Is Car Wash Lucrative And Resourceful Venture In Nigeria?

When it comes to the appearance of a thing or person, it matters a lot and even applies to the look of vehicles. Just like good dressing, a neat and well-kept vehicle speaks volumes of the owner or driver. It may be the reason why some vehicle or motorcycle owners wash their vehicles on a daily basis before starting their day. However, there are some who, for one reason or the other, cannot undertake this chore and so depend on others to do it for them.

This is why there are now so many car wash businesses that are springing up by the day. This has become a source of income to many as a lot of cars can troop in per day to get their car washed while they go do something else. These centres are usually located in busy areas such as filling stations, big hotels, supermarkets and even mechanic workshops, where they are guaranteed to attract high patronage. Their charges differ from one location to the other and these sharp-witted businessmen use different processes to ensure that clients are more than satisfied as they leave with their gleaming vehicles.

Would This Business Ever Stop?

This business seems like it will never stop growing because people regularly acquire vehicles and would want them to look neat, irrespective of the season. It is a known fact that some people do not have the patience and skill to wash their vehicles properly. So they go for the services of professionals, who clean the vehicle thoroughly inside out.

How Do They Wash The Cars?

Car washing has now gone beyond what anyone can just go into. You need to have the know-how, know the type of detergent, water and brushes to use. While some water and detergent could damage the car colour, hard brushes would leave marks on the body; so it is always good to know the exact material to use to get the right result and satisfy your customers.

It should also be noted that the materials used on the body are usually different from those used on the glasses. One needs this knowledge because the use of wrong materials could leave rainbow colours on the screen and this is dangerous when driving at night.

The car washers could wash up to 15 different vehicles in a day and some of these vehicles cannot just be washed with regular detergents if the right result is to be achieved. One has to study all this to know which vehicle to use a wax stripper, shampoo or any other detergent.

Cost Of Washing Car In Nigeria

The average cost of car washing in Nigeria is between N1, 000 and N2, 500 depending on the type of vehicle, chemicals to use and the process of washing it. Besides the normal washing, they may sometimes apply car body polish, if the owner asks for it. The polish brings out the sheen and makes the vehicle shine in the sun. 

There are also different charges for washing different parts of a vehicle but the manual wash is cheaper than using machines. While the manual process involves scrubbing the body of the vehicle with a soft sponge or brush and soapy water, the machine makes the work faster, as one could wash as many vehicles as possible in a day. The charges for the two processes are not the same because the machine makes the finishing better, while the manual sometimes still leaves some dirt and scratches even though the cleaning was done with soft cloths.

With pressure machines, the car washers can wash two to four vehicles an hour, depending on their sizes, while more than an hour could be spent on a vehicle if a manual process is used. This is why the charges are different. 

Manual And Machine Washing Price

Manual washing goes for N500 and N1500 while machine washing goes for N1500 and N3000, depending on the vehicle and how you want it washed.

Under Car Washing Price

To wash the underneath, reaching the corners to remove mud, together with washing the tyres and wheels and removing other things that could hasten rust, the fees are different, because it takes a lot more time and one has to go under the vehicle to do all that. However, one could also wash the interior and exterior, brush the seats and remove any dirt in the seat pockets, which attracts a different charge.

Interior And Exterior Washing Price

The charge for the interior and exterior of a vehicle is between N500 to N1500. The engines are also washed which is really delicate because sometimes after doing this, the vehicle may develop some electrical faults. This is the main reason a professional has to handle it.

What Does It Take To Start A Car Wash Business?

One must have the skill to tell the differences in colours, identify hard and soft water and even know what to do to soften hard water, where there is no other option because soap does not lather easily in hard water and is also not so good on some colours. 

A new entrant needs to learn the technicalities of the business, network with those already in the trade and be ready to adapt to changes, he said clean water is the best for a good washing.

The business goes beyond being sited at busy locations or notable public spaces. New entrants must be ready to learn, adapt to changes because new machines, tools and even chemicals are introduced to the business on a regular basis. There are different detergents and waxes that are capable of brightening vehicle colours.

Also, the charges must be moderate, so that customers would not take advantage of cheaper rates elsewhere to avoid one’s services.

Is Car Wash Business Really Lucrative And Resourceful?

Although location and customers’ status determine the charges, one has to make provision for all manners of vehicles, including tricycles and motorbikes, if one wants quick returns in the business. Car washers should never say no to owners of motorcycles or tricycles because though their charges may be small (between N300 and N1, 000), they could help to advertise one’s centre, patronise the business heavily, while the big ones such as trailers and tankers trickle in.

At times while waiting for one trailer or tanker to come, one may have washed over 20 motorcycles and tricycles. One has to study his/her environment to know what is obtainable and plan to have an edge above others in the market. Starting a business is not even hard and does not need much capital. One just needs to get the materials and an open field and you are good to go.

The market is large and not bound by seasons. And though the seasons bring different challenges, the truth remains that each season opens up a new challenge to make more money. The dry season comes with dust, which means regular washing; the rainy season brings mud, which is another opportunity. So, whichever way one looks at it, the car wash business has no dull moment.