WashMePlease
New member
Greetings, let me start first by introducing myself. My name is Mike and I am starting to begin/build my own mobile detailing business in the northern IL. I have always had a huge passion for automotive cleaning/detailing and I have decided to try it out as a career. I realize business will be slow at first, but I can only hope just like any business through quality of work and service 1 customer turns into 2 and so on from there.
Now, let me get to the questions... 1. I am looking into a canopy, one that is easy to set-up, take down, and collapsible for easy storage without taking up much space. I do not have a huge amount of $$$ to invest into this up front due to having to buy a lot of the other equipment such as shop vacs, pressure washer, etc. But, I realize the importance of this investment as mid summer temps around here can reach anywhere between 90-100 degrees. So, I'd like a little shade for the car to protect it , plus a little for myself would be an additional appreciated bonus. I am hoping for something at least 12x12 in size, and hoping to keep it anywhere from $125-225.00. Slightly over won't be a killer, as obviously I want something quality. Basically, for any of you who may already have those what brand, and how much time does it take to set up/down? Is it weighted on the bottom? I want to make this as professional looking as possible as I would be going to peoples homes and don't want to be fumbling around in their driveway for 20+ minutes before I even touch their car. Also, I do not want to be staking it down into grass as obviously again being at the customers residence the last thing I want them to see is their car in the middle of their lawn. I have heard a lot about the EZ ups, pop up canopy's etc. But I don't know much in depth as far as their overall stability/ease of use. Any tips on this would be EXTREMELY helpful.
For my 2nd question. Wheres the water coming from? I'd hate to have this huge sales pitch about why I should be the ONE to wash their car only to have to say I need to use their water. I have been researching the water tanks. I think I have my mind set on a 50 gallon. I have heard people say they use only a few gallons per wash, of course when you look it up city officials claim up to 60 gallons in a wash. Although, I highly believe that's severely exaggerated. Maybe if you don't have a spout on it and just let it run throughout the whole wash? Basically, I would be rinsing, washing, rinsing, obviously keeping it wet as I go along, so on so fourth.. Do you think 50 Gallons is enough? Has anyone ever used one of these with a pressure washer? I was told by the company they are gravity fed meaning no pump is required especially since using a pressure washer. My pressure washer manufacturer seems to disagree and says that unless water is "force fed" into the washer prior to operation that it could cause the pressure washers pump to fail. Obviously I do not want to cut any corners on this only to set myself back even further.
Like I said, many of the things I already have, from the pressure washer to the shop vac & misc attachments, a microfiber infestation beyond belief lol, and I am an avid Meguiars fan, although I will have some random other products on hand just for the "eh, there's better out there" crowd. Figured it wouldnt hurt to have a plan B. Obviously I have polishers, pads, just about everything except for the 2 things I have questions on. Simply because I don't know what's best! I don't want to get ahead of myself as I have a bit of time before my business actually launches. Im shooting for early March 2012 to actually have the wheels ready to roll.
On a final note: I do not have an enormous amount of space but I also am not doing this out of a Neon. I have a 94 full sized bronco that I will be operating this service out of. Rear seat has already been removed for the additional space. Cool thing is, I can take the top off and make it look even more flashy come full swing detail season. It's also black, so as long as I can keep her looking good and clean I figure I'd let her speak for herself.
Thanks for any and all of the help guys! Best wishes to you all!
Now, let me get to the questions... 1. I am looking into a canopy, one that is easy to set-up, take down, and collapsible for easy storage without taking up much space. I do not have a huge amount of $$$ to invest into this up front due to having to buy a lot of the other equipment such as shop vacs, pressure washer, etc. But, I realize the importance of this investment as mid summer temps around here can reach anywhere between 90-100 degrees. So, I'd like a little shade for the car to protect it , plus a little for myself would be an additional appreciated bonus. I am hoping for something at least 12x12 in size, and hoping to keep it anywhere from $125-225.00. Slightly over won't be a killer, as obviously I want something quality. Basically, for any of you who may already have those what brand, and how much time does it take to set up/down? Is it weighted on the bottom? I want to make this as professional looking as possible as I would be going to peoples homes and don't want to be fumbling around in their driveway for 20+ minutes before I even touch their car. Also, I do not want to be staking it down into grass as obviously again being at the customers residence the last thing I want them to see is their car in the middle of their lawn. I have heard a lot about the EZ ups, pop up canopy's etc. But I don't know much in depth as far as their overall stability/ease of use. Any tips on this would be EXTREMELY helpful.
For my 2nd question. Wheres the water coming from? I'd hate to have this huge sales pitch about why I should be the ONE to wash their car only to have to say I need to use their water. I have been researching the water tanks. I think I have my mind set on a 50 gallon. I have heard people say they use only a few gallons per wash, of course when you look it up city officials claim up to 60 gallons in a wash. Although, I highly believe that's severely exaggerated. Maybe if you don't have a spout on it and just let it run throughout the whole wash? Basically, I would be rinsing, washing, rinsing, obviously keeping it wet as I go along, so on so fourth.. Do you think 50 Gallons is enough? Has anyone ever used one of these with a pressure washer? I was told by the company they are gravity fed meaning no pump is required especially since using a pressure washer. My pressure washer manufacturer seems to disagree and says that unless water is "force fed" into the washer prior to operation that it could cause the pressure washers pump to fail. Obviously I do not want to cut any corners on this only to set myself back even further.
Like I said, many of the things I already have, from the pressure washer to the shop vac & misc attachments, a microfiber infestation beyond belief lol, and I am an avid Meguiars fan, although I will have some random other products on hand just for the "eh, there's better out there" crowd. Figured it wouldnt hurt to have a plan B. Obviously I have polishers, pads, just about everything except for the 2 things I have questions on. Simply because I don't know what's best! I don't want to get ahead of myself as I have a bit of time before my business actually launches. Im shooting for early March 2012 to actually have the wheels ready to roll.
On a final note: I do not have an enormous amount of space but I also am not doing this out of a Neon. I have a 94 full sized bronco that I will be operating this service out of. Rear seat has already been removed for the additional space. Cool thing is, I can take the top off and make it look even more flashy come full swing detail season. It's also black, so as long as I can keep her looking good and clean I figure I'd let her speak for herself.
Thanks for any and all of the help guys! Best wishes to you all!
