing pads in the drawer

First drawer for the second box. Nice and deep for towels. 14" deep, 9" wide and 9" Length.

Big looong scratch that I mentioned. It actually is longer then it looks. It runs all the way from the beginning of the sliding door to the passenger side rear door.

The scratch continues to the back door.....

My order of 5 gallons of tire shine came in the other day and finally got to test it out. Definitely looks nice to me. And really can't beat the price at all.. The fact thats it's enviro. friendly doesn't hurt either. Of course had to run the good 'ol wallmart to pick of some decent looking hubcaps. It's amazing what a $20 pair of hubcaps can do. Eventually they will get replaced with some real rims...

Besides that I am still working on finishing the second box of drawers and the final layout of the cargo area. I will post some updated pics when the vinyl design/layout is finished and installed.

Will be nice when the vinyl is all on then I can actually do some good buff and waxing and hopefully clean the paint up a little. Although I think I am going to have to order some yellow pads, orange ones aren't quite doing it.[/B]

 

[scottgt]

i dnt see pics...