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Right Chemistry, Right Concentration: NuTech Grand Slam Cuts Annual Vehicle Wash Spend 56%
At a glance
A Western Canada fleet maintenance operation was using a wash bay soap that could not consistently clean equipment and vehicles. By switching to NuTech Grand Slam at one-quarter the concentration, the customer improved cleaning performance and reduced annual soap spend by 56%.
Key metrics
56% SAVINGS IN CHEMICAL COSTS
75% LESS CHEMICAL CONSUMPTION
IMPROVED PERFORMANCE
Why wash bay soap concentration matters in fleet maintenance
In a fleet wash bay, soap is applied through a foamer and rinsed with a low-pressure hose. If the soap cannot lift road film and grime under those conditions, crews end up hand-cleaning or washing vehicles twice. That adds labour to a job that should be routine.
Concentration matters too. A product that has to run at a high dilution rate uses more chemical, needs more frequent tote deliveries, and adds handling and storage.
This Western Canada fleet maintenance operation had both problems. Its soap was not cleaning consistently, and it had to run at 1.6% to do even that. The team wanted a better clean without changing equipment or the wash process.
Challenges
The incumbent soap was not delivering an acceptable clean under standard foamer application and low-pressure rinse conditions. Vehicles and equipment often needed manual cleaning or repeat washing, adding time to a routine fleet maintenance process.
At the required concentration, the program used more chemical and required frequent tote deliveries. Without a change, handling demands and inconsistent wash results would continue.
Solutions
A head-to-head trial against the incumbent product and NuTech Grand Slam was conducted. NuTech Grand Slam was applied at 0.45% and the incumbent at 1.6%. Both products were applied by foamer and rinsed using a low-pressure hose. Identical conditions were maintained to produce a direct, observable comparison.
Results
Effective cleaning restored at one-quarter the concentration. Under identical field conditions, Grand Slam cleaned vehicles the incumbent at 1.6% could not.
Annual soap spend reduced by 56%. Reduced program cost from better cleaning at a lower concentration.
Delivery frequency reduced by ~75%. Tote requirements dropped from two per year to one every two years.
No equipment or process changes required. Grand Slam ran through the existing foamer and rinse setup.
Data
These figures reflect a single-site vehicle wash soap trial at a Western Canada fleet maintenance location. Grand Slam at 0.45% and the incumbent soap at 1.6% were evaluated under identical conditions — foamer application with low-pressure rinse. The cost and supply chain data are based on current annual usage rates at this location. The cleaning performance comparison was observed directly during the trial.
Frequently asked questions
How was NuTech Grand Slam compared with the previous soap?
In a head-to-head trial under identical conditions. Both were applied by foamer and rinsed with a low-pressure hose. Grand Slam ran at 0.45%; the previous soap ran at 1.6%.
How much did annual soap spend drop?
By 56%, from better cleaning at a lower concentration.
Did deliveries change?
Yes. Tote needs dropped from two per year to one every two years, about a 75% reduction.
Did the wash bay need new equipment?
No. Grand Slam ran through the existing foamer and rinse setup.