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I'm interested in starting a mobile detailing business and am researching the EPA regulations regarding water runoff and wanted to pose a few questions to the mobile detailers here. I don't think this is enforced much in my area, and I don't think the mobile detailers here are really complying. I would want to comply with all of the regulations just for peace of mind and also as a marketing strategy. The Vacuboom and mat systems can be pretty expensive and would be a lot of maintenance, etc. I've seen a lot of people on the site using rinseless washes and thought this might be another option.
I polished my truck about a week ago and I just tried a rinseless wash (DP 4-in-1) for the first time the other day and was pretty happy with the results, although I think I may have left a few swirls on the last few panels though as the mitt was getting pretty dirty.
So are there any mobile detailers out there exclusively using a rinseless wash like ONR, or 4-in-1? What if you get there and the car is too grimy for a rinseless wash (i don't really know what's too grimy)? Do you find it hard to convince people this can replace a normal hose or pressure washer wash?
Also, am I correct that using a rinseless wash would meet EPA regs as long as nothing gets to a storm drain? Would cleaning really bad wheels with a wheel cleaner and then "rinsing" with a sprayer be ok, again as long as nothing runs to the storm drains?
Sorry for so many ?'s at once. Thanks if anyone can provide any advice.
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Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Re: environmental questions -
12-19-2007, 06:26 AM
I use a waterless wash sometimes, but not for customer cars (typically).
My customers rarely wash their cars, and the once or twice a year they come to me, they want a really good wash. Bugs, grime, road sling, tar up to the handles, relatively loose tree sap, sun decayed chocolate milk--these are on every car (well, except for the last one). Every car now is so covered with salt it is crazy.
Perhaps you can do both?