Winter Washing Service

thebeastofrock

thebeastofrock

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Hi everyone. I've been lurking here for a couple of years, trying to learn as much as possible. The advice and passion that you all have for detailing has inspired me to follow my own passion and start detailing for money.

I'd like to start my mobile detailing business as soon as possible, and unfortunately, that means I'll be running into cold weather very soon after opening. I don't want to wait though. I'm dedicated to making this work, and I view the upcoming winter as a challenge I don't want to back down from.

I thought I might be able to capitalize on the cold weather by offering a "Winter Wash Service." This would be a simple wash with ONRWW. My questions are: what about cars that have caked on brake dust, salt, and dried mud? I thought maybe I could use wheel cleaner like 1z Colourtec, then rinse with steam. I also thought I could also use steam to soften up salt, slush, and mud that would be on the car, then rinseless wash. Is this at all feasible? I have no experience with steam. Thanks so much in advance.:thankyousign:
 
Where are you located?

What kind of vehicle will you be working out of?

How are you planning on powering the steamer?
 
allenk4 said:
Where are you located?

What kind of vehicle will you be working out of?

How are you planning on powering the steamer?
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I'm located in West Virginia. Last winter temps were pretty consistently in the single digits Fahrenheit.

I'll be working out of a VW Rabbit, so I will need to be pretty minimalist.

I will power the steamer with the customer's power. I've read that most customers don't mind you using their power and water, although I won't be using water in the winter.
 
If you are using their water and power; I would recommend a power washer followed by either a 2 bucket or rinseless wash

Put 5 gallon water buckets in the trunk and get a Karcher PW that will draw directly from them

In a lot of cities you can purchase bulk deionized water for $.20 per gallon

Using a steamer to clean an entire car is not quick and requires an expensive machine. A $150 McCullough would take forever
 
allenk4 said:
Using a steamer to clean an entire car is not quick and requires an expensive machine. A $150 McCullough would take forever
Click to expand...

That's a pretty interesting suggestion about the PW and 5 gallon buckets.

My plan for the steam is not to wash the entire car. I just thought I could use it to rinse the wheels and touch up the worst crud on lower panels before proceeding with a traditional rinseless wash.
 
thebeastofrock said:
That's a pretty interesting suggestion about the PW and 5 gallon buckets.

My plan for the steam is not to wash the entire car. I just thought I could use it to rinse the wheels and touch up the worst crud on lower panels before proceeding with a traditional rinseless wash.
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You could, but a steamer usually takes 15-20 minutes to heat up

I have a Mytee Firebird. It would take too long to clean wheels with it in my opinion. PW more versatile and faster

In those cold WV winters, I would think speed would be of the essence
 
In a lot of cities you can purchase bulk deionized water for $.20 per gallon

I want that deal.
 
Best thing I did was to install a tankless hot water heater then tapped a line to the garage. At the very least I will use my pressure washer to knock off the big stuff, honeydew works very well. If your mobile waterless will be your friend.
 
why just not even worry about washing and focus on interior cleaning
 
There's always a demand for interior cleaning... winter or summer

a lot more people care about the interior as opposed to the exterior
 
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