Carwash Specialists Blog

For Sale: MAGIC SPRAY 2000

2012-05-02T15:03:00.001-04:00

Manufactured 2001

For Sale: Magic Spray 2000

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Contact Us for Pricing and Installation

Options:

(2)- 10 HP stationary side blowers (not oscillating)
Tri foam system
Oscillating side blasters
Two step low-pressure soap delivery
Low-pressure wax delivery
Soap tank heaters
Automatic soap and wax porportiners
(3)- 2 HP Goulds pumps
Cat 3535 high pressure pump
Weep freeze protection
Track heat circulator system

This machine was completely refurbished by a factory authorized Magic Wand dealer in 2008.
NEW parts installed in 2008:

Breakaway wand carriage ($4,000)
All control wires
Entry wheel wash system (tire cleaner)
Bay floor equipment ($2,000) includes:
- Yellow guide rails
- Under-spray pipes (3)
- Floor switches (4, tape type)
- Gantry travel track with stainless steel pipes
- Proximity switches and boxes

Also included is a Hamilton ACW 4 auto-cashier, refurbished in 2008.

Includes:
Mars validator upgrade
Credit card retro kit installed in 2008
Accepts $1, $5, quarters or dollar coins and tokens

This machine was restored to perfect working order in 2008 and has realized limited use since that time. The Cat 3535 pump has never needed rebuilding and the Goulds pumps are all original and look and perform flawlessly. The associated wall plates (tri foam, tire cleaner and low pressure soaps) have never leaked significantly and look and perform as new.

Foam Brush Boom

2011-12-22T15:04:00.001-05:00

Check-out Our Christmas and New Year Special!

New - Stainless Steel Foam Brush Boom

This boom is for a hand-bay Car Wash. It can be mounted on either side of the bay wall. We currently have Six (6) booms in-stock for this sale. Act now to take advantage of the sale!!

Sale Price: $200 each

with Free Shipping anywhere in the Continental U.S.

Regular price $305.19 plus shipping

Click here to view the sale!

CHARLIE’S HELPFUL HINT:

2011-11-09T12:11:00.002-05:00

As it’s again about time for ice - a few things to think about:
Let’s check out the freeze/weep system. If you have an old style plain thermostat, just turn it up to above ambient temperature.

Thermostat:

For instance, if it’s 60°F do the following:

Turn it to 70°F or 80°F
Turn the water/freeze on
Begin checking each bay individually
Adjust each bay’s metering valve
Once each bay is flowing properly, reset thermostat to about 36°F

Don’t try to make it good for the coldest night in January. Make it good for a “Fall Mode” - say down to low 20°F. If your system has a Weep Mizer simply unplug it from wall receptacle, to get into weep adjust mode. When finished with check out and adjustments, replug Weep Mizer and run through the program to be sure it’s programmed the way you want it..................... More “winterize” details later.

Weep Mizer

If you have any trouble, send me an email info@carwashspecialists.com

Thanks,
Charlie

Refurbished Fragramatics Vacuum and Scent Machine - FV3: Accepts Coins and Tokens

2011-10-17T14:00:00.000-04:00

This is a Refurbished Fragramatics Combo Vacuum and Shampoo Machine. It is a stand-alone unit and comes with three gallons of the scent of your choice and locks.

Each function has been thoroughly tested and repaired as needed. This special advertised price for this one machine includes a 6 months warranty on parts and 6 months warranty on labor if we install it.

Features

Vacuum and three fragrance selections
Internally lighted dome
Computer LED timer scrolls instructions and messages
Extra-time and last-coin-alert beepers
UV protected graphics
Easy-clean filter bag system
Fragra-flex dispensing hose
Multi-coin acceptor
Debris catcher

Price: $2459 (Click for more info) *Plus Freight

Contact us today, we have two available at this price and it will not last. Compare to $5495.00 new.

Price does not include Freight.
Call for Freight charges.

Let’s Spruce Up for Fall...........

2011-09-07T15:33:00.000-04:00

Add a little Perk to your customers by giving them a Great Fall Special - Here are a few suggestions:

“Free Vac for a Day”

“1/2 Price on their Hand Bay Wash”

“$1.00 off on their Automatic Car Wash”

If you have some other great ideas let us know..

www.carwashspecialists.com

OH MY, IT’S HOT!!!

2011-08-29T11:33:00.000-04:00

No matter where you look at the weather forecast in the USA, it is HOT!!

Now the economy is having another downturn…………. Our Leaders do not seem to know how to lead……….. It is enough to discourage the most ardent worker – But do not give up.

We, the Small Business People, do know what to do, and what our Business needs -
More Business………..

What can you do in this environment? You can still get out there and let people know that you know what “Value” means. Give them a car wash that not only gives them a “Good Wash”, but “Value”. Let them know that you “Value Them”. Make their Experience at your Car Wash Friendly, Helpful, and worth the money they spend at it.

image from: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/2/2086641_23234fb0f8_o.jpg

Have your equipment in Good Shape – Take care of it. It is Time for your Winter maintenance. Yeah, I know it is HOT and you think “Old Man Winter” is far away, but it is not as far as you may think. The leaves are already turning and falling off trees, granted the heat has helped them hurry it along. It is time for “greasing gears, checking oil in your pumps, checking frayed hoses and lines, replacing those that need replacing, and is your winter system ready for the cold weather that is coming, etc. (Remember last winter we thought it would never end…….)

If you need help, and we can help, please give us a call. Helping others in this business is our specialty. We care about You and Your Bottom Line.

Car wash suspects nabbed by business owner

2011-08-10T12:06:00.001-04:00

It is always good to keep up with what is going on around your car wash. One of our car wash customers sent us this article from his local paper. He helped the police capture the individuals that had been robbing his car wash. Good job, Don, and thank you for sharing.

http://www.elberton.com/articles/2011/08/10/news/news01.txt

If you have a story of how you helped capture criminals in your area, please send us your story.

Are you ready for Summertime?

2011-05-24T09:48:00.001-04:00

What can you do to enhance your Summer business at the Car Wash?

“Customer Appreciation Days” are always a great way to bring in extra business. It gives you an opportunity to give your customers some special treatment, as well as, bring in some new customers.

Offer free or discounted car washes. If not washes, then free vacuum use for a day. Maybe have giveaways, such as, soft drinks, popcorn, hot dogs, balloons, car wash vending products, etc. Maybe have a drawing for different prizes. Advertise this special day in the local paper, on your property, etc. If you can, use local teenagers for extra helpers on this day.

For example, click on the image below and check out the Customer Appreciation Day that Banyan Air Service did.

We have found that when you are generous on your “Customer Appreciation Days”, your customers appreciate it so much that they come back more often on regular days. There are some other really good ideas for Customer Appreciation Days at the website http://greatbusinessideas.wordpress.com. A lot of these ideas can be tweaked to work in the Car Wash industry.

Another way to encourage business is to celebrate or honor special people or organizations (veterans, schools, churches, etc.) on specific days.

These projects always put your name out front and let your clientele know that you care about your community.

Upcoming events:

2011-04-25T08:08:00.002-04:00

Car Care World Expo 2011

The Car Care World Expo is almost here. I am not sure if you have checked out their website lately but they have done an outstanding job getting connected online. I was impressed that they have a mobile app now to help you navigate the expo floor.

Check out the mobile app and the expo.

Happy Easter

We at Carwash Specialists wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. We hope you had a wonderful weekend and remember the reason for the season.

Jesus loves You!

Cicero, the Roman Orator, said that “to be content with what one has is the greatest and truest of riches”

2011-03-28T14:02:00.001-04:00

That can be a tough act to follow in this Rough Economy. When it seems that the “Sky is falling” to quote the little red hen. Life has its many complications, but the ingenuity of the American worker and his/her drive make the “Impossible - Possible”.

We at Carwash Specialists want to encourage all of you that when Life does throw a lot of tough curves, it can be countered with Purpose, Diligence, and Sheer Drive. Don’t Give up!

Encourage your politicians to support the “Little Man/Woman” and give us help in driving our economy up, reduce taxes, so that more jobs will be available and that banks will ease up on their restrictions on small business line of credits. We need a Friendly environment for Small Business where the jobs are…………….

How to disable your Weep Valve for the Summer

2011-03-09T14:34:00.002-05:00

Weep valves do not need to be energized all summer. Aside from inflicting unnecessary wear and tear on the valve itself, once they get older they can become hot and trip the dedicated circuit which supplies power to the automatic computer cabinet or self service controls. Yes, we have seen people experience down time and service calls because of a weep valve running during the summer.

First step for all car washes:

First, turn off the water supply to the weep valve. This usually involves a hose bib (spigot) somewhere on the pump room wall that can be found by tracing the hose connected to the valve itself. If you have self service bays and an automatic, then there are two valves and two sources of water.

Car washes with weep mizers:

If you have a Weep Mizer installed at your car wash the process is much easier. Once the water is turned off, simply unplug the weep mizer and the valve(s) will turn off.

Self service car washes with thermostats:

Again, the water supply to the weep valve must be turned off. Then the thermostat can be adjusted to the extreme position that turns the valve off. You will hear it click as you pass the ambient temperature and can feel of it or listen to it to see if the valve is on or off. Once you find “off” then turn the dial to the extreme setting (all the way up or down) without making the valve turn on again.

Magic Wand in-bay automatics with thermostats:

Magic Spray 2000 with square D computer (not a touch screen)

After shutting off the water supply, you simply remove the black wire from terminal # 207 inside the computer cabinet while leaving the orange wire intact. Incidentally, the black wire can be on either side of the terminal. The valve should now be off.

Vortex, E Series, Magic Spray 2000 with touch screen computer:

The simplest way to disable the weep valve is to remove the water weep relay located in the pump station computer cabinet. It should be clearly labeled as “water weep” and it is relay #403 on most of these machines.

Last step for all car washes:

Go out into your bays and make sure that your equipment is not weeping.

This article was written by Mitch Harper, Sales Manager for Carwash Specialists. If you would like to talk to Mitch about building a car wash or if your current car wash needs some attention just let us know.

www.carwashspecialists.com

ARE YOU READY FOR SPRING?

2011-03-08T13:48:00.001-05:00

We know that “Ole Man Winter” hasn’t left everybody yet – But hopefully soon……………. This has been a tough winter for nearly all of us, between all the snow, cold, rain, freezing, etc., etc. This means that every part of our country has been hit by some tough weather in the past 9 months, even the Deep South.
With the Sun coming out, now is the time to really check over all your equipment for breaks, leaks, etc. Grease and Oil all those gears, motors, pumps, etc. What we have also had to deal with here in Georgia and elsewhere is the damage salt has done on pavement. If you cannot afford brand new pavement, than maybe a refinishing job would be within your reach. Anything that you can do to spruce up your place, will be appreciated by your customers.
If you need help with an annual or 6 month check-up on your equipment, and you are in our service area, give us a call. Keep your chin up – things are looking up……….

Sale on Pressure Washer Trigger Gun - Para Plate 20009

2011-03-03T22:41:00.002-05:00

Check out our March sale on this Para Plate Trigger Gun. Good luck shopping!

EARLY SPRING PREDICTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-02T15:55:00.001-05:00

Well it is OFFICIAL!

Both Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil and Groundhog General Beauregard Lee are predicting an Early Spring. Neither one saw their shadow today on February 2nd.

Rarely do they agree, but this year it is unanimous.

No Shadow, therefore, Spring will be early.

We know that a lot of you are tired of the cold, ice, sleet, and snow…………But it has been great for the Car Wash Business. People want that salt off their cars.

Carwash Specialists, Inc. is here for you for all your Car Wash Needs. Give us a try at

www.carwashspecialists.com

Are You Ready for 2011??????

2010-12-23T11:24:00.001-05:00

We predict that 2011 will be a much better year for everyone in the Car Wash business and other businesses. The past few years have been very hard on all of us, but we sense a change in the Business weather.

The American People cannot be kept down very long. It is now time for all of us to stand up and be counted. We will dust off the disappointments of the past and look forward to the future with Hope and Determination to make this Nation Better and more Prosperous.

We the “Small Businessmen/women” know that the only way this Nation can turn around is by digging in and making it happen.

We can DO IT AMERICA!!
Put God back in your Life and Plans – and Nothing is Impossible
Happy “2011” to ALL!

God Bless America!

Carwash Specialists, Inc. is definitely looking Up – We are Proud to be Americans – We are Honored to Serve you here in the
USA.

Options for Car Washes

2010-09-18T10:55:00.001-04:00

Below are some examples of Magic Wand Car Washes.

We can help you build your dreams.

Click here to see more Pictures!

Social Networks

2010-09-10T14:42:00.000-04:00

We are connecting all of our Social Networks:
Facebook, Twitter, Google Buzz, and Statusnet.

Watch for updates soon...

It’s Time to do your Winter Maintenance on your Car Wash

2010-09-01T14:09:00.001-04:00

Fall is approaching and Winter is not far behind.

Have you done your Winterizing? If not, now is the time to check out your systems to be sure everything is prepared for the coming Cold. It is a whole easier to do it now, than when there is ice and/or snow on the ground.

Things to check out:

Do you have an anti-freezing system installed? Is it working properly?

Greasing and/or Oiling on all movable parts

Changing oil in your pumps

Checking out your belts and hoses – watch out for fraying, cracking, etc. Replace those that are not up to par.

Are your soaps and/or chemicals only for Summer? Summer soaps and chemicals tend to get sludgy and not perform well in colder temperatures.

Check out your insulation on your water and chemical lines.

Is your Equipment room insulated, do you have some heat available to help combat freezing?

Doors on Automatic Car Washes should be checked for problems – do they close and open properly without interfering with your equipment?

Rust can be a serious problem at car washes….so much water and chemicals. Brass fittings are best, but even those wear out and crack. Check your fittings where possible for problems.

Don’t have Time to do your Maintenance?

That’s what we are here for. If you are in our Service Area we would be glad to do your maintenance. We specialize in maintaining and protecting your investment, so that you will have less down times due to worn out equipment or parts. We specialize in Magic Wand and Hamilton Equipment, however we have worked with other manufacturers, too.

Check out our Website: www.carwashspecialistS.com

Email us: info@carwashspecialistS.com

Want an Automatic Touchless Car Wash Bay, But don’t have the room? or the Big Bucks?!!!

2010-05-27T13:23:00.000-04:00

Why don’t you Convert one of your Hand Bays into a Touchless Automatic?

A Magic Wand “E” Series Touchless Automatic can usually be installed in an existing hand bay.

This will usually increase your Revenue by 400% or more for the bay that it replaces. In addition to increased revenue, this gets you a new clientele of customers. This will also increase your revenue from your Vacs, Venders, etc.

This Investment can pay great dividends, and sharpen up your shop. The Change-over and installation can usually be done for under $100K compared to the installation of a larger automatic requiring all special wiring, buildings, and a whole lot more moolah. We can do it for you – Lock and key, if you are in our area. Give us a Call, we’ll help you get going to being the owner of a brand new Magic Wand Touchless Automatic.

We do offer larger Magic Wand Automatics and would be very happy to give you a quote on any of those models.

We sell Magic Wand car wash equipment (self service bay equipment, Magic Spray Touchless - “E” Series Touchless - Vortex Touchless Automatic Car Washes, Tunnels, Truck Hand Bay Washes and Truck automatic Car Washes, etc.) chemicals, supplies and parts; Hamilton Mfg coin machines of all types (changers, auto cashiers, POS systems, etc.); Fragramatics vacuums and combo-vacs; Venders and vending supplies; Diskin Systems Bay Dryers; National Pride dog washes and chemicals; anything that a car wash needs, we sell it. If we don’t have it in stock we will do our best to get it for you at the best possible price.

Mother Nature has been on a rampage lately………

2010-05-10T16:30:00.001-04:00

We here in Georgia want our neighbor states to know that we are praying for you during your struggles with the tornados, rain & wind storms, and now the big Oil Spill.

Running a car wash you can have a lot of empathy for your fellow car washers, that have had to struggle with the droughts of last year and water shortages. A few years back our neighbors in South Georgia had to deal with the flooding that Tennessee and Kentucky are suffering with now. Homes, businesses, and jobs were lost due to droughts, floods, tornadoes, and of course to the Economy.

As self-service car wash owners and a Car wash equipment, service, & supply owners we can see both sides of the picture. We want our customers to succeed. Because if they succeed than we succeed. What better way to know what our customers need than to be a customer yourself.

We know what it is like to look at the sky and see rain. We know what it is like to look at the pollen falling, and although you are sneezing, coughing and sputtering like the rest, you are so thankful for the drop of a coin in your meter box. One of our customers told us recently that we must be getting “Rich”, but in reality we were so glad to be able to pay some of those bills that were hanging around and catching up on other things.

We here at Carwash Specialists, Inc. want to help you make a profit and we work with you, because we care about you and your success.

We sell Magic Wand car wash equipment (self service bay equipment, Magic Spray automatic Car Washes, Vortex Car Washes, Tunnels, etc.) and supplies; Hamilton Mfg coin machines of all types (changers, auto cashiers, POS systems, etc.); Fragramatics vacuums and combo-vacs; Venders and vending supplies; Diskin Systems Bay Dryers; National Pride dog washes and chemicals; anything that a car wash needs, we sell it. If we don’t have it in stock we will do our best to get it for you at the best possible price.

We Service everything that we sell and sometimes things that we don’t sell within in the State of Georgia, or within a 150-200 mile radius of our shop.

POLLEN SEASON IS HERE!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-19T12:04:00.001-04:00

Now is the time to make a “Great Impression” on your customers. No other time in the year do you have as many customers coming in so regularly. Keep your carwashes fine-tuned and don’t cheat on the soap. We know that times have been hard on the Carwash Owners and they have had to be very careful to hold down costs. However this is a great time for catch up, but it is also a great opportunity to gain new customers. If your shop is kept up, running well, and serviced well; new customers will be back when the pollen disappeared. Remember the rule, “customers are always right”. A customer that is treated right will become a “loyal customer” and tell their friends your carwash is the place to wash their car. A customer that is treated badly will become one who is advertising to their friends what shabby treatment they got and don’t go there.

We at Carwash Specialists want to help you make that “Great Impression”. We have expertise in all avenues of the self-serve car wash business. We also sell tunnels for those who want to have more than a self-serve business. Our soaps are EPA approved and work well in all equipment. By being a Magic Wand distributor we can also sell Blendco soaps to Magic Wand Georgia customers and also to any new customers.

Why don’t you give us a call today? Check out our website for all our information. We will be glad to give you customer references to check out our services. Hope to hear from you soon……….

Thank you.

Spring Time is Here

2010-03-29T13:29:00.001-04:00

Just when we think spring is here, old man winter shows up again and usually brings wind and rains with him. Unfortunately, his rains tend to occur more during the weekend. This, coupled with the financial crisis this nation is facing, is most challenging for us in the car wash industry. That said, pollen season is well on its way. From my observations at our car wash and reports from other owners, customers are dutifully washing their cars when the weather permits. So, when the pollen storm arrives, I anticipate its impact will be as good as any of the years past. Yellow will be yellow, and people will not have it on their cars.

One of the most important things springtime and pollen season bring to your car wash is new customers. This is the time to impress them and make them want to come back. So, this is not a time to skimp on soap. People know when they are getting good soap, and it is mostly what they are buying from us. My recommendation to all car wash owners is to make absolute sure that each bay and automatic is putting on a show. Also, it is time to replace old guns, brushes and vacuum hoses. I know times are hard, but it is also the time to impress and reach out to people within your market that may never give you another chance.

I sincerely hope that each and every one of you enjoys great financial rewards this spring. We all need some good fortune for a change.

Mitch

Winter Specials

2010-02-03T16:58:00.001-05:00

Refurbished Magic Wand Equipment:

Self Service Bay Equipment:

We have available 1- 4 Bays of Self Service Magic Wand Bay Equipment with high pressure and low pressure systems complete.

Can include all new Bay equipment or partly refurbished Bay equipment with all accessories.

Can install or deliver within a 150 mile radius of Clarkesville, GA.

Call for Winter Prices

– Don’t Forget - It’s time to make plans for Pollen Season. -

January 2010 update

2010-01-25T12:07:00.001-05:00

2010, as young as it is, has brought some rewards and challenges to those in the car wash industry. The snow in early January and the subsequent salt and gravel on the roads boosted incomes at most of the washes in our area. But, about the same time, we experienced a prolonged period of below freezing temperatures. Our neighbors to the North may laugh that we cannot handle the cold, but, truth is, we are not near as prepared for it as they may be. We do not have doors on our automatics or floor heat, nor do we have sophisticated blow down systems. Instead, our moderate temperatures allow us to operate without such systems. We are able to handle intermittent subfreezing temperatures quite well with Weepmizers and track heaters. The problem with the recent weather pattern was that the temperature remained below freezing for about a week.

Most of our customers handled the challenge very well. I know of only two automatics that were down for the duration and some hand bays that were closed. The problem proved to be that if something froze, there was not much hope of thawing it out until the weather broke. Charlie and I spent a lot of time each morning digging the automatics out of the ice each morning. The oscillators on the Vortex would have so much ice around them that they could not operate and the floor switches would be under about a four inch layer. It was hard work, but we kept them running the entire time and generated the best income we have seen in a while.

I periodically try to give our website visitors a helpful tip to assist in their everyday car wash operations. This tip may be too little too late, but proper maintenance of the weep system and other freeze protection systems is paramount. The biggest problem that I saw was inadequate flow from the weep. If a Weepmizer is not utilized, then the amount of weep must be regulated according to temperature. A little weep is good for the normal cold nights and warmer days, but more weep is needed for temperatures in the lower 20’s and below. The amount of weep we set when we are adjusting them is just not enough for frigid weather. Also on a graduated scale is the amount of recirculating required for the automatic soaps. Again, it should be heavier than normal when temperatures drop.

Aside from the excitement the cold weather brought, the revenue generated by the snow was outstanding. Our wash had the best week we have seen since 2007! I hope this is indicative of times to come. Sometimes the weather works for us, but for the last year it has been very discouraging to have rain on what seems like every weekend. I like to think that the car wash industry is somewhat recession proof since there are lots of people who will not drive a dirty car. I just wish we could make it weatherproof!

Good washing.

Mitch

Greetings Car Washers

2009-11-17T14:11:00.001-05:00

Carwash Specialists, Inc. is about to wrap up our second year in our reorganization. We have spent most of the year refurbishing and upgrading existing washes, although we have had some new equipment sales. The industry as a whole continues to experience hard times and there is not much new construction going on (which is good for you guys already in the business).

We have added several accounts from owners who have bought existing washes. These guys know who they are, and they would not mind me saying that the washes were ROUGH! They only had “stragglers” for clientele and short receipts. But, all of them have turned around and are doing a satisfactory amount of business and generating revenue with relatively modest renovations. One of them says he is constantly thanked for getting the soap to come out of the wand. His biggest problem was soap concentration and/or bad soap. We find it hard to work there now because customers are constantly pulling in wanting to wash.

It is sad to think that someone was so burned out (or something) with the car wash business that they would let things get that way and miss out on the potential that the site had. I guess that this should be a lesson for us that if we get burned out or have had it up to our necks with these Mudders (yes, deer season is here, if you haven’t noticed!).

We are still in the business of offering a service to the public and we owe it to them and ourselves to keep our systems working properly. Sure, new paint would be nice, but sometimes even a total facelift will not make up for that one bad experience when a customer could not get soap out of the wand or the brush would not foam. Also, keeping a run down car wash invites a new investor to consider putting a new wash in your market. Point is, don’t let the slow times get you down and loose control of your wash. Little problems can pile up and more than once I have seen a wash get so far down that it is not financially feasible to start it up again. Or, the owner has gotten so frustrated that he threw in the towel and filled his pits with concrete.

Times are tough for a lot of us, but most people are chugging along and making it. We continue to offer full support of washes of all types, and we are in most areas of the state weekly. Magic Wand is developing a soft cloth wash and is introducing its new transformer tunnel system in a couple of months. They have taken the slow time to focus on research and development, and we should see the results in trade magazines at the beginning of the year.

Thanks, Mitch