Car Wash Business Tips, Car Wash Equipment & Supplies

Why quality car wash chemicals improve your bottom line

car wash chemical quality
Car wash chemical supplies Australia.

Unfortunately, some car wash operators try to improve their bottom line by switching quality chemicals for cheaper alternatives.

At first, this may seem like a simple and quick way to increase profitability. This is misguided and here’s why…

More for less

Quality chemicals, whilst may appear more expensive on paper, are super concentrated so require less consumption to achieve significantly superior results.

Low quality chemicals don’t contain the same quality ingredients and hard-working chemical compounds as their premium counterparts.  Without the right chemistry, your equipment won’t be able to wash your customer’s cars adequately.  You risk customers leaving your facility with dirty cars, dissatisfied, and never returning again.

If customers leave with a sparkling clean and shiny car, they’ll be back and be more inclined to recommend your facility to family, friends and colleagues.

Once you lose a customer it can be difficult and costly to win them back. Delivering customer satisfaction from the outset is key. Is it worth the risk just to save a few cents on each wash by using lower quality chemicals?

Time is money

When using less-effective chemicals, the car wash program typically needs to be extended to produce an adequate clean vehicle

Quality chemicals work harder in less time, reducing wash program times and operating costs. This means your customers are on their way faster and your equipment is free to accept the next paying customer.

Customer satisfaction is high because they leave your facility with a clean car and can get back to their busy lives.

Equipment protection

Quality chemicals protect valuable machine parts, reduce breakdowns, and increase the longevity of equipment.

Did you know that quality chemicals can actually enhance the performance of your vehicle wash equipment by lubricating components and protecting valuable machine parts?

Conversely, inferior chemicals may damage your equipment, leading to more frequent breakdowns and reduced machine life expectancy.

During the wash process, an important role of the chemicals is to keep the equipment wash material clean and free of any contamination. This prevents damage to the vehicle’s paintwork and other delicate surfaces.

Research and development

Quality chemical manufacturers spend time and money on research and development.

Reputable car wash chemical manufacturers are constantly investing time and money into perfecting and improving chemical formulations as they strive to deliver better products for car wash operators and their customers.

Ongoing research and development include:

  • Improving concentration levels and more efficient chemical formulations.
  • Development of products that will protect and increase the longevity of vehicle wash equipment.
  • Providing products that offer better value for money without compromising on wash quality and effectiveness.
  • Testing the efficiency of their chemicals across a wide range of applications and machine types.
  • Adherence to strict industry and quality standards throughout the manufacturing process.
  • Improving biodegradability and environmental sustainability.
  • Educating customers on product use, care and safety.
  • Advancements in ways to improve the customer experience.
  • Adapting to eco-friendly packaging with a lower environmental impact.

Customer dissatisfaction

Poor quality chemicals can lead to customer dissatisfaction and a drop in business.

Customer retention, repeat business and referrals are fundamental when running a successful car wash business.

Research indicates that, while the price might entice new customers to your facility, vehicle wash quality is what keeps them coming back.

If customers leave your facility with a dirty car – no matter how cheap your prices are – why would they return and waste their money again?

If they exit with a sparkling clean and shiny car, they’ll be back again and, hopefully, recommend your facility to family, friends and colleagues.

Once you lose a customer it can be difficult and costly to win them back. Delivering customer satisfaction from the outset is key.

Performance

Different chemicals are required to effectively perform different jobs.

When it comes to car wash chemicals, it is not one size fits all – quite the contrary, different products and chemical formulations are needed to successfully perform different vehicle cleaning functions.

Typically, the car washing process follows 5 stages:

  1. Pre-wash
  2. Wash Process
  3. Rinse
  4. Wax and Polish
  5. Drying
Stage 1 – The Pre-wash / Pre-soak

The prewash or presoak function is designed to soften dirt and other organic matter and break down road grime and grease so it can be easily removed during the wash process.

It’s paramount that the right prewash chemicals are applied, based on the location of your facility and the type of dirt and grime on your customer’s cars.

For example, country cars require a different chemical cleaning formulation from city vehicles due to the nature of the pollutants and organic matter they are encountering on a daily basis.

Inferior presoak chemicals won’t be as effective in breaking the bond between contaminants and the vehicle’s exterior.

Stages 2 & 3 – The Wash Process and Rinse

At this stage, chemical additives are important to ensure effective brush lubrication to protect the vehicle paintwork and other delicate surfaces. They prevent grabbing and marking while extending the life of the material.

Not only do high foam levels give customers the perception they’re receiving a quality wash but they actually help protect your equipment and car surfaces.

The use of quality chemicals during this process is paramount in touchless machines.  Without the aid of brushes to assist in the cleaning process, touchless machines rely on special chemicals to do all the hard work.

And finally, special conditioners are intended to create a vehicle surface that is slightly acidic. These respond more favourably to a drying agent resulting in better water beading and ultimately and shinier and dryer car.

Stages 4 & 5 – The Wax and Polish. Drying

In the final stage, it’s the use of quality waxes and protectants that will ensure your customers enjoy long-lasting shine, added protection, and that highly desired ‘water beading’ effect.

Quality chemicals ensure a fast and uniform drying process, avoiding marks and stains so your customer leaves with a clean and shiny car.

Book a Car Wash Chemical Assessment

Contact Good Sight to discuss your current chemical consumption and how you can improve wash quality and reduce operating costs.

There is a lot of science behind car wash chemicals and getting the formulation right is important. This is where we can help.

Contact our friendly team to discuss your current chemical consumption and how you may be able to make improvements in wash quality and reduce your operating costs.

We’ll assess whether you’re getting the best results possible from your equipment. We’ll consider the car washing requirements and expectations of your customers and discuss how you should be adjusting your chemical formulations seasonally.

Good Sight has access to a range of car wash chemical suppliers and can match the right products to your specific requirements and budget.  We’ll even price-match any genuine written quote.

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