Chemicals

[washnshine]

Low priced chemicals = less clean cars = lower volume = death spiral

I know what you are saying, but since cleaning and soil conditions vary so much from location to location, some operators can get away with a more economical product and still get good results.

 

[AnalyticWash]

Sure in general yes, but my wash is in a very rural area so no matter what chemicals i use i will never have high volume. Im not trying to cheap out, im trying to save where i can

The kleenrite product mentioned earlier is 5x+ cheaper than what im currently using. It may not be as good or the answer but i think at those savings its worth looking into.

Initial cost of the product is only half the picture. It might be some weak stuff that you need 5x more of to get the same result.

Also, better chemicals does not necessarily mean more expensive.

Unless you are very familiar with chemical setup I would suggest working with a rep who does. Make sure they do titration on your pre-soaks (if they don't, then they don't know what they are doing).

 

[water guy]

Better chemicals = clean cars = higher volume

No brainer

 

[water guy]

With good quality H2O

 

[Blanco]

Initial cost of the product is only half the picture. It might be some weak stuff that you need 5x more of to get the same result.

Also, better chemicals does not necessarily mean more expensive.

Unless you are very familiar with chemical setup I would suggest working with a rep who does. Make sure they do titration on your pre-soaks (if they don't, then they don't know what they are doing).

Exactly. Its cost per car that matters not cost per gallon.

 

[lunchboxx]

Exactly. Its cost per car that matters not cost per gallon.

They gave me an estimate of $3/car.

 

[washnshine]

They gave me an estimate of $3/car.

Is that for a basic wash or your premium wash. That really matters because depending where you are and what you charge, that could be an $8-$12 basic wash or a $16-$24 top wash. $3 on a wash you are charging $8 for seems a bit steep if that is chemicals only with no water, utilities etc. factored in. I have no idea what you charge - just putting out pricing scenarios I have observed.

 

[lunchboxx]

Is that for a basic wash or your premium wash. That really matters because depending where you are and what you charge, that could be an $8-$12 basic wash or a $16-$24 top wash. $3 on a wash you are charging $8 for seems a bit steep if that is chemicals only with no water, utilities etc. factored in. I have no idea what you charge - just putting out pricing scenarios I have observed.

Sorry yes i should have clarified.

$3/ on premium $16 wash with 3 pass for each step of PS and estimated utilitys factored in.

$14 wash is same as $16 without ceramic

$12 basic is just PS,SF,dry

Im going to ask for a better cost breakdown.

Also i just read in some other posts about chemicals, some of the pros here say that you only need 1 pass of each PS and anything more is waste. My current setup has a triple pass on the front and rear and single down the sides.

If this is true i could just tip up and go with a heavier single pass and save some time as well. Our top wash time is just over 7mins without drying over 8.5 with dryers.

 

[kentadel]

Sorry yes i should have clarified.

$3/ on premium $16 wash with 3 pass for each step of PS and estimated utilitys factored in.

$14 wash is same as $16 without ceramic

$12 basic is just PS,SF,dry

Im going to ask for a better cost breakdown.

Also i just read in some other posts about chemicals, some of the pros here say that you only need 1 pass of each PS and anything more is waste. My current setup has a triple pass on the front and rear and single down the sides.

If this is true i could just tip up and go with a heavier single pass and save some time as well. Our top wash time is just over 7mins without drying over 8.5 with dryers.

Certainly worth a try. We find it easier to clean this time of year so maybe try tipping down for a period and that would help the average cost over the year.

 

[Blanco]

They gave me an estimate of $3/car.

$3 per car is as high as snoop dogg. Thats like ZEP and Simoniz prices. Im at .70 top wash average sized vehicle using good chemical and booster pump. My machine also applies the chemical faster though so If I were you id try to be under a buck for top wash.

 

[washnshine]

Sorry yes i should have clarified.

$3/ on premium $16 wash with 3 pass for each step of PS and estimated utilitys factored in.

$14 wash is same as $16 without ceramic

$12 basic is just PS,SF,dry

Im going to ask for a better cost breakdown.

Also i just read in some other posts about chemicals, some of the pros here say that you only need 1 pass of each PS and anything more is waste. My current setup has a triple pass on the front and rear and single down the sides.

If this is true i could just tip up and go with a heavier single pass and save some time as well. Our top wash time is just over 7mins without drying over 8.5 with dryers.

Triple pass in front can’t hurt in bug season. May not be necessary in the other seasons. Some also adjust the amount of high pressure on the fronts in bug season. One vs two passes on the sides has lots of variables. Speed of the pass, nozzle size, how much product sticks rather than runs off. A second pass, if nothing else, at least gives you more dwell time in addition to the second layer of product.