Mobile Detailers.. need help with setup!

IHA Mark

IHA Mark

New member
Hello folks, I am currently transitioning from a home residence based local detailing outfit to a mid to high end mobile operation, and I need your help:



Please critique my setup, I want some pro advice before I make all of these purchases.



Overall setup:



5x10 enclosed trailer, fully wrapped.

Dewalt 3,000 PSI commercial grade pressure washer with honda engine (I know this seems like a lot but I am going to be doing some fleet washing services too)

Ridgid air compressor, duel tank (I believe it is 90 psi air pressure)

Honda black max generator, 3500 watt from sams club.

Mytee Lite II 8070 carpet extractor

Usual combination of DA and rotary polishers. Plan to use HD speed for my one steps to cut down on time

65 gal water tank

Typical waxes, ONR, going to use meguiars' professional grade for my bulk products such as glass cleaner, spray wax, etc.



Questions:



What do you use as far as storage and shelving to store your products/towels/smaller equipment in? It needs to be rock solid since it will be riding in a trailer. If you have pics/advice please post them!



Do you always use the generator when using power equipment? I know I will need it for the extractor but it seems like I could get away with an inverter for the shop vac/polishers.



Has anyone here ever set up an optimum yellow top deep cycle battery and recharged it every night for the small stuff, instead of running the loud generator? This seems like a plausible alternative to using the generator and burning the fuel just to run the shop vac for 20 minutes.



Do you carry a fold up canopy with you for shade? It seems like some offices and open spaces there will be no available shade and you would need it to apply certain wax/sealants and machine polishing.



What little tricks, tips, and equipment do you use to make yourself more efficient, organized, and profitable? It seems that with mobile detailing, logistics and organization is going to be a huge challenge in staying fast but keeping the quality up at the same time.



Thank you to everyone who reads and replies, I appreciate your experience and advice!



P.S.



I forgot about some very important stuff!



Marketing!



I will be utilizing the following:



Social media marketing.. angie's list, yelp, thumbtack, facebook, etc.

Google adwords

Door hangers

Face to face meeting, residents, business owners, car dealers, anyone who could be a potential client (there are currently NO mobile operations in my region. A huge opportunity here)

Professionally designed brochures and business cards, of course.

And last but not least... USPS direct mail! It will be expensive, but one of the best ways possible to reach thousands of people quickly to build brand awareness. This is my big gun, and I believe after a couple of mailing I will be rolling in as much business as 1 person can handle. Will look to adding an employee if the bookings get to heavy.
 
I currently have a shop location and a mobile rig that is set up in a Express cargo van. I have similar equipment and it works but if I were to re-build my mobile rig (or offer advice for your setup) I would make a few changes.



1. 3000 PSI for fleetwashing (if your talking semi trucks) is too small. I would go minimum 4 GPM and 3500 - 4000 PSI with a dump valve and upstream option.



2. Then generator might be too small. I have a 4000 watt (3000 watt running) that struggles to keep up with the Mytee Lite II. Not sure if the 3500 watts can handle the air compressor either...thats a big draw when the compressor kicks in. What size of compressor are you using? Go as big as you can so it is not cycling as often. You could also look at the Metro blowdryer thing for blowing off exteriors.



3. If you get a canopy make sure you get a good one that can be easily set up by one person. More $ but worth the investment. Plan to spend at least $400.



4. For storage I would use a number of totes to keep your towels, pads, bottles, etc in. When you get to a job you can pull out the totes and have them close by instead of going back and forth to trailer.



5. Fake it till you make it.
 
The setup you have should work as JPostal said, though as I am no expert I am just saying what comes to my mind as logical. You can check out several car wash business out there and try learning form them whats good and what will do.
 
JPostal said:
I currently have a shop location and a mobile rig that is set up in a Express cargo van. I have similar equipment and it works but if I were to re-build my mobile rig (or offer advice for your setup) I would make a few changes.



1. 3000 PSI for fleetwashing (if your talking semi trucks) is too small. I would go minimum 4 GPM and 3500 - 4000 PSI with a dump valve and upstream option.



2. Then generator might be too small. I have a 4000 watt (3000 watt running) that struggles to keep up with the Mytee Lite II. Not sure if the 3500 watts can handle the air compressor either...thats a big draw when the compressor kicks in. What size of compressor are you using? Go as big as you can so it is not cycling as often. You could also look at the Metro blowdryer thing for blowing off exteriors.



3. If you get a canopy make sure you get a good one that can be easily set up by one person. More $ but worth the investment. Plan to spend at least $400.



4. For storage I would use a number of totes to keep your towels, pads, bottles, etc in. When you get to a job you can pull out the totes and have them close by instead of going back and forth to trailer.



5. Fake it till you make it.
Click to expand...



Thanks for your reply,



I will consider upping the power to the pressure washer. I am looking at a DeWalt professional grade and it would only be a couple hundred more to upgrade to 4000+ PSI.



The generator is 3500 RMS, 4500 peak. For $300 and a honda engine, I don't know where I will find a better bang for the buck than this.



I will definitely take your advice on the canopy, was going to buy a $200 sams club special, but I will start searching online for a heavier duty version.



Totes will be a big part of storage to begin with, but I will want to be upgrading to some sort of shelving or racks for the long term.



Keep them coming folks!
 
Go with the 4000 PSI for sure. For fleetwashing I use a 4000 psi machine (running at about 3500 psi) with a diesel hot water burner and it works...just barely.



That generator will be fine for your needs.



Look at Caravan or Impact canopies. I have a 10x15 Impact and it's awesome, but it can be difficult to set up by myself...maybe a 10x10 would be better?
 
For a car washing/ fleet washing business sounds like your probably heading in the right direction. For a mobile auto detailing business I would go the onr/ low pressure wash route. That's the complete opposite direction your planning.

.
 
Ok I see what your saying about the high pressure, but I still use high pressure in a lot of my detail work. I can still do ONR/low pressure work even though I have a high pressure setup as well.



Why not be set up for both?
 
what is a good low pressure washer. i am not sure if i can afford something like the daimer super max 6120....is something that high end even necessary for mobile car washing,not washing semis,just cars suvs trucks.
 
Seems like you are carrying a lot of firepower. Maybe it is necessary for fleet work but you could certainly get away with a lot less if you wanted. if you were only going to retail customers(which is were the money is) you could get started for a lot less money. The trailer seems like it would be a pain. Again I don't do any fleet work because that is mostly wash only type stuff. Good luck.
 
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