Transforming Existing Sites Into High-Performing Car Washes | Champions Corner

For car wash operators, the thought of remodeling a site can feel daunting. Tight timelines, aging infrastructure and budget concerns often leave owners asking, “Where do I even start?”

That’s an easy answer for Mike Timmer, who has been involved in the industry for over 20 years. Prior to working at AVW, Timmer spent his career installing and operating equipment for a major express car wash brand. “Start with quality,” Timmer said. “Retrofitting will always have a fair number of unknowns as you start to peel back the layers. But, if you invest in top-notch equipment when rebuilding those layers, you’ll not only be preserving your investment in your existing systems, but ensuring the cohesiveness, longevity and strength of your entire system.”

THE CHALLENGE: TURNING AN OLD WASH INTO A NEW OPPORTUNITY
When Zach Hetsel, owner and operator of Zach’s Instant Service Car Wash, purchased a secondhand wash, he was facing more than just a change in ownership. He had less than two months to transform an old site into one that could handle serious volume.

That kind of deadline leaves little room for error. Operators in Hetsel’s position often fear hidden costs or downtime that can drag a project out for months. But Hetsel had a unique advantage: The site already had AVW stainless-steel equipment in place. Even after 10 years of service, much of it still had life left.

Instead of ripping everything out, Hetsel worked with the team at AVW to develop a solution: Repair what still performs, replace what doesn’t and upgrade strategically to drive higher performance.

THE SOLUTION: STAINLESS STEEL RELIABILITY + MODERN INNOVATION
AVW equipment is designed with durability in mind. Stainless steel isn’t just an aesthetic choice — it’s an operator’s insurance policy against premature wear, corrosion and costly replacements. For Hetsel, that meant his decade-old AVW equipment only needed a few replacement parts to run like new again.

For the rest of the wash, AVW helped implement upgrades with the latest technology, including one of its most influential pieces of equipment: the all stainless-steel dual belt conveyor.

Unlike chain and roller systems, AVW’s belt conveyor offers smoother loading, less vehicle damage risk and the ability to move cars through the tunnel
at industry-leading rates. In Hetsel’s case, the new conveyor system allowed him to hit his ambitious production goals of 190 cars per hour — and he did it in record time. The entire remodel was completed in just seven weeks, comfortably within his deadline.

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL RETROFIT
Hetsel’s success story is one of many that highlight why it’s important to
vet your suppliers and equipment providers before embarking on a retrofit. “Over the last 20 years, I’ve installed all sorts of equipment and had hands-on experience with nearly every supplier out there. AVW really stands out when it comes ease of installation and customer support.”

Timmer suggested these four tips when making choices about your retrofit:

• Conduct research on a product’s longevity before investing. Durability that pays off. Stainless steel equipment lasts for decades, meaning existing systems can often be restored rather than replaced entirely.
• Consider budgeting for efficiency upgrades. Modern innovations like belt conveyors, Z-Wraps and high-pressure systems help operators scale up volume without scaling
  up downtime.
• Check for compatibility. Not all systems work well together. To streamline the project and ensure frictionless equipment pairing, find products that have modular designs and common components. This makes the installation faster, easier and more predictable.
• Get to know your equipment supplier. Find a supplier
  that is focused on operator support and is experienced in remodeling car washes. Hetsel said that one of the reasons they chose AVW was that they “find time to treat single-site operators and the mom-and-pops out there in the industry with the same tenacity, care and love and affection.” Retrofits require more than just installing new equipment. “They’re about meeting timelines, budgets and having confidence in your equipment supplier. You really want a partner that has your back,” Timmer said.

As the car wash industry grows more competitive, operators are under pressure to do more with less: higher throughput, lower downtime and consistently superior results.

For Hetsel, the project wasn’t just a renovation; it was a transformation. By choosing AVW, he turned a dated site into a high-performing operation ready to thrive in today’s market.

And for operators everywhere, the lesson is clear: If you want to unlock the potential of your wash, the smartest place to start is with equipment that’s built to last and designed to perform.

With a proven track record of manufacturing stainless-steel equipment built to last, AVW makes retrofitting a straightforward process that not only preserves investments in existing systems but also unlocks the potential for high performance and long-term success. Car Washing Made Simple — that’s the
AVW difference.

This article is from ICA's Champions Corner series. Inclusion in Champions Corner is an ICA Champions benefit at the Elevate level.