What about any full service washes that have converted? Being a conversion myself, I would love to see one. I will not be able to build the big indoor detailing area. We will have about 8-10 parking spots covered w/ a canopy. It will be an island with angled parking. We could do drive through parking spots, but would lose a lot spaces. I would like to hear about successes and failures.
Benny Alford in Louisiana, who is credited with making Express Exterior popular, is also one of the first to do online aftercare on a belt. In fact he built the belt because he feared that the Express Exterior wouldn't make enough money. His version of the belt is a custom design from a manufacturer who builds belts for the shrimp industry; they use it to offload the shrimp from the boats.
In any case his belt is totally outdoors with a canopy covering it. I will tell you difference between using belts and not using belts, I have a friend who has an operation here who is not flex serve but online full service...With belts he processes 100-125 cars per hour, without belt using the same space 75-85 tops.
It may be a huge bite in your wallet but it will pay dividends. If the 12' belt is too expensive look at AVW's dual 12" belts. It's about half the cost. Call Willie at AVW he?ll talk to you about pricing and options.