Open Dumpster
Seems like when I leave my dumpster open it attracts people. Today I was working around the wash and a lady pulls up. She opens the back of her suv and it is full of Christmas garbage. I told her you could not just dump all her trash in the dumpster but she could dump some in a garbage can. She started going on about “you telling me I can not clean my car at your carwash” etc… and just smiling away. I just told her she could dump her garbage in a garbage can and not the dumpster. She got angry for some reason and said “well I am going to wash my car somewhere else.” What?!
Water Wizard Problem “ Update
Well I finally took off the check valve like Mep1 told me to and I am going to see what the ramifications are going to be. Greg told me that the system is supposed to have a check valve and for the air to blow down (for cold weather). The problem could be that the system will allow air to travel into the holding tank? Who knows but I bet this is going to fix my problem.
(The problem is the pre-soak occasionally does not work out on the gantry. The outgoing hose builds up pressure which does not allow the pump to pump out liquid.)
Break-In – Update
I was surprised when I drove by today and the carwash was still closed. I wonder if the robbers messed with the self serve equipment or electrical?
Merry Christmas!
We went over to my sister house for Christmas and they had a ton of gifts this year (second picture). My sister Melissa is showing off her gifts that I gave her from the carwash: a Public’s grocery sweatshirt and a 2008 Harley Davidson t-shirt!
Bad Break In
Greg left me a message telling me that 19th Street had been broken into so I drove by today and took some pictures. He said that they broke into the equipment room, the Hamilton changer and into the Unitec. Just in time for Christmas! I was surprised that the carwash was closed though.
Pretty Lucky
I have been pretty lucky about mud lately. Maybe it is because no one is washing their cars?
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...