July 22,
bydeveloper
As a business owner, you understand that the car wash industry is constantly evolving and introducing new, innovative systems. In recent years, there has been a shift toward the use of touchless car washes thanks to a few key influences.
Contact Us For Your Car Wash Supply Needs
When introducing one of these systems to your business, there are many different factors and advantages to consider. We&#;re exploring the rise and benefits of touchless car washes so you can feel confident offering your customers no-touch services in the near future.
People rely on traditional car washes to scrub the dirt and debris off their vehicles and make them shine like new. However, times are changing, and today&#;s customers are looking for different car wash options &#; especially ones that minimize physical contact with the car&#;s surface.
A touchless car wash system is a type of automatic car wash that does not utilize any kind of scrubbers or brushes. Instead, it uses the power of high-pressure water and highly concentrated products to clean the vehicle&#;s surface. In a touchless car wash, no equipment ever physically touches the car. Instead, these systems use sensors to guide the equipment around the vehicle and ensure the water and detergents sufficiently soak it.
The process for touchless car washes begins with spraying the car with water, then coating it in a pre-soak solution. Specialized touchless car wash detergents and cleaning agents for these options deliver a deeper clean and leave behind a gorgeous shine. The system then uses high-pressure water jets to lift and wash away any dirt or grime on the vehicle&#;s surface. After rinsing, high-pressure air blows over the car&#;s surface to assist in a spotless drying process.
The U.S. currently has over 62,000 car wash businesses, and the industry is evolving every single year. Today, touchless car washes are gaining popularity among customers for several reasons.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, customers have begun to expect more accommodating and sanitary services from the businesses they frequent. Customers who do not want to handle the same equipment as other customers will opt for a drive-through wash. Touchless options are often a go-to because they require no physical contact or personal interactions.
No-touch car washes are also gaining popularity because of their shift toward advancing technology and automation. Labor shortages have been plaguing American businesses for the last few years. As of March , there were a record 11.5 million job openings and not nearly enough applicants. Whether your car wash business is fully staffed or has openings to fill, automated options allow you to operate at all times.
Check out these factors for why adding a touchless car wash system is advantageous for your car wash business:
Now that we understand some of the benefits let&#;s get into the rumors you may have heard about no-touch car washes. The following are common misconceptions about touchless systems and some reasons why these ideas are untrue:
One of the greatest misunderstandings about touchless car wash systems is that they do not clean as well as washes that use scrubbers and physical contact.
No-touch options utilize powerful cleaning agents and chemicals that deep clean the car and dissolve road film without scratching the paint. The high-pressure water and air used in these systems lift dirt and grime off the vehicle&#;s surface, leaving behind a clean, shining finish.
Another commonly held misconception about touchless car washes is that they waste water. Because these systems utilize pressurized water instead of brushes and scrubbers, they can seem to use more water than a traditional wash. However, this couldn&#;t be further from the truth. Touchless washes use a fraction of the water of a manual car wash and are a great choice for businesses that want to boost their water conservation efforts.
Although some people believe they need to use a towel or rag to dry their vehicle after a no-touch wash, that is not true. Most touchless systems utilize high-pressure air to blow the water off the car&#;s surface after it&#;s done cleaning, leaving behind a dry, shiny finish that your customers will love. Using a towel after a touchless wash can risk scratching the car&#;s paint.
Another popular myth is that adding a no-touch system to your car wash will be too expensive. The truth is, these systems can be incredibly profitable and offer a quick return on your investment.
Compared to other types of car washes, touchless options have lower ownership and maintenance costs. They also allow your business to offer services around the clock, with or without an on-site attendant.
Are you considering investing in a no-touch system for your car wash business? The following factors are important to think about beforehand:
You should first consider your market when deciding to get a no-touch system for your car wash. Are your customers going to be interested in utilizing a touchless option, or do they prefer friction washes?
Think about your customer base&#;s wants and needs when it comes to cleaning their vehicles. If your customers want convenience, adding a no-touch option is a great idea. However, if your customers frequently bring their vehicles in caked with thick mud or other stubborn materials, they may lean towards friction washes instead.
Another consideration is how much space your car wash has to accommodate a touchless system.
Luckily, these car wash systems are fairly slim and do not incorporate a lot of different components. However, while they have a relatively small footprint, you&#;ll still need to ensure you have the available room and hook-ups for the tunnel. You may need to convert an existing system if you have a limited area.
As a business owner, you&#;ll also need to consider the costs associated with adding a new system to your car wash. These expenses may include:
When adding a no-touch system to your business, taking note of your current setup and equipment is helpful. Consider what options you already offer and where a touchless wash will fit best in your car wash&#;s design.
If you already have a wastewater system in place, consider if you want to add a new system or replace an existing one.
You will also need to consider how to keep water from your touchless car wash system contained. Bay curtains are an effective way to maintain your individual systems. They also help your business deal with weather considerations, especially if your business is in an area with a colder climate. You can find curtains made from different materials &#; take your time and find the options that best suit your setup.
Another important factor to take into consideration when adding a no-touch wash to your business is drying systems. To deliver the best results for your customers, you&#;ll need to incorporate dryers to blow water off the surface of vehicles after they&#;ve gone through the wash.
Touchless car washes use different cleaning products than other systems. If you add this type of wash to your business, you&#;ll need to develop an ordering plan for the products you&#;ll use.
These chemical detergents need to be very powerful to deliver the same cleaning action as friction washes. Be sure you are prepared with the right products for your new touchless system.
At JBS Industries, we are a leading car wash supplies manufacturer with more than four decades of experience. We have more than a dozen highly concentrated products to transform your car wash business.
If you want to introduce a touchless washing system to your car wash, we have the products you need to deliver awesome results and really impress your customers. We understand the ins and outs of the car wash industry and create products that will set your business apart from the competition.
Are you interested in learning more? Explore our selection of touchless car wash products today!
A self-service car wash in Kłodzko, Poland A car wash in Warwick, UK Ex Petrol station and now hand car wash in Bradford, UK A truck wash in Savannakhet, Laos This car wash in San Bernardino, California, is an example of Googie architecture.
A car wash,[1] or auto wash, is a facility used to clean the exterior,[2] and in some cases the interior, of cars. Car washes can be self-service, full-service (with attendants who wash the vehicle), or fully automated (possibly connected to a filling station). Car washes may also be events where people pay to have their cars washed by volunteers, often using less specialized equipment, as a fundraiser.[3]
[
edit
]
The first U.S. patent for a mechanized car wash was filed in and soon followed by "auto laundries".[4] The Automobile Laundry in Detroit, Michigan, opened in by Frank McCormick and J.W. Hinkle, is considered the first business in the U.S. to adopt the name "car wash" for their services.[5] Manual car wash operations, which used manpower to push or move the cars through stages, peaked at 32 drive-through facilities in the United States. The first semi-automatic car wash in the United States debuted in at a facility in Detroit, which used automatic pulley systems and manual brushing.[6][4]
Dan Hanna, encouraged by car washers in Detroit, founded a car wash in called the Rub-a-Dub in Oregon. He later formed Hanna Enterprises and reached about 31 locations. Hanna operated his wash rack until adopting a mechanized car washing system in .[7] The company became one of the leading manufacturers of car washing equipment and materials, including brushes, conveyor belts, tire washes, and recirculating water systems.[7] In the late-'s, some car washes began to adopt "flex-serve" models to accommodate customers who did not want a full interior and exterior cleaning, in which facilities such as vacuuming and hand detailing are constructed near the exit as an optional service.[6]
The car wash industry in the U.S. remained primarily led by small businesses that distinguished themselves through playful signage or building architecture.[4] At the turn of the 21st century, the "express exterior" business model&#;first developed by a chain in Baton Rouge, Louisiana&#;began to emerge, in which computerized point of sale and queueing systems are used to manage customer throughput via automation, reducing the amount of staff required.[6] In the s, this model began to be combined with subscription-based car wash services, which offer convenience and potentially lower costs for car owners compared to traditional pay-per-wash models.[6][4]
Due to their turnkey nature and lower staffing requirements, express exterior washes became an ubiquitous business model for the industry, resulting in many operators and private equity firms investing in opening larger chains of locations.[4][6] As of , the United States is estimated to have approximately 60,000 car washes that constitute a $14 billion industry.[4] It has experienced steady growth, with an average annual expansion of 5% in recent years; some market analysts project the industry to double in size by , partly attributed to the growth of subscription-based services.[4] Additionally, the market share of professional car washes has grown significantly, from 50% in to an estimated 79% in .[4] This suggests a decline in the number of individuals washing their cars themselves. The average revenue per car wash location is reported to be around $1.5 million.[4]
Some municipalities in the United States have enacted saturation bans due to the number of new car wash locations being constructed in clusters.[4]
[
edit
]
Link to Cartsfun
An in-bay automatic car wash performing a friction wash passThe following are forms of car washing.
[
8]
[
9]
[
10]
[
11]
[
edit
]
In modern car wash facilities, whether tunnel, in-bay automatic, or self-serve, detergents and other cleaning solutions are designed to loosen and eliminate dirt and grime. This is in contrast to earlier times, when hydrofluoric acid, a hazardous chemical, was commonly used as a cleaning agent in the industry by some operators.[12] There has been a move in the industry to shift to safer cleaning solutions. Most car wash facilities are legally required to treat and/or reuse their water and may be required to maintain wastewater discharge permits. This is in contrast to unregulated facilities or even driveway washing (at one's home), where wastewater can end up in the storm drain and, eventually, in streams, rivers, and lakes.
A chemical car wash, or waterless car wash, uses chemicals to wash and polish car surfaces. This method is claimed to be eco-friendly,[13] but is recommended only for cars with light dirt accumulation to avoid paint damage.[14]
Mechanized car washes, especially those with brushes, may risk damaging the exterior finish. Paint finishes and car washing processes have improved. More facilities utilize "brushless" (cloth) and "touch-free" (high-pressure water) equipment, as well as modern "foam" washing wheels made of closed-cell foam.
[
edit
]
A multi-bay, coin-operated self-service car wash in Seattle, WashingtonA self-serve car wash is a simple and automated type of car wash that is typically coin-operated or token-operated self-service system. Newer self-service car washes offer the ability to pay with credit cards or loyalty cards. The vehicle is parked inside a large, covered bay equipped with a trigger gun and wand (a high-pressure sprayer) and a foam brush for scrubbing. When a customer inserts coins or tokens into the coin box, they can choose options such as soap, tire cleaner, wax, or clear water rinse, all dispensed from the sprayer, or scrub the vehicle with the foam brush. The number of coins or tokens inserted determines when customers operate the equipment; in most instances, a minimum number of coins is necessary to start the equipment. These facilities are often equipped with separate vacuum stations that allow customers to clean the upholstery and rugs inside their cars. Some self-service car washes offer hand-held dryers.
[
edit
]
Rotating brushes inside a conveyor car wash Conveyor-driven/tunnel car wash[
edit
]
Car wash tunnel at the ABC filling station in Joensuu, FinlandThe first conveyor-driven automatic car wash appeared in Hollywood, California, in .[15] Conveyor-driven automatic car washes consist of tunnel-like buildings into which customers (or attendants) drive.[citation needed]
Before entering the automated section of the wash tunnel, attendants may prewash customers' cars.
A vehicle exiting the friction zone of the wash. Visible are side brushes, wrap-around brushes, the conveyor, and a high-pressure rinse arch.The car wash typically starts cleaning with chemicals called presoaks applied through special arches. CTAs, or "chemical tire applicators", apply specialized formulations, which remove brake dust and build-up from the surface of the wheels and tires.
A high-pressure arch may direct water at the vehicle's surface at the end of a car wash's presoak.
A typical "tunnel" car wash viewed from the inside of a vehicleMitters are ribbon-like components that suspend cloth strips or sheets over the tunnel
A glass car wash building containing an inbay automatic and freestanding blowersThe car is rinsed with fresh water immediately, followed by extra services if required. In many car washes, the first of these services is a polish wax. After the polish, the wax application is typically a retractable mitter or top brush and, in some cases, side brushes or wrap-around brushes. Next is a protectant, which creates a thin protective film over a vehicle's surface. Protectants generally repel water, which assists in drying the car and aiding in the driver's ability to see through their windshield during rain. A low-end wax or clear coat protectant follows the primary protectant. A drying agent is typically applied at the end of the tunnel to remove water from the vehicle's surface before forced air drying. After the drying agent, there may be a "spot-free" rinse of soft water that has been filtered of the salts usually present and sent through semi-permeable membranes to produce highly purified water that will not leave spots.
Dryers may be present in various forms, such as stationary gantries with a contouring roof jet or small circular assemblies with nozzles of different shapes and sizes mounted on arches. Mitters, side brushes, top brushes, and/or wraps outfitted with chamois- or microfiber-based material may follow the dryers.
At "full-service" car washes, the car's exterior is washed mechanically, by hand, or using a combination of both, with attendants available to dry the vehicle manually and clean the interior. Many full-service car washes also provide "detailing" services, which may include polishing and waxing the car's exterior by hand or machine, shampooing,[16] and steaming interiors as well as other services to provide thorough cleaning and protection to the car.
[
edit
]
A touchless in-bay automatic car washLike soft-touch car washes, touchless car washes are automated, with the vehicle passing through a tunnel where it is cleaned. However, touchless car washes do not use the foam or cloth applicators that soft-touch washes use; instead, they rely on high-pressure washers to clean and rinse the vehicle. Sensors utilized by these washes allow for a more precise clean along with the vehicle's exact shape.[17] To compensate for not physically contacting the vehicle, touchless washes use higher pressures and more caustic detergents than ordinary car washes.[18] Because the vehicle is not physically touched during a touchless wash, the vehicle is at a lower risk of being damaged. However, touchless washes have a harder time cleaning off tougher materials or reaching difficult-to-reach locations on vehicles, and their usage of stronger chemicals can potentially damage a vehicle's paint finish.[17][19]
[
edit
]
The primary environmental considerations for car washing are:
The use of water supplies and energy is self-evident since car washes are users of such resources. The professional car wash industry has made strides in reducing its environmental footprint, a trend that will continue accelerating due to regulation and consumer demand. Many car washes use water reclamation systems to significantly reduce water usage and a variety of energy usage reduction technologies.[20] These systems may be mandatory where water restrictions are in place.
Contamination of surface waters may arise from the rinse discharging to storm drains, which eventually drain to rivers and lakes. Chief pollutants in such wash-water include phosphates; oil and grease; and lead. This is almost exclusively an issue for home/driveway washing and parking lot-style charity washes. Professional carwashing is a point source of discharge that can capture these contaminants, generally in interceptor drains, so the contaminants can be removed before the water enters sanitary systems. (Water and contaminants that enter stormwater drains are not treated and released directly into rivers, lakes, and streams.)
Soil contamination is sometimes related to such surface runoff and is associated with soil contamination from underground fuel tanks or auto servicing operations which commonly are ancillary uses of car wash sites &#; but not an issue for car washing.
For these reasons, countries like Switzerland and Germany have banned citizens from washing their cars at home.[21] In the US, some state and local environmental groups (the most notable being the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection) have begun campaigns to encourage consumers to use professional car washes as opposed to driveway washing, including moving charity car wash fundraisers from parking lots to professional car washes. Poland, Portugal, Italy, and many other countries have no regulations regarding wastewater from car washing.[21]
An abandoned self-serve car wash in Houston, Texas
[
edit
]
[
edit
]
Are you interested in learning more about Automatic Touchless Car Wash Equipment? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!