Self-serve car wash owner thought his business would be easy money, then he saw what customers did while he was gone for 48 hours

A car wash owner in Texas is rethinking his business after he left for just two days and came back to find complete chaos. The owner, known as Byrom on TikTok, shared a video showing the terrible mess left behind by customers. His experience proves that running a self-serve car wash is not as simple and easy as it might seem.

According to Motor1, Byrom walked through his car wash bays and showed viewers on TikTok the disaster he found. He explained that when you own a self-serve wash and don’t do maintenance for even a few days, this is what happens. The ground was covered in dirt and mud, trash was everywhere, and the garbage bins were completely full and overflowing.

The owner was clearly upset about the condition of his business. After showing the damaged bays on camera, he shook his head and said sarcastically, “Buy a car wash they said.” He now has to clean up what looks like a week’s worth of dirt and mess just because he was away for 48 hours.

The passive income dream quickly turns into a maintenance nightmare

Owning a self-serve car wash can be a great way to make passive income. The self-serve model is excellent because it reduces labor costs, making it a good option for a hands-off business. The startup costs are also not too high. You just need to set up the bays with spray guns, soap, wax, and strong vacuums, and customers can use them all day and night.

However, Byrom learned that “minimal supervision” does not mean “no supervision.” Even though customers do the washing themselves, the owner still has to deal with the aftermath. You need proper drainage systems for water and debris, or sediment builds up quickly. 

Without regular cleaning, the property starts looking abandoned with dirty brown water and trash everywhere, which hurts business badly. Car owners sometimes discover shocking surprises hidden in their vehicles during deep cleaning sessions.

A self-serve model is a good way to start a business without spending huge amounts of money upfront. However, if you opt for a fully automated car wash instead, the costs would skyrocket.

Automated systems like touchless Laser 360 machines cost much more to set up. The equipment that sprays water, applies cleaning products, and dries vehicles can cost between $10,000 and $30,000 or even more. Maintenance costs are also high. Running these machines can cost over $10,000 every year.

Full-service car washes with conveyor belts, hydraulics, and pumping systems cost even more. Franchise City warns that these complex automated systems can cost around $700,000 just for equipment. Add permits, water treatment systems, and water reclaiming systems, and you need another $150,000. Electronic controls and relay installation can add $200,000 more. 

Top-tier operations can easily cost over one million dollars. You also need to follow zoning laws and environmental rules for disposing of dirty water and chemicals properly.

While Byrom’s experience shows the reality of self-serve maintenance, experts have mixed opinions. YouTube analyst Tyler Cauble highlights the benefits of car wash investments for cash flow. But others like The Revestor think the car wash industry is “a dying business.” Professional detailers often encounter dusty classics with unexpected interiors that surprise everyone. If you decide to invest, be ready to clean up messes every few days.