Date: Fri 26-Jan-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

car-wash-Gaboriault-Lewis

Full Text:

with cut: Road Dirt, Beware... Car Wash Story

Before long, jets of running water, gyrating cloth strips and blasts of

compressed air will combine to wash the sand, salt and soil off cars and

trucks in the town's first automatic car wash.

Located on Simm Lane, Newtown Car Wash is expected be open for business in

early February, said Peter Gaboriault of Wilton, a partner in Newtown Car Wash

of Connecticut, Inc. Other partners are David Lewis of Newtown and Steve White

of Southbury.

Mr Gaboriault explained that the car wash will use a "full reclamation system"

in which water used to wash vehicles is recycled for reuse. In the "closed

loop system," water is added to the car washing equipment as needed to make up

for any water lost on, or in the case of pick-up trucks, in the washed

vehicles.

Mr Gaboriault said the partners will strive to provide a pleasant atmosphere

for their customers.

Vehicles will line up in two lanes to enter the brick building at its northern

end. The two lanes will merge and cars will enter the building in single file.

Motorists will then leave their cars and the unoccupied vehicles will be

pulled through the car wash on a conveyor while being washed.

Motorists may watch the washing process through windows positioned in a

corridor alongside the car wash. A convenience store will be located near the

customer waiting area, Mr Gaboriault said.

Mr Gaboriault said the partners have purchased the best automatic car washing

equipment available. The gear is made by the Bellanger Corp. The car wash is

large enough to wash vans, he said. Cars can pass through the system in about

two minutes. Multiple vehicles can be cleaned at the same time along different

sections of the conveyor.

Besides normal car washing, customers will be able to purchase services

including car waxing, rust inhibitor application and undercarriage protection,

Mr Gaboriault said. Vacuuming, window washing and towel drying will be

provided. Mr Gaboriault said the prices of the services to be provided haven't

yet been set.

The car wash will be open for business year-round, seven days a week during

daylight hours.

Mr Gaboriault said the partners want to maintain a "nice and pleasant"

atmosphere at the car wash. "We...want it to be a place you want to come," he

said.

Eric Ursini will be the car wash manager.