Driving Success in the Car Wash Industry: Lessons from Castle Wash and Turtle Wax Pro Partnership

Car wash chemistry is what drives our industry. It's what gets cars cleaned, dry, and beautifully shiny. And it cannot be talked about enough!

But, it can get a little confusing with all the different types of car wash chemicals, so we're here to talk you through the different options and what you should be looking out for when picking chemistry.

What are car wash chemicals

Commercial car wash chemicals are specially formulated cleaners that are designed to remove dirt and stains from a car's surface. This chemistry usually comes in concentrated form, and must be diluted with water before use. There are many different types of car wash chemistry on the market, each designed for a specific purpose. For example, there are degreasers that are designed to break down and remove grease and oil stains, as well as wheel & tire cleaners that are formulated to remove brake dust and grime from your wheels and tires.

Different Types of Car Wash Chemicals

There are many different types of commercial car wash chemicals available on the market, each designed for a specific purpose. This is not an exhaustive list as car wash chemicals can get pretty niche. But these are some of the most popular car wash chemistry and their uses:

Presoaks

Also known as traffic film removers (TFRs), presoaks are designed to loosen and remove heavy build-up on your car's surface.

Presoaks are usually applied at the start of the wash to allow them time to work before the main wash. Presoaks as used as the "heavy lifters" in the wash process and are typically high alkaline (pH 11-14) or low acid (pH 0-3).

Presoaks can differ in pH level and surfactant type, so be sure to ask your car wash chemical supplier which one is best for your needs.

As a general thought, high pH presoaks are better at removing organic materials (like road film, bugs, and sap) while low pH presoaks are better at removing inorganic materials (like brake dust and road salt).

Car Wash Soap, Shampoo, and Detergents

Soap, shampoo or detergent is designed to remove light dirt and dust.

These products are applied to vehicles and then rinsed off to clean off vehicles and get them ready for the next stage.

Soaps can differ in many ways but a popular option for both its cleaning effectiveness and visual prowess are triple foams. Triple foams are designed to create thick suds that both look good and help remove dirt from surfaces, in a layered (or triple) effect.

The best car wash detergent on the market (in our opinion) is from Turtle Wax Pro. We have a variety of detergents that are designed to work in any situation your wash may need.

Finishing Products

After your car has been washed and rinsed, you'll want to apply a finishing product to provide a protective barrier against UV rays and other damage on your car's paint and clear coat.

There are many different types of protection products available, from simple waxes to more complex sealants. We have existing blogs explaining the differences between carnauba wax, ceramic coatings, and sealants.

Another type of finishing product is drying agents.

Drying agents help to remove water from your car's surface by making the surface hydrophobic. This helps cars dry faster and hold onto less water. If you want to learn more about drying agents, check out our guide to drying agents.

Wheel & Tire Cleaners

As the name suggests, tire and wheel cleaners are designed to clean your wheels and tires.

After wheel cleaners have been applied, it should be rinsed off to avoid damage to your car's paint job.

Tire Dressings

Tire dressings or tire shine products are designed to give your tires a shiny, new look.

Tire dressings and tire cleaners are not essential to the wash process but are an extra step to ensure spectacular results and make your commercial car wash stand out from the rest.

Specialty Chemistry

Specialty chemistry can be chemicals with various desired effects. These products are used for specific instances and are not necessarily needed for every wash. But using specialty chemicals is a great way to set your wash apart from the rest in the car wash industry.

Some examples are:

• Bug Removers
• Manual Cleaners
• Presoak Boosts
• Rust Inhibitors

Detailing Products

Detailing products are slightly different chemistry used by detailing professionals to achieve specific results on a car's surface, usually through manual applications.

However, some of these products (like glass cleaners and bug removers) can be used in the regular wash process as well.

Eco Friendly Chemical for Car Wash

There are many different types of commercial car wash chemicals on the market, each designed for a specific purpose. However, not all wash chemistry are created equal. Some of these cleaners can be quite harsh and damaging to your car's paint or even strip the finish off altogether!

One type of chemical that is becoming increasingly popular is eco-friendly or "green" cleaners.

Hyper Concentrates

Hyper concentrate® are products that are designed to be diluted with water when they are in use.

The advantage of hyper concentrates is that they are very economical and can last a long time.

With hyper concentrates, you pay for the actual chemical not a drum mostly made up of water. This means you'll save money on your chemistry, and save money on shipping as you'll need less product.

But the advantages don't stop there, you'll be able to wash more cars with your chemistry, making you do more with less.

If you want to learn more about hyper concentrates, we have a video explaining the process in detail here.

Are car wash chemicals safe?

As with any cleaning product, it is important to read the label and follow the instructions carefully.

Car wash chemicals are safe to be used for their intended purpose, but perhaps not for other uses. They may be toxic, corrosive, or even flammable.

Follow the instructions and directions indicated by the manufacturer. It is also vital to keep safety data sheets, or SDSs, on hand in case of an accident.

Car Wash Chemistry Ingredients: What to Look Out For

The exact ingredients that make up commercial car wash chemicals differ for an infinite number of reasons.

But there are a few things you will want to prioritize and avoid.

We recommend looking for products that have ingredients that meet environmental regulations and all municipal, provincial/state and federal sewer-use by-laws.

Chemicals to Avoid

• Phosphates
• Ammonium Bifluoride (ABF)
• Hydrofluoric acid (HF)

What kind of chemistry do Touchless car washes use?

Touchless car washes use chemicals, just like any other wash, but they are typically formulated to work independently without the help of brushes or cloths.

Friction helps products do their job and deal with tough grease and marks, but without that aid, the chemicals themselves must be able to perform by themselves.

If you're running a touchless wash, contact your suppliers to ensure your chemistry is ready to work in a touchless environment.

Chemistry is important, car wash equipment matters too!

The quality of your wash will also depend on the quality of your equipment. Old equipment may not be able to effectively operate and use high quality chemistry. It may even break down more often, causing more downtime for your business.

Subpar machinery may struggle in its important tasks: removing dirt, applying even coats of chemical and having an accurate water pressure.

We'd recommend updating your existing wash equipment if it is getting old, and be sure to purchase the right kind of equipment to match the chemistry you plan to use.

Chemistry Concerns? Ask Us - Turtle Wax Pro

We have over 75 years of car care, chemistry knowledge, and decades of supporting car wash businesses of all types. Turtle Wax Pro and our parent company, Transchem Group have seen it all.

The chemistry your wash uses must be unique to your situation, your location, your car wash and your desired finished product. An experienced supplier like Turtle Wax Pro, will ensure exceptional results with cutting edge chemistry, while being cost effective, to keep your business washing for years to come.

We also have numerous other product lines such as our full Line of AutoLux products, for more conservative pricing options or private labeling, to truly make your wash unique.

If you have any questions about car wash chemistry in general, or any specific supplier or chemical inquires, contact us anytime. We love to chat about anything in the car wash industry, and that includes chemistry!

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If you're running a car wash business, you may want to start offering a car wash membership option to your customers.

Memberships and subscriptions have become a popular method of purchasing products and services and it works especially well for car washes. Car owners love to see a clean car, they need to wash it consistently.

What are Car Wash Memberships?

Memberships are subscription plans that give customers access to discounted car washes.

With a membership, a large number of washes can be had on a month-to-month basis for one fair price.

If a car wash business has multiple locations, customers may even be able to get their cars cleaned at multiple convenient locations.

Most car washes offer different tiers of membership, so customers can choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget. Some memberships may allow for multiple vehicles to be cleaned.

Win-Win for both Consumers and Car Washes

Wash memberships are a win-win situation for both you and your customers.

An option for membership will bring higher guaranteed revenue to your car wash and allow you to retain customers.

For car owners, car wash subscriptions are a great option if they like their vehicle to be cleaned regularly. They can start saving money on their car washing and make the process more convenient.

What do Customers get with their Membership?

When customers join a monthly membership, they get access to discounted washes.

Depending on the plan they select, they may also receive additional benefits like free vacuums, waxing, or interior detailing services.

Some memberships even include an unlimited number of car washes for one low price.

Unlimited Washes (Or Many)

While not all wash memberships will offer unlimited washes, it is a fantastic way for customers to keep their vehicles clean by having multiple washes for a lower price than paying separately.

Unlimited club membership is often the most popular option because it gives customers access to as many car washes as they need for one low price.

Loyalty Offers

Many wash memberships include loyalty offers for customers who use the service frequently.

These offers can range from discounts on additional services to free car washes after a certain number of visits.

With these offers, customers can save even more money on their car wash services.

Convenience

Car wash subscriptions offer the ultimate convenience for customers who use the service often.

Customers can simply show up and activate their wash with their monthly membership rather than having to pre-pay again each time.

No Commitment

Since most wash memberships are month-to-month, there is no long-term contract for customers.

Car Washed at a Reduced Price

Paying for an individual car wash will cost much more than the low monthly price of a membership.

This is the biggest benefit for customers who are looking for frequent washes.

Exclusive Perks

Another option is to offer exclusive perks to members. Shorter lines, free towels for drying, an online account, interior cleaning, spot-free rinse or discounts on additional services are all great incentives for customers to join.

Why your Car Wash should Offer Memberships

Offering a car wash membership program can help your business stand out from the competition.

Customers are always looking for ways to save money. Offering a discounted rate on car washes is an easy way to do that.

Plus, memberships give customers access to exclusive offers and deals. This provides added value for customers and keeps them coming back to your wash location.

A car wash membership program is a great way to reward loyal customers and attract new ones. It's also an easy way for you to increase revenue and grow your business.

Retained Consumers

When customers sign up for a car wash subscription, they are given a large number of washes (or an unlimited wash count), this ensures that they keep coming to only your car wash.

As customers use your wash, they will become accustomed to the good wash quality, friendly staff and great customer service. This will make them less likely to cancel their membership.

Additional Services

Whether it is discounted higher tiers of wash packages, interior cleaning or unlocking free vacuums, customers signing up for a membership will be more likely to pick up additional services.

Abusing The Membership

When customers sign up for a membership, they are much less likely to abuse the service. Memberships make it easier to track usage and ensure that customers are not overusing their benefits. Some owners are worried about customers overusing their wash or using it for something other than personal use.

However, having a membership system in place makes it much easier to monitor usage and prevent this kind of behavior. You can also set limits like 1 wash per day to prevent abuse.

Turtle Wax Pro recommends most people wash their cars about once per week. With this cadence, a wash membership will be very profitable.

Advertising your Car Wash Membership

Advertising is an important part of any business, and when you roll out your wash memberships, you will want to be sure all your current and potential consumers are aware of it.

There are many different ways to get the message across. Social media, radio, billboards, local signage, and flyers.

Choosing a variety of these methods will help a wide range of people have the chance to see your advertisement.

When advertising your membership, be sure to include the unique benefits they will gain by becoming a member, which will increase the likelihood of them signing up or even contacting you for more information.

Contact Turtle Wax Pro and Transchem Group for all your Car Wash Needs

With decades of experience supplying car washes with the best chemistry on the market and supporting them in their success of car washing, we understand how valuable memberships can be.

If you have questions about your car wash's membership options or anything else related to the car wash industry, get in touch with us!

In the dynamic world of car wash chemicals, there are endless options to choose from. However, one brand has stood the test of time as the most recognized name in car washing, Turtle Wax. We, at Turtle Wax Pro, carry that prestige into car wash businesses all around the world. This write up will be to highlight two of our most iconic products, FIRE & ICE.

History of Fire and Ice in Turtle Wax Pro

The saga of Fire and Ice can be first found in Turtle Wax's release, ICE®, a groundbreaking clear polish, introduced in 2006. It signalled Turtle Wax's expansion into a new realm of surface protectants and shine products. This product range rapidly gained popularity for its effectiveness and ease of use, and has been moved into an entire product line that performs well for the brand even to this day.

Upon Turtle Wax Pro's introduction in 2013, ICE® Instant Shine™ was formulated to carry the existing brand image but for car washes. ICE® Instant Shine™ is a stand out finishing product that protects vehicles from harsh weather conditions while delivering maximum shine in the process.

In a move to create a yin and yang complement within their product lineup, Turtle Wax Pro introduced FIRE. This product was designed to be a perfect pair with ICE® as it adds to the comprehensive car wash solutions we offer. FIRE comes in two forms, Bath and Wax, that offer thorough cleaning and a stunning wax finish.

What Makes FIRE & ICE So Special?

There are a few main reasons why FIRE & ICE are so well received by our distributors, customers, operators and partners. For starters, they do an exceptional job at cleaning and making vehicles sparkle.

Fire Clean & Protect

Fire Bath is formulated to create a dense and visually appealing foam that is exceptional at deep surface cleaning.

With slightly low pH, Fire Bath holds up in less-than-ideal water conditions to provide a fantastic foam quality, without using additional chemicals.

The anionic charge present in Fire Bath is perfect for lifting large particulate soils at the start of a wash while enhancing foam and lubricity, allowing for less detergent later in the wash process!

Fire Wax is a carnauba wax based product designed to deliver an impressive shine and hydrophobic (water-wicking) capabilities!

Also known for its visual and olfactory experience, Fire Wax can be paired with various other surface protectant products, ICE included.

ICE® Instant Shine™

Ice® complements its counterpart by focusing on a radiant shine and lasting impression.

It enhances water repellency through advanced sheeting technology produced by bonding polymers that work to adhere and bind with the particles on the vehicle’s surface. A hydrophobic barrier is created which aids in the rapid removal of water and protection of the surface from harsh weather conditions.

Marketing Power of FIRE & ICE Products

The marketing of Fire and Ice is a reflection of Turtle Wax Pro's understanding of the car care industry. These products are not just sold; they're presented as difference makers for anyone who wants a great looking vehicle. Their branding resonates with all kinds of car owners, positioning them as high-end, must-have products in the market.

Another element of FIRE & ICE's success is its marketing ability. With endless attractive eye catching marketing materials (banners, arches, signs, sell sheets and more!), visual prowess of red and blue colours and irresistible scents (creamsicle chill, cool mango, cinnamon and raspberry inferno), these products make a name for themselves.

Whether a new customer sees the on-site marketing or they get to see FIRE & ICE in action, they will be sure to make repeat visits and tell people they know about the wash experience they just had.

Encouraging Upgrades with FIRE & ICE

One of the strategic advantages of Fire and Ice in a professional setting is their ability to upsell services. Their reputation and results make them an easy sell to customers looking for an upgrade in their car care routine. Professionals can leverage these products to enhance their service offerings, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and business growth.

One of the largest questions a car wash operator may have is, how they can encourage customers to upgrade their wash package to higher tiers. A major strategic advantage of utilizing effective and highly marketable products is their ability to catch the eye of consumers and give them a reason to choose a higher tier of a car wash.

The reputation and results that FIRE & ICE carry make it an option many of our clients use to encourage customers to spend more at their wash. Bringing you more revenue and a higher margin of profit than utilizing other car wash chemicals.

How can you Upsell with FIRE & ICE

Educate customers on why these products work so well.

• Highlight the benefits they receive by choosing the wash packages with these chemicals.
• Showcase the difference with visuals, perhaps on screens or online.

Tiered Pricing

• Having separate tiers with each providing different value can effectively breakdown the offerings for consumers. This way they can make the informed choice in moving up in tiers.

Seasonal Conditions

• Depending on where you operate, you may be able to highlight advantages of Fire & Ice in different seasons. Such as protection from various weather concerns like road salt.

Use of Subscriptions or Membership Programs

• Offering your wash services in a subscription based system can offer many benefits for both you and your consumers such as reoccurring revenue and unlimited washes.
• Focusing solely on upgrading, customers can choose a higher wash tier at a much more affordable price by paying monthly for their membership rather than purchasing the higher tiers individually each time.

Leverage both Digital and Traditional Marketing Methods

• Share your flagship product offerings on online, your website and brand your car wash with appopriate signage and related materials so customers know what you sell and are enticed to try it! 
• Fire & Ice are highly marketable products and all washes should leverage it when looking to upsell it as a service.

Plethora of Marketing Materials to Choose From!

To match the marketing power, there has tons of different marketing materials that can be used by both wash operators in promoting Fire & Ice and encouraging consumers to choose the higher wash packages. These can be found in both separate Fire and Ice® branding and even combination pieces.

Some examples are:

• Banners
• Windmasters
• Drum covers and wraps
• Gate signs
• Pennants
• Pylon signs, sleeves and cones
• Teardrop signs
• 3D Antenna signs

Plus, we're happy to work with you on custom orders to create a unique experience for you and your consumers. Co-branding is an especially great way to build your own car wash's name while simultaneously using our 97% brand recognition to catch the eye of consumers.

INTERESTED IN FIRE & ICE? CONTACT TURTLE WAX PRO!

They are some of our most iconic products for good reason. Fire & Ice is a pair of revolutionary car wash chemicals that can make a tremendous difference in quality, branding, and profit margins for any car wash.

Contact us if you want to try FIRE & ICE in your car wash and see the difference it can make in elevating your business and separating yourself from the competition!

Every car wash ultimately has the same goals of producing the perfect wash, resulting in loyal, happier customers, and making a great profit.

However, the perfect wash business does not come easily, and there are many factors that need to be met first.

We have talked about some of these previously, most notably car wash chemicals (check out our blog archive)!

But one significant aspect of having a great car wash is knowing the importance of training for your staff. For instance, it is very important for car wash staff to know exactly how to use the specific products, equipment, promote and upsell wash packages, and be able to tackle unique car and customer situations.

Training Geared for your Team

The perfect training regiment comes down to understanding your specific wash facility and ensuring your team knows exactly how to use their tools to their greatest potential. It also supports developing new skills to build the business, plus improving the wash experience for customers.

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Achieving the perfect wash

The car wash process may look simple from the outside, and as any and all experienced car wash owners or workers would know, it is complex and can change on many small factors.

Your wash quality can differ from many different aspects such as water quality, equipment types, chemicals, and much more. If one factor stops working well, the whole wash operation can suffer.

This is precisely the reason that your staff must know the ins and outs of their tools, to be sure the best car wash can be achieved. This can be achieved with regular training, equipment upkeep, and fine tuning.

Effective training is not an easy feat to accomplish, and can be a big time commitment, but you will want to be sure to do so to make your business a success. Hopefully, you have a strong supplier (like us!) who can help car wash operators in their training efforts, and take some of the burden off their shoulders.

The Car Washing Industry is a competitive one, and every advantage is key

Training your team in how to upsell wash packages, set customers onto a loyalty program, maintain equipment, manage a backroom safely, and other necessary skills will ensure you are making steps to improve your business, and get ahead of the competition. Every advantage your car wash can get should be taken within such a competitive industry.

Car Wash Training: How To Do So Effectively

The best way to train your staff is to make it a priority, not only for new hires, but to build skills across your team. Taking the time and ensuring it gets done will pay off down the road when wash results, customer satisfaction, and hopefully profits have improved.

There are numerous different types of training areas and techniques that can be used to help your team learn the ins and outs of the business.

A big asset for you here is your car wash supplier, who should act as your partner to help you get ready and best situated in using their products.

The Importance of Chemical Training

Managing carwash chemicals is a huge aspect of any car wash business. This is why you will need to understand the wash process that makes cleaning successful, and how to properly and safely harness chemistry for best results. Work with your chemistry manufacturer or distributor with their expertise on the product line.

They can teach you which chemistry combinations will perform optimally at your location, show cost-per-car analysis methods, and how to dilute, monitor and manage chemistry for the best car wash performance.  

Understanding and managing carwash chemicals and how to optimize them will have your team ensuring it is bringing out your wash's best results.

The Importance of Equipment Training

Whether a tunnel, in-bay automatic or self-serve, knowing how to best utilize, set up, and maintain your equipment will prove to be invaluable to your total car wash success as it can make a large difference in your end results. A car wash business utilizes a lot of different operational equipment ranging including water softeners, conveyor belts, payment systems, robust tunnel systems and dryers and much, much more. All are vital pieces that must be running smoothly.

Knowing how to do some repairs and regular maintenance is a much needed skill as you want to have as little downtime as possible, (also getting your business back running as fast as possible).

Having team members who understand general and tunnel equipment maintenance, including basic repairs, managing equipment performance optimization and the electrical components controller, preventative maintenance techniques, or a just general equipment overview are a few examples of important skills in a successful car wash. Reaching out for support from suppliers with up to date knowledge can be a great first step in gaining a thorough understanding of the systems in your wash.

Hands-On Experience

Offering your staff practical hands-on workshops, especially if new to the industry, is a great option for a car wash operator to build success for his business. It can be led by a visiting product representative, if related to a specific chemical line or piece of equipment. For more specific training to a particular car wash, often car wash owners can train their teams in any educational gaps they perceive. Training can even be led by a more experienced staff member during non-peak or off-hours, ensuring that your team is comfortable, competent and safe in handling large machinery or commercial chemicals. Distributing this practical knowledge will be essential especially if more experienced staff are not available, or move on to a new company.

Other Training Areas  

There are many more aspects to a car wash than just chemicals or equipment. Training must be done for other areas such managing inventory, operational, finances, marketing and customer service, which are some broad areas that will need to be part of any business. More specifically, inventory management, effective budgeting, and people management are examples of skills that will acted in your business. Teaching your staff to upsell products to customers, educate them on premium wash packages, and encourage visitors to join a loyalty program can be of huge value to a car wash business as well, encouraging a more reliable income with higher profit margins.

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Turtle Wax Pro can help you Train

Your car wash supplier is a powerful asset that can help get your team up to speed quickly and easily on car wash methods, products, and more (we have a blog detailing the importance of your car wash supplier).

Here at Turtle Wax Pro, we have a strong focus in ensuring our clients and partners have training resources that will help their staff use our chemicals more effectively. Our biggest tool for car washing facilities is our exceptional Training tool, FREE and available online for all our customers:

TWP LEARN: Turtle Wax Pro's Online Learning Center

Turtle Wax Pro not only is premium car wash chemistry, with exceptional marketing and branding advantages, but also offers exclusive online training in subjects across the car wash industry.

This is because we understand the importance behind providing training to car wash staff: your car wash can thrive and employees can become actual car wash professionals.

Simple and Convenient Training

This tool is so easy for car washes to use for training their teams, as they can use any device at any time to complete online courses and quizzes. Participants will receive a solid education and certificates at the end of each of the training courses. This saves time for car washing operations as they don't need to build and execute fancy training seminars, and best of all, it's FREE for our customers and their staff.

Over 20 Hours of Video Content

From learning about the five factors of car wash, the chemistry of cleaning, to marketing with the Turtle Wax Pro brand, chemical setups, cost-per-car analysis, titration, advanced car wash knowledge and much more, TWP Learn has content plans for all skill levels.

How Training can Help your Car Wash Business

The importance of training your staff should not be understated, as it can be the difference between a good car wash and a great one. A well-trained team will know how to use their tools better than anyone else, meaning they can provide a higher quality finished product and happier customers, helping your business stand out from the rest!

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Contact Turtle Wax Pro for your Car Wash Success

Training is just one facet of the car wash world that we strive to help our clients with.

Turtle Wax Pro is one of the most recognized car wash brands in the world for a good reason, we have over 75 years of car care experience and decades in providing national carwash solutions (and international) to car wash industry operators and businesses.

Contact us if your business could use some better support whether that be with your chemicals, marketing, or training.