New Zips Car Wash opens in Detroit Lakes; offers free car washes through Sept. 17

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Detroit Lakes officially has a new car wash as a new Zips opened along the Highway 10 Frontage Road on the west side of the city.

Members of the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce were on-hand to conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony and present the car wash team with their honorary “first dollar” plaque.

The staff at Zips Car Wash also presented the local nonprofit Patriot Assistance Dogs with a $500 donation as part of their deepening commitment to Detroit Lakes community organizations.

John Dunn, area vice president for Zips Car Wash, told attendees the new facility is state-of-the-art and he hopes it’s a great addition for the community.

“We want to thank everyone for joining us for the grand opening of the second Zips Car Wash here in Detroit Lakes,” said Dunn. “We’re excited to celebrate our new location here. It’s one of the few state-of-the-art locations in the country and it has our new chemicals that we put in. Zips is known as America’s feel-good cash wash across the country. Over 280 locations across 25 different states and we hope this team and our services makes everybody feel great here in the community of Detroit Lakes.” 

Dunn also said the new facility has nearly 40 vacuum stations and their new chemical protectant for vehicles, graphene, could be a game changer.

“It adds an extra layer of protection to the car the more times you go through,” he said. “It builds like a hard shell to the top of the car the more times you go through. So it protects it more than a wax would do. You got the wax that goes on and then the graphene, so the molecules mesh in with the paint and as the chemical hits the paint, it hardens the shell of the paint.”

The new car wash also has multiple vehicle mat washer and dryers next to the vacuum area for drivers to use as part of their wash.

The facility will employ between 15-20 people with a majority being part-time staff.

The new Zips also installed heated elements inside the concrete near the entrance and exit to their car wash, which should prevent freezing and allow the facility to be used by drivers year-round.

“We have heated elements coming in,” he said. “We have heated elements coming out. So the ground is not frozen when you come out and you are not slipping and sliding. We’ll have the lots plowed constantly.”

Adding, he expects the new location to service between 600-700 cars per day.

The new Zips Car Wash is offering free car washes through Sept. 17 for anyone that stops by during their opening weekend.