Keeping vehicle exteriors sparkly and shiny became a lot easier recently when Airport Super Shine debuted its new automatic drive-through car wash. After opening for business three years ago with self-cleaning bays, vacuums and upholstery cleaning machines, the touchless LaserWash system was added in March to complement convenient services already available for car, van and truck owners.
“We waited to get this machine because the technology has changed so much over the last couple of years,” says owner/operator Chris Orlinis.
A computer measures each vehicle as it enters the wash, including length, height and width, and adjusts accordingly to ensure a 360-degree wash from an appropriate distance.
“The machine goes 18 inches off your vehicle all the way around to make sure you have a thorough clean on all sides,” explains Chris.
Maximum allowable height for vehicles entering the wash is 84 inches. For larger vehicles, or for anyone interested in taking a more hands-on approach to cleaning their vehicle, covered self-cleaning bays are still located on site as well.
“All the bays have hot water, high-pressure wands and brushes,” says Chris, “and there is a cannon for waxing your vehicle.”
A control panel in each bay has different settings for washing, rinsing, waxing, tar and bug removal and tire cleaning.
“We use all Turtle Wax brand products,” says Chris. “They are all biodegradable and environmentally friendly.”
For recreational vehicle (RV) owners, an additional bay located outside the main building includes a stairway leading to a platform for better access to clean roofs and higher areas of other large vehicles, such as dump trucks.
“An RV sani-dump is installed and operational as well,” says Chris. “People can dump gray water and clean their RVs, campers or motorhomes and refill potable water tanks.”
For interior vehicle cleaning, four vacuum systems surround the building on separate pedestals to allow multiple vehicle owners access to the service at the same time. One vacuum unit includes a fragrance wand, enabling customers to add a fresh scent to any type of vehicle.
An upholstery cleaning/shampooing machine, which uses hot foam, soap and hot water to aid in scrubbing away spots and stains, is available as well.
More than just cars, trucks, vans and RVs can be washed or vacuumed at Airport Super Shine.
“People bring in boats, motorcycles, ATVs, lawnmowers and other equipment for cleaning,” says Chris. “You see all kinds of things brought in here.”
As part of the self-service operation, Airport Super Shine accepts credit cards and cash at a self-serve kiosk located on the premises. Also, a change machine and receipt printer is located on the building.
“It is all pretty user-friendly,” says Chris. “Prepaid loyalty cards, gift cards and corporate charge accounts are available as well.”
Airport Super Shine is open seven days a week, 24-hours per day, at 7470 Duncan Street, beside Powell River Airport. For more information, call 604.485.0300, email [email protected] or search airportsupershine on Facebook.
