Need some help with dealership work, quickest way to wash carlot

B

BiTurboJason

New member
Well I accepted some dealership work, I know to a lot of you it is a waste of time but I can use whatever I can get...even better that it is steady all year round. My question is what is the quickest way to wash 100-300 cars in a clip? Im guessing have 2 guys on each row, one with the hose the other with the brush just moving down the line. Is there a product I can use that will make my life easier? Job is every Friday. Also the manager told me to tell him whatever products I need. What would you guys reccomend? So far I think I told him car wash, wheel acid, chammies, armor all and I think thats it. I will add some wax to the list, along with some degreaser. Thats really all I think of that I would need, but whatever you think I could use please post up! I have to wash all of these cars in 1 day with 1 other helper...so please, suggestions are needed =)
 
I don't anything about professional detailing, but based on an 8 hr day, that's about 5 min/car for a 100 car day and just over 1-1/2 min/car for a 300 car day. That's faster than I can muster. I wish you luck.
 
What you need is a pressure sprayer and a water deionizer. That way you can wash the cars and they will dry spot free without drying.
 
Back in high school I worked for a detailer, and on slow days we'd do "lot rinses". There was 4 of us. We had a mobile unit, one guy would rinse the car. 1 person took the left side, 1 person took the right side, and the other did the front and rear. We never washed them, just rinsed and chamoied, that's all the dealer's would want. Now I look back and realize we just took the dirt from one car and rubbed it into another. These weren't cheap cars either, all brand new, BMW and Volvo dealerships:nixweiss.



IMO your going to need at least 4 people if you are washing them and don't expect to do more than 150 cars, because we'd usually get through 250-300(maybe) a day, and that's doin a quick wipe down.



Don't get discouraged though, I'm sure you will work it out, just don't be afraid to hire a little help. And don't let the dealers cheat you! :xyxthumbs
 
I agree with Scott at a minimum you need an expensive deionizer, at least you wont have to dry 300 vehicles. Here's a link someone just put up on Autopia.

http://www.crspotless.com/index.php?category_id=3&tpl=pgroup_descrip&pid=4&return=?category_id=3

I don't think it is a waste of time, in fact I bidded a camper dealership yesterday, but I know I wont get it, but I was asked to bid it. The problem is dealerships is they do not want to pay you what you deserve to get paid. You end up working for about minimum wage and that doesn't pay the bills and your body will be soar.



When I bid dealerships I bid by the day, I haven't done any lately but if this latest dealership accepts my bid, and I'm kinda hoping they don't, I will get 700 per day. They supply the water and electricity and I supply everything else including an employee or two. I already have one helper but really don't feel like putting another on the payroll, that is only one reason I hope they don't accept my bid. If you bid by the day and they accept, then they get to prioritize when they want the cars clean, instead of you being responsible. I have no desire to do dealerships that expect you to keep all of their cars cleaned at all times and complain if they are dirty now and then. The way I set it up is call me when they are dirty enough for you to spend 700 bucks to clean them. BTW, that bid was high because it is the largest camper store around, in fact I couln't possibly wash the whole lot in less than a week, and I never expect too. I expect to clean the rigs that they say need cleaning the most and that's it. It just isn't feasible to keep the entire lot of campers spotless. My only advice is to not let them eat you up, you'll soon see that high end details are more lucrative, more fun, and much much less work than dealership or any high inventory work.
 
detailthis said:
We never washed them, just rinsed and chamoied, that's all the dealer's would want. Now I look back and realize we just took the dirt from one car and rubbed it into another. These weren't cheap cars either, all brand new, BMW and Volvo dealerships:nixweiss.
Click to expand...



I always worry about my leftover that sat on the dealer lot for 16 months...under all that birdcrap and acid rain....now you have to give me dirty chamois nightmares, too? ;) :D
 
Originally postedy by Burlyq

you'll soon see that high end details are more lucrative, more fun, and much much less work than dealership or any high inventory work.
Click to expand...



:werd: Words to live by.
 
Yes I do know that retail details will be more profitable, but that is to say I had 2 details a day. Right now im barely getting 1 a day. I use flyers so usually a few times a week I go out with a friend and we put them out, but I have been so busy lately I havnt had the time...actually neither does he. Probably today and tomorrow I will go out. Anyway, I am with Scott 100% on the deionizer. I have a customer who has one at his house and its great, at 300$ its a lot but that could mean the difference between having to hire and extra guy or not..so it would pay for itsself after probably a month or so. Thanks for the tips guys, what products do you think I should ask for? The dealers really dont care as long as the car looks good for a week until I come back (talking washes). Well, T-minus 3 days until I start at the dealer! Wish me luck!
 
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