want to start detailing full time...

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Eastcoastdetail

New member
I've been detailing part time for years in the state of Connecticut and now i want to detail cars full time. Found a shop for a reasonable price (1100 a month plus uti, tax, etc) but now i've hit a ROADBLOCK.



The state requires a waste water disposal system! I've been searching online and this system actually cost thousands of dollars that i don' have. Does anyone know how to solve this problem or know a system that is cheap to buy and install. Any ideas?



I was thinking of building a tarp and suck the water afterwards. Also, i was thinking about doing a waterless car wash but i am still skeptical. Does waterless car washing get rid of snow/salt/ marks? Does it induce scratches/ marrs/ swirls???
 
I can't comment on water disposal but as for waterless only, I wouldn't count on it for most clients. Waterless/ONR works great for me when I'm taking care of my regular clients, that don't drive their cars much anyway and come see me every couple weeks. Aside from that, I wouldn't count on it being efficient or productive in a shop environment.



Why not just take a loan for the few $1000 and get a proper disposal system that will last a while. I'm sure you can make the money back quickly. Best of luck!
 
It depends on how your business is classified. When I looked into leasing a space in Virginia, I explained what I did to the landlord, and he said I would be classified differently than a commercial car wash. I further explained that I use a rinse-less (not waterless) wash 90% of the time, and the amount of run-off amounted to drips and small puddles at most. This could easily be contained with a simple mat of some type. Make sure they are classifying you correctly and re-examine your wash process.
 
Check to see if basic run off water is acceptable, Meaning like using just a pressure washer (Plain Water NO Cleaners on Vehicle) to wet the vehicle and knock off heavier debris, Then follow up with an O.N.R wash
 
The owner got a quote for oil/water separator for $10,000. And he is not willing to pay for that and put in into my lease.



I've looked into VACU-BOOM but is it reliable? Another problem that may arise is that when the VACU-BOOM tank gets full, where am i going to dump it? Access to these things in connecticut are limited.
 
some guys made a water runaway at the exit of a shop then bought a pump at home depot and the runaway water was flowing into larger hole in floor and then sucked up into the sink through a hose. done. ohh and its legal too. except you cant wash engine
 
sacdetailing said:
some guys made a water runaway at the exit of a shop then bought a pump at home depot and the runaway water was flowing into larger hole in floor and then sucked up into the sink through a hose. done. ohh and its legal too. except you cant wash engine
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+1. Check closely into your state's laws. It may simply be that you can't allow the runoff water to seep into the ground, yet you may very well be able to pour it down the drain, or into a toilet, or a sewer sump.
 
I use ONR for everything so I don't have to worry about runoff and have never had a problem. I have read somewhere on ct.gov that as long as you send the wastewater to a treatment plant you are ok. Meaning you can fab your own system with tarps, pvc, a pump, etc and pump it down the sink like sacdetailing said.
 
Correct me if i am wrong but i dont think you can use ONR for everything. I have seen countless videos online about ONR and i really do think it scratches the paint surface. Thus, we really have to powerwash those particles off the car.



I think that my next step is to purchase a tarp and a huge holding tank (200 gallons or more) and a cheap pump. I have read an article that you can call those guys that suck septic tanks to your shop and they'll suck your waste water. I dont know if the law in CT or RI will allow this? I cant believe how setting up a shop or business is harder than the DETAIL ITSELF....
 
Eastcoastdetail said:
I have read an article that you can call those guys that suck septic tanks to your shop and they'll suck your waste water. I dont know if the law in CT or RI will allow this? I cant believe how setting up a shop or business is harder than the DETAIL ITSELF....
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I can't see how it wouldn't be allowed. Those companies that suck out sumps and septic tanks have to dispose of it properly themselves, that's why you pay them to come get it and deal with it themselves. Be forewarned, getting your holding tank sucked out won't be cheap, but you also might not be doing THAT often.



Welcome to the world of owning a business :)
 
Eastcoastdetail said:
Correct me if i am wrong but i dont think you can use ONR for everything. I have seen countless videos online about ONR and i really do think it scratches the paint surface. Thus, we really have to powerwash those particles off the car.



I think that my next step is to purchase a tarp and a huge holding tank (200 gallons or more) and a cheap pump. I have read an article that you can call those guys that suck septic tanks to your shop and they'll suck your waste water. I dont know if the law in CT or RI will allow this? I cant believe how setting up a shop or business is harder than the DETAIL ITSELF....
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I've not had any problems with ONR causing damage to paint. I know just because it works for me, it may not work for you but my experience with it has been great. You're welcome to drop by my shop and check it out sometime if you're close enough.
 
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