Features

After 20 years in detailing some industry veterans get stuck in their ways, unwilling to put in the time to grow their knowledge base and improve their services. That is not the case with Scott Perkin. »

Buy a struggling tunnel or self-serve, radically transform the business model, grow the business, and repeat. Most of us personally know, or know of, an operator with just such a success story.  »

Car washing is a “numbers game.” The more cars processed the more money to be made. The greater the production is on best days the healthier the bottom line. »

The war for talent is over and talent has won. Technology and globalization have dramatically changed the way we work over the last 20 to 30 years. However, very little has changed in how we hire and manage staff, which has led... »

After just a few years of operation Craig MacKay did the unthinkable. He ripped out his five-year-old in-bay automatics and replaced them with updated models. The idea of trading out wash equipment that was just approaching... »

Your business probably has a Facebook page, and maybe even a Twitter account, but what about an active local profile, such as on Google+ Local, Yelp, or FourSquare? If you’re not using your local profiles to get customers to... »

The car wash industry is literally fed by vehicle sales from new- and used-car dealerships. »

For many, the financial crisis of 2007-2008 is a fading memory. For others, vacant lots and boarded up houses serve as daily reminders that the return to better days is still a work in progress. For all of us, there’s a lot to... »

Michael Geiber, in his renowned book, “The E Myth,” states that the fatal mistake a small-business person makes is believing that, if they know how to perform the technical work of a business, they can operate a business that... »

Recently, I provided training at several dealership detail operations. I have noticed that even at the newest, nicest detail shops, the technicians can benefit tremendously from some formal training in the process of detailing. »

The drying system is considered by many to be one of the most vital parts of any successful car wash. When customers exit the wash, they not only expect to see a clean vehicle, but one that is also dried thoroughly. On the other... »

Since the inception of the Internal Revenue Code, the IRS and car wash operators and other business owners have been at odds over whether expenditures are currently deductible or whether they must be capitalized and recovered... »

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are designed to provide a better understanding of ideas, basic information, and sometimes fairly complex topics — and will often link to more detailed information. The format is commonly used... »

The title might seem an impossibility for both detailers and car wash operators, but there is no better time than now to revitalize your business for any challenges and opportunities that are in the future. Here are some ideas... »

As mentioned in the March issue, two of the International Detailing Association’s Certification Tests — the “Paint Correction and Protection” and the “Detailing Terminology” tests — contain an extensive overlap of knowledge.... »