Things have changed here.....

**todd@bsaw** · 04-30-2010, 11:15 AM

I offered a service similar to this in my Minneapolis shop and had a great client base of regular weekly washes. I would also get great tips and many jobs turned into full details. My entire Friday was usually filled up with nothing but washes for my regulars so they could have their "fun" cars ready for the weekend.

**justin30513** · 04-30-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by todd@bsaw

I offered a service similar to this in my Minneapolis shop and had a great client base of regular weekly washes. I would also get great tips and many jobs turned into full details. My entire Friday was usually filled up with nothing but washes for my regulars so they could have their "fun" cars ready for the weekend.

Glad to here this.

You have any tips for the process or what supplies you use?

Thanks!

I`m really impressed on how this thread has turned out.

**todd@bsaw** · 04-30-2010, 03:11 PM

My only tip is to take very good care of your regular wash customers and they will repay you with regular business.

A once-a-week wash for a Lexus GS460 may not seem worth your time, but that regular customer had me detail his "summer" car, his wife`s car, his brother`s car, and numerous co-workers vehicles. The Lexus never had (or needed) anything more than a wash because I always threw in a quick 1-step, leather condition, or spot polish when I had extra time and the customer appreciated the extra care.

I did a pick-up service to a lot of corporate offices in the financial district and was on a first-name basis with a lot of CFOs, day traders, and other execs. I would smile when I showed up at the office to pick up one vehicle and I would bump into 6 other clients that would see me in the hallway and toss me their keys "while you`re here". One guy even joked that he lost $10,000 while he was running back to his office to get his car keys for me.

**justin30513** · 04-30-2010, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by todd@bsaw

My only tip is to take very good care of your regular wash customers and they will repay you with regular business.

A once-a-week wash for a Lexus GS460 may not seem worth your time, but that regular customer had me detail his "summer" car, his wife`s car, his brother`s car, and numerous co-workers vehicles. The Lexus never had (or needed) anything more than a wash because I always threw in a quick 1-step, leather condition, or spot polish when I had extra time and the customer appreciated the extra care.

I did a pick-up service to a lot of corporate offices in the financial district and was on a first-name basis with a lot of CFOs, day traders, and other execs. I would smile when I showed up at the office to pick up one vehicle and I would bump into 6 other clients that would see me in the hallway and toss me their keys "while you`re here". One guy even joked that he lost $10,000 while he was running back to his office to get his car keys for me.

Very good info here.

What about your setup? Can you share pics and process? Chemicals?

Thanks for your time!

**todd@bsaw** · 04-30-2010, 03:44 PM

My detail shop was set up in conjunction with a downtown gas station and convenience store that also had 6 full service repair bays and 4 quick lube bays. We offered a pick-up service to many of the parking garages in downtown Minneapolis for anything from a simple car wash and lube change to 80k service maintenance and a full detail at no additional charge.

As far as chemicals and process, the wash was very simple just like you`re offering. At the time we were using Rightlook products. I had an electric Landa pressure washer that I used to rinse. I used one bucket with a grit guard and wheels, dried with an Absorber, dressed the tires, cleaned the windows, and worked like a raped ape. We also included a quick vacuum and "dash wipedown" which was a damp microfiber. I could knock out a wash in 10-15 minutes and we charged $25.

**justin30513** · 05-03-2010, 04:02 AM

Very nice Todd.......very motivating as well.

Update:

I`m going today to look at getting a larger tank. I`m at 60 gallons and can do 5-6 easy with it but I need a larger one. I do not want to get a trailer so I`m getting a 100 gallon unit from Tractor Supply. It will be the same footprint as the 60 in my truck bed. I will be trying Optimum`s No Rinse in a few "tests" to see what my times are.

I to get off the "what I make hourly" crap. 200.00 in 4 hours is still 200.00 in 8 hours. All I can do is what the market will allow and what I can do physically.

**krzdimond** · 05-03-2010, 04:44 AM

You had mentioned earlier that you can do 10 cars in one sitting. You do that with a 60 gallon tank? Are you running a gas or electric pressure washer? The best I can do with a 125 gallon tank is 4-5 using an electric transfer pump and garden hose.

I too have seen a drastic drop in customers - about 60% drop - and am looking intently at this thread for ideas.

**AdrianStewart** · 05-03-2010, 05:40 AM

My Saturday wash started at 8:30am ...

I use 2 buckets for washing after I hit it with the qt foam sprayer / tires & wheels & wheel wells are done first / windows inside & out last / quick dash wipedown / I use a leaf blower to dry / then I go over the entire car and door jambs with spray & gloss to minimize the water spots

I finished at 11:45 am ...

3hrs every week ... today - its friggin raining like a stuck pig outside! $15 / I could call someone to spank it up as soon as the sun comes out - HELL YEAH!

**justin30513** · 05-03-2010, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by krzdimond

You had mentioned earlier that you can do 10 cars in one sitting. You do that with a 60 gallon tank? Are you running a gas or electric pressure washer? The best I can do with a 125 gallon tank is 4-5 using an electric transfer pump and garden hose.

I too have seen a drastic drop in customers - about 60% drop - and am looking intently at this thread for ideas.

That pump you have uses water volume instead of pressure. That`s why you`re using so much water. I use a gas pressure washer and the tips allow for more pressure and less water volume. I can do 5 per 60 gallons......I go and fill up at a local business that has let me for years now.

I found a 100 gallon tank today at Northern Tools that has the same footprint as my 60.....just taller.....for 199.00 plus tax.

I`m also doing homes and decks. I get 400.00 per house and I have 3 lined up now. I use their water when I clean their house.

**DT08** · 05-05-2010, 12:11 PM

Good job Justin! Great way to adapt!

**impulse922** · 05-05-2010, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by krzdimond

The best I can do with a 125 gallon tank is 4-5 using an electric transfer pump and garden hose.

find yourself a 1.5 or 2.0 gpm pressure washer

**wicho661** · 05-06-2010, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Justin Murphy

That pump you have uses water volume instead of pressure. That`s why you`re using so much water. I use a gas pressure washer and the tips allow for more pressure and less water volume. I can do 5 per 60 gallons......I go and fill up at a local business that has let me for years now.

I found a 100 gallon tank today at Northern Tools that has the same footprint as my 60.....just taller.....for 199.00 plus tax.

I`m also doing homes and decks. I get 400.00 per house and I have 3 lined up now. I use their water when I clean their house.

Wait, what exactly do you do with a house? Just spray the walls, decks and call it a day?

**Barry Theal** · 05-06-2010, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Justin Murphy

That pump you have uses water volume instead of pressure. That`s why you`re using so much water. I use a gas pressure washer and the tips allow for more pressure and less water volume. I can do 5 per 60 gallons......I go and fill up at a local business that has let me for years now.

I found a 100 gallon tank today at Northern Tools that has the same footprint as my 60.....just taller.....for 199.00 plus tax.

I`m also doing homes and decks. I get 400.00 per house and I have 3 lined up now. I use their water when I clean their house.

Quanity the new autopian way.

Justin you will soon find money gets better doing what your doing. Work gets easier. I wish you the best of luck man. Sounds like your off to a great start!

**justin30513** · 05-07-2010, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by wicho661

Wait, what exactly do you do with a house? Just spray the walls, decks and call it a day?

It`s all about the chemicals. I mix the chemicals into a 5 gallon bucket and it gets injected inline between the pressure washer and high pressure hose. I have a high soap and high rinse tip for the upper levels.......up to 45 feet......so there is no need for ladders. I then use a low soap and low rinse for lower levels. Spray on the soap, let sit, and rinse......not blast. It`s not really "pressure washing" as most (and even I) think. It`s about letting the chemicals work and then using water volume, rinse. I can do a 2000 square foot home with some decks in 4-5 hours. Average pay is 400-500.00 per house. I know of some guys that can do it in 2 hours.....by themselves! See why I`m adding it to my services?

I have a cabin rental company just wanting me to wash of the decks and fronts with no chemicals. 20 at 75.00 a piece. It`s not glorious and it`s kinda boring but it`s money.

PM me with any questions about this and I will help. This is a car care forum. LOL!

**justin30513** · 05-07-2010, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Barry Theal

Quanity the new autopian way.

Justin you will soon find money gets better doing what your doing. Work gets easier. I wish you the best of luck man. Sounds like your off to a great start!

Thanks so much for the encouragement. You do some amazing work.

It is kind of boring doing the same thing over and over but hey, it`s steady paying work.