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How many cars do you guys wash a day?

N

NeutralNoBrakes

New member
Hello,
We hit around 600-800 on good days, especially weekends. On slow days, we see around 200-300.
What kind of numbers do you guys see at your washes?
 
I've been involved with sites that do the kind of volume you describe as well as sites that do twice the volume you are describing.
 
Out of our 11 hour days:

On a good day? 600 - 800

On a rainy day? (which has been almost every day in Florida right now) 150 - 250

Note that we also run a multiple person prep area pre-tunnel and a hand dryer at the end, don't get them in and out as fast as some.
 
Sorry for late response. On most days, each location will wash approximately 300 to 500 cars. Our record at one location is 1,079 cars in 16 hours. We are running two belt conveyors and one chain conveyor.
 
patkelly1336 said:
Sorry for late response. On most days, each location will wash approximately 300 to 500 cars. Our record at one location is 1,079 cars in 16 hours. We are running two belt conveyors and one chain conveyor.
Click to expand...
What was the cost difference between having a belt conveyer or the chain type conveyer? Assuming you had your washes built. I understand the conveyor belt is more expensive, but have also heard that you save money in concrete by the reduced dimensions of the conveyor pit.
 
jtownathan said:
What was the cost difference between having a belt conveyer or the chain type conveyer? Assuming you had your washes built. I understand the conveyor belt is more expensive, but have also heard that you save money in concrete by the reduced dimensions of the conveyor pit.
Click to expand...
I don’t know the price difference because I have never had a belt, but I know a few operators who have had the belts removed and gone to traditional conveyors. One is Tom Hoffman of Hoffman Car Wash.
 
jtownathan said:
What was the cost difference between having a belt conveyer or the chain type conveyer? Assuming you had your washes built. I understand the conveyor belt is more expensive, but have also heard that you save money in concrete by the reduced dimensions of the conveyor pit.
Click to expand...

Belts cost 3X what an over/under conveyor will cost.

The pit for a belt is much larger than an over/under conveyor, while there may be some "cost reduction" in the volume of concrete needed, the added dimensions for the conveyor and additional forming that is needed, will likely offset any "cost savings" from using less concrete.

Pictures below are of an over/under that was converted to a belt.
 

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Etowah
jfmoran said:
Belts cost 3X what an over/under conveyor will cost.

The pit for a belt is much larger than an over/under conveyor, while there may be some "cost reduction" in the volume of concrete needed, the added dimensions for the conveyor and additional forming that is needed, will likely offset any "cost savings" from using less concrete.

Pictures below are of an over/under that was converted to a belt.
Click to expand...
I could see the cost of retrofitting being higher, but I suspect those numbers would be much more reasonable if it were planned during the build. The pit is wide but appears to be very shallow. I've also read that the belt conveyor may very well become necessary as these newer vehicles utilize these advanced braking features.
 
Cost of a belt and install is 3X the cost of a standard conveyor, whether it's a new build or retro-fit, the concrete work cost is outside of the cost for the conveyor or belt.

Belts have their pluses and minuses, advanced braking systems are a challenge, however, belts have a challenge when it comes to wheel cleaning and tire shine. Without the wheel rotating doing both of these things is a challenge with a belt.
 
I’m sure they are out there but out of the dozen or so operators I’ve spoken to with belts non have really endorsed it. I typically get a vague response that includes “it is part of our brand now” or “now our customers expect it”.

Belts are far less forgiving if you do not perform maintenance to a tee. In addition to the 2x-3x up front cost (note that you can user a slightly shorter belt and have the same amount of actual wash space (unless you prep)) you have a significant increase in maintenance cost. I’ve heard of higher volume sites spending $30k+ a year on a belt easily. I would estimate the equivalent conveyor at around $12k over a 5+ year period at higher volumes
 
MC3033 said:
I’m sure they are out there but out of the dozen or so operators I’ve spoken to with belts non have really endorsed it. I typically get a vague response that includes “it is part of our brand now” or “now our customers expect it”.

Belts are far less forgiving if you do not perform maintenance to a tee. In addition to the 2x-3x up front cost (note that you can user a slightly shorter belt and have the same amount of actual wash space (unless you prep)) you have a significant increase in maintenance cost. I’ve heard of higher volume sites spending $30k+ a year on a belt easily. I would estimate the equivalent conveyor at around $12k over a 5+ year period at higher volumes
Click to expand...
Wow. I guess that makes my decision much easier in that regard then. I'm assuming once they become a necessity, the technology will have improved enough to make it worth the investment. Sounds like we're just not there yet.
 
I’m late to this post Wow you guys are doing awesome numbers!
do you guys have no competition in your area?
 
Blanco said:
Wow what a day! How fast is your conveyor? Around here we set them to only 80-100CPH. Also curious if your Datatrax unit is brown in color?
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Not long ago I was running 4 locations with Datatrax. . Actually replaced DRB with Datatrax. at some locations when DRB told me they would no longer support the version I had. The main Boxes were all a light Tan (Almost a putty color like all the old computers) in color. One, from the 980's had LED readouts and the others were LCD. Most of the relay boxes were the same color but had to but a few that were white when I replaced the DRBs. Conveyor was 3'6" roller spacing and with cars at about 6 foot pacing there would be one rolling off every 12-15 seconds. A local guy I knew a long time managed a Delta sonic and told me they hit over 200CPH. Thought it was baloney until I went to see it.
 
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