Compact Detailing - Wheel Cleaning for Rinseless Detailers

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imported_Quenga

New member
For my 100th post I thought it'd be a great idea to start sharing some of the information I've gathered over the years and the techniques I currently use. I just started my business, but I have been putting plans together for the last 2 years. My first video shows how I wash wheels without the use of a huge pressure washer or heavy water tank. I only put in 1 gallon of water and in the second video I show how much is still left in the tank.



I will be creating more videos showing the use of this thing, so if there's anything anyone wants to see, LMK and I'll do my best! I will be re-editing these videos with commentary, but I won't be able to finish them today. But, I did promise to upload a video tonight, so here it is and ask questions!



Skip to 2:45 to see the rinsing



 
Just for clarification, you said you put one gallon in, then did you do all four wheels and have that much water left over, or did you do just the one wheel that you showed in the video?
 
I put in 1 gallon and washed 1 wheel.



I actually washed the other wheels this way and then thought about measuring how much was left, so that's why I made the video.
 
I understand now. You did the other three wheels first, dumped it out and then measured how much it took to do the fourth after putting in only one gallon.
 
Yeah, I want to get a full detail in to see how it holds up, but I've only had it for about a week, so I've just been messing around with it. I think it's supposed to have like 90psi, which ain't a lot, but it's stronger than a hose. At the lowest setting (which is what I tried to show in the video), it's enough. I also got it because we go hiking quite often and to the beach, so it's nice to use to rinse off dirty feet :).



For pre-rinsing "heavier" dirt and deep cleaning wheels, this thing is great. It's not going to clean a mudded truck or anything (in a timely manner), but it's still a great tool to have for being a "compact" detailer.



I've got a lot more ideas I'm going to share, but I'm still testing/building some equipment. Like a DIY carpet extractor :).
 
I just ordered a Nomad last week. Hopefully it's quality is better than a few of the online reviews suggest. My intended use is to rinse off my daily driver after a winter highway commute to work. Rather than let the car dwell in the wet and slushy road-salt solution in the parking lot all day, I plan on giving it a quick rinse after the drive in.



Thoughts/suggestions?



Asif

PS thanks for the demo by the way; it brings some insight into the practical application of this thing!
 
vtextc said:
I just ordered a Nomad last week. Hopefully it's quality is better than a few of the online reviews suggest. My intended use is to rinse off my daily driver after a winter highway commute to work. Rather than let the car dwell in the wet and slushy road-salt solution in the parking lot all day, I plan on giving it a quick rinse after the drive in.



Thoughts/suggestions?



Asif

PS thanks for the demo by the way; it brings some insight into the practical application of this thing!
Click to expand...





Thanks! I think that use will be a great idea!



I needed something that was compact and powerful enough. With chemicals like Sonax, IronX and Wolf's Decon, cleaning tough wheels will be a cinch. I wanted to avoid having to use things like acid or any other harsh chemicals. I dried the wheel in the video, but most times I just blow it off and walk away since I use distilled water (not cheap, but until I get the funds for the dionized water setup, distilled is what I go for).
 
badquenga said:
Thanks! I think that use will be a great idea!



I needed something that was compact and powerful enough. With chemicals like Sonax, IronX and Wolf's Decon, cleaning tough wheels will be a cinch. I wanted to avoid having to use things like acid or any other harsh chemicals. I dried the wheel in the video, but most times I just blow it off and walk away since I use distilled water (not cheap, but until I get the funds for the dionized water setup, distilled is what I go for).
Click to expand...



Distilled water will always be beneficial, particularly for my intended use. Could get quite pricey though I'm sure! Especially if I'm rinsing every day, or every other day. The Metro Vac dryers are phenomenal. I have the 8HP Master Blaster and despite the noise, it gets the job done in a hurry. All these detailing goodies are excellent at making our hobby easier, although can't believe how much I have spent this summer alone. If only the wife knew ;)



Asif
 
Thanks for the videos.



I am surprised the sidekick could not get the wheels dry enough that would eliminate them need to wipe them.



Do you expect each tire to take about 5 to 6 mins when doing this since that is about 20 to 25 min as part of a detail? Is time critical?
 
vtextc said:
Distilled water will always be beneficial, particularly for my intended use. Could get quite pricey though I'm sure! Especially if I'm rinsing every day, or every other day. The Metro Vac dryers are phenomenal. I have the 8HP Master Blaster and despite the noise, it gets the job done in a hurry. All these detailing goodies are excellent at making our hobby easier, although can't believe how much I have spent this summer alone. If only the wife knew ;)



Asif
Click to expand...



Yes, distilled is great, but gets expensive. A local detail supply shop sells 20 gallons of deionized water for $3. That's about 3 gallons of distilled from the grocery store! But, I don't have a 20 gallon tank, so there is a trade off. Once business gets going though, I'll be getting a different car, water tank and switching to deionized. I'm also going to make my own sprayer that comes off the tank to do this same thing. But, until then...$200 and it's ready to go today.



Bunky said:
Thanks for the videos.



I am surprised the sidekick could not get the wheels dry enough that would eliminate them need to wipe them.



Do you expect each tire to take about 5 to 6 mins when doing this since that is about 20 to 25 min as part of a detail? Is time critical?
Click to expand...



You don't need to wipe them with the distilled water. There was some brake dust left over so I wiped them. I really need to get the commentary video up, but my computer seems to be on it's way out. Freezes and closes my video editor every time I try to do it.





PS. I just did a detail with Sonax and rinsing with this unit. PERFECT for fast cleaning and it works better than degreaser/APC. BUT, Sonax is expensive. I'm going to switch to Wolf's Decon as it seems to be the most affordable solution. And no, I don't use Sonax all the time. Only on bad wheels or people that want to pay me more :).
 
If you want a professional grade machine similar to the one in the video check out the chemical guys Eco pod. Heavy duty solid machine.
 
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