A busy period for car washes in Saskatchewan is even busier in 2021.
Business owners in the northwest are reporting an increase in car counts during January and March, with steady traffic throughout the week. Jay Bottomley, Owner of Betty Bubs Car Wash in North Battleford, said they’ve had a record year so far, with a 12 per cent increase in the first quarter.
“Weather has a huge part to play in it of course,” he said. “Because we had a milder January, that helped us a lot and people don’t like to wash their cars when it’s -35 outside.”
However, Bottomley said the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered as a factor, citing the lack of recreation and other activities residents usually participate in.
“There’s not a whole lot of stuff to do than wash your car and go for a drive,” he said. “Maybe there’s more people who are doing more road trips, stay-cations, and whatnot.”
Bottomley said the ability to wash vehicles without close proximity to other people could be another reason. Use of the automatic wash has increased, although it remains less than bay usage.
“They get in and out without seeing anybody,” Bottomley said. “But even with my wash barn, my bays are separated by curtains 30 feet long.”
“It’s just a place where people are feeling safe, they don’t have close contact with people and it’s just something to do and get you out of the house.”
Jonathan Lay, Owner of Meadow Wash in Meadow Lake, said they have also had a busy 2021.
“It’s hard to tell exactly, because it’s only our second year open, but business is up from last year,” he said. ‘We typically get 60-80 vehicles coming through.”
Lay said it’s especially important for motorists to come through in the spring, who come as often as more than once a week. Salt left on the road to improving driving conditions during the winter is part of the reason.
“You get the salt grim off your vehicle the more you wash it,” he said.
Washing for maintenance
Even outside of the spring season, auto shops are recommending drivers take time to keep their vehicle clean. Cynthia Thorpe, a detailer with Crack Masters North Battleford, said it’s very important in preventing damage to exterior. Mud, salt, grim and more can subject vehicles to scratches, permanent watermarks, and make the washing process more difficult when there’s a long wait between trips to the wash.
“You’re leaving all those water mars on from the soap and that becomes permanently stuck in your paint,” Thorpe said.
Affecting the paint job isn’t the only hazard, however. Thorpe said accruing filth affects tire rods, ball joints, and more.
“Washing will help everything that controls your steering,” she said.
Thorpe recommended that drivers take the time to still clean the motor and other sensitive areas. However, she said it’s important that anything that doesn’t come with markers while avoiding parts that are normally designated to avoid cleaning in new vehicles.
“If you have a super dirty motor, it can make it hard to see if you have leaks,” she said. “So, if you wash regularly, it will be easier to see that stuff.”
“But for anything that’s older, I’d recommend avoiding the fuse box area, air filters, and whatnot.”
Thorpe also recommends a wipe down afterward, even with the vehicle clean, as well as just inside the doors.
“There’s still water on your vehicle and even though you’re driving, it’s going to stay there,” she said. “And the door handles and side mirrors will hold lots of water.”
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josh.ryan@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports
