Okay, here's my blog post about setting up my mobile car wash, focusing on the equipment:

So, I finally took the plunge and started my own mobile car wash business! It's been a dream for a while, and let me tell you, getting the right equipment together was a whole project in itself. I wanted to share my experience, what I did, what I chose, and how it all worked out.

The Initial Brain Dump

First, I brainstormed everything I thought I'd need. I mean, EVERYTHING. From the obvious stuff like soap and water to the little things like where I was gonna keep all the dirty rags.

My initial list I scribbled down included, I remember :

• Water tank (duh)
• Pressure washer
• Hoses (lots of 'em)
• Buckets
• Soap, wax, tire shine - all the cleaning goodies
• Sponges, brushes, microfiber cloths
• Vacuum cleaner (for interiors)
• Generator (to power the vacuum and maybe the pressure washer)
• Extension cords
• A good cart or trailer to haul it all

Making Choices (and Mistakes!)

Then came the fun part – actually buying stuff. I quickly realized I needed to be smart about this. I didn't want to blow all my startup cash on fancy gear I didn't really need. And I definitely didn't want to buy cheap junk that would break after two washes.

I spent hours (seriously, HOURS) watching YouTube videos and reading reviews. I compared prices, features, and everything else I could think of. Here's what I ended up getting:

• Water Tank: I went with a 100-gallon tank. I figured that would be enough for a few cars without being too huge to tow around.
• Pressure Washer: I opted for a gas-powered one, because I didn't want to rely on finding a power outlet at every location. I found a decent one with good reviews that wasn't crazy expensive.
• Hoses and Nozzles: I bought a couple of different length hoses, and a few different spray nozzles. I learned that having the right nozzle makes a HUGE difference.
• Cleaning Supplies: I stocked up on all the basics. I tried to find eco-friendly options where I could.
• Vacuum: I got a powerful shop-vac that could handle wet and dry messes.
• Generator: Turns out, my pressure washer didn't need it, but the vacuum did. So, I got a small, quiet generator.
• Cart: I ended up finding a sturdy utility cart with big wheels. It's a lifesaver for moving everything around.

Putting it All Together

Once I had everything, it was time to organize it. I spent a whole afternoon just figuring out the best way to load up the cart so everything was easy to access. I practiced setting up and packing down a few times, just to get the hang of it.

First Wash Test Run!

My first "customer" was my own car. I wanted to make sure everything worked before I went out and washed someone else's car. It was a bit chaotic at first, but I quickly got into a rhythm. I realized I needed a better system for the dirty cloths, so I added a separate hamper to my setup. I also was reminded to make sure my phone full charged

Lessons Learned

Overall, I'm super happy with my mobile car wash equipment setup. It's not perfect, and I'm sure I'll tweak things as I go, but it's a solid start. My biggest takeaway? Do your research, don't be afraid to start small, and always have a backup plan (like extra towels!). I still have a lot to learn, but at least for now, I believe I get everything I need to successfully running the mobile car wash business.