Do you want to start a car wash business but you want to go niche and be unique? If YES, here are 37 best car wash related business ideas and opportunities.
Any thriving city would require the services of a car wash within its vicinity, especially a place with hard working progressive professionals constantly on the move, and who would not have the time to do the usual domestic or personal chores.
This is one of the reasons most people have to hire outside help for various things like cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. One of the things people would need help for is the washing and detailing of their cars.
A person may think that a car wash business simply has to do with washing cars, but there is so much more to it than that. The other major aspect of the car wash experience is that of detailing, this usually accompanies the car wash service.
If a person has their car washed and another person got their car detailed, the difference would be instantly visible. Apart from auto detailing, there are other add on services with this type of business that may be a bit extensive to cover in this article.
One may ask what the difference between car wash and auto detailing is, well there are a lot of differences, first of all when a person simply wants to wash their car, they want it washed. Even this simple work would require different levels of service, washing just the exterior, or both the exterior and interior. Sometimes the car wash service can go as far as washing what’s underneath the hood of the car.
What is Auto Detailing?
Auto detailing is the act of restoring the entire car to the state it was when it was first bought, or at least getting it to a point that is closest to that. The cleaning and polishing of both the interior and exterior of the car is more thorough in auto detailing.
Certain aspects of the car that has been damaged like scratches on the body, dents, discoloration of the paint, hard stains within the car and even little things like cracked tail lights can be fixed when auto detailing is going on.
Auto-detailing requires a little more time than just washing the car, the car is expected to stay at the shop for two hours to even a week while auto-detailing is being done. In fact, a car wash business is not complete until they have auto detailing as an option.
There are hand car wash businesses and there are machine operated car wash businesses. The machine operated wash may require lesser manpower, but it takes a lot to effectively maintain the machines and make sure that they are safe for both the clients and the operators.
Normally for a hand car wash business to be efficient there has to be multiple persons handling a single car, the basic number is 4. Below are some car wash business ideas one can establish that can help them generate profits.
Best Car Wash Business ideas
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CAR WASH BUSINESS CONSULTANT
The operation of a car wash business can be very tricky for a newbie. Some individuals who desire to go into such business may require the services of a professional car wash business consultant. Even when a car wash business is stuck in a rut, sales are not being made and revenue is no longer being generated, a car wash business consultant can offer their services in turning the dying business around.
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CAR WASH BUSINESS ONLINE DIRECTORY
Many people are looking for the car wash business that would be best for their vehicles. Some may have luxurious cars and wouldn’t want to simply drive their cars to any car wash they find on the street. The internet is a great way to make such information available to people. The car wash business online directory would have the address of each car wash and the contact phone numbers.
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CAR WASH MOBILE APPLICATION
If one is tech savvy, they can build an application for various car washes in the country. This mobile application does more than just inform the user of the various services and products available for clients.
This application can process payment for services, clients can get to follow the progress of their detailing work in real-time, from the beginning to the finishing stages. Clients can contact the company directly on certain complaints or reservations they may have. The mobile application can be downloaded to phones, tablets or other mobile devices.
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AUTOMATED CAR WASHING SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
Machine car wash runs on hardware machines that are ultimately controlled by a software within the computer. One can develop these software, specifically designed for engaging the machines that go to work when the owner drives through the line-up.
The software developer would have had to take a look at other car wash computer software to identify the various loopholes that could give him his own personal unique selling point. When he is done with creating the software, he would have to discuss with the various professionals that can help him market the software to car washes around the world.
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AUTOMATED CAR WASH SOFTWARE ADD ONS
Yes, there are car wash software that enables the machines wash cars in a drive-through car wash. This software will require updates and improvements along the way to keep them in line with the ever-changing technology. Just like any other software, the people who develop the plug-ins or add ons, do not necessarily have to be the software development company that designed the original software.
Plug ins can be made by other software development companies for an already known automated car wash software. So, one could establish his own software company to create “plug-ins” for automated car wash software around the world.
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PRIVATE AUTOMATED CAR WASH INSTALLATION
There are very important persons in the community like high level politicians, celebrities or even high-level staff of certain multinationals. That may feel safer having their cars washed at the places where they reside or even at the office.
The installation of a private automated car wash can be one of the interesting approaches to the car wash business. It doesn’t have to be as elaborate as what you would find in a drive through car wash, but it will be smart enough to fit into the environment of the client.
The software and the machines should be simple enough for one person to to handle and also maintain. This could also be great for transportation businesses, corporations with a lot of company cars, or it could even be an automated car wash for employees. Whichever way a person wants to use it, it is private and exclusive to them.
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REPAIR CAR WASH MACHINES
From time to time these machines in the automated car wash facilities malfunction. One can build a business around fixing such machines. Just any mechanic may not be able to understand the unique nature of these machines, so it may take a specialist to repair these machines when they get bad.
One of the reasons why such machines could get damaged could be wrong usage. This is why those who install machine operated car washes need to train those who would operate the machines thoroughly.
8. DO IT YOURSELF CAR WASH BLOGGER
One could set up a blog that teaches the larger public on the various intricacies of washing and detailing their cars. The blog can also have other information that are related to the industry.
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CAR WASH BUSINESS RADIO SHOW
When it comes to advertising, the radio is one of the most interesting ways to get that done. And what better place to advertise your car wash business than sponsoring a radio program about the car wash industry. It’s a very great place to advertise the business because most people listen to the radio while in their cars.
It’s uncanny because while they are sitting in their cars driving, they hear about car wash on the radio. Naturally when they need to wash their cars, they would look for the place they’ve been hearing so much about on the radio.
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AUTOMATED CAR WASH FOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS EXCLUSIVELY
Machine car wash for residential areas can be very profitable for an investor. Owners get to drive down to the car wash within the estate or residential area to get their car washed. It could be a convenient way to save up on manpower when it comes to establishing the business and of course security would be in control as less people would be needed to wash the cars.
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MOBILE CAR WASH FOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS EXCLUSIVELY
There could be one centralized car wash company within the estate or living quarters of a particular company. This car wash company could employ helpers who go from house to house washing the cars of residents who have properly registered with the service.
During registration, the clients would specify the kinds of services they want, simple car wash, more thorough car wash, detailing and so on. Whatever service they select would be the one made available to them. In a mobile car wash, the car wash personnel comes to where the client is, in this case they operate only within the living quarters, residential areas or estates.
12. CAR DETAILING VACUUM PUMP MANUFACTURER
One could manufacture the unique vacuum pumps that would do an excellent job in vacuuming the carpets, chairs and other surfaces in the car that will need this.
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MOBILE CAR WASH FOR CORPORATIONS EXCLUSIVELY
A car wash company could make an agreement with a company to provide car wash services for either the fleet of cars they have or even the cars of their employees. This is more secure as the company would have close relationships with the company that does this for them and if this service is available for their staff then it could also be one of the many incentives for workers of the company.
14. CAR WASH BUSINESS TV SHOW
They say a picture speaks a thousand words, but a video speaks a million. One could produce a television program that promotes car wash companies or a particular car wash company.
15. CAR DETAILING VACUUM PUMP DISTRIBUTOR
When any type of product is made, there is always the need to get these products across to the businesses that need it, one could specialize in distributing car detailing vacuum pumps.
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UNIQUE CAR WASHING HOSE MANUFACTURER
When it comes to the hand car wash trade, the water hose plays a strong role. There are unique hoses that can make the work a lot more efficient, one could go into manufacturing such devices.
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CAR DETAILING
When it comes to a standard car wash, in as much as the car wash is the major attraction for the business, the car detailing service can also be a strong contender with client services. Car detailing can literally restore the car to the way it was when it was first bought.
This is a very strong part of the car wash business operation, many clients may not just want their car washed, they may also want it detailed for a better-looking car.
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ORGANIZE CAR WASH EVENTS
These events would be great places for those in the industry to mingle and create stronger business connections.
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CAR WASH MANAGEMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE
When it comes to managing a car wash there are quite a number of specifics that must be paid attention to. Those who intend to function in the management position of the car wash business can attend a training program put together by an institution that specializes in training managers for this type of business. In this institute they could be taught how to manage the staff and every other aspect of the operation.
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CAR WASH AND CAR DETAILING FOR RESTAURANTS
An already established car wash can extend their services to restaurants, when customers come to eat, they can have their cars washed quickly while they enjoy a nice meal. It could be one of the interesting innovations that may cause for certain clients to come to the restaurant.
However, those who wash the cars would have to be very quick but effective as some people may not spend up to an hour at the restaurant. Of course, there would be others who would spend up to an hour or two in the restaurant for meetings and who would want their cars detailed.
21. CAR WASH SOAP DISTRIBUTOR
After such soaps are manufactured they would need to be properly distributed across the country or outside the country to the car wash businesses that need them. It is not a must that those who manufacture the product, distribute it. One could set up these supply chain networks to get these soaps across to the clients.
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CAR WASH MACHINE MANUFACTURER
The machines used in a drive through car wash are manufactured by companies around the world. One could set up such a manufacturing plant, where they would be mass produced. They would be designed, molded and assembled by the company ready to be shipped to various installers of automated car washes across the world.
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CAR WASH MACHINE SUPPLIER
After such machines are manufactured by the manufacturer they would need to be distributed around the world. One could set up a company that supplies these car wash devices to automated car washes around the world. Of course, one in this company would be able to inform the buyers of the various advantages of the numerous products out there. Providing this type of information for the clients would be an added advantage to the business.
24. CAR WASH SOAP MANUFACTURER
When it comes to washing the interior of the car, there are very specific types of soaps that will maintain the fabric or leather during and after the washing process. One could decide to manufacture these special soaps for the main purpose of washing cars.
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MANUFACTURER OF UNIQUE STAIN REMOVERS
Car detailing is one of the important parts of the car wash business. There are certain stains that require unique products to remove effectively without damaging the original nature of the part of the car that has it. One can go into researching on these chemicals and building a company that manufactures these unique stain removers.
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TRAINING OF CAR WASH MACHINE OPERATORS
Where there are machines like these there is potential danger. If the machines are not well operated it could result in the injury or even death of the unsuspecting person. Those who operate such machines have to be trained properly before they are permitted to operate such machines.
It should be noted that where there’s constant water, slippery soaps, brushes and electrical items, things can go from simple and normal to risky and life threatening in seconds. Car wash machine operators have to be trained exclusively.
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CAR WASH PERSONNEL SUPPLIER
Most people seeking to own car washes will need already trained persons to be in charge of the entire operation. If there was an institute that does not just train these professionals but supplies them to emerging car wash stations, it will help those in management.
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TRAINING AND SUPPLY OF PAINT JOB SPECIALISTS
The restoration of the paintwork of a car is one of the major aspects of auto detailing in a car wash business. There are certain conditions that need to be met and it takes someone who has been trained to achieve these conditions. Basically, everyone needs training in this type of business, especially in this particular aspect. This is a specialized type of training, not usually gotten in the usual training institutions.
29. CAR WASH AND DETAILING BUSINESS FOR HOTELS
It is almost impossible to separate car washing from detailing, also guests can have their cars washed and detailed as they stay in a particular hotel. Depending on the amount of time the guests decide to stay at the hotel, the ones detailing the car could work with more speed or could take their time.
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CAR WASH POLISH MANUFACTURER
Polishing is part of the work that goes into making a through detailing process excellent. This is done with special products that give the car the kind of look it is supposed to have. One can manufacture a car polish brand for mass distribution, this brand may have certain unique components that makes it stand out from the rest, with proper marketing and distribution it can be made available to all who need it.
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CAR WASH POLISH DISTRIBUTOR
A lot of car wash businesses are going to need good car wash polish for their finishing processes. Getting these products to the needed parties could be the job of a particular person who builds a business around it.
The distributor could be a sole distributor of a particular brand or may deal in a variety of brands. Usually in situations like this there could be unique brands that are known for doing very specific things, a person could make that their niche in the market.
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CAR WASH BUSINESS MAGAZINE
One may not own a car wash per se but can be the editor of a magazine entirely dedicated to the car wash industry. This magazine would carry a lot of information about the industry, showcasing new products, equipment and machines.
One could go into the business of establishing a notable brand in the car wash industry. Such a business brand could be made available for people who may want to buy the franchise. It would help startups get an added advantage, because they get to leverage off of the already established success of the known franchise name.
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SPECIAL CAR WASH HOSE DISTRIBUTOR
One can set up a business around creating a supply chain by which these water hoses can move across the country.
35. HOME CAR DETAILING BUSINESS
Auto detailing could be seen as a job that takes so much time but for many who have perfected the skill set needed to achieve this, it could be done with lesser time. Plus with the use of specialized equipment, it could take as little as from forty five minutes to a few hours considering the details of the job.
Mobile car detailing focuses on bringing the detailing services to the homes of clients. Imagine having to leave your car for a few days at the shop, when one could have the professionals come to their homes and do the work there, even if it takes as many days as possible, the car is being worked on at home.
36. CAR WASH SECURITY SERVICES
Sometimes cars stay a little over a day at the shop when undergoing detailing work. A particular business could have from three to seven cars in the workshop at any point in time. There has to be some type of security made available so that no car is stolen or even tampered with during the time it is getting worked on.
37. CAR WASH BUSINESS PROMOTER
One can become a car wash business promoter to promote car wash businesses.
CONCLUSION
We have seen a good number of interesting ideas that can be developed into full blown businesses. A good number of these suggestions can be merged together to form a particular business or they could be operated by themselves as independent businesses, it all depends on the personal preference of the person involved.
Before going into any kind of business, it would be smart to first of all do a proper feasibility study on the business. One needs to know exactly what they are about to invest their hard-earned money into.
Car wash business just like any other business would require a lot of hard work to make it a success because anything can be accomplished once the right principles are applied. So, feel free to go through the list above to find out which ones stirs up your fancy and begin the process of putting together a business that will have the potentials of generating millions one day.