Here at Turtle Wax Pro, we understand the difficulty in succeeding within the car wash industry, and especially in trying to stand out in the market.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
The car wash space has many substitutes available to consumers, ranging from self serve to full automated washes. This creates the need for your wash to stand out in the eye of consumers.
Advertising can be a great way to increase business as your potential audience can be attracted and enticed towards your car wash over another!
By targeting consumers with specific and different forms of ads, businesses can attract new customers and grow their business in ways they could not done before.
Advertisements are not only for gaining new customers, they can be essential for building general brand awareness and improving loyalty for your existing users.
In this article, we'll be walking you through why advertising is important, how you can use advertising to strengthen your business, and how you can start creating impactful advertisements.
There are over 25,000 car washes in the United States alone. The industry employs over 150,000 people and generates over $9 billion in annual revenue.
Even now, growth is still occurring at a rapid pace. In fact, the industry is expected to grow by 3% every year.
This growth is driven by the rise in vehicle ownership, increase in per capita income, and the need for car owners to maintain their vehicles.
With the right car wash advertising strategy, businesses can tap into this growing market and improve their bottom line.
Despite the large size of the market, the car wash industry is very fragmented.
The top 50 companies account for less than 20% of the total market share. This leaves a large opportunity for small and medium sized businesses to increase their market share.
There are many different types of car washes, from self-service to full-service. There are also a variety of different services that you can offer, from express wash to detailing.
No matter what type of car wash you have, there are plenty of things you can do to increase business and market share.
If you run a car wash, you know that competition is fierce.
Many car washes are going out of business because they can’t keep up with the competition and provide quality services at reasonable prices.
Advertising is a way to help ensure that your wash stays competitive and has a consistent flow of customers.
Advertising allows your car wash business to attract new customers, customers from competing businesses and may even stop current customers from going elsewhere. .
Unfortunately, many local businesses are going out of business because they haven’t been able to keep up with the competition as there likely are many car wash options to choose from in any given area.
Standing out is difficult, but is a must to attract customers.
If you want your car wash to be successful, you need to offer quality services at reasonable prices.
Unfortunately, many car washes are going out of business because they can’t keep up with the competition and provide quality services at reasonable prices.
In a competitive market like the car wash market, there are many substitutions present. That means for customers to choose your wash, you must provide a great wash at a great price.
The first step to increasing business is to make sure that customers are aware of your car wash. Advertising can be a great way to do this.
There are many different ways to advertise and utilizing a mix of methods is the best way to ensure results.
First, businesses should consider what type of ad would be most effective for reaching their market.
The type of car wash will dictate exactly what type of ad to use. For example, a self service car wash may have a different marketing strategy than a full service car wash.
Second, businesses should make sure that their ads are creative and attention-grabbing.
Attractive visuals, key words, free services (or discounted) will all be attention grabbing to your audience.
Finally, businesses should track the results of their car wash advertising campaigns to ensure that they are effective.
Trial and error is sometimes the only way to succeed.
An important thing to remember when it comes to advertising car washes is that not all methods will work for every business. If you want more customers, it is important to experiment with different types of ads and see what works best for your company.
There are a variety of different ways to advertise your car wash.
You can use print ads, radio spots, social media campaigns, and outdoor signage, just to name a few.
By using a variety of car wash marketing techniques, you can reach a wider audience and bring in more customers who will appreciate the convenience and quality of your car wash service.
One way to advertise your car wash is through print ads. You can place ads in newspapers, magazines, or even direct mailers. Make sure to include your car wash’s name, address, and number so customers can easily find you.
Distributing flyers in the local area is also a great way to promote your car wash.
You can also include a coupon or special offer in your print ad to entice new business to try out your services. For example, you could offer a discount for first-time customers or a free car wash with the purchase of a detailing package.
Another way to reach customers is through radio spots. You can buy airtime on local radio stations and create ads that will play during drive time.
Like print ads, make sure to include your car wash’s name, address, and number in your radio spot so customers can easily find you. You can also include a sales promotion within it, to cause more listeners to act.
In today’s world, social media is a powerful marketing tool. You can use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to reach customers. Other social media sites such as LinkedIn and TikTok could prove to be useful car wash marketing tools as well.
Social media accounts are crucial for car washes because they provide a way to connect with customers and promote deals or discounts.
When creating social media posts, be sure to use attractive visuals and persuasive copy. You want to grab people’s attention and make them want to learn more about your car wash.
Make sure to include a call-to-action in your posts, such as “Visit our website to learn more” or showcasing particular services that customers will love to have done to their vehicles.
Another way to reach potential customers is through outdoor signage. You can place banners, signs, and flags around your car wash to grab people’s attention.
Make sure your signage is visible and legible from a distance. You want people to be able to see it and read it easily so they know what your business is and what services you offer.
You can also use outdoor signage to promote special services such as your for top of the line package.
Many companies (including Turtle Wax Pro) have outdoor signages that are very appealing to the eye and showcase a premium nature to them, which cause customers to try them out.
By using a variety of advertising techniques, you can reach a wider audience and bring in more customers to your car wash which will aid in succeeding even in the most competitive market.
Here are a few ideas of what you can include in your car wash ad:
Having a variety of these ideas can help your ad stand out from your competitors and help drive sales.
Your tagline or slogan should be easily recognizable, so customers can remember it and associate it with your brand.
It should be reflective of what your company does or what you want your company to be known for. Whether it be affordable rates or the best cleaning job in town.
Also, your tagline or slogan should be reflective of your company’s values. (ex: environmentally focused)
The aspects that make your car wash different than the one down the road should be included in your advertisements.
You may be a local business, the only one using a specific brand of products, touchless as opposed to using brushes, an established brand, or vastly more experienced.
Small businesses have the opportunity to focus on community service or being more personal with their customers. Thus, many consumers choose to support small businesses over other options.
These are all examples of characteristics that make your car wash business stand out and are potential reasons why customers will choose you over another.
The car wash marketing strategies mentioned before are significant in bringing awareness to your wash. But you might already have the basics covered, or maybe you want to try something different to set your business apart.
If that’s the case, here are some unique advertising ideas for your car wash business:
One way to get your car wash’s name out there is by sponsoring a local school sports team or another popular attraction in your area.
This could be anything from Little League to the local school. By having your name on their jerseys or arena, you’ll be getting great exposure to both new customers and existing customers.
Another way to advertise your business is by hosting a grand opening event (for a new business) or anniversary event. This is an exciting way to get new customers in the door and try out your car wash for the first time.
At special events, you can offer special pricing, freebies, free food, or other activities to bring in larger crowds. You can also use special events like these as an opportunity to introduce any new services or products you might be offering.
One way to endear your business to your target audience is by getting involved in the community. This could be anything from sponsoring a charity event to hosting a food drive.
By giving back to the community, you’ll not only be helping others, but you’ll also be gaining some good publicity for your business. This is a great way to build brand awareness and loyalty among possible customers and your customer base.
Not many people can turn down something free. By giving away a free wash for their first wash, you encourage customers to try out your service.
This way they can compare your car wash to the one they typically use, and if your service is of good quality, consumers will continue for paid washes.
A rewards program is a great way to encourage current customers to continue using your wash. By offering a discount coupon or freebies after a certain number of visits, you’ll be sure to see customers coming back.
Having a loyalty program is also a great way to upsell customers on other services or products you might offer.
You can promote your loyalty club on your business website, on social media, or through in-store signage. This is a great way to increase your number of returning customers and build customer loyalty.
Thinking outside the box can separate you from the rest of the competition, and get your car wash business out in a way no one else can.
Implementing a strong marketing strategy to ultimately increase business for you car wash can be difficult.
Transchem and Turtle Wax Pro are not only car wash suppliers, we are companies dedicated in helping your business succeed.
We understand that just owning a car wash is only a small fraction behind operating a car wash, marketing it is a must.
We have decades of experience helping car washes of all types and sizes, and thus, can provide a superior level of guidance that can help your car wash business gain market share and increase customers.
It's obvious how important advertising is to suceeding in the car wash market. By utilizing some of the advertising ideas mentioned, you can increase brand awareness to your car wash and bring in more traffic.
Advertising is an incredible powerful tool that can skyrocket the success of your business. If you believe that your car wash business could improve it's advertising, don't hesitate to get in contact with us! We at Transchem and Turtle Wax Pro can provide some guidance on how to seperate yourself from the rest of the market.
There are a variety of ways to clean cars, but one option in particular has been gaining a lot of traction in recent years.
It's the tunnel car wash!
Tunnel washes are automatic car wash systems stretched through a tunnel ranging from 60' to 250'+ where each section of the tunnel applies a different chemical or service.
Tunnels are popular because they are quick and efficient, allowing many vehicles to pass through at once.
Let's discuss the tunnel in detail and explore the benefits it offers to the car wash operator.
A tunnel car wash is an automated car wash that uses conveyor belts to move the vehicle through a series of cleaning stations.
Tunnels are typically much larger than other types of car washes, and can wash up to a dozen cars at a time.
Soft Cloth (or friction) is the most common type of tunnel system. As the name suggests, it uses soft cloths instead of brushes to clean the vehicle.
The benefit of using these soft cloths is that they are less likely to damage the paintwork on the car of the customer, when compared to brushes and nylon bristles that were common years ago.
A touchless tunnel system uses high-pressure water and chemistry to clean the vehicle, without any physical contact during washing. This is a great option for people who are worried about their car being scratched or damaged by any of the tunnel components.
A full service wash offers a complete package of extra services that includes everything from vacuuming the interior to washing and drying the exterior. At a full service wash, employee's will take the car from the customer and perform all the included services.
A flex service wash allows the customer to choose which extra services they want, such as just an exterior washing or just a vacuum.
An express exterior tunnel is exactly what it sounds like - a quick wash for the outside of your car.
A full service wash can offer the best customer experience. You deliver the car back to the customer nearly brand new with a full interior and exterior cleaning. Express washes are the quickest and most convenient. Flex service washes fall somewhere in the middle.
Touchless car washes work by using a series of high-pressure nozzles to spray the vehicle with water and chemicals. The nozzles are controlled by a computer and can target specific areas of the car for a complete clean.
Touchless detergents are also designed to break down dirt and grime without the need for agitation and scrubbing which helps this process work so well.
However, the one downside is some tough dirt and grime may be too difficult to remove in a touchless wash.
Now that we've discussed the different types of washes; let's take a look at some of the benefits of using them:
If you're short on time, this is a great option as you simply ride through the tunnel. Each stage will take care of your car until its clean, shiny and dry!
Tunnel systems are typically quite low-cost for customers, especially when you consider the speed and effectiveness.
Tunnels are very safe for your vehicle as they are either touchless or use soft cloths to clean vehicles.
Though tunnel and self serve are both viable options for you to clean cars, how do they compare?
Tunnels can clean cars significantly quicker than a self-serve wash. Depending on the length of tunnel and speed of the conveyor, some washes can clean upwards of 100 cars per hour.
This is because the conveyor belts and sequence of equipment in a wash execute the whole process much more swiftly than one individual performing it alone.
Tunnels are much easier to use than self serve as you don't have to do anything but drive your vehicle into the tunnel.
In a self serve wash, you have to apply the soap and rinse down the vehicle yourself.
Tunnel washes are typically more expensive than self serve washes. The increase in price is due to the fact that they offer a much higher level of convenience and efficiency.
You can expect your wash type to have a minor impact on the final result, although it may have a significant influence on certain additional aspects such as your time, effort and money.
This is a common myth about tunnels, but the answer is no - they will not scratch your paint!
As we discussed earlier, most tunnels use either soft cloths or touchless high-pressure water to deliver clean vehicles.
Both of these methods are gentle enough that they will not damage or scratch your vehicle in any way.
In reality, frequent usage of a car wash may help to protect your paintwork and clear coat by removing grime and dirt that might harm the finish if left for an extended period.
Now that we've answered some common questions about tunnel washes, you might be wondering if owning one is a good business decision.
The answer is yes - owning a tunnel car wash can be a very profitable business! There are a few reasons for this:
Tunnel components are built to last and typically require very little maintenance. This means you'll save money on repairs and replacements over time. Make sure you combine this with chemistry that doesn't use harsh acids to help prolong the life of your equipment.
It also means less down time as you won't have to close the wash for maintenance as often. This obviously leads to higher revenue.
There is always a high demand for car washes, especially in busy cities. This means that you will always have potential customers.
Demand for car washes has increased in recent years as people are becoming more aware of the importance of maintaining their vehicles.
This is good news for those considering opening a tunnel car wash business!
Tunnels work so efficiently that you will be able to clean many more cars per hour!
Unlike in-bay automatic and self serve options, there is less likely be a line for customers to wait in. This can translate into a larger amount of sales and a high customer satisfaction rate.
While there are many upsides to owning a tunnel car wash, there are also a few downsides that you should be aware of:
Tunnels can be quite expensive to set up. This is because they require specialized equipment and a lot of land.
If you're not prepared for the initial high costs, then owning a tunnel car wash might not be the right choice for you.
A good initial starting point for a simple tunnel could be around $400,000 plus the cost of the land. This can vary wildly up to several million dollars for larger tunnels.
Tunnels are very complex and require specialized training to operate.
This means that you will need to spend time and money on training yourself and your employees how to use the equipment correctly.
Make sure to check out the Turtle Wax Pro Learning Center to start your basic training!
When it comes to establishing a tunnel car wash, there are several things to consider. But one of the more important choices is your manufacturers.
Your manufacturer will be the one giving you chemistry, among other services like training and carwash equipment. This will dictate the level of service you can provide.
Turtle Wax Pro is one of the leading providers in the professional car wash industry and has been supporting automatic car washes of all kinds, including tunnel systems for years.
We pride ourselves on having the most innovative and eco-friendly car wash chemicals in the industry. We offer a wide range of chemicals that aid car washes all over the world in achieving their goals.
Our soaps and other products are designed to work together to create the ultimate clean. Each product primes the next one by preparing the surface of the vehicle for the next product, resulting in the perfect wash.
Turtle Wax Pro is dedicated to helping your business achieve its goals, and deliver your customers the cleanest, driest, and shiniest cars.
That includes a full dedicated initial training session along with ongoing support for your car wash equipment.
We would be happy to discuss the details behind your tunnel, relating to everything from chemistry to equipment to marketing. If you're considering entering the wash industry, feel free to contact us anytime!
The car wash industry is adopting express tunnels as the next big thing. Customers love them for their speed and efficiency, and owners for the amount of traffic they can handle and revenue they can generate.
Tunnel car washing holds numerous benefits that other types of washes cannot compete with. If you're thinking of entering the car wash industry, a tunnel might be the best option for you!
Entering and competing in the wash industry can be difficult but tunnels can be very rewarding. With their increasing popularity, tunnels may even become the new industry standard.
One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is using a great supplier like Turtle Wax Pro. The science, and expertise we provide is a surefire approach to differentiate your wash from the competition.
If you have any questions about tunnels, we would be happy to answer them. Thanks for reading!
Running a car wash business can be lucrative, but it's important to find the right car wash supplier in order to make your business successful.
There are many different suppliers out there, so it can be difficult to determine which one is right for you.
Turtle Wax Pro is a great option to help supply your car wash. We offer the highest quality chemistry on the market, have decades of experience of helping wash businesses succeed, and have strong healthy relationships with our customers.
These are all key factors to look for when searching for a supplier and we believe that Turtle Wax Pro and Transchem Group can be the best supplier for you.
If you're in the car wash business, then you know that finding the right supplier is essential. Let's go over some key considerations to look for when choosing a supplier.
The car wash industry is a competitive one, so it's important to find a car wash supplier that can give you an edge over your competition. One way to do this is by choosing a supplier that offers unique products or services.
Car washes with no unique selling proposition are very common. You must find things that separate you from other washes if you want to succeed. The right supplier can offer you competitive prices, quality supplies, equipment, support, advice, site signage, marketing help and more that can give you a leg up in business.
It's also important to choose a supplier that is reputable, has a long track record of industry wins and wants to be a true partner. Businesses succeed when they have long-term relationships with their suppliers. A reputable supplier will be able to more effectively provide you with the resources and support you need to grow your business.
You can learn a lot about a supplier by reading online reviews, case studies and testimonials from other car wash business owners. Make sure to read both positive and negative reviews in order to get a well-rounded view of the supplier.
You should also take the time to speak with other wash owners who have used the supplier. They will be able to provide you with first-hand information about their customer experience.
"When I built our first car wash in I was looking for a chemical company that could provide knowledge, dependability, service, value and high quality safe products. The Turtle Wax Pro team and Transchem delivered and for over 30 years has been our chemical suppler of choice, they've never let us down. When it comes to a soap provider you can count on day in and day out I couldn't think of a better company than Turtle Wax Pro and Transchem." - Mike Black, Founder/Owner at Valet Car Washes
The chemicals dictate the final wash product you can offer your customers. The goal of achieving the perfect wash can only be met with high quality chemistry that all works together.
When choosing a car wash supplier, you should consider the quality of the products that they offer. The last thing you want is your customers' cars to be damaged by poor car wash chemicals.
Every car wash has staple products like presoaks and detergents but car washes can really differentiate themselves by offering unique items like fragrances, ceramics, and tire dressings.
Think about which products in particular you want to offer your customer, that decision may direct you to a particular company that carries specific supplies.
There are so many products to choose from, we recommend getting in contact with a couple of car wash chemical manufacturers before deciding on any products.
Some companies can have hundreds of SKUs but you'll need to narrow your decision down to between 5 and 15 core chemicals for your wash.
The Turtle Wax Pro lineup offers more than 40 highly diverse chemicals alongside other individual chemical solutions.
This allows us to stay competitive with other industry prices, stock more product, ship faster, provide more in-depth service and streamline our operation to help you clean more cars.
The car wash industry is always changing and car wash equipment is becoming more advanced. You'll want to make sure that the supplier you choose offers the latest and greatest in car wash equipment.
This could include pressure washers, car wash pumps or central vacuum systems for detailing services. This will ensure that your customers are getting the best possible car wash experience.
Having to buy new equipment is expensive and time consuming so it's important to get it right the first time.
Maintenance solutions are also important to consider when choosing a supplier. Make sure your supplier has a good relationship with one or more local distributors in your area to service and repair your equipment on a regular basis.
It's also important to find a supplier who offers training on how to use the car wash equipment. This will ensure that your team is able to properly operate the car wash equipment and provide a great experience for your customers.
Turtle Wax Pro offers in-depth training on chemistry, installation, service, business operations and more to our partners (the distributors and operators we work with). This should create reliability for you and your employees when it comes to any problems that could arise.
For more information, please visit Cartsfun.
Perhaps you want to own a truck wash as well? A truck wash will need different equipment than a standard car wash. How easy is it to receive repair parts? How detailed are the product manuals? How quick is installation?
These are all factors you will want to consider when evaluating the right supplier. It can be challenging to know what is the right equipment and we recommend contacting a supplier (like Turtle Wax Pro) before you decide on anything.
Last but not least, you should consider your ideal customer experience when choosing a supplier. What type of experience do you want to offer your customers?
Do you want to offer a luxury wash experience or a more basic wash experience? This will help you determine which car wash supplies, equipment and add-ons you'll need to purchase.
All of these aspects are what separates the industry leaders from the rest.
Turtle Wax Pro is one of the most trusted car care brands in the world with expertise to drive more sales and gain market share around the world.
We strive to be the best supplier possible to all of our partners, operators and distributors. We do this by offering the best chemistry on the market, high quality car wash equipment, and knowledge from our dedicated sales and service teams.
Picking the right supplier can be a tough process but will prove to be very rewarding if done correctly. We hope that we cleared up some questions you had and have given you a bit of direction on how to choose a high quality partner.
If you have any questions about your car wash regarding anything from products to strategy, don't hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to discuss how you can find even more success within the car wash industry.
Cleaning vehicles is the best way to maintain them and keep them looking like new. The best car wash soaps will remove dirt, grime, and other buildup without damaging the paint or clear coat.
Turtle Wax Pro has been a providing high quality chemistry for over 75 years. Our products achieve better results than the rest on the market while being formulated without any phosphates, hydrofluoric acid or ammonium bifluoride.
Turtle Wax Pro is just one option and many people will have their own opinion on the the top rated car wash soap. There is a never-ending amount of choices for car care products. Hopefully this list of criteria will help you reach a decision on the best car wash soap for you.
Car wash soap (or car shampoo) is a specially formulated detergent that is designed to remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants from your vehicle's surface.
It is important to use a car wash soap that is specifically designed for washing cars because regular household detergents can actually damage your car's paint and finish.
Soap and detergent are both cleaning products, but they are made from different materials and have different purposes.
Soap is made from natural materials like vegetable oils or animal fats. It is effective at cleaning dirt and grease, and it is biodegradable.
Detergent, on the other hand, is made from synthetic materials and is designed to clean in more difficult water situations. It is also more effective at cleaning oily stains.
For the purposes of this article you may see us refer to our products colloquially (informally), as both soap and detergent, but Turtle Wax Pro products are formulated as detergents!
Car washing may seem like a simple task but the details do matter. Using the right soap to clean vehicles is a basic but vital step in achieving great results.
Obviously, some sort of soap is necessary in order to properly clean a car. A well formulated soap will remove all of the dirt, road grime, dust, swirl marks and insect bits that have built up on a car's surface.
Additionally, car wash liquid is designed to be gentle on a vehicle's surface. It will not strip away wax or polish like some household detergents can.
Road grime, dirt and other contaminants can be very abrasive, and if not removed properly, can cause damage to your vehicle.
For example, if you live in an area with a lot of clay in the soil, that clay is fine enough that it can become embedded in your vehicle's paint and cause permanent damage.
Let's just say the secret to achieving a spot free car wash is not using dish soap on vehicles.
Dish soap is not designed for vehicles, and can actually strip away the wax or protective coatings on your car. This will leave your car paint unprotected and susceptible to damage.
Dish soap is formulated to remove oil and grease from dishes, which is why it is so effective at cutting through sealants. So while dish soap might get your car clean in the short term, it will actually cause more damage in the long run.
The process for a DIY car wash and a professional car wash are actually quite similar. The main difference is the amount of water and soap that is used.
Automated car washes will have machinery that will take care of the majority of steps that the DIY or self serve car washer would need to do by hand.
The Turtle Wax Pro team has over 75 years of experience formulating car care products. Our amazing service team are passionate experts that are always on hand to offer advice and support.
We've got a lot of documentation and expertise around our products and cleaning cars. That means we're able to set up any wash to run at peak performance within a short period of time!
At Turtle Wax Pro our detergents are all hyper-concentrated. This means that you need less detergent to achieve the same quality results when compared to other brands.
It is also important to discuss how car wash soaps can differ. In short, there are three main types of car wash soap:
When it comes to car care, you get what you pay for. Investing in a high quality commercial car wash soap will save you money in all the ways we've previously mentioned. It also offers the best results to make your customers keep coming back for more. Keep in mind it is possible to offer an affordable car wash even with premium soaps.
The amount of options for car wash soaps on the market today can be overwhelming. However, the importance of choosing a high quality car wash soap can not be overstated.
Turtle Wax Pro is a car wash chemical manufacturer that produces premium car wash soaps, shampoos, detergents, waxes, ceramics, drying agents, finishing products and other surface protection products.
We've been doing it for decades.
Our products are formulated with the latest car care technology to deliver outstanding results and our team of experts are always available to answer any questions you may have.
We're passionate about what we do and we want to help you get the most out of your car wash business. We know that our success is built on your success.
The car care industry is a competitive one and choosing the right products can make or break your business.
If you're using lower quality car wash soaps, shampoos, and other products it will reflect in the quality of your car wash.
Your customers will notice this and it will ultimately hurt your bottom line.
The goal for everyone in the car wash industry is to be able to provide consumers with the perfect wash. There are numerous aspects to consistently providing that level of service and your chemistry is the backbone.
To achieve the ultimate wash, you don't just need quality products. You also need those products to work together in harmony.
Turtle Wax Pro products are never formulated on their own and often go through months or years of testing alongside our existing products. This ensures that they will play nice with each other and provide you with the results that you expect.
There are a few things you'll want to keep in mind when choosing the proper car wash soap for you.
The ideal frequency for the best car wash is about once per week.
This ensures that the customer's car is getting cleaned on a regular basis and the finishing products are working properly to protect and maintain the paint.
Turtle Wax Pro products are formulated with this frequency in mind.
Without getting too heavily into the science, washing a car regularly will actually make the car easier to clean and shinier with each additional wash.*
If being green is important to you then you'll want to look for a commercial car wash detergent that is biodegradable and gentle on the environment.
These soaps are just as effective at cleaning your car but won't have a negative impact on the planet.
Turtle Wax Pro is proud to say that all of our products are formulated with the environment in mind. The majority of our North American product lineup is Ecologo Certified. A certification that we drafted with regulators for high levels of environmental consciousness.
Water quality will differ based on your location. If you're using city water then it's likely that the water is already pretty hard.
This means that it has a higher concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium. If you live in an area with softer water, then you don't have to worry about this as much.
It's important to be mindful of what water you have and if you should make any changes to it before you decide to run your car wash business.
Most car wash soaps will not be as effective when used with hard water and will fail to produce the thick foam required for total surface coverage. There are some specially formulated soaps that are designed to work with hard water, but typically we recommend installing some type of water solution instead.
These options will remove or modify minerals from the water that cause it to be hard, and will leave you with water that's ideal for a spot free wash.
The short answer is: no it won't. Since soap is meant to clean, you may think any finishing product (car wax or ceramic) that was previously applied may be compromised after a wash.
Waxes and sealants are designed to form a barrier between the painted surface and the elements. They often protect against UV rays, water spots, bird droppings and road film that could potentially damage a car's surface.
As long as you're using a quality detergent that is designed for use with protected surfaces, you will not damage the wax or sealant. In fact, regular car washing is actually beneficial for maintaining the longevity of these products.*
But if you use the wrong kind of soap, it is possible that it could remove that protective barrier.
You may have a specific need that an ordinary soap cannot supply. We'll go through the common different specialized soaps. As well as explaining when you might want to use them.
As the name implies, these soaps are designed to both clean and protect your car in one step.
Wash and wax car soaps typically contain Carnauba wax, which is a natural form of protection for your car's paint. But the wax formula can differ depending on the product.
With a wash and wax product it is generally hard to achieve a streak free finish or avoid swirl marks due to it's application process.
Pure carnauba is one of the hardest, most durable forms of protection you can put on your car. It's often used in products that are designed to protect the paint on boats and other vehicles that are exposed to harsh conditions.
So, if you're looking for a soap that will both clean and protect your car's paint but also be a low commitment method to achieving that wax protection, wash and wax soaps might be the right choice.
However, the wax protection wash and wax soaps provide is not as durable or long lasting as other surface protectants. Premium carnauba wax can last up to 12 months but will likely last much less time in wax soap combination product.
As we mentioned before, if you live in an area with hard water, you'll need to take that into consideration when operating your car wash.
Most auto soap will not be as effective when used with hard water. Hard water affects the quality of your chemistry and could be a major factor in producing lacklustre cleaning results.
A water softener or reverse osmosis system are recommended solutions for water hardness, but there are some special car wash soaps that are designed to work with hard water.
Hard water soaps are formulated to be slightly more acidic than other car wash soaps. This helps to break down the minerals in hard water that can cause streaking and spots on the car's paint job.
Iron stains can become apparent on vehicles, especially on car wheels. While regular car wash soaps can help to remove some of the brake dust and grime that builds up on wheels, they are not always effective at removing iron stains.
A wheel cleaner is a specialized product that is designed to remove these types of stains. Wheel cleaners typically contain an acid, which helps to break down the iron molecules that cause the staining.
Most wheel cleaners are safe to use on all types of wheels, but it is always best to read the product label to be sure.
A waterless car wash soap is a quick and easy way to clean your car without having to do a rinse wash at the end. As the name suggests, you don't need water (or very little) to use these soaps.
Waterless washes are perfect for people who want to clean their car but don't have access to a hose or water source. Some waterless washes also come in a foaming formula, which makes them even easier to use.
A no rinse wash product is also a good option if you purposely want to avoid using water altogether. You simply spray the soap on your car and wipe it off with a microfiber towel/wash mitt.
pH is a scale that is used to measure how acidic or basic (not the white girl kind) a solution is. It is an important aspect to consider when looking at the proper car wash soap for your business.
The scale goes from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, 14 being the most basic, and pH level of seven being neutral.
We will do a complete breakdown of how pH level affects cleaning in a future blog post but for now here is a rough breakdown:
Low pH detergents or presoaks are effective at attacking inorganic material found on vehicle surfaces. This includes things like brake dust, road grime, salt and heavy dirt particles. A low pH car wash soap is typically considered to be in the range of 0-4.
High pH soaps are better at attacking organic material, like bugs, grease and tree sap. High pH chemicals are effective at breaking down proteins found in these organic materials. A high pH car wash soap is typically considered to be in the range of 11-14.
There are also some soaps that have a neutral pH level (also known as pH balanced). A pH neutral formula can be used on all types of cars, regardless of how dirty they are.
pH balanced soaps won't be as effective at attacking either inorganic or organic materials, but they are a good option for people who want an all-purpose soap for the entire car.
Neutral pH soaps typically have a pH level of around five to eight.
Picking the best car wash soap by pH level depends entirely on your wash setup, location, water quality, and what type of dirt/grime you are trying to remove.
For the ultimate wash it will be best to use both a low pH and high pH soap in your wash process. This will ensure that all types of dirt and grime are removed from the vehicle.
In most situations it's best to start with the high pH cleaners and work towards creating a low pH environment to help the finishing products adhere to the vehicle's surface.
We recommend getting in touch with a car wash chemical supplier like Turtle Wax Pro to see what kind setup is right for you.
Hyper-concentrated car wash soap is the future of the car wash industry.
It involves the chemicals being in heavily concentrated form (very little water content) and the end-user (car washes) diluting the concentration to the correct ratio.
This ensures every ounce of a product applied to a vehicle is cleaning efficiently with less water, while producing even better results.
We highly recommend you look at a company that uses hyper-concentration for its chemistry for all of these benefits.
The best car wash soap is an opinionated topic. We at Turtle Wax Pro truly believe we offer the best car wash soap on the market.
The truly amazing part of our soap options is that:
The significance that soap holds to a car wash cannot be overstated. It is essential for keeping vehicles not only clean and shiny but also for maintaining the vehicle's finish.
The car wash formula you choose will depend on the kind of car wash you have, as well as what you want to include in your wash process.
That's right, the soap included in that car wash kit might not the right choice for you.
The process of choosing the best car wash products can be tricky but we are here to help.
Contact us today to learn more about our top car wash soaps and how to choose the right chemistry for your business.
*Finishing products like waxes and ceramics create a hydrophobic barrier on the car's finish. This protective coating helps repel water and dirt, making it harder for contaminants to reach and stick to the surface of a vehicle. This makes them continually easier to remove after each wash.
Throughout the article I hope to answer the following questions:
With that, let’s dive in!
There are 3 primary car wash business models:
Now it is possible to mix and match these 3 business models in your car wash business plan as well as add additional services like interior cleaning, detailing, etc, but for the sake of simplicity we are going to focus on these 3 models.
A self-serve bay car wash is simply an open bay that allows you to pull in your vehicle, pay for the type of wash or amount of time you need in the bay, and then provides equipment like a sprayer, brush and vacuum to allow you to wash your car on your own. Typically, this is the cheapest car wash option for a customer. This model will also have the lowest startup costs and operating costs when compared to Automatic or Tunnel based car washes.
A self-serve car wash can be a truly passive business as you shouldn’t need any employees and the equipment is designed to operate on its own.
Although a Self-serve bay car wash is probably the lowest start cost and the most passive business model, it is likely the least popular car wash model with consumers. Your upside will be lower, but you will also have less downside risk with this model.
An In-Bay Automatic (IBA) car wash allows you to pull in a vehicle, park, and the equipment will move around the vehicle to wash the car. The upside is that the customer can stay in the car and won’t have to wash the vehicle manually. The automatic car wash will also be faster for the customer. Often you can see an in-bay automatic car wash as part of a gas station or oil change operation, but it could also be operated as a stand alone car wash business.
This type of model can also be a passive business with little to no employees.
The startup cost will be greater per bay than a self-serve model, but the revenue opportunity will also likely be higher because you can charge a higher rate per wash for an automatic wash compared to a manual wash.
A tunnel car wash allows a driver to pull onto a track that will then move the vehicle through a tunnel with equipment washing and drying the car along the way. A tunnel car wash will have the highest startup costs of the three car wash models, but it will also likely have the highest capacity and revenue potential.
Let’s look at the differences in startup costs between the different models.
The cost to start a car wash can range from $50,000 to $7 million.
The massive range is related to the type of car wash model you start along with the variability in the cost of land for the car wash. Below is a list of potential car wash startup expenses that you should consider.
Here is a general list of car wash startup expenses to give you an idea of what to expect, though the specific costs will vary based on location, scale, and business model:
Of course your specific startup expense will differ depending on your business model. Let’s look at each model individually.
For a self-service car wash you can expect $15,000 to $25,000 in equipment per bay, $25,000 for the simplest of building structures, plus the cost of land according to ISS.
For an in-bay automatic car wash you are looking at a minimum of $250,000 per bay according to ISS. They estimate roughly $150,000 in equipment plus a $100,000 building as a minimum startup cost.
The startup costs for a tunnel car wash can range from $2.5 million to $7 million according to Car Wash Advisory. Those startup costs can be broken down into the following categories that we have built into our car wash pro forma template:
These startup expenses can be entered into the fixed asset section of our pro forma as seen below:
Now that we have a rough idea of the startup costs associated with the varying car wash models, you might be thinking about buying a car wash instead of starting from scratch.
Now that we have taken a look at what it would take to start a new car wash business, you might want to consider buying a car wash instead. There are a few key questions related to buying a car wash that I want to hit on:
Let’s take a closer look.
Fortunately there are many car wash businesses available for sale and easily accessible. BizBuySell lists hundreds of car wash businesses available for sale. As you can see from the screenshot below they have different types of wash businesses available including self wash, automatic tunnel washes, semi truck wash businesses and everything in between.
Car wash businesses can cost between $40,000 and $11 million to purchase.
I found this huge range of pricing simply by sorting the car wash businesses available for sale on BizBuySell by price. The lowest priced single car wash was a 3 bay self service car wash priced at $40,000 up to a single unit tunnel car wash built 3 years ago that was listed at $11 million.
Since the range in pricing can vary so dramatically, what we really want to know is how are car wash prices typically determined?
Car washes are typically valued at 4.6 to 6x EBITDA according to Carwash.com
Once you find a car wash that you are interested in, you will need to find a way to finance the acquisition. My favorite financing option is an SBA loan. The SBA 7a loan program will allow you to borrow up to $5 million to acquire a carwash business. You should expect to invest 10% of the purchase price into the deal from your own savings or from outside investors that you are bringing into the deal.
Resource: Top SBA Lenders for Car Washes
We have been highlighting our car wash specific financial model so far, but if you are acquiring an existing car wash, our acquisition financial projection spreadsheet will serve you well. You can enter historical revenue and expenses and use that as a base to forecast your financials from. This model will give you everything you need in order to apply for an SBA loan.
Once you land on starting new or buying an existing car wash, the next thing you will want to know is how much can my car wash generate in sales.
Revenue between the 3 different models of car washes can vary dramatically. We like to find industry experts that provide revenue forecasts, but we also like to build out revenue assumptions from the ground up as well in order to provide a reality check. First, let’s look at some industry expert revenue forecasts for each of the three car wash models:
According to Dultmeier it takes a population of 1,000 to 1,500 to support a single bay self serve car wash. They estimate that a self-serve car wash can generate roughly $1,000 to $1,500 per month in revenue per bay. According to Grandview Research, the US car wash industry generates $14.21 billion in revenue annually. With a US population of 332 million, this means the average American spends roughly $43 per year on car washes. Based on that per capita spending, the Dultmeier estimate of roughly a dollar per month per capita for a self service car wash seems to be reasonable.
According to JBS Industries the average in-bay automatic car wash generates roughly $139,000 per year.
An in-bay automatic car wash can generate more revenue than a self service car wash because it can charge a higher rate per wash and will take less time per wash which means the revenue capacity is much higher.
JBS Industries estimates that a tunnel car wash generates $685,000 annually.
The average price per car wash for a tunnel car wash is roughly $15 which allows a tunnel car wash to generate a much higher annual revenue.
Many modern tunnel car washes offer an unlimited wash membership plan. Our car wash financial model allows you to enter in a conversion rate of active customers that you can convert into unlimited wash members as well as distribute between different membership levels if you have more than one membership level offering.
Depending on the location of your car wash seasonality can be a big factor on both revenue and cash flow for your car wash. The average American washes their car 13 times per year; however, this can fluctuate throughout the year. People tend to wash their cars more often during the winter months. In fact, you can see a clear trend using Google Search Trends and looking for “Car wash near me” search volume in a city like Chicago. There are spikes in search volume during the winter months and specifically around snow and ice events when cars are caked with salt and chemicals from the road treatment.
Based on this search data you can see that search volumes are nearly double or triple the average volume during the busiest months during the winter. Our car wash financial model allows you to enter in seasonality adjustments so that you can see the impact on your cash flow projections. As you can see below, you can enter in the average number of car washes per month per active customer during each month of the year.
In this monthly sales forecast chart you can easily visualize the impact of seasonality on your sales depending on your location.
Next, let’s dive into gross profit for a car wash business.
According to Bizfluent the average gross profit for a self service car wash is roughly 70%.
The gross profit can vary depending on the model of car wash you are operating. For both a self serve and in-bay automatic car wash you can expect similar gross profit margins because your only cost of goods sold is the water, utilities, and soap associated with each wash, there is no labor cost component.
With a tunnel car wash you will need to consider the cost of labor per car wash in order to estimate your actual gross profit.
One way to approach this is to estimate the number of washes per hour you expect in a day and then the average labor cost you expect to pay your labor per day. Then divide your total labor cost by the number of washes you expect to have to come up with a cost of labor per wash.
Beyond your cost of goods sold you will also have some operating costs associated with your car wash. This will vary depending on your model, but each model will likely have the following operating costs:
If you operate a tunnel car wash, you will have additional labor costs with salaried positions like a general manager.
It is clear that a tunnel car wash model is going to be the most profitable car wash business model from an absolute dollar amount level, but our car wash financial model will help you actually calculate your profit margin as a percentage of sales and your return on investment once you enter in all of your specific assumptions.
Below you can see an example output of key ratios that will be calculated for you once you input your specific car wash assumptions into the financial model.
According to a report by Auto Laundry News a full service tunnel car wash can generate between $500,000 and $900,000 in annual profits on the high end. On the low end we estimate that a single self service car wash bay can generate $18,000 in annual revenue with a 70% profit margin which means that a small self service car wash should be able to generate $12,600 in annual profit.
As you look to secure a loan or investment for your startup car wash you are probably going to need to produce a set of financial projections. We hope you will give our template a try and contact us if you have any questions along the way. Best of luck!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Self Service Car Wash Machine. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.