Winter in Northeast (NJ)...Indoor Self Car Wash

[Setec Astronomy]

Would you pay $25 an hour to wash/wax your own car yourself in a detailer's or dealer's garage that is heated? They supply the water and hose and you supply everything else. (in Bergen County NJ)

Is this an offer? If so, tell us more.



As to the OP's question, I'm reminded of a guy I worked with years ago who got a night job at a shopping mall fixing their Cushman security vehicles, in the underground (heated and floor drained) vehicle area of the mall. He used to wash his car there (don't know if that was before, after or during work ). I had forgotten about that until reading this thread. Also I'm reminded of the many times that I have driven by gas stations that are closed, only to see mechanics working in the garage, and based on the hour, I presume it was workers who had asked to use the bays after hours for their personal vehicles. So, one way is to get a job or get friendly with someone who works at a dealer, etc. I'm guessing that even though the prep areas are likely open later than the service area, they are not open as late as the showroom, so the right relationship might get you into a dealer wash bay in the evening. Networking, man!

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Most car dealers have an indoor heated wash bay....You could try offering the service manager of one a $5.00 or $10.00 tip to let you use it during their detailers lunch break.

I highly doubt it would be worth $10 to the service/prep manager to possibly lose his job for letting someone use the wash bay during lunch, unless he knows you and has a pretty good relationship with his boss. You would be in the area unsupervised, who knows what you might steal, plus if you got hurt, there would be some tough questions from the insurance co. When you're a manager for a big dollar volume company (like a car dealer is), you don't just let people who walk in off the street into the building when everybody is at lunch, especially if you're making money off it. That's an instant trip to the unemployment line. Now, bribing a wash jockey with the $10 is a different story, and he might not even care if he got fired.



Of course if you have some friends/family that are in management at a dealer, this is a perfectly reasonable thing to have done as a favor. But if you go into a dealer cold and ask the prep manager to use his bay for $10, expect to get thrown out on your ear by him or his boss if he says yes and his boss finds out. I'm picturing the GM of the dealer walking thru the wash bay at lunch and asking who you are...that might even get you a ride in a police cruiser. Sorry for the ramble...it's late...

 

[David703]

Is this an offer? If so, tell us more.



As to the OP's question, I'm reminded of a guy I worked with years ago who got a night job at a shopping mall fixing their Cushman security vehicles, in the underground (heated and floor drained) vehicle area of the mall. He used to wash his car there (don't know if that was before, after or during work ). I had forgotten about that until reading this thread. Also I'm reminded of the many times that I have driven by gas stations that are closed, only to see mechanics working in the garage, and based on the hour, I presume it was workers who had asked to use the bays after hours for their personal vehicles. So, one way is to get a job or get friendly with someone who works at a dealer, etc. I'm guessing that even though the prep areas are likely open later than the service area, they are not open as late as the showroom, so the right relationship might get you into a dealer wash bay in the evening. Networking, man!

I am looking into renting a place that is in Bergen County. It would not be a full detail shop, but I would offer details. It would be a storage place for a friend's cars for sale. It has about an 8 car storage area and a one car area with a drain and a hose. Of course it is heated. When I saw this post, I figured there may be a market for this type of offer, and I wanted to see if anyone would respond. I figure a few people might like it and if I get maybe a few people a week to do this, then its free money towards the rent.

 

[abbeysdad]

I am looking into renting a place that is in Bergen County. It would not be a full detail shop, but I would offer details. It would be a storage place for a friend's cars for sale. It has about an 8 car storage area and a one car area with a drain and a hose. Of course it is heated. When I saw this post, I figured there may be a market for this type of offer, and I wanted to see if anyone would respond. I figure a few people might like it and if I get maybe a few people a week to do this, then its free money towards the rent.

I think it's a great idea, but for me I think $25/hour is a bit steep. Since I got the new ride back in June, I've been washing once a week and I'd especially like to do that into the winter with the salt and sludge we drive through - $100 month is too much.

I'm going the QEW/ONR way augemented with the coin-op as needed.

 

[racingbeat]

I am looking into renting a place that is in Bergen County. It would not be a full detail shop, but I would offer details. It would be a storage place for a friend's cars for sale. It has about an 8 car storage area and a one car area with a drain and a hose. Of course it is heated. When I saw this post, I figured there may be a market for this type of offer, and I wanted to see if anyone would respond. I figure a few people might like it and if I get maybe a few people a week to do this, then its free money towards the rent.

PM to you.

 

[dudley doright]

My nephew just bought a condo and his wife let me in the parking lot 2 weeks ago and I saw a car wash bay right in the underground parking. I guess I will be seeing my nephew every weekend in the winter.

 

[Parmesan]

I am looking into renting a place that is in Bergen County. It would not be a full detail shop, but I would offer details. It would be a storage place for a friend's cars for sale. It has about an 8 car storage area and a one car area with a drain and a hose. Of course it is heated. When I saw this post, I figured there may be a market for this type of offer, and I wanted to see if anyone would respond. I figure a few people might like it and if I get maybe a few people a week to do this, then its free money towards the rent.

What town in Bergen County? I'd possibly be interested. During the winter I visit the local coin-op self-wash to power-rinse my car from road salt but to be able to wash my car at least once a month in the environment you propose sounds appealing.



PM me if you want to keep the location quiet for now.

 

[Buster]

Well, I gave in and for the first time I took my car to the car wash. Hope I didn't mess up the paint too much. Car is 2 years old and I'll probably keep it another 2 years.