Detailing in direct sunlight and high humidity?

SickOfItAll

New member
I've been looking through here for a few hours and I haven't seen much discussion about this topic, other than "don't do it"



I'm looking to start doing some detailing in Houston, which at this time of year has 80% humidity and 95 degree heat - minimum. I realize this isn't an ideal work environment for this job, but controlling the weather is just barely more difficult than winning the lottery :)



So - first choice is to ask the customer if I can work in the garage, I would think. If that's not an option for whatever reason - what advice would you have for working in high heat, direct sunlight, and high humidity?
 
Thanks :) I'm still trying to figure out just how much I'm going to need to invest up front - and if those tents are a couple hundred bucks, that's gonna be out of my budget for awhile :/



Any advice on drumming up business, other than asking customers to give referrals, and going door to door with flyers?
 
SickOfItAll said:
Thanks :) I'm still trying to figure out just how much I'm going to need to invest up front - and if those tents are a couple hundred bucks, that's gonna be out of my budget for awhile :/



Any advice on drumming up business, other than asking customers to give referrals, and going door to door with flyers?



those Q's will be answered if you do a search in the Pro section



:wavey



Christiaan
 
I'm sure Christiaan is correct, you can find this in the pro section.



Just from my experience, I have the same problem as the only place I currently have available for detailing in a driveway that gets sun from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm during the summer. For washing, try using QEW. You use very little water and you wipe off the panel before the water has a chance to dry and spot.



Michael
 
www.poorboysworld.com has a product called Spray & Wipe which is great for washing a not terribly dirty car without any water whatsoever. His polish and EX sealant can be used in the direct sun with no problems, AND Steve, the owner posts here and is a good guy to work with. I recommend him and his products highly. Good luck with the business and I hope you can get happier......referring to your choice of screen name :) Jim
 
As JimS pointed out, Poorboy's products can be used in direct sun. American Shine also has a carnauba wax which is "sunlight friendly".



Steve (aka Poorboy's) is a great guy to work with and is very Autopian friendly (I'm sure he's friendly to non-Autopians also :D ).
 
Clearkote works great in the sun. I detailed a little CLK in direct sunlight on Sunday with VM and Moose. Worked great! VM on rubber trim and glass and chrome works real well. I was just left with a nasty burn on the back of my neck! As the sun dipped a bit, I snuck on a coat of Blitz.



Plus, Clearkote is in TX where you are. Not sure how far away.
 
ejant said:
:welcome to Autopia



Try a search using these words:



moose wax sun.



This will help you.



Perfect! Actually washing the car in the sun isn't a huge deal - just do a section at a time. Same for claying, that shouldn't be a huge issue as long as I'm liberal with the lubricant (that sounds so very wrong here...). But a proper wax that can used in the sun would have been an issue - I've been reading a lot on here about how you simply can't do it.



Thanks for the responses!
 
Oh wow, according to their website, Clearkote is about an hour north of where I live - in the future it'll probably be worth my while to drive up there if I can't find a closer supplier.



I'll probably order some of the Clearkote and some of the Poorboy's to try each out and see which one I get better results with.
 
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