In addition to an elevated wash experience, Splash Car Wash now offers detailing
By Patricia Nugent
This has been a year of exponential growth and innovation for Splash Car Wash in Fairlawn, Green and Coventry. In the spring, customers were amazed by the opening of its new 175-foot Super Tunnel, and next month will look for the grand opening of the Express Interior/Exterior Detail Center at the Fairlawn location.
“Our customers were expecting more when it comes to keeping their cars’ pristine inside and out, and we listened to them,” says President Joe Mallo. “It’s taken us about two years to plan and construct the tunnel. It will ensure a state-of-the-art level of concierge car care.”
Sparing No Expense
There are two departments within the Detail Tunnel. On the express side, your car will pass along a precision conveyor belt where technicians will vacuum the carpeting, clean the door jams, upholstery, center consoles, apply an express wax to preserve the finish, along with offering the additional service of windshield rock chip repair. It takes about 10 to 12 minutes to go through the tunnel and customers can relax and chill out in the reception area with gourmet coffee while their car is being serviced.
On the other side of the tunnel are eight fine detail bays that offer more a more intense level of clean. Joe says customers will need to make an appointment for the more comprehensive detailing. It will include service offerings of technicians cleaning the interior and exterior of the car, shampooing the carpeting, removing stains and scratches from the finish, interior leather care, ceramic coating and hand wax.
“Much like our car wash operation, we spared no expense with the Express Interior/Exterior Detail Center,” says Joe. “We’ve always invested in the best quality products and industry-leading equipment. We believe in the adage, ‘you get what you pay for,’ and follow it to provide a customer experience that will continually please our clients.”
He explains that those who want to go through the Detail Center will be prompted at the express pay terminal machine as they enter the car wash. Members at either location will receive a discount on interior cleaning services.
A Premium Approach to Clean
Rejuvenating cars, trucks and vans has always been the mission at Splash. Every step of the process is taken into consideration. For instance, to take a car’s finish back to a showroom shine, they have invested in top-of-the-line Simonize cleansing agents that break down oils and road salts, as well as hot wax and ceramic sealants that actually make the car easier to wash over time.
And instead of brushes that might scratch the surface, the tunnels tap into NeoGlide foam to provide gentle friction to safely clean vehicles. It does not absorb dirt and grime, but rather repels it.
For the undercarriage of cars, they offer TLC by spraying away dirt and grime and applying a rust inhibitor in the final stage. With icy, sleety, road-salty conditions not too far away, becoming a member at Splash is a stress-free way to ensure your car looks great for the long haul.
Enmeshed in the Community
As a true hometown favorite, the staff at Splash goes out of its way to support local charities and provide fun events.
They recently threw a Haunted Car Wash Festival to help families celebrate Halloween. People driving through got plenty of jump scares, and also enjoyed trick-or-treat stations, costume contests with prizes, food trucks and haunted music.
And to honor clients and friends who have been impacted by breast cancer, the car wash holds fundraisers to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. They’ve also sponsored sports teams, and supported local schools and other charities.
Carrying on the Family Tradition
The next generation of the Mallo family is engaged and energized at Splash Car Wash. Meet Danielle and Vincent.
She is Joe’s daughter, a 25-year-old dynamo who will be heading up the company’s marketing and social media operations. Danielle graduates from Kent State University next month. Vincent is Joe’s 21-year-old nephew who, as Membership Manager, is crafting a next-level customer experience. Joe’s brother, JJ, is also part of the team.
“We feel blessed to have more family join our story,” says Joe.
The tradition began more than 50 years ago when Danielle and Vincent’s grandfather, John, opened the first Budget Rent a Car in Akron. His business grew to a national level, but Akron was always where they flourished.
The family decided to expand into the car wash business in 2015 and Joe came back from Las Vegas to join the team in 2016. Since then, Splash has become one of the biggest and busiest operations in the state.
The concept the family began with lives on today: to provide not just a car wash, but, rather, a car wash experience.
In Memoriam: John Mallo
It is with sadness that the Mallo family will spend the holidays this year without its patriarch, John Wayne Mallo, who passed away at the age of 84 in August.
Born and raised in Akron, John graduated from Kent State University and was one of the original licensees of Budget Rent a Car. Over the years, the number of locations grew from Akron to include Columbus, Tucson and Las Vegas.
Along with son Joe, who is now president and owner, he founded Splash Car Wash Company in 2015.
Outside of his passion for enterprise, this avid boater enjoyed golf, Cleveland sports teams and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by a brother, a sister, four children and six grandchildren.
Rest in peace, John.
Splash Car Wash locations include: Fairlawn, at 130 South Cleveland Massillon Road (next to Aldi), just south of Route 18, 330-576-3940; Green, at 3405 S. Arlington Road (in front of Lowe’s), 330-536-WASH (9274); and Coventry, at 3385 Manchester Road, 234-334-1173. Monthly memberships offering unlimited washes are available online at SplashCarWashCo.com. There are job openings available. If interested, send your resume to info@SplashCarWashCo.com.