Spring2020_SSCWN_web

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2 • SPRING 2020

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SPRING 2020 • 3

CONTENTS
Covid-19 ....................................... 6
Mitigation and
Response Resources
Fun & Games .......................... 10
Selling Your Car Wash .......... 14
Yes, Virginia,
there is life after carwashing
Secrets to Longevity ............. 16
Innovations ............................... 20
Quick Tips ................................ 24
Industry Dirt ............................ 26
Extra! Extra! ............................. 30
Tricks of the Trade ............... 34
Association Calendar
& News ....................................... 46
Cover Story ............................... 54
Going the Distance
Darwin at the Carwash ....... 70
VOL. 47, NO. 2, SPRING 2020
Publisher Jackson Vahaly
Editor Debra Gorgos
Design Katy Barret-Alley
Editor Emeritus Jarret J. Jakubowski
Editor Posthumous Joseph J. Campbell
Editor Posthumous Julia E. Campbell
Self Serve Carwash News is published 4 times
per year and is independently owned by Jackson
Vahaly. Web address is www.sscwn.com.
All inquiries should be directed to:
Self Serve Car Wash News
110 Childs Ln., Franklin, TN 37067
jacksonv@sscwn.com
Note to Self
BY DEBRA GORGOS, EDITOR
It was a Tuesday and my 7 year old was at
catechism class. I was running errands with my
daughter and my phone pinged with a message
from Publisher Jackson Vahaly. He rarely
texts, so I pulled into a parking lot, nervous
that something serious was happening. The Car
Wash Show is canceled, the text read. What in
holy hell? Why?
While the coronavirus was just starting to
make headlines and seep into the everyday vernacular,
it hadn’t yet revealed its massive and
devastating impact. Impact is putting it lightly.
More like abysmal terror. Putting together The
Car Wash Show takes thousands upon thousands
of hours. Like a wedding x 500,000 +
1,000 Met Galas.
This whole “corona” thing cannot be that
bad? I wondered and questioned in the parking
lot. Are they overreacting? Because it was still
early March many things were still business
as usual. I worried about canceling my flight,
wondering if I would get my money back.
Looking back, and realizing this was one of my
first concerns, I realize that my friends and I are
a far cry from the Greatest Generation. Things
will be okay. But, in a swift kick to my optimistic,
yet uninformed outlook for a worldwide virus,
the International Carwash Association was
spot on. Getting to its vendors, exhibitors and
attendees, before real pandemonium struck
was not only kind, but marked the Association
as a pioneer of putting the people first. Lots
and lots of money will be lost and people will
be angry, but lives are at stake. It was a nod
towards collective health tainted with a risk of
a PR insanity, but the risk paid off.
A few weeks later, the cancellation of the
Show was not an isolated incident, but part of
the worldwide “new normal.” A few times, while
trying to homeschool, shop in swift dashes, and
keep my own sanity at bay, I wondered if this
whole thing was just a dream. Are we locked
inside of a movie that, to the audience, seemed
horrific? I have been a Type-1 Diabetic since
I was four years old. I am also a germaphobe.
And, while both diseases are not deadly, they
both prepared me for colossal germ-awareness.
Lysol wipes are my friend. Non-handwashers
were my enemy. But this? This is a whole new
ballgame. And while my own chronic disease
was and always has been at the forefront of my
subconscious, and I worried for my dear father,
a widow and over the age of 70, I have also
been more than sensitive to the plight of small
business owners.
As a car wash owner, I cannot imagine what
you all are going through. Is your car wash essential?
Non-essential? Do you have to wear a
mask? What should my signage say?
State by state, there was no blanketed conclusion
and everyone was left to fend for themselves.
Some of you have stayed the course,
some of you were fined, and others didn’t care
and many of you have worried. One good thing
is that there is a lot of help for small businesses.
And, as cleanliness is now a worldwide objective
and car washes are a worldwide method of
hygiene. Is there a serendipitous chance that the
two notions could work together? Only time
will tell. And, I hope this ‘movie’ ends soon.
In other news, before this pandemic took over,
my family and I traveled to Mexico for winter
break. And, while I would love to expound on
the food, the scenery and music, I instead need
to use this space to revel in the fact that I got
to meet and hang out with an esteemed member
of the car washing and detailing community.
Alan Read, who is originally from Texas, was
for many years the National Sales Manager for
Auto Magic, which was one of the leading detail
chemical companies in the industry, was a
founding member of the Professional Detailing
Association and on the first Board of Directors.
He was also the second president of the PDA.
Not only that, but Read is a veteran, a former
government agent and also a humanitarian, now
spending his time volunteering at local schools.
His tennis skills are nothing to shake a racquet
at either. He teaches tennis and also has a wealth
of knowledge regarding the sport. On the first
full day of our trip, Alan reached out and said he
would love to show my family and I around the
area he now calls ‘home.’ Later that day, Alan
took us on a walk, first to some Mayan ruins,
then to the beach and then took us to a local
eatery where we had the most delicious Mexican
food. We talked detailing, his years with
the PDA, and his years spent serving our country.
He then went on a hunt to scope out local
car washes for this publication. Despite a bad
back, an earlier tennis lesson, hot sticky weather,
and miles upon miles of on-foot travel (he
ditched his vehicle years ago) he even carried
my 65-pound son on his shoulders.
Copyright 2019. 2 Dollar Enterprises/SSCWN. All Rights Reserved
4 • SPRING 2020

Note to Self
Is there anything this man cannot do? Some
people are just magical. They have an unassuming,
welcoming aura. Such people are not in any way
panged with hidden agendas or prejudices. Alan is
one of those people.
Here are Alan’s photos of local car washes in
Playa Del Carmen, Mexico:
Before I sign off, I want thank you so much for
being a part of our readership. I know everything is
so coronavirus heavy and I promise, there are lots
of articles in this issue that do not even mention
the virus. I hope you enjoy it and I hope all of you
are healthy.
Until next time,
Debra
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SPRING 2020 • 5

Around the Wash
COVID-19:
Mitigation and Response Resources
By Kimberly Grizzle, AAI
• • •
The World Health Organization declared
COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The
global economic impact on businesses, and the
path of destruction on human lives remains incomprehensible.
The one thing we do know about
this virus...it does not discriminate, and it continues
to alter life as we know it.
The unforeseen circumstances and consequences
of the coronavirus (COVID-19) are an
eye-opening reminder for any business owner --
understanding the potential risk elements in the
business strategic planning process is crucial. Identify
and evaluate the possibility of risk for an effective
organizational guide to mitigation and management,
business continuity, and crisis response
management.
As COVID-19 intensifies, company leaders
and business owners across the nation are seeking
knowledge, answers, and accurate interpretation
of the information they’re receiving regarding
COVID-19.
The historic $2 trillion stimulus deal has generated
new acronyms; FFRCA, CARES, PPP Loans
-- leaving many business owners scrambling to understand
it all. Employer compliance, small business
loans, paycheck protection program loans,
workplace health and safety, employee leave, responding
to an employee test positive for coronavirus,
and loss of business income coverage are just
a few of the hot topics heard from business owners
and company leaders.
New legislation, employment law, government
assistance resources, state level resources, and evolving
updates can be overwhelming. Breaking it down
into separate categories with an overview highlighting
the available resources, compliance, and action
steps for employers might be easier to digest.
Employers are encouraged to familiarize themselves
with the new Family First Response Coronavirus
Act [FFRCA] requirements to ensure
compliance. The employer must also follow the
CDC recommended guidelines for workplace and
workforce safety.
Families First Response Coronavirus Act
(FFRCA): The Families First Coronavirus Response
Act took effect April 1st. The new federal
law makes important changes to employee leave
policies. These changes are aimed at helping workers
who are sick or need to stay home for childcare
reasons during the coronavirus threat.
Business leaders need to quickly become familiar
with the provisions of the law, as it could grant
up to 12 additional weeks of paid leave to impacted
employees. This includes many employers that
are typically exempt from FMLA. The good news
for employers is that the law requires the federal
government to pay businesses for salary expenses
incurred while employees are on paid leave.
Learn more using these resources from the Federal
Department of Labor.
• Employer Paid Leave Requirements
• Employee Paid Leave Rights
• Employee Leave Request Form
• FFRCA Questions and Answers
Workplace Health and Safety – Control and
Prevention: Prior to COVID-19, employers could
not exclude an employee from working. However,
the pandemic creates an evolving process for
the employer’s right to protect its workforce, and
the obligation to provide a safe workplace. Risk
managers and Human Resources must undertake
a fine balancing act in dealing with the coronavirus
when it comes to the Americans with Disabilities
Act but are being aided by some leniency on the
part of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission.
Measures for protecting workers from exposure
to, and infection with, the novel coronavirus,
COVID-19 depend on the type of work being performed
and exposure risk, including potential for
interaction with infectious people and contamination
of the work environment. Employers should
adapt infection control strategies based on a thorough
hazard assessment, using appropriate combinations
of engineering and administrative controls,
safe work practices, and personal protective equipment
(PPE) to prevent worker exposures. Some
OSHA standards that apply to preventing occu-
6 • SPRING 2020

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SPRING 2020 • 7

pational exposure to COVID-19 also require employers
to train workers on elements of infection
prevention, including PPE. Federal and state agencies
have seen a large influx of workplace safety
complaints related to the COVID-19 outbreak,
and experts urge employers to create exposure
control plans in case an agency comes knocking.
Unlike the flu and common cold, COVID-19 is
considered a recordable illness by the U.S. Occupational
Safety and Health Administration.
• Interim Guidance for Businesses
• Control and Prevention
Responding to an Employee Test Positive
for Coronavirus: As the number of coronavirus
(COVID19) cases continue to increase, employers
are dealing with the difficult situation of responding
to an employee’s positive COVID-19 test.
Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, employers
should be prepared to respond to an employee
testing positive for the disease. By being prepared,
employers can swiftly respond to the employee,
notify the rest of their organization and make
plans for moving forward. The website below provides
an overview of how you can respond to finding
out an employee has COVID-19.
• Guidance for Employers
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act:
• Provides direct assistance to individuals and
families that need it most. Under the bill, a
typical middle-class family of four would get
$3,400 to help them meet their daily expenses.
• Includes emergency funds for food and nutrition
programs so families can continue to get
that help if they need it.
• Provides immediate assistance to childcare
providers to prevent them from going out
of business and supports childcare for families,
including for healthcare workers, first
responders, and others playing critical roles
during this crisis.
• Provides cash-flow assistance to small businesses
through federally guaranteed loans,
with certain expenses eligible for forgiveness
if employers maintain their payrolls through
this emergency.
• Creates a temporary pandemic unemployment
assistance program to give assistance
to workers who aren’t normally eligible for
unemployment benefits, such as the self-employed
or independent contractors.
• Ensures that testing and the eventual vaccine
for coronavirus patients will be covered by
private insurance.
• Includes $100 billion in support for hospitals
and health care providers and provides flexibility
for them to receive both prospective
payments and reimbursement for costs associated
with coronavirus, including lost revenues.
8 • SPRING 2020
• Gives health care providers more capabilities
to offer telehealth services.
• Provides an additional $16 billion to procure
personal protective equipment, ventilators,
and other medical supplies for federal and
state response efforts.
• Allows the Secretary of Education to defer
student loan payments, enables students who
were forced to drop out of school due to coronavirus
to keep their Pell Grants, and gives
colleges and universities the flexibility to continue
work-study payments to students who
cannot work due to coronavirus closures;
• Provides funding for elementary and secondary
schools that can be released quickly to
states to help schools respond to coronavirus
and related school closures, including immediate
needs of students and teachers, improving
use of education technology, supporting distance
education, and making up for lost learning
time; and
• Stabilizes major sectors of the economy without
putting taxpayers on the hook for giant
bailouts.
• Small Business Emergency Loans Guide
and Checklist
• Guide to Employee Retention Tax Credit
• Disaster Loan Assistance
Coronavirus and Insurance
Policies – Will insurance
cover a COVID-19 claim?
Government ordered quarantining, shelter-inplace,
and nonessential business shutdowns are
creating economic losses for businesses. Many organizations
are asking if their business interruption
policy will cover loss of income.
Loss of Business Income Coverage: Business
income and business property coverages depend
on the cause of loss. Insurance Services Office
(ISO) Form CP 10 30 Causes of Loss – Special
Form is common. It defines covered cause of loss
to mean “direct physical loss” unless otherwise
limited or excluded. Form CP 10 30 also contains
an exclusion for damage caused by “fungus,” “bacteria,”
and “wet rot.
Contingent Business Interruption: Coverage
to compensate for losses due to supply chain interruption
and/or partner/vendor losses that impact
the insured.
General Liability Coverage: Liability insurers
typically agree to indemnify the insured for damages
that the insured becomes legally obligated to
pay as the result of an occurrence. ISO Form CG
00 01 - Occurrence is defined as an accident (unexpected
and unintended), including continuous
or repeated exposure to substantially the same
harmful condition. However, many policies are
endorsed with limitations for damage or injury
caused by fungi and bacteria.
Workers’ Compensation: The determination
of whether a communicable disease is “work-related”
is a case-by-case evaluation.
Health Insurance: Under Families First Coronavirus
Response Act [FFRCA], all comprehensive
private health insurance plans must cover testing
approved by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), and vaccination once it becomes available.
Other types of potential losses:
• Contamination to business property:
• Pollution or Environmental insurance
• Commercial General Liability insurance
with pollution/environmental coverage
• Employee claims against the business:
• Workers’ Compensation insurance
• Employment Practices Liability insurance
(EPLI)
• Cybersecurity breaches:
• Property insurance
• Cyber Liability insurance
• Personal injury, and third-party property damage,
claims against the business [e.g., alleged
negligence leading to virus exposure]
• Commercial General Liability insurance
• Errors & Omissions Liability insurance
• Pollution or Environmental insurance
COVID-19 is uncharted territory for insurance
policy analysis since traditional insurance policies
did not contemplate pandemics when originally
drafting coverage.
Policy language varies, so there really are no universal
answers about whether a COVID-19 loss
will be covered. Most policies will have exclusions
for contamination, pandemics, bacteria or viruses,
or the exercise of civil authority.
Each insured’s loss scenario and policy are
unique. If you believe you have a covered loss,
contact your insurance agent/broker to submit a
claim under the policy in a timely manner to be
reviewed for coverage determination.
In conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic caught
the world off-guard. Governments have launched
unprecedented public-health and economic responses.
And it’s evolving by the day.
It’s truly a test of patience as we adapt to a new
normal and await an ending to its wrath before we
will know and understand the precise impact on
human life, and the global economy this pandemic
crisis created. We are all in this together.
Kimberly Grizzle, AAI, is the Marketing and
Business Development Strategist for The
Insurancenter, an agency that was founded in
1895 as a full service independent insurance
agency serving the four state region of Missouri,
Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. A national
car wash insurance program was introduced in
1986. It has maintained the largest writer of car
wash insurance policies.
Grizzle received her Property and Casualty
license in 1996, and an Accredited Advisor in Insurance
(AAI) designation in 2002. She has been
with The Insurancenter for 16+ years.

SPRING 2020 • 9

FUN&
GAMES
WHAT’S
DIFFERENT?
Think these two
pictures taken at a
self serve car wash
are the same?
Think again!
There are six differences.
Can you spot them all?
1. Numbers are missing on Bill Changer sign
2. Doorknob is flipped to other side
3. Door is shorter
4. Red arrow is a different color
5. Plank is missing inside bay
6. Planter is larger
DID YOU KNOW?
Quarantining has exhausted my puzzle collection and my television has been taken over by my children
so I have resorted to, that’s right, online gaming. No, NOT online gambling, people! I was searching for a few
puzzle-like games and came across this! The Car Wash Simulator. If anyone wants to play this game, or has
already, please feel free to send your review to debrag@sscwn.com. Here is the official description (via Steam):
Achieve your American dream as a small businessman in the car industry. Build, upgrade and
modernize your car wash to attract more clients. You also need to be wary of your growing
competition and other, not entirely legal, factions, that would love to take part in your success.
Earn your money honestly, or accept shady deals for larger sums. It may be worth the risk,
but remember to be thorough, because the local authorities might want to drop by for an
unexpected visit.
A wide variety of tools are ready at your disposal, so you could fulfil your clients’ wishes. Your
reputation is at stake and time is limited, so manage it wisely.
FEATURES:
• Grow your business
• Upgrade your gear
• Fight the competition
• Manage your time
• Collaborate with the law
enforcement or the mob
• Gain reputation and
respect in the ‘hood
10 • SPRING 2020

MORE FUNNY
SIGNS!
FUN& GAMES
This photo “re-touching” was done by Seattle
artist Rudy Willingham. According to King5 News,
Willingham combines paper cutouts with real Seattle
landmarks to create humorous photos.
“The most popular one I probably did was the elephant car wash
and I made it say wash your hands,” he said in the story. “A lot of people
have been buying it and putting it up in their bathrooms.”
Willingham said he has been getting a lot of messages and comments
like, “thank you for making me smile,” or, “I really needed that
laugh.” The artist said he struggled with weather or not the virus was
fair game or even funny. But he said he thought that maybe it will
bring some levity to the very Sirius situation.
SPRING 2020 • 11

12 • SPRING 2020

SPRING 2020 • 13

Around the Wash
Selling Your
Car Wash
Yes, Virginia, there is life
after carwashing
By David Begin
For many reasons, I decided to sell my car washes last
year in 2019. I love being in the car wash industry
and I also love the relationships that I have developed
with industry colleagues, customers and employees. I
knew that it was going to be a difficult transition into
“civilian life”, but I still underestimated the emotional
upheaval that selling your business would bring.
I had every reason to be “crazy excited” about the
transaction, but it also brought me many moments
of sadness, confusion and loss. I learned many lessons
and experiences that were beneficial during that time
and I would like to share them with you.
1. One day, you will not
own your business.
I am surprised when many carwash owners
tell me that they would never sell their business.
They tell me that it is such a big part of their lives
and that they cannot even entertain the notion of
selling their car wash to someone else. I admire
that spirit and the love those types of owners feel,
but the cold hard fact is that you will exit your
business one day. A partner could try and take it
over through a court action or a bad partnership
breakup could occur. You could go bankrupt or
the bank could call in the loan note you have.
Or more likely, you will exit the business lying
in a pine box. It concerns me when owners do
not consider this fact that they will not own the
business one day and have made no provisions
for how they plan to transfer or sell the business.
In my 15 years in the car wash business, I have
seen far too many partnerships with either
non-existent or poorly written
and/or vague buy/sell agreements
that even the best team attorneys
could not defend or decipher. In
my opinion, not developing a
solid exit strategy is being a bit
irresponsible to you and your
loved ones. Leaving the matter
to your family or the legal system
to sort out will more
than likely produce a result
that will be less than
optimal.
2. You should have a sale
price in mind.
There was a sign at our local plumbing supply company
in the “slightly dented” section of bathroom fixtures
that stated: Make us an offer, but do not embarrass
yourself. This comes to mind when I talk to car wash
owners that operate “less than optimum” sites and expect
to get what the mega car wash down the street got
for their sites. You should always have a realistic value in
mind for your wash and if a buyer makes you the offer,
or offers you a premium to that amount, you should seriously
consider it. Get an evaluation for your site if you
need assistance with a sale price. You should always have
an idea of what the market value is for your wash. Then
come up with a price that you will accept if someone
offers to purchase your wash. If the industry
is offering 8x earnings for your type of
wash and you expect 20x earnings, you
will sit on the sidelines for a long, long
time and no one will take you seriously.
A buyer will pay a premium for certain
washes under certain conditions, but they also
need to figure out how to make the wash
profitable when they become the owner.
Overpricing a wash in hopes of someone
giving you that offer communicates to a
buyer that you are not really interested in
a sale. We are fortunate to be in an industry
where other parties are extremely interested
in purchasing our business. Remember, many
small businesses are out there and cannot be
sold, so because car washes are always in demand,
we are part of the fortunate few.
3. Your wash is not “you”.
A business such as your car wash is what you
own and not who you are. This was a hard lesson
for me to learn. For years I wrapped up much of
my identity in being a car wash owner. If you cannot
separate your professional identity from your
personal identity, it will be difficult to sell your
wash when a great opportunity to sell comes along.
Many car wash owners have asked me, “What will
I do and who will I be if I sell my car wash?” You
cannot make rational decisions about selling your
carwash if you have this mindset. You are not your
car wash and you have to be able to “let it go.”
Wise words from
another car wash owner
Jeff Paul, the owner of Valencia Car Wash in California,
spoke to me when I was considering selling
my car wash and offered me some great advice. Jeff
had owned many businesses over the years and told
me that I was a business owner first and a carwash
owner second. He also stated that I would either find
another business or find something else to do that
could be just as fulfilling. This advice helped me to
understand that I loved being a business owner and
that at that time, I just happened to own a carwash.
It gave me the freedom to let go of my current car
washes with the anticipation that I could find something
even more fulfilling in the future. Since selling
the washes, I have created a coaching and consulting
practice that helps other car wash owners become
more efficient and successful. I am looking forward
to the future and the next chapter of my life, and,
yes, there is life after owning a carwash.
David Begin has more than 15 years of experience in the car wash industry as an owner and operator. David has been active in the industry as an association leader. David
is a past president of the Rocky Mountain Carwash Association and the International Carwash Association (ICA). David is a frequent speaker at regional, national and international
carwash conventions and meetings. David is also the co-host of the popular podcast, Carwash, the Podcast. David is also the founder of Begin Insights, a coaching
and consulting firm focused on the carwash industry. For more information go to www.begininsights.com.
14 • SPRING 2020

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SPRING 2020 • 15

Around the Wash
Secrets to
Longevity
In the Winter 2020 issue of Self Serve Car Wash
News, the cover story featured car wash owners
who had been in business for 10-40 years.
The issue was sent to the presses before I was
able to interivew Jerry NIx, who has owned a
self serve since 1982. Nix has some wonderful
advice to share and also delves into how his
washes have changed over the years, from pricing
to innovations.
When and where did your self
serve wash open?
I opened my first location in Yelm, Washington, in
1982. It was a five-bay Self Serve with a Truck Bay.
My second location was opened in 1983 in Tacoma,
Washington. A third location was opened in 1990
in Parkland, Washington, a fourth location in 1994
in Spanaway, Washington and a fifth location was
opened in Lakewood, Washington in 1996.
How has your car wash
changed since then?
The changes to the car washes have been dramatic
in terms of technology, appearance, marketing, property
maintenance, video security and the many wash
services offered.
How have your prices changed?
Pricing has gone up in concern with expenses and
inflation. When I started we charged $1.25 for 5
minutes of time. Today, we charge $4 for 5 minutes of
wash time.
What has been the best
innovation/advancement since
you started out?
The best innovation and advancement for the selfserve
car washes, in my opinion, has been the in-bay
automatic. Manufacturers have been instrumental in
making their equipment compatible to retro-fit into a
self-serve bay.
What has been the biggest
“problem” for self serves
over the past 38 years?
The biggest problem in the last 38 years in the self
serve industry has been the disrespect of customers.
From littering to customers who use the car wash
without spending money (such as those who either
dump their garbage on the ground or vandalize the
equipment). I currently close three of my locations
between 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. in an effort to discourage
late night dumping or vandalism. We also clean our
car wash facilities twice a day so they are clean and
appealing to our customers.
Are you surprised you have been
doing this for 38 years?
Yes, I’m a little surprised that I’m still working at
my car washes, but I love the industry and I like the
customer interaction. By building my businesses from
the ground up, it takes on a certain level of satisfaction
for my wife and myself.
And, what do you think is the
secret to your longevity
(car wash ownership-wise)?
Quality, service, and Selection. Quality in the cleaning
products I offer my customers and the quality of the
equipment that is offered. Both the products and the
equipment are dependable and reliable. Service in the
manner of answering customers concerns or questions
about the services we offer. We make sure there
is a live person on hand between 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. 7
days a week. Selection in terms of tri-color soaps,
pre-soaks, triple foam wax, countdown timers, credit
card acceptance, bonus tokens, turbo vacuums with
carpet cleaners and fragrance scents, expanded
vending items, and clean appealing facilities.
Don’t just take his word for it; the Yelp & Google reviews speak for themselves:
I love coming to the car
wash, every morning it’s
being maintained and
discount car washes
between certain times.
The gentleman who runs it
is very kind and has great
customer service!
COMMENT FROM JERRY B.
OF SPEED CAR WASH, BUSINESS OWNER
A car wash is always a great way to jump
start your morning, Jenna! Our half-off
special runs from 6 AM - 10 AM every
day, and we’re always ready to help
anyone who comes through. Next time
you find yourself with some dirt on your
rims, you can count on us to help.
All the best, Jerry Nix, Ownerw
Older facility but clean and always a
stall open. Offers more services than
the majority of self serve car washes.
Offers xtras like rain x, tire cleaner,
3stage conditioner, spot-free rinse, bug
& tar remover. Plus a vending machine
for anything else u might need . Will
return to this car wash for sure
16 • SPRING 2020

Increase Revenue
When a customer purchases
tokens, you have made a sale
Added Security
Put your mind at ease with
tokens. Minimize staff
supervision and deter theft
Unique Alloys
Hoffman Mint offers different
alloys & sizes to best suit your
car wash needs
Reduce Cost
Tokens help reduce operating
cost and are a lower-cost
payment option
Marketing Options
Set your business apart and
help build your brand with
custom tokens
Flexibility
Whether for a promotion or
price fluctuation, simply adjust
the value of your tokens
VISIT US AT THE CAR WASH SHOW BOOTH 2917
WHY TOKENS?
Whether using our stock tokens
or custom tokens,
the benefits are endless.
Learn more at
www.hoffmanmint.com
Hoffman Mint
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
sales@hoffmanmint.com
SPRING 2020 • 17

Carwash
Boom Assembly
MODEL 203
Zierco’s Original Swivel and
Boom Assembly, with
New Rebuildable
Cartridge
• Feather light rotating action
• Twin compression springs are
tension-adjustable for a variety
of hose and gun weights
• Swivel rotates 360˚ - 12 ft.
diameter
MODEL 203 FEATURES
• Temperatures to 280˚ max.,
pressure to 2000 psi
• Longer hose life as spring
prevents kinks
• Ruggedly built, satisfaction
guaranteed
• Proven performance with over 50 years
service in the field (Since 1962)
OPTIONAL
107C CARTRIDGE
FOR COMPLETE
INFORMATION
CALL
414-764-6630
FAX: (414) 764-9763
www.ziercowaterboy.com
107C Cartridge Features:
• Field Repairable
• 100% 304 Stainless Steel Internal
Materials Eliminate Failure Due to
Corrosion
• Double O-Ring Design Uses Any
Type of Grease
7355 S. 1st. Street
Oak Creek, WI 53154
sales@zierden.com
TM
VISA and Master Card accepted
DISTRIBUTOR INQUIRIES INVITED
QUALITY PRODUCTS SINCE 1937
18 • SPRING 2020

Carwash
Boom
Assemblies
Zierco’s Easy Service Swivel and
Boom Systems with
MODEL 204 and 206 FEATURES
• Twin compression springs are tension-adjustable
for a variety of hose and gun weights
• Swivel rotates 360˚ - 12 ft. diameter
• Temperatures to 280˚ max., pressure to 2000 psi
• Longer hose life as spring prevents kinks
• Ruggedly built, satisfaction guaranteed
• Optional stainless steel components
• Proven performance with over 50 years service in
the field (Since 1962)
Boom Systems with Full 360 Degree roTATIoN
Booms are Available with 3 Different Mountings
MODEL 204
ENHANCE YOUR SELF SERVING
CONVENIENCE
STYLE B
Flat Plate
Mounts directly
to the ceiling or
beam.
Easy to Use -"Feather Light" rotating action
STYLE C
Swivel Base
Mounts directly to
the ceiling.
MODEL 206
OFFSET Overhead Carwash Boom
Allows for TWO Center Boom Installation
STYLE D
Wall Bracket
Mounts to wall and
is adjustable so
boom swings
to wall when
not in use.
Ideal for foaming brushes.
FOR COMPLETE
INFORMATION
CALL
(414)-764-6630
www.ziercowaterboy.com
CONVERSION KIT
204B
To Convert Model 203
to a 204 Assembly
Remove boom body
from hinge plate
EASY 3 STEP PROCEDURE
TO CHANGE SEALS.
NO TOOLS REQUIRED.
Rotate hinge plate
counter clockwise to
remove seal elbow
Replace O-Rings
7355 S. 1st Street
Oak Creek, WI 53154
Fax: (414) 764-9763
sales@zierden.com
QUALITY PRODUCTS SINCE 1937
TM
DISTRIBUTOR
INQUIRIES
INVITED
VISA and Master Card
accepted
SPRING 2020 • 19

INNOVATIONS
INTRODUCING NEW AND IMPROVED PRODUCTS AND
SERVICES FOR SELF SERVE CAR WASHES
Edge-lit LED panel from LSI
LSI Industries has launched an enhanced version of its edge-lit LED panel.
The new luminaire features an innovative upgrade that enhances its versatility
across numerous indoor applications.
“Our enhanced, edge-lit LED panels fill a void in the marketplace,” said
Mike Prachar, Chief Marketing Officer of LSI Industries. “They give customers
significant flexibility to customize, and optimize the use of light in
different areas throughout their facilities.”
Customers can select up to three different options for both color temperature
and wattage, giving them a total of nine different light settings
from a single fixture. This gives facility managers, and others responsible
for the property, significant flexibility to customize and enhance employee
workspaces, increase safety and conserve energy.
LSI’s enhanced LED product produces light from the sides, not the back.
This makes them extremely thin and lightweight, which allows them to be
mounted in a variety of applications. Panels are easy to install and available
in multiple sizes, including 1x4, 2x2 and 2x4 feet.
Podcast from
CAR WASH Magazineand
The How of Carwashing
CAR WASH The Podcast is your source for real stories and real business
insights from the experts—both in and out of the car wash industry. The
show helps investors, owners, operators and managers think about ways to
enhance their business—for free and on demand.
CAR WASH The Podcast co-hosts Matt DeWolf and David Begin discuss
some of the practical things you can do and should be doing right now to
manage your car wash during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss
both the steps you need to take to keep your business stable—and how to
really take advantage of any slow time you might be experiencing.
For the latest trends impacting the industry, tips from successful industry
leaders, and inspiration for our listeners, add CAR WASH The Podcast to
your favorite podcatcher, like iTunes or Stitcher, or just bookmark www.
carwash.org for the latest episodes.
Ceramic Sales Program
from Shine Time ®
This revolutionary Shine Time® Ceramic chemistry provides car wash
operators with an opportunity to offer your customers a new exciting Protectant
that produces an instant, noticeable shine. The result is higher sales
per vehicle and happy, satisfied car wash customers.
The Shine Time® formula produces a “self-cleaning” effect whereby the
applications in Arches and In-Bay automatics car washes adhere to positively-charged
modern clear coat paint finishes and repel negatively-charged
dirt and grime.
● Game-changing technology
● Long lasting results
● Hand wax quality shine and protection
Drive sales to your top car wash package with Shine Time®
UWashApp also presents new
opportunities for operators:
• Advertise to customers during the car
wash
• Track new customers across multiple
car wash locations
• Geotarget customers with car wash
and in-store specials
• Partner with other local businesses to
advertise and promote their offerings
• Partner with nonprofit and government
organizations on PSAs.
Also, any payment method — Apple Pay, Google Pay, Credit Card payments,
and others — are accepted through the app, giving consumers more
choices and minimizing operator time managing cash and auditing other
forms of payment.
The UWashApp onboarding program includes hardware devices for all
services at a site, customized app graphics and logos, an onboarding setup
call, access to priority support during installation, access to the UWashApp
management portal, and resources and training options to help maximize
wash packages, loyalty pipelines, and in-app advertising.
20 • SPRING 2020

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SPRING 2020 • 21

ISTOBAL develops arches for the disinfection of PPE and
the exterior of vehicles in its fight against COVID-19
In two weeks, it adapts its chemical application
technology on vehicles and manufactures arches
that spray disinfectant on the PPE of health personnel
and emergency services, quickly and efficiently in
15 seconds.
It also manufactures arches for the external disinfection
of vehicles with an average capacity of about
1,000 disinfected vehicles per day.
Its first arches for the disinfection of PPE and the
exterior of vehicles are already working in Spain.
Bristol (April, 16th 2020).- The Spanish group
ISTOBAL, leader in wash and care solutions for
the automotive industry, has developed automatic
arches for the disinfection of PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment) of health personnel, security forces
and emergencies personnel in addition to arches for
the external disinfection of vehicles in order to fight
against COVID-19.
The company has started the production of this
equipment so that it can be installed near main accesses,
quarantine areas, operating rooms, ICUs and
other points. In this way, ISTOBAL reinvents itself
with the manufacture of this equipment, adapting
part of its production to combat the spread of the
pandemic. In just two weeks, it has adapted its chemical
application technology on vehicles for the manufacture
of arches that can spray disinfectant on the
PPE of restrooms, security and emergency departments,
quickly and completely in 15 seconds.
With a capacity to disinfect
more than 4,000 people
with PPE a day, this arch
measures two meters in
height and is easy to install,
as it incorporates supports
that can be comfortably attached
to the ground or to
any platform. It is made up
of eight sprinklers that spray
disinfectant product on the
PPE of health and safety and emergency forces and
are automatically activated in its path thanks to a
photocell detection system that activates the sprinklers
of this nebulization system.
Arches for external vehicle disinfection
Likewise, ISTOBAL is also producing arches for
the external disinfection of medical vehicles such
as ambulances and fleets of the security forces with
an average disinfection capacity of about 1,000
vehicles per day. This system is designed to spray
vehicles with biocide and achieves disinfection of
large vehicles.
The first arches for the disinfection of PPE and the
exterior of vehicles already work in Spain, in cities
such as Madrid and Valencia.
ISTOBAL, leader in the vehicle care sector
ISTOBAL is a Spanish company located in Valencia,
leader in the design,
manufacture and marketing
of vehicle wash and car care
solutions. Since 1950, the
company has brought innovative
products for excellent
vehicle care to the industry
that ensure a positive user
experience for consumers.
It exports its products
to more than 75 countries,
working with a wide network of distributors around
the world. It has 9 subsidiaries and three manufacturing
and final assembly plants in Spain, USA. and
Brazil. Currently, 78% of its production corresponds
to international sales.
The Spanish group, whose USA
subsidiary is based in Bristol, VA,
reinvents itself with the production
of arches for the disinfection of
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) of health, security and
emergency forces and studies
their production internationally to
combat the pandemic.
22 • SPRING 2020

REPLACE YOUR EXISTING
SELF SERVE METER DOORS TODAY
Replacement Doors For Ginsan, Jim Coleman and Many More.
Flag Design Bubbles Design Blue Flame Design Water Design
The Vault
Strong • Secure • Dependable
Features
• 7 Gauge Stainless Shell Construction
• Double Medeco Security Locks
• Digital Display
• Dimensions: 16” X 12.5” X 8.5”
• Accepts Coins, Tokens, Bills, Credit Cards
• Mercury Global Vision Payment System
• 8, 10, or 12 Push Button or Rotary Selection
• Push Button Selection has LED Back Lit Indicators
• Eye Catching Graphics
• Prefabricated Holes for Easy Electrical Access
• Plug-In Wiring Harness for Easy Removal & Servicing
• Safe Pipe Ready
Custom Design
Replace your existing Ginsan or Jim Coleman meter doors for
ultimate flexibility, dependability and profitability. With the same
high quality features as our Vault Door, we stock sizes for Ginsan,
Jim Coleman, Dilling-Harris, Hamilton Dan, Mark VII, and many more.
Call Us Today To Turn Your Wash Into A Reliable Revenue Producing Business.
OVER
INDUSTRIAL GRADE
Flexible • Profitable • Dependable
(800) 421-5119
225 Crown Blvd., Timberlake, NC 27583
PO Box 488 | Roxboro, NC 27573
www.cpcarwash.com | sales@cpcarwash.com
SPRING 2020 • 23

ADVERTISING TIP
Looking For
Civilized Customers?
BUSINESS TIP
Are you
in a HUB zone?
The HUBZone program is offered by the Small
Business Association and is designed to support
small business growth in underutilized business
zones. If a business qualifies, the goal by the SBA
is to award at least 3% of federal contract dollars
to each business each year.
According to the SBA, to see if your business
qualifies, it must:
3 Be a small business
3 Be at least 51 percent owned and
controlled by U.S. citizens, a Community
Development Corporation, an agricultural
cooperative, a Native Hawaiian
organization, or an Indian tribe
3 Have its principal office located
in a HUBZone
Want more “sophisticated” customers? Not to NPR and I can vouge for my opinion.
generalize, but people who listen to public radio Local public radio stations are a great way to
(local National Public Radio or NPR
advertise your message. Usually found under
stations) or NPR on SiriusXM are
the “Underwriting” category, you can choose to
considered to be of a certain ilk, if
have your ad as part of a local segment. Currently
there are over 1,000 local
you will. That’s not to say sophisticated
listeners do not also
NPR stations, and 27.4 listeners
listen to heavy metal stations
across the nation.
and Howard Stern—don’t
To find your local public
come at me, I interned at
radio station, visit npr.org.
MONEY TIP
Find a penny, get rich
If you’re finding yourself knee-deep in trackers.com: This coin in average condition
change—from your machines or from your will be valued at somewhere around $195,
customers’ vacuumed out vehicles, you might while one in certified mint state (MS+) condition
could bring as much as $21,019 at
want to take a closer look at each coin.
For instance, the quarter pictured
auction. This coin in poor condition
below looks like a regular old piece
is still worth $192.3 more than
of currency. But, think again! This
the intrinsic value from silver
quarter is worth anywhere between
$195 - $21,091.
more valuable to a collector than
content of $2.7, this coin is thus
Yes, that’s right. According to coin-
to a silver bug.
Here are some other coins to look for, according to cointrackers.com:
3 Have at least 35 percent of its
employees live in a HUBZone
You can see if your business, and your employees,
are in a HUBZone by visiting Sba.gov.
Along with the federal financial assistance,
other benefits, according to the sba include:
3 The government limits competition for certain
contracts to businesses in historically
underutilized business zones. It also gives
preferential consideration to those businesses
in full and open competition.
3 Joining the HUBZone program makes your
business eligible to compete for the program’s
set-aside contracts. HUBZone-certified
businesses also get a 10 percent
price evaluation preference in full and open
contract competitions.
3 HUBZone-certified businesses can still
compete for contract awards under other
socio-economic programs.
24 • SPRING 2020
Mercury Dime
Year: 1916
Mint Mark: D
Value: This coin in average
condition will be valued at
somewhere around $949,
while one in certified mint
state (MS+) condition could
bring as much as $41,000.
AND NOW
FOR THE
BIG WINNER,
a little nickel, only
five of which were
made, can bring in
mega millions.
Buffalo Nickel
Year: 1924
Mint Mark: S
Value: This coin in average
condition will be valued at
somewhere around $17, while
one in certified mint state
(MS+) condition could bring
as much as $14,000.
Copper Wheat Penny
Year: 1943
Mint Mark: No mint mark
Value: This coin in average
condition will be valued at
somewhere around $60,047,
while one in certified mint state
(MS+) condition could bring as
much as $85,782.
Liberty Head V Nickel
Year: 1913
Mint Mark: No mint mark
Value: This coin in average condition
will be valued at somewhere
around $3,428,950, while one in
certified mint state (MS+) condition
could bring as much as $4,408,650

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SPRING 2020 • 25

INDUSTRY DIRT
HAPPENINGS IN & AROUND
SELF SERVE CARWASHING
Worldwide car wash market projected to reach $26B by 2025Reynolds
The worldwide car washing services market is
projected to grow by US$5 Billion, driven by a
compounded growth of 3.1%, according to ReportLinker,
which is an award-winning market
research solution provider. “The shifting dynamics
supporting this growth makes it critical for businesses
in this space to keep abreast of the changing
pulse of the market. Poised to reach over US$25.9
Billion by the year 2025, car washing services will
bring in healthy gains adding significant momentum
to global growth,” according to an April 14
press release.
Representing the developed world, the United
States will maintain a 2.5% growth momentum.
In Europe, Germany will add over US$189.3 Million
to the region’s size and clout in the next 5
to 6 years and over US$150.1 Million worth of
projected demand will come from the rest of the
European markets, the report states. In Japan, the
market will reach US$1.6 Billion by the close of
the analysis period. “As the world’s second largest
economy and the new game changer in global
markets, China exhibits the potential to grow at
4.8% over the next couple of years and add approximately
US$1.4 Billion in terms of addressable
opportunity for the picking by aspiring businesses
and their astute leaders.”
Competitors identified in this market include,
among others,
3 7 Flags Car Wash
3 Autobell Car Wash
3 Brown Bear Car Wash
3 Delta Sonic Car Wash
3 Corporation
3 Freedom Car Wash
3 Goo-Goo Express Wash, Inc.
3 Hoffman Car Wash & Hoffman Jiffy Lube
3 IMO Car Wash
3 Magic Hand Car Wash
3 Mike’s Car Wash
3 Mister Car Wash, Inc.
3 Mr. Clean Car Wash
3 Octopus Car Wash
3 Otto Christ AG
3 Petro-Canada
3 Speed Car Wash
3 The Wash Tub
3 Wash Depot Holdings, Inc.
3 Zips Car Wash
Harrell’s acquires
AutoShine of
New England
Generation Growth Capital Fund III, LP (GGC),
a Milwaukee-based private equity firm that invests
in lower middle-market companies, and Harrell’s
Car Wash Systems, Inc., a full-service distributor of
car wash systems and supplies, announced on February
20 the acquisition of AutoShine of New England.
A press release stated that AutoShine, which is
headquartered in Manchester, Connecticut, is focused
on selling, installing, and servicing car wash
systems in addition to parts, chemicals, and ancillary
items needed to operate car washes. AutoShine
is the fourth add-on to join the Harrell’s platform.
Frank Carpino, President of AutoShine, will continue
to manage the company going forward.
“Through our active acquisition strategy over
the past few years, Harrell’s has accelerated into
an industry-leading distributor and service provider
of car wash systems and products. AutoShine
complements the Harrell’s gold standard in endto-end
car wash solutions and solidifies our market
position in the Northeast U.S.,” said John Reinke,
Managing Director of Generation Growth Capital,
Inc., in a press release.
Chad Tearman, President of Harrell’s Car Wash
Systems, Inc., also stated in the press release, “As
our company continues to grow, we look forward
to finding ways to expand our product and service
offerings in ways that add value to our customers.
We really value the relationships that we have with
customers. AutoShine brings a new product line to
us and a strong technical expertise in tunnels that
complements our Northeast region nicely. We are
very excited about the trajectory of our company
and the growth prospects we see throughout all of
our markets.”
G&G names new regional
sales managers
G&G Industrial Lighting of Clifton Park, New
York, announced on March 9 that Chris Carpenter
and Konner Kappelman joined the team as Regional
Sales Managers. The RSMs are responsible
for training and traveling with independent representative
agencies, servicing lighting and electrical
architects, engineers, contractors and distributors,
according to a press release. With this expansion
of the sales force, G&G will be able to effectively
penetrate key markets such as car wash, food processing,
transit, automotive services and industrial
applications with their highly engineered LED
lighting products while providing hands on support
for all representatives.
Carpenter most recently served as a Regional
Sales Manager for Dialight, a provider of LED
lighting to heavy industrial and hazardous locations
customers. Kappelman previously served
as a Lighting Controls Specialist for The Foley
Group, a lighting-focused manufacturers’ representative
agency.
“What excites me is the opportunity to collaborate
with our channel partners to provide specialized
solutions for superior light performance,
product durability, and environmental sustainability,”
Carpenter stated in the press release. “G&G
is a company with a sound growth plan, possesses
an outstanding organizational culture, and is committed
to product and service excellence with our
reps, distributors and end users. “
Kappelman also stated, “I was first drawn to
G&G by its product, which is truly in a class of
its own in the lighting industry. However, it was
ultimately the core values of the company that
really caught my attention as it is apparent that
this company is truly a family and I am excited
to officially be a part of what this family is going
to accomplish. The sky is the limit with G&G.”
Ben Jamison, Director of Business Development
added that the newly-hired duo will allow
G&G to continue to deliver our commitment
to excellence in customer service and will keep
G&G’s products at the forefront of our partner’s
and customer’s minds when they consider
their future lighting needs and requirements.
Kleen-Rite announces date for 2020 Expo
This year, the Kleen-Rite Expo will be held
on Wednesday, November 18, at its headquarters
in Columbia, Pennsylvania. The Expo,
which takes place every other year, brings in
over 300 car wash operators from around the
country under one roof to learn about what is
new in the industry. It also provides a delicious
lunch and educational seminars.
Kleen-Rite, which is a business wholesale
supplier serving the car wash and other pressure
cleaning and car care industries, hosted over 60
manufacturers at its 2018 Expo.
26 • SPRING 2020

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• Stainless Steel Valves & Valve Cages Protect
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SPRING 2020 • 27

Automotive Industry executive Vic Keller
acquires AUTEC Car Wash Systems
INDUSTRY
DIRT
AUTEC Car Wash Systems, a global manufacturer
of high-volume, income-driven, fully automated
car wash equipment based in Statesville, North
Carolina, announced on February 25 that it was
acquired by Dallas-based business leader and entrepreneur
Vic Keller. The terms were not disclosed.
According to a press release, since 1981, AUTEC
has specialized and manufactured three fully automatic
car wash systems – soft-touch car wash systems,
touch-free car wash systems, and a combination
car wash system that provides both. They also
manufacture a premier soft-touch car polisher.
Growing from a small company that started in
the founder’s basement, to a multimillion-dollar
corporation, the expert team at AUTEC Car Wash
Systems grew to include marketing, design, research
and development, engineering and drafting,
welding and metal fabrication, paint and surface
preparation, electrical, assembly, technical service
and complete chemical blending, formulating and
packaging operations.
Keller is a seasoned automotive executive and entrepreneur.
He has more than 25 years’ experience
building, growing and leading a diverse portfolio
of companies across numerous verticals including
manufacturing and distribution, automotive, technology,
e-commerce and financial services, the press
release stated. Keller is a firm believer in investing in
people, not just businesses, and his leadership philosophy
focuses on intentionally instilling a great
culture, delivering a profitable financial model and
developing top talent to execute the vision.
“I am thrilled to be operating in the automotive
industry again and to be a part of the AUTEC
team,” said Keller in the press release. “AUTEC has
established themselves as an elite player in the car
wash manufacturing space and has tremendous
potential to further accelerate their footprint. We
see a huge opportunity to drive innovation, technology
and optimization to increase customer retention
and CSI, also known as the customer satisfaction
index, by providing an ultimate customer
experience in order to help our customers reach
their maximum return on investment.”
Keller continued, “I am passionate about the incredible
business that Tom Hobby, the founder of
AUTEC, has built. The AUTEC team has been extremely
welcoming and genuinely supportive of this
transition, and we are working together to capitalize
on strategic opportunities ahead. My vision is to
leverage the successful model that Tom and the AU-
TEC team have created, while driving innovation in
key areas to lead the company into its next chapter.”
In addition to AUTEC Car Wash Systems, Keller is
the founder of KLV Capital, a Dallas-based private
equity firm. Previously, he founded the ZAK Automotive
Companies, which included ZAK products, a
professional-use automotive chemical company that
was an official partner of NASCAR; ZAKTEK, an
insurance services company; and NEXEMO, a business
to business e-commerce purchasing platform
for the automotive industry.
In 2015, after Berkshire Hathaway Inc. acquired
the ZAK Automotive Companies, Keller continued
as CEO and his senior executive responsibilities for
Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, where he oversaw
several operating departments in the multibillion-dollar
organization, including the parts and service
business. Keller developed and led the Berkshire
Hathaway Automotive professional development
department, which provided training, talent acquisition,
sales strategy, customer experience and dealer
academy services to more than 11,000 associates.
Vending Machine News
The sweet smell of success
The power of a delicious scent can drive cravings,
and cravings can drive impulse purchases. And one
entrepreneur in Syracuse, New York, has invented a
vending machine which perfumes the area in chocolatey
sweet heave. According to a press release, the
inventor, who is not releasing his name, stated, “After
taking a tour of the Hershey Chocolate World
Factory, I realized how powerfully I craved chocolate.
I wanted to boost vending-machine sales by
making people crave the items inside.”
The inventor developed CHOCOLATE SCENTS
FOR VENDING MACHINE to encourage potential
customers to buy products from the vending machine.
The unit entices people to crave items sold by
the vending machine, stated the press release. It
is designed to appeal to individuals with a sweet
tooth. The invention is easy to use. Additionally, it
can be used to sell a variety of food items.
The original design was submitted to the Rochester
sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available
for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers.
Vending market could hit
$33B by 2025
The global interactive kiosk market (which includes
self-serve and vending kiosks) is expected to
grow from USD 24.8 billion in 2019 to USD 32.8
billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2020 to
2025, according to a ReportLinker analysis.
A February 11 press release stated that the interactive
kiosk market growth can be attributed to
several factors such as enhanced shopping experience
for customers, lower investment costs than
traditional outlets, enhanced applications other
than conventional ones, and innovations in touch
screen display and glass technology. However, the
high set up cost and need for regular maintenance
of the kiosks and rising cyber-crime incidents are
expected to hamper the growth of the market, the
press release stated.
Vending kiosks, which offer things such as snacks
and beverages and are primarily used in retail
stores, quick-service restaurants, hotels, airports,
railway stations, malls, and so on, held the largest
share of the interactive kiosk market in 2019
The report did cover the fact that putting up
an outdoor kiosk is more challenging as it can be
prone to theft and fraud. Also, it should have a protection
system against dust, rain, temperature, and
humidity, the press release added. North America
held the largest share of the interactive kiosk market
in 2019 in terms of revenue, and the trend is
expected to continue during the forecast period.
The interactive kiosks market in North America
is driven by various factors, such as the need to
save time, accuracy, and high living standard as
compared to other developed regions. The United
States is the largest market for interactive kiosks in
this region, according to the report
POLL
Do you play
music (on
overhead speakers)
at your car wash?
YES
35%
NO 65%
28 • SPRING 2020

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Contains no HF or ABF (hydroflouric
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Environmentally friendly,
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Demos available: We show you how it
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Works in heated or cold water — spray
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One or two-step process — two-step is
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TOUCHLESS CAR WASH CHEMICALS
SPRING 2020 • 29

EXTRA!
EXTRA!
Presenting the news stories featuring
self serve car washes
They met at a car wash and
the rest is history
National Business
Week postponed
Not all love stories begin at a ball or on a
blind date. Some, wistfully poetic with enchantment
and hearts and flowers begin at….
a self-serve car wash. Back in 1969 Bertha
Gober was getting ready to wash her 1966
Mustang on a sunny afternoon in North Little
Rock, Arkansas. It was then that she saw Jessie,
who five years older. He offered to wash
her car for her and from there, a love story
unfolded. Their love story was profiled in the
February 9 edition of the Northwest Arkansas
Democrat Gazette.
“He said he was impressed with the car and
me,” she said in the story. “He offered to wash
it. He said, ‘Hey, you need some help? I’ll wash
it for you.’ So, I said, ‘Hey, I’ll let you do that.’”
Jessie was at the car wash day to clean his
1967 Chevrolet Caprice. leaning
“I didn’t know that much about her, but I
had seen her and kind of wanted to talk to
her,” he said in the story. “This was my chance.”
When he finished Bertha’s car, the story
reported, he was getting ready to go back to
work on his own. First, though, he asked for
her phone number.
They got engaged about seven months after
they met and were married on February 22,
1970, in the church where Bertha grew up.
“It’s just flown by,” says Bertha of their
half-century-long marriage. “I don’t even feel
like I’m the age I am.”
And, 50 years later, Jessie still washes and
cleans Bertha’s car when it needs
“Yes ma’am,” she said in the story.
Jessie added that he was washing her car the
day of the interview!
How sweet! Here’s to you, Bertha, Jessie
and here’s to positive car washing news.
For more than 50 years, the President of the United
States has issued a proclamation announcing National
Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical
contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small
business owners. This special week was supposed to
take place from May 3 - May 9, 2020, but it has been
postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Small Business Association (SBA),
As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S.
Small Business Administration takes the opportunity
to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs,
small business owners, and others from all 50 states
and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow
small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation,
and increase America’s global competitiveness.
More than half of Americans either own or work for a
small business, and they create about two out of every
three new jobs in the U.S. each year.
Updates can be found by visiting www.sba.gov
Celebrities
washing cars
Pictured here is Chace Crawford, star of Gossip
Girl and The Boys. The photo was taken at a West
Hollywood self service car wash on April 27.
From farming to car washing, self serve
owner finds success in small
Californian town
Former farmer is now a successful self serve
owner Shayne Brady not only owns the only
self serve car wash in town, but he also is offering
up many other profit centers, the Holtville
Tribune reported. Brady was profiled in
the April 17 issue in which he opened up
about his road to success.
He bought out the former owner of California-based
Holtville Car Wash in December
2018 and immediately put a plan in place for
improvements.
“All four bays have the spot-free air shammy,”
Brady said in the story. “It incorporates
soft water and reverse osmosis, so it won’t
spot your car. But customers must do a thorough
job to get all the water off.”
Brady always knew the value of hard work.
Throughout high school he, along with his
two older brothers helped out their father
with his custom row-crop tractor business,
farming everything from lettuce, carrots, melons,
tomato beds and sugar beets. He attended
and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1986
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture
Management and worked again for his
father’s farming business. His father sold the
business in 1999 and then started a storage
facility business and a few years later Shayne
opened a tow trucking business.
As for the Holtville Car Wash, Brady did everything
from completely re-landscaping the
property to adding new equipment and token
boxes.
“We’re getting set up to accept credit or
debit cards,” Brady said in the story. “There
still are some processes to complete with the
credit card companies, as well as the card
readers. Then we’ll have to shut down the car
wash for about two weeks to be refitted to
accommodate credit transactions. It is more
intense than I expected.”
Brady acknowledged in the story that there
are a number of moving parts with the car
wash and things can wear down. Yet should
anything go wrong, he wants his customers to
reach out to him immediately.
“We’ll hurry over and get you into another
bay,” said Brady. “The residents here appreciate
having a good car wash and not having
to drive to El Centro and we value them for
their loyalty.”
30 • SPRING 2020

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SPRING 2020 • 31

EXTRA!
EXTRA!
Looking Back to ... Spring 1995
What was happening 25 years ago, according to the Spring 1995 edition of Self Serve Car Wash News?
New Self Serves
■ Altona, Ontario
The Sun Valley Co-op in Altona, Ontario, is now in
hosts a self serve car wash. According to a February 16
Pembina Valley Online story, the car wash opened in
January.
General Manager Brad Iverson said in the story, “We
are excited to add this new service and will continue
to offer great car wash options for years to come with
the Co-op name. We are committed to improving and
expanding the services we provide and look forward to
offering increased carwash promotions through our locations.”
The Sun Valley Co-op Car Wash provides three automatic
wash options and six self serve wash bays.
According to its website, The CO-OP® brand is used
by a network of retail co-operative associations across
Western Canada that own and operate Co-op Agro
Centres, food stores, gas bars/convenience stores, home
centres, pharmacies and more.
■ Bee Cave, Texas
Plans are underway for a new self-service car wash
within the Bella Colinas commercial subdivision in Bee
Cave, Texas.
According to an April 30 CommunityImpact.com
story, the 1.58-acre lot will consist of a 4,162-squarefoot
building and include an automated wash-bay, storage
area and a small office space. Proposed hours of operation
for the car wash are from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
32 • SPRING 2020
■ Victorville, California
An abandoned Del Taco is slated for demolition to
make way for a new car wash, an April 15 Daily Press
story said. The one-acre parcel of land will soon be home
to a Quick N Clean Car Wash, which has other locations
in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Texas.
The site, which has been vacant since the Del Taco
closed in 2017, will be razed to make room for a 150-
foot long tunnel, 35 vacuum stations, including 26 that
will be covered; and a 5,400 square-foot office and storage
building.
Progressive Senior VP Paul Galmarini represented the
seller, a Santa Monica-based private investor and Progressive
Senior Retail Specialist Albert Lopez represented
Quick N Clean in the transaction, the story said.
“The Bear Valley Road location was ideal for Quick
N Clean because it features many of the traits they look
for, including high traffic counts, outstanding visibility,
excellent access and close proximity to other service
and food-oriented retail uses,” Lopez said.
He added that the company is actively seeking additional
expansion opportunities throughout Southern
California.
“While the excellent location made the property very
attractive, it was a complex and lengthy transaction in
that there were several adjacent properties with dominant
easement rights over this site that had to be negotiated
and extinguished,” Galmarini said.
■ Milford, Delaware
The Buccaneer Car Wash located across from Milford
High School. Is now open for business, according to a
February 11 Milford Live story.
Karan Gupta said in the story, “We saw potential in
the car wash business since we were already running
them at our gas stations,” Gupta said. “Milford is the
next town emerging on the Delaware map and there
seemed to be a good opportunity to serve the people
of Milford and become a part of this close-knit town.
Milford is the next booming town after Middletown
with the opening of the new hospital and all the other
businesses opening up it gave us confidence to invest in
Milford. We have had a very good and encouraging response
from the people of the community and we hope
to provide them with ongoing excellent service.”
Gupta said he plans to continue upgrading the 24-
hour car wash including offering free vacuums with the
purchase of a car wash. They also hope to add unlimited
monthly wash packages in the future.
“We offer self-serve washes starting at $3 using 100
percent hot water wash with a lot of options that are
not offered at other locations in this area,” Gupta said in
the story. “This includes the tire cleaner, pre-soak, soap
foam brush, high-pressure soap, high pressure wax and
more. The best services are the hot wax and air dryer on
the self-serve options.” Automatic washes start at $8 and
a free towel dry is offered between the hours of 8 a.m.
and 6 p.m. every day.”
Having driven several cars over the years, Gupta said
that he has personally seen the importance of keeping
a vehicle clean.

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SPRING 2020 • 33

TRICKS OF THE
Presenting some of the best discussions from the Self Serve, IBA and General Discussions sections of CarwashForum.com. To view more
posts discussing some interesting and common problems, as well as some of the best and brightest solutions, visit CarwashForum.com
(Note: Some posts feature minor edits for readability.)
Bye Bye birdies
Metal screens, Netting,
Bird Be Gone, Rubber snakes
How do you guys get rid of birds? They are all over
the place right now and making a huge mess. NOOB
I am dealing with the same problem. I have installed
expanded metal screens and bird spikes.
Both worked. At this point, the small areas are becoming
a roosting spot. I just bought netting to see
how that goes and thinking I should have done that
in the first place. Will know in a few weeks. THECKIE
I used to have problems with barn swallows
roosting at the car wash. The only thing you can
do to get rid of them is to seal up the building. On
the areas that they’d land or roost on I ended up
putting metal and wood cut at an angle so they
couldn’t land or roost. Any nest I found I got rid of
it right away. I think pigeons are the worst, nothing
more than a rat with wings. RANDY
I live trap the sparrows and starlings. Pigeons get
it with air rifle. Living in a rural town I tend to get
away with stuff that others can’t. SWAMPDONKEY
I used to use a product called Bird B gone. Came
in a tube that fit in a caulking gun. It was basically
a substance you applied and it stayed effective for
How I fixed it!
THE PROBLEM
(SUBMITTED BY CELICA):
After many years, my R.O. membrane needed replacement. It
went from 1.5 gpm to 3.5 gpm instantly. Bits of the membrane
were found in the storage tank. The TDS was at 90 in the storage
tank. I installed a new membrane. When I first pressurized the
new membrane it was flowing at 3 gpm @170 psi. I let it sit overnight
and tried it again. This time it flowed at 2 gpm @170psi.
After a couple of days, I checked the storage tank and it was at a
TDS of 20. But today I noticed the membrane flowing at 3gpm
@170psi. The output TDS is reading 70.
maybe 6 months. It was just real sticky stuff that
the birds hated. BB guns are also effective if you’re
a good shot. MAC
I 2nd Mac on Bird B Gone. Take a full rainy day
& 2/3 tubes of that stuff & put it EVERYWHERE
they land. They will be gone in 48 hrs & stay gone.
Will cost you about $40 & the problem is gone!
SOONERMAJIC
Recently, at our rural location, we had a buzzard
get into the mechanical room, scaring the
you-know-what out of our city boy mechanic. He
left the mechanical door open and returned many
minutes later to find the buzzard gone. I hope it’s
not an omen for something. WASH4LIFE
I think I saw it on the forum before we tried
it but rubber snakes from the dollar store have
seemed to make a real difference for us. We have
a flat roof so I threw a couple up there and on top
of the walls between the bays. BERT79
High
membrane
flow
Metal
screens
Netting
Rubber snakes
Bird
Be Gone
SSCWN EDITOR CHIMES IN:
Before anyone loads their firearm
or slingshot, it’s important to know
that all wild birds (except pigeons,
English sparrows and starlings)
are protected by federal and state
laws, according to the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service. This means
you cannot trap, kill or possess
protected species without federal
and state permits. And, even if
you are allowed to harm a pigeon,
there’s a better way to handle them
(killing of pigeons could lead to a
PR nightmare…) The first step,
according to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is to identify
the bird and determine why it is
attracted to your property.
THE SOLUTION: I remembered that when I took
the old membrane out, I noticed the O ring in the cap was
partially dislodged. I put it back in the groove and then installed
the new membrane. When I woke up at 2:30 in the morning I had a hunch that the
excessive flow rate and high TDS was water partially getting past the membrane.
I pulled the cap off and found the O ring was partially out of the groove again. I
grabbed another O ring and installed it, and things are running normal. It was
untreated water getting past the O ring and causing high “flow” and high TDS
readings. The old membrane that I took out is most likely fine. I will look at putting
some adhesive in the O ring groove to keep the O ring in place if this happens again.
This O ring is hit with 170 psi when the pump starts up.
34 • SPRING 2020

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TRICKS OF THE
Help Wanted
... from myself
Any guys out there that own/run car washes full time as their job? Particularly
self service car washes. I’m wondering at what point did you know you had to
quit your day job and go out on your own. [This would be for] 3 or 4 car washes?
I know it all depends on size and profitability of each wash. I want to expand,
but it will be hard to do with my 6-5 millwright job (that I hate). SHINESHED
Do Not Work
with Family
Get
enough
experience
My full-time job in the industry began in 1996
when I opened my full-service stand-alone detail
shop. It was rough; I was in business with family,
which I DO NOT RECOMMEND, for many reasons.
We rented a location (which we built ourselves;
long story). The business only made money
8-9 months a year because of seasonality. I went
without pay for those months. I was able to do this
because I was good with my money and my family
members always lived hand-to-mouth. Eventually
my partner got another job and sold me his ‘share’
of the business, which was insolvent at the time. It
was my plan all along to build a self-serve car wash,
so I did. I went and got a job part time at a great local
chain called Golden Nozzle so I could learn the
business firsthand. I learned so much from my old
boss, Mike Forgotch. I put a business plan together
and went to banks. I experienced a lot of rejection. I
worked hard to refine the plan and got my little 2/1
SS wash open. Then I lost my lease and was evicted
from my old location for the detail shop. I went
back to the bank, borrowed more $$$ and built a
sweet 4 car detail shop next to my wash. Then I applied
for and got my used car dealer’s license. Now,
all this time later, I operate the business full-time,
along with an 8 plex apartment building I bought at
the urging of 2 good friends. What a great decision
that was for me! It is awesome to be diversified, especially
now. WAXMAN
You’re asking the wrong question. You yourself
know that in your current situation, expansion
will be hard to do.
Here’s what I look at your main question as being,
Do I keep the full-time job and my one car
wash, or do I leave the full-time job in order to
expand?
Another question to ask yourself is, Is working
a full-time job allowing me to maximize profits at
my current business? WASH4LIFE
Trust me, I know from experience, it’s hard to
keep a full-time job and run one SS car wash, unless
you have someone to clean up. I did it for seven
years back in the 90s, and I’m doing it again
now. Back then it wasn’t so bad -- I was younger
and I had gotten things where I barely spent 30
minutes at the wash most days. Customers there
respected the place and almost never made a mess.
My current wash doesn’t have that yet, may never
because of the customer base. I spend at least two
hours just cleaning every day, even if it rains. At
least I’m making some decent money, more than
the full-time job pays. MEP001
I own and operate a 5 bay plus an awesome automatic,
and it is my only job. Since I sold my regular
business last year, I needed something to do to get
me out of the house. And trust me on this, if you
spend 24 hours with your wife, things can get uncomfortable
sometimes. There was one time I really
regretted showing my wife how to use a handgun,
but that’s another story. So I spend anywhere from
three to nine hours a day at the wash. The customers
love the fact that someone is there. And I listen
to them when they tell me what they like or don’t,
and what they would like to see added MAC
Started part time in 1992 and became full time
in 2000. I’ve run as many as seven low-moderate
SS only washes at a time. I know people that have
run more. I really don’t want to work full time
anymore so I’m down to just two nice SS/IBA (although
will be starting to rehab a third soon) and
work four-five hours a day most days. I make more
at a part time job than I could make working for
someone else, unless I had MD after my name.
You have to learn the 80/20 rule if you want to
run multiple locations: 80% of your results come
from 20% of your efforts. You can spend all day at
one wash if you want to try multiple profit centers,
lots of vending, etc. and run a spotless wash, or
you can run several pretty good locations in the
same amount of time if you keep things simple
and aren’t as OCD about the cleanliness. I’m in
the latter category.
One piece of advice I give new operators: Never
clean up your own wash if you can afford an employee
-- it will eat up your time and ruin your
attitude. GREG PACK
Thank you for that, Greg.
Really good advice. I had that
exact
conversation with my manager last week after he
had gotten lazy on cleaning. I told him that the
wash will be clean, no matter what. If he does his
job all will be good. If I have to do his job, I’ll be
[mad] about it every single day. KLEANRIDE
I think it depends what type of wash you want
to run.
If you are the maintenance man and the one
calling all the shots, you cannot have a full time
job. If you can find a manager that is handy and
intelligent then, yes, you probably could manage
1-2 washes and still have a full time job.
You really have to weigh the pros and cons
though. For me, when I purchased my 2nd and 3rd
wash I quit my full time job because I could see
the upside of the car washes potentially making
more than my full time job salary. What I mean
by that is if I keep improving, my car washes’ sales
would continue to increase which I felt would ultimately
over time be more than my salary and
then-current car wash profit ever was. I can say
now that my car wash profit the year after I quit
my full time job was more than my previous year’s
car wash profit + the salary at my old job.
People want to see a well-managed car wash, I
feel like I can always tell when an SS wash has an
absentee owner.
It was the right move for me to quit my job. I
currently own 4 washes (18 SS bays & 4 autos)
and have the time to look for new opportunities
and growth. WYATT
I’ve been in [the self serve business] for 31 years.
28 years ago I decided the best way to run my 2nd
wash was to move on site. My 2nd wash was a former
car dealership building I converted to 3,000 sf
of living space. 3rd wash was a muffler shop that I
converted to an SS and 1,800 sf apt. which I currently
live in. I got a car wash mortgage, no house
payments. On site for me was the best way to go.
SWAMPDONKEY
36 • SPRING 2020

SPRING 2020 • 37

VIDEO CA
Successful Car Wash
Self-Serve to E
AQUA BLUE CAR WASH
CASE STUDY
Location
ATLANTA, GA
Get in the trenches with Scott Oster as he describes the renovation of this existing
self-serve site that converted successfully to a 110-foot express exterior tunnel. Scott
guides you through the project’s design and permitting, as well as the technology
upgrades and marketing decisions that made this Grand Re-Opening a huge success.
ORIGINAL SITE
SELF-SERVE SITE
5 Self-Serve Bays & 2 Inbay Automatics
CONVERTED TO
UP TO
125
110-EDT
Exterior Detail Hybrid Tunnel System
Cars
Per Hour!
Watch Scott Oster, owner of Aqua Blue Car Wash
as he explains his successful conversion
https://www.sonnysdirect.com/aqua-blue
Make CarWashing Easy
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38 • SPRING 2020

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CONVERTED TO
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_
Watch Marcus Kittrell, owner of marc-1 Car Wash
as he explains his successful conversion
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SPRING 2020 • 39

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SPRING 2020 • 41

TRICKS OF THE
Scoring with storing
I have excess land at my carwash and for years have thought it would be a
good place for a self storage building. I know just enough about the
self storage business to be dangerous. I am looking for some
advice from veteran operators. I see the ISS (Inside Self Storage)
has a convention. Anyone familiar with it? Is it worth attending?
I’d like to hear from some carwash/self storage operators as
to how the mix of the two works out for them. RIC
Yes, I own both - a self serve carwash 3/2 and a
40K’ mini storage facility. However, they are not
on adjoining properties. The mini storage is about
4 miles away. Been open about 18 months. LOUISE
I’ve been considering the same thing on some
unused and otherwise useless property behind
our wash, but local restrictions would make it
almost impossible to make it profitable unless I
could keep it at least 98% leased. MEP001
Self storage is a great easy business. Steve Wilson
in Tampa used to build self service and self
storage together. As I understand, he has demolished
the car washes, and built more self storage.
We have been in the self storage business for over
20 years. Unlike a car wash, it is very easy to get
into and run. Few employees, and little maintenance.
The problem is that it is so easy to get into,
there is often ‘over building’. They can and often
are built next to each other. ...If you are doing
good, someone will build a self storage right next
door (sounds like the express wash business).
In the past 2 years over 300,000 sq. ft. have
been built surrounding each of the 2 self storages
that we are involved with. Occupancy dropped
15 to 20 %. It is easy to over build, build too
expensively and too much. There is a new 4 story
project that has just recently been built near
one of my washes, great idea, but too crowded. it
will be hard to access the multi-story building…
JIMMYJAFFA
Self-storage is a good business. Self-Storage facilities
are becoming very popular nowadays. The storage
services are useful for everyone. RAYMONDHALL
We have storage behind our wash. It’s working
well. Once you build it people copycat the heck
out of you.
Since we built, another company put some
right across the street from us. And another just
down the road.. And on the other side of a small
town, and another and another.
Anyone with mon- ey jumps on it
when they see you are successful.
If you build it, build it full out with
maximum units for your
area that
budget allows, so there’s
less room for others to
copy on the business. Actually,
this is one area I would
say go over budget to lock
the occupancy #s..
When other investors see the market saturated
they will shy away.
We should have put up 4 times more than we
started with!! MRFIXIT
I can say a storage facility is a good business, but
you need to market also and invest time and effort
to brand your business. MIDLANDBOATRVSTORAGE
The self-storage business is very beneficial as it
is very easy to use and install. Self-storage businesses
are becoming very popular these days. You
can easily make storage space with the help of
industrial curtains.
Industrial curtains can be the best option if you
want to open a temporary self-storage business.
This will help you to cut down the labor and
maintenance charges annually. I have recently
started with this business and yes I am getting
good revenue out of it. BEN STOKES
I looked into doing this. Very expensive and just
like the car wash business as soon as you put one in
everyone else does the same thing and over builds.
I went the way of storage for RV and campers.
Low cost to start with -- stone lot, no fence. Put
a 3x12 banner up and listed in Craigslist. Boom!
Got lots of calls and filled up the area I started
with and made a second lot. You will find that you
can no longer park your RV in the yard in most
new subdivisions. You need to do some research
first but I found this to be a low cost low overhead
and minimal time employee wise. WASHALLDAY
Watch for
eyesore
complaints
Great,
easy business!
Have looked at mobilecontainersales.
com. They ship
flat and you assem- ble them on
site. Can stack 3 high and possibly can be movable
with a basic tow truck. Haven’t gotten quite that
far yet.
I think the problem with this is competing with
Pods and Uhaul for the long haul. Unless we’re
able to make an independent national network to
provide collection and return or trade of containers,
if they decide to move out of your area, you’d
need to charge them for the container. MSAXONII
Just a “heads up” my large facility interior design
neighbor (the balance of the total city block)
had to eventually remove their mobile storage
units because supposedly the city got a bunch
of complaints from a few vocal citizens about
the so-called ‘eyesore’ factor. Not sure if that
even comes close to applying in other localities
though. MJWALSH
42 • SPRING 2020

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SPRING 2020 • 43

TRICKS OF THE
What’s the proper etiquette
when it comes to criminals?
We have notified police of a break-in. We have good pics of their
truck & the perps ... So, should we post those pics on our Facebook,
or not? Is it legal to do that? If legal, is it a dumb move? Bad PR, or is
that a smart move? SOONERMAJIC
I think the only customers that would be offended
by it are the ones you wouldn’t want on your
property. One of the car washes in my area did a
$20 Facebook ad recently with video of some people
that tried to break into their equipment and
ended up catching them with the help of people
who saw it. OVERACHIEVER
I had a guy breaking into my vacs and I told my
snow cone stand tenants and they posted the pictures
on their Facebook page and even asked for
help identifying them....within an hour someone
responded with the names of the individuals and
they were caught. I would if I was you... RFREEMAN
I think VERY FEW people will think negatively
of you for posting pictures of people breaking
into your equipment. You aren’t the bad guy
here! ERICH
I concur. Post the pictures, we are encouraged to
help our sheriff’s department by posting on Facebook
because there are more eyes and leads that
come from that type of platform. We’ve had people
post on our “People of Des Moines” FB page
of crimes and sometimes hours later a mugshot
would appear with “Apprehended” above from our
police department. DIAMONDWASH
Definitely post on Facebook.
I’d also posted pics outside each bay, all the vacs,
vending and changer. I would even post his pic by
the street entrance with a sign, “DO YOU KNOW
WHO THIS THIEF IS?”
It would make an impression on all your customers.
I wouldn’t care about the few that don’t
like it because the ones that might think about doing
something bad at your wash will know their
face will be planted all over your lot.
Might stop someone from doing “anything” bad
at your place in the future. JMMUSTANG
I used Facebook last fall to catch a paint dumper
at my wash, but when I handed his info over to
the cops they completely blew it off. My manager
suggested we put up a sign board next to the
bill changers and start posting, “A$$#@!? of the
month” photos, but I’m afraid that’ll just motivate
kids to drop by and try to win that title. KLEANRIDE
Instead of posting, “Info Wanted for Committing
X Crime,” which could be libelous, post, “Info
Wanted for Persons of Interest in Connection with
XXX).”
Unfortunately, many operators have discovered
that police today really don’t care about “minor”
crimes such as these. So, I heartily agree to not
only post the pictures, but write what they did. I
think most of your customers will be glad that you
care about your operation. At a wash I used to own
I had a stringer hit my wash four days in a row. So,
I went to the local authorities, explained my loss,
around $2,000, and asked if I could just stake out
the place with my revolver, and capture them. Was
shocked when the cop said I better not or I could
get in trouble. So, be proactive… MAC
I think it would depend on how blatantly the
clearness of the criminal intent is & if 100% proof
existed with no ambiguities. The ability to prove
a non-alterable time date stamp of the pic-video
could be a factor. It seems like almost every criminal
always pleads not guilty at first.
Possibly proportionality could come into the
picture??? ... in terms of the person having his or
her reputation ruined at a much greater cost than
just a more discreet and less publicized remedy
along with restitution from the perp could be at
times the better fit???
If it was a hit & run accident ... the perp could
possibly play dumb & say he or she did not the
object was scraped or hit etc???
Without a license number ... possibly someone
could say their truck was similar & they were damaged
by a mistaken identity guess by whoever posting
back publicly could be an issue??? MJWALSH
Don’t
do it
Post their
pictures!
SSCWN EDITOR CHIMES IN:
Catching criminals via Facebook is
a great tool for the Florida-based
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Since 2017 the department has
hosted a live Wheel of Thieves
segment garnering public adoration.
According to the Wheel of Thieves
website, the segment is hosted
by Sergeant Melony Peterson and
Chief Public Information Officer
Amber Southard on Wednesdays.
They spin a wheel to see who will
be the ECSO’s featured Fugitive of
the Week. The episode is loaded
onto social media (Facebook and
YouTube; as well as, edited for time
for Instagram & Twitter). “The lucky
fugitive who wins will be plastered
across the ECSO’s social media and
electronic billboards for the next
week.” Last April, local news station
abc 3 reported that the program
has an 80% success rate and 21
people were still at large after being
featured.
44 • SPRING 2020

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SPRING 2020 • 45

2020
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
(AT PRESS TIME, THESE
EVENTS WERE STILL
GOING TO TAKE PLACE)
JUNE 8-10
CAR WASH
EXCELLENCE
SUMMIT
Hotel Bennett
Charleston, South Carolina
www.carwash.org
JUNE 22-24
WOMEN IN
CARWASH
CONFERENCE
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
www.womenincarwash.com
SEP 14-16
2020 AMERICAN
CAR WASH EXPO
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia
https://secwa.org
OCT 5-7
NORTHEAST
REGIONAL
CARWASH
CONVENTION
Atlantic City Convention Center
Atlantic City, New Jersey
www.nrccshow.com
46 • SPRING 2020
Association News
International Carwash Association ® (ICA)
CEO Eric Wulf warns against letter scam
There is a document making the rounds throughout
the carwashing community and, unfortunately, it
is a scam. Eric Wulf, CEO of the ICA wants people
to know he has nothing to do with it and also noted,
it asks readers to contact “Eric Wolf” which is an obvious
misspelling.
In a letter to ICA members, Wulf wrote:
A document entitled “Essential Business” has
recently circulated within the car wash community.
In it, readers are advised to contact “Eric Wolf” from
the “International Car Wash Association” for more
information about whether car washes may operate
during government imposed restrictions related to
According to the official statement from the
ICA: Anthony Analetto, President of Sonny’s Car
Wash Equipment Division, has been chosen as the
winner of the 2020 Distinguished Achievement
Award, presented by International Carwash Association
to recognize unique and exemplary contributions
to the car wash industry.
Anthony has been washing cars for more than
30 years, with decades of industry knowledge that
started in his family’s business. Their site included
a gas station, three self-service bays, and a 70-foot
exterior tunnel. After college, he left the family business
to work as a manager at the Sonny’s car wash
chain in Boston.
At Sonny’s, Anthony managed new projects,
car washes, quick lube builds, and conversions from
touch-free to touch-less to hybrid processes. Between
projects, Anthony traveled the country, installing
washes for Sonny’s Enterprises, LLC. Soon
after, Anthony became Director of Operations at
Wash Depot Holdings, where he was responsible for
onboarding all acquisitions to a chain of 74 washes,
28 quick lubes, and 14 gas stations across 13 states.
the coronavirus crisis.
Please be advised that this document was NOT
authored or approved by the International Carwash
Association. The Association’s position, and other resources,
are to be found at www.carwash.org/sharing.
These are challenging times, and our goal is to
provide you with the best information possible. We
wish safety and good health to you and yours, and
welcome your comments and questions.
Sincerely,
Eric Wulf, CEO
Anthony Analetto of Sonny’s recognized for exemplary
contributions to the industry
The ICA hosted the first-ever edition of its
weekly livestream, CAR WASH Magazine Live, took
place March 26, and reached nearly 6,000 people.
Hosted by CAR WASH Magazine Editor-in-Chief
Matt DeWolf, the inaugural episode featured guests
Tom Hoffman, Jr., owner of Hoffman Car Wash, and
Eric Wulf, ICA Chief Executive Officer.
The episode covered a variety of issues related
to the COVID-19 pandemic — including resources
and details shared by ICA, how Hoffman Car Wash
has handled the issue in the virus hot spots in New
York State, and the pandemic’s overall effects on
wash owners, operators, and the industry at large.
You can watch it now on Facebook or on the ICA
YouTube channel.
Another episode aired April 2 and was designed
to help operators and owners navigate the latest
stimulus bills in the United States (CARES and
FFCRA) from both human resources and business
Noting his hard work and talent, Paul Fazio
reached out to Anthony and invited him to work at
Sonny’s Enterprises—a dynamic collaboration that
has now spanned 20 years. At Sonny’s, Anthony has
created state-of-the-art innovations to keep equipment
cutting edge.
“There are few faces more well known in the car
wash industry today than Anthony’s,” said Eric Wulf,
CEO of International Carwash Association. “He is a
recognized expert on car wash operations and equipment,
and has been the face of the extensive Sonny’s
video library. Anthony appears as a regular contributor
to car wash industry magazines and speaks often
at association events. His decades of experience in
both the retailer and supplier sides of the industry, as
well as his commitment to teaching and supporting
others, made Anthony’s selection as the DAA winner
an easy decision.”
In recognizing Anthony Analetto with a Distinguished
Achievement Award, ICA highlights the importance
of innovation, education, and giving back to
the car wash community. Kudos to Anthony for his
decades of leadership!
Association’s first-ever livestream reaches thousands of attendees
perspectives. Guests included Claudia St. John, president
of Affinity HR Group and Joanna Johnson,
president of Johnson Policy Associates. Plus, Andrew
Zamora, president of Racer Classic Car Wash, talked
about how his wash managed COVID-19. The first
episode had more than 300 viewers during the livestream,
and had 5,750 viewed the livestream. The
ICA hopes you’ll be counted among this number
for future episodes which can be found by visiting
the ICA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/carwashorg.
If you cannot make the scheduled stream,
you can watch afterwards on Facebook, or visit our
YouTube channel.
If you have ideas about a feature for an upcoming
episode, the ICA asks you to contact Matt De-
Wolf at mdewolf@carwash.org.

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SPRING 2020 • 49

Association News
Connecticut Carwash Association (CCA)
Scholarship deadline extended to June 1
The Kenneth M. Gustafson Sr. scholarship
deadline has been extended to June 1 due to
COVID-19. The two CCA $1,000 scholarships
are available to CCA-member employees.
To date, the CCA has awarded $25,000 in
Car Wash Operators of
New Jersey (CWONJ)
Scholarship applications extended to June 1
CWONJ Scholarship Chairman Dan Saidel
posted they are also extending the application
deadline for 2020 scholarships to June 1, 2020.
Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded
to CWONJ-member employees in 2020. “It is
important to note that this award can be used
for a two- or four-year education, be it full or
part time. Applicants will be evaluated based
on their high school standing, leadership capabilities,
community involvement, strength
of character, personal achievement, plan of
study and future goals. The scholarship will
be awarded to individuals who, through their
work in the community and at your business,
have demonstrated excellence and a genuine
Australian Car Wash Association (ACWA)
Good news for Sydney car wash operators
In a March 5, 2020, post from ACWA Business
Manager Douglas Cross, he announced that
water restrictions in the greater Sydney area
were dropping from level 2 to level 1. Sydney is
the most populated city in Australia.
Cross wrote:
NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey recently
announced that from 1 March 2020 water
restrictions would drop from level 2 to level
1 for greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and
the Illawarra Water. However, on checking the
Sydney Water website, ACWA discovered that
conditions for commercial car washing remained
unchanged.
It is pleasing to report that as of today,
this situation has been resolved and commercial
car washes in areas under Sydney Water’s
authority will revert to more favourable Level
1 conditions. Indeed, Sydney Water has
approved an additional concession, allowing
operators to average water use per car across
all wash types on the site. This is a condition
ACWA fought for during Level 2 Restrictions.
50 • SPRING 2020
scholarships since the program’s inception in
2003. Gustafson, Sr., who passed away in 2003,
was President of the Kwick Auto Wash, a veteran
of World War II and was the first president
of the CCA.
desire to expand their knowledge.”
To be eligible an applicant must:
• Be an employee or direct family member
of an employee of any CWONJ member
• Have been an employee, full or part time,
for at least 1 year
• Have graduated high school or have the
equivalent
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll at an accredited
two- or four-year college or university, and
• Not be an owner, or direct family member of
an owner of a carwash facility, manufacturer
or retail supplier to the carwash industry.
• Level 1 Restrictions for commercial
car washing in Sydney, the Blue Mountains
and the Illawarra are:
• All commercial car washes must apply
for a Water Restrictions Exemption.
• Commercial car washes may wash
vehicles using any wash method.
• Commercial car washes must use
an average* of fewer than 125 litres of
drinking water for each car washed*.
• *125L/wash is the efficiency requirement.
• Most car wash sites use multiple car
wash systems (self-serve and auto, for
example).
• Average water use is calculated per
vehicle across each washing method
used on the site.
ACWA encourages all members to ensure
they hold a Water Restrictions Exemption. The
Exemption is an online application process and can
be found at: https://www.sydneywater.com.au.
Members should also be aware that a fine
of $550 (per day) may be applied to businesses
who have not applied for an Exemption.
Car Wash Association
of the United Kingdom
(CWA)
Illegal washes are a national
disgrace, says CWA
Not to be confused by the ICA, the CWA is the association
for car washes throughout the United Kingdom. Back
in February, the CWA helped in the mission to end illegal
car washes. “We are excited that Government, through the
Office for Labour Market Enforcement, is at last proposing
practical measures to combat the fast growing, mostly
illegal, trade of non-compliant hand car washes,” said Brian
Madderson, Chairman of the Petrol Retailers and Car
Wash Associations, according to a press release.
Matthew Taylor, the Interim Director of the Office
for Labour Market Enforcement (OLME) called for
tighter regulations on the UK’s hand car washes, by introducing
a national licensing scheme in order to combat the
prevalence of human trafficking, poor working conditions
and environmental concerns, amongst other issues, the
press release stated.
Research conducted by Experian Catalist for the
CWA confirmed that less than 5% of the 10,000 or more
third party hand car washes are located on operational
forecourts, stated the press release. “This means they are
typically located on brown and greenfield sites, car parks of
major retailers and disused forecourts.”
“It is a national disgrace that the UK has become the ‘go
to’ country in Europe for non-compliant hand car washes
that openly flout tax, labour abuse and environmental regulations,”
added Madderson in the press release. “They are a
serious social blight caused by ineffective enforcement and
contrast starkly with countries like Germany, Austria and
Benelux which have virtually none.”
The sooner this new Government tackles this issue,
Madderson continued, the sooner will our rivers and
countryside be freed from toxic chemical waste and labour
abuse will be eliminated. “We enthusiastically welcome
Mr. Taylor’s call for a licensing scheme.”
Southwest Car Wash
Association (SCWA)
Annual show was a huge success,
included a welcoming from
George W. Bush
According to the SCWA, more than 2,000 car wash
attendees gathered at the Fort Worth Convention Center
in January for the 2020 SCWA Convention & Car
Wash EXPO. According to former Association President
Andrew Zamora, “The event this year was the best ever!
We set a few new records with the largest pre-registration
plus attendees, not including exhibitors, from 45 states
and three foreign countries.”
The EXPO featured 336 booths displaying the latest
in car wash, lube and detail equipment, supplies and
services. The keynote address was given by former U.S.
Vice President Dick Cheney. And, even his former boss,
President George W. Bush was on-hand, via video message,
to welcome the attendees. “Laura and I send our
best wishes to each of you for a successful 2020.”
Also, at the EXPO, Brian Campbell was awarded the
2020 SCWA Lifetime Achievement Award. Brian, states
the SCWA, is a legend in the car wash industry and a
wonderful friend to so many car wash owners and vendors
across the nation.

INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS
COVID-19
SPRING 2020 • 51

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52 • SPRING 2020

ONE STEP AT A TIME.
ONE PUNCH AT A TIME.
ONE ROUND AT A TIME.
– ROCKY BALBOA
I succeed because I keep
going, and going, and going!
– ROCKY BALBOA
There is a lot of information, and misinformation
regarding germs and public safety. Public
panic and unconfirmed viral Facebook posts are
causing widespread panic. And, since detailers are
in the business of dealing with sullied surfaces and
are also looking to calm customers’ concerns over
contaminated consoles, crevices and compartments,
it is important to know the health risks if
dealing with an infected vehicle interior and/or
customer. Thankfully, the risks of fake news reports
are lessened thanks to four big authorities
including the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, and OSHA. All four are continuously
updating their websites, trying to put out timely,
important and accurate information regarding the
recent flu outbreak and the worldwide pandemic
public enemy number one: The Coronavirus. Days
were spent gathering up the truth about germs,
not only for your benefit, but so that you can also
properly inform and educate your customers and
your employees. If a customer is worried their
car is contaminated, a self serve car wash owner
shouldn’t necessarily bank on their paranoia but
should properly inform the customer of the steps
needed to decontaminate the exterior and interior.
There is also ample opportunity to do some good
such as offering free washes to essential workers,
to handing out free masks. State to state, everything
is different. Some governors declared car
washes as an essential business, and others forced
them to close. If you’re up and running, are you at
risk? Yes, germs can live on surfaces, but they do
have an expiration date. If a customer had or has
the virus, is your equipment at risk of cross-contamination?
Staying healthy is nothing to sneeze
at and having an arsenal of concrete knowledge is
paramount during these times of hysteria, which,
unfortunately, is somewhat warranted.
STATE TO STATE:
WHERE ARE
CAR WASHES OPERATING?
The rules regarding what is essential, what is
not essential, and how and when car washes are
allowed to open are changing every day. The Cybersecurity
and Infrastructure Security Agency
(CISA) has updated its guidelines for determining
what is critical infrastructure multiple times.
According to the Agency’s official statement,
CISA executes the Secretary of Homeland Security’s
authorities to secure critical infrastructure.
Consistent with these authorities, CISA has developed,
in collaboration with other federal agencies,
State and local governments, and the private
sector, an “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce”
advisory list. This list is intended to help
State, local, tribal and territorial officials as they
work to protect their communities, while ensuring
continuity of functions critical to public health
and safety, as well as economic and national security.
Decisions informed by this list should also take
into consideration additional public health considerations
based on the specific COVID-19-related
concerns of particular jurisdictions.
If you’re interested in learning whether car
washes in other states (and counties in cases of
California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri,
New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Tennessee, and Texas) are doing, the International
Carwash Association has a comprehensive listing
of each state and whether or not car washes are
allowed to be open. For that listing, visit carwash.
org/sharing and click the Car Wash Essential Business
Statements link.
54 • SPRING 2020

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SPRING 2020 • 55

Q &
A
ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENTS SPEAK
EXCLUSIVELY WITH SELF
SERVE CAR WASH NEWS
From the Southeast to the Heartland, to across the oceans
to Australia, we spoke with area Association leaders for advice
and input on how to stay in business and stay positive.
PAT SHANNON
President of the Heartland
Carwash Association:
COVERAGE
SSCWN: What advice do you have for self-serve
car wash owners in terms of staying hopeful and
productive during these “uncertain” times?
PAT SHANNON:
• Stay positive and keep your messaging positive
and uplifting. If your location has a message
board, post encouraging messages for your
customers. (ex. “We will all get through this”)
• Let customers know that you have implemented
measures to sanitize bays and equipment
as best you can. Signs in the bays let your
customers know what measures you are taking
to sanitize at your location.
• Protect your employees by providing masks,
gloves, and disinfectant.
• Keep to previous employee hours and
schedules, they have families and bills and need
those paychecks. Besides businesses are getting
help with payrolls.
• Apply for the EIDL Advance on the SBA website.
($1,000 per employee, up to $10,000 and is a
grant).
• Apply for PPP and if you do not get funded use
the Employee Retention Credit (up to $5,000 per
employee).
• If you did get your PPP app funded, come up
with a PPP forgiveness Plan (only what you
spend in the 56 days after you get funded can
count toward forgiveness).
• Remember that the car wash business is
recession proof and we will come back from this.
• Follow the HCA on social media to keep up on
the latest.
• Smile, it takes fewer muscles and customers like it.
56 • SPRING 2020

ADVICE FOR
CAR CARE
PROFESSIONALS
According to Josh Buckler CD-SV, IDA
Marketing & Communications Committee
Co-chair, there are key things a small business
owner can do to stay afloat, healthy and
vigilant during this time.
Yuck! During studies for the National Institute
of Health, Staphylococcus aureus, the germ most
commonly known for MRSA, was found on most
frequently touched surfaces in a vehicle, such as the
steering wheel, gear shifter, and center console. If
your self serve offers up interior cleaning services
and products, here some ways to advise those on
disinfecting their cars who visit your car wash:
• Hot water extraction: The fibers of the carpet
and fabrics inside a vehicle can embed germs
and facilitate growth. Using an extractor can
allow for embedded germs to be lifted from the
fibers of the carpet.
• Steam: Using steam can kill 99.9% of germs.
Ways to reaching out to your customers during
this pandemic, include:
• Create: Using your email list, send a brief
email newsletter. Stay away from the already
saturated “Coronavirus” headline. Use a 4-7
words that grab their attention immediately such
as “Vehicles get sick too!”, and “Take your car to
the doctor”, etc.
• Follow up: Send
a mass text using
an online platform,
or take it a step
further and find the
customers who you
know have kids that also
ride in the vehicle regularly.
• Share: Reach out to local media
outlets and explain the importance to them. Most
press have a general place online to send a story
too. Write up something educational and email
any you can think of. They’re looking to stay
current with what is popular.
• Collaborate: Link up with a local business
to go live on social media together and offer
tips todetermine a vehicle’s health.’ Consider
holding a day long “free check up” and team up
with a detailer. Create a checklist like an auto
mechanics suggestions. To build rapport, don’t
just write the things you see that need attention,
but those that are positive and complementing
too. Then, customers can also wash their cars in
your bays for a discounted price.
This article was provided courtesy of the International Detailing
Association (IDA) and its entirety was provided to
all IDA members. Only a portion of the article is included
here and was edited to relate to self serve car wash owners.
For more information, visit the IDA at https://the-ida.com/.
CAN A CAR CARRY
CORONAVIRUS?
There is much more to learn about the transmissibility,
severity, and other features associated with
COVID-19 as the outbreak investigation continues,
according to OSHA. According to the CDC, spread
from person-to-person is most likely among close
contact (about 6 feet). Person-to-person spread
is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets
produced when an infected person coughs or
sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory
pathogens spread. These droplets can land
in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby
or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. “It’s currently
unknown if a person can get COVID-19 by touching
a surface or object that has the virus on it and
then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly
their eyes.”
As of March 1, 2020, OSHA released the following
statement: Workers who conduct cleaning tasks
must be protected from exposure to blood, certain
body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials
covered by OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens
standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and from hazardous
chemicals used in these tasks. In these cases, the PPE
(29 CFR 1910 Subpart I) and Hazard Communication
(29 CFR 1910.1200) standards may also apply.
Also note: Do not use compressed air or water
sprays to clean potentially contaminated surfaces, as
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SSCWN2019.indd 1
SPRING 2020 • 57
4/15/19 9:05 AM

Q &
A
COVERAGE
TYREE BROWN
President of the Southeastern
Car Wash Association
SSCWN: In a few words, how would you describe your
thoughts on this pandemic?
TYREE BROWN: The world is in a particularly scary
place. However, fear is an emotion that does us little
good unless it motivates the right actions with meaningful
outcomes. I believe many of us are working
hard to be responsible with compliance and to be a
part of the solution instead of feeding the problem.
There are so many tough decisions being made. As
many of us are fighting to keep our businesses solvent,
there are so many are fighting for their lives.
These are very tough times.
SSCWN: How has it affected the self serve car washes
in the Southeast?
TYREE BROWN: The pandemic has affected many
in different ways. In many situations, entrepreneurs
handle situations in incredibly innovative and different
ways with the best outcome for each in mind.
Such is the case for many car washes in the Southeast.
Some have been mandated to shut down and
are fighting voraciously, others have made the choice
to temporarily close based on lower volumes, safety
or position in the market. There are others that
have dug in and are fighting to adapt and to stay open
amidst many of the pressures of the new no touch
and social distancing world in which we live.
SSCWN: Do you think self serves will survive this?
TYREE BROWN: I think self-serves are well positioned
to survive. Like other challenges it may force a
bit of innovation and exiting from operational comfort
zones. From my perspective, the table is set for an independent
experience that fits into the distancing elements
prescribed by health care experts. There may be a need
for glove use between the handling of guns and wands
as well as vacuum consoles. But there may be more opportunities
instead of barriers. Gloves can certainly be a
vending machine item so there is a great opportunity.
SSCWN: What is a message you would like to send out
to our readers who are in the Southeast?
TYREE BROWN: I believe the human spirit is resilient,
the human race is intelligent, our ability to
persevere is unmatched. We have spectacular scientists
that are beyond capable of finding a cure to this
dreadful enemy. We will all need to demonstrate a
strong sense of responsible adaptability while together
we search for this global solution.
CLOTHING, TOOL AND EQUIPMENT
DECONTAMINATION
According to OSHA, contaminated
clothing, tools and equipment should also be
cleaned. It is preferable that soap and clean
water be used when available. If only contaminated
water is available use the following:
• 1/4 cup bleach.
• 1 gallon of water.
• Immerse objects in the solution for 10
minutes; if clothing, gently swirl every few
minutes.
• If clothing, wring out as much moisture as
possible.
Protect Yourself:
Cleaning Chemicals
and Your Health
Working with cleaning chemicals can cause:
Coughing
Wheezing
Red, Itchy Eyes
Skin Rashes
Skin and Eye Burns
What You Need to Know
Shortness of Breath
Sore Throat
Headaches or Dizziness
Nosebleeds
Asthma
If you have health problems that you think are caused by using
cleaning chemicals, tell your supervisor and ask to see a doctor.
Do not mix cleaning products that contain bleach and ammonia. Dangerous gases can be released
and can cause severe lung damage.
Your employer is required to provide a safe workplace that includes:
Protective clothing, gloves, and safety goggles, when needed.
Labels on containers of cleaning chemicals.
Training on the hazards of cleaning chemicals you are using and safe work practices.
Your employer must train you to:
Know the hazards of cleaning chemicals BEFORE using them.
Know how to use and store cleaning chemicals safely.
Know how and when to dilute cleaning chemicals you are using.
Know what to do if there is a spill or other emergency.
Know how to obtain and use hazard information on labels and material safety data sheets
(MSDS). Know how and when to use protective clothing, gloves, and safety goggles.
Remember
Wash your hands after using cleaning chemicals and before eating, drinking, or smoking.
What are they?
organizations as safer to use and less
harmful to your health and the environment.
Cleaners with “green” in their name do not mean
Ask your employer.
Green Cleaners
Safety Reminder
• If tools or
equipment, allow
the object to drain
and then transfer
it directly to the
bleach solution
used for hand cleaning.
• Re-immerse the clothing in the household
bleach solution used for hand cleaning for
10 minutes with periodic gentle swirling of
the clothing.
• If clothing, wring out as much moisture as
possible.
• Allow clothes to thoroughly dry before
using again.
Many have met performance standards for its
intended use.
Also, many green cleaners are “fragrance-free” but still
This guidance document is not an OSHA standard or regulation but it contains recommendations that are advisory in nature and intended to
assist employers and workers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The mention of any nongovernmental organization in this document
does not constitute an endorsement by NIOSH or OSHA of that organization, its products or services.
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-125 OSHA Publication No. 3511-2-12
58 • SPRING 2020

SEVERE SURFACE
DECONTAMINATION
these techniques may aerosolize infectious material.
Surfaces that are heavily contaminated with
mold, feces, or body tissues should be disinfected
using the following household bleach solution:
• 1 1/2 cups bleach.
• 1 gallon of water.
• Place the solution in a spray dispenser.
• Thoroughly douse surfaces that have heavy
deposits of contaminants and allow to stand for
3 minutes.
• Wipe the contaminants from the surface with a
paper towel.
• Discard the towel.
• Douse the surface again but use the bleach
solution that is used for hand washing and wipe
off the residual contamination with a paper
towel.
• Discard the towel and allow surface to dry.
• Use gloves and eye protection when
cleaning clothes, tools/equipment, and
surfaces. Use respirator protection (an
N-95 respirator is recommended) when
mold is present.
• All containers should be labeled “Bleachdisinfected
water: DO NOT DRINK.”
NEIL FOX
President of the Australian
Car Wash Association
COVERAGE
Q & A
SSCWN: How is your areas of the world handling this
pandemic and are the self serves in your areas open (as
of March 28, 2020)?
NEIL FOX: No one can be sure where the coronavirus
journey will take our industry and more importantly,
Australia. However, it is these kinds of situations that
make membership in an [organization] like ACWA,
all the more critical. At times like this, ACWA can
play a pivotal role in ensuring that members are informed
and are [galvanized] in a community. Through
the ACWA family, we can find support if we need it
and importantly learn from the experience of others.
Each day the Government’s regulations around the
COVID-19 pandemic are increased. These regulations
are implemented to protect our community and we
all need to play our part in managing our way through
this crisis by complying with the changing conditions.
As I pen this, the impacts on car washing in Australia
from COVID-19 restrictions are starting to bite. While
we haven’t been shut down completely, there are significant
reports of dropping sales. There is no doubt the
Government’s request to stay at home is being taken
seriously by the public and unfortunately for our businesses,
this means fewer cars will be washed.
The question that nobody seems to be able to answer
is, how long the COVID-19 crisis will be with us?
Businesses have been asked to look at their operations
from a hygiene perspective, and most wash operators
have taken up the challenge. Most have invested in
improving their cleaning processes and ensuring social
distancing happens on wash sites. We are told that these
will be the core tools that may allow us to keep operating
our businesses in the short-term.
Our strategy must be to delay a shutdown situation
for as long as we possibly can. The way we do this is
by; abiding by the Government regulations imposed
on us, looking after our communities and staff and
simply doing the best we can. In doing this, we will
be giving the car wash industry the best chance of
continuing to deliver our product.
Of course, we are all business owners with families
we worry about. The unanswered question is; if and
when the time comes that car washing is required to
shut down, how will I manage? In Australia, we can
find consolation in the knowledge that each of us is
experiencing the same doubts and concerns. At times
like this, we need to band together and support each
other as best we can.
SPRING 2020 • 59

HELP
IS OUT
THERE
Here is a
breakdown
of the
governmental
resources
available for
self serve
car washes.
SBA:
SMALL BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION
On Friday, March 27, 2020, President Donald
Trump signed into law the CARES Act, which
contains $376 billion in relief for American workers
and small businesses.
The SBA also resumed accepting Paycheck Protection
Program applications from participating
lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020.
With the additional funding provided by the
new COVID-19 relief package, SBA will resume
processing EIDL Loan and Advance applications
that are already in the queue on a first come, firstserved
basis, and will provide further information
on the availability of the EIDL portal to receive
new applications (including those from agricultural
enterprises) as soon as possible.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION
PROGRAM LOAN
INFORMATION
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed
to provide a direct incentive for small businesses
to keep their workers on the payroll.
SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on
the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for
payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a)
lender or through any federally insured depository
institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm
Credit System institution that is participating. Other
regulated lenders will be available to make these
loans once they are approved and enrolled in the
program. You should consult with your local lender
as to whether it is participating in the program.
SBA EXPRESS BRIDGE LOANS
Enables small businesses who currently have a
business relationship with an SBA Express Lender
to access up to $25,000 quickly.
Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program: This allows
small businesses who currently have a business relationship
with an SBA Express Lender to access up to
$25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic
support to small businesses to help overcome
the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing
and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap
while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster
loan. If a small business has an urgent need for
cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on
an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify
for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.
TERMS
• Up to $25,000
• Fast turnaround
• Will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from
the EIDL loan
SBA DEBT RELIEF
The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to
small businesses during the COVID-19
As part of our coronavirus debt relief efforts, the
SBA will pay 6 months of principal, interest, and
any associated fees that borrowers owe for all current
7(a), 504, and Microloans in regular servicing
status as well as new 7(a), 504, and Microloans
disbursed prior to September 27, 2020. This relief
is not available for Paycheck Protection Program
loans or Economic Injury Disaster loans. Borrowers
do not need to apply for this assistance. It will
be automatically provided as follows:
For loans not on deferment, SBA will begin
making payments with the next payment due on
the loan and will make six monthly payments.
For loans currently on deferment, SBA will begin
making payments with the next payment due
after the deferment period has ended and will
make six monthly payments.
• For loans made after March 27, 2020 and fully
disbursed prior to September 27, 2020, SBA will
begin making payments with the first payment
due on the loan and will make six monthly
payments.
SBA has notified 7(a), 504 and Microloan Lenders
that it will pay these borrower loan payments.
60 • SPRING 2020

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SPRING 2020 • 61

COVERAGE
Lenders have been instructed to refrain from collecting
loan payments from borrowers. If a borrower’s
payment was collected after March 27,
2020, lenders were instructed to inform the borrower
that they have the option of having the loan
payment returned by the lender or applying the
loan payment to further reduce the loan balance
after SBA’s payment.
Borrowers should contact their lender if they
have any questions regarding this payment relief.
ADDITIONAL
DEBT RELIEF
For current SBA Serviced Disaster (Home and
Business) Loans: If your disaster loan was in “regular
servicing” status on March 1, 2020, the SBA is
providing automatic deferments through December
31, 2020.
What does an “automatic deferral” mean to borrowers?
• Interest will continue to accrue on the loan.
• 1201 monthly payment notices will continue
to be mailed out which will reflect the loan is
deferred and no payment is due.
• The deferment will NOT cancel any established
Preauthorized Debit (PAD) or recurring
payments on your loan. Borrowers that have
established a PAD through Pay.Gov or an
OnLine Bill Pay Service are responsible for
canceling these recurring payments. Borrowers
that had SBA establish a PAD through Pay.gov
will have to contact their SBA servicing office to
cancel the PAD.
• Borrowers preferring to continue making
regular payments during the deferment period
may continue remitting payments during
the deferment period. SBA will apply those
payments normally as if there was no deferment.
• After this automatic deferment period, borrowers
will be required to resume making regular
principal and interest payments. Borrowers
that cancelled recurring payments will need to
reestablish the recurring payment.
ACCESS
TO CAPITAL
SBA provides a number of loan resources for
small businesses to utilize when operating their
business. For more information on loans or how to
connect with a lender, visit: https://www.sba.gov/
funding-programs/loans.
• 7(a) program offers loan amounts up to
$5,000,000 and is an all-inclusive loan program
deployed by lending partners for eligible small
businesses within the U.S. States and its
STEPS FOR
WORKERS
DO
• Take your
temperature
before work.
• Wear a face mask
at all times.
• Practice social
distancing in
the workplace
as work duties
permit.
STEPS FOR
EMPLOYERS
DO
DON’T
• Stay at work if
you become sick.
• Share headsets
or objects used
near face.
• Congregate in
the break room
or other
crowded places.
• Take employee’s temperature and assess
symptoms prior to their starting work.
• If an employee becomes sick during the day,
send them home immediately.
• Test the use of face masks to ensure they do
not interfere with workflow.
• Increase air exchange in the building.
• Increase the frequency of cleaning
commonly touched surfaces.
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territories. The uses of proceeds include: working
capital; expansion/renovation; new construction;
purchase of land or buildings; purchase of
equipment, fixtures; lease-hold improvements;
refinancing debt for compelling reasons; seasonal
line of credit; inventory; or starting a business.
• Express loan program provides loans up to
$350,000 for no more than 7 years with an option
to revolve. There is a turnaround time of 36 hours
for approval or denial of a completed application.
The uses of proceeds are the same as the
standard 7(a) loan.
• Community Advantage loan pilot program allows
mission-based lenders to assist small businesses
in underserved markets with a maximum loan
size of $250,000. The uses of proceeds are the
same as the standard 7(a) loan.
• 504 loan program is designed to foster economic
development and job creation and/or retention.
The eligible use of proceeds is limited to the
acquisition or eligible refinance of fixed assets.
• Microloan program involves making loans
through nonprofit lending organizations to
underserved markets. Authorized use of loan
proceeds includes working capital, supplies,
machinery & equipment, and fixtures (does not
include real estate). The maximum loan amount
is $50,000 with the average loan size of $14,000.
SMALL BUSINESS
MARKETING AND SUPPLIES
CHANGING MARKET DEMAND: Depending
on the incident, there may be access controls or
movement restrictions established which can impede
your customers from reaching your business.
Additionally, there may be public concerns about
public exposure to an incident and they may decide
not to go to your business out of concern of
exposing themselves to greater risk. SBA’s Resources
Partners and District Offices have trained
experts who can help you craft a plan specific to
your situation to help navigate any rapid changes
in demand.
MARKETING: It’s critical to communicate openly
with your customers about the status of your
operations, what protective measures you’ve implemented,
and how they (as customers) will be
protected when they visit your business. Promotions
may also help incentivize customers who
may be reluctant to patronize your business.
OSHA:
OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY AND HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION
Occupational safety and health professionals
use a framework called the “hierarchy of controls”
to select ways of controlling workplace hazards. In
other words, the best way to control a hazard is
to systematically remove it from the workplace,
rather than relying on workers to reduce their exposure.
During a COVID-19 outbreak, when it
may not be possible to eliminate the hazard, the
most effective protection measures are listed from
most effective to least effective. Please note, information
has been omitted that does not pertain to
car wash environments.
• Engineering controls
• Administrative controls
COVERAGE
• Safe work practices (a type of administrative
control), and
• PPE.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each
type of control measure when considering the ease
of implementation, effectiveness, and cost. In most
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64 • SPRING 2020

SPRING 2020 • 65

COVERAGE
cases, a combination of control measures will be
necessary to protect workers from exposure to
SARS-CoV-2. In addition to the types of workplace
controls discussed below, CDC guidance for
businesses provides employers and workers with
recommended SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention
strategies to implement in workplaces:
• Engineering Controls. These controls involve
isolating employees from work related hazards.
In workplaces where they are appropriate, these
types of controls reduce exposure to hazards
without relying on worker behavior and can be
the most cost-effective solution to implement.
Engineering controls for SARS-CoV-2 include:
• Installing high-efficiency air filters.
• Increasing ventilation rates in the work
environment.
• Installing physical barriers, such as clear
plastic sneeze guards.
• Specialized negative pressure ventilation in
some settings, such as for aerosol generating
procedures (e.g., airborne infection isolation
rooms in healthcare settings and specialized
autopsy suites in mortuary settings).
• Administrative Controls Administrative controls
require action by the worker or employer.
Typically, administrative controls are changes in
work policy or procedures to reduce or minimize
exposure to a hazard. Examples of administrative
controls for SARS-CoV-2 include:
• Encouraging sick workers to stay at home.
• Minimizing contact among workers, clients,
and customers by replacing face-to-face
meetings with virtual communications and
implementing telework if feasible.
• Establishing alternating days or extra shifts
that reduce the total number of employees
in a facility at a given time, allowing them to
maintain distance from one another while
maintaining a full onsite work week.
• Discontinuing nonessential travel to locations
with ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks. Regularly
check CDC travel warning levels at: www.
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers.
• Developing emergency communications
plans, including a forum for answering
workers’ concerns and internet-based
communications, if feasible.
• Providing workers with up-to-date education
and training on COVID-19 risk factors and
protective behaviors (e.g., cough etiquette
and care of PPE).
• Training workers who need to use protecting
clothing and equipment how to put it on, use/
wear it, and take it off correctly, including
in the context of their current and potential
duties. Training material should be easy to
understand and available in the appropriate
language and literacy level for all workers.
EXAMPLES OF SAFE WORK PRACTICES FOR
SARS-COV-2 INCLUDE:
• Providing resources and a work environment
that promotes personal hygiene. For example,
provide tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand soap,
alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60
percent alcohol, disinfectants, and disposable
towels for workers to clean their work surfaces.
• Requiring regular hand washing or using of
alcohol-based hand rubs. Workers should always
wash hands when they are visibly soiled and
after removing any PPE.
• Post handwashing signs in restrooms. Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) While engineering
and administrative controls are considered more
effective in minimizing exposure to SARS-CoV-2,
PPE may also be needed to prevent certain
exposures. While correctly using PPE can help
prevent some exposures, it should not take the
place of other prevention strategies.
EXAMPLES OF PPE INCLUDE:
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Face shields
• Face masks, and
• Respiratory protection, when appropriate.
ALL TYPES OF PPE MUST BE:
• Selected based upon the hazard to the worker.
• Properly fitted and periodically refitted, as
applicable (e.g., respirators).
• Consistently and properly worn when required.
• Regularly inspected, maintained, and replaced,
as necessary.
• Properly removed, cleaned, and stored
or disposed of, as applicable, to avoid
contamination of self, others, or the environment.
Employers are obligated to provide their workers
with PPE needed to keep them safe while
performing their jobs. The types of PPE required
during a COVID-19 outbreak will be based on
the risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 while
working and job tasks that may lead to exposure.
Compliance Assistance Specialists OSHA compliance
assistance specialists can provide information
to employers and workers about OSHA
CAR WASH SAFETY PROCEDURES
PROVIDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL
CARWASH ASSOCIATION
The following procedures have been collected
from car wash operators across the United States,
as they have implemented safety-enhancing operating
procedures to keep communities, customers
and employees safe. International Carwash Association
provides these for information purposes
only, and advises every car wash operator to evaluate
the operating requirements and health advisories
in their particular market, and confer with
trusted advisors and official authorities prior to
implementing any procedure(s).
DISTANCING
• Stationed employees near vacuum areas
to clean nozzles after every use
• Discontinued towel and other customer giveaway
programs
• Closed every other vacuum stall (for customers);
maintain only one vacuum lane (for employees)
• Purchased masks and gloves for employees
• Used a plastic shield at cashier window
• Limited interior vehicle cleaning to only one
employee at a time
• Restricted access to enclosed spaces (e.g.
waiting areas)
• Reduced staffing onsite
• Closed office, lobby and bathroom access to the
public
• Closed every other wash bay
• Eliminated staff greeters at pay stations
• Closed interior cleaning
• Closed express detaining
• Removed public brush buckets (e.g. bug prep)
• Marked 6 foot spacing in greeter area
• Discontinued hand drying of vehicles
• Cleanliness
• Regularly cleaned payment terminals and wash
selector equipment
• Regularly cleaned bay guns and vending
machines
• Closed free vacuum area
• Installed hands-free, foot-pull doors
• Provided hand sanitizer dispenser for customers
in vacuum area
• Used phone apps and payment solutions (NFC,
QR codes) to prevent need to touch payment
terminals
• Offered a sanitizing product for interior cleaning
• Used a bucket for accepting, and then cleaning,
cash
• Added a hand sanitizer dispenser next to the
payment kiosk.
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COVERAGE
standards, short educational programs on specific
hazards or OSHA rights and responsibilities, and
information on additional compliance assistance
resources. Visit www.osha.gov/complianceassistance/cas
or call 1-800- 321-OSHA (6742) to
contact your local OSHA office.
OSHA REGIONAL OFFICES
• Region 1: Boston Regional Office (CT*, ME*, MA,
NH, RI, VT: (617) 565-9860
• Region 2: New York Regional Office (NJ*, NY*,
PR*, VI*) (212) 337-2378
• Region 3: Philadelphia Regional Office (DE, DC,
MD*, PA, VA*, WV) (215) 861-4900
• Region 4: Atlanta Regional Office (AL, FL, GA,
KY*, MS, NC*, SC*, TN*) (678) 237-0400
• Region 5: Chicago Regional Office (IL*, IN*, MI*,
MN*, OH, WI) (312) 353-2220
• Region 6: Dallas Regional Office (AR, LA, NM*,
OK, TX) (972) 850-4145
• Region 7: Kansas City Regional Office (IA*, KS,
MO, NE) (816) 283-8745
• Region 8: Denver Regional Office (CO, MT, ND,
SD, UT*, WY*) (720) 264-6550
• Region 9: San Francisco Regional Office (AZ*,
CA*, HI*, NV*, and American Samoa, Guam and
the Northern Mariana Islands) (415) 625-2547
• Region 10: Seattle Regional Office (AK*, ID, OR*,
WA*) (206) 757-6700
CDC:
CENTERS FOR DISEASE
CONTROL AND
PREVENTION
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT
Consider improving the engineering controls
using the building ventilation system. This
may include some or all of the following
activities:
• Increase ventilation rates.
• Increase the percentage of outdoor air that
circulates into the system.
Support respiratory etiquette and hand
hygiene for employees, customers, and
worksite visitors:
• Provide tissues and no-touch disposal
receptacles.
• Provide soap and water in the workplace. If soap
and water are not readily available, use alcoholbased
hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
If hands are visibly dirty, soap and water should
be chosen over hand sanitizer. Ensure that
adequate supplies are maintained.
• Place hand sanitizers in multiple locations to
encourage hand hygiene.
• Place posters that encourage hand
hygiene to help stop the spread at the entrance
to your workplace and in other workplace areas
where they are likely to be seen.
• Discourage handshaking – encourage the use of
other noncontact methods of greeting.
• Direct employees to visit the coughing and
sneezing etiquette and clean hands webpage for
more information.
Perform routine environmental cleaning and
disinfection:
• Routinely clean and disinfect all frequently
touched surfaces in the workplace, such as
workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails,
and doorknobs.
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned
using a detergent or soap and water prior to
disinfection.
• For disinfection, most common EPAregistered
household disinfectants should
be effective. A list of products that are
EPA-approved for use against the virus that
causes COVID-19 is available. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning
and disinfection products (e.g., concentration,
application method and contact time, etc.).
• Discourage workers from using other workers’
phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and
equipment, when possible. If necessary, clean
and disinfect them before and after use.
• Provide disposable wipes so that commonly
used surfaces (for example, doorknobs,
keyboards, remote controls, desks, other work
tools and equipment) can be wiped down
by employees before each use. To disinfect,
use products that meet EPA’s criteria for use
against SARS-Cov-2external icon, the cause of
COVID-19, and are appropriate for the surface.
Perform enhanced cleaning and disinfection
after persons suspected/confirmed to have
COVID-19 have been in the facility:
• If a sick employee is suspected or confirmed to
have COVID-19, follow the CDC cleaning and
disinfection recommendations.
Implementing Safety Practices for Critical
Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had
Exposure to a Person with Suspected or
Confirmed COVID-19
To ensure continuity of operations of essential
functions, CDC advises that critical infrastructure
workers may be permitted to continue work following
potential exposure to COVID-19, provided
they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions
are implemented to protect them and the
community.
A potential exposure means being a household
contact or having close contact within 6 feet of an
individual with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
The timeframe for having contact with an individual
includes the period of time of 48 hours before
the individual became symptomatic.
Critical Infrastructure workers who have had an
exposure but remain asymptomatic should adhere
to the following practices prior to and during their
work shift:
• Pre-Screen: Employers should measure the
employee’s temperature and assess symptoms
prior to them starting work. Ideally, temperature
checks should happen before the individual
enters the facility.
• Regular Monitoring: As long as the employee
doesn’t have a temperature or symptoms, they
should self-monitor under the supervision of their
employer’s occupational health program.
• Wear a Mask: The employee should wear a face
mask at all times while in the workplace for 14
days after last exposure. Employers can issue
facemasks or can approve employees’ supplied
cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.
• Social Distance: The employee should maintain
6 feet and practice social distancing as work
duties permit in the workplace.
• Disinfect and Clean workspaces: Clean and
disinfect all areas such as offices, bathrooms,
common areas, shared electronic equipment
routinely.
If the employee becomes sick during the day,
they should be sent home immediately. Surfaces
in their workspace should be cleaned and disinfected.
Information on persons who had contact
with the ill employee during the time the employee
had symptoms and 2 days prior to symptoms
should be compiled. Others at the facility with
close contact within 6 feet of the employee during
this time would be considered exposed.
Employers should implement the recommendations
in the Interim Guidance for Businesses and
Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus
Disease 2019 to help prevent and slow the spread
of COVID-19 in the workplace. Additional information
about identifying critical infrastructure
during COVID-19 can be found on the CDC’s
specific First Responder Guidance page.
68 • SPRING 2020

COVERAGE
HOW TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT
MACHINERY OR EQUIPMENT
HOW TO REOPEN
AFTER A SHUTDOWN
• Follow CDC guidance for cleaning and
disinfection.
Current evidence, though still preliminary,
suggests that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes
COVID-19, may remain viable for hours to days
on surfaces made from a variety of materials. It
may be possible that a person can get COVID-19
by touching a surface or object that has the virus
on it and then touching their own mouth, nose,
or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to
be the main way the virus spreads.
If the machinery or equipment in question are
not accessible to employees or have not been in
contact with someone infected with COVID-19,
they will not present an exposure hazard.
If machinery or equipment are thought to
be contaminated and can be cleaned, follow
the CDC cleaning and disinfection recommendations.
First clean dirty surfaces with soap and
water. Second, disinfect surfaces using products
that meet EPA’s criteria for use against
SARS-Cov-2external iconexternal icon and
are appropriate for the surface.
If machinery or equipment are thought to be
contaminated and cannot be cleaned, they can
be isolated. Isolate papers or any soft (porous)
surfaces for a minimum of 24 hours before
handling. After 24 hours, remove soft materials
from the area and clean the hard (non-porous)
surfaces per the cleaning and disinfection
recommendations. Isolate hard (non-porous)
surfaces that cannot be cleaned and disinfected
for a minimum of 7 days before handling.
• Wait 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting
to minimize potential for exposure to respiratory
droplets. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long
as possible.
• Open outside doors and windows to increase air
circulation in the area.
• Clean dirty surfaces with soap and water prior to
disinfection.
• Next, disinfect surfaces using products that meet
EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-Cov-2external
iconexternal icon, the virus that causes COVID-19,
and that are appropriate for the surface.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
all cleaning and disinfection products for
concentration, application method, contact time,
and required PPE.
• Operations can resume as soon as the
cleaning and disinfection are completed.
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SPRING 2020 • 69

Darwin
DARWIN at
the
CARWASH
The investment in security cameras pays off for carwash operators (and the readers of SSCWN)
with these mostly frustrating, sometimes funny -- and always cautionary -- stories of Darwins Caught on
Camera. Images of these criminals and/or their vehicles were given to police and the press. Many have been
caught thanks to the prowess of security cameras.
Let’s start off with some news out of
California. A a man in Porterville
was caught trying to break into
Greg’s Express Car Wash using a fire
extinguisher. According to The Recorder, on March
15, Stephen Eredia was arrested at 9:20 a.m. after
being caught on camera attempting to force open
an office door and a coin acceptor’s faceplate.
“Video surveillance depicted a Hispanic male
adult arriving at the business at 4:07 a.m. Thursday
morning with a red fire extinguisher. The male
used the fire extinguisher to attempt to force open
a secured office door and faceplate to a coin acceptor,
however, he was unsuccessful. These attempts
caused an excess of more than $400 in damages,”
according to the story.
Traditional camouflage really only
works in a wood- and leaf-laden
setting, correct? If you’re going to camouflage
yourself to commit a crime at a car wash,
the garb should be covered in bubbles, or timer
buttons or even try and match it to the colors of
the walls? But it looks like another dumb criminal
thought his duds wouldn’t make him stand out.
Now, if you look at the picture below, a screenshot
from the crime-in-action, taken from Custom
Car Wash surveillance footage, you will see there
is ample opportunity for better concealment. Perhaps
an all-white outfit? Thankfully, the thief in
the picture was caught by police. The car wash
70 • SPRING 2020
owner of Caribou, Maine, John Morrill, released
a screenshot of security camera footage depicting
the alleged thief shortly after the incident on February
18, according to The County. Morrill said
the thief vandalized all four vaults and timers from
the self-serve bays at the car wash and also stole
roughly $1,500 worth of quarters, the story said.
A little after a week later, police arrested Justin
Adams of Caribou in connection with theft and
vandalism.
How much is that puppy at the car
wash? I think the biggest crime of this story is
that I was forced to go to the Lincoln, Nebraska,
humane society website and view all of the dogs
and cats up for adoption. There are some real cuties
that need a good home. If you’re from or around the
Lincoln area, I will personally send you a gift basket
of treats and toys and food if you adopt one of the
animals. Just do it, please! The reason I was on the
Capital Humane Society was because a woman was
caught on camera abandoning an adorable puppy at
a self serve car wash back in March.
Police said in a KOLN report that around 8:45
a.m. on March 9, someone found a puppy abandoned
inside the car wash stall. The puppy was in
blankets but was shaking and cold when Lincoln
Animal Control arrived, the story said.
After reviewing surveillance video, investigators
determined the suspect, let’s call her Cruella
Tra Verse, was driving a gold Chevy Traverse with
expired in-transit plates. The good news is that
the puppy was checked out by a veterinarian and
was put up for adoption and found his forever
home just four days later.
Well, this is a new one and proof
that people are really starting to
lose their minds being locked up
inside. In Kelowna, Canada, at the Xcalibur
In other, “Leave the fire
equipment for real heroes,”
news (see previous), a man
in Liberty Hill, Texas,
was arrested for using fire department
equipment to break into a coin machine
at the Wash Time Car Wash. Back
in January, suspect Casey Marre, a
volunteer firefighter with the Burnet
Volunteer Fire Department, was arrested
and accused of stealing $210 from the
car wash machine, KXAN reported.
Investigators reviewed the car wash’s
security footage from the night of the
incident and recognized the firefighting
equipment. Marre also was also seen
on fire station surveillance taking a
Hurst tool, that is more commonly
known as “the jaws of life,” from the fire
station. The same tool was seen being
used at the Wash Time car wash.
Footage showed Marre removing the
tool, placing it into a large red bag then
loading it into his car around 11:30 p.m.
the night before the robbery, according
to the arrest affidavit.
Police said he admitted to using the
tool to break into the coin operated
machine claiming he was desperate to
get money to buy drugs. Well, at least
he was being honest.

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SPRING 2020 • 71

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The Trucks Stop Here
Kimberly Berg, owner of Citrus Heights Car
Wash in California, had received a phone call
from her business’s neighbor on January 29.
He wanted to let her know that something
strange was happening on her property. Berg
checked her surveillance equipment and knew
she had to rush on down to her car wash as
something completely bizarre, and illagal, was
taking place.
“Between [my car wash] and the abandoned
gas station behind me is a 4’ foot height
differential, separated by a concrete retaining
wall. This couple (brother and sister) had
parked a large Penske moving van at the gas
station, and were ATTEMPTING to drive their
pick-up truck up flimsy metal ramps, over
the retaining wall and into the rented moving
van. The brother is in poor health, and unable
to drive his pick-up truck to Colorado to be
with family. So they came up with this idea,
to transport his truck inside a moving van!
Although it might sound like a good idea, it’s
TOTALLY ILLEGAL. When I arrived, I demanded
that they STOP and they REFUSED! Instead
they became defensive and upset with me,
complaining that I was over-reacting and
getting into their business! They honestly saw
nothing wrong with their plan. They reassured
me that no one was going to get hurt, and
the retaining wall was strong enough. I was
overwhelmed and fearful. I walked away, and
quickly called 911! As the police pointed out
when they arrived, there is NO way to properly
secure the truck inside, to prevent it from rolling
forward, possibly crushing the occupants in
the cab of the van, or sliding backwards, into
innocent vehicles on the freeway!”
Kimberly, who possibly saved countless lives
thanks to her intervention and quick thinking,
was kind enought to share the following photo
of the incident: Now, the next question is, how
in the heck did they remove the truck out of
the Penske van without hurting anyone or
damaging the retaining wall?
“I’ll give you a hint,” said Kimberly, “Two
tow 72 trucks!” • SPRING 2020
Car Wash, cameras caught what appears to be a
fireworks battle of some sort. The car wash owner
had thought he had seen everything until he saw
people using his property for some sort of makeshift
fourth of July April festival.
“Well, that is something new,” Xcalibur Car
Wash owner Terry Robinson posted to his Facebook
page, along with video footage.
Robinson admitted to Castanet News that crime
in the area had been on the rise but considered the
fireworks showdown as particularly bizarre. “It was
kind of unbelievable,” he said in the story.
A few days later, Robinson posted a second video
showing a hooded man entering the car wash bays
and attempting to break into the coin boxes. Between
the fireworks showdown and the attempted
break in, Robinson decided he had enough.
“Due to all of these scumbags coming around
and trying to steal and destroy equipment, Xcalibur
Car Wash will no longer be open all night,” he
posted. Robinson changed his hours from 5 a.m. to
11 p.m. as a result.
I don’t understand how people who
steal massive items think they will
get away with it. If you have a party, and
have a huge Pepsi Machine set up in your kitchen,
don’t you think people will ask about it? “If anyone
needs a refreshment, grab one out of the Pepsi Machine.
You will need to pay for it, as it’s a vending
machine…” Maybe criminals don’t have a lot of
house parties? Or maybe their friends aren’t noisy
about their choice of beverage containment? In
Laurel County, Kentucky, a man thought he could
get away with stealing a Pepsi machine from Ron’s
Country Market. According to WYMT News,
Ron had multiple surveillance cameras set up and
caught the incident, as well as the thief’s getaway
truck on tape. Footage was released to the public
to try and identify the culprit. A few days later,
in early April, police tracked down the truck and
were able to recover the machine which was right
there in plain view. Police arrested 41-year-old Michael
R. Cornett and also determined Cornett was
the same person caught on camera damaging vacuum
machines at the nearby Super Car Wash. The
damage amounted to almost $500. When Cornett
was being questioned at police headquarters, he
didn’t think it was funny when they offered him a
Pepsi. I made that last sentence up.
In other Laurel County news, in the
Winter 2020 issue of Self Serve Car Wash News,
we included another Dumb Criminals story which
also took place in the same area. In that case, three
suspects were caught on camera burglarizing the
Ultra Shine car wash. Officials said the three suspects
apparently stole hundreds of dollars’ worth
of hose nozzles. Well, we have an update! According
to local news reports, police are “closing in” on
apprehending the three suspects.
I would like to tip my hat to the
person who wrote this story as it is
pretty darn funny. News Talk KLFD of
Richland, Washington, reported on a thieving duo
who tried to steal from the Elephant Car Wash
back in April. The suspects were caught on camera,
although they didn’t take off with anything.
The writer of the KLFD story said it best when
he or she wrote, “Considering car washes have not
been open for a while due to COVID, not likely
they would have found any cash or coin on site.
Most car wash owners wisely emptied out valuables
prior to COVID shutdowns.”
With a name like Shain Gordon Slick,
you’re either going to become a rodeo cowboy, a
Superman newspaper reporter or a criminal in a
Looney Tunes episode voiced by Mel Blanc. However,
in this instance, Slick is just a plain ‘ol thief.
Slick of Waterloo, Iowa, was arrested for trying to
break into coin boxes at various car washes in the
Cedar Rapids area.
Police say the 28-year-old attempted to drill into
a lock on a safe inside a wash bay at Ultra Spray
February 19.
Later that day, at 3 p.m., Slick was at the Marigold
Car Wash, where he allegedly tried to drill into the
vacuum cleaner machines. When that wasn’t successful,
he allegedly broke into the office area and
took cash from a desk, according to court records.
Slick was arrested just a few days later for second-degree
criminal mischief, two counts of third-degree
burglary, and possession of methamphetamine.
Last fall, some minors stole one of
his cement bollards, and this past February,
a man tried using a hacksaw to break into his
vacuums. Now, the owner of The Spot Free Car
Wash, in Columbus, Ohio, is beefing up his security
by installing multiple security cameras and adding
bars to his pay stations and vending machines.
“It’s a high crime area, a lot of problems,” car
wash owner Ruthiran Savi told abc 6 news. “I am
kind of worried but scared too.”

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Supporting the car wash owner’s
claim in the previous story about
it being a high-crime area, we have
another crime story out of Columbus. This one
involves a man who apparently wanted to leave
behind a scent? Police in Columbus, Ohio, are
using footage to track down a man who robbed
the Mr. Good Car Wash on March 22. He stole a
trash can’s worth of air fresheners, car phone chargers
and snacks. Footage shows the culprit looking
around the lobby of the car wash while holding
a gray trash can. He looks into the cash register,
which seems to have been closed out for the night,
then looks into the display case. With a swift kick,
he knocks down the case and fills the trash can
with the goods. Not sure if he intended to steal
the air fresheners, but if he did, his bandit name
should be: The Odorous Outlaw.
Police said he also caused thousands of dollars’
worth of damages. I bet he smells nice, though!
Some guy who is either obsessed
with Michael Jackson or OJ Simpson,
or both, is wanted for causing
$11,000 in damages to a Doylestown Spa Car
Wash coin box back in February. Patch.com reported
that the Doylestown, Pennsylvania-based
car wash posted footage of the incident which
showed a man, who was wearing dark clothes and
one glove, using a crowbar to break into the coin
box. He also stole an unknown amount of cash.
Not so smooth criminal. Who’s bad? Not this guy!
I am certainly not one to generalize or attempt to
understand the likes and cravings of a criminal. Cigarettes?
Sure. Cigars? Okay. But, a pair of thieves in El
Paso, Texas, which, by the way, was home to one of
Old West’s famous shoot-outs and saw its fair share
of criminal outlaws over 100 years ago, can now list
these guys alongside the city’s notorious bandits.
That is because while robbing a convenience store,
they demanded…. Reese’s Pieces candy bars.
According to KFOX14/CBS4, in late February,
two men walked into a 7-11, approached the store
employee, and one of them pulled out a handgun.
The men demanded money from the business and
forced the employee to open the cash register.
The men fled the scene with a small, undisclosed
amount of money, several boxes of Marlboro cigarettes,
Swisher Sweets cigars, a flashlight and sev-
74 • SPRING 2020
eral Reese’s candy bars, according to the report.
The men exited out the back of the business and
went through the attached car wash.
Nothing is too interesting about this
crime story, other than the fact that it took
place in the little town of Amory, Mississippi, which
is home to the annual Railroad Festival, and also the
birthplace of the song Blue Suede Shoes (after songwriter
Carl Perkins visited the town in 1955), a man
was caught on camera robbing a local car wash.
On April 20, Dustin Jones, 35, apparently broke
into the car wash building, damaging equipment
and burglarizing the office. According to WCBI
news, Amory police said they used surveillance
video to help lead them to Jones.
Some stolen items were also recovered when
Jones was arrested. And it looks like this isn’t
Jones’ first foray into car wash shenanigans as police
said he could face more charges in connection
with another car wash burglary.
Across the way in jolly ‘ol England,
a car wash fire has been deemed
‘suspicious’ and police are relying on CCTV
footage to track down a suspect. According to KentOnline,
two cars were destroyed in what appears
to have been an arson attack at a car wash in Canterbury.
Around 1:30 a.m. on April 20 a car parked
at the car wash caught fire. Three hours later a second
car parked at the car wash also caught on fire.
“Fire crews rushed to the scene and managed
to safely extinguish the blaze, but both cars were
damaged beyond repair. Officers investigating the
case have reviewed CCTV footage, but no suspects
have yet been identified.”
One of the few positives of this
whole pandemic (along with the
kindness of and heroic acts of people
and those working on the frontlines) is that
crime is down. This section is somewhat lighter
than usual, and, yes, that is a plus. However, unfortunately,
we have an update to a murder case
that was included in the Fall issue of Self Serve
Car Wash News. In that issue we reported about
a man with serious mother issues who dumped a
suitcase containing her head, hands and feet into
a car wash’s dumpster last October. Thanks to the
car wash’s surveillance system, footage shows the
man, as well as his vehicle, who turned out to be
the victim’s son, pulling into the Pueblo, Colorado-based
car wash. The footage was released to the
public and leads started to flow in and police were
able to track down Anthony Cuevas. Now, the rest
of the woman’s remains were found in April in a
trash bag near the Arkansas River. Thanks to that
evidence, as well as the car wash footage, Cuevas
was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder.
And, now, according to kktv.com, a second person
has been arrested. Cuevas’s wife, Melanie Cuevas,
36, was arrested for accessory to first-degree murder
on April 16th, 2020, in Monte Vista, Colorado.
And Now for Something
Completely Dumb…
So, not sure where this “security
measure” took place, but we
thought it might warrant a laugh or
two. Homehacks.com offered up a
slideshow entitled: 50 Security Fails
That Are Just Too Funny. One that
was particularly silly was this.
Sure, this lock system looks pretty
solid, but unlocking just one padlock
will foil the entire arrangement:
In second place, is this “gated”
arrangement:

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