suggestions on new automatics

[aca carwash 2]

Have 2 DS 5000's going on 14 years old in the same wash in the mid Atlantic area, no much snow annually. Looking to upgrade both bays and would like suggestions from veterans in the business. Prefer something that sizes cars and can produce a clean car. Suggestions?

 

[robert roman]

“Looking to upgrade both bays…..Prefer something that sizes cars and can produce a clean car….Suggestions?

My money would probably go to PDQ – 360 or G5.

PDQ is one industry’s largest OEM’s and has staying power. Technology is proven and provides perhaps best chance to produce relatively clean car using touch-less.

I say relatively because “friction and hybrid” in-bay produce a cleaner car for less money.

 

[rph9168]

There area several good manufacturers out there today. Most machines out there will perform well if they are maintained and set up properly with chemicals. Regardless of which you choose there will be mechanical problems that will require attention from time to time. I would recommend that you select the best distributor in your area and buy their equipment.

 

[aca carwash 2]

Robert what are you thoughts on a friction wash? Hear mixed reviews on the M22. Any idea on the maintenance or wash ability on that machine. Looking at express options too but not much room for stacking. Thoughts? Bay is 36' traffic count is 18 k residential share a lot with a busy McDonald's.

 

[aca carwash 2]

Rph definitely know about choosing correct distributor, what automatics do you have?

 

[pgrzes]

I put a used High Velocity in about 3 years ago, have washed just under 50k cars and couldnt be happier. I am in S.E. Pa. if you need a service tech. there are quite a few in the area that are really good and reasonable.

 

[aca carwash 2]

Who makes high velocity? Is it friction or touchless?

 

[pgrzes]

WashWorld makes the High Velocity. It is essentially the same machine as the Laser 4000, with some nice upgrades. Its touchfree.

 

[aca carwash 2]

What about an express exterior

 

[wash4me]

If you are a hands on person washworld is the way to go. If you are going to have someone else do all the repairs pick the best distributor. Talk to other wash owners about this. The smoothest talker is probably not the best distributor. Once they have the machine in you are kind of trapped because the only way to recoup the cost of the machine is to get along with them. Talk to other operators.

 

[robert roman]

“….thoughts on a friction wash?”

Friction will produce greater quality for less money than touch-less.

“Hear mixed reviews on the M22.”

Reviews are mixed because people are different.

Maintenance is maintenance. If site produces 10,000 cars, maintenance expense equals X.

If site produces 30,000 cars, one might expect expense = X times 3.

Also, more expensive machines tend to have more expensive parts.

“Any idea on….wash ability on that machine.”

I have client with free-standing exterior express wash in S.E. Plant is two M18’s side by side with ICE and tire shiners in single 50’ building, no divider wall between units.

Last I heard he can’t wash any more cars. So, quality must be good enough.

“Looking at express options too….Thoughts?”

Problem, 36’ is too short to accommodate express in-bay format or mini-tunnel wash module.

Express in-bay requires 50’ but most OEM’s prefer 60’. Conveyor could work but would require portion of track to extend outwards from building.

Napkin analysis of 18,000 traffic count would be 10,000 cars a year.

More precise estimate would require analysis of about 20 variables plus forecasting model.