Car wash signs
Well the water restrictions are confusing people in my area. I am in Bessemer and Birmingham is running out of water. So all it took was one person to ask if they were going to shut the wash down and coupled with poor sales (also poor sales on my Mimosa tree chains) made me order the signs. They were $40 per banner and $10 for the stake signs. The last picture is someone in my neighborhood breaking the law washing their car at their house.
Fairfield Home Depot spray paint testing center – Update
Home Depot has upgraded their spay paint testing center since August 2006. How about this idea: No spay paint testing?
A&J Carwash and Rentals – Prattville Alabama
I am sorry in advance, but this car wash had some cool stuff so I took lots of pictures.
Vending and changer: I would not believe it except I saw it with my own eyes! An out of order Rowe changer? Impossible!
Bay setup: I really like the Armor All sign and love the coin acceptor.
Foam brush setup: I like the foamer, just proves you can mount them anywhere.
Vacuum setup: I have never seen this before. I guess they had lots of break ins?
Back of building: Windows unit exposed and a security camera
Storage detail location?
Also, this place smelt like it used reclaim water. I mean smelt very bad.
Prattville EnTec gas station
How do you know if someone has a theft problem? Check out the sign on the fountain drink machine “Cups available from cashier, Thank you”. Interesting sign. I have never seen that before.
Interesting setup. Just 6 stainless vacuums and 2 different fragrance machines. No other car wash equipment.
I like this D&S Air Freshener “Sweet Mist!”. With different types like strawberry, pinacolada, vanilla, new car and obsession. Obsession? It seems like a nice unit having 5 different types.
Some road in Prattville
A nice car accident. I seem to have been driving to fast to take the picture. I should have slammed on my breaks when driving by, just like the person in front of me.
Dumpster problem
I think the dumpster people threw away my lock and the bar for my dumpster. But at least my front door to my house is not tagged with “DUB BOY”. I did solve the crime though. I checked out myspace.com and found Dub Boy (real name Tim Rayner he is in a band called “Ruffnek Diskotek”). He must have flown over from the UK and tagged the house (which is right next to my car wash). Or while on tour, Dub Boy got Birmingham Alabama mixed up with Birmingham UK. Or it might be a different guy?
Alabama governor making a divine request for rain
Bob Riley (I like to call him Bobby R or cool hair guy) says “pray for rain to fall from the heavens”. I just thought it was interesting and reiterates the “Bible Belt” label (Alabama). But we do need some rain so people do not think my car wash is closed. Full article here if for some reason you would like to read it “Riley says pray for rain to fall from heavens, Proclamation urges divine request”.
Level out the posts
Well my plan to level them out was not that great of a plan. I did not do a very good job. But I did get to use my Ryobi reciprocating saw 18 volt P510. I have never used it before and with 2 batteries I cut through 2 4×4′s. I hope the first battery was half full because the second battery died after 1 1/3 cuts. Impressive. Actually, what a POS, but I guess you get what you pay for?
Who said a Mimosa tree is worthless?
Well I decided to put up a sign and since I can not dig the hole very deep, I decided to concrete them. (The front of the wash must have been dug up at one time and filled with stone.)
Not to contradict my saying from June 10, 2007 The best kind of Mimosa tree is a chopped down Mimosa tree.. I used the chopped down tree as a prop for the posts, which was very useful.
Rowe changer problem
Someone was trying to break into my Rowe changer? Now the changer does not like money anymore (rejects bills – error message “REJECT-BILL (E)). Also why does every description in the manual ends with ”Replace the CCC”?
Recent Comments
I just built a system that fixes the problem of pressure you are referring to. The answer is 2 fold. 1.VFD+ Pressure 2.Monitoring Sensor. Set up where VFD runs at say "40%" putting out 150psi. Then have a sensor that is inline (before manifold) to when a second bay calls for product, and pressure drops, it senses this, and increases the VFD to say 50% to make up for the difference, and retain the 150psi. So on, and so forth depending on how many bays you have. It will take some tweaking, but once it is set, it is set. Also, you only can have a maximum of 5 ports open at once, even if you have 6 different functions, as each bay can only have one selection running at any given time. Email me, and I can give you more info, and / or if you want to buy one rather than build one. It is a very expensive "trial and error" job, as the VFD, pump, and sensor have to do the job right, and give the correct pressures. They will not share any of their tech, as they want us all to buy from ...
Did you know.... You can purchase the "quick disconnect" injectors from "Hydraflex™®? ©" (don't want to infringe on ™®? or © :P) , however you cannot purchase the quick disconnect adapters from them. Hmmmmm? Isn't that nice? Why not? Oh, that's right you can, if you purchase one of their "Aqualab™®? ©." TEN THOUSAND dollar units. Then, they will sell replacement parts for it, which include the quick disconnect fittings. Very frustrating to say the least. IN A STORY NOT RELATED -> If you want to never ever ever worry about check valves again, look into the icheck magnum series which you can buy from Kleen Rite (low ph, high ph, and high pressure) Also, if you are tired of replacing brittle, cracked, sun-drenched, winter haggard poly line, step up and buy the parker (or equiv.) "air brake" line (type B, reinforced). it will last for over 20 years in a carwash, and will outlast stainless steel when running corrosive product thru. I have been running HF thru it for over...
I love your sense of humor, but everything is in the details of any business what separates the strong from the weak is just a few minor details. But that few can be huge, for instance I love Arbys for their sandwiches, but many years ago their facilities were just run down and dirty, back then I would never go to the bathroom in one. Instead I went to Mcdonald's to go the rest room. Now in current time Arby's has gotten the idea that a very clean and modern facility with upgraded equipment will bring in customers. They even have open wifi in many, so that being said a business is the true salesperson it projects an image. Now one must ask yourself what image do you want to project to the public. You yoursef as a owner of a car wash or any business must be the salesman, because without a sale no one has a job. Mike...
I don't think you read the post. Maybe since your not a car wash owner you didn't get the joke? But your a sales person so... :) Maybe in Ohio the government is more restrictive I don't know? But when the government lets people start businesses that they want. Unforgettably to many people have built car washes because of sales people. Which makes them bad investments... so depending where someone is from you will get your desired remarks. Also you are selling a high priced item so only car washes with money would call you... another fact. So of course they would be making money. I also disagree with 90% of your statements except the place should be clean. You do not have to purchase top "knotch" equipment. You can run a super car wash with any equipment on the market. But again your a sales person. :) But I strangely want to purchase a boiler now.... JK LOL :)...
I have met many car wash owners that do make money in the car wash industry. Here is what I have found they are very organized, they buy top knotch equipment, they maintain it everyday, they check their water everyday, they ask for help when needed. Many are true salespeople they get out and meet the customers give them hugs and attend community events. And lets not forgot about having a very clean facility, customers love neatness. Mike Simmons, Vice-President...