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SS HP wax

Keno

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What chemical is everyone using for HP wax on self serve side? Looking for a change to something with good foam show and smell. We buy most of our chemicals from KR and CWSS
 

ShinePro

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Wax is old school
Go ceramic. My Customers are going ape over the new ceramic in the self serve bays I have used more Ceramic in last two months than I did wax in 6.
I will never have another wax product in the wash!
Had a guy today, lives 24 miles from my wash. Said I drive up here just for that ceramic.
 

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washnshine

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What chemical is everyone using for HP wax on self serve side? Looking for a change to something with good foam show and smell. We buy most of our chemicals from KR and CWSS
Good advice from the above posts. One other thought:

High pressure and high foam sealant products usually do not go together. Most products that provide a more significant foam are low pressure - or applied low pressure
 

washnshine

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Wax is old school
Go ceramic. My Customers are going ape over the new ceramic in the self serve bays I have used more Ceramic in last two months than I did wax in 6.
I will never have another wax product in the wash!
Had a guy today, lives 24 miles from my wash. Said I drive up here just for that ceramic.
What’s the scent of the Silk. Do customers like it?
 

HeyVern

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I use Blendco foaming ceramic, it looks good going on, has a nice scent, and customers notice how easy it is to clean their car the next time they wash.
 

Keno

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We may eventually put wax on the LP system, but there are way more things ahead of that to change that will make a bigger difference to our bottom line. Looking for a good showing HP wax for now.
 

CarWashBoy

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Wax is old school
Go ceramic. My Customers are going ape over the new ceramic in the self serve bays I have used more Ceramic in last two months than I did wax in 6.
I will never have another wax product in the wash!
Had a guy today, lives 24 miles from my wash. Said I drive up here just for that ceramic.
Where can I purchase it from?
Thanks
 

Kimberly Berg

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I use Blendco foaming ceramic, it looks good going on, has a nice scent, and customers notice how easy it is to clean their car the next time they wash.
HeyVern, do you use the Blendco in your SS wash? I use Blendco's Super Shield in my SS and customers have been very impressed with the shine & durability. I just called my Blendco rep and he said the Foaming Ceramic is a great product but 2-3x the cost of the Super Shield.
 

ShinePro

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We may eventually put wax on the LP system, but there are way more things ahead of that to change that will make a bigger difference to our bottom line. Looking for a good showing HP wax for now.
Fair enough!
I also offer a hi pressure Rainshield (rain…product)on the ss bays. Was popular until the ceramic showed up.

Applied nice - you could smell it everywhere!
It’s a nice option
 

HeyVern

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HeyVern, do you use the Blendco in your SS wash? I use Blendco's Super Shield in my SS and customers have been very impressed with the shine & durability. I just called my Blendco rep and he said the Foaming Ceramic is a great product but 2-3x the cost of the Super Shield.
I use Blendco SuperSat in my bays and my automatic, I use the foaming ceramic in both, customers definitely notice. Self serve customer really notice hoe easy the bugs wash off after they've used it once. I have a couple of truck drivers who love how easy it is to keep their aluminum wheels looking good. It is expensive though. I haven't tried Super Shield so I don't know how it compares.
 

Earl Weiss

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I use Just Peachy from KR at low pressure with air assist makes a little foam - not much.
 

Keno

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Everyone who is using ceramic in the SS bay, what is your pricing? Did you increase your price when ceramic was added? Ceramic products are significantly more expensive than regular SS wax. Im pretty sure ceramic will get more use than wax also, which will drive up blended chemical costs on the SS side.
 

washnshine

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Everyone who is using ceramic in the SS bay, what is your pricing? Did you increase your price when ceramic was added? Ceramic products are significantly more expensive than regular SS wax. Im pretty sure ceramic will get more use than wax also, which will drive up blended chemical costs on the SS side.
Yes - the ceramic products are more than the standard spray waxes. However, they work extremely well and generally can be applied at varying dilution levels. For instance , if you are applying it as a $4 add on to a top package, you might use 120:1. A monthly wash package might go with a 180:1. In a self serve where use is pretty much limited only be time, you could use a 320:1 ratio. All of this all depends on the brand and product, but the concept is the same. Whatever you end up using in your self serve, just make sure you are getting the desired result. You should see a visible shine, water repellency and have a smooth feel to the paint and glass.

I don’t believe in watering down chemicals - I’m pretty generous with my dilutions in both the tunnel and the self serve, bit I do take the time to dial in the chemicals to the point where they are very effective without wasting them. You do have to be aware that in a self serve bay, someone can bucket wash at home and then use 4 minutes of your ceramic and then rinse for one minute.
 

OurTown

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Has anyone figured out their ceramic chemical cost per minute on self-serve?
 

washnshine

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Has anyone figured out their ceramic chemical cost per minute on self-serve?
Not yet - but I do want to take the time someday to figure it out. I know it is worth it - I get so much positive feedback from customers and I know it is a big hit that shows results. I do my best to tell customers to have their car as clean as possible to maximize the result before using the ceramic sealant. For most it is a longer wash time with use of the foam brush. That also generates more revenue per car because customers use more time to clean and rinse, so it creates better washing habits as well.
 

ShinePro

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As stated in-the washnshine post, dialing in ceramic takes some time to get the desired result without wasting your money by over applying.
in the ss bay we tested until we found the right tip on hydro minder and turned air down a bit from my tri foam days.
it takes about one minute to apply to a car.
i actually did a draw test several times to see how much we used on different vehicles.
yes it cost a lot more than the other products, my draw test showed that at my current price it was profitable. (I m using one of the most expensive ceramics on the market!
Plus I was selling more time to hp rinse and then the sfr cycle.

So far the biggest benefit has been guys talking about it and more Customers arriving to try it out. I have also seen an uptick in my per wash ticket amount. The other two ss sites in town will most likely not have it available.
The answer to your question is No, as of now I have not increased my per minute price by adding it to the mix.
If usage continues to climb then that may be a consideration in the future.
What I can tell you for sure is that I have some really happy ass Customers that will not go anywhere else!
 

ShinePro

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As stated in-the washnshine post, dialing in ceramic takes some time to get the desired result without wasting your money by over applying.
in the ss bay we tested until we found the right tip on hydro minder and turned air down a bit from my tri foam days.
it takes about one minute to apply to a car.
i actually did a draw test several times to see how much we used on different vehicles.
yes it cost a lot more than the other products, my draw test showed that at my current price it was profitable. (I m using one of the most expensive ceramics on the market!
Plus I was selling more time to hp rinse and then the sfr cycle.

So far the biggest benefit has been guys talking about it and more Customers arriving to try it out. I have also seen an uptick in my per wash ticket amount. The other two ss sites in town will most likely not have it available.
The answer to your question is No, as of now I have not increased my per minute price by adding it to the mix.
If usage continues to climb then that may be a consideration in the future.
What I can tell you for sure is that I have some really happy ass Customers that will not go anywhere else!
 

Greg Pack

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Haven't done a cost analysis in SS myself. Even if it was a slight "loss leader" of sorts I would likely continue using it.Usage of tri-foam (my ceramic) has become very popular, and feel like it is a net positive for the overall usage and loyalty to the wash. It's not usual to see two or three customers using it at the same time in a four bay wash.
 
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