Win2020_SSCWN_web

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2 • WINTER 2020

WINTER 2020 • 3

CONTENTS 

Selling Self Serve .....................................8 

SS’s Biggest Fan Explains 

Why He’s So Sold on SS 

Arround the Wash 

Going Plastic? ........................................ 14 

Experts give inside to some of the 

biggest credit card caonundrums 

Self Serves in 2020 ................................ 18 

Tricks of the Trade .............................. 24 

Cwguy.com’s 

‘Random Thoughts’ ............................. 33 

Why would I use my cell phone 

as an alarm clock? 

Quick Tips ............................................... 36 

Association Calendar & News ........ 38 

Innovations .............................................. 47 

Industry Dirt ........................................... 48 

Extra! Extra! ............................................ 52 

Fun & Games ......................................... 60 

Fill in the Blank ..................................... 61 

Cover Story .............................................. 63 

Going the Distance 

Darwin at the Carwash ...................... 75 

VOL. 47, NO. 1, WINTER 2020 

Note to Self 

BY DEBRA GORGOS, EDITOR 

Well, it’s a new year, a new decade and, in the 

Chinese zodiac paradigm, the year of the rat. 

And, while the word “rat” might not incite earnest 

enthusiasm, we cannot immediately discount 

the symbolism of the slink-tailed rodent, because 

upon further investigation into my Eastern philosophical 

resources, it appears as if the rat symbolizes 

great fortune! So, those born in 1924, 1936, 

1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, we salute 

you. And, now that we know that we can dismiss 

the predictions of famed soothsayer Nostradamus 

who predicted economic turmoil in 2020. 

But, what does he know? I am much more confident 

in the predictions symbolized by Asian folklore…no, 

make that fact-lore. Those born in other 

years…. Well, you can dwell in the predictions of 

that Debbie Downer Nostradamus or you can 

turn to famed psychic Judy Hevenly. According 

to Hevenly (what? You don’t think that’s her real 

last name?) the economy will be fine and dandy. 

“A US recession is not imminent despite a 

warning sign from the bond market, but possibly 

just a slight slow down in the economy, overall 

a good year,” she predicts. I could tell you more, 

but she charges $75 for 15 minutes and I need to 

hang onto every penny incase she is wrong. 

In other news, Self Serve Car Wash News has 

now been around for five decades. Starting in the 

1970s, that’s a pretty impressive tenure. I was also 

born in the 70s and constantly impressed with my 

own longevity. Together, we will both hopefully 

continue to grow and age. I have the pleasure of 

having a library of issues here at the ready. I have 

gone through every single one — cover to cover 

Letters to the Editor 

Hi Debra, 

Just picked up the latest issue of SSCWN and found the article about 

MY Car Wash! So very exciting! Thank you so much for taking an interest 

in me and my car wash!! As always, it’s another GREAT issue and I look 

forward to reading all the articles. You really have a knack for mixing it up, 

covering the timely topics, and keeping it interesting. CONGRATULATIONS 

ON YOUR 2 YEARS ANNIVERSARY WITH SSCWN! :) 

Wishing a Happy Holidays to you and your family! 

Kimberly Berg CITRUS HEIGHTS CAR WASH 

— loving the fact that it is made of flippable pages. 

I have yet to read a book or magazine on a tablet 

or reader—in fact, I don’t even know if that’s 

what they are called. This magazine has outlasted 

many publications, including Self Magazine which 

debuted around the same time. It’s really remarkable. 

And, speaking of historical greatness, this issue 

contains a contribution from former editor JJ 

Jakubowski. I’m not going to lie, when JJ contacts 

me, I get nervous. Nervous I am shaming the shoes 

I have been betrothed to wear. But, thankfully, 

that has not happened. He instead reached out 

around the holidays with an article to share. Written 

with finesse and JJ-esque language, the article 

is a welcome addition to this issue. Thank you, JJ! 

As for 2020 some of my goals are to tour self 

serve car washes, à la JJ’s On the Road again 

coverage. I also want to cover security issues as 

well as what the heck is happening with minimum 

wage increases, and governmental regulations 

and taxes that are affecting car wash owners. 

And, also, how self serves have integrated 

new and unique features. 

Also, may I please take a moment to give a big 

“hurrah” for the unscientific, but still reliable findings 

of a poll on the self serve thread of carwashforum.com? 

The poll asked if 2019 was a successful 

year (financially speaking) and, praise the car wash 

gods, a majority of the votes were “Yes”. 

So, onward and upward and best of luck, and 

don’t give any heed to that Nostradamus, he 

also predicted that in 2020 humans would be 

living on the moon. 

Until next time, 

Debra 

[patting myself on the 

back while talking into a 

pretend microphone] 

Kimberly, the pleasure 

is all mine. Your car wash 

is impeccably run, and 

you deserve the coverage. 

I would like to thank 

you for your support 

and kind words. 

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 

Copyright 2019. 2 Dollar Enterprises/SSCWN. All Rights Reserved 

4 • WINTER 2020 

Thought you might find this interesting. 

A Mfg. Name from the past. 

This is from my first SS wash that I bought in 

1978 and mounted on a stainless holding tank 

used to supply both soap and rinse water to a 

hydro spray and 3 self serv bays and a 6’ wide 

equipment room. 

Like working in a submarine, I guess. The whole 

place ran on [2] John Bean pumps with 20 hp 

each. I could change the piston cups like an Indy 

pit stop [worker]. And when they failed, well let’s 

say there was a ton of water blowing out. 

The wash was built in 1964 or thereabouts. 

The washed has expanded and changed over 

the years, but this tank is still used today. 

I have received SSCWN for years … 

Tim Littman 

Hello, Tim, 

and thank you 

for your continued 

readership! I do 

find it interesting 

and we love getting 

pictures from back 

in the day. Feel 

free to send 

more pictures.

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WINTER 2020 • 5

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6 • WINTER 2020

WINTER 2020 • 7

PART 1 

$ELLING $ELF $ERVE 

SS’s Biggest Fan Explains Why He’s So “Sold” on SS 

and Begins To Explore Ways To Create New Fans Again! 

By Jarret J. Jakubowski 

First off, I 

confess that this 

article — my intrusion 

— into 

this issue is definitely 

“personal”. 

I was motivated 

(in part) by recent 

comments 

made to me about 

my own automobile. I’ll explain that 

deeper into this piece. But apart from 

that little “reveal”, I’ll start with some 

bemusing Q & A. Namely — 

Question: What do Self Serve 

CarWashing, dearly departed comedian 

Rodney Dangerfield and Aretha 

Franklin all have in common? 

Answer: As was spelled out by 

the Queen of Soul — “R-E-S-P-E-C-T 

... or lack thereof. 

Allow me to explain. 

When I retired from the helm of 

SSCWN in 2011 I left too many loose 

ends dangling. But, ahh, the siren call of 

a monthly Social Security check was too 

irresistable. Among the topics I really 

had wanted to get into (in a personal 

way) was my vehicular romances and 

their entwinement with SS. 

Hey, I love my cars. From my 

first ‘57 Chevy, then a fast ’66 fastback 

Mustang back in the day to my CTS 

today — I get emotionally attached to 

my wheels. Directly related to such a 

“love affair” is the reason I so relished 

my having been Publisher/Editor of 

the SSCWN for almost 30 years. I 

always was and always will be SS 

CarWashing’s biggest fan. I always 

wash my cars at a SS wand wash. Well, 

okay, okay, apart from a rare DIY power 

8 • WINTER 2020 

wash in my driveway (mea culpa). And 

when I take my vehicles into a dealer for 

repair or maintenance, I emphatically 

instruct the staff to NOT to provide the 

complimentary mechanical wash they 

give customers. Thank you, but I prefer 

to wash my car myself at a SS. I would 

assume that all astute automobile afficianados 

would feel pretty much the 

same. Not so. 

Before my retirement got in the 

way, I had wanted to do an amusing 

little article on how some automobile 

elitists were soooo shocked to see super 

pricey, elitist cars being washed 

at “those cheap quarter carwashes”. 

There’s a website called “JalopNik” 

where all matter of car related topics 

are discussed. A couple articles really 

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? 

Well, in a word — NOTHING ... 

not a darn thing! That’s despite 

the “shock” of two automotive 

eltists expressed at seeing a 

$2+ million Bugatti Veyron and 

then a Porche Carrera next to 

a BMW M3 — all washing at 

“cheap quarter carwashes”! 

The SSCWN sees those 3 

customers as guys smart 

enough to get more (a lot 

more!) than what they paid 

for. And that is - absolutely 

safe and thorough cleaning 

of their pricey cars in a way 

that is, incidentally, quite 

inexpensive too. 

snagged my attention ... and attitude. 

The first one was headlined: 

“Cheap Bugatti Owner Takes 

Veyron to Coin-Op Car Wash” 

The blogger was shocked to see 

the owner of a Bugatti Veyron “feeding 

quarters - QUARTERS!” into a SS coin 

box in Southern California so he could 

wash his $2,000,000+ status symbol. 

He referred to the Veyron as “the pinnacle 

of automotive engineering!” To 

make his point (or unwittingly undercut 

it) he said tires on this Bugatti are supposed 

to be replaced every 2,500 miles 

in France at a cost of $10,000 per tire 

— yes, a whopping $40,000 for a set of 

tires! Oh by the way, this oh so cool car 

(Continued On A Following Page)

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(Continued from Previous Page) 

has 10 radiators, and “routine” maintenance/service 

runs about $19,000! 

The blurb was tagged with a gratutitously 

snarky comment about how the 

owner after driving out of the bay was 

“probably heading to the nearest ‘Dollar 

Store’ to buy Ramen Noodles.” The 

writer’s point was that the Bugatti’s 

owner was a dumb dolt and “cheap 

skate” for using a SS. 

Then my trolling took me to yet 

another photo (see previous page) and 

more commentary. This autophile elitist 

was also “shocked” and wrote: 

“When I saw this Carerra S and M3 side-byside 

at a coin-op carwash, I just had to go 

the middle of the street to take a picture!” 

Wow — deja vu all over again! 

It amazed me to see examples of 

guys who really should know better get 

it so very wrong. Just because someone 

buys SS wash services with half a handful 

of quarters, that does NOT make 

‘em “cheap skates”! Fact is, someone 

with enough smarts to acquire enough 

wealth to purchase a multi-million dollar 

car — is, more likely than not, smart 

enough to know how to best clean and 

maintain it. 

And that, my friends, brings me 

back to the main point of this article. 

Namely, self serve carwash owner/operators 

have something of an “embarrassment 

of riches” when it comes to 

their product and services. There are 

a number of distinct advantages to not 

“just’ take pride in but special selling 

points worthy of marketing and more 

aggressively “selling” to the public. 

Shortly before I passed the SSCWN 

torch in 2011, there was a stimulating 

exchange in the “LETTERS” section 

that dovetails perfectly into this topic. 

The back ‘n forth was headlined — 

“So What Makes 

Self Serve So Special?!!” 

I’m relatively new to the self serve 

carwash business. When I tell people 

that I own and operate a SS, I explain 

Jay Leno says his love affair with cars began with 

his first “real job” — power and hand washing 

very valuable vehicles at a 

Mercedes Benz dealership. 

(Any resemblence to a self 

serve wand wash here is 

purely intentional ... 

and legit.) 

Professional carwashing is “complicated” by its segments’ diverse overlap ... sometimes right 

within one operation/location. The questions become — can you aggressively sell/market SS 

without “selling out” the other modes of pro carwashing?!! 

Can you (should you) even attempt to “thread that needle”? 

Lets begin to look for answers. 

to them that there are a number of advantages 

and benefits when they use a 

professional SS wash. I emphasize how 

my type of carwash is so much more 

environmentally friendly than washing 

in the driveway. They’re impressed and 

surprised and say, “hey, that’s cool!” But 

I’d like to take it a step further. 

I want to provide customers and 

potential customers with a simple one 

sheet summary — a mini brochure 

— that outlines why self serve is the 

best way to wash a car. Stressing the 

environmental benefits is essenial. But 

more importantly (for me), I need to differentiate 

SS from my full serve tunnel 

and exterior express competitors ... as 

well as home washing. I want to promote 

the benefits and advantages that 

are unique to SS — what makes this 

technique of washing special and better 

than the rest from home to tunnel. Has 

the SSCWN done such an article? 

Bart Bouchein 

Savoy Carwash 

St. Louis, Missouri 

Thanks for posing such an “interesting” 

question and challenge, Bart. 

Exactly why and how is SS carwashing 

better than other forms of carwashing be 

they commercial or residential ... paying 

particular attention to the environment? 

This is “interesting” because that question 

would have been much, much easier 

to honestly resolve a couple decades ago. 

Over those years, however, the profile 

of the commercial carwash industry 

changed ... a lot! “Back in the day” the 

great majority of self serves were wand 

only operations. But by the 90’s, SS began 

to energetically diversify and broaden 

its market appeal by adding in-bay automatics 

— mostly touchless/no friction 

units. And that trend led to many SS 

operators getting into exterior tunnels. 

Plus, many full serve/conveyor operators 

diversified their operations with SS bays 

— adding them to a site, and buying or 

building other SS locations. 

So carwash owners “evolved” into 

an era that was no longer a clear “us 

versus them” dynamic. Nowadays there 

are far fewer SS wand wash “purist” 

operations. Consequently, most operators 

are reluctant to slam one segment 

of their vested interests while promoting 

another. Regardless, for many years I 

was guilty of slipping in editorial comments 

and “zingers” that had been overtly 

pro professional SS/wand washing. I 

believed I was compelled to acknowledge 

the fact that SS truly does have unique 

“selling points” and notable advantages 

over all the other forms of commercial 

carwashing. In a nutshell and for several 

decades, I had proudly held this 

Truth to be Self Evident: 

Self Serve wand washing is the most safe, 

most thorough, most eco-friendly and most 

economical way to clean a car ... bar none! 

There, I said it — yet again! 

Before any diplomatic qualifying or 

mitigating of that aggressive assertion, 

lets honestly consider the following: 

SAFE - Other commercial wash facilities 

obviously have the advantage when it 

comes to “convenience”. Nothing could 

be easier than just sitting back and having 

your car washed for you. But when it 

comes to potential problems with “surface 

disturbances” (hazing, swirl marks, 

scratches, etcetera) and possible physical 

damage beyond painted surfaces (molding, 

mirrors, etcetera) — your customers 

need not worry if they use the services 

properly in a SS wand bay. Their cars 

will get as clean as they want and as safely 

as is possible. Yes, “automated” washes 

(both touch free and friction) have gotten 

better and safer over the years. BUT 

in this context of weighing potential for 

damage and surface disturbances — SS 

wand washing can, quite frankly, be 

considered THE best and safest. C’mon 

— it really is self evident. 

(Continued On A Following Page) 

10 • WINTER 2020

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WINTER 2020 • 11


(Continued from Previous Page) 

THOROUGH - Another great advantage 

found in a SS wand bay (versus other professional 

carwashes) is the total control 

it provides. Not only can the customer 

precisely focus on especially dirty (or 

delicate) areas, he can make the decision 

to “luxuriate” with (or minimize) his use of 

functions such as PreSoak, Foam Brush, 

and Triple Foam Wax/Protectants. 

ECO FRIENDLY - Hands on SS wand 

washing is also the hands down winner 

when it comes to the environment. ICA 

studies have verified that other commercial 

washes can use 4 times as much 

water to clean a car. And home washing 

can use several times more than a tunnel! 

And, of course, home washing and 

parking charity events not only waste a 

lot of water, that effluent also makes it 

way to our lakes and rivers through the 

storm sewer and imperils aquatic life. 

TIME - Another thing about home 

washing worth mentioning — it not “only” 

wastes water and harms the environment, 

washing in the driveway wastes time too. 

It only requires about 10 minutes or so 

to wash in a SS bay. But when you add 

it all up (hauling hoses, buckets, soaps, 

etcetera and then putting it all away), it 

can easily take 4 times as long to wash 

in a driveway. Before home washers assume 

they’re saving money washing in the 

driveway, they need to ask, “how much is 

30-40 more minutes of my time worth?!!” 

ECONOMICAL - I must acknowledge the 

reality of competitive carwash pricing 

within the context of the Exterior Express 

phenomenon which took off like a rocket 

about a dozen years ago. Those EE’s offer 

a fast, convenient basic wash for about 

$5 or even less. And that low level of price 

certainly used to be the exclusive domain 

of the SS wand bays. The thing is, that 

“below market” price is tantamount to a 

Exterior Express’ 

$5 (or less) “come 

on” street sign 

prices and Free 

Vacs have lured 

a swath of the 

price prioritized 

public away from 

self serve wand 

washing. But, as 

we shall see, there 

are ways for SS to 

“skin that (cost) 

cat”, as well as 

tactics to offset 

the “convenience” 

factor of EE. 

The author’s 12 year 

old Caddy has aged 

as well as his lovely 

wife, Colleen. JJ 

insists that is in no 

small part because 

of his devoted use 

of self serve/coinop 

washes — for his 

ol’ CTS, not 

his wife. 

“teaser”, because the majority of EE customers 

feel they need to choose a level of 

wash that costs on average $2 more than 

that touted street sign price. 

Note: the following comments are an update. 

Originally, this “Letters” column referred to 

keeping my 12 year old Chrysler Concorde 

mint via SS washing. But that car was 

totalled in a bad accident in 2010 — “forcing” 

me to buy the CTS. But apart from the 

two testimonials being separated in time, 

they are exactly same-o same-o! 

Personally, I see the bottom line 

every time I proudly walk towards my 

own car. I drive a 2008 CTS that looks 

virtually showroom new. In fact, this 

Fall my son-in-laws’ parents came from 

out of state to visit us for the first time. 

When they walked into our home (thru 

the garage) they had a double-take reaction 

and said “WOW, you have a brand 

new Cadillac!” When I said, “Uh, no. 

It’s actually almost 12 years old.” They 

did another “WOW!” 

Admittedly, that awed reaction is 

due in part to the CTS body style not having 

changed all that much since it was 

revamped way back in 2008. Regardless, 

dark cars in general and red paint in 

particular (as is mine) are markedly more 

susceptible to surface disturbances. So I 

know my exclusive and regular use of SS 

wand bays definitely has played a big part 

in its ageless-ness. I only wax it once a 

year. But judging by how well it has held 

up (even with Michigan’s salty roads in 

winter), I bet I could get another 10 good 

looking years outta this vehicle! 

Around And Around 

And so we go-around/come-around to 

why and how this article began — expressing 

our shock that any knowledgeable car 

lovcr would be shocked to see very expensive 

cars being washed at coin-op carwashes. It 

seems that the SS may be remiss in driving 

home — MARKETING! — the special, totally 

legit selling points of its own segment of the 

professional carwash industry. 

Yes, carwashing’s competitive climate 

has changed. (Don’t get me started on alleged 

man-made Climate-Climate Change. 

Hmmm, well, unless you’re marketing SS to 

environmentalists ... and we will definitely get 

into that in Part 2 of this article.) But I hope 

that owner/operators would strive to educate 

the public — enabling everyone to really appreciate 

all the values and value to be found 

at a professional self serve carwash. 

Speaking of “what goes-around/comes 

around”. Nowadays, one might get a sense 

that SS is once again the “lowly step-sister” 

to tunnel/exterior washes. But prior to the 

turn of the century and for several decades, 

Self Serve was verified by ICA surveys to be 

“America’s Most Popular CarWash” — exactly 

as the SSCWN’s original masthead slogan 

so proclaimed! In that light, consider this 

analogy: 

In the 80’s CD’s were first sold to the 

public and audiophiles as THE technical 

plateau of recorded music. Then - sonuvva gun 

- decades later, we realized that “old fashion”, 

analog vinyl platters were, are and probably 

will long be the truest, “cleanest” — THE best! 

Sooo, in a way, SS is to CarWashing what 

Vinyl LP’s are to CD’s ... IMHO. 

And, oh yeah, I do get it. The industry 

is “complicated” in its overlapping diversity 

of vested interests. However, there are ways 

for SS to vigorously assert itself and “thread 

that needle” without pricking fellow professional 

carwashers too, too badly. And so, 

in the sequel to this article, I would like to 

produce what Bart Bouchein had requested 

some years ago ... and more: 

• Templates for a mini-brochure 

that could be used as a hand out, direct 

mail, on a website, or whatever. 

• A variety of marketing tips. 

• And a slew of graphics that can be 

personalized for ads and POS signage. 

BTW and in closing — did you notice 

the slogan on my baseball cap? Some of ya’ll 

(for more reasons than one) will take issue 

with that. Is it tongue in cheek? Sure. But its 

puckish point of wanting to “Make SS Great 

Again” ain’t all for laughs. Stay tuned. 

10-4. 

12 • WINTER 2020

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WINTER 2020 • 13

Around the Wash 

Going Plastic? 

Experts give insight to some of the 

biggest credit card conundrums 

As we embark on a new decade, there are not Jetson-like 

flying cars, pet orbitties, or even glass orbs 

that transport people to and fro, but there has been 

a significant shift in the way goods and services are 

purchased. Cash is not carried by all and it seems as 

if cashless payments are becoming the norm. Credit 

cards are nothing new, in fact the first official credit 

card was used in the 1950s (although historians 

argue they have been around since 9000 B.C.). But 

cashless transactions have evolved even further 

thanks to chip readers, applePay, digital currencies, 

and app-based payment transactions. Car washes 

have evolved as well — from digitized loyalty programs 

to remote monitoring, etc. and self serves are 

now offering dryers to LED lighting. Such improvements 

are not just “wow” factors, but expected by 

customers, especially millennials who are unfamiliar 

with the 20th century self serve model. A visit 

to a self serve includes user-friendly, safe and convenient 

equipment and these days, thanks to credit 

card machines, customers are not carrying cash. 

And, since everything from vending machines, to 

even farmer’s markets are accepting credit cards, 

not all self serves are on board. The reasons vary, 

between not wanting to install the equipment, to 

keeping things the way they’ve always been. However, 

the reasons self serves decided to accept credit 

cards include: An increase in sales, to customer 

appreciation and the ability to tracking data and 

transactions. 

As for customer demand, credit cards are no longer 

just for the middle- to upper-class demographics. 

You don’t even need to have “good credit” to carry 

a credit card anymore. According to data released 

April 26, 2018, by the American Banking Association, 

there were 364 million open credit card accounts 

in the United States as of the end of 2017. 

According to a 2019 CNBC report, fewer and 

fewer adults are using printed or minted U.S. currency 

at all. “About 3 in 10 Americans said they 

make no purchases with cash in a typical week, 

up from a quarter in 2015, according to the Pew 

Research Center. Modernization is As we enter a 

new decade, and technology.” 

Amy Olson of WashCard Systems, which is a longtime 

hardware, software, and marketing solutions 

provider based out of Minnesota, “The car wash industry 

has seen its fair share of change over the last 

10 years and credit card acceptance has been one of 

them. Operators who have credit card acceptance 

see a rise in their income because there are more 

payment options available for their customers.” 

Olson said they have over 600 customers with 

over 1,000 locations as car wash customers, with 

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about half of them being self serve customers, 

all of which have credit card acceptance and 

loyalty options for their wash. 

If a car wash is looking to join the trend, Olson 

offers up the top five things to consider if you’re 

on the fence about credit card acceptance. 

1. What about the fees? While credit card 

fees are involved, the ability for customers 

to use credit cards outweighs those costs. 

Having more payment options available also 

brings in more customers and allows them to 

spend more than what they normally would. 

With credit cards, customers are not limited 

to the change in their pocket. 

2. Reliability: Credit cards also give some accountability 

to the customer. Every once in 

a while, hardware can fail. When that happens, 

customers want their money back. 

With cash or coins, it’s hard to prove a customer 

was even at the wash spending money 

unless you have newer hardware that 

gives you those capabilities. 

3. Trackability: With a credit card, you are 

able to see when the customer was at the 

wash, how much they spent, and you are 

able to credit them back, or even start a 

new wash for them remotely in another bay. 

4. Less Labor: Unattended car washes can 

be tough to manage. Beyond ensuring it’s 

clean, there are chemicals stocked, equipment 

is working properly, there’s the tiring 

task of collecting, drying, rolling, and bringing 

in coins to the bank. A task no self serve 

operator has ever said is fun. With credit 

cards, this task becomes less of a hassle. 

There will always be those few customers 

who “like” using coins, but most customers 

will eventually switch over to credit card 

use when it becomes available. 

5. Tricky technology? Hardware costs are 

also a concern for operators. Adding credit 

card readers can be expensive. And with 

changing technology, many operators are 

concerned about chip readers or tap and 

pay. However, with the way technology is 

moving, this concern may be a thing of the 

past for operators. Mobile apps are becoming 

more and more popular for operators 

who have not yet added card readers to their 

bays. With mobile app options also growing, 

it’s important to consider the features of the 

app, how long the company has been in the 

industry, how often updates are made, etc. 

As technology and the credit card industry 

change, operators should stay up to date 

with what updates there are and how it affects 

their business. 

ONE SELF SERVE OPERATOR 

SHARES HIS STORY 

Ryan Davis is the owner of Wild Water Car Wash 

and Pet Wash in Ames, Iowa. The wash offers two 

Laserwash automatics, seven self serve bays, one 

large vehicle bay, two self serve pet washes, and 

eight vacuums. Wild Water has been around for 44 

years. 

“Originally we started accepting credit cards for 

our automatics in 1998. Credit cards in the self serve 

bays and vacuums came around in 2008.” 

Davis’s advice for others thinking about accepting 

credit cards is, “Do it.” 

“You’re just wasting money until you do. Originally, 

when we started installing the credit cards in the bay, 

we had people waiting for those bays that had credit 

card acceptance.” 

Davis said security and his customers’ trust are 

some of his biggest concerns. “Security is a huge importance 

to me. Our customers expect our very best 

every time. If they are going to spend their money with 

me, they are putting their trust in me not only to produce 

a clean car, but to keep their information safe.” 

Aligning with a company that is not only PCI Compliant, 

but one that is PCI validated as well, is extremely 

important, suggests Davis. “Your customers 

won’t care whether you are PCI compliant or validated, 

unless something happens. But it makes me 

sleep better at night knowing I am protected as best I 

can be. Security is nothing to be cheap on. 

Davis added that they also offer mobile pay and 

they are looking forward to releasing their own app 

in the upcoming months. 

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WINTER 2020 • 15

16 • WINTER 2020

WINTER 2020 • 17

Self 

Serves 

in 

2020 

What’s trending? What’s changing? 

Expert Steve Gaudreau weighs in. 

Steve Gaudreau knows a thing or two about 

car washing. To put it plainly, he has served as a 

national consultant to the industry for over 30 

years. He was the first-ever president of Car Wash 

College and has also authored two best-selling industry-related 

books. Currently, Gaudreau serves 

as president of Brink Results, LLC. — a training 

and consulting firm serving the car wash industry 

that provides online video training, on site management 

training and organizational consulting. 

As for the self serve car wash industry, Gaudreau 

has weathered many years of car wash trends and 

paradigm shifts. What he has recently noticed are 

changes that have to do with speeding up services 

and managing customers’ needs and expectations. 

The following are the top six implementations he 

says to look for more and more. 

# 

1 Adding on Express 

Exteriors 

Many self serve operators are converting a self 

serve bay into a shorter express exterior tunnel. 

Anywhere from 30’ to 50’ bays are now exterior 

washes and sometimes, considering the location 

and geographical elements, the blowers are located 

outside of the bay. This caters to a self serve 

operator being able to use an already established 

structure. Express exteriors are nothing new. Benny 

Alford of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pioneered 

automated “modern day express car washing,” according 

to a Baton Rouge Business Report. “After 

visiting Germany in the ’90s, the Alfords [including 

Benny and his sons Justin and Jason] brought 

home the idea of free self-service vacuums and 

wanted to use gas pumps as pay stations. They approached 

a company about making an unattended 

machine, which they discovered already existed, 

and added their own gate idea to keep cars in order 

for custom washes.” Today, exteriors are more 

commonplace and ideal for the on-the-go and 

penny-pinching customer. Also, self serves and the 

express exterior are mildly similar in that both 

do not require multiple onsite employees, which 

brings us to #2… 

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Self Serves in 2020 

Flat Fee Self Serve 

Success 

# 

2 Onsite Attendants 

It used to be that most self serve washes 

were not staffed throughout the day, but now, 

many washes have at least one employee on hand. 

Of course, with this, the car wash owner must train 

and monitor the individual, especially if there is 

an automatic wash on site. The plus side? It has 

been reported that some washes have seen their 

revenues double after adding on an attendant. This 

might be because such car washes are perceived as 

safe, reliable and user-friendly. 

# 

3 Multi-bay Washes 

There really aren’t too many self-serve-only 

washes. Any new washes being built will have 

various types of bays. Along with self serves, there 

are also some sort of automatic washes included 

which allow a wash business to serve multiple customers 

at once. 

# 

4 More Touchless 

Equipment 

Back in the day, friction-based car washes were 

more prevalent. Today, more customers seem to 

know what the word “touchless” means and the 

word is used more and more in signage and advertisements. 

Friction washes are still selling, and 

ideally, a car wash will offer both: A friction and 

touchless wash to attract different customers. 

# 

5 Free Vacuums 

Some self serves are now offering up free vacuums 

to compete with the free vacs offered at express 

exterior washes. This offering brings in more 

volume which makes a car wash look popular. It is 

considered that some customers will choose any 

type of wash if a free vacuuming is included so 

self serves are jumping on the bandwagon. Also, 

If one is looking for self serve inspiration, look no further than Jack Anthony III. Anthony 

currently serves as CEO of 7 Flags Car Wash, a California-based chain which includes 

three full-service car wash and detail centers, seven self serve carwashes, two express exterior 

washes with free vacuums, and one express oil change facility. His father, Jack Jr., founded 7 

Flags back in the 1960s, and he, along with his wife Margaret, are responsible for bringing the 

first self serve car wash to Northern California. 

Having had successful self serve operations for years and years, in the mid-90s Jack Anthony 

III decided to change things up and offer a flat free self serve deal. Wash as Long as You Want 

was a concept he heard about from another friend in the industry. “He had excellent results. So, 

I thought, ‘Let’s give it a try.’” How did others in the industry react? They said he was crazy. But, 

customers on the other hand thought it was brilliant. 

It works like this: Customers get anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes to use the self serve bay (a 

car will “trip” a loop detector so that multiple cars cannot be washed in the allotted timeframe) 

and they can also use that time to use the vacuums as well. This way they have enough time to 

comfortably wash their cars as well as vacuum. The flat fee varies, and If the allotted time is not 

enough (it rarely is not enough time) they can add more money. 

Anthony said it has been extremely successful and their self serves continue to be a contributing 

part of their overall revenue. 

And, although such a concept is still not the norm, the idea of not rushing a customer has 

its merits. And, if you want to get all new-agey, feeling rushed has been known to cause anxiety 

(allegedly). According to mindtools.com, Cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman 

coined the term “hurry sickness” after noticing that many of their patients suffered from a “harrying 

sense of time urgency.” So, flat fee self serves are good for your health. The website adds, 

“Hurry sickness increases your body’s output of the stress hormone cortisol, which can cause 

long-term health problems, such as depression. It can affect your personal relationships, too.” 

F-R-E-E is always an attention grabber. Some car 

washes will also offer “free” vacs that are given 

with the purchase of a wash, or if they are part of 

a flat fee purchase for a site visit. Which brings us 

to number 6….. 

# 

6 Unlimited time 

for a flat fee 

As mentioned in #5, some self serves have found 

success in offering some sort of unlimited or even 

free service. This is not seen a lot in the self serve 

industry, and some might think the idea sounds 

crazy. However, Jack Anthony of 7 Flags Car Wash 

has found success in offering a flat fee (see sidebar). 

In not trying to beat the clock, customers can 

find comfort in having an unlimited amount of time 

to wash their vehicle, or figure out the settings, or 

stop to chat on the phone, or… you get the idea. 

The plus side is that it will bring in more customers. 

The downside is people can hog the bays. However, 

with vacuums also being part of the deal, a bay or 

vacuum would ideally be empty. 

# 

7 More Marketing 

More and more self serve and in-bay automatics 

are offering monthly plans with unlimited 

wash clubs. This is something that is done via signage 

or through social media. And, with the prominence 

of cell phones, apps and QR codes a visit is 

that much easier. Memberships and monthly deals 

are also being promoted at attended sites (see #2) 

where an employee can offer the customer the 

deal in person and/or help a customer figure out a 

promotion via a terminal or pay station. 

WINTER 2020 • 21

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22 • WINTER 2020

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WINTER 2020 • 23

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.) 

Boom, there it isn’t! 

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to stop customers from leaving the bay hose hanging 

right across their vehicles and driving off snagging the hose and pulling it down from the boom? 

... I need some way to ensure that the customer pulls the hose out of the way. WENDY’S WASH 

I’m assuming you have a 360° center mount 

boom. The problem is that it’s not swinging back 

to the wall. Shim the mounting points so that the 

side you want the boom to swing to is lowest. With 

a little trial and error, you can get it to come to rest 

about anywhere you want it. I use washers with a 

chunk cut out so I can just slip them in or out without 

having to take the bolt all of the way out. You 

might want to have some longer bolts on hand as 

well. They could be changed out one at a time so 

you’re not wrestling an awkward boom on top of a 

ladder. I.B.WASHINCARS 

I “home” the booms so they swing to the opposite 

end of the bay from where the wand holder is. The 

weight of the hose will pull the boom tight to the 

wall. If the boom swings itself to where the meter 

and hanger are, the boom will always be 45° or 

more away from the wall instead of 90° from where 

the vehicles enter. MEP001 

Do as mentioned above. It might also be a good 

idea to put a J hook on the wall that you want 

the boom to swing to. Some customers will take 

the time to place hose in the J hook to keep it 

against the wall even closer than just having the 

boom swing correctly. Place the J hook several 

feet away from the wand holder, so the hose 

has to stay against the wall when in place. SOAPY 

Hard to fathom... but a percentage of customers 

unwittingly force the hose on to the J hook that is 

meant for one of the center Z-booms. Of course, 

“Home the 

booms” 

“WD-40” 

“Shim 

the mounting 

points” 

they just created a problem for the next customer. 

Simultaneous use by 2 people of both the main 

center boom & center-mounted brush (no foam) is 

another irritation ... especially when the final result 

is hose entanglement. MJWALSH 

All is right again. Sprayed WD-40 at center of 

boom and installed half inch washers on the side 

where the wand holder is. Now all six bay hoses 

swing right to the side where the wand holder is. 

WENDY’S WASH 

Lower fees, please! 

In our ongoing commitment to reduce expenses, can anyone 

recommend how to reduce credit card fees. Seventy (70) percent 

of our sales is from credit cards? LB60605 

Besides partnering with the right processor 

to get the best rates, incorporating options 

to raise your average ticket would be 

next. The fixed costs get diluted the higher 

the ticket. If like most, you should notice 

that there are flat transaction fees, meaning 

no matter how large the purchase, you pay 

a flat fee to process. The higher the sale, the 

more diluted these flat fees become therefore 

reducing the percentage impact on 

that transaction. Things like fleet accounts, 

memberships, etc... can help raise your average 

ticket. At least this has been what we 

have seen… JLANMAN 

I had GREAT success using a website 

called Cardfellow.com. I’m not connected 

with them in any way...except as a 

happy user. 

Cardfellow solicits bids from various 

merchant account providers. If you use one 

of their “bids” (for your business), the merchant 

provider.... not you as the merchant.... 

pays Cardfellow a small percentage. 

The provider they found for me has 

been outstanding. CF also provides an auditing 

function. Once or twice a year...I 

ask them to make sure I’m paying the best 

price. They also make sure that the merchant 

services provider is charging you 

only what was quoted. RUDY 

If you are close to Kentucky, you need to 

talk to Merchants Pact. They are located in 

Louisville. ...Also monitor monthly statements 

for fees that have been added that 

you shouldn’t be paying for. DAKOTA HOSKINS 

“Reduce 

percentage 

impact” 

“Use a 

monitoring 

service” 

SSCWN EDITOR CHIMES IN: 

According to the creditcard.com Glossary of 

Terms, an interchange fee, which is also called 

a discount rate or swipe fee, “is the sum paid 

by merchants to the credit card 

processor as a fee for accepting 

credit cards. The amount of the rate 

will vary depending on the type of 

transaction, but averages about 2 

percent of the purchase amount. The 

interchange fee is typically higher for 

online purchases than for in-person 

purchases, because in the latter, 

the card is physically present and 

available for inspection.” 

24 • WINTER 2020

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WINTER 2020 • 25

TRICKS OF THE 

Making cents… 

“Charge what 

you want” 

I have read numerous threads about pricing and since you guys have been such a great 

help, I wanted to kick around an idea. So, there are two other car washes in town. None of 

which have a better location than me. The biggest competitor in town is $1.00 for 4:00. I have matched 

that, but it seems way too long of time for $1.00 the other one in town is $1.25 for 4:00. I was thinking about 

going .50 to start and .45 seconds per quarter. Do you guys think I will still compete at being .50 to start even 

being a full 1 minute less per dollar? 

“Try 50 cents” 

“Attract 

customers first” 

…My biggest issue is that my car wash has been closed for 3 years so I am trying to get the word out that it has opened. I might drop to 50 

cents just to get the word out that I’m open and to gain traffic and then raise it to at least match the other wash in town later on. FASTLANECARWASH 

If you’re the best in town, you can charge appropriately 

for it. 50¢ to start might be a good grand 

re-opening price, but you’ll be the one getting the 

worst customers that make the biggest messes if 

you plan to run it that way. I’m $1.50 for 3 minutes 

- my nearest competition was $1.00 for 2:40, 

he raised his price to match mine, the other day his 

worker said his customers are now saying they prefer 

my wash, but they go back to his because mine 

is too busy to get in. MEP001 

I’d rather wash fewer cars and make more money 

doing it. This is almost 2020.... $1 for four minutes. 

May as well get a job with eves and weekends off 

and no worries.... likely make more $. Please don’t 

tell me you are also offering free vacs?! 

My s/s is $3 for 4 min. Vac $2 for 6 min. Auto $8, 

$10, $12, and $14. CHAZ 

It’s a hard call whether or not to raise your prices. 

On January 1st the minimum wage in Washington 

state is going up to $13.50 an hour. Most 

of the car washes have or are raising their prices. 

I’m planning on going to $2.75 for 4 minutes in 

the S/S bays, of that $2.75, 28 cents is Washington 

state sales tax that we have to pay. At $2.75 I’ll be 

one of the least expensive car washes, most are in 

the $3.00 - $3.50 range. RANDY 

Car washing is discretionary. Charge as much as 

you can get away with. No one is being robbed. 

They can go to the competition if they think you’re 

charging too much. I.B.WASHINCARS 

I’m down here in Texas and if you read on carwashforum.com, 

we are cheaper than most members 

on here. I think your real issue is that it sounds 

like you just reopened this wash and you want to 

get the word out and business back. I was in the 

same position with my first wash 4 years ago and I 

actually started at .25 to start and that gave you 1 

min & 30 secs.... BUT I didn’t stay there long. I was 

basically living at the wash on the weekends meeting 

and greeting EVERYONE as I raised the prices 

and I didn’t really hear many complaints because 

we have great soaps, pressure, everything is always 

working or fixed immediately and so forth. In summary, 

I would lower your price and have a re-grand 

opening with balloons, feather flags, etc. etc. then 

work your way up as much as you can. RFREEMAN 

I have customers who say I’m overpriced at 

$3.50 for 5 mins but we are now 1 of 2 self serve 

left in our area, we get a lot of vehicles that cannot 

go through a tunnel or auto so I control that 

aspect of the market. But the monthly membership 

trend has been nipping at me as well but 

that’s a whole other thread. DIAMONDWASH 

In my opinion, if you want to get the word out do 

the same thing tunnels do and offer FREE washes 

for a week or two. Get people in the door to see how 

good you are and let them see what a great operation 

you have and what the regular price will be - same or 

slightly more than competition - but for better stuff. 

I did this once by simply pulling the coin boxes and 

vaults and making stickers that said insert quarter - 

retrieve below. Got people used to the system/price. 

Kept stuff going by timers. EARL WEISS 

I’m about $1/1 minute. $3 start. 2/1 ss/iba. Fully 

staffed, used car lot, detail shop on site. Free towel 

dry station. CC acceptance, air shammies in bays, 

mat brusher, vending galore, 4 vacs, air machine for 

tires. Be all you can be to the customer and charge 

whatever the market will bear. It’s not a moral issue, 

it’s business. WAXMAN 

High pressure problems… 

I have a self serve bay and the high pressure functions are not 

working, but all of the low pressure functions are working. …In 

the equipment room inside the control panels (probably not the 

correct term) there is a button I can push that turns on the motor 

that drives the high pressure pump and when I push that button 

the motor comes on and drives the pump. 

My two other bays work fine so the issue is localized to this bay. 

I am not an electrician, but it is weird to me that all three high 

pressure functions (rinse, wax, soap) would quit at the same time, 

unless there is a fuse someplace that I am unaware of. 

HITCHPALOTIVE 

Check power from the rotary switch. It should 

have two layers of outputs, one for each individual 

function’s solenoid, the other just for power to the 

motor. MEP001 

Could also be the thermal overload - that would 

be one of those “little fuses someplace that you 

don’t know about.” Press the little blue reset button, 

see if that solves it. It would be attached to 

the motor starter, which is that “button I can push 

that turns on the motor that drives the high-pressure 

pump.” PAULLOVESJAMIE 

Once when I replaced a rotary switch, I forgot to 

remove the metal jumper from the old switch and 

put it on the new switch. The result of that was 

the same - no high pressure. SEQUOIA 

MEP001 was correct, the “motor” wire to the rotary 

switch had corroded and there wasn’t a connection 

anymore. Thank you for all of the help, 

probably save me several frustrating hours this 

evening. HITCHPALOTIVE 

Owning and knowing how to use a good voltmeter 

is a carwash owner’s best friend. I don’t know 

how anyone can get by without one. You could 

have quickly discovered you weren’t getting power 

to the motor starter coil...Then worked back to 

the terminal strip and then the bay rotary.... Glad 

you found the problem! 2BIZ 

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WINTER 2020 • 27

TRICKS OF THE 

Hot water, 

does it matter? 

“Automatic 

switch” 

A customer discussed with me his concern about our SS using non-heated water for high 

pressure rinses because he said it freezes on his car by the time he goes to dry it. Temps 

were around 10 degrees F at that time. We have four high pressure functions (soap, wax, 

clear coat, and rinse) and only the HP rinse is non-heated. I told him no chemical is injected 

so it doesn’t need heat, but really that’s just the way my place was when I bought it. I don’t 

think I need heated water for the wax or clear coat, but I never changed it. It got me thinking 

though, would it be wise to switch to heated water for all HP functions during cold temps 

(maybe 20 degrees or colder F)? I don’t think it would make much difference and this has 

been the only customer to ask me about it. ACBRUNO 

“Throttle back 

the valves” 

I have my HP rinse setup to automatically switch 

to hot water at 30 degrees. Customers do notice 

and appreciate it as the temps get colder. They notice 

it the most when they go to another wash and 

the rinse is cold. 

Does it increase costs? YES! Does it wash better? 

NO! Does it increase customer satisfaction? ABSO- 

LUTELY! ERIC H 

I see no need for a hot rinse at my location; my 

competitors can’t keep up as it is, and I don’t like to 

see grown men cry........ WAXMAN 

Assuming your setup has cold water solenoids 

that bypass the hot water tank on rinse, you could 

throttle back the ball valves in the winter to warm 

up the rinse, but not have it be full-on hot. Either 

that or put doors on the bays and heat them, seems 

like closing a valve would be easier. MEP001 

I tend to be a little careful about reacting to customers 

who want some specific feature, after I look 

into it a little bit it almost never appears to be a 

profitable change, just an entitled customer who 

wants something. I checked the video after the last 

person told me they paid for this wash and were 

entitled to hot water (5 years ago), and they were 

cleaning snow off their car, not washing. 

Yes, I know ice is an issue when it gets really cold, 

but do a quick spreadsheet - how many cars at what 

ambient temp? How much to heat the water? How 

many lost customers if you don’t, etc? 

Speaking just for my wash, I believe hot water 

rinse is a money loser, not a money maker. 

I’ll also admit that I do use warm water on rare 

occasions - like those rare 10-degree sunny Saturdays 

with dry salty roads. But that’s MY decision 

for specific reasons, not a reaction to one customer’s 

demand. PAULLOVESJAMIE 

I have hot and cold-water lines T’d into the tanks. 

That way I can open and close them to increase 

temps as needed. He is correct that at 10 degrees 

he may end up with a block of ice if he uses cold 

water. EARL WEISS 

In some climates where the temperature of the 

surfaces on the vehicle can be way below zero Fahrenheit 

... I would think that hot could even crack 

the glass??? 

On the flip side ... it is true that even with our 

tempered water (lukewarm) (on soap only) sometimes 

a customer will seek us out pointing out ice 

formed as they were spraying initially. That customer’s 

“lack of understanding” tends to be a rare 

exception as most will just spend a bit more until 

the surfaces gradually warm up albeit with more 

spraying. 

Summertime ... a motorcycle guy “stays in bay 

not washing” to let engine cool down. Same guy in 

winter “stays in bay not washing” with his vehicle 

saying it needs to warm up????? MJWALSH 

I operate tunnels and have washed plenty of cars 

in below zero weather. I do not know how hot water 

is by the time it hits the vehicles, but glass does not 

crack although prior cracks will “grow”. It is the same 

when cold water hits hot glass on a summer day. 

As far as the motorcycle goes, the hot engine 

getting hit with cold water should not be an issue 

otherwise it would happen to a hot engine when it 

rains. Depending on the age and technology some 

(like my ‘95) may still have manual chokes and will 

run better after warming up a couple of minutes. 

EARL WEISS 

28 • WINTER 2020

WINTER 2020 • 29

TRICKS OF THE 

Voltage variables 

I have an odd question for you guys. I have 3 phase service and currently getting 211 

volts to all my equipment and electrical panels from the street. I did amp draws on all 

my motors and there is little high amperage and there’s no telling how many years it has 

been like this. All my motors are rated at 230 volts not 208 - my power company says they 

came out this morning and checked their stuff and said it’s correct and there is no room 

for them to adjust it to 230 volts. Is this correct? I just want to make sure there not too lazy 

to change the transformer at the street or jerking me around. TDLCONCEPTSLLC 

“amp 

tests” 

“24+ volts” 

“Wild 

leg 3 phase” 

Usually from what I see, if a motor is rated for 

let’s say 230v that would typically mean the max 

voltage. 208-volt systems will work no problem 

with motors with 230v rating. once you step up 

into the 240v range then you will probably have 

to consider other options such as buck boost transformer 

or something of that nature. CHEVYGUY09 

I’ve had the opposite issue when doing new construction. 

We would install Belanger automatic 

equipment which called for 208 voltage but sometimes 

the city didn’t want to pay to put up a third 

transformer. Your power may be different, here 

there’s either two transformers on the pole giving 

120/120/277 and 240V 3 phase or three transformers 

giving 120/120/120 and 208V 3 phase. It took a 

lot of arguing to get 208 in and we were successful 

every time but one, where we ended up installing 

a transformer the size of a washing machine in the 

room. MEP001 

I just looked up at our pole & it has 3 transformers 

& a wild leg thingy with its 240VAC 3 phase. I 

tend to measure over 240VAC & the amp draw is 

consistently the same on each of the 3 wires to all 

my 3 phase motors. I was told that Delta Wild Leg 

is very common across the country even though 

if you have a lot of 120VAC internal whatever in 

the facility ... balancing the total individual circuit 

breakers complicates the main panel a bit. Our local 

utility based on experience tends to leave a monitoring 

device interfacing with the outdoor meter 

for at least a day ... if there is any suspicion whatsoever 

of a problem with their distribution. MJWALSH 

How are you checking voltage? Each leg to 

ground? Or across two phases? My guess is you have 

the wild leg three phase like I have. Checking each 

leg to ground you have 120v,208v,120v. Checking 

across any two legs gives you 240v. The cycle timing 

of the 208v leg is such you get 240v when checking 

either of the 120v legs with the 208v leg. You have 

to Google search “Wild Leg 3 Phase” to see what I 

am talking about. 

I have 3 phases that comes from the street transformer 

and splits off at the mast to (2) separate meters 

and then to (2) separate panels. One panel is 

3 phase 240v and the other panel is single phase 

30 • WINTER 2020 

240v all fed from the 3 wires coming from the 

street transformer. 

The system was developed years ago to supply 

businesses with 3 phase, single phase, and also a 

high voltage leg to run 208v lighting circuits. You 

ever take apart the old mercury vapor light fixtures 

and notice there was a 208v tap on the transformer? 

Hardly anyone uses the 208v leg by itself anymore, 

but this type of 3 phase still works for setups 

like a carwash. 2BIZ 

My power is delivered by our city. They own 

the utility and supply 208 to most businesses. One 

thing to look at is any small transformer within your 

wash that supplies power to solenoids, coin techs 

etc. Most transformers are setup to convert 240 to 

24 volt but if supplied with 208 you get around 22 

volts and that will cause problems. Be sure you have 

24+ volts out of your transformers. SOAPY 

Unless your motors are fully loaded (carwash 

motors are typically not fully loaded) 208 will work 

fine. You get less horsepower, but the pumps don’t 

know the difference because they will turn the 

same rpm. The motors will use a little less power 

with lower voltage. WASH4ME 

Pretty much right, except that you won’t get 

less horsepower... The amperage would increase by 

the same proportion that the voltage is decreased. 

Example: [(240-208)/240 = 7.5% less voltage. So, 

amperage would be 7.5% higher. This doesn’t make 

any problem until the amperage exceeds the nameplate 

rating. Then you start getting into the service 

factor. If you exceed the service factor (typically 

10%) then you will start to overheat the motor and 

cause early failures. I would check the current at 

each of these motors and see if the amp draw is less 

than the nameplate. If it is, drink a beer. If it is much 

more... drink several more beers. JGINTHER 

Running 208v on a 230v motor is fine usually but 

you get a higher amp draw. It’s also a good idea to 

do an amp test annually. If you notice it creeping up 

it’s a sign the motor is going (doesn’t mean it will 

die immediately but is toward end of life). MC3033 

The horsepower of the motor is lowered when 

voltage is lowered. Since the car wash pumps rarely 

use the full horsepower of the motor it becomes 

irrelevant. For example, if a 5 hp motor would put 

out 5 hp at 240 V and if you were to try to get the 5 

hp out of it at 200 V it would overheat from higher 

amps and decrease its service life. If you study the 

charts in the pump information, it will tell you at 

a particular pressure and RPM what horsepower is 

required. If it were me and the motors are replaced, 

I would replace them with a 208-230-volt motors 

because they are rated to run the full hp at 208 

volts. I am not saying you need to replace the motors… 

just if one burns up replace it with a 208- 

230-volt motor. WASH4ME 

3-phase motors are usually rated to run +/- 10% 

voltage. Running a 230v motor on 208V is within 

that 10%, so no harm will come to the motor, and 

you don’t need to limit the horsepower use to prevent 

overheating. 

It shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve only seen issues 

with VFD systems that needed a more accurate 

voltage, and with 240 to 24-volt transformers running 

208 and having an extremely long wire run. 

Voltage drop was too much, and even that was 

fixed by doubling up the power and motor starter 

wires with spares. MEP001 

SSCWN EDITOR CHIMES IN: 

A scientist by the name of Alessandro 

Volta (1745-1827) of Milan, Italy, 

invented the electric battery which 

at the time was named a voltaic pile. 

According to Battery University (yes, 

there is such a thing), “Volta discovered 

in 1800 that certain fluids would 

generate a continuous flow of electrical 

power when used as a conductor. 

This discovery led to the invention 

of the first voltaic cell, more 

commonly known as battery. 

Volta learned further that 

the voltage would increase 

when voltaic cells were 

stacked on top of 

each other.”

WINTER 2020 • 31

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32 • WINTER 2020

Cwguy.com’s 

‘Random Thoughts’ 

Why would I use 

my cell phone 

as an 

alarm clock? 

By Eric Wilson 

Over time things change. Why have a dedicated 

old alarm clock when you have Alexa or your cell 

phone to wake you up every day? Sure, old-school 

people get into a routine with a dedicated alarm 

clock and a dedicated alarm clock seems better in 

a lot of ways. The clock is always there and really 

integrated into everyday life, but only if you were 

brought up that way. Society evolves over time, so 

why not use your phone as your alarm clock? 

How does this process of replacing basic items 

in everyday life affect you? I received the Yellowpages 

two days ago. For people that do not know 

what the Yellowpages are…. It is an alphabetical 

listing of business names along with their contact 

information. Businesses also advertise in the book 

and, at one time, if you wanted to stay in business 

it was a necessity. Now, I throw the book in 

the garbage can while never touching it. The Yellowpages 

have been replaced by a far better list, 

which is updated almost to the minute. But, like 

the Yellowpages, with the Internet you have to 

spend money to advertise, maintain the website 

and manage social media correctly. 

The topic I would like to discuss in this issue is 

search engines— but mainly the map application 

and how customers use their phone or car navigation 

systems to find your company. 

There are many changes with new car technology. 

I remember when navigation systems in your 

car was an add-on, requiring you to buy a new 

disk whenever you wanted updated information/ 

maps. Now, many cars have a built-in navigation 

system that connects and draws information directly 

from your phone. My wife’s car included an 

Android or iPhone integrated navigated system. It 

works much better than my built-in voice command 

on my car and both are constantly updated. 

It is better for everyone. 

So how is this important to you and your 

business? What is important with your customers? 

How do customers find you? Let’s start 

with going over the most common three types of 

phones: 

1) Flip phones (you know who you are) 

2) Androids 

3) iPhones 

According to a 9to5mac.com Q1 2019 report, 

Android has 60% of the North American market 

share with 40% going to Apple. Android dominates 

more globally, but that is not really our concern, 

but could probably be a trend? 

Eric Wilson is a self-serve car wash owner who also blogs online on the popular and very funny website, cwguy.com. 

WINTER 2020 • 33

WE WANT 

YOUR 

STORIES! 

Do you have a funny 

story from the bay? 

Cwguy.com’s ‘Random Thoughts’ 

Why would I use my cell phone as an alarm clock? 

Apple used to use Google maps, which as a business 

owner you should prefer. Apple decided to 

change and uses openstreetmap.com along with 

Yelp. Therefore, you need to make sure your information 

is available to customers on both Android 

and Apple phone platforms. 

Google is pretty easy if you have a Gmail account. 

Just find or create a location and enter in 

your information. Then I recommend adding pictures 

and adding your website. I would get a website 

even with minimum information on it. This 

helps customers search and get information directly 

from their maps app and also when you ask 

Google a question. 

Apple devices are equally as easily if you have 

an Apple ID. Find the location, enter the information 

and you can enter multiple social media links. 

Really, the only difference to business owners is 

you have to “verify” your business and you have to 

manage your business through Yelp. I have no issue 

with Yelp and honesty reviews are always great, 

but I just feel quicker responses from a community 

rather than going through a company would 

be preferred as a business owner. Either way you 

should enter your information in Yelp also. 

Maybe an inspiring 

tale from the wash? 

Try something 

new that worked well? 

“You won’t believe what this 

Darwin did at my wash…” 

“The best decision I ever made 

for my business was…” 

“On rainy days, I like to…” 

Here’s some additional information about Google 

maps: I am a Google Local Guide, so I am 

allowed to add, edit and fact check Google Map 

entries. This is actually better than the Better 

Business Bureau, Yelp, etc. Google entries are fact 

checked by Local Guides or users and Google does 

not use the extortion method other companies use 

to remove or add reviews. This is unfortunately a 

method a lot of business know about from phone 

calls or letters. 

Another reason to enter your information is 

for mobile browsing. These additions are important 

with Google Chrome (preinstall on Android 

phones) which has 65% of mobile browsing. When 

Safari (preinstall on iPhones) has 16%. Also, Google 

Assistant and Apple Siri are important optimizations. 

(Both Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari 

can be installed on Android or Apple devices.) 

So how did both map applications do? Which 

one scored better? Well it honestly does not matter 

as you should support both Android and Apple 

platforms. But you can tell by the list if they say 

the business is “Closing Soon” or “Closed” it is not 

a “Self Service Car Wash.” I like how the Android 

mapping application did find my closest self service 

washes and including expresses and full services 

like a fine cross promotion? But let’s also all 

be honest: We would all hope Apple could do the 

same. But I was looking for a small subsection. Another 

factor is the large amount of expresses and 

full services around me! 

Reach out to Editor Debra Gorgos 

debgorgos@gmail.com to share 

your story with our readers. 

34 • WINTER 2020

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WINTER 2020 • 35

QUICK TIPS 

MARKETING TIP 

Other customers 

are out there... 

A major benefit of being a self serve owner is that you can usually accommodate 

larger and recreation vehicles in your bays. Large trucks, RVs, boats, jet skis, snowmobiles, 

and motorcycles are not in-bay automatic or conveyor customers and are ideally 

washed inside of a self serve bay. 

Knowing this, if you can take in these kinds of vehicles, market the heck out of it! 

Put up signs, post on social media, scream it from your rooftops, well, maybe not that. 

But getting the message out there is your first challenge when it comes to this side 

of the self serve business. Don’t be afraid to dive in though. These things can bring in 

big tickets for you. 

Also, don’t forget to market your services to business owners who use trucks, and 

some of the other aforementioned larger modes of transportation. There are many 

vehicles in the fleet world that can’t be washed in an automatic or tunnel wash. Think 

about some of the businesses you see driving around your wash. From landscapers, to 

box trucks, delivery vehicles, and more, there is a plethora of vehicles out there that 

are business based, and need to be able to wash their vehicle, and be able to receive 

automated monthly statements instead of individual receipts for every transaction 

they do at the wash. This alone brings in big, consistent bucks for you and your wash. 

This tip was provided by WashCard Systems. 

EQUIPMENT TIP 

Protecting your 

Perimeter 

Cameras that are mounted on the wash structure and looking out at outlying 

areas need to be the large type in the traditional outdoor housings. This is for 

several reasons. First, since the lighting tends to be dimmer the farther you get 

away from the bays, the lens surface area needs to be larger so that the camera 

can gather more light. Secondly, the large camera housings are more visible and 

tend to be a deterrent to criminals. Color cameras are fine for looking toward 

well-lit areas such as vacuum islands, but when pointing the camera toward 

darker areas, or when using the camera to pick up license tags, a day/night version 

that will switch to a black and white picture is really valuable since it 

can see better under dim lighting conditions. Infrared cameras are also a good 

choice, especially if it has very bright infrared LEDs to throw the lighting out to 

dimly lit areas at night. Pay attention to the distance the specs say that the infrareds 

can reach at night. It is a good idea to half this figure to see if the camera 

will still give you enough light at the distance you need to see. The distance spec 

the camera manufacturer lists, is under ideal conditions on a moonless night. A 

bright night or your own perimeter lighting can effectively halve the lighting 

distance you will get from an infrared camera. 

This tip was writing by Allen Spears, a car wash owner and the chief engineer of Car- 

WashCameras.com. 

PROPERTY TIP 

Sound the Alarm! 

The following is a Fire Protection checklist from OSHA (the Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration) 

FIRE PROTECTION 

• Is your local fire department familiar with your facility, 

its location and specific hazards? 

• If you have a fire alarm system, is it certified as 

required and tested annually? 

• If you have interior standpipes and valves, are they 

inspected regularly? 

• If you have outside private fire hydrants, are they 

flushed at least once a year and on a routine 

preventive maintenance schedule? 

• Are fire doors and shutters in good operating 

condition? 

• Are fire doors and shutters unobstructed and 

protected against obstructions, including their 

counterweights? 

• Are fire door and shutter fusible links in place? 

• Are automatic sprinkler system water control valves, air 

and water pressure checked periodically as required? 

• Is the maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems 

assigned to responsible persons or to a sprinkler 

contractor? 

• Are sprinkler heads protected by metal guards if 

exposed to potential physical damage? 

• Is proper clearance maintained below sprinkler 

heads? 

• Are portable fire extinguishers provided in adequate 

number and type and mounted in readily accessible 

locations? 

• Are extinguishers free from obstructions or blockage? 

• Are all extinguishers serviced, maintained and tagged 

at intervals not to exceed one year? 

• Are fire extinguishers recharged regularly with the 

noted on the inspection tag? 

• “Are fire extinguishers selected and provided for the 

types of materials in the areas where they are to be 

used? 

• Class A - Ordinary combustible material fires. 

• Class B - Flammable liquid, gas or grease fires. 

• Class C - Energized-electrical equipment fires. “ 

• Are appropriate fire extinguishers mounted within 

75 feet (22.86 meters) of outside areas containing 

flammable liquids and within 10 feet (3.048 meters) of 

any inside storage area for such materials? 

• Are all extinguishers fully charged and in their 

designated places? 

• Are employees periodically instructed in the use of fire 

extinguishers and fire protection procedures? 

36 • WINTER 2020

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WINTER 2020 • 37

2020 

CALENDAR 

OF EVENTS 

APR 

THE CAR 

WASH SHOW 

6-8 

Henry B. González 

Convention Center 

San Antonio, Texas 

www.carwash.org 

HCA’S 37TH 

ANNUAL 

PRODUCT SHOW 

Prairie Meadows Racetrack, 

Casino and Convention Center 

Des Moines, Iowa 

www.heartlandcarwash.org 

SECWA 

ROAD SHOW 

MGM Grand Casino & Hotel 

Detroit, Michigan 

https://secwa.org 

CAR WASH 

EXCELLENCE 

SUMMIT 

Hotel Bennett 

Charleston, South Carolina 

www.carwash.org 

2020 AMERICAN 

CAR WASH EXPO 

Georgia World Congress Center 

Atlanta, Georgia 

https://secwa.org 

APR 

28-29 

MAY 

19-20 

JUN 

8-10 

SEP 

14-16 

OCT 

5-7 

38 • WINTER 2020 

NORTHEAST 

REGIONAL 

CARWASH 

CONVENTION 

Atlantic City Convention Center 

Atlantic City, New Jersey 

www.nrccshow.com 

Association News 

International Carwash Association ® (ICA) 

Keynote Speaker Announced 

for Car Wash Show 

Ben Nemtin has been named the keynote 

speaker for the 2020 Car Wash Show, taking place 

in San Antonio from April 6-8. The ICA made the 

announcement in early January, stating, “Ben Nemtin 

is on a mission to achieve the unthinkable. From 

playing basketball with President Obama to dashing 

down a soccer field, from raising over $400,000 for 

charity to placing a record-breaking $250,000 bet on 

roulette—Ben’s bucket list quest has inspired millions 

to strive for greatness.” 

The ICA stated that Nemtin is a #1 New York 

Times bestselling author thanks to his book, What Do 

You Want To Do Before You Die? He is also the star of 

the MTV show The Buried Life and the co-founder of 

The Buried Life movement. He has appeared on The 

Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, FOX, 

ABC, CBS, NBC News, and more. Oprah Winfrey 

called Ben’s life work “truly inspiring.” 

Ben weaves the compelling story of how The 

Buried Life grew from 100 impossible dreams scribbled 

on a piece of paper into a global movement of 

millions and skillfully connects his story to the fabric 

of our daily lives, states the ICA. 

Ben’s message of radical possibility combined 

with his ‘5 Steps to Make the Impossible Possible’ 

leaves audiences not only inspired but also equipped 

to tackle the seemingly insurmountable. Ben’s system 

of achieving any impossible goal demystifies 

daunting tasks and turns “dreams” into “projects” by 

creating a digestible pathway to success. Mediocre is 

crowded. Raise your bar and surprise yourself. 

Past 10 Keynote Speakers 

In case anyone was wondering, the past ten 

Car Wash Shows (called the Car Care World Expo) 

have hosted impressive keynote speakers (My personal 

favorite was Magic Johnson. He got up into 

the crowd, was humorous and engaging). 

2019: Author and leading expert on happiness and 

success, Shawn Achor, 

2018: NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long 

2017: Tom Ridge, first Secretary of Homeland Security, 

former governor 

2016: Navy SEAL Rear Admiral Scott Moore 

2015: NCAA basketball coach Rick Pitino 

2014: Daymond John and Robert Herjavec from 

ABC’s hit series, Shark Tank. 

2013: NBA star Magic Johnson 

2012: NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka 

2011: NFL quarterback Joe Theismann 

Registration now Open 

In other ICA news, registration is now open for 

The Car Wash Show 2020, the largest U.S. gathering 

of car wash owners, managers and decision makers. 

From April 6-8, more than 8,000 attendees will 

gather in San Antonio, Texas, to discover new products 

and technologies, enhance business strategies, 

and connect with a range of car care experts—including 

car washers, fast lube professionals, detailers, 

and more—from around the world. 

“The Car Wash Show is the place where the 

entire industry gathers to grow business strategies, 

collaborate with peers, and share creative tactics 

to create memorable experiences for customers,” 

said Kim Vinciguerra, Vice President of Events at 

International Carwash Association. “With all-new 

programming, hundreds of exhibitors showcasing a 

full-range of car care needs, and endless networking, 

The Car Wash Show 2020 is the best opportunity 

industry professionals have all year to gain knowledge 

and discover resources to build the best car 

wash businesses in the world.” 

With brand new education sessions, The Car 

Wash Show 2020 will provide industry veterans and 

first-time attendees with actionable skills and strategies 

needed to stay competitive. The 2020 Show 

will feature two options for passes that will allow 

attendees to customize their experience to fit their 

needs and gain fresh perspectives from professional 

speakers, fellow operators, and suppliers. 

With the Basic Pass, attendees will get first-hand 

product knowledge in 20-minute Quick Hits and 

product demonstrations in the Partner Solution Sessions. 

Attendees will also have the 

opportunity to talk shop with colleagues during 

Peer Sessions. And of course, they have access to the 

trade show floor for all three days. 

With the Premium Pass, attendees will be able to 

attend everything included in the Basic Pass as well as 

exclusive access to the Premium Education Program. 

Here, they will deep dive into one of five areas: 

1. Technology 

2. Business Strategy 

3. Marketing 

4. Talent Management 

5. Fast Lube. 

Each area features an impact session followed by 

focused courses to mix and match. 

With the Premium Pass, attendees will also gain 

industry insights and inspiration at the State of the 

Industry and Keynote Address. 

The Show will also provide many opportunities 

for attendees to network with peers in the car wash, 

fast lube, and detailing arenas. During the Opening 

Night Party, Booth Crawls, and other engaging 

events, all attendees will have a platform to renew 

and develop relationships with peers to build a global 

network and address any challenges they are facing. 

The 180,000-square-foot trade show floor will 

grant attendees access to more than 400 exhibition 

companies showcasing the latest technology 

and products to help streamline business, increase 

efficiency, and improve the bottom line. Attendees 

will find exhibits in categories spanning the car care 

industry, from solutions, product updates and live 

updates, and one-on-one discussions that will help 

them take business to the next level. 

For those who want to further enhance their 

show experience, attendees can also register for one 

of the preconference seminars on Sunday, April 5. 

Attendees can choose from a full-day course in Management 

Fundamentals, the New Investor Seminar, 

or the Certified Detailer Exam from the International 

Detailing Association (IDA). 

The Car Wash Show 2020 is presented by International 

Carwash Association (ICA), the 

Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA), 

and the Western Carwash Association (WCA). For 

more information and to register visit: www.carwashshow.com.

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42 • WINTER 2020

Association News 

New England Carwash Association (NECA) 

You Make It Happen award 

given to Dave Ellard 

On November 12th, the NECA presented 

its, “You Make It Happen” award to Dave Ellard 

of Triple Play Car Wash in Attleboro, Massachusetts. 

This award recognizes exceptional service 

to NECA and the New England industry, a press 

release stated. The honoree did not know he was 

receiving the award, therefore information was secretly 

gathered from family, colleagues and friends 

before the presentation. 

According to the NECA website: Dave grew 

up in Dorchester and started out at St. Peter’s 

School, but as can be expected for a really bright 

Boston area kid, moved on to Boston Latin. When 

we asked his brother if he was involved in sports, 

he described his brother as more of an Eagle Scout, 

Junior Achievement kind of kid. He earned his undergraduate 

degree at Stonehill College, an MBA 

at the University of Southern NH, and has never 

stopped learning. While earning his MBA, he 

worked in the accounting department of a small 

company, Boston Insulated Wire and Cable. He 

moved on to Stop and Shop where he held different 

accounting, finance and managerial positions. 

Then, he moved further up the corporate ladder, 

transitioning from accounting to the C-suite, at 

Boston Scientific and eventually EMC. 

According to the NECA: 

After retiring early from EMC, Dave started 

looking for his next career, which lucky for us, 

turned out to be in the car wash industry. He was 

researching getting into the business when he ran 

into Terrance Elder. Dave and Terrance knew each 

other through mutual friends, and Dave knew that 

Triple Play was already permitted and ready to be 

built. He asked Terrance if he was looking for a 

partner, and through a process of meetings, Terrance 

concluded that Dave would be a strong asset 

and good partner. They became co-owners and Triple 

Play Car Wash opened in 2008. 

Although new to the industry, he learned 

quickly and was soon noticed by NECA. After just 

one year as an Operator Director, he was invited to 

serve as Treasurer and to move up the leadership 

ranks, eventually serving as President from 2015 

through 2016. We all know Dave as a passionate, 

driven individual who, when he gets involved, 

gives 100%. He can see the big picture, envision 

the future and chart a path to get there. This was 

apparent from the moment he joined the NECA 

leadership team. 

During his Presidency, with his vision and 

business skills, NECA chartered a new strategic 

course. His facilitation skills enabled us to move 

forward with the plan more effectively than ever. 

In everything he has done, he has provided the focus 

and leadership necessary to get things done. 

Even as a past president, he is always present and 

willing to assist. 

Dave’s enthusiasm for the industry and learning 

all he can has not lagged, even while on vacation. 

While visiting his son who was studying in 

Amsterdam, his son’s roommate wanted to know 

why they kept washing the rental car. 

Dave loves his brown liquors and fitness routine, 

but his personal passion is cars and racing. 

Last, but not least, he is the proud dad of three 

grown children, 2 daughters and a son. 

Australian Car Wash 

Association (ACWA) 

We are thinking of you, Australia 

We here at Self Serve Car Wash News are 

thinking of our friends in Australia with the recent 

devastating bushfires. There has not been an 

official statement from the ACWA, or the ICA 

and it is unclear if any car washes have been affected. 

However, water restrictions have played 

a significant role in car wash operations. Back 

in November, the ACWA released a statement 

indicating that things were generally going well 

for the car washes and had benefited from the 

hotter-than-usual and rainier-than-usual weather. 

“It is difficult to ever describe a Victorian 

weather event as extraordinary,” wrote ACWA 

Business Manager Doug Cross. “Still, last Thursday’s 

40-degree scorcher really was one out of 

the box…even for Melbourne! As the city baked 

through its equal-hottest November day this 

century, fierce winds swept across the State, uprooting 

trees and creating dust storms throughout 

Melbourne suburbs. Then, just minutes 

later, light rain, thunderstorms and a 20-degree 

temperature drop. But what may have been uncomfortable 

for the city’s residents, produced an 

absolute boon for car wash sites with many operators 

are still reporting queues and record wash 

numbers a week later.” 

Cross went on to thank the 40 or so members 

who attended the ACWA State meeting in 

November. President Neil Fox outlined ACWA’s 

involvement in some of the key issues and opportunities 

confronting the car wash industry around 

the country including the water crisis facing the 

industry in NSW and Queensland. “Neil outlined 

the work ACWA has been undertaking in 

both States to ensure car washing continues under 

water restriction conditions. He highlighted 

that despite Sydney Water announcing Level 2 

Restrictions from 10 December, car washing will 

continue,” Cross stated. 

“The new restrictions state you can wash 

your car, truck, van, using a bucket and sponge 

or at a commercial car wash,” said Neil. He went 

on to say, “this commendation and recognition of 

commercial car washing is carried across Sydney 

Water’s communications and website and will 

encourage consumers to use our services.” 

Level 2 Water Restrictions were enforced in 

Sydney in December as the area faced its harshest 

water restrictions in more than a decade. 

Last June, and for the first time since the 

Millennium Drought in 2003, Sydney was 

placed on Level 1 Restrictions, stated the 

ACWA. However, rainfall in catchment areas 

since June has been minimal, forcing the NSW 

State Government to announce the introduction 

of Level 2 Restrictions. 

Restrictions had impacted all car wash operators 

in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and 

The Illawarra. 

Car Wash Operators 

of New Jersey 

(CWONJ) 

Scholarship applications due April 3 

CWONJ Scholarship Chairman Dan Saidel 

posted they are now seeking applicants for 2020 

scholarships. 

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 

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. 

WINTER 2020 • 43

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46 • WINTER 2020

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. 

Ceramic innovation 

from Sonny’s 

Sonny’s Chemistry by Diamond Shine introduces the next level of premium 

chemistry with CERAMIC X3, a 3-step ceramic-infused process applied 

after surface contaminants have been removed in the wash, prime and rinse 

steps. The layering process provides superior hydrophobic water repellency and 

self-cleaning properties that turns the car’s exterior into a virtually impermeable 

surface with strong chemical bonds and a longer-lasting shine. Kati Pierce, Senior 

Vice President of Sonny’s commented, “We’re excited to expand our chemistry 

product offering with the addition of Ceramic X3. It’s a product line extension 

that offers our customers a higher per ticket premium wash option and offers 

more protection per vehicle.” 

CERAMIC X3 is easily incorporated into the FUSION® process online application 

to create a premium wash package.The car receives the standard Fusion 

Bath, Fusion Prime and Fusion Rinse. CERAMIC X3 is then applied using 

an additional applicator in the Fusion Seal, Fusion Wax and an added Drying 

stage. In the final step, Fusion Rain Repel is applied to the glass surfaces. 

Bonding at a molecular level, CERAMIC X3 forms a durable shield that is 

resistant to dirt, bugs, bird droppings, contaminants and water. The water encapsulates 

dirt and rolls off in larger size beads creating a long-lasting, self-cleaning 

effect that is visibly noticeable to customers. 

New website unveiled 

by Kleen-Rite 

Columbia, PA-based Kleen-Rite Corp. announced the launch of its improved 

e-commerce website in December 2019. 

The property, kleen-ritecorp.com, includes new and redesigned features 

to optimize the user experience, save time shopping, and place orders 

quickly. Web pages will load faster than before on all devices. 

“Our customers want shopping to be quick and easy,” stated Kleen-Rite 

vice president Keith Lutz. “The new site will have industry leading speed 

and be easier than ever to use. Whether you’re at your desk or on your 

phone, we want the customer experience to be exceptional.” 

Customers can now log in to their accounts on phones using a thumbprint 

or facial recognition. Once logged in, it’s easy to create a “favorites” list 

of products, and move some or all products into the shopping cart with a 

click of a button once ready to buy. 

Adding personal information, order notes, and PO #s into the shopping 

cart is easier than before for a 

streamlined checkout process. The 

improved “order summary” section 

comprehensively breaks down 

costs before buying. 

Be sure to sign up for the new 

Kleen-Rite Rewards Club to earn 

rewards points on every purchase, 

and redeem points for Kleen 

Kash discounts and free 

shipping offers. 

Alkaline cleaner and polish 

from CSI 

Cleaning Systems, Inc. (CSI) introduces two new and improved products 

that have been reformulated to provide customers with an opportunity to 

remove those tenacious soils and ensure an exceptionally clean, drier and 

shiny car. 

New & Improved #1905 LiftOff® is a non-caustic alkaline cleaner for a 

wide range of applications including wheel cleaning and presoak applications. 

It was reformulated with increased alkalinity and a specialty additive 

that targets brake dust and rust for increased soil penetration and removal. 

This product is safe to clean all types of wheels and vehicle surfaces. The 

key benefits include: 

● Highest level of sodium metasilicate in any 

concentrated liquid product on the market. 

● Improved product performance for more than tire 

and wheel cleaning. 

● Great non-caustic presoak. 

The new and improved UF314 Polish Cherry White is an ultra-concentrated 

high foaming polish that was completely reformulated as a low pH 

product with higher foam volume and better protective properties. The 

newly formulated UF314 produces rich foam and appealing cherry scent. It 

is best used in low-pressure polish applications in car washes. The outcome 

also reduces cost per car, while removing foam with less water, and providing 

a drier car. 

According to Dave Krause, President and CEO of CSI, “both products 

went through a protocol of testing requirements compliant with ISO 9000 

standards. We are very pleased that the outcome of each reformulation provides 

our customers with improved product performance while reducing 

cost per car and using less water.” 

WINTER 2020 • 47

INDUSTRY DIRT 

HAPPENINGS IN & AROUND 

SELF SERVE CARWASHING 

Honoring Billy Lee Reynolds 

We here at Self Serve Car Wash News were saddened 

to hear of the passing of Billy Lee Reynolds, 

founder of Carolina Pride Carwash, Inc. The Reynolds 

family has been an amazing friend to the magazine 

and the car washing industry in general. Our thoughts 

are with his son, Dale, and his beloved family. The following 

press release was sent out by the family. 

Billy Reynolds passed away peacefully at the 

Hock Family Pavilion in Durham, North Carolina, 

on December 1, 2019. After a battle with cancer 

and heart disease over the last twelve years, 

he maintained a positive attitude. He was born in 

Hollywood, Virginia, and moved to Person County 

when he was a young boy. He grew up in Roxboro 

and remained there his entire life. He was a very 

hard worker with an entrepreneurial spirit. Billy 

began his first business as Reynolds Refrigeration 

Service. He also developed and started many other 

businesses including Carolina Pride Carwash, Inc. 

His car wash business has existed for over 53 years 

and is still operated by his son Dale Reynolds. 

Billy greatly loved his family and friends. He loved 

many close friends and enjoyed telling stories and 

jokes. He encouraged people to push themselves to 

do their best and to pursue their dreams. He never 

met a stranger and enjoyed meeting people wherever 

he went. Many people experienced his generosity 

and big heart. He will be greatly missed. 

Billy is survived by the love of his life and Wife 

for 63 years Kay Lee Perkins Reynolds, daughter 

Sherry Reynolds, son Dale Reynolds and his wife 

Lorraine. Grandsons Harrison Tyler Reynolds, and 

Lee Thomas Reynolds. 

Memorial donations to the charity of one’s choice 

or to My Life Matters (mylifematters.club) and/or 

Patrick Henry Family Services (patrickhenry.org) 

Billy Lee Reynolds 

12/19/1935 – 12/1/2019 

D&S promotes Kenneth 

Underhill, adds two new 

distributors 

On January 10, D&S Carwash Equipment of 

High Ridge, Missouri, announced the promotion 

of Kenneth Underhill to the newly formed 

position of Director of Marketing. In this new 

position Underhill will be responsible for all 

marketing functionsfor the company, including 

strategic planning, advertising, promotions, 

trade shows, market research and public relations. 

In addition, he will oversee all on-line and digital media marketing, 

encompassing website, email and social media. Underhill will continue 

to have significant input in product development. 

Underhill joined D&S in 2017 as Marketing and Communications 

Manager and was instrumental in enhancing the firm’s on-line presence 

and new business development processes. Spanning a forty-year 

career in business, Underhill has held numerous positions in marketing 

and sales across a wide spectrum of industries. 

The company also announced the addition of two new firms to 

its nationwide network of factory authorized distributors. Central 

Service Inc. of Bend, Oregon, and Air & Lube Systems Inc. based 

in Sacramento, California, with facilities in San Diego, Los Angeles 

and Tulare, California, will provide sales, installation, maintenance 

and service functions for much of the West Coast. 

Central Service is a leader in the construction and service industry 

for retail petroleum clients in the northwest United States. Air 

& Lube Systems Inc.’s core business is sales, installation and service 

of automotive maintenance equipment throughout California. Their 

clients include auto dealers, truck and auto fleet firms and government 

agencies. 

D&S Western Regional Manager, Brian Merz stated in a press release, 

“We’re very pleased to partner with two reputable firms with 

excellent track records serving two of our core market industries, 

c-stores and auto dealers. In addition, we have gained a much stronger 

position in terms of geographic coverage in the western US.” 

Sonny’s Acquires SLAM 

Sonny’s The Car Wash Factory has announced the acquisition of SLAM, a highly 

specialized full-service marketing agency with deep roots in the car wash industry. 

According to a press release, SLAM’s services include branding, web design, digital 

and traditional advertising, social media services, content creation, sales training, 

marketing consulting, business listing and localization search, and unlimited campaign 

management. 

Mike Berlin, Vice President of SLAM stated in the press release, “In 2001, when 

our parent company BCLIP Production was just getting started, Sonny’s was the first 

customer to give us a real project. 18 years later, we have a few more projects under 

us and a lot more knowledge. We’re looking forward to being a part of Sonny’s and 

continuing to help operators succeed.” 

Car washes such as Zips, Sparkling Image, Eager Beaver, Benny’s Car Wash, Delta 

Sonic, and Mike’s Car Wash have all trusted Mike and Bubba Berlin for sales, marketing, 

and training services. 

Paul Fazio, CEO of Sonny’s commented, “SLAM is a partner we have known for 

years and what excites me most is the reputation Mike and Bubba Berlin have established, 

which is largely attributed to their agency delivering results.” 

“For a wash to win today, operators need to think and deliver across the entire 

spectrum of marketing from branding to web design to digital marketing,” said Kati 

Pierce, Senior Vice President at Sonny’s. “To provide a solution to our customers, 

SLAM is a natural fit given their persistent delivery of meaningful, ROI driven marketing 

and training programs.” 

LSI Industries announces 

executive promotions 

LSI Industries, a manufacturer of LED technologies, announced on January 16 that 

the following executives have been promoted, effective immediately: 

Mike Prachar has been named Chief Marketing Officer. He will be responsible for 

LSI’s commercial marketing, product management, technical design services, and 

communications and public relations functions. He will report to Jim Clark, President 

and CEO of LSI Industries. 

Brian Vincent has been named Chief Support Officer. Vincent will be responsible 

for sourcing, purchasing, quality and facilities, and he will be managing a portion of 

LSI’s Customer Service organization. 

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UL approved electrical throughout 

50 • WINTER 2020

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Manni's 1131 GREENSBURG ROAD • LOWER BURRELL, PA 15068 

WASH SYSTEMS 724-337-8255 800-552-4492 Fax: 724-337-8554 

WINTER 2020 • 51

EXTRA! 

EXTRA! 

Presenting the news stories featuring 

self serve car washes 

7 Flags Car Wash is adding on two locations 

Jack Anthony Industries, which currently operates 

13 full serve, self serve and oil change, locations 

throughout California, is adding on two 

more 7 Flags Car Wash locations. According to 

Jason Anthony, whose grandfather, John Anthony, 

founded the car wash chain, “We are building two 

more washes: one in Fairfield and one in Vallejo. 

We hope to have them built in the next 20 

months.” 

Jason has been president of the family business 

for eight years after previously playing on the Canadian 

Golf Tour. One of the greatest parts of his 

job is hearing stories about how his grandfather 

influenced the car washing industry. 

“Grandfather was the ultimate entrepreneur,” 

Anthony said, noting how his grandfather shifted 

the family’s fortunes from the grocer business, 

the Tennessee Market in Vallejo, over to the car 

wash business, according to the Daily Republic. 

Eleven of the car washes are in Solano County: 

two self-service in Vallejo; a self-service in Benicia; 

two self-serve, a full-service and an express 

exterior-only station in Vacaville; and the 7 Flags 

in Fairfield. The company also operates a car wash 

in Martinez and one in Citrus Heights. 

The story states that Jason’s younger brother, 

Kyle, is also involved in the business, as is his 

mother, Cathleen, who serves as chief financial 

officer. His uncle Mark, who is getting ready to 

retire, has been on the maintenance side of the 

business. His grandmother was still involved until 

she was 90, when she finally retired about three 

years ago. 

Jason added that their general manager has 

been with the company for 31 years and the firm 

has had a number of managers who have been 

with the company 10 or more years. 

“We treat our employees like they are part of 

the family, and we treat our customers like family,” 

Anthony said in the story. 

Michigan self serve 

gets an update 

The Soapy Bucket Car Wash in Howell, Michigan 

is getting a makeover, according to The Livingston 

Daily. The story said the owners, “have 

embraced technology and upgraded their car 

wash to accommodate more customers.” The 

car wash just offered self serve bays before the 

remodeling which took over a year. The re-opening 

of the wash took place in January. 

Co-owners Russ and Monique Springborn, of 

Howell, said the biggest changes are technological 

in nature, according to the story. 

“One bay is fully-automated,” owner Russ 

Springborn said. “You can program it on how it 

washes your car and it has a new dryer system. 

When you pull in, you don’t need an attendant. 

This does all of that automated. There’s no tipping 

required.” 

The four self serve bays have been upgraded 

with more offerings, including triple foam cleaner 

and spot free rinse. The wash now also accepts 

credit cards. 

Springborn said a new app is another way he 

and his wife are embracing technology. 

New car wash water usage tax has one owner scratching his head 

State Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, called 

a House and Senate City, County and Local Affairs 

committee meeting in early January after a 

car wash owner called him about “the new tax on 

water usage in car washes,” the Arkansas Democrat 

Gazette reported. 

Legislative changes approved earlier this year regarding 

the taxation of some types of car washes 

now have lawmakers questioning the decision. 

“The changes were tucked into a state law with 

other tax provisions, including some that drew 

more attention -- sales and use taxes collected by 

out-of-state online sellers from in-state purchasers 

and cuts in the state’s top corporate income tax 

rate,” the story said. 

“There is a situation where some of these car 

wash owners had other businesses such as a [public 

laundry] or a convenience store hooked up 

with the same meter,” Stubblefield said. 

“In my opinion, there is no way to accurately 

determine or estimate the water usage in these car 

washes when you have that type of situation, other 

than putting in a separate meter.” 

Wade Dunn, who owns the Eastside convenience 

store, laundry, deli and car wash in Glenwood, 

Arkansas, and the Charleston Superstop gas 

station and convenience store in Charleston, said 

there was some confusion about it because it was 

tied to the internet sales tax. 

Act 822 changed the taxation of car washes 

as “a tax fairness issue for some members of the 

[Legislature’s tax overhaul] task force,” noted Paul 

Gehring, an assistant revenue commissioner for 

the state, in the story. “You had a certain type of 

car wash that wasn’t subject to the sales tax and 

another was,” he said. 

Gehring said Act 822 imposed monthly water 

usage fees on tunnel and automatic car washes, but 

not self-service bays. 

Dunn said on November 21 he heard from the 

state Department of Finance and Administration 

that recommended he have one water meter for 

the automatic car wash, and a separate meter for 

the rest of his business. 

But Dunn said that isn’t really viable. 

“Inside the car wash, you have a water softener, 

[and] in that water softener, they are sending water 

over here to the manual bay and sending water 

over here to the automatic bay. You also have a 

reverse osmosis system that is sending water over 

here to the automatic bay and sending water over 

to the manual bay, so it is not simply putting a 

water meter on one pipe, a $200 water meter on a 

pipe,” Dunn said in the story. 

Dunn said he hasn’t paid the fees, but would 

gladly do so, if someone would tell him what to 

pay. 

Finance department officials estimated that the 

state would collect about $1.5 million a year in 

water usage fees from car wash tunnels and automatic 

car washes, Gehring said in the story. 

Gehring added that car wash operators have 

submitted about 86 reports for one month of water 

usage and about $49,000 was collected from 

the fee in November. 

Stubblefield said he plans to propose legislation 

changing the taxation of car washes in the 2021 

regular legislative session. 

52 • WINTER 2020

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WINTER 2020 • 53

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This is a dream 

come true, says new 

self serve owner 

A car wash owned by Christina and Jeremy 

VanDergrift opened at the end of the year. 

Tioga Car Wash includes four-bays including 

two self serves. Being a car wash owner 

has been a dream come true for Christina 

ever since she met a car wash owner from 

Corning, New York, during a road trip back 

in 2015. 

“I traveled 2,000 miles looking at the back 

of Jeremy’s head thinking, ‘I have got to 

build a car wash,’” she told the Wellsboro 

Gazette. 

When they returned from their road trip, 

she approached Jim Stager, the owner of the 

lot across from Mountain Valley Realty. He 

declined to sell it, “but in my gut I felt like 

it would happen someday,” she said in the 

story. 

She then started buying books about designing, 

building and operating a car wash. 

Three years went by and in March 2018, her 

gut urged her to pick up the phone and call 

Stager again. This time, he said yes. 

The road-tripping friend from Corning 

was also helpful, providing information on 

what products to install and planning the 

business, the story said. 

The wash has two self serve bays including 

a dryer and the other two are automatics. 

The exterior self-serve bay can accommodate 

larger vehicles, trailers, motorhomes, 

even boats. 

OSHA inspections on the rise 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) fiscal 

year (FY) 2019 final statistics show a significant 

increase in the number of inspections and a 

record amount of compliance assistance to further 

the mission of ensuring that employers provide 

workplaces free of hazards. 

According to an official statement, OSHA’s 

enforcement activities reflect the Department’s 

continued focus on worker safety. Federal OSHA 

conducted 33,401 inspections—more inspections 

than the previous three years –addressing violations 

related to trenching, falls, chemical exposure, 

silica and other hazards. 

In FY19, OSHA provided a record 1,392,611 

workers with training on safety and health requirements 

through the Agency’s various education 

programs, including the OSHA Training 

Institute Education Centers, Outreach Training 

Program and Susan Harwood Training Grant Program. 

OSHA’s compliance assistance programs 

have helped small businesses address safety and 

Penalty levels go up due to inflation 

Below are the maximum penalty amounts, with 

the annual adjustment for inflation, that may be 

assessed after Jan. 15, 2020. 

Type of Violation 

Serious 

Penalty 

$13,494 per violation 

Other-Than-Serious Posting Requirements 

Failure to Abate 

$13,494 per day 

beyond the abatement date 

Willful or Repeated 

$134,937 per violation 

health hazards in their workplaces. In FY19, OS- 

HA’s no-cost On-Site Consultation Program identified 

137,885 workplace hazards and protected 

3.2 million workers from potential harm. 

“OSHA’s efforts – rulemaking, enforcement, 

compliance assistance and training – are tools to 

accomplish our mission of safety and health for 

every worker,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary 

of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health 

Loren Sweatt said in a statement. “I am proud of 

the diligent, hard work of all OSHA personnel 

who contributed to a memorable year of protecting 

our nation’s workers.” 

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 

of 1970, employers are responsible for providing 

safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. 

OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for 

America’s working men and women by setting 

and enforcing standards, and providing training, 

education and assistance. For more information, 

visit www.osha.gov. 

State Plan States 

States that operate their own Occupational 

Safety and Health Plans are required to adopt 

maximum penalty levels that are at least as effective 

as Federal OSHA’s. 

OSHA also has compliance assistance specialists 

in most of their 85 Area Offices across the nation 

who provide robust outreach and education 

programs for employers and workers. 

International Car Wash Group continues to grow and grow and grow…. 

Major car wash buying juggernaut, The International 

Car Wash Group (ICWG), continues to 

expand with the recent acquisition of Baird Brothers 

Express Car Wash, The Wash Factory, Your Express 

and TLC Xpress Carwash. 

In Waco, Texas, Baird Brothers Express Car Wash 

has four locations. The Wash Factory includes 

seven locations including five in the Dallas-Fort 

Worth, Texas metro area and two in the suburbs 

of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Your Express brings 

four sites also in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. 

These 15 sites will be a tremendous addition to 

the current seven Texas sites already in operation 

under ICWG’s Car Wash USA Express brand, a 

press release states. ICWG also has several greenfield 

sites under construction and development 

in the Texas market. According to Jeff Maize, 

ICWG’s Senior Vice President, Acquisitions, “We 

were looking to significantly grow our presence in 

the Texas market and are fortunate to have struck 

deals to acquire these three important operators 

to give us a larger base for continued growth and 

expansion in both Texas and Oklahoma.” 

Baird Brothers Express Car Wash has been a 

family owned business for 10+ years and their 

customer service and quality wash facilities in the 

Waco market made for an attractive addition to 

the ICWG portfolio. “ICWG’s professionalism and 

attention to details in this deal gave us confidence 

that our car washes and employees would be in 

good hands,” stated Bill Baird, President of Baird 

Brothers Express Car Wash. 

Your Express’s four sites and the Wash Factory’s 

five give ICWG the opportunity to establish a significant 

presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. 

Brad Mann, President of The Wash Factory, has 

joined the ICWG team and will help lead the continued 

expansion in this region. 

The Wash Factory’s two sites in Norman and 

Edmond, Oklahoma are the first ICWG locations 

in the state. 

As for the east coast, all TLC Xpress sites will be 

rebranded as Car Wash USA Express, one of the 

largest express car wash businesses in the South 

and growing rapidly. 

“North Carolina has been on the radar for quite 

some time. We are very excited to bring these seven 

car wash sites into the ICWG family,” said Jeff 

Maize in a press release. “The owners, a mother 

and son team, have built a very strong brand and 

we are proud that they have selected ICWG to 

keep their legacy alive.” 

“I have known ICWG for some time and always 

liked the way they do business. If how they put our 

deal together is any indication of what lies ahead, we 

know our customers are in great hands. ICWG was 

flexible, fast and fair,” said Thomas Deering of TLC. 

Headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, ICWG, 

collectively cleans more than 40 million cars a year. 

It operates over 900 locations in 14 countries across 

the United States, Europe and Australia. The Company 

was founded in Germany in 1965 under the 

IMO brand, the name still used at its non-US locations. 

ICWG entered the US market in 2015 and 

operates under the Car Wash USA Express, Goo- 

Goo Express, and Supersonic Car Wash brands. 

54 • WINTER 2020

WINTER 2020 • 55

EXTRA! EXTRA! 

DOL sends out New Wage and Hour opinion letters 

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced 

three new opinion letters that address 

compliance issues related to the Fair Labor Standards 

Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical 

Leave Act (FMLA), according to a press release. 

An opinion letter is an official, written opinion 

by the department’s Wage and Hour Division 

(WHD) on how a particular law applies in specific 

circumstances presented by the person or entity 

that requested the letter. 

The opinion letters issued today are: 

• FLSA2020-1: Addressing calculating overtime 

pay for a non-discretionary lump sum bonus 

paid at the end of a multi-week training period. 

• FMLA2020-1-A: Addressing whether a combined 

general health district must count the 

employees of the county in which the health 

district is located for the purpose of determining 

FMLA eligibility for its employees. 

• FLSA2020-2: Addressing whether per-project 

payments satisfy the salary basis test for exemption. 

The public can search for existing opinion letters 

by keyword, year, topic and a variety of other filters 

on the department’s website found at https:// 

www.dol.gov. The department also encourages 

the public to submit requests for opinion letters 

to WHD to obtain an opinion or to determine 

whether existing guidance already addresses their 

questions. The division exercises its discretion in 

determining whether and how it will respond to 

each request. 

These are the 51st, 52nd and 53rd opinion letters 

issued by WHD since January 20, 2017 states 

the press release. 

WHD’s mission is to promote and achieve compliance 

with labor standards to protect and enhance 

the welfare of the nation’s workforce. WHD 

enforces Federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping 

and child labor requirements of the 

FLSA. WHD also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal 

Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee 

Polygraph Protection Act, the FMLA, wage 

garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit 

Protection Act, and a number of employment 

standards and worker protections as provided in 

several immigration related statutes. Additionally, 

WHD administers and enforces the prevailing 

wage requirements of the Davis Bacon Act and the 

Service Contract Act and other statutes applicable 

to federal contracts for construction and for the 

provision of goods and services. 

Final rule makes it easier 

to offer ‘perks’ to workers 

In other DOL news, the agency announced a final 

rule that will allow employers to more easily 

offer perks and benefits to their employees. 

The rule released in December 2019 marks the 

first significant update to the regulations governing 

regular rate requirements under the Fair Labor 

Standards Act (FLSA) in over 50 years. Those 

requirements define what forms of payment employers 

include and exclude in the FLSA’s “time 

and one-half” calculation when determining overtime 

rates. 

The previous regulatory landscape left employers 

uncertain about the role that perks and benefits 

play when calculating the regular rate of pay, 

states the DOL. The new rule clarifies which perks 

and benefits must be included in the regular rate 

of pay, as well as which perks and benefits an employer 

may provide without including them in the 

regular rate of pay. 

“This final rule encourages employers to invest 

in the American workforce, to the benefit of their 

employees,” U.S. Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia 

said in the press release. “In a robust economy 

with a million more open jobs than job seekers, we 

must allow employers to offer perks and benefits 

that will attract talent for open jobs and compensate 

employees for their hard work. This rule is an 

important step in that direction.” 

“The regular rate final rule provides clarity that 

allows employers to provide more benefits to their 

employees without unknown overtime consequences 

or litigation,” said Cheryl M. Stanton, Administrator 

for the Department’s Wage and Hour 

Division. “Allowing employers to offer more perks 

at work provides a positive path forward for employers 

and employees alike.” 

Specifically, the final rule clarifies that employers 

may offer the following perks and benefits to 

employees without risk of additional overtime 

liability: 

• The cost of providing certain parking benefits, 

wellness programs, onsite specialist treatment, 

gym access and fitness classes, employee discounts 

on retail goods and services, certain tuition 

benefits (whether paid to an employee, an 

education provider, or a student-loan program), 

and adoption assistance; 

• Payments for unused paid leave, including paid 

sick leave or paid time off; 

• Payments of certain penalties required under 

state and local scheduling laws; 

• Reimbursed expenses including cellphone 

plans, credentialing exam fees, organization 

membership dues, and travel, even if not incurred 

“solely” for the employer’s benefit; and 

clarifies that reimbursements that do not exceed 

the maximum travel reimbursement under 

the Federal Travel Regulation System or the 

optional IRS substantiation amounts for travel 

expenses are per se “reasonable payments”; 

• Certain sign-on bonuses and certain longevity 

bonuses; 

• The cost of office coffee and snacks to employees 

as gifts; 

• Discretionary bonuses, by clarifying that the label 

given a bonus does not determine whether 

it is discretionary and providing additional examples 

and; 

• Contributions to benefit plans for accident, 

unemployment, legal services, or other events 

that could cause future financial hardship or 

expense. 

The final rule also includes additional clarification 

about other forms of compensation, including 

payment for meal periods and “call back” pay. It 

can be viewed here and will take effect 30 days 

after its publication in the Federal Register. 

More information about the final rule, including 

FAQs and a Fact Sheet, is available on the DOL 

website. 

Grace for Vets awards 350,525 

free washes to veterans 

The non-profit organization Grace for Vets 

helped give away 350,525 free washes to veterans 

on November 11, 2019, in honor of Veterans Day. 

Over 1,651 car wash and detail shops throughout 

the United States, Canada, New Zealand and 

Australia participated. In total, over 2,690,031 

million free washes have been handed out since 

the program’s inception in 2009. 

National Small 

Business Week starts 

May 3 

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 year, the week will take place from May 3 

- May 9, 2020. 

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. 

56 • WINTER 2020

15% OFF 

ORDERS 

PLACED BY 

SEPT 15, 2019 

WINTER 2020 • 57

EXTRA! EXTRA! 

SBA modifies method 

for calculating 

annual revenues for 

small businesses 

The U.S. Small Business Administration 

(SBA) published in the Federal Register a final 

rule to modify its method for calculating annual 

revenues used to prescribe size standards 

for small businesses. The final rule became effective 

January 6, 2020. 

The SBA changed its regulations on the 

calculation of annual revenues from a threeyear 

averaging period to a five-year averaging 

period, outside of the SBA Business Loan and 

Disaster Loan Programs, according to an official 

statement. The change in the averaging 

period for calculating annual average revenues 

from three years to five years may result 

in firms regaining or retaining their small 

business status. To assist small businesses with 

this change, the SBA is providing a two-year 

transition period while firms subject to the 

change may choose either a three-year averaging 

period or a five-year averaging period. 

This final rule implements the Small Business 

Runway Extension Act of 2018, Public 

Law No.115-324, which changed the requirements 

for proposed size standards prescribed 

by an agency without separate statutory authority 

to issue size standards. The intent of 

the law was to allow small business government 

contractors more time to prepare for the 

transition to the full and open market after 

they exceed the size standard. 

While the law changed the averaging period 

for calculating annual revenues of businesses 

in services industries from three years to five 

years, the law did not address the averaging 

period for calculating the size of other businesses. 

To promote consistency, the SBA is 

adopting a five-year averaging period for all of 

the SBA’s and other agencies’ revenue-based 

size standards, regardless of whether the industry 

is for services. 

As noted above, this change will not apply 

to the SBA Business Loan and Disaster 

Loan Programs. The SBA will seek comment, 

through a separate rulemaking, on the appropriate 

averaging period for the SBA Business 

Loan and Disaster Loan Programs. 

NBC announces new show featuring 

old school car wash owner 

Details are still emerging, but it seems as if 

NBC’s new streaming service will feature a show 

about a car wash owner. An announcement from 

NBCUniversal included the names of six scripted 

shows coming to the new Netflix-like on-demand 

streaming platform. One of those shows is called 

Clean Slate. Famed television captain of industry 

Norman Lear, is one of the producers. Lear, famous 

for producing cutting edge shows such as All in the 

Family, The Jeffersons, and Maude, is known for 

taking on heavy subjects with humor and applause. 

The announcement included the following description 

of the show, which is set to debut this spring: 

Clean Slate 

Old-school car wash owner Henry (George Wallace) is 

thrilled that his estranged child is returning to Alabama 

after 17 years. However, Henry has a lot of soul searching 

to do when the child he thought was a son returns as the 

determined, proud, trans woman Desiree (Laverne Cox). 

Writer/executive producers: Dan Ewen, Laverne Cox, 

George Wallace 

Executive producers: Norman Lear, Brent Miller 

Producer: Paul Hilepo 

Studio: Sony Pictures Television 

Small Business Person of the Year Award 

Nominees from each of the 50 states, the District 

of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands 

and Guam will compete for the title of the National 

Small Business Person of the Year, SBA’s signature 

award. Nominees must demonstrate success 

in business as well as contributions to their local 

communities. Previous award winners include Superstition 

Meadery, Landmark Pest Management, 

Maui Brewing Company, Equator Coffee & Teas, 

Pacifica, and Missouri Star Quilt Company. 

Who is eligible to be nominated for this 

award? 

Nominees for this award must meet both of the 

following eligibility requirements. Consult your 

nearest SBA district office if you have questions. 

1) Any legal resident of the United States or its 

Territories who owns and operates or who bears 

principal responsibility for operating a small business 

for a minimum of three years prior to being 

nominated may be nominated. Partners who 

jointly own and operate a small business may be 

nominated as a “team” so long as the number of individuals 

in the team nomination does not exceed 

four (4); and 2) Individuals who have received at 

least one type of SBA assistance such as, but not 

limited to, an SBA loan, SCORE counseling, Small 

Business Development Center (SBDC) assistance, 

Veteran’s Business Outreach Center (VBOC) assistance, 

Women’s Business Center (WBC) assistance, 

government contracting assistance, disaster 

assistance, Emerging Leaders Initiative, or Boots to 

Business training. 

What is the evaluation/selection criteria? 

In evaluating the nomination packages, the 

judges will look at the following criteria: 

1. Staying power - a substantiated history as an 

established business; including but not limited 

to expansion, exporting, addition of territories, 

or growth in square footage occupied. 

2. Growth in number of employees - 

Increases over the three years must be in 

excess of growth in Gross Domestic Product 

as determined by the Bureau of Economic 

Analysis (www.bea.gov). 

3. Increase in sales, net profit, and net worth 

for the three prior calendar years, that is, 

2016, 2017 and 2018. 

4. Response to adversity - examples of 

problems faced in the nominee’s business and 

the methods used to solve them. 

5. Contributions to community-oriented 

projects - evidence of the use of his/ 

her personal time and resources towards 

community-oriented projects. 

To learn more about Small Business Week, or to 

submit a nomination, visit sba.gov. 

Considering a new car wash theme? 

And, finally, in news that doesn’t exactly have 

to do with traditional car washing, but is still interesting 

and so darn cute, maybe you all would 

appreciate it (also, this could be used as small 

talk at a party, when people ask you, “So, tell me 

something fascinating about something that isn’t 

quite related to your job, but is slightly connected, 

but not really.”) And, that brings us to this tidbit: 

Marine biologists have discovered that the green 

sea turtle regularly cleans itself in a self serve shell 

cleaning station. According to The Garden Island, 

the “Hawaiian green sea turtle goes on a regular 

basis to a “turtle cleaning station” just like we may 

go to a car wash! These turtle cleaning stations are 

just magical to watch as often there will be two 

to eight large sea turtles just laying motionless in 

the water column with their flippers outstretched. 

This odd looking sea turtle behavior signals the local 

reef fish that they want to be cleaned.” 

58 • WINTER 2020

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www.hamiltonmfg.com | sales@hamiltonmfg.com | 888-723-4858 

WINTER 2020 • 59

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. “Clearance” is missing 

2. Stop and Go are flipped 

3. Lines of blocks are missing 

4. Lisence plate is different 

5. Color green is now blue 

6. Vending machine is lower 

YOU CAN DANCE IF YOU WANT TO 

Want to be a hit at your next party? Bring along a flipbook! The images below were taken 

from a Twitter post by news reporter Evan Gorman of 14 News, Indiana. 

In the video, which is now a GIF, a gentleman is seen washing his car with grace and 

efficiency—think the When You’re a Jet number from West Side Story. If you want to see 

the video, visit Twitter and go to Gorman’s account at @Evan14news. If you want to make a 

flipbook, here are the steps: 

1. Read the ad and/or article on the next page as it will soon be cut up. 

2. Cut out each image. 

3. Keep them in order as they appear. 

4. Fasten together each of the images on the left side. 

5. And, then, flip away! 

60 • WINTER 2020

ALL THAT MY CAR WASH 

WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS IS 

_____________________ 

...Cleaner Customers wyatt 

...A white road Xmas - so long as the white is road salt 

...sunny skies Earl Weiss 

...We closed early at 5 PM on the eve & all day yesterday 

Christmas Day. That was somewhat of a gift of Christianity 

... maybe not financially ... but oh ... the peace & quiet! No 

alarms or phone notifications .... true happy go lucky state 

of nirvana-moksha??? mjwalsh 

...Fewer car wash criminals for all. soapy 

...PEACE LOVE JOY Waxman 

...No express tunnels nearby DiamondWash 

FILL IN THE 

BLANK 

FILL IN THE BLANK: WHEN I DRIVE AWAY 

FROM MY CAR WASH, I AM USUALLY 

THINKING _______________________________ 

How long will I go before my automatic breaks down? Billbo 

“...”nickels, nickels, nickels! There’s no better sound than the sound of plinking nickels ~!!!” ( I’ve been 

watching ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ too much). Waxman 

...How long it’ll be before the homeless rifle through the trash and vacs again. MEP001 

...I am usually thinking What did I forget to do or check? kentadel 

...Did I set the alarm? KleanRide 

...What I’m going to have for breakfast. Because we go to the car wash before most people are up... 

Randy 

...I wonder what’s for dinner. OurTown 

POLL YES OR NO: 

Not good. - Chicago had the rainiest 6 months Jan - 

June since the started keeping records and the Snow / 

Salt wasn’t much either. Earl Weiss 

I’m pleased with some disappointment. I set some 

goals, specifically a car count and gross income, that 

I just pulled out of mid air. Both goals were nice round 

numbers that I simply hoped to reach. I did meet the 

gross income goal but I will miss the car count goal by 

about 200 cars. There are 2 days left in the year but 

there is an ice storm coming in so I don’t expect to 

wash another 200 over the next 2 days. 

I am disappointed that I’ll miss the car count goal but it 

is only an increase of 3.71% and the income increase 

was 5.9%. If I had been more cerebral about setting the 

goals I think I would have hoped for a 7% increase. 

The weather here has been terrible since September. 

If I set my goal at 7% I would have missed the mark 

completely but looking back Idid set the mark too low. 

By the way, I should add that I didn’t do anything 

differently this past year, I kept the same pricing, 

chemicals, etc. I didn’t do any marketing of any kind. 

I simply kept the property clean, machinery working 

properly, and producing clean cars. I put in ZERO 

additional effort into achieving my goals which I hope to 

change for 2020. Eric H 

2019 WAS ... 

Was 2019 a good year for your car wash, 

financially speaking? (Overall profits) 

Revenue went up a little despite some negative 

one-time events. May is usually strong. I lost 

all revenue for that month since there was 5” of 

rainfall-- whereas average is about half an inch. 

In Fall, I lost two weeks of usually strong income 

due to “public safety” power shutoffs. My power 

was shut off intentionally by the utility. I’m pleased 

revenue was up despite losing about 6 weeks total 

during good revenue periods. 

In October, I added credit card acceptance, and 

raised prices. My prediction for 2020 is a positive bump 

in revenue. And net. I removed my dumpster in October. 

At $250/mo for trash service, that reduces expenses 

$3,000 annually. sequoia 

Our revenue is slightly up. Explanation it seems could 

be the effects of brand new competition with brand new 

everything (including CC acceptance) from the previous 

year possibly is starting to fade a bit. I agree about 

the effects of the timing of weather ... extended deep 

freezes &/or extended blizzards ... oh I’m sorry .... y’all in 

milder climates possibly can’t relate. 

I voted no because ... it still does not meet my 

definition of success (net income) considering that I 

might spend a lot more on payroll than many of you. Us 

old fogies are a bit too fragile to try to go it alone quite 

as much as we used to! mjwalsh 

NO 

28% 

YES 

72% 

We had a good year. Overall profit was up a small 

amount, which was very surprising as we are going 

through a complete remodel of the exterior, interior, and 

equipment, while also adding an addition to this wash. 

kentadel 

Despite enduring ‘’Sewer-Gate 2019” ( where I was 

closed for a month while I tore into my sewer system for 

repairs ), I had a good year financially. I raised all of my 

pricing; self serve at $3 start / 3.0 min. Vacs $2 for 

5 min. IBA $10, 12, 13, 15. ( 65% of customers are 

buying top pkg ). Detail pricing is up 20%. 

I sold a decent number of used cars, too; nothing the 

big dealerships would get excited about, but decent for 

a little 2/1 car wash in rural MA. Waxman 

11% increase in sales. Louisiana Damoni88 

Down 4.9%. Wet, wet spring. copperglobe 

WINTER 2020 • 61

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62 • WINTER 2020

My advice to you is to start 

SPRAYING HEAVILY... 

Going the 

Distance 

Learn from those who 

have been in the self serve 

industry for 20, 30, 40 and 

50 years or more. 

Whether you’re new to 

owning or managing a self 

serve car wash, or you’re years 

deep, but looking for inspiration 

to help secure longevity and 

prosperity, look no further than 

the following interviews with 

those who have been in the 

business for decades. 

continued ... 

WINTER 2020 • 63

64 • WINTER 2020

WINTER 2020 • 65

Mike Walsh King Koin | Bismarck, North Dakota 

50 

years 

Q. What was the exact year you 

entered the car washing industry? 

My dad and his partner were their own general 

contractors back in the summer of 1968. It was the 

summer before my senior year in high school. My 

dad’s business partner starting about 1960 at the 

time and he really did not speak that great of English 

(being a POW from Germany 15 years earlier). 

One thing he was was an excellent bricklayer. 

It was during the initial month or so of construction 

that I was the mortar mixer mud person for 

the 2 brick layer crew. [I helped build the car wash 

with my dad’s partner (foreman of the project). 

Q. Why did you enter the industry? 

My folks were both getting closer to retirement 

... I seemed to have an independent streak in me 

when it came to settling into college-university life 

back in ‘69- ‘70. My dad’s partner also was leaning 

towards getting out of the laundry/car wash 

biz and was focusing more and more on building 

apartment houses, etc. I will be honest, I was pretty 

pathetic when it came to electrical-mechanical 

so there was definitely a transition. 

Q. What were things like for your self 

serve when you first started out (what 

were your prices, etc.)? 

Five minutes per quarter. Coin meter was the more 

primitive style with the plastic AirPax & plastic 

cams similar to the time accumulators on our original 

Coin Op Laundromat Dryers. It was a lot more 

physical back then with the required clean up, etc. 

Less than 600 PSI pumps and no deicer system, etc. 

The original bays were smartly designed with more 

slope than most bays which helped. I remember an 

all nighter with my dad getting the original Canadian 

made (Bronco???) pumps that had grease zerks 

on them, etc. to work for what we know was going 

to an extremely busy following day. 

Q. How have things changed since then? 

Mucho lotta changes. Cat 430s ... still much lower 

pressure than our 1500 psi Cat 310s that came 

in 1987. In 1979 I was my own general and hired 

a bricklayer to complete and totally enclose our 

third bay into a Truck-RV Bay which just had an 

8-foot wall prior to 1979. What allowed us to do 

that was I had to prove to the then city building 

inspector that the block wall was filled with con- 

crete which my dad’s partner did back in 1968. 

In 1980 came our homemade translucent dividers 

with canopy and deicer ... see kingkoin.com 

website for pics. That made for 6 bays total albeit 

tandem style. A two-stall dog wash was added 

in 2009. A lady during one of the bible studies 

I participated in said that had there been a dog 

wash back in the day ... her first marriage probably 

would not have ever broken up as most of their 

arguments about who would wash the dog were 

apparently more serious than some may think! 

Q. What kinds of car wash/industry changes 

or developments over the past 50 years 

have impressed you the most? 

The Dixmor LED 7s that fellow carwashforum.com 

members and Self Serve Car Wash News steered me 

towards. I was blessed with PLC-Touchscreen programming 

help on our (very proud of height positioning) 

dog wash tubs. The tubs started out as 

a cardboard model that I showed my dakta (phd 

touting) somewhat girlfriend during that admittedly 

fragile development time. She was not interested 

in the least bit ... not sure if that is why she kind of 

sorta steered away from yours truly from then on!? 

Keep coming! 

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66 • WINTER 2020 

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Kent A Adelson Central Car Wash | Central City, Nebraska 

30 

years 

Q. Name of car wash(es) 

and location(s)? 

To answer your questions, I will talk about my first 

wash, Central Car Wash, in Central City, Nebraska. 

Q. When did you start out? 

1989, December. 


I grew up in a small town, Polk, Nebraska, with a 

population of 350. A block down our street a family 

friend built a self service car wash, consisting of 

2 inside bays and 1 outside bay. (Incidentally, this 

same wash closed its doors a couple weeks ago. It 

had never been updated in any way). My mother 

still lives a block away. 

This was when I was probably around 12 years old, 

or mid-1970s. I remember seeing cars lined up on 

Saturday mornings, and seeing people from nearby 

towns in those lines. This was a very big deal 

back then! Everyone, including my family, used 

the wash regularly! 

When I was in my twenties, I noticed that Central 

City, which was 12 miles away, with then a population 

of 2,600, only had one car wash, with an 

old brush in-bay automatic, and one self-service 

bay. I thought the town could use another. After 

some creative financials, which involved short 

term shareholders, I purchased a prime lot, drew 

up plans, and had it built! Windtrax was the company 

for all equipment. 




We were very busy right from the start in the self 

service bays. I am pretty sure we priced it at 4 

quarters for 5 minutes. Not charging enough as I 

look back. We had tire cleaner, engine cleaner, presoak, 

soap, foam brush, rinse, wax, and spot free. It 

was a nice system, and I am still using the same self 

service pump stands today. 

Q. How have things 

changed since then? 

I saw a bit of a decline in use on the self service 

side in the early 2000s. I am happy to say that 

started turning back around after 5 or 6 years and 

has steadily grown back. I am as busy now as I 

have ever been at this wash. We added Rapid Dry 

and updated meter boxes in the bays, and added 

automated product vending. In 2010 we updated 

to Etowah Valley meter boxes and elected to 

charge $2 for 4 minutes. 

Q. What kinds of car wash/industry changes 

over the past 30 years have impressed 

you the most? 

I think the variety and ease of how we accept payment 

and our customers payment options have 

impressed me the most. Self service was quarters-only 

forever. Now we accept bills, credit cards, 

Apple and Samsung pay, etc. 

We also can personalize the wash for our customers, 

recognizing and tailoring wash packages to 

their needs. The ability to offer fleet accounts and 

loyalty discounts are also nice changes. 

Remote monitoring is great! 

Q. What kinds of changes have 

disappointed you the most? 

The changes that have disappointed me the most 

are...... 

The industry technology and target shift to the 

tunnel market, while leaving little focus on the improvement 

of equipment for car washes in towns, 

suburbs or communities that fall below the population 

and traffic numbers required for the tunnel 

market. 

The car wash investment groups that are over 

building into too competitive areas. 

The difficulty in finding good and reliable employees. 

Q. What does the future hold 

for you and your car wash(es)? 

We are renovating our wash in Central City. This 

will include adding an additional automatic bay, 

new building roof, exterior and interior walls, doors, 

all new lighting, reconditioned meter boxes, bay 

equipment, and adding a new vacuum area. Also 

new in bay equipment we have designed and built. 

Q. What do you think a self serve car wash 

will look like in another 30 years? 

Debra, as you know, there are still many areas 

where a person can own or manage a very profitable 

car wash, washing a high volume of vehicles 

per hour, with few or no employees. This includes 

the self service wash. In areas like mine there will 

always be a need for a car wash. Gravel roads, mud, 

snow, ice and bugs are all a part of rural America 

and will be in the future. 

If I had to make a crazy guess about a self service 

wash in 30 years I would envision a customer in a 

bay using a wand that was applying a very small 

volume of water, or maybe even something other 

than water, to clean their vehicle. 

WINTER 2020 • 67

Frank Scott Gray 

Soapy’s Auto Washes | Idaho Falls, Idaho 

Q. What year did you start out? 

I built my first wash in 1994, one auto bay with a 

second auto bay prebuilt, but fitted with self serves 

until the business grew into a 2nd automatic. I 

owned the land and used it for collateral and borrowed 

400K to build the wash. 

In 1995 I purchased a wash that had been closed 

due to retirement. Three self serve bays. 110K for 

the land and building and did a completely new 

equipment upgrade. 

In 1998 I built my third wash which was had 

three self serve bays and one auto bay that later added 

a second auto bay 600K to build with only one 

auto. Land was 75K for 1 acre. 

In 2003 I built my fourth wash. Two auto bays 

and four self serve bays. Land price of 200K and 

800K in building and equipment. The first wash I 

built was sold in 2005 for the land value. 


I was in the family tire business and my brothers 

and I had taken over in the 1980s. We had a 

buyer come to us with a good offer and we continued 

to work for the new owner. We sold in 1993. 

I soon found out I would not be happy working 

for someone else. I always hated the large inventory 

and accounts receivable we had to carry in this 

25 

years 

business and the self serve car wash business was a 

good answer for me since it had neither. 




My self serve prices started at $1.25 and $3, 

$4, $5, and $6 dollars for automatics. I now am 

at $3 for self serve bays and $5, $8, $10, and $12 

for auto washes. I was the first car wash in the 

market that combined self serves with automatic 

bays. I always bought large properties of around 1 

acre located on corners. I always planned that the 

property would always be in high demand if I ever 

needed to sell them. All locations except the last 

one were within a 1/4 mile of a McDonald’s. 


The biggest changes I have seen are the rise of 

the express wash and the expense to build. I cannot 

see how you can build a good self serve/auto 

wash for under $1.5 to $2 million now. Express 

washes average 5 million now to build according 

to the latest surveys. In eight years, I have seen seven 

express washes come into a market with 60,000 

people. One has already closed its door, but the pie 

is too small for all of them to last. I have seen a 

big upswing in self serve bay usage while my auto 

bays have seen a decrease of about 25%. There are 

a lot of things that can’t be washed in a tunnel. 

If you live in area with lots of outdoor activities 

more things like side by sides, ATVs and motorcycles, 

you can keep your self serve bays busy. Credit 

cards are a huge plus for the self serve bays. My 

sales are typically double that of a cash sale. 

We have always offered free drying towels, and 

now offer a free vacuum with automatic washes. 

We have also added extra dryers in the auto bays. 

Q. What does the future hold for you 

and your car wash(es)? 

My son was in the Navy until two years ago and 

now is in the process of taking over the carwashes 

from me. He grew up in them and I guess he 

liked them enough to make it a full career. He was 

trained as a combat flight engineer, so the car wash 

equipment is pretty easy for him now. 

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68 • WINTER 2020

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WINTER 2020 • 69

Randy Nix Eagle Car Wash | Seattle-Tacoma, Washington area 

28 

years 

Q. When and where did your self serve wash open? 

We opened in June of 1982 in the Seattle-Tacoma area. 

Q. How has your car wash changed since then? 

Since 1982 we have added, foam brush, presoak – tire cleaner, new coin boxes, multi-coin coin acceptors, 

Dixmor timers, a Hamilton bill changer, vacuums, security alarm system, a video/camera system, and 

LED lighting. 

20 

years 

Earl Weiss 

Pres. | Speedy Car Wash Co., 

Niles Car Wash Co., Fast Car Wash Co. 

and c/o of Uptown Service Station, Inc. 

Q. How has your self 

serve car wash changed 

over the past 20 years? 

The advent of affordable credit card processing 

equipment with count up has allowed for 

customers to more easily spend more money. 

Q. How has pricing changed? 

There was only one increase and that was from 

a $2 to $2.50 start as well as a $3 start for super 

bays, and that was a few years ago. I have a 

first-rate competitor with better exposure and 

access about a mile and a half from me and I 

do not care to be pricier than that competition. 

Credit card/count up pricing is a benefit. 

Q. What has been the best 

innovation/advancement? 

For me it was the addition of credit cards 

and bill acceptors in the bays, and credit card 

acceptors on some vacuums. Handheld inbay 

blowers/dryers seem to be an added source 

of usage. 

Q. What has been the biggest 

“problem” for self serves over 

the past 20 years? 

I don’t know that the issues have changed at all. 

Still the same with attempted theft/vandalism, 

thankfully not a lot, and people who could be 

a little more thoughtful about the extent of 

the mess they leave behind. 

Q. Are you surprised you have 

been doing this for 2 decades? 

No 


When we opened in 1982 our price point was .50 for 5 minutes in the bays and .50 for 4 minutes on the 

vacuums. Today we are at $2.75 for 4 minutes in the bays and $1.50 for 3.5 minutes on the vacuums. 

Q. What has been the best innovation/advancement? 

It’s hard to put a finger on the best innovation/advancement. They’ve all been good. I’d have to say better 

chemical, better and more reliable equipment, payment systems. 

Q. What has been the biggest “problem” for self serves over the past 38 years? 

Crime! Theft, vandalism, illegal dumping and the homeless. We have the police on speed dial. 

Q. Are you surprised you have been doing this for 38 years? 

I’d have to say I’m very surprised. Back in 1982 I would have never thought that I’d still be in the car 

wash business. Even though I complain about the car wash business it’s been pretty good to us. I’m 69 

years old, someday I’d like to retire but the car wash business gets into your blood and it’d hard to let go. 

In our area land values are so high that it’s almost impossible to sell a car wash as a car wash. Most that 

have been sold are torn down and the property is used for something else, retail, apartments or condos. 

Q. And, what do you think is the secret to your longevity (car wash ownership-wise)? 

A strong relationship with my partner/wife, I could have not been in the car wash business without her 

support. Also, having trusted employees. We take very good care of our employees paying them more 

than the Washington state minimum wage of $13.50 an hour. We have a very low turnover rate. 

Craig Sooter Sooters Car Wash | Halstead, Kansas 

Q. When and where did your self serve wash open? 

Sooters Car Wash Inc. opened in 1965 in Halstead, Kansas, population 1,800. I am the son of George 

Sooter the creator of Sooters Car Wash. I took over the wash in 1989. 

Q. How has your car wash changed since it first started in 1965? 

When it opened in 1965, it was a two-bay operation. A large truck bay was opened in 1970. 


The wash was 25¢ for 5 minutes in 1965. Today, $2.25 for 3:30. 

50 

years 

Q. What has been the best innovation/advancement? 

Over the years, pumps have gone 

through a great improvement. Since 1989 we have been using Cat Pumps. Prior to that, 6 styles of pumps 

had their try. Our credit card readers have helped our income and have added convenience for customers. 

Q. What has been the biggest “problem” for self serves over the past 55 years? 

Great question. Americans for the most part have become lazy. The drive-thrus have pulled our market 

down. I don’t like to bash them because…they have their place. However, it is not the same wash. I myself 

use them for lite duty, fast cleaning. Our area is rural-country life, much more demanding. Getting a 

quality wash costs time, many skimp on this for speed. 

Q. Are you surprised you have been doing this for 21 years? 

When I took over my dad’s operation, I was going to set the world on fire! I admit, our community was different. 

We had a sense of “Shop Local” pride as did the community. Today, our town has faced our local hospital 

closing, which has had a big impact on all merchants. Luckily, my livelihood does not depend on my wash. 

Q. And, what do you think is the secret to your longevity (car wash ownership-wise)? 

Community commitment, family commitment. My kids growing up, HATED CHORES at the wash. They 

did learn about running a business in small town America. My wife is the backbone along with a good friend 

who loves taking care of the car wash. If it were not for those two, I would be closed. 

70 • WINTER 2020

WINTER 2020 • 71

50 

years 

PAT HALL 

Former owner of The Car Pool | Bardstown, Kentucky 



were your prices, etc.) 

Back in 1969 (when my Dad’s first wash was 

built), the price was 25¢ for five minutes and the 

lone vacuum was a dime. 

This wash was attached to the back of his Shell 

gas station and was three pull-in, back-out bays. 

One of them was an open bay for larger vehicles. 

His second wash was built in 1973 (the one 

that I became half owner of in 1985). 


50 years ago, the choices in the bay were 

1-OFF, 2-Water with some soap, 3-Water without 

soap. We didn’t even have soft water. Now there 

are as many as 11 selections on the dial and multiple 

payment options. 

Options on vacuums were very little as well. 

We didn’t even have trigger guns back then. 

If the customer wasn’t holding the gun when the 

money was deposited, the wand would go flying if 

the selector switch wasn’t in the “off” position. Oh, 

how we laughed our butts off watching customers 

chase those things, sometimes taking a shower and a 

beating in the process. It’s definitely not funny now. 

Bucket washing was a huge issue back then, 

until foaming brushes arrived on the scene in the 

late ‘70s. 

Playing in the mud with lifted 4WD trucks was 

the craze back then, with a truck easily holding 

multiple wheelbarrow loads of mud. Those that 

whine about someone washing an ATV, I look at 

as big &$#@!*&^?>. 

We seldom see outside bays anymore. They attract 

more mess and less money. Just not worth it. 

There are a lot more options with vending. 

There’s not that much money in vending, but a 

few items are kind of necessary. 

Q. What are your prices now? 

$2-4 minutes. I was prepared to raise it to $3-5 

minutes but hadn’t yet. I strongly recommended 

the new owner do it (Car wash had just been sold 

at the time of interview). Maybe by print time 

they will. 

Offer 

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72 • WINTER 2020 

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1/9/18 6:02 PM

Q. What kinds of car wash/industry 

changes over the past 25 years have 

impressed you the most? 

The growth of the IBA segment in the early ‘90s 

was a game changer for me. They are a great fit for 

the rural central Kentucky towns that I serve. It got 

done to death when the economy was good, and 

they were popping up everywhere. Many rookies 

thought it was a gravy train and the carcasses of 

their mistakes still decorate many small towns. 

Q. What kinds of changes have disappointed 

you the most? 

Express washes...hands down. They have taken 

a service that operators were getting a fair price 

for and devalued it by selling it for nearly nothing 

(mainly $3 guys), and giving away free stuff to boot 

(vacuums, towels, mat cleaner). If the product is superior 

(in many of their minds), why do they have 

to use cutthroat pricing to sell it. From a customer 

standpoint, free this, free that, reeks of desperation 

and makes me wonder why their service can’t stand 

on its own merits. They are popping up like Dollar 

General stores and I think within the next five years, 

there will be a lot of those giant scrubber tubes sitting 

vacant, with only weeds occupying their lots. 

Q. What do you think self serves will be 

like in another 50 years? 

That’s a tough one. I feel there will always be a 

segment of the population that will want to wash 

their own cars. How large it will be, who knows? 

Will environmentalists jump in and come up 

with some crazy regulations that make them less 

appealing? 

Possibly. 

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74 • WINTER 2020

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. 

If Hollywood execs are looking 

for the next Columbo, then they 

should not use this man as inspiration. 

In Casper, Wyoming, a man was arrested for 

suspicion of aggravated burglary, petty larceny, 

possession of methamphetamine and possession 

of burglar’s tools, according to the Casper Star 

Tribune. 

When questioned by police, Adam W. Barelle, 

29, said was looking “for clues.” 

According to police, Barelle was found inside 

a Nissan of Casper dealership after breaking in 

through the backdoor. An employee spotted him 

trying to open a locked toolbox. After the employee 

tried to apprehend Barelle, he ran to the 

nearby Let ‘Er Buck car wash. There, in a swift 

move of stealthy criminality, he changed his coat, 

taking one that belonged to a car wash employee. 

He was then spotted, first by a car wash employee 

and later by the pursuing dealership worker while 

he was he was rummaging through the car wash 

employee’s Jeep-- first he takes the guy’s coat, 

and now he is messing up his Jeep? 

When the car wash employee questioned Barelle, 

he was “looking for something he lost.” 

An officer soon arrived and was able to apprehend 

Barelle. 

Surveillance footage from inside the car wash 

showed Barelle entering the business wearing a 

black leather jacket and then leaving wearing the 

employee’s red coat, according to the story. 

Barelle allegedly told police that he didn’t 

break into the dealership, but was there “to look 

for clues.” He refused to elaborate. Good luck with 

that defense, Columb-no. 

Only in Florida are golf carts also 

the get-away car. A man was caught 

on camera stealing a gas-powered 

golf cart from a 

Cape Coral, Florida, car wash over the holidays. 

Now, I did a bit of research and it looks like 

golf carts typically go as fast as 19.9 mph. So, it 

is unclear if the man was seen driving off with 

the golf cart (as it could not have been going 

that fast). However, this did take place in Florida 

where golf carts are as common as taxicabs 

in New York CIty (well, before Ubers, that is) so 

maybe no one noticed? 

According to NBC 6, surveillance footage got 

a clear picture of the thief, 

They say couples who can survive 

a life-threatening event together, 

can survive anything. 

If that’s the case, then this couple is set 

for life. Two people had to be rescued 

after a truck landed on top of their car 

that was parked inside a self serve bay. 

This all took place in early January. 

According to a cbs story, the incident 

took place at the Prestige Car Wash in 

Taunton, Massachusetts. “Surveillance 

video shows the 2019 GMC Sierra 

speeding through the parking lot in 

reverse, eventually crashing into a selfservice 

bay and stopping on top of a 

car. The crash left a Middleboro teenage 

woman pinned in the back seat of a 2013 

Ford Focus.A woman and her boyfriend 

were in the red car. The woman was 

taken to the hospital with a concussion, 

but both are expected to be okay.” 

WINTER 2020 • 75

Darwin 

Now, unlike the second story, 

this crash was no accident. 

In the Lifetime-movie-worthy story of this 

issue, last November, in Chesterfield, 

Michigan, a minivan driver was caught 

on camera hiding out across the street 

of a car wash. Then, footage shows the 

van purposely ramming into a car wash. 

Why was the driver mad at the employee? 

Because he was dating his ex-girlfriend. 

Hey dude, she’s just not that into you. 

A video shows the driver of the minivan 

flooring it and aiming directly for the 

worker. 

“The driver,” according to a Carscoops, 

“brakes before impact, but the minivan still 

hits the man who falls onto the hood before 

being thrown from the vehicle. The driver 

quickly reverses and flees the scene.” 

While this is normally where things would 

end, the story states that the driver returns 

to confront the man he just attacked. But, 

this time, the victim is ready for battle. 

Having grabbed a shovel, the victim is able 

to thwart the driver before police arrived. 

There is also a woman seen in the footage 

hitting the scorned lover. No word if that is 

the lady in this sad love triangle. However, 

according to WXYZ, 25-year-old Roy 

Kowalski was upset that his ex-girlfriend 

started dating a co-worker at the car wash. 

Prosecutor Eric Smith said the employee 

is in the clear as he was defending himself, 

but as for the attacker, Smith said, “It’s a 

terrible idea to hit someone with your car 

… [and] it’s even worse to come back.” 

I don’t want to come across as 

crass or insensitive, but I think the 

real crime in this story is the fact that 

the stolen van was priced at $2,795! In at Times 

Herald story, it was reported that three people 

of Port Huron, Michigan, have pleaded guilty to 

charges of stealing this van: 

Now, before we question the mental well-being 

of three people who deemed this vehicle 

“theftable” -- I should also note that they also set 

the van on fire. It is unclear, though, if this picture 

was taken before or after the van was set ablaze. 

The Herald story reports that last Thanksgiving 

a 63-year-old woman, a 22-year-old man and 

a 19-year-old teenager, broke into the Michigan 

Corvette & Classics AutoMaxx and stole the 2005 

Dodge Caravan. The van was listed for $2795. 

They then apparently drove the van to a 

nearby car wash. Security cameras show all three 

suspects inside a bay along with the van. It is unclear 

why they went to the car wash. Maybe they 

wanted it to look nice before torching it? 

Police were able to identify and locate the 

three suspects. It turns out two of them worked 

for the AutoMaxx store owner when he ran his 

Execuride Limousine and Acme Cab business. 

Smoke if u got ‘em, even if time is 

of the essence and you’re in the 

middle of a robbery. Actually, don’t 

smoke. Smoking is bad for you. In Sand Springs, 

Oklahoma, two people were caught on camera 

trying to break into a car wash over a three-hour 

period. According to News on 6, surveillance 

video given by the owner, shows two suspects 

driving into a self serve car wash bay in a silver 

Chevrolet truck. As one of the men gets out (and 

lights a cigarette) another man uses bolt cutters 

to try to break into the cash machine. 

There were able to break open two padlocks, 

but were unable to get the money out of the machine. 

They left, but came back three hours later. 

One must wonder what they did for those three 

hours? They certainly didn’t go and get better 

“break-in” tools, because all they came back with 

was some sort of metal bar. Video shows the men 

trying to use the bolt cutters again, but end up 

putting it back in the truck. They then pull out 

the large metal bar, which they use to successfully 

pry the first lock off the machine, the story 

states. The men then repeatedly try to break 

open the second lock but are unsuccessful and 

leave before Sand Springs police show up. 

And, ding, ding, ding! We have a winner here, 

folks! Cameras got a nice, clear view of the truck’s 

license plate: GIJ-953. I did a Google deep drive 

search trying to see if the license plate had to do 

with G.I. Joe, but came up with nothing. 

In a case where yelling is actually 

a good thing, one mama bear 

protected her kids from an unsuccessful 

kidnapper, thanks to good set of pipes. 

Last December, in Elkhart, Indiana, a man driving 

a late 1990s model tan GMC Safari van tried 

to kidnap two children while their mother was 

washing her car at a car wash, WSBT reported. 

The man tried to lull the kids with candy. Video 

shows the man pulling up next to the mom’s 

vehicle and holding out an arm. He drove away 

when the mother yelled at him. 

Looking a bit like the aforementioned 

golf cart thief, police are looking 

for this suspect accused of robbing a Jiffy 

Stop in Barry, Illinois. According to the Belleville 

News-Democrat, last fall, a masked man 

dressed in all black entered the Jiffi Stop and 

displayed a handgun. The man demanded money, 

cigarettes and lottery tickets. The man was 

also wearing gloves. 

Upon investigation, police determined the 

man had parked his car across the street from the 

Jiffi Stop in a carwash bay, a news release stated. 

Surveillance cameras captured images of the car 

and of the man’s face. 

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WINTER 2020 • 77

Would you stick around and wash 

your car after a shooting? One customer 

did because he has God on his 

side, according to My San Antonio. A man in his 

20s was taken to University Hospital in critical 

condition after he was shot at the Pumphouse Car 

Wash on January 15, according to the San Antonio 

Police Department. 

Shortly after 10 a.m. police received several 

calls about a shooting in progress at the car wash. 

When officers arrived, they found the man with 

gunshot wounds standing next to his car. 

The man had been shot once in the stomach, and 

was alert enough to provide some information to police. 

He told police that he didn’t know the shooter, 

but saw that he drove off in a gray Ford Taurus. 

Police said they are reviewing the wash’s surveillance 

footage. 

Crime scene tape cordoned off much of the car 

wash, but some bays remained open. And, apparently, 

a drive-by shooting didn’t stop John Cano 

from washing his car. Speaking with a reported, 

as he wiped his windshield with soap and water, 

he said he has lived in the area for years and never 

seen anything like the incident, but he also was 

not worried. 

“As long as you have God in your heart, that’s 

it,” he said in the story. 

Police in Laurel County, Kentucky, 

are looking for three suspects who 

robbed a car wash on American Greeting 

Card Road. Now, I have been with this publication 

for three years now, so if anyone knows me, they 

must know the name of the road is going to catch 

my attention. Now, with it being such a distinct 

name, you would think that the American Greeting 

Card Company was located in Laurel County. 

But, NOPE. It’s in Cleveland, Ohio. Hallmark 

Cards however started in Kansas City, Missouri, 

but that is almost 700 miles away, and, also, that 

would be a really bad marketing move. But, after 

a good 25 minutes of Internet sleuthing, and an 

almost phone call to the Laurel County historian, 

it looks as if there used to be an American Greeting 

Card factory located in Corbin, Kentucky, on 

American Greeting Card Road. Sadly, the factory 

has now closed. Now, getting back to the crime 

story: It looks as if three people were caught on 

camera at the Ultra Shine Car Wash in January. It 

is unclear if they actually stole anything, but the 

owner is offering a $250 reward for information. 

I wonder if they get caught , will they send the 

owner an apology card? Too soon? 

UPDATE: 

A fine was set for the man caught 

illegally dumping concrete in car 

wash bay last year. 

The Fall 2019 issue of Self Serve Car Wash 

News, covered the original story of how a 

man in Kansas City, Missouri, was caught on 

camera dumping concrete onto a bay floor 

at the Soft Touch Car Wash. According to 

KDAF-TV, car wash owner Dennis Nash, who 

has owned South Touch for 16 years has 

video showing the driver wash out the mixer 

and then dump wet concrete mix, the rest of 

UPDATE: 

The second thug has been found 

and arrested in Cape Coral, Florida, according 

to nbc-2, after he, along with another 

man, were spotted with a stolen vehicle at a 

car wash. In the original story, posted in the 

Winter 2019 issue of Self Serve Car Wash 

News, a car thief and his accomplice left a 

stolen SUV in a self-service car wash bay. 

And, not only were they caught on camera, 

the accomplice was caught after the two 

of them took off into a nearby open field. A 

lone officer who had spotted the stolen vehicle 

in the bay had noticed the two men and 

what was in the mixer, onto the floor of the 

car wash bay. 

After surveillance images of the truck and 

mixer appeared on FOX4, a tipster called 

the city’s 513-DUMP hotline with a license 

plate number that led investigators to Melvin 

Jordan. 

According to a November 1 update by 

FOX4, the man was ordered to pay $1,000. 

However, Nash said he asked for Jordan to 

help clean up the mess. 

chased after them into the field and was able 

to catch the accomplice on foot. The other 

guy got away along with a credit card stolen 

from the SUV. However, he has since been 

found and arrested. Now, how was he caught 

you might be asking? This man, who’s intelligence 

can only be compared to that of a box 

of rocks, used the stolen credit card to buy 

items online, and had them shipped to his 

own address. 

Maybe police should ask the two men if 

they know the guy who stole the golf cart? 

(see earlier story). 

78 • WINTER 2020

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Win2020_SSCWN_web

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