Waxman
Super Moderator
For those of you performing 'express wax' or 'express polish', what method of application are you using and why? Thanks!
Express Wax Q~
- Thread starter Waxman
- Start date
Waxman
Super Moderator
Will Try Nano Wax by Eagleone this week.
I had a couple people; a customer w/a small body shop and an employee rave about Nano wax by Eagleone, so I think I'll buy a quart tomorrow and give it a try, on my own car perhaps , as an express wax.
I'm still wondering how an IBA wash followed by an express wax will work out at my wash. I will post what I do and the results this week.
I had a couple people; a customer w/a small body shop and an employee rave about Nano wax by Eagleone, so I think I'll buy a quart tomorrow and give it a try, on my own car perhaps , as an express wax.
I'm still wondering how an IBA wash followed by an express wax will work out at my wash. I will post what I do and the results this week.
robert roman
Bob Roman
At home, I prefer to use Mequiar's Deep Crystal System, Carnauba Wax. It goes on very easy with a lightly damp sponge applicator and comes off easy with microfiber towel, leaving no residue. Generally speaking, it takes me about 20 to 30 minutes to wax and the car will bead water for 6 to 8 weeks.
In a professional environment, I would recommend spray-on express wax. To outfit one bay so you can work in teams of two people, you would need an air compressor with air dryer, several air lines, distribution manifold, four decent paint spray guns at about $75 each (two for water, two for wax) and a high quality spray wax like Blue Coral's Exterior Supreme Wax. Using this system, two people can bang out an express wax in about eight minutes.
In a professional environment, I would recommend spray-on express wax. To outfit one bay so you can work in teams of two people, you would need an air compressor with air dryer, several air lines, distribution manifold, four decent paint spray guns at about $75 each (two for water, two for wax) and a high quality spray wax like Blue Coral's Exterior Supreme Wax. Using this system, two people can bang out an express wax in about eight minutes.
JustClean
Active member
What do you guys reckon about this:
http://www.sonax.de/sonax-e/katalog_waschanlage.php
Apparently I heard it's almost as good as a hand wax.
http://www.sonax.de/sonax-e/katalog_waschanlage.php
Apparently I heard it's almost as good as a hand wax.
Waxman
Super Moderator
The Sonax may or may not be any good; doesn't apply to me, with an IBA and detail shop, however.
I think I'll put a toe in the water with Express Polish using a random orbital polisher to apply a wax like Kings Ransom, a liquid carnauba wax by CAR Products and wipe off by hand. I think one detailer can do this in less than 30 minutes.
I feel better about this method than spraying on a wax. Even at a $29 or $39 price point (a bargain for a wax job), the customer has to believe they are getting a good value. I question whether they would if I just spray the car (2 minutes max) and wipe off (10 minutes max) and spray the tires (1 minute or less). I can almost hear them now..."that's $133 an hour!".
If customers see me fire up the orbital polisher and apply a liquid wax, I think they will feel better about the job, like it is more thorough and higher quality. I want to make $$$ with express, but not in a 'wham bam. thank you ma'm" type way.
I think I'll put a toe in the water with Express Polish using a random orbital polisher to apply a wax like Kings Ransom, a liquid carnauba wax by CAR Products and wipe off by hand. I think one detailer can do this in less than 30 minutes.
I feel better about this method than spraying on a wax. Even at a $29 or $39 price point (a bargain for a wax job), the customer has to believe they are getting a good value. I question whether they would if I just spray the car (2 minutes max) and wipe off (10 minutes max) and spray the tires (1 minute or less). I can almost hear them now..."that's $133 an hour!".
If customers see me fire up the orbital polisher and apply a liquid wax, I think they will feel better about the job, like it is more thorough and higher quality. I want to make $$$ with express, but not in a 'wham bam. thank you ma'm" type way.
I use the orbital polisher as well. When charging $39.95 I think this is fair. I am not sure I could get my customers to buy a spray on for that. I can do a regular size car in 20 - 30 min. (after wash). When looking for a wax you want easy on easy off!
You may be missing an opportunity by not offering an easy on and off hand applied and removed spray wax in addition to machine polishing. There are several easy on and off hand waxes out on the market that do a really good job of not only polishing but cleaning off things like road tar. These usually can be applied and removed by hand within 15 minutes and can be applied to a wet vehicle which saves the step of drying before applying. You could charge in the $15 to $20 range. This would give your customers the opportunity to choose between the two. Some customers do not like the idea of someone using any type of machine on their vehicle so from my experience the two services complement each other and give you a much broader customer base that might be interested in these services.
Danny
Member
I agree with this. Most chemical companies have a "express" wax that applies easily, dries almost instantly, and wipes clean with one pass. Many customers will want hand applied and hand removed service. With this kind of "express" wax this is easy to do. I have many customers that further the experience for the customer by marketing and using all microfiber, all microfiber applicators and microfiber towels.
Waxman
Super Moderator
Interesting ideas; thanks.
I will consider them.
I will consider them.
robert roman
Bob Roman
According to literature, car wash customers want convenience, value along with a good price. This means having a convenient location, fast service, easy to get in and out, no long waiting lines, extended hours of operation and multiple services at one location. Moreover, the three most consistently requested additional services at a car wash are gasoline, express detail and oil change.
Most of the car-care facilities that I have owned or operated have been in the 35,000 to 80,000 cpy range. The express detail programs associated with the lower volume sites averaged about $10,000 per month and $20,000 to $25,000 per month for the higher volume sites. The vast majority of this revenue was generated from express wax and interior super clean. With a labor/revenue of about 25% and about $2.50 per car in materials, the profit margin for express detail far surpassed that of the car wash operation.
Most of the car-care facilities that I have owned or operated have been in the 35,000 to 80,000 cpy range. The express detail programs associated with the lower volume sites averaged about $10,000 per month and $20,000 to $25,000 per month for the higher volume sites. The vast majority of this revenue was generated from express wax and interior super clean. With a labor/revenue of about 25% and about $2.50 per car in materials, the profit margin for express detail far surpassed that of the car wash operation.
It is best if you use a product that can be applied on a damp vehicle. I prefer applying it with a damp wax applicator over spraying it on. This eliminates the potential of getting it on areas where you probably don't want it (glass and soft rubber like tires or moldings). You can remove it with a microfiber towel. One person can easily do it on most vehicles in 15 minutes if you hustle. If you have two people it can be done in 10 minutes or less.
For the guys who use the spray on waxes, do you offer wax in your car wash (triple foam, clearcoat sealant etc.) and do you also offer handwaxing. I am just wondering how many choices your customers need? What are some better spray on waxes? I would like to try one out.
There is a major difference between the products applied in the wash process and those applied by hand after the wash. Number one is that most hand applied waxes last much longer than anything that can be applied in the wash. Number two is that hand applied waxes normally clean some of the things that wash products can't like road tar. Number three is the additional polishing of the surface done by the friction created by machine or hand.
Most of the new "super sealants" on the market today give longer lasting protection than clear coat protectants or true polishes but not as durable or as shiny as hand or express waxes.
As far as choices go, most customers can easily perceive the difference between products applied in the wash as opposed to express or hand waxes. Perhaps a simple explanation to your customers is that products applied in the wash help maintain the finish in between hand or express waxes.
Most of the new "super sealants" on the market today give longer lasting protection than clear coat protectants or true polishes but not as durable or as shiny as hand or express waxes.
As far as choices go, most customers can easily perceive the difference between products applied in the wash as opposed to express or hand waxes. Perhaps a simple explanation to your customers is that products applied in the wash help maintain the finish in between hand or express waxes.
I may not have experessed myself correctly. I know the differences, I have been detailing cars for over 20 years and in car wash business for 17. I was just asking if the people who offer the spray wax also offered the others. I currently offer "waxes" in my wash process, express handwax and full exterior detailing (compounding, polishing, waxing, sealants etc.) I usually like to Keep things a s simple as possible, I have some customers who have trouble seeing the difference in what I offer now! LOL! Just trying to see if I would have a market for this. I could see its value if you didn't offer anything else but to add it to what I offer is it worth it?
