By Heather Jensen Weekend Anchor/Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Water is what keeps the 4TH Avenue Car Wash running.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!“We like to think we do about 1000 cars a week here at the car wash,” says owner Richard Davis.
Each vehicle is soaked with water and suds for a sparkling finish. But the water doesn't flow freely.
“The average car going through here is going to be about 30 to 35 gallons of fresh water used,” Davis says. “At home your going to be anywhere from 60 to 100 gallons of water.”
On average, commercial car washes use as much as 60-percent less water than home washing. The trick is in the equipment. Car washes are specifically designed to conserve water, a benefit turned necessity during drought.
“We use positive cut offs on all of our hoses, our nozzles, our water going through the car wash,” says Davis. “So that when something is not being used for a washing process, it's not on.”
But those who have had to hang up their buckets and hoses have another option ... a waterless wash.
“The product has special lubricant in it that breaks down dirt,” says Stan Stafford. “So not only does it remove the dirt, it washes and waxes your vehicle at the same time.”
Stafford began New Visions Mobile Waterless Car Wash because he liked detailing cars. The result has outshined anything he expected, and his customers are happy too.
“People tell me, 'man, this is awesome. The fact that I don't have to use water. The fact that I don't have to leave my home,’” Stafford says.
You may not need a car wash to keep things running. But if you want one, all you have to do is pick a wash: wet or dry.
News 3 is On Your Side with a break down of water consumed during a car wash.
According to carwashing.com, home car washing consumes 80 to 140 gallons of water.
Rollovers, like touchless automatics found at many gas stations, use a fraction of that at 24 to 45 gallons per wash.
Conveyors, like those found at 4TH Avenue Car Wash, use anywhere from 15 to 35 gallons.
Self serve uses the least amount of water at roughly 15 gallons.
For more information on 4th Avenue Car Wash, call (706) 327-4807.
For more on New Vision Mobile Waterless Car Wash, call (706) 566-4310.
