Show me your business vehicle

Here is what I use

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Relaited said:
OK, here goes, please keep your attacks on point and fact based … please.



I believe in a Water Eco Detailing model. The spirit and intent requires one to make decisions around product choices, all things considered, choose the most Eco friendly option. It requires one to use the least amount of water to achieve desired outcome, AND, it requires one to capture contaminants. Steam, No Rinse, Waterless and wash mat - reclaim system and proper disposal are all viable options and solutions.



I choose to operate a waterless model. Hate waterless as it is more than 50% water, another topic.



Why is this relevant here … because I can clean an auto with less than 1 pint of water, yes without marring, and washing is a predicate act to whatever step of waxing, polishing, paint correction, etc comes next. Why is that important … because I can go out with a 5 gallon tank of what we call Miracle Lotion than can service 20-25 cars … more than any mobile crew could ever handle in a day. But think of the footprint you start out with … I could put that in an inflatable bladder, hide somewhere, and while the traditional model starts with a big ol’ water tank … this model starts with a blank canvas.



So the first benefit is size of the vehicle, you could literally perform Maintenance & Prevention detailing out of a Car. Could do up to light scratch removal and polishing. I keep trying to get someone to develop this in a motorcycle trailer … you could instantly turn any vehicle into a mobile detail unit.



The second is cost. Now, I start with a premise that you need to capture your contaminants. Being mobile, and professional, I operate under the philosophy that this is necessary, cannot be otherwise. So are more and more Cities and Regulators! And with that comes an increase in cost. Cost plus you must have a bigger vehicle to warehouse extra equipment and spend money on the wash mat, the reclamation system, the dirty water tank. You have to properly discharge the waste water / contaminants … again time and money.



That is why I landed on the Chevy HHR. I love the Panel, makes a great billboard for marketing, and a functional work space. Avg gas mileage of about 26 mpg



With the money I saved, if anyone remembers AL Williams “Buy term, invest the difference�, I say :go Eco, and invest the difference�, this allows me the capital to invest in other things like uniforms, insurance, wrapping the vehicle, a really cool shade structure that is well branded and is inflatable, yet compact, etc.



Works for me.



-jim



Here’s a link to some pictures Pronto Wash



Here's what I put on the inside ... the Eco Skid "Platform for Eco Detailing" Eco Friendly Auto Detailing System - Auto Detailing Tips, Business, Marketing Articles and Videos
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I don't want to get off topic here, but I have read many posts here, and normally I keep to myself and just read......



But for those out there that are just begining in their Mobile Detailing business/venture DO NOT have the funds to go out buy a NEW HHR (althought I would have assumed you would be driving a prius or tesla or something else that is So-called eco friendly)...



This thread is pretty simple and straight to the point, what kind of vehicle do use in your Mobile Detailing business and why?



I don't think he was looking for an Al Gore speech on the Environment!



Hopefully this isn't taken to offensively......just added my 2 cents to the mix!



I drive a 4 door 06 dodge dakota, and it will pull my 6X10 trailer with ease, but I only have a 90 gallon tank, which is plenty for what I do......



JJH
 
Yo Austin ... at least I had the courtesy of answering the and why, which, for the record, you did not. The OP did not say that people had to like the why, and make the why response stereotypical.



For those that are just beginning, and do not have the funds ... maybe they should go and work for a legitimate Detailer, who needs the help. That way they get a level of training, and do not become part of the industry problem.



And those that advocate such a position are part of the industry problem as well.



I hope this isn’t taken offensively as well, but the reality is that the regulators do take this thinking as offensive, and are therefore introducing ordinances to prevent such thinking.



So .. how do you prevent pollution with your Dodge Dakota and 6 foot trailer and 90 gallon water tank ... or are you one of those who think global warming is a farce and therefore provides you some warped logic to think you can skirt responsibilities of a commercial operation?



-jim



As you can see, I enjoy a mental joust. My only suggestion is keep the figurative hands high, feet moving, protect yourself at all times ... and by all means ... as Tiger says ... bring your A game!
 
weekendwarrior said:
^^ Pretty cool...Even cooler if it weren't a V6.
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The V6 has more than enough power to earn you a ticket(in fact more power than the 5.0 stangs of my youth) plus as a bonus gets over 30mpg on average.



For me this is a winter car(nothing better than a sunny day -10 and the top down), in the summer I find that sun a little to intense, so I drive one of my old Volvo's(65 122s, and 73 P1800).
 
Relaited said:
Yo Austin ... at least I had the courtesy of answering the and why, which, for the record, you did not. The OP did not say that people had to like the why, and make the why response stereotypical.



For those that are just beginning, and do not have the funds ... maybe they should go and work for a legitimate Detailer, who needs the help. That way they get a level of training, and do not become part of the industry problem.



And those that advocate such a position are part of the industry problem as well.



I hope this isn’t taken offensively as well, but the reality is that the regulators do take this thinking as offensive, and are therefore introducing ordinances to prevent such thinking.



So .. how do you prevent pollution with your Dodge Dakota and 6 foot trailer and 90 gallon water tank ... or are you one of those who think global warming is a farce and therefore provides you some warped logic to think you can skirt responsibilities of a commercial operation?



-jim



As you can see, I enjoy a mental joust. My only suggestion is keep the figurative hands high, feet moving, protect yourself at all times ... and by all means ... as Tiger says ... bring your A game!
Click to expand...



Relaited....



If you reread my post, never did I state in my posts that I Recoup, Reclaim, Recycle, regenerate, reuse, filter, or boil the water I use!



I drive a V8 truck that uses gas, I use a pressure washer that uses gas, and I use a generator that uses.....take a guess.....GAS!



So.....in your opinion, I'm just another one adding to the problem, right?



does it help if my wifes car gets almost 40 MPG? Does it help if my bike gets about 40 MPG? does it help if I planted flowers and little bushes in the yard?



I live in Austin, and there are plenty of people that I meet on a daily basis that are completely eco friendly, you wanna here the kicker to this........



MOST ARE CUSTOMERS!!!!



They would rather me do the job I was hired to do, RIGHT!



If I pulled out ONR and started cleaning my Customers vehicles, they would have a freaking fit!



If it makes you feel any better, I do plan on purchasing a wash pad, but I noticed that you're not too happy about people using those either!



With you it's ONR or NO DETAIL!



JJH
 
Relaited said:
Yo Austin ... at least I had the courtesy of answering the and why, which, for the record, you did not. The OP did not say that people had to like the why, and make the why response stereotypical.



For those that are just beginning, and do not have the funds ... maybe they should go and work for a legitimate Detailer, who needs the help. That way they get a level of training, and do not become part of the industry problem.



And those that advocate such a position are part of the industry problem as well.



I hope this isn’t taken offensively as well, but the reality is that the regulators do take this thinking as offensive, and are therefore introducing ordinances to prevent such thinking.



So .. how do you prevent pollution with your Dodge Dakota and 6 foot trailer and 90 gallon water tank ... or are you one of those who think global warming is a farce and therefore provides you some warped logic to think you can skirt responsibilities of a commercial operation?



-jim



As you can see, I enjoy a mental joust. My only suggestion is keep the figurative hands high, feet moving, protect yourself at all times ... and by all means ... as Tiger says ... bring your A game!
Click to expand...



Your "A Game" seems to be to act condescending, and insult anyone who doesn't agree with you.



I suspect the equipment you joust with mentally isn't very sharp.
 
Ill get this back on Track here, I use a Chevy Astro for our mobile details, i like it because it will haul everything we need for a basic detail, its easy to get in and out of small areas as well as parking garages. This is the only pic i have right now. it gets fairly decent gas mileage as well for relaited's sake.







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Eastside Auto Spa, I really like your setup. I am looking for an Astro locally but everyone wants an arm and a leg for them and I KNOW that I should be able to get one with around 100,000 miles for less than $6500 (I am looking for $4000 or so) but I cannot find one. I especially want one in black but never found one. My business cards, flyers and everything are black with chrome emblem logo and writing so I'd like for it to match. I do paint and body work as well and can paint it but dont have the time to buy something and have to tear it down and work on it. I was thinking about doing how you did with a black partial wrap with the writing on it but I wasn't sure if it would look right with the rest of the van white. Yours just showed me what it would look like pretty much and I love it.

Can you post some more info and pics on the inside and what you use and how you like the van? I have always wanted one but the other day I read more and more reviews, pro's and cons and specs on the Astro (2000 and up) and supposedly they have a lot of drivetrain problems, especially with the rear end. I plan to carry a 100 gallon water tank, electric pressure washer and everything else for those very dirty vehicles but I am trying to stick to the waterless system because after using it on non dirty vehicles it saves me time, money and I dont have to load the vehicle up with everything and fill pressure washers and generators up with fuel and listen to noise. I think an Astro like yours with a 100 gallon water tank (which is PLENTY big), pressure washer, shop vac, etc will work great. Only thing I am debating is I can either get an Astro or a full size van with a V8 and it pretty much gets the same amount of MPG because the bigger V8 van isn't pushing as hard to get moving. I dont know, we will see.
 
A.P.D. you must have just posted at the same time as me and I didn't see your van either. I REALLY like it. I always said that if I can't find a black Astro and put Torq Thrust wheels on it that I'd get a black one with tinted windows, black grill like yours and black wheels. Looks great! Same to you, can you post interior pictures?
 
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honestly i barely fit everything ( i pack in the vac) but i do carry a 100 gallon tank air pressure washier generator and

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i got my van for $2900 ( had to travel and hour and half and took a month to find a good buy) with 110k this is my second van and never had any problems i beat the hell out it and it keeps going
 
Well mine is my avatar! 2002 Cadillac EXT. I carry 70 gallons of water,pressure washer with 50' hose,generator,heated extractor (Aztec) Flex, Rotory PC,Ozone Generator,tent, ONR, and most of the top of the line products. The weather is just now getting right here in Ohio. Got 3 good days of Detailing starting Thursday. Gotta crash I'll be busy the next few days. Thank God! :buffing: :) :2thumbs:
 
Yeah I need to really find an Astro with 100,000 miles or less for around what you paid for, that would be nice. I would travel more than 2 hours for it but I just cannot find one yet. I have been looking a lot. I did find one locally for a very great price with 115,000 miles for $2300 but it had windows and no back seats (which is fine since I dont need back seats and the windows are OK) but the guy wont contact me back so I guess it was meant to be. As for your tank and pressure washer setup, are you gravity feeding off the water tank? I just got a 150 gallon tank yesterday and it will not gravity feed into my 1800psi Karcher electric washer. Not sure if I get a gas powered one if that will help pull water or what is wrong....
 
As for my set up,No it did not gravity feed. I have a small utility pump ( waterbed pump) that runs off the DC side of my generator. I start it before I start my pressure washer. The set up has worked great for 7 years now. I guess if I ever have to buy another pressure washer I'll shop for one that does not need assistance!
 
Thanks everyone for the pics and kind words of wisdom.. I guess utility is the number one priority but some cool vinyl and a nice clean ride really brings out the professional image.
 
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