Self-Service Innovations & Trends

Published in Modern Car Care April 2006

As technology inevitability marches forward, established opinions are challenged. Accepted principles require evaluation and new trends become customary. The consensus in self-service is, change is good... you go first. Typically, self-service car wash owner/operators are conservative and resistive to change. As an industry the willingness to assume risk is imperative in demonstrating leadership and to excel in the highly competitive market.

In seeking direction, recent advancements guide decisions and assist with choices. In looking toward the future it is essential to reflect on the past.

History

The original self-service car washes offered only soap and rinse functions. Customers drove into a cordoned-off washing area and paid when exiting according to time spent using the high-pressure machine that normally operated at 400 to 600 pounds per square inch (psi).

1. As equipment designs progressed coin-operation allowed car washes to be unattended and a third cycle, high-pressure wax was introduced. The high-pressure pump unit was flooded with hot water and either a soap or wax valve opened to permit the slurry of chemical concentrate to enter the pump. The system provided a somewhat consistent supply of product to the customer.

2. By utilizing triplex pumps in the early 1970’s, the industry produced equipment capable of delivering 4 gallons per minute (gpm) at 800 (psi). Customer satisfaction had skyrocketed to mediocre acceptance.

3. Revolutionary innovation presented the Foam Brush. The simple add-on system allowed owners to increase revenue and improve cleaning performance. The system required another bay selector switch or the introduction of the rotary selector switch.

4. More add-on features were introduced to enhance the wash experience and increase the time vended in the bay. By adding Tire & Engine Cleaner and Presoak options, customers spent more time and money to wash their vehicle.

5. Safety trigger guns were added to reduce the possibility of injuring customers with runaway wands. Improvements in unloader valves and by-passes created a safe, inexpensive and consistent safety mechanism.

6. To address water-spotting and streaking, water treatment became routine and Spot-free was added to the inventory. By offering all the options, owner/operators had used all the selections on the 8-position rotary switch.

Electronic coin acceptance, solid-state timers and digital read-out timers served to improve equipment consistency and reliability. Cold water rinse and double “Vee” belt drives sought to improve efficiencies and reduce operating cost. Owners had at length recognized the importance of customer satisfaction and cost control.

Manufacturing companies were building all-inclusive systems providing eight functions. Many of those companies were simply building the same antiquated soap, rinse and wax high-pressure unit and adding all of the separate low-pressure systems. Each system had a delivery line and check valve at the top of the bay.

The multiple pressure system was introduced in the early 1980’s. The system allowed a single high-pressure pump per bay to deliver low, medium and high- pressure using a secondary by-pass. The system had a single delivery line to the boom and improved versatility and dependability.

Trends

Not all self-service trends have been successful, while others gain acceptance. Designs loosing sight of reliability and value prove to be short-sighted and wane.

Car washes using one large pump and motor with multiple drops in a facility, may have seemed like a good idea, but utility expenses and practicality eliminated the concept.

Attempts to improve revenue in marginal facilities by offering “unlimited” wash time have only gained regional implementation. Vending time is still the recognized principle in self-service car washes.

Adding a roll-over automatic bay to self-service bays, creates combination car washes. Combination facilities widen the demographic customer base using the car wash and increase activity and the revenue. Automatic customers use self- service bays for periodic detailing, self-service customers use the automatic bays for speed or convenience and the overall income is increase due to the activity at the facility.

Adding convenience and functions in the bays serves to promote the facility over competing washes and makes it more attractive than washing at home.

Innovations

Currently variable frequency drive (VFD) systems, piezoelectric touch button meters, bay bill acceptors and credit card acceptance are provided by progressive manufacturers. VFD systems employ power inverters that manipulate motor speed and pump output. The systems allowed multiple pressure delivery and increased electrical efficiency. Touch button meters were the attractive alternative to the rotary switch, while bill and credit card acceptance in the bay served to improve customer convenience. 

More Customer Services

To improve services car wash equipment has expanded the Selection offering from the typical 8-function to first the 10-function then to the 12-function system. More services offered improve vending revenue and customer convenience. Diverse and active chemicals empower cycles to completely detail vehicles, making it easier to provide full-line service to demanding customers.

Ancillary equipment has also progressed to provide combination vacuums and multiple product vending machines with Plexiglas product display. Impulse purchases account for a significant proportion of car wash income. By adding features that allow simple upgrades, the profitability of the car wash increased.

Increasing System Efficiency

Efficiencies have been improved by including the timing belt drive, Super E motors, electronic pulse weep freeze protection and variable frequency inverters. Double “Vee” belt drives are only 74% efficient; while the timing belt drives increase drive efficiency to 99%. Less slippage equates to better horsepower utilization. The Super-E motors are 90.5% energy efficient and designed to conserve energy over extended time periods. The variable frequency inverters conserve electricity used by reducing amperage demand at start-up. Employing line voltage reactors with power inverters reduces voltage spikes and surges and serves to improve equipment longevity.

Stronger, More Consistent Equipment

Consistency and durability improvements include stainless steel frames that have become the industry standard, plunger pumps, automatic detergent proportioning valves and stainless steel spring bay fixtures. Rugged stainless steel frames eliminate corrosion and reduce component vibration. Plunger pumps reduce noise decibels and improve pump performance. Automatic proportioning valves increase owner/operator convenience and produce uniform results. Stainless steel spring holsters, booms and mat holders are ubiquitous and function largely unnoticed. The components also serve to reduce damage to equipment. All of these innovations serve to provide a better, more consistent experience for the wash customer.

Versatility for the Owner and Customer

The most advanced equipment is the simplest to modify to provide site-specific services and functions. Vending acceptance has expanded to include coins, tokens, bills and credit cards. The VFD inverter system provides more operating pressures and provides adjustment capabilities. The newest stacking inlet manifolds permit equipment systems to offer any number of functions or to up- grade existing systems with relative ease.

Performance

Although efficiency, consistency and versatility serve to increase performance, other features make significant contributions. Brightly colored non-marking hoses reduce paint scuffs on vehicles and soiling customer’s clothing. Smoother operating overhead by-pass booms keep the bay hose from coming in contact with the vehicle and provide easier access through-out the bay. Light-weight and easy to activate trigger guns allow customers to use the bay longer reducing fatigue. Digital bay timers with last minute alert horn serve to improve customer satisfaction and encourage return visits. These designs are driven to deliver superior function and convenience.

Improved Security

Advancements in security for the facility and the customer have been a principal motivation. More intense bay lighting and bright colors act to advertise the facility as well as emphasis safety. The newest light fixtures have a stronger candlepower rating, improved longevity and serve to provide sense of customer protection. Surveillance cameras and systems have increased in resolution while decreasing in price. Locks and lock mechanisms are easier to operate and more difficult to compromise. By dispensing and accepting tokens only, less vandalism and burglaries occur.

Protection from Bodily Injury

Operators have protection from bodily injury with better belt guards and quieter equipment operation. Improved belt guards reduce accidental injury from moving parts while reduced quieter pumps reduce hearing loss by diminishing decibel output. Improvements in safety include electrical systems with on-board safety power disconnects, motors with integrated thermal overload protection and secondary voltages with fused transformers. Disconnects, fuses and overload protectors serve to protect the operator’s personal security from electrical shock and components from costly failures requiring replacement.

Green and Environmentally Friendly

Environmental concerns have been addressed with modified chemical blends, modular buildings, lower utility consumption and water reclamation systems. Phosphate-free and biodegradable are only a sampling of terminology introduced in the recent past. Chemicals that are easily dispersed and aggressive on road film are constantly improving. Modular buildings utilize safer materials and sustainable techniques reducing debris and construction time. Higher efficiency equipment serves to improve performance and reduce utility consumption and expense. Effluent pollution is addressed by employing water reclamation to reduce hazardous discharge effluent. While “Green” incurs costs, in turn “Green” may be used as a marketing tool to stress your business’ environment concern and commitment.

Increasing Revenue

Self-service equipment has traditionally vended time. Features like foam gun conditioner take longer to apply and remove. Improved customer services should also improve revenue. By increasing the number of selections offered in the bay, owners derive more revenue. More customers will be attracted to facilities offering features not available at obsolete washes plus more time will be required to use the various offerings, drawing more income from each customer.

Overall Goal

Competition between car washes is healthy, but bear in mind the ultimate goal is to make it easier to use the self-service car wash than to wash at home in the driveway. Manufacturers, distributors and owners must unite to supply improved, convenient car wash sites providing good value. Change is good and leadership requires attention to market improvements.