A tunnel car wash is a well-known type of car wash among motorists, especially those who are always on the go. Tunnel car washes are greatly preferred by those who are busy and don’t have time to spare to visit the manual car wash. A tunnel car wash provides a convenient and seamless process, and there’s a huge market here in Canada.
If you’re looking to get started with your own tunnel car wash business, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss the basics of building a tunnel car wash and the types of equipment you will need.
Conveyors
You’ll need conveyors to pull the vehicle inside the tunnel. Conveyors are probably the most important aspect of a tunnel car wash that makes it unique because it’s primarily the equipment that significantly lightens up the workload. With conveyors, you won’t need to worry about hiring a few people to do some manual wiping, saving you not only money in the long run but also time.
That said, the upfront cost for conveyors are quite heavy on the pocket, so be sure to choose the right type that you need. We advise going for a quick release conveyor, which will allow you to replace rollers with new ones.
Curtain Setups
Of course, you can’t have a tunnel car wash if you don’t secure the cloth to wipe the cars. For that reason, you’ll need some curtains to brush, buff, and wipe the vehicle that passes through the tunnel. There are various types of curtain setups, but generally, you’ll want to get those that can cover hard-to-reach surfaces of the vehicle.
For example, you want your curtains to be able to reach your customer’s rocker panels, which are located at the bottom of the vehicle. That, however, can be difficult to pull off with normal curtain setups, but these are a lot cheaper.
Additionally, consider the lifespan of your cloth or fabric. If possible, get those that are made from microfiber for the best cleaning results.
Wax
You need to find the right wax, depending on your target market. If you’re catering to a local community whose people are only concerned about getting their car cleaned, you don’t have to invest thousands of dollars on premium wax applications. Meanwhile, if you often get customers who are looking for the best shine and gloss, consider getting premium wax. If you’re unsure, keeping both in stock is also a viable move, and doing so will allow you to give your customers more options.
Rinse Arches and Blowers/Dryers
Lastly, your tunnel car wash will need rinse arches for final rinsing and blowers and dryers for drying. Rinse arches and blowers or dryers also come in different versions, but they’re most likely just preferential. Unless you really want the best ones in the market, the common equipment will essentially perform similarly, which is great if you have a tight budget.
Conclusion
Starting a tunnel car wash business is a serious move. There are a lot of things you need to consider, and you’ll have to understand the differences between equipment types. Also, the upfront cost can be expensive. However, just like with other businesses, the payoff for getting high-quality equipment is definitely worth it.
Want to build your tunnel car wash business but don’t know where to start? We can build it for you! Contact CCWS for more information about car wash equipment and get a free quote today!
