Going from fixed to Mobile....Questions for da Pro's...

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Phantmsquad

New member
I am making the jump from a small fixed location and considering mobile services for my business. For those of you with a PHD in Mobile, I have a few questions...

While most paint corrections are a time consumer - do you guys take those jobs strictly when time permits or do you save them for the fixed location?

Is your mobile business dedicated solely to the "wash/spray wax, interior" etc. detail ?(Leaving the mild to heavy correction for the shop or on the weekends?

For those of you in the hot, humid climates, :tumblewee do you regularly set up a canopy on the outside jobs to keep that wash from turning into a spotted nightmare before you dry it ?

Much thanks for all the replies.......
 
Phantmsquad said:
While most paint corrections are a time consumer - do you guys take those jobs strictly when time permits or do you save them for the fixed location?
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I perform paint correction both on a mobile detail and at my fixed location. I don't save them for special times as it's most of the work I perform.



Phantmsquad said:
Is your mobile business dedicated solely to the "wash/spray wax, interior" etc. detail ?(Leaving the mild to heavy correction for the shop or on the weekends?
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I perform paint correction almost exclusively, though I often sign those clients up on a maintenance plan.



Phantmsquad said:
For those of you in the hot, humid climates, :tumblewee do you regularly set up a canopy on the outside jobs to keep that wash from turning into a spotted nightmare before you dry it ?

Much thanks for all the replies.......
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I use this canopy to perform paint correction, washes etc.















bimmer01.jpg








It's broken twice on me.
 
strictly mobile here....make sure you charge for gas prices



correction work can be done in a single day, in the sun



longer than normal details - 8+ hours get dropped off at my place over night



most of my clients want a two step at most...if someone wants perfection, it gets dropped off at my place, or I make it a two day detail at theirs, and charge for two round trips in gas.
 
however, there is this corner location with about 2 fully enclosed bays in it, with about 6 more on the side, with ample parking places, a foreseeable car wash bay, in a good area with lots of traffic that has been empty for at least a year now...thinking about seeing how much rent would be on the place and how much work it would be to fix it up to standards. Plus there are a few autobody shops within 1/2 mile away and about bunch more less than 2 miles away I wouldnt mind having a fixed location for longer details and more volume business
 
I could never do mobile detailing. Dont understand how people get 2 steps done in under 8 hours with 90%+ correction.



Id definitely recommend a CR Spotless unit or a tank with filtered water.
 
I do like toyota guy. Any detail 1 step paint correction or less gets done mobile, under canopy or in garage. Any thing more gets dropped at my home.
 
D&D Auto Detail said:
I could never do mobile detailing. Dont understand how people get 2 steps done in under 8 hours with 90%+ correction.



Id definitely recommend a CR Spotless unit or a tank with filtered water.
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It's definitely do-able with a rotary but I'm pretty sure I'm not one of those people... yet.
 
D&D Auto Detail said:
I could never do mobile detailing. Dont understand how people get 2 steps done in under 8 hours with 90%+ correction.



Id definitely recommend a CR Spotless unit or a tank with filtered water.
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I've done close to 100% correction in 5-6 hours on cars. Obviously, really trashed paint would take longer. Throw in an interior detail and that adds another 90 minutes or so. The correction on this Honda took a little over 4 hours (105 cut 50% with OC/UF):



2002_Honda_Accord_sidexside3.jpg




2002_Honda_Accord_rear14.jpg




With Optimum No Rinse, I have no problems washing cars in the full sun (although shade is nice) without any spotting. Since you wash and dry at the same time, you can wash smaller sections when working in the sun. As an added plus, since you use less than 2 gallons of water and it doesn't drain into storm systems, ONR is fully compliant with all envorimental/recovery laws.



A tent would be great but in the Dallas area, it is pretty much windy all the time. Even with weights, I wouldn't trust one if the winds are blowing more than 10-15 mph. Late winter through early summer, most days have 15-25 mph winds.



Most of my customers offer me their garage to use but I usually prefer to do the interior detailing and washing out in the sun so I can better see what I am doing. The sun is great for finding holograms too.
 
exclusivedetail said:
I am curious why are you moving to mobile detailing from a fixed location? I thought the progression would be in the other direction.
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Bri,



It seems like in this area anyway, less the locals, that most are vacationers and visitors. I see that detailing fits in best here when it is done while customers are doing other things (visiting relatives, playing golf etc.) I feel that coming to the customer provides them with a little "home field advantage". Both fixed and mobile have their advantages and disadvantages, but as long as I'm detailing...I'm happy wherever it is....!!
 
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