Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Londoner on November 18, 2007, 08:25:47 am
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I was cleaning the windows of a house in Rickmansworth (posh area) yesterday morning when a van pulls up at the house next door. The bloke gets out and starts rolling out some hose. Ah ha I thought, another window cleaner. But no
He started cleaning the car parked in the drive. I watched him work and he was very quick. Then he rinsed it off with a pressure washer, he had a tank in the van the same as we do.
This got me thinking. Is there any money in this idea? Presumably he has a weekly round so a lot less customers are required. Has anyone else seen this done?
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there are loads about there is decent money in it just like window cleaners, i would think its more like monthly but i would guess its not as regular has window cleaning
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Don't get me wrong, I am not about to go and do it but it is a similar operation to ours and possibly that is an opportunity some people would be interested in exploring.
I raised it as a general interest subject.
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vince did he dry it off or just leave it to dry.
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i wash my own car with pure water and the results are fantastic, but i used to have a valeting operation ages ago, trust me guys there is not as much business and it takes you longer to clean a car and earn money than to get a wfp system out and clean a house...in other words there ain't as much cash in it.
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i wash my own car with pure water and the results are fantastic,
If you like tiny scratches all over it, and taking the polish off. ;D
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hows tiny scrathces? use a pressure washer, sponge and soap, its the same principle as using normal methods. but you don't need to dry it!
what actually strips the car of its polish squeaky?
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Pure water = rain water...and rain water doesn't strip the polish off! So pure water most certainly won't!!
And if you have a vikan brush it is the same brush that originally started out as a brush for cleaning cars with!
And the same goes for just about every brush used in WFP, the bristles are not going to scratch your vehicle, car paintwork is pretty robust stuff.
My paintwork certainly has scuff marks, but they are mostly caused by hedges and so on.
Ian
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i wouldn't use the brush heads on your car Ian, it may leave tiny swirls where it may scrath through the lauquer, but they will polish out!
i'm intreaged to know what squeaky thinks will strip the paint work? there are no chemicals, and as you say rain water will not strip polish (well it will over a period of time), as long as you polish the car as you would cleaning it normally it will be fine.
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Nah, that lacquer is very hard, the brush may well leave tiny marks in un-lacquered cars (like my van), but I regularly put my van through the car wash to no ill effect, but as you say, if I go over it with a polish, those marks disappear anyway. ;)
Ian
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Wrong I'm sorry Ian.
Who's the experienced valeter? ::)
Not by just rinsing with pure it won't do too much harm.
But by rubbing pure water in with your wfp brush you will take the polish off, and hence take the protection and gloss from the car.
If it's takes grease and grime off a filthy window it's not going to have any trouble with a layer of polish!
I've tested it out myself, and there's definately less shine after wfp.
Also I can see tiny little scratches all over my van from where I've been lazy and wfp'd it.
But I always try to polish it once a week at least to counter this.
If you look at any company car (like a BMW 3-series) you see little scratches and swirls from where it's been through car washes, using brushes.
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I was my van everyday with it ;)
not seen any scrathes as yet :-\
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it depends on what colour as you say, like sliver cars have so much laquer on they really don't need much polish, and will normally look no different from polish or just soap and water, but then if you use a brush on a black car, it will show up every inmpercfection posible, it will then need cutting!
better to be safe than sorry, don't use the brush espeacilly if you have a decent motor.
i am quilty of using it on the vans though, quick easy and white, no drama!
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Wrong I'm sorry Ian.
Who's the experienced valeter? ::)
Not by just rinsing with pure it won't do too much harm.
But by rubbing pure water in with your wfp brush you will take the polish off, and hence take the protection and gloss from the car.
If it's takes grease and grime off a filthy window it's not going to have any trouble with a layer of polish!
I've tested it out myself, and there's definately less shine after wfp.
Also I can see tiny little scratches all over my van from where I've been lazy and wfp'd it.
But I always try to polish it once a week at least to counter this.
If you look at any company car (like a BMW 3-series) you see little scratches and swirls from where it's been through car washes, using brushes.
my applogies squeaky i thought yuou were talking about pure water itself not the brush!
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No, just pouring the water on should be ok.
Wouldn't scrub it in though, as like I said it takes the polish or wax off.
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use it in a bucket of water with soap, soap the car up as normall, then rinse pure water through with a pressure washer and it will not leave any marks once you've left it to dry, plus th glass is crystal clear with no dirty cloth marks!
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No, just pouring the water on WILL be ok.
;) ;D
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tap water would take wax off a car if you scrubed it,
Not if you use wash-and-wax.
It acts as a lubricant, so you glide over the top of the polish and leave it intact. :P
And car washes only use the pure water to rinse it, not to wash it.
Next question? ;)
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exactly squeaky, we are on the same wave length read my post about soap and rinse!
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Don't you just love a debate, squeaks you have to be top banana at starting them off ;)
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Wrong I'm sorry Ian.
Who's the experienced valeter? ::)
Not by just rinsing with pure it won't do too much harm.
But by rubbing pure water in with your wfp brush you will take the polish off, and hence take the protection and gloss from the car.
If it's takes grease and grime off a filthy window it's not going to have any trouble with a layer of polish!
I've tested it out myself, and there's definately less shine after wfp.
Also I can see tiny little scratches all over my van from where I've been lazy and wfp'd it.
But I always try to polish it once a week at least to counter this.
If you look at any company car (like a BMW 3-series) you see little scratches and swirls from where it's been through car washes, using brushes.
Many years ago you may well have been an experienced valeter, I may not have been, but I still have a brain!
Soap and water + sponge will remove way more polish of a car than detergent free water, pure or otherwise.
Polish is NOT water soluable, dirt and grime is, hence you can use pure water (or just tap water) to clean your car...tap water won't dry out properly though, just like on windows you will leave residue spots.
The swirls we all see...mmm...well in car washes I've been in, how can it leave swirls? Ditto with the brush, I don't clean it in big or small circles, they would be straight lines, particularly from a car wash.
I'm sure that with just about any method of cleaning a dirty car there is going to be the potential to mark the paintwork, even with a sponge.
You have paintwork, and then you have sponge or brush, between the two you have a layer of dirt, grime and grit and as you wash you have friction.
I suppose you can avoid that with a pressure washer and detergent though.
Lacquered vehicles don't polish up well, you certainly can't T-cut them, as Nat says, soap, water and a buff with a chamois is all that is needed and they look as good as new.
Ian
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Ian, you may get away with a brush and you may not, a sponge may pick up grit which my leave swirls, as for a car wash they are very bad for leaving marks, not saying they will all the time but i have seen evidence of what the brushes can do.
use a clean warm sponge, preferbly steamed if you have a steam pressure washer before using, this way you will be sure there is no foregin bodies that can cause your car damage.
I must admit that i don't do that with sponges on my own car, but i do give them a good hot rinse after every use. If you use a brush head you will probably have more chance of grit and other build up than could damage your car as well as more chance of leaving swirls in general, i'm not saying all cars as we've pointed out silver cars have a lot more laquer on them but to be safe than sorry you have to be cautious
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have you ever noticed silver cars don't have as many stonechips? look at high mileage black or dark blue car you will see how thin the paint work really is
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Soap and water + sponge will remove way more polish of a car than detergent free water, pure or otherwise.
Well anyone with half a brain doesn't use soap on their car! ::) ;D
You use wash and wax.
Pure water is aggressive like you've said, it's not like tap water, it does take the shine off if it's rubbed in.
I've tried it, I don't see how you can argue it.
In fact I do know why, because just like a lot of others on here you think pure water is some sort of magic potion.
I'm still experienced in valeting, I do it all the time. ;)
I don't tell you how to play cricket, why tell me about valeting? ???
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I don't tell you how to play cricket, why tell me about valeting? ???
there sounds like a father and son thing going on here.
"why do you always tell me what to do?" :'(
;D ;D ;D
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I don't tell you how to play cricket, why tell me about valeting? ???
there sounds like a father and son thing going on here.
"why do you always tell me what to do?" :'(
;D ;D ;D
lol squeaky be nice
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Soap and water + sponge will remove way more polish of a car than detergent free water, pure or otherwise.
Well anyone with half a brain doesn't use soap on their car! ::) ;D
You use wash and wax.
Pure water is aggressive like you've said, it's not like tap water, it does take the shine off if it's rubbed in.
I've tried it, I don't see how you can argue it.
In fact I do know why, because just like a lot of others on here you think pure water is some sort of magic potion.
I'm still experienced in valeting, I do it all the time. ;)
I don't tell you how to play cricket, why tell me about valeting? ???
Wash and wax may be your preferred choice, that doesn't make it the right one or necessarily the best one.
Why on earth everyone believes pure water is aggressive is beyond me, it is no more aggressive than rain water, and at what point does it become aggressive?
We measure our TDS in parts per million, I think ionics (I could be wrong) have a system that measures it in parts per BILLION!
and when measured like that, our water at zero parts per million is not pure at all! :o
As I keep trying to tell you Rog, I actually have a brain, and I'm quite analytical too.
I don't know the product make up of wash & wax, but it will have detergent in there somewhere, and any contact with cloth/sponge/brush and dirt and grit will have the capacity to mark paintwork.
Pure water alone or used with a brush is not going to dissolve or be responsible for the spoiling of a waxed finish, certainly no more so than ordinary tap water.
The wax on a car will of course wear away from the surface if rubbed, and will also wear away with natural weathering, hence why you will reapply it regularly.
No wax is going to be as hard as the paint you are applying it too.
and i have not at any time told you how to valet a car, but that doesn't mean that I won't offer opinions on your statements, and just because once upon a time, many years ago, for a short while you valeted cars for a garage does it makes you the forum expert on car valeting, from other posts I've read, there are a few on here that have way more experience in that field than you do.
you of course cannot offer much of an opinion on cricket because you neither like the game, play it or understand it.
Ian
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If the water on your car beads , this means the wax is still holding out.
When it starts to sheet this is when it needs rewaxing
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hi guys have any of you used the waterless system reply greatly appreciated thanks john
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why would you wanna use the waterless system? did you see them guys on dragons den?? slated!
whats the point? its not quicker (and actually looks harder IMO) and you can get faultless results doing it the proper way!
sorry but if it was quicker and you could make more money then great but i don't think you can.
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If the water on your car beads , this means the wax is still holding out.
When it starts to sheet this is when it needs rewaxing
Exactly.
Wash your polished car with wfp and afterwards the water doesn't bead so well, if at all.
I've been saying it long before I had wfp, I've tried and proved it since, and Ian can say what he likes, I am right on this one. ::) ;D
...and just because once upon a time, many years ago, for a short while you valeted cars for a garage does it makes you the forum expert on car valeting, from other posts I've read, there are a few on here that have way more experience in that field than you do.
How patronising, and how inaccurate!
I've valeted for various people all over the country.
I've also done cars at the Motor Show at the NEC, to a standard far higher than anyone on here I guarantee it, using techniques and matierials you wouldn't even have heard of.
They only pick the best technicians.
I've acheived the highest standard qualification from Autoglym themselves.
So yes, I do know what I'm talking about.
you of course cannot offer much of an opinion on cricket because you neither like the game, play it or understand it.
Well yes I'm not that keen on cricket, but I do understand it, and I'm pretty good at it.
But I wouldn't question it to you.
Ian
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gotta ask squeaky, what materials and techniques are there that we wouldn't of heard of?
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I wash my car & van every friday
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gotta ask squeaky, what materials and techniques are there that we wouldn't of heard of?
If I told you then you'd have heard of them, then I wouldn't have an advantage in my knowledge. ;D
I wash my car & van every friday
I wash my van every other day and polish it at least once a week. :)
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gotta ask squeaky, what materials and techniques are there that we wouldn't of heard of?
If I told you then you'd have heard of them, then I wouldn't have an advantage in my knowledge. ;D
In other words your talking fart!
what advantage would you gain? zero! I'm not into valeting there is no money in it we are just talking techniques...enlighten me Squeaky so that i can take you seriously in what you say?
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I would have to write pages and pages of ways to do things and sort out problems, and I really can't be bothered.
Believe what you want, but I learned stuff with Autoglym I wouldn't have even though of otherwise.
It's not that interesting anyway.
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::) of course ;)
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Squeeky do Autoglyn produce anything that would bring up uPVC, so that when you had cleaned it you could put a protective finish on it, you know similar to a silicone gel.
Leave it with a gloss finish for a few months??
Your advice would be very much appreciated.
Mark
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Squeeky do Autoglyn produce anything that would bring up uPVC, so that when you had cleaned it you could put a protective finish on it, you know similar to a silicone gel.
Leave it with a gloss finish for a few months??
Your advice would be very much appreciated.
Mark
As far as I remember the Leather Restorer will work on PVC as well.
It's the bottle with the gold label, but it's pretty hard to get hold of.
You basically use it like a polish.
You rub it in thoroughly, and buff it off with a soft cloth.
Leaves a nice lemon smell too.
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Squeeky do Autoglyn produce anything that would bring up uPVC, so that when you had cleaned it you could put a protective finish on it, you know similar to a silicone gel.
Leave it with a gloss finish for a few months??
Your advice would be very much appreciated.
Mark
As far as I remember the Leather Restorer will work on PVC as well.
It's the bottle with the gold label, but it's pretty hard to get hold of.
You basically use it like a polish.
You rub it in thoroughly, and buff it off with a soft cloth.
Leaves a nice lemon smell too.
Would that leave a protective film over the uPVC to improve its appearance? And how long would that finish last (Summer months)??
Mark
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The origins of this thread are quite interesting.
Am I right in saying that for cars you are best using a 'fibrillated' or frayed brush head, as it is softer to the bodywork?
I wash my car weekly using wfp brush and 0 tds water with no obvious negative effect and it takes less than 5 minutes, including hand-detailing the wheels. I am thinking just now this would be a great add on or service to offer to many of my older clients, many who already pay about a fiver at the local garage.
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Am I right in saying that for cars you are best using a 'fibrillated' or frayed brush head, as it is softer to the bodywork?
sponge, soap and water! ;D 8)
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Would that leave a protective film over the uPVC to improve its appearance? And how long would that finish last (Summer months)??
Mark
Sorry, I don't follow. ???
uPVC?
The vinyls in cars are not uPVC's, that's what plastic window frames are.
If you do mean vinyl seats, then yes they would be improved for months, as it's absorbed into the material.
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im not talking from expeirence but a lad i know said he used to work for BMW and that the used the same system has me to clean there show room cars gives it a good finish??? only been told so dont know if its true??
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How patronising, and how inaccurate!
I've valeted for various people all over the country.
I've also done cars at the Motor Show at the NEC, to a standard far higher than anyone on here I guarantee it, using techniques and matierials you wouldn't even have heard of.
They only pick the best technicians.
I've acheived the highest standard qualification from Autoglym themselves.
So yes, I do know what I'm talking about.
Neither patronising nor condescending, merely accurate. Are you saying that you did not work as a car valeter for a garage? My genuine apologies if I've got that wrong.
And I rather doubt you would be considered one the best technicians in the country either! Talk about blowing your own trumpet, if your level of expertise is so great, what an earth did you come into window cleaning for??
If people from all over the country were after your services you could surely have commanded a far better income than you could have done by starting window cleaning!
A patronising reply would be to say that this is the job they give school leavers they can't trust to do anything else...and I didn't say that did I? ;D
You have been what...9 years a window cleaner? Your field of expertise is far greater there than in car valeting I'm sure, and even there you create no end of controversy with your opinions.
And I was not arguing with you on car valeting in general, merely your assumption that pure water is going to affect the paintwork of a car, and where do you get the idea that pure water is aggressive? What accurate research have you read on the subject?
In fact it is probably far less aggressive than some rain (acid rain and so on).
I was no less accurate in the other things I said, trap grit between sponge and brush, regardless of what you add to the water and you will potentially mark the paintwork.
Ian
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And I rather doubt you would be considered one the best technicians in the country either! Talk about blowing your own trumpet, if your level of expertise is so great, what an earth did you come into window cleaning for??
If people from all over the country were after your services you could surely have commanded a far better income than you could have done by starting window cleaning!
I came into window cleaning because there's more money.
Yes I was at various garages, that's how I got selected for the motor show.
It also meant I got sent to other garages in the Midlands to sort problem cars out.
It plays havoc with your income all that travelling.
Window cleaning was local and more reliable.
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sueakey mobile valeting can be extremly lucrative im sure you could of made it pay has well if not better than window cleaning if you an expert???
say 6 cars @£30 each easy going in aday??
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it really isn't lucrative ronnie, no where near as WC, and its a lot more hassle for your money
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sueakey mobile valeting can be extremly lucrative im sure you could of made it pay has well if not better than window cleaning if you an expert???
say 6 cars @£30 each easy going in aday??
Nat's right.
You can't do 6 cars in a day. ;D
A thorough FULL valet on a used car should take you minimum of 3 hours including wet-vacing the interior, and cleaning the engine bay.
To do it properly anyway.
I used to spend most of the day on some really bad cars.
Don't forget, people won't come and pay you money to clean almost-clean cars.
You'll get farmers pickups with an inch of mud on the floor and soiled seats. >:(
Your reward? £40-45 roughly.
Also, you won't have a monthly round of regular income like windows.
My mate's missus does it, and she makes very variable money. :o
I looked into it before windows and it's not worth the hassle.
It's a shame, because I much preferred doing it. :(
(well, when it was Ferraris, Porsches and Skylines!)
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Some people would argue with there own shadow.
Did you see the £3000 valet on the news recently
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Some people would argue with there own shadow.
;D
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Some people would argue with there own shadow.
Yes, and whenever I say anything, you're always the first. ::)
As usual Dave, you don't actually read the posts.
If you had, you'd realise I was agreeing with the previous post.
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Surely this sort of work ( mobile valeting ) is very dependant on area. Loads in London and around the bigger towns but not a lot in Cowpat in the Marsh. Or wherever.
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Exactly, and one or two mobile units can sew it up.
No more call for it around here.
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Nat's right.
Thanks Squeaky I'm always right ;) ;D
the thing with valeting is it is very much up and down, WC you have a set amount month in mounth out which makes it a lot more stable, plus to earn a tenner your looking at 10 mins in WC, for a tenner in carwashing probably 30 mins or so, plus as squeaky already said, you don't get to clean cars that are clean, they are always real mucky, i used to bump up the price on real bad ones but you can get caught out on under pricing.
i think seeing a car fully valeted is more rewarding than seeing a clean window though, but then who cares? show me the money! ;) ;D