Starting Out Mobile Car Wash

[cutman2000]

I do think it will get you started and get you in long enough to see if you want to invest in a more expensive setup. you can actually put a bigger size tip on the machine and it will reduce the pressure down to a safer psi. I think they come with 2.5 tips, you could buy a 3.0 tip and it will knock the pressure down. Self serve car washes usually use about 1000 psi but higher GPM, usually 3-4. It's mainly going to be used for wheel and wheel well cleaning.

You will also need two high quality 50 ft 12 gauge extension cords for both the vacuum and pressure washer. Sam's or Costco is your best bet there.

I can take a machine that's 2000psi down to 1000-1200psi with a tip?

 

[washnshine]

Yes - that’s why we’re telling you not to get too hung up on the psi rating.

 

[cutman2000]

Yes - that’s why we’re telling you not to get too hung up on the psi rating.

Okay, thanks. If I'm wanting 1000psi or 1200psi, should I want something that's already close to that ex. getting a 1800psi machine rather than 4000psi or will simply getting a tip 5.5 gpm do the job regardless, or how does it work? If possible I'd want what the car wash use(1000psi) if I can get it under $100.
My mission: #2. to get something under $100. #2. Get the psi to around 1000psi, or as close as possible and under $100 for everything, kit(gun, nozzle, soap bottle, etc.).
What Im not sure of is how the tips work. Is it best to buy a machine close to what I'm aiming for, like getting an 1800psi machine opposed to 4000psi if I'm aiming for 1200psi? Or is it simple to just get a tip for a 5000psi and set it at 1200psi, and does this way cost more if I would be coming from a higher psi and trying to get it way down to 1200 from 5000psi?

 

[Greg Pack]

The cheap machines don't have adjustable pressure regulators. You will have to use the next size bigger tip to lower the pressure, and I can't tell you where the pressure will be without putting a gauge on it..

My advice: don't worry about it. The cheap pressure washer will do what you need to do regardless of pressure rating. Just use a wider tip (40 degree)for safety. Probably half of mobile detailers don't use a pressure washer at all.

 

[aussiewash]

You're overthinking this drastically, I use a pressure washer regulated down to 2500 psi on my cars regularly. Respect the machine and keep the nozzle a sensible distance from the vehicle's surface and you'll be fine.

 

[cutman2000]

You're overthinking this drastically, I use a pressure washer regulated down to 2500 psi on my cars regularly. Respect the machine and keep the nozzle a sensible distance from the vehicle's surface and you'll be fine.

I'm not overthinking this, I just don't want to wonder if the pressure could damage someone's paint. It's my preference. I'm seeing 1200-1900psi would be best on cars. I wouldn't be as concerned if were just for my cars.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

Have a second home in Florida and I see tons of mobile detailers and car washers washing all kinds of exotics some $500,000+ in parking garages with pressure washers in their little vans. I always check out the set ups and it's almost always the same. Nice buffer tank. 6 1/2 hp Honda pressure washer with either a AR or cat pump. I even saw one that had a diverter with a RO tank. Pretty impressive . Just be careful and pay attention.

 

[cutman2000]

Insurance seems pretty high for a mobile washing business. So, I'm trying to create something that I can sleep knowing that the equipment will never damage the paint, I may even want to be under the acceptable psi, just to be able to sleep at night. Just me. There's a reason why self serve car washes use 1000psi. So, I want to get as close to that as possible, for as cheap as possible.

 

[aussiewash]

I'm not overthinking this, I just don't want to wonder if the pressure could damage someone's paint. It's my preference. I'm seeing 1200-1900psi would be best on cars. I wouldn't be as concerned if were just for my cars.

The person holding the Lance has much more to do with damaging someone's paint than the pressure your high pressure washer makes. Learn to use your equipment properly and you will not damage anything.

As a side note, in my detailing days many years ago, this pressure washer has been used on 100s of customers cars as well. Once again, completely safe.

 

[Waxman]

I think a good way for you to learn everything you need to know about equipment, products and process is to go work for a mobile detailing company first then if you like it pursue your own business idea.