Professional Carwashing & Detailing

16/07/2025

Are German paints really different? YES, they are. But why?
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Because German paints use a “solvent package” (mix of base solvents) that cannot be used in the U.S. due to regulations dictated by the Clean Air Act and administered by the Federal EPA regarding solvent emissions.

What you should know about German paint finishes:

Is the difference between U.S. and German paint finishes important to professional detailers?

14/07/2025

PC&D WeekEND Review: Autobell Creek Walk Cleanup, Giant Eagle WetGo Sale
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This WeekEND Review spotlights environmental action, business strategy and leadership insight from Express Wash Concepts. Also, the Autobell Creek Walk cleanup removed 450 pounds of waste from a Charlotte stream, and Giant Eagle has sold it’s GetGo fuel and WetGo carwash assets.

Autobell Car Wash Creek Walk cleanup yields 450 pounds of waste.
Autobell Car Wash team members completed the latest Autobell Creek Walk cleanup initiative in Charlotte, North Carolina, this week. 27 volunteers from the home office and 10 local wash locations cleaned Autobell’s adopted section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway.

Giant Eagle exits fuel, carwash operations in Circle K parent company deal.
Giant Eagle has sold its GetGo gas stations and WetGo carwash locations to the parent company of Circle K, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. The deal includes nearly 270 sites across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana.

Express Wash Concepts CEO talks workplace culture on Wash Talk podcast.
The newest “Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast” episode features Express Wash Concepts CEO John Roush. Host Rich DiPaolo interviews Roush about how EWC manages five carwash brands while adapting to different regional markets. Roush also discusses EWC’s award-winning workplace culture, which earned local recognition this year for multiple brands.

09/07/2025

2025 is halfway gone—has your carwash strategy kept up? Discover the top shifts reshaping the industry in the second half of the year: https://bit.ly/4ky3UfM

How top operators adapt their carwash business strategy as industry consolidation and operational demands increase.

07/07/2025

Free Webinar – Part 7 of Our 12-Part Series!
Join us Wednesday June 9th at 2pm ET we'll cover common wear-and-tear issues, diagnostic approaches, and service opportunities.
Register now: https://bit.ly/42ksdH0

30/06/2025

PC&D WeekEND Review: CYBER Express Wash Grand Opening, Links Car Wash President
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This WeekEND Review highlights CYBER Express Wash’s carwash grand opening in Alaska, a new president at Links Car Wash and the latest episode of “Wash Talk” with Amplify Capital Group.
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CYBER Express Wash hosts express carwash grand opening in Anchorage
CYBER Express Wash officially opened its first express location in Anchorage, Alaska, with an express carwash grand opening celebration. The company invited community leaders, media and investors to a private ribbon-cutting ceremony and car show. Guests also took an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the high-tech facility during the grand opening.
CYBER donated event proceeds to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska to support youth mentorship in the community. The new Anchorage site created over 90 jobs and significantly boosted the local economy.

Links Car Wash Appoints New President to Drive Growth
Links Car Wash named Matt Pickelsimer as its new president to lead the company’s growth and customer strategy. Pickelsimer brings over 20 years of leadership experience in carwash, convenience store and restaurant operations. He previously served as senior vice president at Mammoth Holdings and held executive roles at Murphy USA and 7-Eleven.
Pickelsimer plans to strengthen profitability while enhancing the customer experience across all existing and future Links locations.

Industry Insights Follow Express Carwash Grand Opening Momentum
We just released a new “Wash Talk” podcast episode focused on carwash mergers and acquisitions. Host Rich DiPaolo spoke with Jeff Pavone and Chris Jenks from Amplify Capital Group about market activity and trends. They explored a common question: Is now the right time to sell a carwash business?
Pavone and Jenks offered insights on valuation, buyer demand and economic forces influencing industry decisions. Watch the full episode here.

27/06/2025

Wash Talk: Preventive maintenance strategies with Nick Haase
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In this episode of Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast, host Rich DiPaolo talks with Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX - Work Orders and Procedure Digitization. They discuss how preventive maintenance strategies can help carwash operators minimize costly downtime and deliver consistent, high-quality service to their customers.

Haase shares how MaintainX has evolved to support carwash operators in managing their equipment and operations more efficiently. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes how maintenance can be used as a competitive advantage, helping operators stand out in a crowded market by ensuring reliability and maximizing uptime.

The discussion also addresses the concept of the “downtime trap,” which Haase describes as a common pitfall for operators who delay or deprioritize maintenance until it’s too late. He offers actionable advice on how to avoid this scenario by taking a proactive approach. Haase also explains how to accurately measure the return on investment in preventive maintenance and how to gain buy-in across the organization, from leadership to frontline staff.

Turning our attention to technology, Haase outlines the benefits of using a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to streamline workflows, track performance and keep teams aligned. He shares tips on incorporating technology into maintenance programs without overwhelming technicians, and points out some of the most expensive and avoidable mistakes operators make when it comes to maintaining their systems.

23/06/2025

WeekEND Review: Sud Stop Grand Opening, Cheetah Clean Acquisitions
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This WeekEND Review highlights Sud Stop Car Wash, Cheetah Clean Auto Wash, and AquaSonic Car Wash, announcing major expansion initiatives this week. Each sustainable and eco-friendly express carwash brings new locations, technology and local engagement to North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida.

20/06/2025

Wash Talk: Catching up with Danka Dubak at AVW Equipment Co., Inc
Watch Video ➡︎ https://youtu.be/LmmjN2gjdwQ?si=or56bRw4HNVKur4I
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Rich DiPaolo talks with Danka Dubak, director of marketing for AVW Equipment Company and a third-generation member of the company’s founding family. Dubak shares how AVW has remained a leading force in the carwash equipment industry for over five decades by consistently delivering modern solutions tailored to today’s carwash operators. We explore the evolution of tunnel carwashes from AVW’s viewpoint, including the enhanced capabilities of the modern tunnel and how AVW’s “simplicity in motion” design philosophy benefits both operators and end customers.

Dubak also discusses the significant impact AVW’s belt conveyor system — first launched in 2005 — has had on the market. She walks us through the industry’s shift from roller and chain systems to belts, the operational advantages of belts, and when it may or may not be practical to adopt them.

Welcome to Wash Talk: The Carwash Podcast. In this episode, host Rich DiPaolo talks with Danka Dubak, director of marketing for AVW Equipment Company and a t...

18/06/2025

“I had seen a YouTube video that was just a gentleman showing the ins and outs of what it was like owning a self-serve carwash, and I just kind of dove in headfirst… I took some money I had saved up and acquired a loan, purchased my first carwash that was a nine-bay in the San Antonio area, and then I had no idea what I was doing.”

At just 20 years old, Jake Lamb has grown Sudsy Car Wash into a thriving seven-location brand using a touchless carwash business strategy. His approach offers powerful insights for operators seeking to stand out in a tunnel-heavy market.

Discover how Jake Lamb built seven successful locations using a touchless carwash business strategy. Learn how site cleanliness, smart renovations and operational focus can drive growth in a competitive market.

16/06/2025

PC&D WeekEND Review: DRB Sgt. Sudz carwash automation solutions merger, Autobell Make-A-Wish fundraiser
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This WeekEND Review highlights expansion in carwash automation solutions, a major fundraiser and technology innovation.
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Vontier expands carwash automation solutions through Sergeant Sudz acquisition
Vontier Corporation, parent company of DRB, acquired Sergeant Sudz LLC to enhance its carwash automation solutions portfolio. The company combined DRB’s technology with Sergeant Sudz’s MCC and industrial automation expertise to serve tunnel carwashes.
This strategic move boosts Vontier’s ability to deliver advanced automation tools across the tunnel carwash market. The acquisition unifies tunnel automation and motor control under one platform for greater operational performance. This synergy allows tunnel operators to increase productivity, use intuitive interfaces and reduce inefficiencies.
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Autobell launches Make-A-Wish fundraiser with rain repellent special
Autobell Car Wash invites customers to help children with critical illnesses through a special Make-A-Wish fundraiser. From June 16-29, Autobell will donate $1 from every rain repellent special wash to Make-A-Wish.
The fundraiser will take place at Autobell locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Customers can participate by purchasing a rain repellent special wash in-store or using the Autobell app. This initiative gives customers an easy and impactful way to support a meaningful cause.
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ModernWash CEO highlights 3D previewing tools
The latest Wash Talk podcast episode features Tim Hogue, CEO of Modernwash Buildings and Solutions. He discusses innovations in carwash design and previews the company’s Virtual Walk Thru 3D planning software.
This tool allows clients to view their future carwash building in a digital 3D environment. It also helps streamline project collaboration between business owners and construction teams.
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Be sure to watch the entire video above for more details.

13/06/2025

Wash Talk: Elevating carwash marketing with Mel Ohlinger of OhmCo
Watch here ➡︎ https://youtu.be/WtM67YqoWS4?si=Pf9FC31943mtSntV
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In this interview, Mel Ohlinger from OhmCo discusses how in-bay automatic carwashes can compete with larger chains by leveraging their unique advantages. These include lower costs, 24-hour availability, and the ability to cater to niche customers with specialized vehicles, such as motorcycles and trucks.

Mel emphasizes the power of data and social media analytics in identifying potential customers, explaining how targeted advertising can help carwashes reach specific vehicle owners within their communities. By utilizing Facebook ads and vehicle sales data, businesses can refine their marketing strategies and maximize engagement.

Mel also provides practical website best practices to enhance user experience and search engine rankings. She touches on the psychological aspects of menu design, explaining how color choices, layout simplifications and brand consistency can influence customer decisions and boost sales.

For more information, visit OhmCo.co.

In this interview, Mel Ohlinger from OhmCo discusses how in-bay automatic carwashes can compete with larger chains by leveraging their unique advantages. The...

11/06/2025

“Every product we’ve developed has been the direct result of attempting to solve a problem we experienced at our own carwashes,” — Phil Marquart, Dencar Technology.
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Find out how two carwash owners, frustrated by outdated tools and inflated prices, created a fast-growing company revolutionizing the industry:

Discover how Dencar delivers innovative carwash technology solutions to boost profits, prevent fraud and target the right customers.