Does who do mobile detailing - How do you make it so it's not sunny?

[UncleDavy]

Two 10'x15' canopies. Gives us 20'x15' of shade. I can set them up by myself in about 10 minutes start to finish, same to take them down. It's a little easier with two people, but not significantly.

This is what we use.
Ace Canopy Diamond Pop Up Tent 10'x15'

Hey Sudsy. Thanks for the link. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Most of what I have seen indicates that you need two people to set them up. If you can set this one up yourself, that is perfect. I was hoping to find an aluminum frame model but the prices I have seen are outrageous at $1000+.

[JustJesus]

Ok thanks for that idea of turning the car around. I do do a full foam presoak but that drying on there doesn't seem to be much of an issue. It's when drying off the end after that is a chore when it spots but yeah turnign the car around seems like a good idea!

As for your Easy Up, I looked and there is one for like 50$ here but I guess it's to smal lthat's why. How big is yours?

Moving the car around can work, but it too can have limitations.

The canopy helps with shade

Water tank, filled with Deionized water (or the other "clean" water) helps to avoid spots as well.

Damn, 50$ sounds real good. Not sure what mine cost, as it was gift from the wife. It's the 12x12, with the angled legs.

I've learned to set it up by myself. I also learned a trick for moving it around myself. When I set it up at the "half height" - I push up from the center of the canopy, granted I have to tiptoe as I'm short at 5'6" - and just move it in place. If there is a car in the way, that's another challenge. Then again, move the car out, place the canopy, and park the car under the shade.

Another thing I did, and this was before they made "walls" for the angled leg units, was to order the biggest Meguiar's wall banner. I then used this as a wall of shade. It worked well enough for my needs.

[sudsmobile]

When I'm by myself, I set the canopy up first, move it and then drive the car under it. As the sun moves, I can move the canopy around a little to block the sun. Occasionally when we can't move the car, me and my son will move it into position over the car, but it's a little tougher because he's not super tall and has to really get on his tip toes to get it off the ground.

[sudsmobile]

Hey Sudsy. Thanks for the link. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Most of what I have seen indicates that you need two people to set them up. If you can set this one up yourself, that is perfect. I was hoping to find an aluminum frame model but the prices I have seen are outrageous at $1000+.

I'm sure they all RECOMMEND two people to set it up, but seriously once you learn the trick it's pretty easy. Like I said, we store it upright in the trailer with the canopy in place. So, I take it out, grab one leg lift the entire thing off the ground except for the opposite diagonal leg and walk it open using one hand to push the frame up into the lock. Once you get one top locked in place, the rest is a piece of cake. If you do it without the canopy it's even easier, but all the time and energy you saved is now required to install the canopy. That is by far the hardest part no matter how many people you have. That's why I leave it installed.

[PaulMys]

What is the clearance height on this unit, suds?

[sudsmobile]

What is the clearance height on this unit, suds?

I'll measure it next time I set it up, but it has 3 height settings and when fully extended it's pretty tall. I think this is on the tallest setting, although honestly it might be setting 2. Easily enough room to work on all but the tallest trucks.

[sudsmobile]

It was finally warm enough to set up today and fully extended it measures 83" of clearance.

[PaulMys]

It was finally warm enough to set up today and fully extended it measures 83" of clearance.

Thanks for that, bud.

My truck is exactly that tall. (82") :/

[sudsmobile]

So you could pull under and because it's raised in the center, there's plenty of room to work under there if you move it around a little.

[PaulMys]

So you could pull under and because it's raised in the center, there's plenty of room to work under there if you move it around a little.

Looks like the center framing is on plane with the edge framing. No?