38 Years in the Car Wash Industry: Memories and Evolution 🚗💦

I've been working in the car wash industry for 38 years now, and I'm excited to share some memorable moments from my early days in this fascinating field. When I was very young, my father took me along to wash his car, and I remember telling him that this was what I wanted to do when I grew up. “Do what?” he asked. “Work in car washes,” I replied. I guess you could say I was hooked from that moment!

Back in those days, the landscape was dotted with service stations like BP, Gulf, Sunoco, Texaco, Esso Sergaz, Petro-Canada, Ultramar, Harnois, and even Irving. There were more than seven refineries operating, including six in Montreal alone. Much has changed since then, with many refineries being bought out or closed. Today, most gas stations are operated by grocery chains or convenience store groups. For instance, Shell in Quebec is largely managed by Sobeys, and Couche-Tard dominates with numerous stations under various fuel brands. Many independent retailers also play a significant role in managing these stations, while major oil companies gradually withdraw from retail sales. Since 2010, only two refineries remain in Quebec: Valero in Lévis and Suncor Energy in Montreal.

Fortunately, car washes have become an essential part of gas station services over the years, and today they're an important revenue source. This synergy helps sustain profitability in a sector that might otherwise struggle to thrive on car washes alone—at least in Quebec.

When it comes to technological evolution in the car wash industry, we've seen three major phases: tunnels with attendants at the entrance, rollover brush systems, and eventually touchless washes. I vividly remember those first car wash tunnels—brands like Hanna, Sherman, Washworld, and Belanger dominated the market back then. Some brands, such as Petro-Canada (Suncor), still use tunnels today, but most stations have moved toward touchless or hybrid systems.

These early tunnels featured mechanics that were simple yet tricky to adjust. I especially remember Sherman contour brushes, with their pneumatic valves and steel cams—very delicate to calibrate. The dual-chain conveyors also posed ongoing challenges, frequently requiring what we called a “rematch.” We had to ensure meticulously that chains were the exact same length so the pusher rollers wouldn't jam at the "safety hood" exit. Adjusting these systems was truly an art form. The Datatrax control systems were equally memorable, with their removable electronic cards. Adjusting wash sequences required turning a small numbered dial from 1 to 9—often finicky—to achieve the ideal spacing. Everything was done manually, using buttons on a makeshift panel near the conveyor.

Lastly, very few probably recall the legendary “Shamy Shiner.” Though rarely used, it was an impressive sight: imagine a pulley as wide as a car, with numerous hanging ozite strips, each tipped with a chamois cloth. This rotating mechanism simultaneously dried and polished vehicles. The chamois strips passed through a wringer to be squeezed dry. Unsurprisingly, this system frequently jammed, requiring regular maintenance stops—a true mechanical marvel of its time! 😊

These stories clearly illustrate how significantly our industry has evolved over the past 38 years, shifting from fully manual operations to highly advanced automation. Each era brought unique challenges and innovations, but these early memories will forever hold a special place in my heart. After all these years, my passion and commitment to this unique world remain as strong as ever.