Winter Mobile Detailing

[ABCDetail]

Lately business has been absolutely booming with the weather being so clear here in NC, but I'm looking at the upcoming weather with some concerns. This year will be my second winter as a mobile detailer, and I feel like my first one did NOT go smoothly. Winters here aren't very severe, but 30 degree weather is tough enough to do any kind of detailing in. Waxes don't cure, water is horrible to work with in the cold, and I end up moving slower than mollasses. I would love some suggestions as to how to cope with the winter weather from some other mobile detailers (I know you guys up North have it way tougher). I have a forced air heater I use sometimes, but this is only good for enclosed areas and small spaces and has to be practically aimed right at me to help. Do you guys rent space for the winter months? My concern with that is my customers are so used to me coming to them that they will not want to do the pickup dropoff service. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[wifehatescar]

Detail in the customers garage if it is available and use a propane heater in there if it's ok with them?

[Poorboy]

Chris are you working alone or do you have help?

[dr_detail]

Although it's nice to make some plans for the future, and try to stick too them -- For me though, staying focused on the today and not worrying about tomorrow until tomorrow comes seems to work.

If I truely knew what would happen tomorrow I'd buy a lottery ticket!!

[ABCDetail]

Well, the only problem with customer's garages is that I do a lot of work at people's workplaces so that isn't always an option. Steve, I do use part time help, but 85% of the work is me.

[wifehatescar]

Hire some 16 year olds for $6/hr to detail for you? :lol

[Woob]

Originally posted by wifehatescar
Hire some 16 year olds for $6/hr to detail for you? :lol

$6 is little money. Pay more!!! Chris I suggest you try out a waterless wash or QEW. I can show you S&W this Thursday. Maybe find a GOOD bodyshop and strike a deal where you can detail there? Talk to you soon :cool

[Intel486]

Winter? What's that? :dunno

:-p

[Ringo]

I don't work unless the temp is above 35. I don't make a killing in the winter months but as long as I can get in a few days of work....it's okay. The winter months are a good time to travel (less crowded, better rates etc.).

[Scott P]

Originally posted by Intel486
Winter? What's that? :dunno

:-p

Evil, evil cajuns...:ticked

However, I do miss 'nawlins quite a bit. I could kill for some crawfish etoufee about now. My supply of Zatarain's Gumbo Base is about gone and I haven't had good Red Beans and Rice in a long time.

[Chubs]

I wish I only had 30 deg. winters. Thats when I do get a couple of details and do at my garage. Here in Erie, PA we get about 140 inches of snow and winter seems to last 5 months anymore. I know you Ny'ers and higher up have it worse, but I'd give anything to be down south. Thinking about moving in a couple of years. Until then anyone need help in the (MY) winter months I'll move down there during that time to still make money or I'll have to start snowplowing All ready tired of that from doing it with my full time job for the past 5 years, but not this year I'm done with that.

[Intel486]

Originally posted by Scott P
Evil, evil cajuns...:ticked

However, I do miss 'nawlins quite a bit. I could kill for some crawfish etoufee about now. My supply of Zatarain's Gumbo Base is about gone and I haven't had good Red Beans and Rice in a long time.

mmm... now that you mention it, I could go for some crawfish etoufee too :-p

Raw oysters are my favorite though... mmmm... so good :-D

[jaybs02]

oh man you guys are making me hungry :hungry :drool

now i'm gonna have to get to a good Cajun resturant :lol

[detailmogul]

Hi everyone well i am in Dallas,Texas hot as hatis here.But i will say idont envy the cold or snow.

[Scott P]

Does the Isle of Long have any Cajun joints? I know a few good places down there, but no cajun ones. There is a mediocre one in Dobb's Ferry up in Westchester County.