<FONT COLOR="e87400">Hey All
This is Long & alot to ask but what the hell The FleetBoard has'nt budged in 6 days so this will give ya something to read here!!
I've been powerwashing for years now, and have never gotten around to washing trucks. I've washed a couple but just to do it. My father-in-law is a trucker, so I've cleaned his a few times and a few of his buddies, but nothing serious. For years I have considered diving into it but just never got around to it.
I'm starting to gear up to do it finally and am trying to figure out what to expect. I can set up a permanent location about 1/4 mile off of a minor interstate & about 4miles off of a Major interstate (I-95). I don't plan on any billboard advertising for a while I will probably rely primarily on word-of-mouth to start. ((Also I may just start out doing them on weekends to help condense the few customers that I'll have to start.))My father-in-law has a really big mouth and I figure that he can spread the word pretty fairly. The closest stationary truckwash to me is about 60miles & according to my In-law they kinda suck and are REAL busy. I have yet to research the mobile washers in my area but I don't recall ever seeing one.
This is being triggered by the fact that I am trying to purchase a new location for my biz, I found a nice piece of property that's about an acre and a half, with good access and plenty of out of the way roadside parking. The property is really more than I need for my company right now but because of the access to the interstates & home it is simply a great location for me. So I'm figuring that with all this extra property I could maybe wash a truck or two. (There are also 2 more lots for sale adjacent to this one that I will probably try to lock up for a while incase I need (and can justify) them too
A few of the things that I was wondering were
Please base answers on the asumption that I will do an average / typical good job!
This is Long & alot to ask but what the hell The FleetBoard has'nt budged in 6 days so this will give ya something to read here!!
I've been powerwashing for years now, and have never gotten around to washing trucks. I've washed a couple but just to do it. My father-in-law is a trucker, so I've cleaned his a few times and a few of his buddies, but nothing serious. For years I have considered diving into it but just never got around to it.
I'm starting to gear up to do it finally and am trying to figure out what to expect. I can set up a permanent location about 1/4 mile off of a minor interstate & about 4miles off of a Major interstate (I-95). I don't plan on any billboard advertising for a while I will probably rely primarily on word-of-mouth to start. ((Also I may just start out doing them on weekends to help condense the few customers that I'll have to start.))My father-in-law has a really big mouth and I figure that he can spread the word pretty fairly. The closest stationary truckwash to me is about 60miles & according to my In-law they kinda suck and are REAL busy. I have yet to research the mobile washers in my area but I don't recall ever seeing one.
This is being triggered by the fact that I am trying to purchase a new location for my biz, I found a nice piece of property that's about an acre and a half, with good access and plenty of out of the way roadside parking. The property is really more than I need for my company right now but because of the access to the interstates & home it is simply a great location for me. So I'm figuring that with all this extra property I could maybe wash a truck or two. (There are also 2 more lots for sale adjacent to this one that I will probably try to lock up for a while incase I need (and can justify) them too
A few of the things that I was wondering were
Please base answers on the asumption that I will do an average / typical good job!
- Customers - So this is kind of a build it & they will come business,, what do you veterans think.. Do any of you a simalar setup where they come to you,,
- Fleet Accounts - With fleet accounts I was wondering if they come to you or do you always go to them.
- Cleaning Method - I'm leaning towards the 2 step method of cleaning, I have a vendor that offered to show me the ropes. I've read most of the post in fleet wash and seems that it's pretty even when it comes to 2 step or Brush. I guess that I need to learn both methods to be effective but I am a little worried about using the acid. And how you guys deal with wind issues and overspray when using with it.
- Chemical Arsenal - I was also wondering how many different chemicals that experienced truck washers have at the ready to clean trucks & what the favorite method of application was for them
Like: Shurflo, inject up / down, actual 2step machine (I'll probaly buy one of these by the way, it seemed it may help automate the process0???????
- Containment - To start I am going to set this up as a mat system for containment. Then later if all goes well i'll deal with a permenant setup For now I am trying to test the market. Any suggestions on the "mat" type,, setup,, etc...
- Captured Water - I am trying to get some info on Water oil seperators, it appears that I can do this fairly easily and inexpensively I have seen a couple of units forsale and they look pretty simple would anyone suggest trying to build my own and if so think maybe you could email me the design..
- Recycling - I have considered trying to recycle, I would'nt do it to start but was wondering if anyone else is and was curious to the cost to recycle, cost of equipment less the water cost.
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I know that many don't want to post openly to some of these questions so emails are welcome as are no reply's.
Anyway that's it for now there will surely be more to follow.
Thanks
Cody</FONT c>
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<FONT COLOR="e87400">
Hydro-Emulsification Surface Preparation Specialist </FONT c>
[This message has been edited by Cody (edited March 02, 2001).]