Specialty Equipment Company Inc.

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Why SEC?
Philosophy of Touch-Free
Online Resources
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Pre-Planning Guide
Why Specialty Equipment Company?

Specialty Equipment Company Your One Stop Supplier!

We have indicated that the critical factors in putting together and operating a successful car wash are not extremely complex. However, due to the unique nature of this industry, you will find it necessary to work with a company who can give you recommendations on everything from preliminary project costs, architectural recommendations, equipment sizing and layout, site layout, demographic information, sub-contractor responsibilities, code and zoning requirements, sources for additional information and provide overall consulting services from the planning stages to full operational status of your project.

Upon opening of your business, you require a company who offers full support in the area of trained service and installation and the ability to take care of the majority of your questions and problems over the phone. Service after the sale becomes a crucial factor.

Specialty Equipment Company and its national distributor network are recognized through out the country for its total support and service, before, during, and after the building of a car wash. Our sales and service staff are among the most knowledgeable in their abilities to offer alternative solutions to all problems that may arise. Specialty’s total diversity throughout the high pressure cleaning industry allows us to provide the single best equipment package manufactured today. We welcome you to obtain competitive bids at the initial stages so that you are better able to be reassured of your supplier selection and take advantage of our diverse and complete services. Complete references are available at all times of other operators who have purchased equipment form Specialty equipment Company or one of our nationwide distributors and have an ongoing business relationship.

There is a saying in the car wash industry that the key to success in a self-service car wash is “selling the most possible time possible to your car wash customer”. What this means is that individuals come to your facility to get a complete car wash. They require all the services available to thoroughly clean their vehicle and, obviously, your objective is to make sure the coin meters are activated for the highest percentage of time possible. The key to doing this is to offer a diverse group of services to your customers so they have a choice in the services they wish to purchase. You will find this in the equipment represented to you by any one of our Specialty Equipment Company associates.

Philosophy of Touch-Free Carwash

While many manufacturers will debate that the quality of the wash is equipment dependent, logic seems to dictate otherwise. Consider that every manufacturer does the ‘big things’ the same way;

  • Everyone uses a 30-35 GPM high-pressure pump, often a CAT that is driven by a 25HP motor
  • Every manufacturer uses programmable logic controllers of about the same capacity of inputs-outputs. Some are from GE, some from Omron, some from Allen Bradley or others.
  • Consider that every manufacturer uses a system of spray nozzles, often purchased from the same vendor.
  • No manufacturer ‘makes’ any of these essential components. Indeed some manufacturers re-engineer standard OEM components to maintain a captive replacement market.

It is in the other areas such as chemical used, water used, temperatures, dwell times and similar factors that dictate the final product quality and, ironically are often the least controlled by the car wash equipment manufacturer. The following factors are universally accepted as key ingredients of a successful touch-free wash:

  • Soft Water. The removal of calcium and magnesium are essential to assuring consistent results
  • High Quality Presoak Products. While chemical companies will offer single pass products or two pass products, everyone agrees that the presoak does 90% of the cleaning. Experts agree that the application of presoak is dependent on five key factors: Soft water: Concentration of the chemical being applied: Temperature of the chemical being applied: Thorough coverage of the vehicle: Contact time on the vehicle surface. Specialty preheats make up water and maintains the temperature with an immersion heater in the chemical tank. This assures that every customer gets the same level of quality.
  • Thorough impingement (coverage) of the vehicle during the high-pressure wash pass. The Futura Revolution and Impulse provide more coverage with Systematic Spray Agitation than any competitor. The angular attack literally ‘gets beneath’ the dirt and lifts it from the surface of the vehicle
  • High quality wax or protectant application is essential to adding sheen and depth to the appearance of the vehicle.
  • A high quality rinse is essential to the finished product. Washing a vehicle properly and then applying low quality rinse water is self-defeating. Since the rinse water is the last water on the vehicle surface, the final appearance will be dependent on the quality of that water.
Online Resources

AutoCareForum.net

America's Car Care Business

Auto Laundry News

International Carwash Association

Modern Car Care

NACS - The Association for Convenience and Petroleum Retailing

Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI)

Professional Carwashing & Detailing

Financial Services

HLC Capital offers financing in a variety of niche industries.  This focus allows us to provide you and/or your customers with the most competitive programs.        

HLC Capital is a division of Grandview Financial, Inc., an independently owned equipment finance company based in Marshall, Minnesota.  Grandview Financial’s divisions have been focused on equipment financing for more than 20 years and have financed over $550 million in equipment.  This extensive experience in equipment financing enables us to provide you with better service and more options.

Click here for more info orcontact Specialty Equipment Company for further details (800)-328-2747 or sales@specialtyequip.com

Spreadsheet Solutions

C-Store Planner

Income Planner

Quicklube Planner

Water Use Information

Pre-Planning Guide

Click here to download

 

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