Environmental Rules for Mobile Auto Detailing
Posted by in Uncategorized on November 19, 2011
Most states have environmental rules, which affect the method of operations for mobile auto detailing. Some operators will not follow these guidelines or even bother to get a business license at all. This is a problematic situation for the small time operator in that it is only a matter of time before they get caught or fined for no business license or worse polluting the storm drains. There is an EPA set of rules and regulations which govern these sets of standards called the NPDES.
The NPDES-Best Management Practices have to do with the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972. In California for instance, the California Water Code and requirements handed down to cities from county agencies without mandated funds from state or federal agencies are to protect our nations water supplies. In California, a company has to meet waste water run-off requirements of the California Water Code, namely (13.260-13.267.5), which states:
“No water may be discharged into a storm drain without a permit from one of the five regional boards.”
When this was first enacted a local car wash owner who was upset we were taking all his business complained to the Regional Water Quality Control Board and we had to visit with our State’s Representative to get into compliance before any actual permits were available. At the time we were the only company in California that operated a mobile car wash that has attained such permission and exemption of California Water Code: (13.263.1-13.267.5).
Obviously, the city planners were a little shocked to see a letter of exemption from the regional board and rightfully so. These letters are very rarely granted because the board only meets twelve times per year. They have extremely important matters to discuss and this is usually not one of them. Mobile car washing and auto detailing was not a high priority. Today the laws and rules are much different and they are nationwide and they are enforced. Luckily the Environmental Rules for Mobile Auto Detailing are straight-forward and easy to comply with. So it behooves you to learn the rules and follow them and keep yourself out of hot water and your profits in your pocket and not pay them out to fines. Think about it.
Auto Detailing Challenge: Meguiar’s Professional Detailing Products
Posted by in Uncategorized on November 18, 2011
Many professional auto detailers use only specific professional auto detailing products. Using their techniques you can make your car look as if you paid $200 for a detail and return it to showroom condition. We tested Meguiar’s Professional Detailing Products and here is what we found. We have added a few new tools for the trade for both the professional detailer and the serious Do-it-Yourselfer.
These items are also very popular with the “Do it Yourselfer” crowd as their retail box store sales of their products have recently shown. We are speaking of their “Wipes” products. We are impressed in that we saw these wipe type products first in 1993 when they were used by the computer industry to clean screens of computers for lap tops without scratching, by keeping the synthetic tissues moist with the cleaning product soaked in. Since then we have seen such products in many forms and it is no wonder that Meguiar’s being a leading edge company would bring them to maximum market potential in the Auto Detailing Industry.
They are very easy to use and are fairly inexpensive based on the one use method, very easy to configure your direct costs. For instance each package contains 25 wipes. A small dash board can be done by using 1 Wipe, a large dashboard we found two to be adequate, after a simple pre-wipe with a Belgium Duster. The Meguiar’s Engineers figured out about the amount needed to clean and treat a Leather Seat. It needs one All Purpose Wipe and one Rich Leather Wipe. For a total of two wipes; one of each of course; one per seat that is. So, if the car has two-bucket seats in front and one bench seat in back and another behind that, then you will most likely need six wipes of each. We found that the cost is similar to a spray, maybe a little less, it seems to work very well and a smart operator can make the tissues go a little further by use of a few techniques in the wiping process.
Mobile Auto Detailing and Local Government Relations
Posted by in Uncategorized on November 18, 2011
Many small time mobile auto detailers do not realize the importance of local government relations. A City Hall will contain lots and lots of information that can help you. Think of yourself as an information scout, when visiting a city hall. You should first go to the planning department and ask if there are any restrictions on mobile businesses within the city limits. Talk to a clerk and when they ask what kind of business, just say; “mobile car detailing”. Chances are everything will be fine and they will send you down to the city business license counter for a home occupation permit. A home occupation permit is complicated and will not be issued over the counter in the business license department. In most cases, it will require two or three forms and a planning review. Usually cities will mail questionnaires to your adjacent neighbors and ask them if they object. It pays to talk to your neighbors in advance. Remember as an information scout you should give away little or no information, which is not asked. This is a list of information needed from City Hall:
City Business License Application
Home Occupation Permits
NPDES – Best Management Practices
City Codes On Mobile Businesses
City Vendors And Bidders Lists
Location Of Recycling Program
Location Of Police Station
Location Of County Buildings
Location Of Dump
Location Of Corporation Yard
Insurance And Worker’s Compensation Requirements For License
Fees – Business License Tax Rates
Current City Demographics
Maps (2) With Basic Zoning Outlined
This will help you go to the next step in becoming a legitimate business and establish yourself as a law-abiding member of the business community. This is the very first step in establishing proper business relations. Meanwhile you will have gathered much insight as to how the city works and what the basic rules are to run a mobile auto detailing business in your town.