Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Basically we just got into a storage unit where is plent of room to work and very nice for buffing and paint correction.


Unfortunately there seems to be no faucet or water hose with in a reasonable distance. With the exception of taking it to a touchless car wash, and shoot right over to the storage space I am looking for a alternative.

In Connecticut we get pretty nasty in the winter and when doing detailing jobs. Would like to know what have other people done to get the all so important step of washing done when water avalibility was limted. Google provided limited ideas and even less products. Maybe I am searching incorrectly.

It almost seems like I want a wheelable stand with a pump sprayer that i can pressurize by hand.

The storage space is cold storage and its gets quite cold here so its definitly a game that we have to play here. The equipment will be taken back to the heated home when done so it cannot stay in the storage unit during the winter.

Any ideas??

[the_mighty_bucket]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

'almost seems like I want a wheelable stand with a pump sprayer that i can pressurize by hand'

Yeah, that. um.. pressure sprayer...thing..

[greg0303]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

Take a look at this 3.5 gallon 12V/ 18V portable power washer:

http://autogeek.net/nomad-portable-power-cleaner.html

I used it and it works fine. Some extra water may be needed in 1 or 2.5-gallon bottle for extra rinse. You can use it with de-ionized water to prevent water spots.
Pricewise you may find a better deal on Amazon or Overstock.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

Take a look at this 3.5 gallon 12V/ 18V portable power washer:

http://autogeek.net/nomad-portable-power-cleaner.html

I used it and it works fine. Some extra water may be needed in 1 or 2.5-gallon bottle for extra rinse. You can use it with de-ionized water to prevent water spots.
Pricewise you may find a better deal on Amazon or Overstock.

Yea, something like this. Also I have been told to use ONR (Optinum No Rinse I believe its called).

Most "systems" use chemicals and after watching videos, I see NOTHING but swirl city and thats not what I am looking for. After Improperly Quick Detailing cars for years I put swirls in the paint. Very aggrivating.

I did some more research, and there was some items under "Water Sprayers" so we will see.

Any other thoughts appreciated.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

Overstock.com has them for $159.

[Kornercarver]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

Here is an interesting way to wash a car when no water is available. This is a picture of Ken Block's wash setup. His people use a water cooler bottle attached to a gasoline power washer. They got the water from a creek nearby. It really did a pretty good job getting dirt and mud off his rally car.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

What about going to your local grocery store, buying a couple gallons of water. go back to your storage unit and give it a onr wash. It will not leave a mess. No big extra cost involved and the problem is solved.

[BobbyG]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

This is going to sound stupid but how about filling up a 5 gallon bucket of water and bring it with you? I dunno, maybe I'm missing something here but one 5 gallon for washing and another of clean for rising......

[tguil]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

Coin-op to get the big stuff off. Then ONR (or QEW) back at the garage. I'd use a five gallon gas plastic gas can to transport the water.

Tom

[Erik Mejia]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

How about a setup like this:

http://www.autodetailingwarehouse.com/store/p/396-Compact-Pro-Basic-5800-Detail-Trailer.aspx

It may be expensive, but could be beneficial, especially if you also do mobile jobs.

[DogParkGuy]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

Adding a space heater in the winter would make it much easier to work there. I also suggest ONR. Have used it and washed a car with 3 gallons of water.

[Innovative Detailing]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

I have the perfect solution, this unit that I have built for myself and for other detailers that resolves the whole rinseless wash problem.

Here is my unit, which basically allows me to clean 10-12 cars using only 5 gallons with my rinseless premix. Its a portable unit, 12V with 50 Ft of hose that does not kink or bend. I also am able to have 6 bottles of product or brushes at my demand utilizing these custom bottle holders that I had made. I also have a location were I can access clean towels and hang them on the unit. It is very versatile, completely portable and I can power it up from any 12V accessory plug either in my mobile rig or my customers vehicle......

For example when I go boating at the lake, I carry this unit in the back of my SUV, once I pull the boat out, my rinseless unit comes into play.....Since most marinas do not have hoses for rinse down, the choice is a pump sprayer on the spot with your favorite product, the coin wash once you leave, or my Innovative Detailing Portable 12V Rinseless Detail System....and she works like a charm........Down in Newport Beach, where many of my customers live on ocean front homes, I incorporate this as my business model. Absolutely ZERO waste water run off, city officials smile when they see it, and the customer is pleased as always....

Here are a couple of photos for you all to see.......







If you have any questions regarding my unit, please ask......Have a great day!

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

How about a setup like this:

http://www.autodetailingwarehouse.com/store/p/396-Compact-Pro-Basic-5800-Detail-Trailer.aspx

It may be expensive, but could be beneficial, especially if you also do mobile jobs.

Looks great, I am just not at that level. But if I did get to that point, then thats def a Idea.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

Adding a space heater in the winter would make it much easier to work there. I also suggest ONR. Have used it and washed a car with 3 gallons of water.

Yup, will have a heater and ONR is next on the to buy list.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Washing a car in a location where there is no access to water.

I have the perfect solution, this unit that I have built for myself and for other detailers that resolves the whole rinseless wash problem.

Here is my unit, which basically allows me to clean 10-12 cars using only 5 gallons with my rinseless premix. Its a portable unit, 12V with 50 Ft of hose that does not kink or bend. I also am able to have 6 bottles of product or brushes at my demand utilizing these custom bottle holders that I had made. I also have a location were I can access clean towels and hang them on the unit. It is very versatile, completely portable and I can power it up from any 12V accessory plug either in my mobile rig or my customers vehicle......

For example when I go boating at the lake, I carry this unit in the back of my SUV, once I pull the boat out, my rinseless unit comes into play.....Since most marinas do not have hoses for rinse down, the choice is a pump sprayer on the spot with your favorite product, the coin wash once you leave, or my Innovative Detailing Portable 12V Rinseless Detail System....and she works like a charm........Down in Newport Beach, where many of my customers live on ocean front homes, I incorporate this as my business model. Absolutely ZERO waste water run off, city officials smile when they see it, and the customer is pleased as always....

Here are a couple of photos for you all to see.......

If you have any questions regarding my unit, please ask......Have a great day!

That looks like a killer set up and to be honest, very transportation friendly. Since the post started I might find out later this week that I may have access to a hose in the area, I gotta get more info. But looking at that, what does that set someone back?? Feel free to PM the info if you like.