professional view on chemicals, water laws and usages, and run off for mobile biz

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vwgti16vjettak2

New member
hello everyone,

im just moved from new york to the san francisco bay area and i had some questions that i was hoping some mobile experts could answer. In NY there werent any laws for run off and stuff and VOC compliance. So as i start up my mobile business in the bay could people suggest some safe voc compliant chemicals for tires, wheels, engines and tire dressing that would would be to the autopian standard. Ive done a lil research and came across a brand called P&S which is sold locally, any comments. As for water usage does any one know the amount of water that can be shed in the ground or do i have to reclaim everything.(i did research and came up empty) Do any pros have similar situation who have a solid solution?



thanks to all

....am i missing anything?



and to let you all know that "detailers" out here really dont know what they are doing, they use the same grimmy wash mits that probably been dropped on the ground a few times and rough poly blend towels to remove wax i could go on. hopefully the public and distinguish me from them.



thanks again :up
 
Your personal water laws will be county enforced. Im on the other side of the sierra's from you and the laws are non existant here. You will not have that luxury in SF. Please do not confuse the "detailers" in your area with the one's like myself that take pride in their work. I can only educate one "detailer" at a time in this big state and I havent made it to San Fran just yet.
 
sQuashed said:
Please do not confuse the "detailers" in your area with the one's like myself that take pride in their work. I can only educate one "detailer" at a time in this big state and I havent made it to San Fran just yet.
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im not confused i just hope i can find some clientele that knows the difference from a crappy car wash and a properly executed detail
 
vwgti16vjettak2 said:
. . .could people suggest some safe voc compliant chemicals for tires, wheels, engines and tire dressing that would would be to the autopian standard.
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Any products that are produced/sold in CA must be VOC compliant as of Jan. 1, 2005. If you perfer to buy big there is a broad selection of manufacturers to choose from with some more accessible in certain areas; Meguiars, Chemical Guys, Malco, AutoMagic, Huey, AutoInt, Carbrite, ardex FinishKare, and P&S. Buy locally if you can as it really stinks having to experiement with something from Pep-Boys when FedEx can't find your door. I personally use Meguiars Wheel Brightener or Safe Degreaser on wheels and have gone through a half dozen flavors of dressings in the last three months. . . #38, BnB, 303, VRT (CG), and others I am sure.



vwgti16vjettak2 said:
As for water usage does any one know the amount of water that can be shed in the ground or do i have to reclaim everything.(i did research and came up empty) Do any pros have similar situation who have a solid solution?
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Yes, county enforced. The more liberal communities and theose closer to the ocean tend to focus more on enforcing the rules. Containment Mat (heavy, dirty cumbersome) or a Water Boom (costly yet more convenient than a mat) are just about your only two option AFAIK. Being environmentally compliant is an amazing marketing tool in said conscious areas. Good piece of mind as well. . . :nervous:



HTH.
 
vwgti16vjettak2 said:
im not confused i just hope i can find some clientele that knows the difference from a crappy car wash and a properly executed detail
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Do what you do and word will travel. They will eventually find you.
 
Actually the law is national. The federal clean water act mandates we capture/reclaim the waste water that we generate. It must be disposed of into the sanitary sewer system after it has properly been filtered first.



I have been approached by city officials to make sure I was compliant. I have found that most cities, state and federal officials know very little if anything about reclaiming and enforcement.



I have "schooled" my local officials on what the law says we can and can't do.
 
i cant seem to find containment mats on the internet...just the mats that is.

if anyone has links that would be appreciated. even if i could find 4 small ones to put under the wheels would be good too

thanks
 
I know some professionals Detailers here use only a few gals to wash that’s the best & cheapest way to go



One thing you don’t want to do is have wash water going down the street drain that gives you and or your Co. a bad s name. :nono



You can make your own containment mats real easy all you need is a Liner, pump, round soft rubber poles and a pump.

Firestone PondGard EPDM Rubber Liner

http://www.dripworksusa.com/ev_store/ev_pondliner.html#PDGEOF



Wash water all you need to do is capture it and pump it throughout the lawn or landscaping it won’t hurt it if you spread it throughout unless you are doing engine cleaning. (And parking cars on lawns is bad for a lawn) Organisms in soil can eat just about anything but organisms can be over whelmed & die by too much of something like chemicals, oils in which organisms drowns which is known as dead soil. Soil organisms are a life form so….



If you are going to reclaim your water to a tank the best way is to have has much water evaporate a much as possible before pumping it to the tank. Then the city charges you to dump it, it gets expensive.



I know a Pro PWing Co. in Dallas Tx he uses a containment system and if he sees some pro cleaning co cleaning without a containment system he reports them! Some cities the police will enforce the environmental laws, first they will give you a first warning second of third time they will fine you’re a@# big time. San Diego I think its zero tolerance.
 
There is no law against washing your car on the street in SF or Daly City, Pacifica and parts of the S. Bay are total opposite as you cannot wash your own car in your own driveway. Do you go to P&S off 9th st.? If you do then they should have an idea of the different county laws in the bay area, they are very helpful and is my first choice for detailing products.
 
You can make your own containment mats real easy all you need is a Liner, pump, round soft rubber poles and a pump. Firestone PondGard EPDM Rubber Liner.



I understand the rubber liner concept and the pump, how does rubber poles fit in? Obviously there needs to be perforated holes in something so the wet vac can take up the water. :idea
 
TRD Ruler318 said:
There is no law against washing your car on the street in SF or Daly City, Pacifica and parts of the S. Bay are total opposite as you cannot wash your own car in your own driveway.
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I'd like to see someone try to rationalize that theory to the Muni Water District.

:rules:
 
Super said:
One thing you don’t want to do is have wash water going down the street drain that gives you and or your Co. a bad s name. :nono
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Meanwhile, apartment complexes and office complexes flood the streets daily thousands of gallons of water, washing all the oils and other crap that drips off car right down into the sewers. It would be nice to see them have to use a containment system, especially since they are 1000000 times worse than any detailer.





I know a Pro PWing Co. in Dallas Tx he uses a containment system and if he sees some pro cleaning co cleaning without a containment system he reports them! Some cities the police will enforce the environmental laws, first they will give you a first warning second of third time they will fine you’re a@# big time. San Diego I think its zero tolerance.
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He can call on me all he wants. I am in full compliance using QEW without a containment system.
 
doged said:
You can make your own containment mats real easy all you need is a Liner, pump, round soft rubber poles and a pump. Firestone PondGard EPDM Rubber Liner.



I understand the rubber liner concept and the pump, how does rubber poles fit in? Obviously there needs to be perforated holes in something so the wet vac can take up the water. :idea
Click to expand...





if someone could draw a diagram that would be great i think i might take a stab at making one
 
vwgti16vjettak2 said:
if someone could draw a diagram that would be great i think i might take a stab at making one
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I second that motion.



If this water containment system wasn’t so costly, more detailers may use them. At the very least we should receive a dollar for dollar spent tax benefit.
 
Scottwax said:
Meanwhile, apartment complexes and office complexes flood the streets daily thousands of gallons of water, washing all the oils and other crap that drips off car right down into the sewers. It would be nice to see them have to use a containment system, especially since they are 1000000 times worse than any detailer.









He can call on me all he wants. I am in full compliance using QEW without a containment system.
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It's always good practice for a Co. to practice protecting the environment, fact is its everyone responsibly.



Big cities where there is the most concentration of people live: now if 10000 wash there cars in the road and all the wash water ends up in the same river think of the concentration of soap that the fish has to swim in. Not to mention all the stuff Scott mentioned too that’s added to the drain system.



We all have to do are part in protecting the environment to the home owner and especially Detailers that does it for a living. Detailers that do it for a living shouldn’t be forced in to compliance to the laws. They should be sample for others to follow.



I’m not pointing fingers at no one I’m just as guilty if not more so of pi**ing on Mother Nature and I’m far for being a environmentalist more like a alcoholic workaholic and old a enough to know better and stupid enough to write this.

Scott you said “He can call on me all he wants� I don’t know what to say, I’m guilty as charged of being neurotic. I’m after you’re a** but besides that I think you are a outstanding guy.
 
Scottwax said:
He can call on me all he wants. I am in full compliance using QEW without a containment system.
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Scott, so you don't actually wash the cars? Do you just pw with plain water then QEW them with a microfiber? Just curious, as my assumption would have been that this would leave swirls. But...you know where assumptions will get ya. What about wheels with brake dust baked in? I'm always looking to improve my business and practices. Thanks in advance.



Matt
 
Super said:
We all have to do are part in protecting the environment to the home owner and especially Detailers that does it for a living. Detailers that do it for a living shouldn’t be forced in to compliance to the laws. They should be sample for others to follow.
Click to expand...



totally agree, for me the main focus is being able to detail vehicles with minimal to no impact on the environment.. hopefully my example can carry on



here are some links that might be interesting and enlightening to some



http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/small_business/mobilebusiness/cardetailers.htm

http://www.riversides.org/riversafe/index.html
 
SilverLine said:
Scott, so you don't actually wash the cars? Do you just pw with plain water then QEW them with a microfiber? Just curious, as my assumption would have been that this would leave swirls. But...you know where assumptions will get ya. What about wheels with brake dust baked in? I'm always looking to improve my business and practices. Thanks in advance.



Matt
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Huh? I really am not sure what you are asking. QEW is a rinseless wash. Wash a section, dry it immediately. No suds and no toxins to mess up the storm sewers. Cleans cars very well, when used as directed, no marring, no swirls and it cleans wheels effectively.
 
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