Calling All Pro-Detailers....How Many of You??????????

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Delano5050

New member
How many of you require the customers water and electricity?

I'm interested in starting my own side business, and would like to use the comstumers water and electricity, but I am not sure how many detailers with thier own small business actually do this.



If they wanted a basic touch up wash, I would use waterless wash.



If they wanted something more, then I would want to use a water source for washing, and then an electricity source for polishing.



Any tips or info you could offer would be greatly appreciated.:) :) :)
 
I started out that way and it's still how I do most of my details - but I stock ONR and a small generator for those office lot jobs. I bought my generator off of Craigslist for $175, it's a Coleman Powermate 1500. Not the best generator money can buy, but it runs all of my equipment just fine and it fits in my trunk.



I've made up the cost of the generator several times over by now - just doing jobs that I would not have been able to do otherwise.



As far as washing goes, I prefer to have a hose but I can do 95% of as good of a job with ONR - just the wheel wells and wheel barrels don't come out as well. I haven't had a marring problem with ONR yet.



Edit: PM me if you have any questions.
 
I require a spicket and outlet within 100ft. of the vehicle. I too am just starting a side business. That is the only thing the customer must have, and so far, in my area, no one has a problem with it.
 
I started out doing this but found it limited things too much. A cheap alternative is to get a 700-1200 watt invertor ($50-100) which will run many shop vac. I have a 700 watt for my PC but it also backs up my generator. I've run out of gas a few times and it ran my rigid 4gallon vac enough to get the car done. The vac I have is rated higher than 700 watts so it ran slower. I bought the inverter to run the PC though. I clean 95% of the cars I do with ONR. The couple that I don't use ONR on are covered in mud. You can carry water for ONR in 5gallon gas or water cans. Biggest problem I had with customers power and water was it often was too far away or at businesses it wasn't possible.
 
If you are just starting out and don't yet have the funds for a pressure washer/water tank and generator, I don't see why anyone would have a problem with you using their water/electicity as long as your pricing and quality of work meets or exceeds their expectations.



With that said though, I still feel that as soon as your budget permits and you are sure that this profession is something that you will stick with for quite some time, it would be wise to invest in the best equipment possible. Not only will you look more professional, be more efficient and be able to peform a better quality job, but I also feel that you will be able to command much higher prices than you could if you were to rely on the customer to accomodate some of your needs. Just my 2 cents.



Themightytimmah,



What exactly are "wheel barrels"?
 
Thank you for all the responses, it nice to know that some people have been successfull this way.



P.S. What's ONR stand for???
 
Optimum No Rinse - Nearly waterless washing.



I use customers electricity at every job except where not available, in which case I have a nice Generator. Nobody ever minds an extension cord running from somewhere...



I have a nice water tank in my truck, so no need to borrow water :)
 
Thank You, I'll Have to find out more about ONR. I have heard of waterless wash products (like poorboys S&W) but never heard of ONR.
 
Delano5050 said:
Thank You, I'll Have to find out more about ONR. I have heard of waterless wash products (like poorboys S&W) but never heard of ONR.
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You'll hear about ONR on this forum to no end. I have a bottle of this stuff, but I'm not a fan of the whole waterless, or near- waterless washing thing. IMO, nothing beats the traditional soap, water and hose/pressure washer method. I use the ONR as a claylube though.
 
clnfrk said:
What exactly are "wheel barrels"?
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The back part of the rim - with ONR and a black Shmitt, I can get it perfect up to the brake rotors but it's pretty black behind them. With Wheel Brightener and a pressure washer, I can get them 100% dust-free all the way back.
 
I've been using rinseless washes (first Quick and Easy Wash, now ONR) in my business for 14 years now. I use the customer's electricity and have never had a complaint. A lot of people don't want to hear a generator run at their houses anyway. 95% of the businesses I go to also have electrical access (I have 175' of cord) and those that don't, I have a couple of vacuums, one rechargeable and one a 12v that actually do a pretty good job. I am looking for a small generator though, even though it wouldn't see much use.
 
Scottwax said:
I've been using rinseless washes (first Quick and Easy Wash, now ONR) in my business for 14 years now. I use the customer's electricity and have never had a complaint. A lot of people don't want to hear a generator run at their houses anyway. 95% of the businesses I go to also have electrical access (I have 175' of cord) and those that don't, I have a couple of vacuums, one rechargeable and one a 12v that actually do a pretty good job. I am looking for a small generator though, even though it wouldn't see much use.
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I have a Honda Eu3000is generator and all you hear from it is a low hum. It is way quieter than my buffers and PC. It's pricey at about 2 grand, but I have no regrets about purchasing it.
 
Scottwax said:
I've been using rinseless washes (first Quick and Easy Wash, now ONR) in my business for 14 years now. I use the customer's electricity and have never had a complaint. A lot of people don't want to hear a generator run at their houses anyway. 95% of the businesses I go to also have electrical access (I have 175' of cord) and those that don't, I have a couple of vacuums, one rechargeable and one a 12v that actually do a pretty good job. I am looking for a small generator though, even though it wouldn't see much use.
Click to expand...



Where did you get your cord, and what gauge?
 
I did start out with using customers water and electric, however, I does limited you and it takes time to lug the hose and cords out of the truck and setup. I choose to finally carry my own water (I use ONR) and use the generator for most every job. I have two 35ft cord reels mounted on the generator and 60ft of pressure washer hose on a reel. You cant beat just having retracable cord reels for electric. I detail in a lot of business parking lots and usually setup out further in the lot, which enables you to use the water or electric, unless you have 350 ft of hose. I just easier setup and take down.
 
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