Howco Takes Veteran Entrepreneur Sam Ferraro to New Lengths of Car Wash Success® 

by Tim Fitzpatrick, Mid-Atlantic Sales Manager / Howco Inc. 

When Sam Ferraro entered the car wash industry in 1972, he never imagined that more than five decades later he would still be innovating, let alone opening one of the most distinctive wash operations Howco has ever developed. 

One might say Sam “doubled down” on his latest car wash investment by building a 165-foot tunnel — the longest in Howco’s 57-year history — equipped with two complete sets of wash equipment. The result:  customers’ vehicles get washed twice in a single ride through The Car Spa, which opened to rave reviews in Wilmington, DE, in December 2025. 

With more than 20 car washes built, renovated, owned, operated, and/or sold throughout his career, Sam says this project has brought a new level of enthusiasm to his work. After securing a terrific site, he partnered with Howco to evaluate options and strategies that would make the wash something truly special. At the current pace, he projects the location will wash a significant volume of cars in its first year. 

A True “Double Wash” Experience 

Sam’s innovative tunnel setup includes triple wheel cleaning with a dedicated power wash stage, as well as 21 feet of drying/drip space before the vehicle reaches the dryers. Vehicles exit the tunnel approximately 94% dry, requiring only minimal wipe-down. 

Sam Ferraro:  The sign on our facility says, “The Car Spa Double Wash,” which literally describes our tunnel operation. We wash and partially rinse the car, and then wash again with an identical set of brushes. Even the Howco technicians tell me they’ve never seen luster on cars like the ones that exit this wash — you can comb your hair in the spotless reflection! 

Experience Meets Innovation 

Although Sam had decades of experience formulating car wash operations, his due diligence and constant quest for perfection in this project led him to explore equipment and configurations he had not previously tried. While he had been a Howco customer since 2007 at one of his previous washes, his other locations fell outside our distributor territory. So we were thrilled for the opportunity to join Sam on his newest development in Howco’s Delaware service area. 

Sam Ferraro:  The Car Spa project was several years in the making. To be thorough, I researched other distributors for equipment and service, and everything I learned kept pointing me back to Howco. In all my years in the car wash industry, I have never experienced the professionalism, responsiveness, attention to detail, and patience afforded me by this exceptional car wash distributor. 

Being involved from the earliest planning stages allowed Howco to consult on nearly every aspect of bringing The Car Spa to fruition, from equipment selection and tunnel design to chemical programming and long-term preventive maintenance and service support. 

State-of-the-Art Equipment and Chemistry 

The Car Spa utilizes the latest technology, including two Dually™ Top Wheel wraps featuring a reverse-direction top brush that moves downward at the rear of the vehicle, cleaning SUVs in particular very well. 

We also recommended the Dry N’ Shine™ with a top wheel and side brushes that perform beautifully in finishing the wash process and assisting with drying, creating a polishing effect. 

Additional components include foaming arches, a 120-horsepower drying system, 24 vacuums, and a full professional chemical package from Howco. 

Sam Ferraro:  Buying the equipment is only part of building and operating a car wash. The proper chemical products, combined with a great service program, are just as important because that’s what allows the equipment to perform at its maximum potential.  

In the past, I always designed my own car wash chemical programs. But I no longer feel the need based on my experience with Howco and their chemical team, as I found them unbeatable in that category. 

A Partnership Built for Long-Term Success 

We’re thrilled that Sam had a great overall experience dealing with Howco throughout the process to Plan, Develop, and Operate® The Car Spa, helping turn his vision into a reality that’s already generating strong customer response and performance results. We look forward to the privilege of being part of his next project. 

Howco is a car wash distributor and development partner serving operators across equipment selection, site planning, chemical programming, and ongoing operational support. To learn more about how Howco can support your current or next car wash project and deliver Car Wash Success®, contact our team