questions for mobile owners

[bighappy]

So I think Ive done a good job of researching set ups for a mobile detail service but Im having a hang up. For years and years Ive heard you cant buff/polish/wax a car outdoors. So how do you do your mobile detailing? Are you just mobile as in getting your service to the customers garage or shop or do you detail outdoors?

[jaybs02]

Can I ask what was the reason for not detailing outdoors.
I can understand during the pollen season it can be a pain but other than that, I don't see the issue.
Granted I don't make my living from it, but I have polished and waxed many cars outdoors with excellent results.
If the sun is a concern there is always an EZ-up

"J"

[GothamAuto]

Originally Posted by bighappy

So I think Ive done a good job of researching set ups for a mobile detail service but Im having a hang up. For years and years Ive heard you cant buff/polish/wax a car outdoors. So how do you do your mobile detailing? Are you just mobile as in getting your service to the customers garage or shop or do you detail outdoors?

Well, there are a few things that I do. First off is setting up an EZ-up tent. I have a 10x15 that once you get the hang of, you can put up and break down pretty quickly. If you go this route I recommend setting it up and breaking it down a few times on your own before using it for a customer.
The second option is pulling the car into the customer's garage once the wash aspect of the detail is done. Of course you have to make sure that there is enough room to move around the customer's car for this option to work.
The third option is doing research into the chemical products you are using. Where as most store bought products recommend using in the shade, some of the more proffessional detailing products can be used in the sun. The only issue I run into with this option of course is the water I use. If I use hard or unfiltered water, it can leave sunspots on the car which can be difficult to get off once you get to the buffing or polishing stage of the detail.

[dr_detail]

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are"
--Theodore Roosevelt

The heat and/ or direct sun does present some obstacles, but selecting the right materials circumvent these. If the temp climbs above 90, I might need to bring a portable shade device, if the surface of the vehicle is excessively hot I might need to mist my pad with water. I might need to work one side, turning the vehicle around for the other. If I'm polishing, I will most likely need to work faster and do smaller overlapping areas, I might have to schedule vehicles early in the AM before the heat. When applying wax or glaze, I might have to apply it in a small area immediately removing it. Basically, I do what I can, with what I have, where I am…

[bighappy]

J-The reason Im asking is that Ive never used products that were safe outdoors. From as far back as I can remember the products I used could not be used in sun light. Im an old timer/dealer type detailer. Ive always worked indoors with nice clean well lit stalls. Never had a reason to believe there were products that were safe in sun light.
G-My first thought was to use an EZ-up. Then I had visions of a wind picking it up and toppling it over onto the car.
Dr-Believe me, my whole life has been doin what I can with what I got. Most people cant believe I can do what I do with what Ive got. Alot of times experience and creativity out weigh expensive machines and gung ho youth. JMO

[dr_detail]

Originally Posted by bighappy

...experience and creativity out weigh expensive machines and gung ho youth. JMO

AMEN!!

[GothamAuto]

G-My first thought was to use an EZ-up. Then I had visions of a wind picking it up and toppling it over onto the car.

You can buy weights that fit perfectly on the legs of the EZUp tents for like $20 at sports authority in their camping section, or just use something similar.

[bighappy]

Cool. Thanks.