Guide for mobile detailing?

DetailnByDustn · 08-09-09, 09:57

I was thinking about going mobile since almost 98% of my customers live 20 minutes away from my garage, Does anyone know of a good guide that has the basic of mobile detailing? I looked on autopia for information about mobile detailing, and have had little results of good information about mobile detailing, If you know of anything let me know. Thanks

brwill2005 · 08-09-09, 10:11

What information are you looking for?

DetailnByDustn · 08-09-09, 12:40

More in the line of equipment, I dont have a lot of money to invest in generators, tanks, pressure washers, etc.. Something simple, right now, later on ill buy a trailer or a van, I can save and have app. $500 in one month for my mobile services or should I save and buy a good set up when i get enough money?

Got More Wax · 08-09-09, 05:09

If you are planning on saving $500.00, you're going to fall short by about $8k!!

Andy

DetailnByDustn · 08-09-09, 07:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got More Wax

If you are planning on saving $500.00, you're going to fall short by about $8k!!

Andy

Wow 8,000 dang, Might need a loan, I'm think of getting my business jump start tremendously or fall flat on my face... I have a shop, equipment, space to detail, I thinking of getting a pretty good size loan when my credit builds up, to buy a detailing trailer a older model truck to tote the trailer and trailer wrap for the trailer, along with a complete design of my detailing business, with a new look, new name and everything before I start to get big, right now I'm the only one in my area detailing car, and there are a lot of cars needing to be detailed, I also have a great location right now, because there is a private resort next to my house with at least 5,000 people living it it, with loads of money, the property is outrageously high if I can get a mobile business started I can turn over some serious dough! Think I should wait off, or go for it, I currently have one employee no business licenses and doing all this part time. Of course Ill get insurance and a business license if I commit to all this. Right now making roughly around $500 week off of just me, with my employee $750 excluding expenses such as products, shop I'm detailing in is free for me, so don't have to worry about light bills and water bills, and has everything I need. I can start pretty small now in my local area, and when things start going good here branch off in a different area, while keeping my shop in my hometown. If I had a trailer wrap advertising my business, people around here would call left and right, just need help deciding what to do? I wont be doing this for a good while, my dad can help me start my business, and get a loan, but right now, we stay pretty busy, of course ill change my prices and services.

I'm not doing this of a whim, Ive been thinking about this for about a year now, and need to start a career somewhere, My customers always tell me I do very good work, some say I should charge a lot more for my services, I always have repeat customers and at least one referral off my customers. I also know that I am 19, but I'm a very determined person and always get the job done, I don't spend left and right, I always save at least 25% of my income for rainy days.

But hey might be a little over my head with trying to start something, But back to subject on mobile detailing, Ive researched a little on google and found a great set up with all equipment and tanks need plus trailer, haven't called them but it'll set me back a lot of money, Like my dad says "Don't settle for something cheap, save up and buy something good" So I don't care if I have to invest in a loan to get something that wont be good, is the business worth even worrying with for a mobile set-up, Ive heard a lot of good things saying they are!

DetailnByDustn · 08-09-09, 07:29

I found a set up a maybe be interested in for mobile detailing, for the mobile detailers out there weight in on whats good and bad about design, equipment, and company

link to the trailer and equipment:
Mobile Auto Detailing Trailers - RightWash 9400 Model

toyotaguy · 08-09-09, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetailnByDustn

Wow 8,000 dang, Might need a loan, I'm think of getting my business jump start tremendously or fall flat on my face... I have a shop, equipment, space to detail, I thinking of getting a pretty good size loan when my credit builds up, to buy a detailing trailer a older model truck to tote the trailer and trailer wrap for the trailer, along with a complete design of my detailing business, with a new look, new name and everything before I start to get big, right now I'm the only one in my area detailing car, and there are a lot of cars needing to be detailed, I also have a great location right now, because there is a private resort next to my house with at least 5,000 people living it it, with loads of money, the property is outrageously high if I can get a mobile business started I can turn over some serious dough! Think I should wait off, or go for it, I currently have one employee no business licenses and doing all this part time. Of course Ill get insurance and a business license if I commit to all this. Right now making roughly around $500 week off of just me, with my employee $750 excluding expenses such as products, shop I'm detailing in is free for me, so don't have to worry about light bills and water bills, and has everything I need. I can start pretty small now in my local area, and when things start going good here branch off in a different area, while keeping my shop in my hometown. If I had a trailer wrap advertising my business, people around here would call left and right, just need help deciding what to do? I wont be doing this for a good while, my dad can help me start my business, and get a loan, but right now, we stay pretty busy, of course ill change my prices and services.

I'm not doing this of a whim, Ive been thinking about this for about a year now, and need to start a career somewhere, My customers always tell me I do very good work, some say I should charge a lot more for my services, I always have repeat customers and at least one referral off my customers. I also know that I am 19, but I'm a very determined person and always get the job done, I don't spend left and right, I always save at least 25% of my income for rainy days.

But hey might be a little over my head with trying to start something, But back to subject on mobile detailing, Ive researched a little on google and found a great set up with all equipment and tanks need plus trailer, haven't called them but it'll set me back a lot of money, Like my dad says "Don't settle for something cheap, save up and buy something good" So I don't care if I have to invest in a loan to get something that wont be good, is the business worth even worrying with for a mobile set-up, Ive heard a lot of good things saying they are!

damn dude, go to school and learn some punctuation! I can't even read any of what you wrote because there is a serious lack of proper punctuation...

With that said, and with what I THINK you are getting at, I started with $500 in equipment and supplies and have built up a good size arsenal!

you will be able to use the clients water and power at most spots! If you are offering washing services only at an office park, you will need a generator for power, but you can survive with a 16-20 gal water tank using ONR. I use a 16 gallon tank and typically only use about 8 gallons for up to 4 cars. ONE time I have had to use all 16 gallons on six cars and one filthy truck!

Things you will most definitely need:
wash solution
polisher
water tank
MF/towels
chemicals
supplies

I know of some people who can't do without their trailers and vans, and some who detail out of a nissan maxima!(cough, scott, cough)

It's not hard to start a detailing business, it's hard to start one right!

brwill2005 · 08-10-09, 05:33

Please no one take offense to this, but I think the days of a big trailer with a big water tank and a big truck pulling it, are over. You can get by with a very efficient set up. Mine consists of a Scion XB, 5 Gallon water cube, electric pressure washer, vacuum, and depending on what I am doing my polisher and hot water extractor. Note; I usually do not detail at commercial locations. If I need to use the pressure washer I hook up to the customer's water. If I am at a commercial location, it is usually a maintenance wash. In that case I just use ONR, and my Honda generator. I guess it all depends on what services you are offering, and who your target market is. Mine is nearly 100% retail clients with most being maintenance details. If you are doing commercial washes or lots of volume, you may need a trailer and tank etc.

DetailnByDustn · 08-10-09, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyotaguy

damn dude, go to school and learn some punctuation! I can't even read any of what you wrote because there is a serious lack of proper punctuation...

With that said, and with what I THINK you are getting at, I started with $500 in equipment and supplies and have built up a good size arsenal!

you will be able to use the clients water and power at most spots! If you are offering washing services only at an office park, you will need a generator for power, but you can survive with a 16-20 gal water tank using ONR. I use a 16 gallon tank and typically only use about 8 gallons for up to 4 cars. ONE time I have had to use all 16 gallons on six cars and one filthy truck!

Things you will most definitely need:
wash solution
polisher
water tank
MF/towels
chemicals
supplies

I know of some people who can't do without their trailers and vans, and some who detail out of a nissan maxima!(cough, scott, cough)

It's not hard to start a detailing business, it's hard to start one right!

Sorry, it was late at night when I wrote that, brain was half working cramed about a weeks learning in one night. Where could you buy a water tank? Do u use a pressure washer and what about the sun, do you use a pop up canopy?

Quote:

Originally Posted by brwill2005

Please no one take offense to this, but I think the days of a big trailer with a big water tank and a big truck pulling it, are over. You can get by with a very efficient set up. Mine consists of a Scion XB, 5 Gallon water cube, electric pressure washer, vacuum, and depending on what I am doing my polisher and hot water extractor. Note; I usually do not detail at commercial locations. If I need to use the pressure washer I hook up to the customer's water. If I am at a commercial location, it is usually a maintenance wash. In that case I just use ONR, and my Honda generator. I guess it all depends on what services you are offering, and who your target market is. Mine is nearly 100% retail clients with most being maintenance details. If you are doing commercial washes or lots of volume, you may need a trailer and tank etc.

I will be doing one to two complete (no corrections) cars a day, do you think a five gallon water tank would be enough? Typically how many gallons do you use washing without ONR?

Also, let me tell you what I will be doing, before sugesting materials right now, One to two cars a day (no corrections), I have a toyota truck right now (Its not pretty, but it will do, I would rather not go mobile out of the vette

), I have another pc, I also have a small pop-up canopy (can't really put a hummer under the thing, but it will work on small jobs). Ill be driving no more than 30 minutes to each customers house or job to wash vehicles, Ill do some research on run-off for the cities of Weaverville, Mars Hill, Marshall, Asheville, Hendersonville, and so forth, I don't want to look like a rookie when I go mobile, AT ANY MEANS. I don't care to get a loan, I need to get my name out to the public, thats why I was wanting a trailer. Keep in mind, Im not as big as you guys yet. I'm going mobile for two reasons, One: Compete with the competition, Two: To increase business. If we can keep operating cost under a thousand for a mobile business, I can save, and not have to take out a loan.

AeroCleanse · 08-10-09, 07:18

Buy some ONR and wash cars with that. No need for tanks and pressure washers these days. Buy a few 5 gallon buckets (and lids) pre mix ONR in them. That the way I have been doing it.

brwill2005 · 08-10-09, 07:42

I can wash two cars using ONR, with wheels with 5 Gallons of water. If I do need to use the electric Power Washer, I just hook up to the customer's water; they do not mind. I see no reason to get a trailer just to 'get your name out there'. Think about how much you will be spending on gas to pull around a trailer. Get some decent graphics on the truck you have. Good luck.

toyotaguy · 08-10-09, 08:56

no correction, this is what you will need:
water tank with a spigot
buckets
ONR
wash media
misc. towels
wax
carpet shampoo
leather conditioner/cleaner
APC
brushes
tire/trim dressing
window cleaner
clay/clay lube
vacuum
extension cords
PC with pads for wax application

i think that might be about as little as you can get by with. Use some products for multiple areas of the car:

APC for leather, plastic, carpet cleaning = no need for a carpet shampoo
ONR for washing, and also for clay lube and glass cleaner = no need for dedicated clay lube/glass cleaner

I would say get out there and start working to build up your bank roll! Take the first 10 jobs you do and put all that back into the business. you will then be able to buy the "boutique" items without breaking the bank!