A mobile car wash has emerged as a popular option with customers as it is very convenient. Most people who use their vehicle regularly would love to have it cleaned inside and out. After all, even a family car can pick up large amounts of dirt and debris. Unfortunately, for people who depend on their vehicles for all their transportation needs, it can be difficult to find a convenient time to take it over to the shop to be cleaned. Weekdays are out of the question for those who use their vehicles to go to work. Weekends are often busy, as well. In many of these cases, customers simply cannot find the time to take their vehicles out for a wash. The best solution is to bring the wash to them in the form of a mobile car wash.

What You Will Need

There is a definite need for a mobile car wash, and it can certainly emerge as a very lucrative business. However, in order to make it work, you will have to invest in the right cleaning machines. First, there are some general tips you will need to keep in mind about all machines. They should all be mobile systems. Not only should you be able to easily carry them from one job to another, but you should also be able to maneuver them with ease. A mobile, easy-to-use cleaning machine means you will be able to complete jobs quickly. The last thing you want is to be struggling with machines that will not reach tight spots or are hard to move around the vehicle.

Another important factor of any mobile car wash is water consumption. These kinds of vehicle cleaning jobs often involve going to places, like residential areas, to clean cars. These areas may not be equipped to deal with water drainage like commercial areas. Availability of water may also be limited. It is also worth considering, when cleaning vehicle interiors, to use machines that will allow for fast drying. This is why it is important to invest in machines that have low flow technology. These units will rely more on extraction and varying pressure levels for effective cleaning.

Inside And Out

For exterior auto detailing, it is best to invest in pressure washing systems. Steam cleaners are not ideal for exterior detailing jobs because they lack the sustained power needed for cleaning entire vehicles and may even cause scratches due to the constant wiping required. However, not all pressure washers are suited for auto detailing either. It is best to invest in mobile car wash machines that have pressure levels of 1500 psi to eliminate any risk of damage to your clients’ vehicles. Low flow rates, as low as 0.5 GPM, are also beneficial, as detailers will not run the risk of creating drainage problems for their customers. This is the ideal combination for effective cleaning of vehicle exteriors in a mobile setting. These car detailing products can be used to clean a range of surfaces, including glass, rubber, and even the engine.

A mobile car wash also needs the right car detailing products for cleaning interiors. An auto detailing business should invest in carpet cleaners that do not use a lot of water during the cleaning process. This is important because damp vehicle upholstery can take a long time to dry out completely. Some machines on the market require drying times of 24 hours. If you are cleaning vehicles while your client is at work, this simply will not do. Instead, opt for carpet cleaners with low flow technology to reduce drying times to as low as 2 hours for carpets and 1 hour for upholstery without reducing cleaning power.

Steam cleaners may also be used to tackle a variety of other surfaces within vehicles, including doorjambs, glass, windshields, and more. These machines work by emitting high temperature that dissolves residues almost instantaneously for quick and easy removal. They may also be used to spot clean upholstery and carpeting in the event that cleaning the entire area with a carpet cleaner is not required.

To find all these car detailing products and more, consult a reputable supplier today.

If you wash your own car, you may notice that fine scratches, swirl marks and spider webbing seem to be attracted to your car’s paint like a magnet. If this is the case, then you need a lesson in proper car washing techniques.

Washing your car regularly is to exterior car care as changing your oil is to good engine maintenance. As we used to hear on TV, “You can pay me now or pay me later!” As with the engine, dirt and grime are the enemy of your vehicle’s paint, glass, plastic and polished metal finishes. It causes scratching and it’s a catalyst for corrosion. That means that regular washing is essential, but are you doing it the right way?

The Double-Edge Sword of Car Washing

Car washing can be a double-edged sword. That’s because your average jug-o-car-wash product is more likely to strip your car wax than not, leaving you with a dull, unprotected paint finish. Dish washing detergents, a favorite of many car owners, are even worse. Products like Dawn work great cutting through grease and grime, making them a very effective car wax remover. Sure, your car will be spotless, but it won’t have a bit of protection.

The Importance of a Quality Car Wash Soap

If you’re going to wash your own car, be sure to use a quality car wash shampoo product. Trust me, spending a buck or two extra on a good product is money well spent. You can’t go wrong with Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash and Conditioner or Mothers California Gold Car Wash. They are both easy to find at your local auto parts store and they won’t remove your wax protection. Plus, these wash shampoos offer conditioners designed to prevent scratching and maintain the shine.

Cheap Wash Mitts & Household Sponges are a No-No!

If you are already using a quality car wash, and you get swirls and scratches anyway, the problem could be your wash mitt or sponge. Cheap, synthetic wash mitts are bad news, and household sponges are even worse. What your car needs is a high quality wash mitt that holds lots of soapy water and is free-rinsing. I highly recommend a lamb’s wool mitt or one of the big, shaggy microfiber wash mitts. They work great and they don’t scratch, unless you don’t use it correctly.

I can’t tell you how many times I have watched people use their wash mitt, then toss it on the ground while they rinse the car. On the ground the wash mitt picks up dirt and grit like a magnet. Almost as bad is tossing the mitt into the bucket of soapy water where it sinks to the bottom and picks up all of the grit and grime you just washed off. The best solution is to put it across the rim of your wash bucket or use a device called a Grit Guard to keep it off the bottom of the bucket altogether.

Try Using Two Buckets… It Works!

If you are really paranoid about swirl marks and fine scratches (black car owners, listen up), you might want to use the two bucket method. That’s where you have one bucket with your soapy water and a second bucket of clean water for rinsing your wash mitt. This makes your soapy water last longer because you never put your wash mitt into the soap before rinsing it.

The two bucket method has a very practical benefit. Most importantly it keeps dirt and grit out of your soapy water, which keeps it off your car’s paint. It also makes your soapy water and wash suds last longer.

Old Bath Towels for Drying… Never!

After washing, it’s time to dry. A thorough drying off prevents water spots and streaking, but what’s the best towel to use? It isn’t a bath towel, I can tell you that.

Household towels contain polyester threads and backing for durability. Pure cotton is nice and absorbent, but it isn’t strong enough. That’s why bath towels, kitchen towels and beach towels contain polyester. Unfortunately, polyester is stronger that steel and it scratches just like steel wool. If you use household towels to dry your car, they will cause swirl marks.

The old timers used leather chamois. They work great, last a long time, and don’t scratch, but they have to be put through a wringer. A more modern solution is the microfiber drying towel, often called a waffle weave towel. Although these towels are synthetic, they are super absorbent and the cloth fibers are so fine and soft they don’t scratch. You can buy microfiber drying towels at your local auto parts store.

A scratch-free, swirl-free car wash isn’t difficult or a mystery. Use a quality car wash, wash mitt and drying towel and your swirl mark problems will be gone forever.

Customers demand quality service from their mobile car wash operator. No matter how many cars you are required to wash, you are expected to do a good job on each vehicle. The mobile car wash business also has to keep productivity in mind. The higher the number of vehicles washed, the more you earn every day.

Gone are the days when washing cars by hand was the norm. Today, with many high end mobile car wash machines on the market, the buyer has many choices. Most car detailing businesses choose equipment keeping in mind a variety of factors.

Portability
If you are going to carry business to your clients’ doorstep, portability is the most important criteria. Ordinary pressure washers are heavy and need a lot of space. This makes them unsuitable for transportation over long distances, particularly if you are going to be carrying these machines in small trailers.

There are machines designed for use by portable car wash businesses. These machines are portable, given that they can be easily fitted on a trailer or truck for easy transport.

Pressure Level
Common wisdom suggests that the higher the pressure level, the more effective a pressure washer is. This is not strictly true. While pressure levels play a major role in determining the effectiveness of a machine, factors such as temperature, flow rates, and even the type of machine parts are important.

Another fact to keep in mind is that very high pressure levels can damage the car. Usually, most dealers will recommend mobile car wash equipment with pressure levels of 1500 psi or less. Car wash equipment should also have the right accessories to be able to handle such high pressure levels. For example, the hose should be strong, dual layered pressure hoses to resist wear and tear.

Instead of high pressure levels, detailers rely on high wet steam temperatures up to 250°F to melt and blast away the toughest automotive dirt and grime.

Parts Design
For car detailing, use machines with sturdy parts. Check if the machine housing is corrosion proof. Stainless steel parts are more durable than other metals. Many machines have parts designed to offer additional levels of comfortable use. For example, a machine that shuts down if it has been idling for a few seconds, saves electricity and reduces machine wear and tear.

Carpet Cleaning
While car exteriors are cleaned with pressure washers, interiors are made dirt free with carpet cleaners. Car upholstery should be cleaned either with cold water or hot water, if the carpets and seats are very dirty. There are various models of portable carpet cleaners sold through the industry’s’ top dealers. When buying portable carpet cleaners, check if the machines are:

* Low flow – for quick drying times.
* High temperature – for faster removal of stains.
* High pressure – to quickly breakup stubborn residues.

Carpet cleaning machines with heating devices can use hot as well as cold water. This helps save electricity when you don’t need the additional cleaning power of hot water for washing carpets. It also allows for use of cold water on heat sensitive materials as needed.

Portable carpet cleaners that are low flow use minimal water. This is advantageous on many fronts. Carpets dry more quickly, often in as little as two hours and they stay cleaner for longer duration. Faster drying times also eliminate any risk of mold or mildew growth.

There are many ways to build a profitable auto detailing business, but the basics always involve top quality car wash equipment.