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Self-service car washes are sometimes referred to as coin-operated, wand-type, or “do-it-yourself” car washes. Coin-operation is a misnomer, since self-service car washes may be initiated by: coins, bills, tokens, credit card and/or remote control. Self-service car washes are facilities in which vehicles park in the bay and the customer exits to wash their vehicle.
Self-service Car Wash Investment
Self-service car washes are also referred to as entry level businesses into the car wash industry. They operate full-time to maximize income, while requiring minimal managerial and employee involvement. Self-service car washes may be constructed with a relatively low investment, on less expensive property and operate while unattended.
Many other advantages of self-service car washes:
· Offer an excellent return on the investment,
· Payment is received prior to services rendered,
· Equipment operation and maintenance are simple,
· Customers provide labor to wash vehicles and
· Inventory in minimal.
Property
Self-service car washes are “destination businesses”. Meaning self-service car washes are the intended destination for service and less likely impulse purchases. This type of business relies more on relative distance from customer’s residence and other intended destinations (bank, grocery store and/or pharmacy). “Destination businesses” require lower by-pass traffic counts thus the site may be less expensive and facility requirements less stringent. Property, development and other site improvements may be equal to or less than building and equipment costs. Many more locations present opportunities for profitable facilities by lowering overall development cost.
Full-time Operation
Self-service car washes typically operate 24-hour per day and 7-days per week. Income is derived is with minimal involvement and most self-service car washes are open for business while unattended.
Part-time Employment
Janitorial and light maintenance should be performed daily. Most facilities require one to three hours to complete daily tasks. Related businesses may be pursued while capitalizing on income from your self-service car wash.
Related Businesses
Other related businesses popular with CustomKraft self-service operators included:
· Roll-over automatics are car washes where cars enter in the bay and the wash equipment travels back and forth to wash and rinse the vehicle.
· Tunnel car washes are facilities in which vehicles enter the bay via a conveyor and are pulled through wash and rinse mechanisms.
· Self-storage warehouses permit customers to rent space to store possessions.
· Coin-operated laundries are businesses in which articles of clothing may be laundered and dried by the customer with coin-operated machines.
Investment
The cost of self-service equipment is largely determined by number of functions and selected features (equipment costs range from $12,000 to $30,000 per bay). More income may be derived from car washes by offering more features. The building construction cost is also variable due to materials, techniques and regional requirements (building costs range from $12,000 to $50,000 per bay).
Anticipated Income
According to industry surveys, typical existing car wash revenues in the United States are approximately $1,500 per self-service bay per month. Sites with higher traffic and better demographics (see Site Analysis Worksheet) may yield higher revenue. Variable or utility and supply expenses will equate to about 30% of gross receipts. Typical results are not guarantees of income and actual results may vary.
Return on Investment
Typical 6-bay car wash:
Estimated equipment cost $120,000
Estimated building cost $180,000
Property and improvements $150,000
Total construction costs $450,000
Anticipated Monthly Gross Revenue $1,500 X 6 = $9,000
Monthly Expenses of 30% $<$2,700>
Monthly Payment for $450,000 Facility* $<$4,250>
Net Monthly Revenue $2,050
Rate of Return is 15% without improved adjustment for depreciation.
*Assuming fifteen year 7.75% financing for $450,000 (total project).
Payment Receipt
Self-service car washes are businesses in which payment is received before services are rendered. Customer satisfaction is measured with convenience, aesthetics and reliability.
Simple Operation and Maintenance
Operating a CustomKraft self-service car
wash is the equivalent to a very well-paid janitorial position. Primary
operator duties include washing the bays and debris clean-up.
Daily, weekly, monthly and annual maintenance schedules are easily
accessible. Maintenance training is provided by CustomKraft and on-site
training is also provided by thorough regional distributors.
Customer Labor
CustomKraft self-service car washes deliver a high level of customer satisfaction. Customers provide their own labor to wash, rinse and vacuum their vehicle. The best sites offer customers convenience and value. By providing functions and features not available otherwise, self-service car wash owners promote vehicle interior and exterior detailing thus increased use and improved revenue.
Minimal Inventory
CustomKraft self-service car washes require
detergents, conditioners, vending supplies and few spare components.
Automatic proportioning valves allow operators to determine chemical
replacement schedules. Ample vending shelves promote restocking before
vendors are depleted and a few spare components serve the multiple bay
locations with repetitive wear components (vacuum nozzles, spray guns and/or
foam brush heads).
Investment Decision
Once a decision is reached to purchase a self-service car wash, the next phase is to decided on a supplier. A quality distributor will facilitate a successful business. CustomKraft documentation and training programs insure a long-term partnership and satisfaction.
Purchasing CustomKraft Self-service Equipment
Factors to consider when purchasing CustomKraft self-service car wash equipment are 1) quality of components, 2) ease and need of maintenance, 3) simplicity of design, 4) company support and 5) price. If all equipment were built with the same components and design, it would be easy. Many consider self-service equipment as, “just a pump and motor”. However, it is not that simple. Minor differences in equipment make significant differences in required maintenance and equipment longevity.
In the absence of experience, select equipment with components designed to function at higher capacities. The selection of quality components is based on aesthetic quality, durability and lowest real cost.
Aesthetic quality of components will
improve the overall appearance of the finished product and generally reflect
the grade of the component. The best components have substantial
construction and a sturdy appearance. In
addition, better component materials will have good chemical
compatibility and permanence.
Durability is longevity or the ability
of the component to survive. An example would be pumps
designed to operate
at 4.0 gallons per minute (gpm) at 2,500 pounds per square inch (psi), will
last longer operating at 3.5 gpm at 1,250 psi.
Real cost of a component is more difficult to determine. The real cost is equal to purchase price x requirement of repair or replacement. The cost of repair or replacement is significant, due to lost production and operation time. Therefore, solid components are desirable to lower the real cost.
Ease and Need of Maintenance
CustomKraft equipment operates for long
periods without maintenance while optimizing versatility, performance and
machine life. CustomKraft equipment requires less maintenance and has
easy accessibility for maintenance or component replacement. Component
arrangement allows access
for service with minimal difficulty.
CustomKraft equipment designs require less maintenance to
meet the demands
of busy owner/operators.
Simplicity of Design
Simplicity of design may be categorized
by the ability to understand operation and the overall
reduction of
components to perform the task. Components should have logical placement
and workings. CustomKraft designs are easily understood and have clear flow patterns.
CustomKraft electrical systems are color-coded
with high and low voltages isolated. CustomKraft designs are
driven to improve
performance and reduce components. CustomKraft designs have the best
value
with the lowest operation cost.
Company Support
The finest equipment manufactured will need maintenance and replacement components. Company support may be measured by equipment warranties, certifications, system documentation and training furnished. The distributor network and proximity to the site will determine response time for service.
Warranties are offered for items that will not fail during the specified period. Manufacturer’s issue warranties for in respect to quality of components used in fabrication. Longer warranties commonly indicate a high quality component.
CustomKraft equipment carries Edison Testing Laboratory (ETL) and Canadian Edison Testing Laboratory (CETL) markings and listings to assure proper application of components. All-inclusive manuals for parts and troubleshooting permit customers to self-educate and perform service for the equipment. CustomKraft also provides training seminars and electronic materials (CD’s). Our local distributor will provide an important lifeline to insure a profitable facility.
Purchase Price
Usually the predominant factor in
choosing equipment is actually the least important. Project costs
are
driven by land and structure. Equipment costs are a much smaller percentage
of the project.
Location and appearance are crucial, but so are
system reliability and ease of operation. Purchasing equipment based solely
on price overlooks reliability, versatility or required maintenance.
Differentiating Equipment
A precursory inspection of self-service equipment reveals similar pumps, motors and stainless steel frames. With closer examination, major differences are found in models, support components and certifications. Better components require less maintenance plus have increased warranties and efficiencies.
The
bay meter
is the point-of-sale and is contacted by every customer. It is
essential to present a clean, high-quality and aesthetically pleasing bay
meter. Quality of the mechanism is determined by appearance, ease of
operation, security and dependability. Well-defined instructions
permit smooth operation of the system with
little familiarity.
Customers demand mechanisms that accept money easily, activates
the
equipment and operates properly. Many bay meter options are available due
to varied site locations. The most basic meter box should be stainless
steel with a high-security lock, employ a rotary switch, electronic coin
acceptor and digital display timer. Up-scale sites will dictate the
use of more options.
Notable options include:
- bill acceptance
- credit card acceptance
- piezoelectric touch-button selection
- cycle indicator lights
- remote cycle controller to change cycles from the bay hose.
Click Here for Coin Meter Page
CustomKraft manufactures primarily with
CAT PUMPS triplex ceramic plunger pumps. High-pressure pumps
are considered the heart
of self-service car wash equipment. There are only a few pump brands used
throughout the industry. Pump selection is typically based on familiarity
or standardizing with existing systems. Ceramic plunger pumps and the
reduction of components have contributed to quieter operation, increased
reliability and easier serviceability. Some pump models produce higher
pressure and/or volume capabilities. When making a pump model selection,
consider component availability, capabilities and warranty. The most
popular models are
5CP2120W and the 310 models.
Baldor
electric motors which drive bay pumps are the largest energy
consumers on CustomKraft’s self-service pump module. Motor efficiency is
established by National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
Standard (Standard E)
motor
efficiency is set at 86.5%, while super efficient (Super E) models improve
the efficiency to 90.5%. Baldor motors have better customer support to
answer inquiries and conduct warranty exchanges.
Standard E Super E
Drive systems
also influence efficiency of the motor to pump operation. The
CustomKraft timing belt drive is 99% efficient, requires no tension
adjustment and has an anticipated life expectancy of 10 years.
The
direct drive system is 99.9% efficient, requires no tension adjustments or
maintenance. However, this system drives the pump at full revolutions
per minute (RPM) of the motor, causing higher crankshaft and bearing wear,
shortening pump life. The most common drive is a single “Vee” belt.
It is only 67% efficient, requires routine tension adjustment and belt
replacement every two years. Increasing efficiency with multiple
“Vee”
belts makes an incremental improvement to 70%, but also requires monthly
adjustment and replacement every two years.
Click Here for Timing Belt Drive Page
Although stainless steel frames and tanks seem rather straight forward and ubiquitous throughout the various self-service brands, minor differences play an important role in durability and reliability. CustomKraft increases the metal thickness or gauge used to reduce equipment vibration and durability in shipment. By decreasing vibrations, the mounted components will have a longer service life. Component fasteners must be strong enough to withstand years of use. Plastic chemical tanks develop cracks and leaks, requiring repair or replacement, so CustomKraft uses only stainless steel and gravity feed on all systems.
Click here for stainless steel frames PDF
There are several automatic
proportioning valves and
fluid level controls available. CustomKraft
equipment designs use gravity feed on
all cycles, eliminating the need for check valves or failure points.
Ideally, chemicals are proportioned into stainless reservoirs to be
distributed to the pumps. Component material and chemical compatibility is
influential in choosing proportioning valves, since the valves come into
direct contact with water
and detergents. CustomKraft uses stainless steel
and brass component materials to improve durability.
CustomKraft’s high volume level control
is designed to operate for one billion cycles. This exceeds
all other
controls available, for years of dependable service.
Click here fluid level control PDF
CustomKraft builds with both
electric motor starters to
variable frequency
inverters.
The variable frequency inverter allows for maximum versatility with
smoother
operation, decreased energy consumption and the reduction of
components.
The inverter operates a standard three phase electric motor at
several
speeds, allowing the system to deliver several pressures using a single
pump
and motor per bay. The inverter ramps the motor up to speed, drastically
reducing the inrush amperage demanded at start-up. The unit will operate a
three phase motor with either single or three phase
input voltage.
Motor starters with digital operation
(on or off) are used most commonly.
Starters are less efficient
than
inverters and will demand 8 to 10 times operating amperage (motors operating
at 9 amps during operation, draw 70 to 90 amps at initiation). Motor
starters will only operate phase correct electric motors (single phase
electricity will operate only single phase motors). Although starters have
limitations, their simple operation is appealing.
Click here for Variable Frequency Drive
CustomKraft utilizes stainless steel solenoids for durability and chemical compatibility. Brass, plastic or blended solenoid bodies are available but have restricted application. Brass will crack and chip around the orifice seat, while plastics tend to be less tolerant to heat and have poor thread memory (tensioned threads will loosen over an extended period, causing leaks). CustomKraft’s stainless solenoids are designed for maximum versatility and permanence.
The seal material is just as important
as the body. Common seal materials are Buna, Viton®, PTFE
and
Teflon. Consider
the characteristics and chemical compatibility of each of the materials for
the
application.
CustomKraft solenoids are sealed with
Viton®, it is a fluoroelastomer and offers
excellent resistance
to aggressive chemicals and seals well with minimal
pressure. PTFE (PolyTetraFluoroEthylene) and Teflon
are fluorocarbon-based polymers. They offer high chemical resistance, low
and high
temperature capability and "slipperiness". The products create a
hard surface and will only seal well with pressure applied. Buna N or Nitrile is the most commonly used seal material. It is a copolymer of
butadiene and acrylonitrile. It is not recommended for carbon aggressive
fluids such as tire cleaner or presoak.
Click here for low pressure manifold PDF
Bay
components are contacted by the customer and will influence the
satisfaction of operation. CustomKraft has applied stainless steel whenever
possible for clean, aesthetic durability. The overhead boom, wand holster
and wand flex for smoother customer feel and decrease component damage. Bay
signage is colorful, simple and concise. To help with ease of operation the
bay signs is color coordinated with the bay meters; to facilitate cycle
selection.
CustomKraft inlet manifolds
supply water into the chemical reservoirs and
through the system. The use of copper piping is used due to vibration
during
operation, water hammer induced by positive action valves and pipe
corrosion.
Copper piping is also best to reduce leaks and increase
durability. CustomKraft
is crimped and warranted against leaks for 50
years.
Click here for CustomKraft ProPress
High-pressure delivery lines to the
overhead bay booms are thermal plastic hose. Thermal plastic
hose does not
retain chemical residue from changing products and is able to freeze and
thaw
without bursting. Thermal plastic hose has an extremely long life
expectancy but, has poor abrasion resistance and must be well insulated from
chaffing.
Regularly overlooked components are the
low-voltage controls. CustomKraft’s improved safety and
simplicity are achieved by using components with increased quality. Fused
transformers will protect expensive components from over-amperages and
possible damage. Digital bay timer with last minute alert improves customer
satisfaction. Pulse weep systems reduce water expense by reducing water
usage during freezing conditions. Lighted DIN connectors for all solenoid
coils will simplify
diagnostics and indicate operation. Plug-in connectors
for control wire allow the meter faces to be interchanged for diagnostics
and make faster field replacement.
Although component selection seems
tedious, it will influence the durability and reliability of the
system more
than any other factor. It is the job of the design engineer to make the
proper selection
for the consumer. But it is the consumer’s job to be
vigilant and consider all factors. Purchasing CustomKraft’s quality
equipment is a sound business practice and a good investment.
CustomKraft has developed the simplest, most reliable equipment for self-service car washes.
4611 W. Bethany