Before you detail an automobile we professional mobile detailing specialists must wash it first. Unless we use Dry Wash n' Guard we must spray it with water. This can be problematic and you must pay attention to mobile detailing and car washing parking lot etiquette. When washing vehicles, try to park in such a way that you block as few of the parked cars as possible. Try and watch people walking towards cars from buildings because: They are either coming to talk to you about washing or detailing their car, or they are leaving are leaving in their car. If they are leaving try to anticipate by their mannerism as the walk if they need you to move.

You can usually tell which it is because if they have their keys in their hand they're leaving and if they have money in their hands they want a car wash. If they are walking toward you, you might ask: "Am I blocking you?" They'll say:

I'm not leaving; I want a car washed;

I think I can make it; yes, sorry;

Could you please move?;

How do you wash the cars without getting the other cars wet?

If they said "Could you please move?" or "Yes, sorry" just say; "Yes! I'll move right now." Then move. If you think it's not going to be a problem, you might simply ask "Can you make it out?" Nine times out of ten they'll say "Yes, don't worry" or "No problem." Say thanks and be sure to smile.

This dialog should take place at twenty-thirty feet. If you ask them first if they are leaving, they will not feel apprehensive about asking. If you wait, they may have already prepared their assertive personality to handle any upcoming problem. Take the wind out of their sails and kill them with kindness.

Over Spray Potential

If it's windy, park your truck to block the wind or park your truck between the cars you are washing and the building. This way if you do happen to over spray water no one will run out of the building and yell at you. Meanwhile the de-ionized water will dry up and no one will ever know since their will be no water spots. Or you can use your vehicle as a shield and spray towards it directing the water flow instead allowing it to get onto another car. The biggest reason non-seasoned professional auto detailers get thrown out of parking lots is they do stupid things like over spray other cars or upset the car owners in the parking lots. A good stop on a route generates quite a bit of cash; think about it.