Water reclaim system for mobile detail?

[MrHandWash]

I'm currently looking at starting up a mobile detail where I live. There's only 1 other mobile detail company in the area within a 48 mile radius... so competition is no problem. I also majored in corporate identity and advertising, so I can do all of that myself, I've pretty much pieced every last bit of this together EXCEPT:

I'm specializing in: Interior/Exterior Washes/Details, Waxes, Full Vacuum Service, and Window Tint Application/Removal.

I've been looking around, and preferably I'd really like to have a newer truck because of the fuel mileage. I'm debating on room issues because I am going to be fully mobile, with a tarp and water reclaim/pump system. I've found this one: Water Evacuation which is pretty small and would be large enough for me to do "a" car.

CONCERNS: ROOM
With 16 Gallons though, I can't seem to find anything that is a larger water reclaim system container. I would REALLY like to find something I could lay down in a truck bed, that could be mounted to my bed and is 50+ gallons of storage. Does anyone know of something like this? All my cleaning supplies, DA/Orbital, ozone generator will be inside of truck stowed away out of visibility so no less chance of break ins.

SUPPLIES:
Water Tank: 48 Gallon Half Moon Lay Down Truck Bed
Generator: (BE-VI-3000)
Water Pressure: or maybe a better one, just figure since I can get full replacement warranties I'd get something that costs literally nothing and just replace it if it breaks. If it becomes a problem I'd go with a better brand. I've heard Huksy does well.
Water Reclaim: Same one as above link.

QUESTIONS/ADVICE:
-Where do I dispose of waste water?
-Would a truck or van be more benificial? Room issues vs. fuel economy?
-Budget is for $7000 used vehicle, looking at either an 8 ft. bed or van. For theft issues with truck I would have a locakable bed cover installed if I could go w/ a truck.
-Are there horizontal mounted reclaim systems that could be installed on a truck and bolted down with a repump system to dispose of water w/ out taking system out of the vehicle?
-Does anyone know of flat, low style generator that could be put in a truck bed? Guess I'll have to measure and find this one out.

P.S. The reason I'm going with all seperate componentry and not just a haul trailer with most of my supplies on it is b/c I don't have a garage, so it would most likely get tampered with. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

​

 

[NBD]

QUESTIONS/ADVICE:
-Where do I dispose of waste water? Any public sewage area -- your own toilet if its not a well. as long as it doenst go into the drains wetlands etc.. I live in the country all septic systems and such, part of the reason I went with the set up I have... no place to dump the water without paying a fee.. you can try and ask do it yourself carwashes to use the reclamation system they have -- that was advice i was given.

-Would a truck or van be more benificial? Room issues vs. fuel economy? I personally am saving for a Van, I use a 2 door 08 VW rabbit... a little cramped when i am on my way. I also use optimum no rinse, a pressure washer and a high end steam cleaner. I use a 40 gallon rubbermade trashcan with wheelss for the power washer (and a 1/3 hp pump. I get my water on sight and use their electricity.

-Budget is for $7000 used vehicle, looking at either an 8 ft. bed or van. For theft issues with truck I would have a locakable bed cover installed if I could go w/ a truck. You look into trailers ? Home depot and lowes have em for around 600.


-Are there horizontal mounted reclaim systems that could be installed on a truck and bolted down with a repump system to dispose of water w/ out taking system out of the vehicle?

-Does anyone know of flat, low style generator that could be put in a truck bed? Guess I'll have to measure and find this one out. I like the honda silent generators but dont have the 2500 to spend on the low end model.. I keep checking craigslist.

 

[Shade Tree]

I PMd a couple of links to you for water reclamation mats 10X20 that would likely work well for you as a mobile unit.

10X20 @ 30 lbs.
Prices range from $560 - $1300

 

[AeroCleanse]

I've been doing mobile detailing for a while and never needed either a pressure washer or a water reclamation setup. I started using ONR, now I use steam.

 

[NBD]

I've been doing mobile detailing for a while and never needed either a pressure washer or a water reclamation setup. I started using ONR, now I use steam.

Aero -- (not to get off topic)
But I have a steamer and use ONR -- I find that I dotn really need the steamer like i thought I would. (tires and interior it is great).. but exterior -- are you as disapointed as I am in it? I prefer using ONR instead of both steam and ONR.

 

[Shade Tree]

I've been doing mobile detailing for a while and never needed either a pressure washer or a water reclamation setup. I started using ONR, now I use steam.

I can't imagine Wisconsin would ever have water restrictions where you would need a reclamation mat.

Besides, being Eco Friendly doesn't always allow for optimal cleaning/detailing under all conditions.

 

[AeroCleanse]

Aero -- (not to get off topic)
But I have a steamer and use ONR -- I find that I dotn really need the steamer like i thought I would. (tires and interior it is great).. but exterior -- are you as disapointed as I am in it? I prefer using ONR instead of both steam and ONR.

I am not disappointed at all. ONR works great, no doubt about that. I just find for me, it takes less time with steam. I do use ONR for wheel arches.

It might depend on what steamer you are using.

 

[NBD]

again im not trying to hijack this thread but lol --
I use the Vapor Chief 180. (Therma Kleen).

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I can't imagine Wisconsin would ever have water restrictions where you would need a reclamation mat.

The clean water requirements are Federal, so they apply everywhere. However, enforcement is delegated to local authorities, so enforcement varies by locale.

 

[MrHandWash]

Ok, well the trailer seems like a good idea if I don't have room on a truck. Some other concerns:

-So if a state doesn't have a run off water law (I live in Ohio), do I really need a reclaim system? I kind of just wanted to go with one to be safe
-What is the process for steam cleaning, and what is ONR? I'm old school: pre-soak, wash, hand-clean, PSI rinse, and then hand-dry.
-I looked at the steam cleaning... either it seems like you'd need to do it on brand new vehicles. That seriously looks like it could eaily scratch a finish, also looks like it would take FOREVER to clean a car. Then again, setting up and doing a reclaim and then hand-drying seems to take a while and more finances as well.

Can I get some feed back on steam car washes? Anyone ever heard of horror storries, if I could save a couple or more grand with one, I would absolutely go with it. It honestly looks really risky though. Seems like there'd be some skepticism behind it from certain clients as well.

 

[AeroCleanse]

I have used steam washing and never had any issue with it damaging the paint. If you are looking for a steamer to wash cars with, make sure you get one that either has moisture control (mostly on expensive units) or water injection.

It doesn't take that long to wash and have the car dry when using steam. If you use a steamer, you'll need quite a few microfiber towels, as you need to change them out when they get dirty. For me it takes about 10-15min to steam wash a car. It would probably take less time if I had one with moisture control / water injection.

You can damage the paint using a normal wash method if you do it incorrectly, steam is no different.

 

[Shade Tree]

The clean water requirements are Federal, so they apply everywhere. However, enforcement is delegated to local authorities, so enforcement varies by locale.

I was referring directly to "water restrictions" as in usage .......... clean water requirements are something entirely different as water restrictions are state/county/city enforcements.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

So if a state doesn't have a run off water law (I live in Ohio), do I really need a reclaim system? I kind of just wanted to go with one to be safe

As I stated in my earlier post--the relevant law is the Federal Clean Water Act Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . Since the enforcement of this is largely delegated to state and local authorities, enforcement varies by locale. You would have to talk to other mobile detailers in your area, or, if you are brave, your local authorities. Sometimes they will tell you they really don't get involved in that kind of enforcement...but that doesn't mean you aren't breaking the law and if you are blatant enough you may get fined (which might be substantial). Like any regulatory compliance issue, as a business operator you have to make a judgement as to how/if to comply and what your risk is.

Also bear in mind that usually the runoff has to actually reach a sewer, etc. If you wash on the lawn, you should be ok. If a neighbor calls the cops, and you are using biodegradable products, the cop might be more persuaded than if you are using an acid wheel cleaner that has warning lablels all over it. That's the gray area--if there is no active enforcement, you could still get snagged if a neighbor calls the cops and the cop thinks you are a bad guy and they look up the relevant regulations and gig you, you will be sorry. I read in my local paper about a guy who poured some old lawnmower gas (like a gallon) in the street storm drain--neighbor saw him, cops and County HazMat got called, they dammed up the sewer a mile away, etc.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I was referring directly to "water restrictions" as in usage .......... clean water requirements are something entirely different as water restrictions are state/county/city enforcements.

Ok, sorry if I misunderstood you, but the thread is about reclaiming wash/rinse water, so what does water usage restrictions have to do with anything?

 

[scrubs147]

With no harsh ingredients and a lower PH level, biodegradable Car Wash Concentrates are safer for handling and the environment.

Groundwater pollution, sometimes referred to as groundwater contamination, is not as easily classified as surface water pollution. By its very nature, groundwater aquifers are susceptible to contamination from sources that may not directly affect surface water bodies, and the distinction of point vs. non-point source may be irrelevant.

A spill or ongoing releases of chemical or radionuclide contaminants into soil (located away from a surface water body) may not create point source or non-point source pollution, but can contaminate the aquifer below, defined as a toxin plume.

The movement of the plume, called a plume front, may be analyzed through a hydrological transport model or groundwater model. Analysis of groundwater contamination may focus on the soil characteristics and site geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, and the nature of the contaminants.

 

[allenk4]

"If you wash on the lawn, you should be ok"

That is Red Neck

No way a customer wants you to wash a car on their lawn

That is crazy

 

[allenk4]

With no harsh ingredients and a lower PH level, biodegradable Car Wash Concentrates are safer for handling and the environment.

Groundwater pollution, sometimes referred to as groundwater contamination, is not as easily classified as surface water pollution. By its very nature, groundwater aquifers are susceptible to contamination from sources that may not directly affect surface water bodies, and the distinction of point vs. non-point source may be irrelevant.

A spill or ongoing releases of chemical or radionuclide contaminants into soil (located away from a surface water body) may not create point source or non-point source pollution, but can contaminate the aquifer below, defined as a toxin plume.

The movement of the plume, called a plume front, may be analyzed through a hydrological transport model or groundwater model. Analysis of groundwater contamination may focus on the soil characteristics and site geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, and the nature of the contaminants.

When you cut and paste from Wikipedia, you should quote the source.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[scrubs147]

"If you wash on the lawn, you should be ok"

That is Red Neck

No way a customer wants you to wash a car on their lawn

That is crazy

And if you wash in their driveway and the run-off carries into their lawn, then that would be Blue Neck (northerners or yankees).

When you end with a sentence, you should use a punctuation mark indicating the end of a sentence or phrase, specifically, a dot (.). :bash:

 

[allenk4]

And if you wash in their driveway and the run-off carries into their lawn, then that would be Blue Neck (northerners or yankees).

When you end with a sentence, you should use a punctuation mark indicating the end of a sentence or phrase, specifically, a dot (.). :bash:

The Forum Members here at AGO are very intelligent and are easily able to understand my communications without a period at the end; much less juvenile emoticons

Am I the one with the hammer, or are you saying you want to hit me on the head with a hammer, because not using a period has confused

By the way, you should not start a sentence with the word "And". If you insist on using it, there should be a comma after it

"yankees" should be capitalized as well

 

[JahPo]

Ok, well the trailer seems like a good idea if I don't have room on a truck. Some other concerns:

-So if a state doesn't have a run off water law (I live in Ohio), do I really need a reclaim system? I kind of just wanted to go with one to be safe
-What is the process for steam cleaning, and what is ONR? I'm old school: pre-soak, wash, hand-clean, PSI rinse, and then hand-dry.
-I looked at the steam cleaning... either it seems like you'd need to do it on brand new vehicles. That seriously looks like it could eaily scratch a finish, also looks like it would take FOREVER to clean a car. Then again, setting up and doing a reclaim and then hand-drying seems to take a while and more finances as well.

Can I get some feed back on steam car washes? Anyone ever heard of horror storries, if I could save a couple or more grand with one, I would absolutely go with it. It honestly looks really risky though. Seems like there'd be some skepticism behind it from certain clients as well.

I think the benefits of using steam is great depending on the one you purchase and the space and mobility under consideration. I needed to be able to pick up and go to the next site without heavy equipment so i had an electric powered steam machine. It works wonders for interiors and when it comes to exteriors its good for moderately dirty cars. It does take forever if the car is dirty and i agree that its best to use a water reclamation system. If you go for a diesel powered big steam machine its less mobile more setup time. Robbing Peter to pay Paul type of deal. Those are built for contestant use and can handle bigger jobs. The trick is not to get to close to the surface area with these steamers. If your too close you may cause some cosmetic damage. Your supposed to be at least 4 inches away.