What's New

Find out about the latest in product, equipment and service trends right here! Read reviews on some of the top car wash supplies on the market and what makes them better than the rest.

New EZ Vac
RPM Manufacturing introduces new EZ VAC Combination Detail Vacuums to the Car Wash and C-Store Markets. Innovative Combination Vacuums provide economical alternative to car wash and convenience store owner/operators. Read more

Silky Suds Foaming Detergent from Warsaw Chemical
New Formula 577 Silky Suds High Lubricity Foaming Detergent is available from Warsaw Chemical Co., Inc. as part of their Car Choice® Wash Products line. Silky Suds is designed for use in all foam, cloth and brush washes and produces a thick, rich lather for added lubricity. Formula 577 Silky Suds also penetrates and solubilizes road film, helps to prolong the life of foam, cloth and brushes and can be used in hybrid, conventional tunnels and rollover washes. This foaming detergent is easy to rinse, biodegradable and non-corrosive. Silky Suds is available with an orchard scent and comes in 5 gallon plastic tightheads and in 15, 30 and 55 gallon plastic drums.
 www.warsaw-chem.com

Lemon Elixir Pre-Soak from Warsaw Chemical
Warsaw Chemical Co., Inc. introduces the new Formula 574 Lemon Elixir Liquid Pre-Soak as part of the Car Choice® Wash Products line. The Lemon Elixir is a low pH liquid pre-soak designed for use as the low pH detergent or pre-soak in the dual stage wash process. Formula 574 penetrates and solubilizes difficult to remove road film and oils and is especially designed for use in frictionless automatics and reduced friction conveyor car washes when used with the alkaline step. This formula also enhances the cleaning of glass, chrome and paint, works without the dangerous ingredients found in most low pH products, is biodegradable and reclaim friendly. Lemon Elixir features a lemon scent and available in 5 gallon plastic tightheads and in 15, 30 and 55 gallon plastic drums.

EZ VAC Vacuum & Detailing and EZ Air Tire Inflation
RPM Manufacturing introduces EZ VAC Vacuum & Detailing and EZ AIR Tire Inflation Equipment lines to the Car Wash and C-Store Markets. Innovative design features address challenges faced by car wash and convenience store owner/operators, distributors, and service personnel. Read more

Unitec Electronics Introduces WashPay
The slowing economy has not stopped all motorists from washing their cars, but it has changed how they pay for it. The Spring Creek Car Wash of Plano, Texas has increased credit card transactions tenfold since the installation of a Unitec Electronics WashPay credit card payment system.

Charles Ho, the car wash general manager, began accepting credit card payment in his eight self service wash bays in April 2006. The number of credit card transactions has increased since that time and peaked in May 2008 with over 1,400 transactions in one month’s time. The steepest credit usage increase has occurred since February 2008, along with a corresponding increase in credit card revenue, though overall revenue at the car wash has not increased. Unauthorized transactions have been controlled with the use of 24-hour camera surveillance and pre-authorization.

Since gas prices have increased dramatically and inflation is on the rise, many drivers have resorted to using credit cards for automotive expenses. Providing them payment options is important during these trying economic times. “I try my hardest to accept their money; quarters, dollar coins, bills or credit cards. I take them all,” Ho says of his Unitec equipment.

There are benefits from increased credit card use for Ho and his customers. He has reduced exposure to crime, both in transporting the cash and holding it in his payment devices. He also has less accounting work to complete—no more counting and logging of coins and bills. His customers appreciate the ease of the newer technologies, “Some customers spend company or tax deductible money—like limo drivers, REALTORS®, plumbers and used car dealers, and they need receipts. They don’t want to deal with cash anymore than I do,” says Ho.

Given the momentum of gas prices, the trend of increased credit card use is likely to stick and Ho will continue to benefit. Ho recommends that business owners make the most of it and display clear signage indicating all the credit card payments they accept.

Unitec Electronics is a leading manufacturer of car wash automatic payment systems and bill changers for all segments of the car wash market. With 25 years of experience as a pioneer in the development of payment systems that combine state-of-the-art technology, user-friendly operation, and dependable rugged construction, Unitec’s equipment is sold through a network of authorized distributors in the United States and Canada, where water conservation, water runoff and energy conservation influence wash operations on a daily basis.

New Signature Logo for Green Products
Warsaw Chemical Co., Inc., introduces a new signature logo, Green Line Solutions™, for their line of environmentally friendly products to make them easily identifiable. Warsaw Chemical has always offered products within their Car Choice® Wash Products line that are formulated, produced and marketed to meet or exceed current green standards, including pre-soaks and detergents, wheel and tire cleaners, foaming polishes and conditioners and protectants and drying agents.

Car Choice Green Line Products meet EPA’s Design for the Environment and Canadian EcoLogo requirements by reducing VOCs, glycol ethers, solvents, phenol ethoxylates or phosphates and other environmentally harmful components.

US Patent Granted for Waste Water Reclaim System
Con-Serv Manufacturing, headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, is pleased to announce that it has been granted a United States patent for a waste water reclaim system (US Patent No. 7,390,419). A further continuation application and other patent applications directed towards other Con-Serv Manufacturing innovations are currently pending.

The patented waste water reclaim system utilizes multiple filters that may be alternatively backflushed to enable continuous filtering of waste water. The nineteen patent claims also include methods of operating a waste water reclaim system. Con-Serv Manufacturing has retained Babcock IP, PLLC to enforce their newly granted exclusionary rights and to further expand their intellectual property portfolio.

Gainesville Car Wash First in State to Unveil State of the Art Dog Wash
Dog owners in Gainesville can smile as a local business is the first in the state to own and operate the newest generation of self-service dog wash machines. “Scrubs Dog Wash” is proud to announce its grand opening on Saturday, September 13 2008 at 9 am on 3135 SW 42nd Street, Gainesville, FL. “Scrubs Dog Wash” uses the Australian made K9000 Self Service Dog Wash that allows dog owners to wash their pets in a fun, safe, effective and affordable way while getting dogs clean at a fraction of what groomers charge.

“Happy dogs mean happy people.” said Mike Wasik, co- owner of “Scrubs Dog Wash. “We see how popular the concept is becoming in Europe and Australia and wanted to bring the idea to Florida”. For $10, dollars dogs can be washed, rinsed, disinfected and dried in a matter of minutes. It’s all done in an easy to use self-contained, self serve unit keeping the dog happy and safe. Last year, pet owners spent $41 billion dollars on their pets.  It’s one of the fastest growing industries in the United States.

“Dog owners treat their dogs like part of the family and we wanted to make sure they have a place to get their dogs clean and have fun at the same time” said Wasik.  “Scrubs Dog Wash” is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “For college students, a self-serve dog wash is a fun and affordable way to save time, money and get your dog really clean”.

The K9000 Dog Wash has become a fun innovative pet care center at more than 70 locations across Australia. The Gainesville location is the third location in the United States. Other locations are In Georgia and Texas.