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Seeking Guidance: How to Start a Company Building Self-Service Car Wash Systems?

G

gharbi

New member
Hi everyone! I’m exploring launching a startup focused on designing and installing self-service car wash systems. I’d love advice on:

  1. First Steps: Market research, feasibility studies, or regulatory requirements for this niche.
  2. Technical Blueprint: How to design systems (hardware, payment tech, water recycling) and where to source reliable components.
  3. Team Building: What engineers/technicians are critical (mechanical, electrical, software, environmental)?
  4. Challenges: Common pitfalls (e.g., maintenance logistics, water regulations) and how to avoid them.
  5. Partnerships: Should I collaborate with existing car wash suppliers or design from scratch?
If you’ve built similar systems or have industry insights, I’d deeply appreciate your guidance! Feel free to comment or DM—I’m eager to learn and open to collaboration. Thanks in advance! 🚗💦"
 
Challenges? Do you really think there is a market for this that can use another supplier let alone one with no industry history?
 
gharbi said:
The idea is to use the team to create my own system for my self-service car wash business.
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You want to spend the money to hire engineers to design a system for your own carwash? The list of reasons this is a horrible idea is endless but start with the economics. You're going to spend multiple times more on engineers than just buying an already proven system from a company that been doing it for decades. Then you have to source or custom build the components they design. You're going to pay a premium because of volume. You're not going to re-invent the wheel.
 
Dan kamsickas said:
You want to spend the money to hire engineers to design a system for your own carwash? The list of reasons this is a horrible idea is endless but start with the economics. You're going to spend multiple times more on engineers than just buying an already proven system from a company that been doing it for decades. Then you have to source or custom build the components they design. You're going to pay a premium because of volume. You're not going to re-invent the wheel.
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Any suggestions for a proven system from a company that has been doing it for decades?
 
gharbi said:
Hi everyone! I’m exploring launching a startup focused on designing and installing self-service car wash systems. I’d love advice on:

  1. First Steps: Market research, feasibility studies, or regulatory requirements for this niche.
  2. Technical Blueprint: How to design systems (hardware, payment tech, water recycling) and where to source reliable components.
  3. Team Building: What engineers/technicians are critical (mechanical, electrical, software, environmental)?
  4. Challenges: Common pitfalls (e.g., maintenance logistics, water regulations) and how to avoid them.
  5. Partnerships: Should I collaborate with existing car wash suppliers or design from scratch?
Click to expand...

I don't think this industry is for you.
 
gharbi said:
Hi everyone! I’m exploring launching a startup focused on designing and installing self-service car wash systems. I’d love advice on:

  1. First Steps: Market research, feasibility studies, or regulatory requirements for this niche.
  2. Technical Blueprint: How to design systems (hardware, payment tech, water recycling) and where to source reliable components.
  3. Team Building: What engineers/technicians are critical (mechanical, electrical, software, environmental)?
  4. Challenges: Common pitfalls (e.g., maintenance logistics, water regulations) and how to avoid them.
  5. Partnerships: Should I collaborate with existing car wash suppliers or design from scratch?
If you’ve built similar systems or have industry insights, I’d deeply appreciate your guidance! Feel free to comment or DM—I’m eager to learn and open to collaboration. Thanks in advance! 🚗💦"
Click to expand...

Is this for a college project or research paper? Sounds like it.
 
i think it's more the fact that the original inventors of the self service car wash concept got it right almost immediately. I don't think it's as much price consciousness as it is d.i.y. mindset of the customer. I think one could compare self serve innovations or developments to several other industries. There are many new tweaks, but the core concept remains the same. Examples; road paving, concrete work, home building, etc. What about other janitorial tasks?? Laundry, showering/ bathing your body??? Once we had indoor plumbing,hot water, automatic washers and driers that was all the innovation that was needed. Sure, we make these processes more efficient in some ways, but a steel belted radial tire is still the predominant thing to mount on a car wheel,yes???
 
One innovation that I have been surprised did not make it's way into the SS industry is to use some sort of computer / keyboard control instead of rotary or push button selectors. Running Cat 6 cable from the Bay to the ER would seem to allow for both numerous in bay options as well as great usage reports.
 
Earl Weiss said:
One innovation that I have been surprised did not make it's way into the SS industry is to use some sort of computer / keyboard control instead of rotary or push button selectors. Running Cat 6 cable from the Bay to the ER would seem to allow for both numerous in bay options as well as great usage reports.
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We've looked at various things like that. Even controlling functions from the gun. The problem is the harsh environment and human interaction. I estimate something like what you are describing would have a life span measured in weeks, at best.
 
Dan kamsickas said:
We've looked at various things like that. Even controlling functions from the gun. The problem is the harsh environment and human interaction. I estimate something like what you are describing would have a life span measured in weeks, at best.
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I recall Coleman at one time had a metal telephone type Keypad in the Bay. It would seem this type of thing connected Via a CAT cable to an environmentally controlled cabinet in the ER room could b made fairly durable. At the end of the day it's always not if you van do it, but what will it cost.
 
Earl Weiss said:
I recall Coleman at one time had a metal telephone type Keypad in the Bay. It would seem this type of thing connected Via a CAT cable to an environmentally controlled cabinet in the ER room could b made fairly durable. At the end of the day it's always not if you van do it, but what will it cost.
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Comparing those keypads to what you you suggested with a keypad is apples to bowling balls. Like I said before, it's not just the environmental it's the human interaction and humans suck.
 
I've seen in one wash they actually had touch screen panels installed but the first one was busted within a week...because of what Dan said. I have seen though a couple times (in nicer areas) some panels that aren't touch screen but instead have an LCD screen display with membrane switch buttons instead of a rotary knob. I feel like even those wouldn't last long in a normal environment...because of what Dan said.
 
Dan kamsickas said:
Comparing those keypads to what you you suggested with a keypad is apples to bowling balls. Like I said before, it's not just the environmental it's the human interaction and humans suck.
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Yes, Dan - the wording I used was imperfect when I said "Keyboard" which is really not necessary to accomplish the goal which would be easily make multiple choices and accounting for usage. A common example of the "Keypad" commonly in use is the type we see for Spiral Vending machines. Of course when anything is foolproof they can invent a better fool. I think a good start is the metal type on the Coleman units or what was found on outdoor pay phones. If the Bowling ball is what is needed----
 
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