Chem X

What Chem X does

Chem-X is a privately held, direct-to-consumer vehicle wash and detailing supplies brand headquartered in Palatine, Illinois, operating with a 9-person team. The company sells proprietary chemical formulations (Stars + Stripes two-step touch-free wash, Old Glory active foam, Snake Oil Venom graphene foam sealant, Patriot Powder concentrate, plus degreasers, tire cleaners, metal polishes, iron removers, and interior cleaners) alongside branded power washing equipment including the Freedom Foamer foam lances, Chrome Cannon 2.0 foam cannon, and the X Factor line of turnkey wash bay systems. A distinctive element of the product architecture is the integration of Chem-X's own chemicals with partner-brand hardware (Mosmatic undercarriage cleaners and wall booms, Suttner chemical injectors, Veloci/MTM Hydro hoses and nozzles, Reelcraft hose reels, IK Sprayers) sold as bundled wash bay kits.

The business model is e-commerce-first: products are priced by unit across containers from 16 oz through 55-gallon drums, with hardware ranging from approximately $39 (Chrome Cannon) to $7,999 (X Factor wall-mounted 220V electric wash bay), and free US shipping on orders $149+. Distribution combines the direct chem-x.com storefront with a network of authorized US distributors (Alaska, Hawaii, California) and international distributors (Canada, Australia). Customer segments are horizontally diversified across fleet operators, commercial truck wash facilities, professional detailers, and individual vehicle owners, with marketing driven by a community-led approach — Chem-X Studio YouTube content featuring founder Bob, an affiliate program, and active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

The company has no disclosed revenue, no disclosed funding rounds, no parent organization, and no management team data available in the source materials. Operating geographies cover the United States (direct), with reach into Canada and Australia via distributor partners. Strategic positioning centers on touch-free wash technology, vertical integration of chemicals with branded equipment, and community-amplified brand-building in the hobbyist and small-commercial detailing segment.

Name

Chem X

Legal name

Chem-X

Website

https://chem-x.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chem-X is a privately held, Palatine, Illinois-based e-commerce brand selling proprietary touch-free vehicle wash chemicals and branded power washing equipment (Freedom Foamer lances, Chrome Cannon, X Factor wash bay systems) to fleet operators, professional detailers, and individual vehicle owners across the US with distributor reach into Canada and Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle Wash and Detailing Supplies

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Aftermarket Fluids, Lubricants & Chemical Products Manufacturing (Oils/Coolants/Additives/Cleaners) (IMACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dispensing & Pump Systems (Pumps, Sprayers, Misters, Droppers) (IMALAJAB)

Keywords

• Vehicle wash chemicals
• Touch-free wash systems
• Auto detailing supplies
• Pressure washing equipment
• Car care products

Headquarters

HQ city

Palatine, Illinois

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Chemical Products Sales: Revenue from selling vehicle wash chemicals, degreasers, sealants, and cleaning products in various container sizes (16 oz, 32 oz, 1 gal, 5 gal, 55 gal)
2. Equipment Hardware Sales: Revenue from power washers, foam cannons, lances, nozzles, hoses, fittings, reels, and wash bay setup systems
3. Bundles and Kits: Pre-configured wash bay systems (X Factor Complete Wash Bay Systems) and kit packages combining chemicals with equipment
4. Merchandise: Sale of branded Chem-X merchandise including hoodies

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chem-X manufactures and sells proprietary touch-free vehicle wash chemical formulations (such as Stars + Stripes, Old Glory, and Snake Oil Venom graphene foam sealant) alongside branded power washing equipment including Freedom Foamer foam lances, Chrome Cannon foam cannons, and complete X Factor wash bay systems. The company offers products in sizes ranging from 16 oz consumer bottles to 55-gallon commercial drums, distributed through its own e-commerce storefront and authorized US/Canada/Australia distributors.

Product overview

Chem-X is a vehicle wash and detailing supplies company offering a comprehensive portfolio of chemical products and power washing equipment for professional and consumer vehicle cleaning. The core product line consists of proprietary chemical formulations organized into three main categories: Touch-Free Solutions (including STARS + STRIPES, Old Glory, Snake Oil Venom, and Patriot Powder), Traditional Washes and Cleaners (including The Don, Foam, Heavy Duty, Mob Shine, and Eagle Guard), and Metal Polishes (including Smokey Red and Bandit Blue). Supporting the chemical portfolio is a complete line of power washing equipment including Freedom Foamer lances, Chrome Cannon foam cannons, X Factor Wash Bay Systems, Mosmatic undercarriage cleaners and wall boom systems, and various accessories from partner brands (Suttner, Reelcraft, iK Sprayers). The company operates a single-brand e-commerce model with products available in multiple sizes from small (16 oz) to bulk (55 gallon drums). Notable accessories include chemical injectors (Suttner ST-164 and ST-160), hose reels (Reelcraft), high-pressure hoses (MTM Hydro Veloci Kobrajet), and undercarriage cleaners (Mosmatic Hurricane series).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STARS + STRIPES Touch Free Vehicle Wash Two-step touch-free vehicle wash system using blue Stars (Step 1) and red Stripes (Step 2) chemicals that clean vehicles without physical agitation, sold in sizes from 16 oz to 5 gal.
• Stars + Stripes Patriot Powder Mixable powder version of the Stars + Stripes touch-free vehicle wash system delivering the same two-step cleaning technology in concentrated form.
• Old Glory Touch Free Active Foam Black-colored touch-free active foam vehicle wash designed for single-step application that provides effective cleaning with minimal effort.
• Snake Oil Venom Touch Free Graphene Foam Sealant Touch-free graphene foam sealant that provides hydrophobic protection and a glossy finish to vehicles after washing, applied through foam delivery without manual buffing.
• The Don Mitt Wash Red-colored mitt wash designed to remove road grime, grease, and contaminants with slight mitt agitation, featuring thick foam for effective cleaning.
• Foam Mitt Wash Standard mitt wash formula designed for use with washing mitts to remove road grime and contaminants.
• Heavy Duty Tire Cleaner + Degreaser Purple-colored tire cleaner and degreaser formulated to cut through brake dust, road grime, and heavy buildup on tires and wheels.
• Mob Shine Polished Aluminum Cleaner Clear cleaner specifically formulated for polished aluminum surfaces, designed to restore shine without damaging the finish.
• Smokey Red Heavy Cut Metal Polish Heavy-cut metal polish designed to restore, clean, and protect chrome, aluminum, and stainless steel surfaces by removing oxidation.
• Bandit Blue Finish Cut Sprayable Metal Polish Finish-cut sprayable metal polish for final polishing and finishing of metal surfaces, providing a refined shine with easy application.
• Witch's Brew Iron + Rust Remover Iron and rust remover designed to dissolve iron deposits and rust contamination from vehicle surfaces.
• Death Grip Tire + Trim Dressing Tire and trim dressing product that provides long-lasting shine and protection for tires, rubber, and plastic trim pieces.
• Eagle Guard Salt Neutralizer + Rust Inhibitor Orange-colored salt neutralizer and rust inhibitor designed to protect vehicles from road salt damage and corrosion during winter months.
• Interior Cleaner + Detailer (Green Tea Scent) Interior cleaner and detailer with green tea scent designed for cleaning and rejuvenating interior surfaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• Touch-free systems like Stars + Stripes sell out repeatedly (4x for Chrome Cannon), indicating strong market demand

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• IK SprayersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChem-X distributes IK Sprayers products including IK Foam Pro 2+, IK E Foam Pro 12, IK Foam Pro 12, IK MULTI TR 360, and IK MULTI TR MINI 360 through their e-commerce platform and retail channels.
• The Rag CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChem-X offers The Rag Company products including the Off Road Crew Chief Buffing Towel through their platform, with distribution through their own channels and authorized distributors globally.
• AutofiberminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChem-X distributes Autofiber detailing products as part of their brand portfolio, available through their e-commerce and distribution network.
• MosmaticcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMosmatic products are a significant part of Chem-X's wash bay equipment offering, including Hurricane Pro and Hurricane undercarriage cleaners, wall boom systems, and HP comfort hoses. These are high-value equipment items essential to their wash bay setup systems.
• Detail FactoryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChem-X offers Detail Factory products as part of their brand portfolio available through their e-commerce platform.
• Veloci / MTM HydrocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVeloci/MTM Hydro products are prominently featured including Kobrajet hoses, SGS35 spray guns, PF-22 foam cannon caps, and nozzles. These form essential components of Chem-X's power washing and wash bay systems.
• SuttnercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSuttner products are integral to Chem-X's chemical injection and foam delivery systems, including ST-164 Dual Foam Injectors, ST-160 Foam Injectors, ST-2305 Spray Guns, ST-75 Foamers, and various nozzles and dosing components.
• ReelcraftminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChem-X distributes Reelcraft hose reels, pivot bases, and roller bracket assemblies for wash bay installations, including power washer hose reels and air/water reels.
• Auto Armor of AlaskaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Chem-X distributor serving the Alaska market for auto detailing products.
• Auto Chem Systems (Hawaii)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Chem-X distributor serving the Hawaii market, specifically for auto detailing products.
• H2O Auto Detail Supply (California)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Chem-X distributor serving the California market for auto detailing products.
• Chrome Supply Warehouse (Canada)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Chem-X distributor serving the Canadian market.
• Large Car Truck Spa (Canada)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Chem-X distributor serving the Canadian market for truck and fleet detailing products.
• The House of RagsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Chem-X distributor serving both the American and Australian markets, with separate websites for each region.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• CarPro: Specialty car care brand focused on ceramic coatings, graphene-infused sealants, and detailing chemicals. Highly comparable to Chem-X's Snake Oil Venom graphene sealant positioning and detailer-focused customer base.
• Optimum Polymer Technologies: Specialty detailing brand offering polymer-based sealants, ceramic coatings, and washes. Comparable to Chem-X in the touch-free wash and sealant categories with a similar enthusiast/professional dual-channel approach.

Broad incumbents

• Turtle Wax: Mass-market car care brand selling washes, waxes, and interior cleaners through mass retail (Walmart, AutoZone, Target). Comparable as a vehicle cleaning chemical competitor, though at a much broader, lower-price-point positioning than Chem-X.
• Meguiar's: Established global car care brand owned by 3M, offering a broad portfolio of detailing chemicals, polishes, and surface care products across consumer and professional channels. A broad incumbent against which Chem-X competes in the same vehicle wash and detailing categories.
• Sonax: German-based car care brand offering premium detailing chemicals, washes, and sealants. Comparable to Chem-X in the touch-free wash and premium sealant categories, with stronger European distribution.

Direct peers

• P&S Detail Products: Professional-grade vehicle detailing chemicals and equipment brand selling to detailers and fleet customers. Comparable to Chem-X in target customer (professional detailers, fleet) and product categories (washes, degreasers, iron removers).
• 3D Car Care: Detailing chemicals brand offering car wash soaps, degreasers, polishes, and ceramic coatings for professional and enthusiast markets. Comparable to Chem-X across the chemical product portfolio and professional detailer customer segment.
• Chemical Guys: Direct-to-consumer vehicle care chemicals and detailing supplies brand selling soaps, sealants, degreasers, and accessories. Closest direct competitor to Chem-X with similar product breadth, community-driven content marketing, and emphasis on foam-cannon and touch-free wash solutions.
• Griot's Garage: Premium car care brand selling polishes, waxes, cleaners, and tools through DTC e-commerce. Comparable to Chem-X as a premium-positioned detailing chemicals and equipment brand with a strong enthusiast customer base.
• Adam's Polishes: Vehicle detailing chemicals, polishes, and accessories brand serving professional detailers and enthusiasts. Highly comparable product portfolio (washes, sealants, degreasers, ceramic coatings) and similar DTC and YouTube-driven community marketing approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ChemX/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChemXCustomWashBays
• Instagraminstagram.com/chem.x/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@chem.x?lang=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chem-x

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chem X