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Pads & Product System Compatibility You'll love the Flex. As far as teams, they are the best way to reach optimum overall performance. Be sure to rotate sides for less fatigue and more effective quality control. Pads and product should go hand-in-hand when developing a system. The same pad...

While most new detailers test the waters of professional detailing by remaining a one-person show, most eventually progress to team processing. Of the solo detailers, is the choice to work alone simply a cost issue... or something else? :rolleyes: And, for those who have evolved into a solid...

Nothing Exciting About Status Quo Mac, the carwash industry simply needs more visionaries. Passionate people who really "feel" this business... and risk being innovative in how they have real fun while making money. Might that be too existential for this forum? Unfortunately, the major...

Responding To The Question The flat-belt is more easily embraced by its compatibility with high-production after-care performance, a topic I've written about often. Done properly, conveyorized after-care profitability has the greatest profit center opportunity in this century! It is the...

Responding To The Question Let's face it, carwash equipment makers still malign the flat-belt... simply because they don't have one to sell and prefer to still promote the older technology because everyone is comfortable with them... and it's more profitable for the manufacturer to hold newer...

Responding To The Question Trusting I can mention a manufacturer, since they are the only ones who also make a full line of equipment that is compatible with a non-rolling vehicle, AVW has a wheel cleaning system that tracks with the wheel cavity area. They, along with the other U.S...

Branding Requires A comprehensive Packaging Strategy Thanks, Mike. Over the years, we've developed well over a hundred brands along with "packaging" for each one. It absolutely works great. Done properly, the packaging (color, fragrance, marketing story, merchandising signage, etc.) is...

Create Your Own Brand & Enjoy Protective Ownership I was glad to see the previous posts. I used my own brands for years when marketing my carwash & detail operations... simply because it offered sensible controls for pricing and marketing of things that were only available at my locations...

Integrity Erosion Dewey & Roman both recognize the volatility of price shifting. The obvious risk is devaluing your primary service... and once you lose it, getting it back can be a challenge. While there can be many, there seem to be 2 basic reasons that motivate selective discounting: 1...

Information Is Merged, Confounding Survey Data Under-Reported Unfortunately the industry does not differentiate between full-service and the hands-on after-care component in a flex-serve. And the 2 industry magazines collect and present data differently, as does ICA, mostly because none...

Proficient Labor Is Essential. Pay It Forward! To piggyback on Bob's commentary, there are two viable conveyorized carwash formats: exterior and flex-serve. Both can afford pay premiums. If you operate a traditional full-service, change formats! Centralize your labor and separate...

Bright Idea, Earl I applaud your switch to LED and recommend to others who seek similar savings to also consider this: Too many carwash operators traditionally utilize minimal lighting in their tunnels. Most are simply too dim and uninviting. :( :o Marketing studies focused on motivational...

Check With Utility For Accuracy Obviously, we disagree. Judge for yourself. Never spoke about loss of power; just lumen drop.;) The utility will probably offer a test of your facility and measure existing lighting as well as recommend improved LED applications. :) It's All Good...:cool:

LED Is Much Brighter Run, Don't Walk... for that deal. YES, LED is significantly brighter... and will remain that way while other traditional fluorescent or incandescent lighting gradually dims over time.;) LED lighting will gradually replace traditional lighting in most all applications...

Smart Gorilla Research & Proven Pricing Trick I suggest doing some easy inexpensive research... which should be a routine activity for all carwash owners. It's a 2-step 2-part process. First, take a critical look at your product (carwash quality) and process (time required and showmanship)...

Enlighten Your Critics Bud's suggestion is absolutely right on target. Most inspectors and others involved in wastewater management have little exposure to the workings of automatic car washes, especially from someone knowledgeable in the Industry. Instead, they glean hearsay knowledge from...

Chemical Fog While I agree with the obvious towel contamination that has long been the cause of smeary window glass, there are several other causes to consider. Vinyl-Vapor Residue often coats windows, especially interior windshield areas, with an oily residue resulting from gas generated from...

Flex 3401 Removes Scratches, Too! Meguiar's microfiber cutting & finishing pad system is great for removing scratches and blemishes with the Flex 3401 simply because it is not a traditional orbital buffer. It has more power and torque needed to remove even sanding scratches without the risk of...

Consider This... I agree with Ron... but with this additional suggestion: Buffing should be uniformly consistent in pad pressure, RPM speed and contact-time. The downward weight of the buffer plus the needed pressure to keep the pad consistently flat with the surface should be an easy...

Do Some Homework Check your marketplace because somebody is probably doing it already. Maybe not as a business that is actively promoting it, but still accommodating a marketplace need. Do some homework. Once you find some competition, see how they price their work and in turn what level of...