Hey all you mobile detailing owners.... - Page 3

Short Cut · 11-28-01, 12:59

Quote:

Originally posted by ryhead
I don't know about those tanks though.

You have to poke around the website a little bit but they have all sorts of shapes and sizes. I can't vouch for the company itself but they sure have a big selection to choose from. At the very least you can get an idea of the different styles available here.

Click on the photo for their page especially for mobile detailers.

RIC · 11-28-01, 03:08

About how many towels would you need when using the Quick and Easy solution on a dirty car?

I would suspect it would be a lot. When QDing a less than perfectly clean car(i.e. having just lightly visible dust) I use between 15 and 20 Microfiber towels. I may be paranoid but I am not willing to go over a new section if the towel has accumulated any dirt or grime.

Where does the dirt go when using Q&E? The only places I can think of are the wet applicator/towels or the towel used to dry. In any case re-using the same towel on another panel once there is any dirt on it will inevitably cause swirls/micro-scratches.

Scottwax · 11-28-01, 03:12

To all those who are starting mobile detailing businesses-if you are in regions were you routinely end up with heavy grime, salt, etc on cars, then Q&E may not be the best product for you-living in the Dallas area, I tend to forget how bad roads get in some parts of the country, and I would use a hose first on cars encrusted with road salt or heavy mud. However, if you live in a more temperate area of the world, then it will probably work as well for you as it does for me.

In any event, I do regularly detail a full sized bus, and the owner has his own pressure washer-a Honda with a 16 hp V-twin engine and 4000psi, along with his own water ionizer. I take advantage of his equipment when doing his bus because of the sheer size and that with the water ionizer, I can let it air dry without fear of water spots, which saves quite a lot of time. He also always wants his engine cleaned-lots of chrome!

Scottwax · 11-28-01, 03:21

Quote:

Originally posted by RIC
About how many towels would you need when using the Quick and Easy solution on a dirty car?

I would suspect it would be a lot. When QDing a less than perfectly clean car(i.e. having just lightly visible dust) I use between 15 and 20 Microfiber towels. I may be paranoid but I am not willing to go over a new section if the towel has accumulated any dirt or grime.

Where does the dirt go when using Q&E? The only places I can think of are the wet applicator/towels or the towel used to dry. In any case re-using the same towel on another panel once there is any dirt on it will inevitably cause swirls/micro-scratches.

RIC-I have no idea what type of towels you are talking about. I buy bath towel blems from my Meguiars distributer for $25 for 5 pounds of towels. All are thick with a deep nap. Really dirty cars take about 4-5 towels-again, I am folding them into 1/4s, and once it gets noticably dirty, I refold the towel. It is hard to explain the process without actually showing you. I actually get less swirls and streaks using Q&E than I do with normal washing techniques-no danger of water spots, nor premature drying-which when you make your drying pass, tends to leave streaks.

Look, I understand the skepticism here. It is an unconventional product. This thread is about alternatives to power washers, and I am giving a reasonable alternative. If no one wants to use Q&E, fine. I don't sell it, so I make no profits whether any of you try it or not. I am not going to continue to debate the merits of Q&E, it is pointless-without trying it yourself, you will continue to have doubts about the product. So be it. I also acknowledge it is tricky to learn to use quickly and effectively, so if anyone does try it, just be aware that it takes at least a few times using the product to learn the proper technique.

bretfraz · 11-29-01, 08:20

I clipped this from Carwashing & Detailing Online http://www.carwash.com/index.asp. It's a link to some very key questions that should be considered if you are planning to become a pro. Enthusiasm is great but to be effective it needsto be supported by a foundation of solid knowledge.

Best of luck to all who go "pro".

http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?IndexID=6632087
http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?IndexID=6631924

HoneyGold65 · 11-30-01, 06:52

thanks bretfraz...

those were helpful!

Intermezzo · 11-30-01, 10:18

Scottwax, can the two-bucket method be used when using Q&E? In other words, can I dip the towel in Q&E, wipe a panel, dry the panel, and rinse the original towel in fresh clean water and then re-dip the towel into the Q&E solution and do another panel?

Also, how mild is it? Would you say it removes wax at a rate that is greater than, less than, or similar to the rate a traditional car wash does?

Thanks.

Waxabout · 11-30-01, 06:30

If you are going to get a portable water tank make sure you also get a trailer that can handle the weight when the tank is full. Remember that a gallon of water weighs approx. 8.4 pounds. So a 150 gallons weighs 1260 pounds. Then you have to consider the weight of your pressure washer, gen, vac, etc...

Good luck!!

www.waxabout.com

Scottwax · 12-02-01, 10:04

Quote:

Originally posted by Intermezzo330I
Scottwax, can the two-bucket method be used when using Q&E? In other words, can I dip the towel in Q&E, wipe a panel, dry the panel, and rinse the original towel in fresh clean water and then re-dip the towel into the Q&E solution and do another panel?

Also, how mild is it? Would you say it removes wax at a rate that is greater than, less than, or similar to the rate a traditional car wash does?

Thanks.

I am sure that would work fine. Actually, I use a terry cloth wash pad, dip it in the Q&E mix, wash a section and dry with two towels-one to get the dirt and most of the water off, and the other to finish drying. You want some moisture left on the car for the drying pass to minimize the streaking you can get by rubbing a towel across an already dry surface.

I would say that it removes even less wax than traditional washing methods. I wash a couple of LS 400s exclusively with Q&E and have since they were brand new (one is a 95 and the other is a 96), and wax them 3 times a year. Water continues to bead on the surface (which is why they only get them waxed 3 times a year) even when it is time for a fresh coat of wax. BTW, I wax them with Meguiars #26 liquid.

JM19 · 12-03-01, 09:14

Scott,

Where could I buy a terry cloth wash pad?

Scottwax · 12-03-01, 02:09

Quote:

Originally posted by JM19
Scott,

Where could I buy a terry cloth wash pad?

I buy them at Target. Seriously. Cheaper there than automotive parts stores or my Meguiars distributer. I think they run about $2.99 or so.

JM19 · 12-03-01, 03:09

Quote:

Originally posted by Scottwax

I buy them at Target. Seriously. Cheaper there than automotive parts stores or my Meguiars distributer. I think they run about $2.99 or so.

Are they usually located in the auto detail supplies section at Target?