Best Car Wash Chemicals

[Chriswh]

Hey everyone!
I’ve been working on developing the best chemicals for car washes, and I finally came up with a formula that performs really well. I’ve been a car wash operator for 5 years, so I know what a truly clean car looks like. I’m confident this product can compete with top brands—and at a better price. I’m open to giving out free samples and doing demos.
Do you guys have any suggestions on how to start selling it to car washes?

 

[washnshine]

Hey everyone!
I’ve been working on developing the best chemicals for car washes, and I finally came up with a formula that performs really well. I’ve been a car wash operator for 5 years, so I know what a truly clean car looks like. I’m confident this product can compete with top brands—and at a better price. I’m open to giving out free samples and doing demos.
Do you guys have any suggestions on how to start selling it to car washes?

I think most operators use chemicals that have to meet the following criteria:

1. Outstanding performance
2. Availability - the ability to order and receive in a timely and cost effective fashion
3. Support - the ability to have knowledgeable reps that can help to dial in and tweak the chemistry.

You also mentioned “a formula”. I’m not sure if you just have one chemical, but the competitive companies will offer an entire line of solutions and often with many products in each category, such as presoaks, detergents, foamers, tire and wheel, polishes, waxes, sealers l, drying agents etc. as well as products for touch free, friction IBA, tunnel and self serve.

Your chemicals might be great but if there is not a distribution network for operators to obtain them, it’s a moot point. You would have to align yourself with some distributors that are willing to offer and stand behind your product, otherwise you really do not have a way into many washes.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Dan kamsickas]

Hey everyone!
I’ve been working on developing the best chemicals for car washes, and I finally came up with a formula that performs really well. I’ve been a car wash operator for 5 years, so I know what a truly clean car looks like. I’m confident this product can compete with top brands—and at a better price. I’m open to giving out free samples and doing demos.
Do you guys have any suggestions on how to start selling it to car washes?

I generally, as a rule, stay out of conversations about chemicals because I'm pretty sure most chemical companies have a 400 year old woman with green skin, a crooked nose, black pointed hat, and a evil looking black cat locked in a back room mixing things together like eye of newt in a huge black caldron.

That being said, one thing to keep in mind is that what may get a car clean in Michigan in June may not be as effective in January and it may not work at all at any time of year in the desert SW. Just because what you have developed works great for you doesn't mean it will work a 1000 or even 100 miles away. Is this just a soap? What about a wax? Presoak? Tire cleaner? Triple foam? Foam brush? Sealant?

To double down on what washnshine said, you may have very well created the best soap ever but there is so much more to the business side. Getting locked in with a solid distribution network is absolutely critical.

 

[Chriswh]

I generally, as a rule, stay out of conversations about chemicals because I'm pretty sure most chemical companies have a 400 year old woman with green skin, a crooked nose, black pointed hat, and a evil looking black cat locked in a back room mixing things together like eye of newt in a huge black caldron.

That being said, one thing to keep in mind is that what may get a car clean in Michigan in June may not be as effective in January and it may not work at all at any time of year in the desert SW. Just because what you have developed works great for you doesn't mean it will work a 1000 or even 100 miles away. Is this just a soap? What about a wax? Presoak? Tire cleaner? Triple foam? Foam brush? Sealant?

To double down on what washnshine said, you may have very well created the best soap ever but there is so much more to the business side. Getting locked in with a solid distribution network is absolutely critical.

Haha I love the witch in the back room analogy. Honestly, sometimes it feels that way with how secretive some chemical companies can be .

Totally agree with you on the regional differences. I’ve seen firsthand how water quality, climate, and soil type can change how chemicals perform. That’s why I’ve been testing the line in multiple environments and with different wash systems to make sure it’s not a “one location wonder.”

And to answer your question: it’s not just a soap. I’ve developed a full lineup of presoak, high pH, low pH, triple foam, tire cleaner, polish, wax, drying agent, and sealant formulated to work across friction and touchless systems. Each product was built with adjustability in mind to handle differences in water hardness, temperature, and dwell times.
The distribution piece is definitely the next mountain I’m climbing. I get that performance alone isn’t enough without availability, support, and a trusted network behind it.

Appreciate the insight,it’s a great reminder that chemistry is just one side of the business.