How to Start a Successful Waterless Mobile Car Wash

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Motivation
Out of the box thinking
Money
A reliable vehicle

Step 1

Seo Design Solutions

Research your competitor. Find out how many mobile car washes (with water and without) are located within 25 miles of you. Find out their prices, services & policies. ALWAYS know your competitor. You can even have a car wash completed on your own car to see the results.
Step 2

Freedom Waterless Car Wash

Research your products. There are dozens of waterless products out there but find a product that is not only waterless but also biodegradable and organic. It also should work. Just because it's green doesn't mean it works correctly. Buy a few different brands or get samples and test them out on you and your friends vehicles. The best I've determined so far is www.freedomwaterlesscarwash.com as they are EPA certified eco-friendly and have great ratings.
Step 3

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Purchase what you'll need to complete a full car wash, inside and out. On top of the waterless car wash solution, you'll also need glass cleaner, rim & tire cleaner, leather & vinyl treatment, bug remover, a small generator, a vacuum, lots of micro fiber or chamois rags, small plastic bags (reuse old walmart or grocery store bags-this is to hold the garbage you'll be removing and to separate dirty and clean rags) and fresh scent such as Febreze or Renuzit. You can fit every bit of these supplies in the trunk of your car or bed of a small truck. No need to buy a trailer.
Step 4

Money

Figure our your break even cost. This is how much you need to charge per car wash to break even after the cost of your supplies, gas, insurance etc has been paid. Once you figure out this cost then you can charge more to make profit. You can find several Ehow articles on the break even formula. You can also go by trial and error which would be charging based on your competitors and seeing the reaction. This could be costly to you or deter customers if the price keeps changing so do research on both before deciding.
Step 5

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Have inexpensive business cards, fliers, key chains or magnets printed up. Give these out to everyone you meet and leave them in every car you clean. Leave a small stack of cards in other businesses (if they allow it) hang up fliers on community bulletin boards and give them out at local colleges. The attempt here is to be eco-friendly so don't blanket every car in a parking lot with fliers since most of them will end up on the ground. Stand in front of the location and hand them out. Even if they aren't interested they will still put the flier in their pocket or purse as opposed to throwing on the ground (which may be what they do if they see it on their car)and later on when they're at home they'll see your flier and have a chance to read it.
Step 6

Get yourself and your vehicle looking great. Don't just roll up to a potential customer in a dirty car wearing a tank top and shorts. This is the typical approach of most car washes and you want to be recognized as original, not part of the crowd. Have custom t-shirts made, have car magnets made with your business name and wash your vehicle with your product beforehand and smile a lot. You get a lot more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.
Step 7

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Advertise. Create a website. Put ads online(check your spelling!). Make a You tube video showing what you do. Email everyone you know and let them know what you're doing. Call local doctors offices, hair salons, business parks etc. and tell them that you'll be in the area, would they like a waterless car wash? Once you've done one and others see it they will want your services. Waterless car solutions wash and wax at the same time leaving even the dustiest car bright and shiny. Plus there aren't giant puddles of dirty water everywhere. This in itself will be a great advertisement.
Step 8

Remember to be the best in all directions. Having the best products is only half the battle, having a great customer service oriented attitude is the other half. Be considerate, respectful and cheerful. Maintain professionalism at all times. Listen to the customer and always get their feedback whether it be through a simple email or just a quick "so what do you think?" after the wash is completed. Thank them sincerely every time they call you and try to remember their names so if you see them while you're doing another vehicle you can say hello.
Step 9

Final tips that will help you be successful. Wear gloves-this will protect your hands as well as their car from getting extra smudges and fingerprints. It looks like you're being more conscious of their car as well which is a giant plus. Don't wear jewelry or large belt buckles-small earrings are OK but big chains, bracelets and belt buckles can scratch the car. Don't play loud music while washing cars-many people don't like the same music and it's disrespectful to intrude on other peoples quiet. Instead have a small radio set on low or listen to your mp3 player (but not loud enough where you can't hear a customer approach). If a person does turn you down for a car wash still say ok, thank you with a smile. I can't tell you how many people take it personally and throw looks or smart off. REMEMBER a happy person will tell 2 or 3 people an unhappy person will tell everyone.
Step 10

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Don't forget to wear sunglasses, a hat and sun block. Being mobile means you have to wash the car where it's parked which can be directly in the mid day sun. Protect yourself! Most importantly don't forget to drink plenty of water and have cool water with you everywhere. Dehydration is nothing to mess around with.