Air Compressors: A Worthy Investment for the Mobile Detailer?

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HenrikP

New member
I have found air compressors to be useful for many detail tasks. They are especially helpful for drying out the cracks and crevices and blowing out loose debris from hard-to-reach places.



I have been considering getting one for a while but I am not exactly sure if its benefits overule the space it takes up, the costs of maintaining it and so on. What do you think?
 
the maintenance costs really arent that high IMO.. as long as you buy a solid product to begin with youll be set, what r u considering picking up? any particular brand or style?
 
I was looking at used Dewalts at the Home Depot tool rental area. One of the units was 3 years old and had been rented about 40 times and going for about $160.



This is a picture of the same model:

D55155%25_1.jpg
 
The benifits from one make it worth the space it takes up.



I've got a 50 gallon craftsman oiless in my trailer. I use mine mainly for my dynabrade da, and blowing out interior dust on details. It also comes in handy for drips, drying out doorjambs,motor bays,etc. And airing up low tires for your customers.
 
One word, invaluable..........I cant imagine detailing without it.

It helps with dust removal also when your mobile, as well as vents, nooks, crannies, matts, handles, all trim and weatherstripping etc......
 
Hands down you want to get one no matter one, it's one of the essentials out there, right up on my list of "must have" next to a rotary/PC
 
ron231 said:
I am not mobile but I use a compressor for my tornador, which I love by the way.
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Can someone give me a real life testimonial on this thing? I have my supplier trying like hell to sell this thing to me for $180.00. He tested it on some fresh mud he tossed on a door panel and tried to "Wow" me. I asked if he could do it with that results on really set in stains. He'll get back to me on that I guess. For what it does I seriously think my air nozzel for vents and a cloth with some citrus degreaser for the cloth and plastic panels works just as well and at only a couple bucks I can't possibly see how this thing is worth even half the asking price.
 
David Fermani said:
Perfect machine for a nail gun, but the tank is too small for interior work. It would never catch up with itself and end up slowing you down.
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Currently I am very limited to space. So if the tank is too small for the operation I wouldn't probably buy one right now. I'm operating out of the trunk of a car and I used the client's water and electricity.
 
I have a Campbell-Hausfield 2 gal @100psi max I bought from Ebay a couple of years ago and it's too large for carrying around in my car and too small to run for more than a minute or so without having to re-pressurize.

I bought it mainly to help with my car mods/work, but just too small to have a significant impact for cleaning.

Guess I will have to upgrade whenever my customer base expands and get a dedicated vehicle for use to transport everything.
 
Jakerooni said:
Can someone give me a real life testimonial on this thing? I have my supplier trying like hell to sell this thing to me for $180.00. He tested it on some fresh mud he tossed on a door panel and tried to "Wow" me. I asked if he could do it with that results on really set in stains. He'll get back to me on that I guess. For what it does I seriously think my air nozzel for vents and a cloth with some citrus degreaser for the cloth and plastic panels works just as well and at only a couple bucks I can't possibly see how this thing is worth even half the asking price.
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It was worth the $90 that I paid for it... I would not have paid $180 though.



Also I got it in person at a supplier so there was no shipping charges. But if you want your vents, cupholders, door handles, really perfect then this is the way to go. I use it on everything on the interior that has buttons too, to get in-between them in the little cracks, and it beats the crap out of a collection of brushes.
 
(posted this on another thread as well)



Not trying to hijack the thread but what is a good unit for detailing only? I run a part-time mobile detailing business. I only have the back of an SUV as storage area, so it has to be small if possible. I will NOT be using it for tools or anything else besides getting water out of wheels, crevices, door handles, engine bay, and interior. Any suggestions?
 
I have an older emglo air compressor, and I love it. The only problem I have w/ it is that you have to have a huge generator to start it up. I had to by another extension cord to make sure I could reach the power source. Make sure you get a thick cord or it won't work either. When I get some more free time I'm going to post of few things I use my compressor for.
 
So I guess my question is for you guys with the 4 gallon tank air compressors is how often do you have to stop using the blow gun so that the air compressor can recover with enough pressure?



I agree that they are worthy investment. Not only does it save the mobile detailer much valuable time; it delivers far superior results.
 
I installed a compressed air system in my truck. 5 gallons. 180 psi. (90 psi regulated output). I absolutely love it. I have quick disconnects at the front and rear of the truck. I can also use it to air up tires, run air tools, and of course my Train Horns. YouTube - 2005 Tacoma & Train Horns



Compressor in a bed comparment





5 gallon aluminum tank under the truck.





 
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