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  1. K

    Over and out...

    Just sold the 7-bay SS that I’ve been renovating for the past couple of years, and I wanted to thank you guys for all of the help and encouragement that you’ve provided. This forum is a tremendous resource, populated by quality folk. I’ve been on many forums over the years that devolved into...
  2. K

    Boom end fitting for foam brush?

    Guys - the low pressure booms in my wash (foam brush and triple foam) have 1/2 inch female threads. I've been using 1/2 inch male to 3/8 barb fittings to connect the hose to the boom, mainly because that's how the previous owner did it. Is there any downside to using a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer...
  3. K

    Desperate Times

    Just had a regular customer that washes his truck with me 2-3 times a week ($10-12 every time he washes) try to pull a scam on me today. It involves the stop button on the crypto swiper but the details are too tedious to list. He and his buddy put a lot of thought into their little two-for-one...
  4. K

    Foam brush holders

    How are you guys hanging your foam brushes? Anybody doing the vertical mounts with/without floor buckets? Mine have been hanging horizontal on two J hooks and getting tired of the twin grease plumes dripping down the bay walls.
  5. K

    Flex wands and flex holders?

    The wash that I've just finished renovating came with rigid lances and wall mount gun holders (mounted 45 degrees pointing toward the meter box). In the first year that I owned this wash I replaced maybe 3 guns. All of them were situations where somebody snagged a spoiler, ladder, headache...
  6. K

    Swivel locations

    On your high pressure guns, where are you guys installing swivels? Between the boom end and the hose? Between the hose end and the gun? Both locations? Niether?
  7. K

    Snatch and Run

    I'm usually pretty anal about keeping pump room doors and my truck locked while I'm at the wash. On Wednesday I dropped my guard for a minute and paid big for it. I was working on a project in the pump room and stepped out to grab some tools out of my truck. A tweaker parked at a vac a few...
  8. K

    SS Manager Hours and Days Off?

    All - The 7-bay SS that I've just finished renovating came with a manager when I purchased it. In addition to mine, he takes care of two other SS washes in our city. In addition to trash and wash downs, he can make most repairs and does a great job of monitoring all of the wash functions for...
  9. K

    Sign frames for SS bays

    All - I am looking for a sign frame (like letter sized) to mount above my meter boxes, that I can slide a laminated sign into. Basically a system where I can swap out messages and adverts about things we're offering at the wash. Obviously the frame would need to be stainless, or sturdy plastic...
  10. K

    Yet another bill changer query

    I've been limping along with a Rowe 2800 (with MARS conversion) but I'm about ready to kick that crap to the curb. Been researching Hamilton but their dual changer is smaller than the Rowe 2800 and I'm concerned about creating wall gaps that could invite pry bars and chains hooked to truck...
  11. K

    Crime and Covid-19

    Well, this has been a sobering morning. It's pouring down rain, which I dread because my bays fill up with shade tree mechanics looking to stay dry. Around 10:30 a guy pulls in and carefully positions his engine block over my drain grate. I hit record on the cameras and immediately got on the...
  12. K

    What is wrong with people?

    The main water shutoff for my SS (my main, not the city meter) is built on a riser above ground right next to the sidewalk out front. No box, no protection, no nothing. When I bought the wash last summer I was thinking "this could be trouble" but got busy with other renovation projects and...
  13. K

    Mama always said...

    ...stupid is as stupid does. This morning I had to dismantle a jammed coin mech and found the following: one penny, one $5 peso coin, one token from someone else's wash, 3 clean quarters, and 2 quarters with strings. Here's what I can't figure out: My vacs are only $1.00 to start, so if he...
  14. K

    Chemical Costs

    I'm now 9 months into operating a 7 bay SS rehab project and wondering if any of y'all would be willing to share your chemical costs as a percentage of sales. I inherited a system running Supersat products combined with HPH powder and my total costs for soap, wax, pre soak, tire cleaner, triple...
  15. K

    Soda Machines for Outdoor SS

    Did quite a bit of searching and reading old threads, but wondering does anyone have any new intel or recommendations on a sturdy outdoor soda/drink machine? I've got a covered kiosk with overhead lights and power next to my pump room. The previous owner had a soda machine there but it was...
  16. K

    Any SS washes closed at night?

    By my tally about 2% of my paid business and 98% of my crime, abuse, and stupidity happens between 10pm and 6am. I've spent the better part of the past two weeks chasing down midnight trash, taco grease, and paint dumpers and I'm wondering if any SS operators are closing at night? Signs and...
  17. K

    Some price advice needed

    Been doing a lot of searching and reading old threads, but would like to get some updated pricing advice, if possible. I'm 5 months into an old 7-bay SS that has for many years been a great wash until the previous owner passed away. I've done extensive renovations and the wash is currently...
  18. K

    Is it just my SS wash, or...

    ...do any other owners have a problem with people parking and hanging out in your wash bays and not washing? They've patterned me and my helper and they know we are rarely there in the evenings. That's when they drive in, park, and just F%$@*ing sit there! Doesn't matter if others are waiting...
  19. K

    Rowe BC 1400 question

    Rowe BC1400 bill changers at the 7 bay SS that I've been renovating have been running smoothly since I bought the wash 3 months ago, but recently the hoppers in one unit are feeding coins at an uneven rate, causing it to drop out of service when one hopper empties out. I've emptied the hoppers...
  20. K

    Wringer Sinks?

    The 7 bay SS that I'm renovating has two towel wringer sinks in the vac/detail area of the wash. It appears that a few customers use them, but mostly they are a magnet for the homeless to bathe and wash their clothes after they've finished treasure hunting in my trash cans, and sifting through...
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