Reasons Why Car Wash Is Important
Today's cars require regular washing to keep them looking shiny and new. But washing a car isn't always as simple as putting soap and water on your ride. CR spoke with paint specialists, car-wash owners, and professional detailers to find out what goes on behind the scenes at a car wash.
Kolby's Auto Spa is your go-to destination for premium Car Wash Gastonia NC service. We are experienced professionals that provide an exceptional range of car cleaning services designed to help you maintain the shine and appearance of your vehicle. Our Basic Exterior Wash service is a fantastic option for those looking to keep their car clean without breaking the bank.
When it comes to keeping your car clean, regular washing is essential. While many people opt for a quick and easy car wash at a gas station or drive-thru facility, these services can often be subpar and may not provide the thorough cleaning that your car needs. That's where Kolby's Auto Spa comes in. Our basic exterior wash service is designed to provide your car with a high-quality clean that will leave it looking shiny and new.
Safety
Car wash operations have a lot of safety issues that must be addressed. There are many chemicals used, and these can pose a health risk to employees if not properly handled or stored. There are also electrical hazards, and it is important that employees know how to operate equipment correctly. Finally, there is the possibility of slips and falls, which is why it is important for car wash workers to wear proper footwear.
These risks can be managed by using various risk assessment strategies. These strategies revolve around avoiding, reducing, transferring or accepting risks, and they can help car wash owners to lower the chances of financial loss due to accidents. One way to reduce risk is by purchasing worker’s compensation insurance. This will protect the company in the event of an employee injury, and it can help to reduce the stress on the business.
Another way to ensure employee safety is by keeping the work environment clean and organized. Loose equipment and tools on the floor can cause injuries, so it is essential that these are cleaned up regularly. In addition, puddles of soap, wax and other solutions on the floor can also cause slips and falls, so they should be removed promptly.
Finally, it is important to ensure that employees understand how to read and follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) standards. These rules provide a safe workplace by ensuring that employees are not exposed to toxic chemicals, mechanical dangers, temperature stress or noise levels.
Cleanliness
Many car wash customers equate cleanliness with quality, so regularly cleaning all aspects of a car wash site and tunnel/bay area is an important best practice. This includes keeping litter from the lot and a regular trash removal program, disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as door panels and the steering wheel, and cleaning the conveyor belt to prevent nicks, dings or scratches that can make cars look dirty and damaged.
In addition to the standard soap, waxes and shines that people use at home when washing their cars, specialized products are used at commercial car washes. The most common are surfactants, which work with the water to lift soils off a vehicle and into the rinse water to be washed away. Different surfactants are designed for different types of soils and surface materials.
Another important ingredient to a good car wash soap is that it needs to be gentle on sealant and wax coatings, as well as paint. Simple-sounding “Car Wash Shampoo” fits the bill, with a pH neutral formula that won’t strip previously applied waxes and works on both clear coats and basecoats. It also comes in a concentrated formula, allowing a car wash operator to get great results with a little bit of product.
When washing a vehicle by hand, it’s recommended to use two buckets—one for soap and one for rinsing and washing the sponge or wash mitt between each car. Using the second bucket helps prevent the soap from picking up dirt or debris that could scratch the vehicle.
Appearance
Regardless of how clean or efficient a car wash’s equipment is, the appearance of its buildings and lot plays an important role in attracting and keeping customers. For example, if a customer sees an unkempt building with faded paint and weeds growing through cracks in the asphalt, it could make them second guess their decision to drive by. On the other hand, if they see a well-maintained building with bright paint and a lot free of litter, it may convince them to make the trip.
The average time between cars is another crucial metric for a car wash owner to track, as it indicates how busy your facility is. It’s also useful for determining how much of your equipment and capacity is being utilized on a daily basis. To calculate the average, simply divide total add-on sales by total number of wash transactions.
The car wash industry is rapidly changing, and it’s important for owners to stay on top of their game in order to attract and retain customers. The tips above can help you make your business stand out from the competition and create a more positive experience for your customers. Scott Sears is the founder of National Car Wash Sales, and he can provide new owners with expert advice about selecting the right machinery and equipment to build a successful full-service car wash. He can even help them find the perfect real estate and arrange construction to ensure that their facilities are up and running on time and on budget.
Convenience
Like any small business, a car wash has unique challenges and opportunities for success. Its reputation is often based on how well it treats its most loyal customers and how visible it is to the community. In addition, local market conditions influence how people feel about a car wash and whether they would use it.
Owners can boost their reputation by offering more convenience than the competition. For example, a drive-through car wash may have ice machines onsite to attract drivers on the way to a party or family gathering. It can also provide snacks to bolster income streams by increasing the chances of additional sales.
Another way to improve customer experience is to promote a greener business. Eco-friendly car washes reduce water, chemical and power consumption as they clean vehicles. They also offer a safer workplace for workers who might otherwise be exposed to hydrofluoric acid or other hazardous chemicals. This reduces risks of burns, illnesses and a strain on the local healthcare system.
To enhance their reputation, car wash operators should regularly ask customers for feedback and promote their brand through the media. They should review key metrics on a monthly basis and compare one-, three- and six-month trends versus the prior year. They should also look at operational expenditures, such as water, chemistry and utility costs, on a quarterly basis.
Today's cars require regular washing to keep them looking shiny and new. But washing a car isn't always as simple as putting soap and water on your ride. CR spoke with paint specialists, car-wash owners, and professional detailers to find out what goes on behind the scenes at a car wash. Kolby's Auto Spa is…