Rocket Wash now open

 After months of construction and installation, New Rockford and area residents finally have a local solution for cleaning off the muck and grime from their vehicles.

 Located just south of Casey's General Store on the west side of Hwy. 281, Rocket Wash is New Rockford's first automatic, touchless car wash, and its owners couldn't be happier to see it finally serving the community.

 "It's relieving and exciting all at the same time," said Zach Fleming, part owner of Rocket Wash. "It's nice to see that it's finally done and it's really exciting to see cars actually going through it."

 Fleming, a graduate of New Rockford High School, shares ownership of Rocket Wash with his wife, Lauren Fleming, as well as Mark and Lisa Becker of eastern Eddy County.

 "It's definitely something that New Rockford needed," said Fleming on why they chose to start their own car wash business.

 Motorists can access the wash bay from the Casey's General Store lot and from Hwy. 281, where they can make their way around the southern end of the building until they come to a pay stand on the building's west entrance.

 Wash prices are $10, $13 and $15, and of course, the more a customer pays the more services they'll be provided.

 For $10, customers will receive a standard wash, which includes a pre-soak, a high-pressure rinse from the "wash wand," a non UV (ultraviolet) sealer, spot free rinse and, of course, the dryers at the end.

 For three dollars more, customers can add an underbody wash, extra pre-soak, an extra spot-free rinse and tri-foam. For $15 they can get an even more thorough wash cycle, as well as a better sealant product with UV (ultraviolet) protection and extended dryer time.

 The wash equipment inside is manufactured by Washworld, Inc., a company out of De Pere, Wisc., and it allows each resident to get the best wash for their particular vehicle.

 As each vehicle pulls in, sonar equipment will measure its dimensions, allowing the wash wand to adapt to the size of each pickup, car or SUV that enters.

 "That way every vehicle that's getting washed, is getting washed consistently," said Fleming.

 The wash is capable of handling a vehicle as large as a "long box crew cab dually pickup," he added, and that there are plans to experiment with a wash option for fully enclosed side-by-side ATVs.

 Fleming said they also plan to add a vacuum outside of the car wash after winter, and if they feel the need, they'll consider adding a self-serve bay as well.

 Rocket Wash is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., and their phone number is (701) 947-2405.

 Fleming and the owners ask that customers bear with them as they learn how to operate the wash equipment and make adjustments.

 Customer feedback is always welcome, they added, and those with feedback are encouraged to message them through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RocketWashNR. They'll also be posting updates to their page about potential gift card and wash pass options once they become available.