help with small mobile carwash business?

[agazmi]

hi, im a new member to this forum, so pardon me if i posted in the wrong area. I admire the tremendous effort by the forum members and administrators to maintain this marvelous forum. I had a question about starting a small mobile car wash business. I was inspired by the "car wash guys" story (search it up on google). I would like to operate something similar, of course with enviromental restrictions and high start up coast my only solution would be using a waterless option. I would like to get some feedback on the best products, techniques to give a clean fairly shiny look without causing any/much damage to the paint. I understand that many dont believe in the waterless solutions but due to circumstances its my only option (id rather not use ONR because i wish to do high volume and dont have a place to carry water around, unless it can be diluted to make waterless solution). I also would like some feedback from Pro mobile detailers for things that i should look out for (restrictions, licenses and such). one last thing im looking for feedback about pricing for a basic mobile wash.

Thanks in advance.

Andrew

[agazmi]

no help for new members?

[JBs]

Ok, you've waiting 4 1/2 hours.... relax.


1st off, this is a pretty low start up cost.

2nd off, you don't want to use ONR because you don't want to use ONR because you cant carry around a 2 gallon container of water from the grocery store?

hmm.




If you're planning on going waterless on a budget, ONR is the way to go. presoak with the wash to get all the heavy grime off, then use the 2 bucket method to remove the grime etc. dry with a leaf blower to minimize swirls.


I hear CG ONE is a waterless wash, but I'm not convinced.


Also, you're asking for pricing? you have a lot of work to do.

[Scottwax]

Originally Posted by agazmi

no help for new members?

Us pros are out detailing cars during the day....

You can get 5 gallon water containers at Walmart that would hold enough water for 3-5 cars at a time. ONR is going to be your best solution because waterless washes are very limited in what they can clean. Unless a vehicle is caked in mud, ONR can handle it.

Without knowing your area, it is hard to give real firm pricing guidelines. You aren't likely to be able to charge as much in a small town or an area that doesn't have a strong economy as you would in a large city or high end neighborhoods. People just aren't going to pay as much to wash a Taurus as they will a Ferrari.

I start my washes at $25 for small (Miata sized) cars up to $50 for Hummers and full sized SUVs.

Check with your local chamber of commerce to see what kind of licensing, permits, etc you may need. Here in Texas, all I needed was a $6 DBA (doing business as) certificate.

[JoshVette]

Don't you all mean "rinseless" washes?

They all require water....

[agazmi]

i appreciate your responses, and i apologize if i seemed pushy. im in cleveland so economy is....$h!t. my main target is people in my neighborhood (elderly and fairly affluent folks). i though i read some where that ONR can be diluted to make a waterless solution? is there any truth to that?

[BigJimZ28]

Originally Posted by agazmi

i though i read some where that ONR can be diluted to make a waterless solution? is there any truth to that?

what would you to dilute it to make it waterless?....water

it is rinseless and only requires a few gallons of water to wash a car
you can make a QD with it but that will not help you to wash a car

also the waterless washes like GC One will cost a lot more then
some ONR and water when you see the amout you will need to use

[agazmi]

'

Originally Posted by BigJimZ28

what would you to dilute it to make it waterless?....water \r\n\r\nit is rinseless and only requires a few gallons of water to wash a car\r\nyou can make a QD with it but that will not help you to wash a car\r\n\r\nalso the waterless washes like GC One will cost a lot more then \r\nsome ONR and water when you see the amout you will need to use

\r\n\r\nthe problem with ONR is that i would have to use water which means i would need to buy a product to collect the waste water to avoid trouble with the EPA. plus i feel that using waterless will be a quicker and requires less clean up.\r\n\r\nwhat do you guys think about freedom waterless car wash solutions?, i see that they sell in bulk (better bottom line), and they allow you to bottle and resale under your own logo (if things go well of course). by the way are the CG ONE and Freedom Waterless ONE the same formula? they share the same name (ONE) and have a similar color.'

[toyotaguy]

you are basically looking for a QD type product to clean vehicles....a guy i know used to detail, and that is how he WASHED cars...megs QD (burgandy bottle OTC)....it was hard to understand how or why, but he didnt have to have a tank....I dont agree...

there is no safe way to clean a car without ONR, water, shampoo, etc...QD just doesnt do it....