what percentage of your washes could you NOT use rinseless wash products?

[imported_thecarguy]

I am still considering detailing part-time and would like to avoid the $2000 water reclamation equipment costs if I can help it.



What percentage of the washes you do could absolutely NOT be done with a rinseless wash?

 

[Joshua312]

I dont know all the laws, but maybe you could just spray down the car, getting most of the dirt/grime off, (the run off would just be dirt..no chemicals, so basically just like the rain washing it) then follow up with no rinse (maybe 2 times) to get the car clean

 

[RAG]

Practically-speaking, joshua doesn't have a bad idea. But the city wouldn't see it that way.



Getting to your question, CarGuy, I've never, ever been "checked" and I rarely break out the water reclaim equipment. And I don't use rinseless washes either - most non-autopian cars are too dirty for this method, IMO. So you could use the rinseless solution, and gamble by washing the regular method when necessary. Also, as long as you are washing at people's houses and you don't have a giant rig with "Mobile Detailing" stickers all over it, nobody is going to know you aren't washing your own car in your own driveway anyways.



The whole thing rubbs me the wrong way...across the street from one of my clients is a giant parking lot that gets steam cleaned every other week...and they just let the oily water run down the storm drain...and here I am reclaiming water from a few vehicles here and there.

 

[imported_thecarguy]

Joshua's idea is what I proposed to the water quality people here. They said as long as there wasn't lots of muddy water going down the drain, I was fine. When asked what does "lots of muddy water" mean, he said it was up to the inspector. Don't you love these nebulous regulations with answers like, "it depends." He said they allow car dealers to wash their cars off each morning using only water to "get the dust off" and that would be a standard they might use.