Family takes over car wash

Grand Prix Express Car Wash is coming to Gardnerville.

The Kriss Family, son Greg and parents Jan and Chuck, who have owned and operated Sweetwater Car Wash for the past nine years, have purchased and renovated the former Superior Car Wash at the south end of town next to Jiffy Lube.

The new setup includes equipment guided by sensors to conform to the shape of the car and incorporates the newest technology, including a top brush made with soft fabric. The new hybrid wash employs both light-touch technology and high pressure rinses.

"Clean, dry and shiny is the goal for every car leaving the Grand Prix Car Wash," said Greg Kriss.

Other new automated features, new to the industry, include Rain X conditioner, tire scrubbers and Armorall tire shiners. The procedures are applied as a customer drives through while staying in their car. The entire process takes approximately two minutes.

An ecological feature of the new car wash is the recycling of the reject water from a reverse osmosis (spot-free) system. This water is collected and used in the first stages of the wash. There is also LED signs to tell the customer what is being done and what is being applied to the car as they drive through.

The soaps and solutions of the wash are researched by Blue Coral, developed for specific use, mixed and titrated on a high-tech chemical board in the machine room, and are not harmful to the environment. The solutions are changed according to the time of year. For example, bug removers are used for summer and mud and grime solutions for winter.

The Krisses have studied and analyzed car wash equipment by attending the annual Western Car Wash and International Car Wash Association conventions for many years.

"Because of this state-of-the-art, ecologically-friendly equipment and new application technology, for a price less than most washes, we are able to apply the finest products to make your car shine," Greg Kriss said.

Both Greg and father Chuck are car enthusiasts. Chuck, a car collector, is a former drag racer. Both father and son have competed in various sports car track events.

The Krisses said with the purchase, they inherited a "fabulous staff." Greg Shaffer, current and former manager, said that many staff members have worked at the car wash for years and also at Jiffy Lube across the way.

"We really appreciate their hard work and can-do attitude," said Chuck Kriss.

The team consists of Shaffer, Justin Gallagher, Jason Garale, Sean Peralta and Jim Kovacs.

Currently under construction, the new car wash is scheduled to open its doors in early December. The grand opening will be Jan. 9.

Grand Prix Express Car Wash is located at 1295 Highway 395. Business hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily..

Call 392-1200 for more information.