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Re-Read The Guide! You inferred that you've read the Jump-Start Guide, so why would you be considering an after-care layout different from the recommended pull-through production cell configuration? :confused: If all else fails, read the last page of the Guide. I'd be happy to answer any...

Station Auto Wash Tom Magazzine and his son own & operate Station Auto Wash, and are big fans of the Flex-Serve format. In fact, they've put together a franchise concept based on the flex-serve paradigm! If you already read the book, you'll recognize that there are two formats for After-Care...

Slip Sliding Away, as the say! History has taught us to routinely recommend a rough broom finish on the concrete floors of car wash facilities simply because of the high risk of slipping and causing serious injury. :o Keep in mind that the floors aren't merely wet with water, but often have...

Hostage??? Many of those express operations that offer "free" vacuums regret the decision because they allowed suppliers to convince them to use the vacuums as a loss leader... when it wasn't necessary. In fact, the coin-op profit center generates healthy revenues in most sites that have the...

Hostage To Labor??? While it's true that Flex-Serve requires labor for its after-care component, but that requirement is 2 people; more if you desire.:o Many exterior-only express operations have found that a real-live person is required on-site anyway, so upgrading to the adaptability of...

Bob's comments seem to go to the core of the issue, but gloss over one important issue that might require a prospective owner to employ someone (say, Bob) who also has an acute appreciation of the industry and what it might take a new buyer to compete in today's marketplace... with the economic...

Some Appropriate Comic Relief Bill, you seem scarred for life. It sounds like you must have endured many out-of-control horrific experiences of theft over the years! :eek: Is that a reflection of inner-city Cleveland... or simply the level of management oversight and control? :rolleyes...

Been There - Done That! (cont.) Bottom Line: Business is business. You need to make a profit that justifies your putting a key in the door each morning. If the manual washing concept can no longer be supported by your marketplace, or if your labor pool becomes too much of a challenge, start...

A Different Perspective Having been in car-washing for quite some time, and having own several very successful hand-car-washes years ago, I offer this advice. First, if you do not currently offer express detailing, you're leaving a lot of money on the table, especially if you have a favorable...

Mr. Miyagi's method might create swirls! Wax on... wax off may be fine for applying a protective coating of wax... but if you hand-apply a cleaner that removes oxidized paint (even clearcoat), you risk having little pac-man type swirls. :eek: Why? The gritty dead paint residue may collect on...

Turn-Around Time One final flurry of questions. Given your facility and process, how much time is required to complete the following::confused: 1. Express Wax (hand or orbital)? 2. Interior Extreme-Clean? 3. Carpet Shampoo? Do you return it to the customer damp to the touch? 4. Buff &...

Better Focus Thanks!:) A few relavent other things are: 1. Do you use pneumatic tools, or just use air for water displacement, spray gun and purging interior space? 2. Floor drain(s)? Water supply location(s)? 3. How many vacuums and shampooers per bay? 4. Did you bisect the individual...

Humor... or Sarcasm? I'm simply seeking evaluative information. ;) From an assessment standpoint, it's constructive to research how various operators have implemented their after-care process. It is one of many ways to evaluate how different operators have addressed space utilization as well...

I'd appreciate some feedback regarding what you consider an "IDEAL" after-care area for express detailing.:);) Size? Equipment? Layout? Capabilities (what can be done in this area)? Staffing? Floor? (concrete, blacktop, stone, plastic grid-blocks) Thanks... -Steve

Continued advice Depending on the unit's gram output, the process can take as little as ten-minutes to several hours. :confused: Once done, open all the doors and let the interior air out. A fan will hasten the exhaust process, which should be about fifteen-minutes. You'll be able to tell by...

Some More Advice I've spent a lot of time (several decades) investigating, testing, and working with ozone as applied to detailing... and have published information that should help in your choice of units and use of the machine in odor removal and sanitizing automobile interiors. An ozone...

Why The Hostility? Wood... The dialogue was intended to provoke questions, not tempers. Yes, I am aware of all of what you said, as well as the confusing mistakes you made in your rant. :confused: For starters, get your facts right! ;) I am not a proponent of "EE". Exterior washing is one...

Retro-washing? An interesting thought, Earl. But the cost of the retrofit of now nonexistent hardware... along with the significant investment made by the current fabric suppliers make the back-to-the-future plastic filament retro-wash a high risk. :rolleyes: It sure would change the dynamics...

Truth Be Told... Earl, et al... Truth be told, the plastic pex washing material of years gone by never really scratched the finishes of cars, as was frequently claimed. :eek: Instead, as a result of those operators who failed to provide the adequate lubricating detergents to make the...

Wheels & Tires? I understand that several companies have tire dressing systems that do not require the tire to rotate. A few chemical companies are also involved. Instead of taking up a lot of floor space, they simply spray a hydrophobic tire dressing onto the tire, followed by a rinse for the...