What would you invest in? Triple-Foam vs Air Blower vs Vacuums?

[Minni1986]

I have a 4 bay self service that has been closed for like 7+ year. Now I have the self serves up and running and added credit cards. It has been slow, but it has been going up week to week. Probably 3 weeks open. First week like $50, second $100, now at around $250. I haven't really advertised much, as I want to make sure everything is functioning well before doing a major grand opening.

What would you invest in next? I just added quick numbers for estimates.
My options are:

-Tri-Foam System + spray guns ($7,500)

-Air Blower to dry cars + electrical ($8,500)

-I have 4 vacuums on site that are not functioning. Prior to purchase, someone has ripped out all wires and motors. So I would have to rebuild them or buy new. I am going to reach into costs for these. I do have some motors and other parts sitting around, but not sure if I can really use them.
- 3 motors per vacuum at 4 vacuums - ($65*3*4 = $780)
-IDX for coins ($330 x 4 = $1200)
-Timer ($300 x 4= $1200)
-Hoses and filter bags and other dumb stuff ($600)
-New electrical ($500)
-Total IF I can get all 4 of them them to work - $4,280.00 + (4 credit cards x $500 = $2000) = $6,500
-New cost - approx. $2,200 each probably only get 3 - $6,600 + (3 credit cards x $500 = $1,500) = $8,100.00


Other things I'll do is patch asphalt, and paint the building. I painted somewhat, but nothing full on, as I am still trying to think of some colors and/or designs. Already got new LED lights so its bright.

What would be your next move?

 

[OurTown]

Fixing all those vacs should be high priority and will be a project, but if you have the time and skills, you could save many thousands over new ones. Also, most vacs are made to order, so you might be waiting a month or two to get them.
Next would be air dryers. They get used a lot at our wash.
Third would be cosmetics, as I think you need to get more customers in at that point. Our tri-foam gets used quite a bit, but we are using a ceramic and not just a conditioner.

 

[Minni1986]

Fixing all those vacs should be high priority and will be a project, but if you have the time and skills, you could save many thousands over new ones. Also, most vacs are made to order, so you might be waiting a month or two to get them.
Next would be air dryers. They get used a lot at our wash.
Third would be cosmetics, as I think you need to get more customers in at that point. Our tri-foam gets used quite a bit, but we are using a ceramic and not just a conditioner.

Yeah I could at least get 2 of them up and running by using parts from the other 2, and in the future either repair the other 2 or buy new ones. Would be the cheapest and best thing to do.

 

[cbchevy4x4]

Id keep an eye out on some of the facebook carwash groups, i saw a guy have about 5 or 6 a couple weeks ago for $500 each. They looked pretty clean and had everything there, iirc they may have had cryptopay on them already. Might could grab something like that get some custom decals made locally and really make them stand out.

 

[Minni1986]

Id keep an eye out on some of the facebook carwash groups, i saw a guy have about 5 or 6 a couple weeks ago for $500 each. They looked pretty clean and had everything there, iirc they may have had cryptopay on them already. Might could grab something like that get some custom decals made locally and really make them stand out.

Yeah there was a guy having some new ones in San Diego, but he didn't have coin boxes and what not. Yeah will just get 2 working and then give it time to see if anything pops up or buy parts slowly.

 

[Earl Weiss]

You can get motors for $50, Slugbuster Coin Mechs for $170 and LED 7 Timers for $350 and do Credit Cards later.

 

[Big Chris]

IMO Vacs would be first and highest priority. However you do it. I would look to refurb or buy used.
I have 2 IBAs and 3 SS bays and 6 Vacs. I charge $1 for 4 minutes of vac time. My Vacs collectively generate as much monthly gross revenue as 1 of my SS Bays.

Next Would be Air Shammee Dryers. I installed them in my self serve bays in April of 2024. They're a home run. I put hour meters on them when new. The least used one has 44 hours on it, the most used one has 52 hours on it. I charge $3 for 4.5 minutes of wash time. I expect ROI in another 5-6 months ( 18 months total)

No personal experience with triple foam.

To elaborate on what Earl said, if A) your handy and B) if the chassis (or main body of the vac) is in decent shape.
They can be rebuilt from pretty much the ground up.
Motors, motor gaskets, door gaskets, vac filter bags, hoses, timers, coin mechs.

 

[Dan kamsickas]

I would definitely make is a priority to get all the vacuums up and running and looking good(new decals, hoses, etc.) They are solid revenue generators and can be a sort of bill board for the site if they are visible from the road.

Also, don't be so quick to dismiss the importance of the cosmetic. You could have the best operating site for miles but if it looks like crap, you'll struggle to get the numbers up. People shop with their eyes first. Visible site improvements get attention and let the potential customers know a new operator is in charge. You need to get the attention of everyone who saw the place shut down and those that used it prior to that who had a bad experience.

 

[Minni1986]

IMO Vacs would be first and highest priority. However you do it. I would look to refurb or buy used.
I have 2 IBAs and 3 SS bays and 6 Vacs. I charge $1 for 4 minutes of vac time. My Vacs collectively generate as much monthly gross revenue as 1 of my SS Bays.

Next Would be Air Shammee Dryers. I installed them in my self serve bays in April of 2024. They're a home run. I put hour meters on them when new. The least used one has 44 hours on it, the most used one has 52 hours on it. I charge $3 for 4.5 minutes of wash time. I expect ROI in another 5-6 months ( 18 months total)

No personal experience with triple foam.

To elaborate on what Earl said, if A) your handy and B) if the chassis (or main body of the vac) is in decent shape.
They can be rebuilt from pretty much the ground up.
Motors, motor gaskets, door gaskets, vac filter bags, hoses, timers, coin mechs.

Yeah I checked out the vacuums and for sure I can get 2 working with little work/money. the other 2 will require more since they are different brands and missing parts.

I would definitely make is a priority to get all the vacuums up and running and looking good(new decals, hoses, etc.) They are solid revenue generators and can be a sort of bill board for the site if they are visible from the road.

Also, don't be so quick to dismiss the importance of the cosmetic. You could have the best operating site for miles but if it looks like crap, you'll struggle to get the numbers up. People shop with their eyes first. Visible site improvements get attention and let the potential customers know a new operator is in charge. You need to get the attention of everyone who saw the place shut down and those that used it prior to that who had a bad experience.

Yes, I definitely am going to clean up the building and make it look 'prettier,' but didn't want too many customers at the moment, as I wanted to make sure everything is working well. Everything for the self serve bays I repaired vs buying anything new. Just want to make sure it holds up well before advertising and bringing in a rush of customers.

 

[Greg Pack]

The old saying is you have one chance for a first impression. Cosmetics should come at the end of the refurb.

If the vacs are not beat up looking you can refurb. They will clean up nicely with aluminum brightener. Don't forget new door gaskets and motor gaskets. Get custom made decals locally or from someone like stacarwash.com. I'd want them to look brand new.

do you have tire cleaner, presoak, and spot free rinse?

 

[Minni1986]

The old saying is you have one chance for a first impression. Cosmetics should come at the end of the refurb.

If the vacs are not beat up looking you can refurb. They will clean up nicely with aluminum brightener. Don't forget new door gaskets and motor gaskets. Get custom made decals locally or from someone like stacarwash.com. I'd want them to look brand new.

do you have tire cleaner, presoak, and spot free rinse?

Yes...trying my best right now to get everything working. Then get the big flags and grand opening signs...cant ever forget our wacky inflatable giggly hands guy.

Right now I have 8 knob....Off - High pressure soap - soap brush - high pressure rinse - high pressure wax - engine degreaser - tire cleaner - spot free rinse

I'm gonna get rid of the engine degreaser as its the same chemical as the tire cleaner. Will change this to the air-blower later.

 

[grimmy2016]

Fixing all those vacs should be high priority and will be a project, but if you have the time and skills, you could save many thousands over new ones. Also, most vacs are made to order, so you might be waiting a month or two to get them.
Next would be air dryers. They get used a lot at our wash.
Third would be cosmetics, as I think you need to get more customers in at that point. Our tri-foam gets used quite a bit, but we are using a ceramic and not just a conditioner.

What ceramic? I have a tri foam system using KR polish but would love to give a better experience for the right price.

 

[OurTown]

What ceramic? I have a tri foam system using KR polish but would love to give a better experience for the right price.

We use National Automotive Chemical, but many others make a foaming ceramic. If it freezes where you are then you need to weep water in the winter, have a blow down/antifreeze injection system, or switch to a winter conditioner.