Washing at Car Dealership

[Mirage Cleaners]

How much would you charge to wash 50 cars, twice a week in a dealership lot? Can I just rinse them off with hot/cold water, do I need to use soap, do I need to hand dry? How long do you think it will take?

I've read about Di water and really don't want to get involved with that.

Thanks.

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[This message has been edited by Mirage Cleaners (edited September 14, 2000).]

 

[Stateline P/W]

Mirage Cleaners, I do a lot for a Ford dealership. We do it every other week. We use cold water no soap and have a second guy come behind me with a chamois and dry the car and windows off. The cars have been detailed before they put them on the lot. We charge $2.00 per car and average about--20 to 30 an hour--

Oh yeah, might not be a bad idea to have 3 or 4 chamois.

Stateline Pressure Washing

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[Scott Stone]

I've read about Di water and really don't want to get involved with that.

Why don't you want to get involved with DI Water? It will increase your productivity and the quality of the work. In addition, if you miss a spot while drying, and you will, it won't leave any water spots on the car. If you are in location where the water is really soft the DI bottles will last a long time. It also looks a lot more professional.

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[Mirage Cleaners]

OK, maybe I was being too closed minded about the Di water. Maybe I need a better understanding of it.

From what I read, it just seems like it's hard to find and would be something else to worry about.

I'm honestly not that interested in washing for the car dealership because I feel there's not much money in it at $1-2 per car, but I hate to turn possible customers away so I was willing to try it out.

Any opinions and advice would be appreciated.

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[Ramon]

I know alot of people who wash dealerships. They use either 1500 psi @ 3.5 gpm or 2,000 psi @ 3 gpm. They all use DI water. You are right there is not much money in it. I know people who rinse and dry a car for .35 each the average around here is .75-1.00. DI water is the best thing since peanut butter when it comes to vehicle washing. I couldn't live without it.

Ramon

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[Bigreds]

Just wondering where you get this Di water? Do you just use this water for the spot free rinse? And will this water also work on windows? Thanks

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[Bigreds]

The windows I was wondering about are enormous tinted windows on a house I am about to wash. I noticed when I tried them they spotted pretty bad. Am suppose to get back with them about cleaning them.

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[Stateline P/W]

Bigreds, have you thought about using a squigee. With windows the size you are talking about it might be something to think about.

Stateline Pressure Washing

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[Ramon]

Big Reds,

I get DI water from a company called Ionics. Culligan and US Filter are national companies that distribute the tanks. As for window cleaning some companies use the technique of brushing the windows and then rinsing with DI water.

Later

Ramon

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[Bigreds]

I bid the house with doing the windows and I bid it without. They said they could do their own windows when They have time, but wanted a quote.If I go over just the house then I would still help them by removing the bird shit off the giant windows. I did not want to spot them as I already seen it will do. Thought it might work, but I guess it was a stupid question, sorry!

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[Bigreds]

Thanks Ramon, Thats what I was wondering..


[This message has been edited by Bigreds (edited September 15, 2000).]

 

[Ramon]

Big Reds,

Maybe I should have made this a little more clear. The companies using the DI water are window cleaning companies so it will work well for cleaning windows. I wasn't sure if you thought I meant that it doesn't work as well. I have washed a few houses and I use DI for the whole thing(I've only done one stories). I have my laborer clean the windows with the scrubber and I rinse with DI. It would work pretty well to use DI and follow up with a squegee.

Ramon

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[nedparks]

I am a little confused. I am doing cars @ $1.10 each. I do a car every 55 secs and move on to the next. Call it one a minute and that is giving you $66.00/hour? That is not enough? Don't get me wrong I always like to do more but this is repeat every weeks biz and they pay on the spot.? Not looking for a argument just some thoughts please?


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Ned Parks
Power Steam Cleaning
Akron,Ohio
330-328-8309
nedparks@yahoo.com

 

[Ramon]

The reason I feel it is low is as follows.

1. Every person I know is still in business because they are the cheapest around. The dealerships around here will drop you in a second for a lower price.

2. I feel I would like to net 60 per hour from my business. The way I calculate expenses and wear and tear on vehicles and equipment, etc. I need to gross over 100 per hour. I can't imagine washing 800-1000 cars per day every day.

3. Water reclaim is required to do this work and the dealerships are not willing to pay for it.

4. Anyone with DI tanks, a 5.5 hp pressure washer and a truck is a competitor. Washing big trucks is competitive enough.

Don't get me wrong there may be good money in it but the dealerships I dealt with when running my detail business made me decide to never deal with them again.
I would like to hear the other side of the story though.

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