New waterproof tunnel display aims to turn wash time into ad revenue

MirageVision has introduced a sealed, waterproof television display designed to operate inside automated car wash tunnels, positioning the product as both a customer experience upgrade and a new revenue channel for operators. The company, which markets itself as the inventor of the outdoor TV, calls the product the Car Wash TunnelTV.

According to reporting from the International Carwash Association, the display is engineered to survive the high-moisture, chemical-heavy conditions inside a tunnel that typically destroy standard digital signage. The line is available for order immediately.

What the product offers

The TunnelTV comes in 55, 65, 75, and 85 inch sizes and carries an IP66 rating, meaning it is fully sealed against water, humidity, and chemical mist. MirageVision says the units use an ultra-bright 4K panel intended to stay visible through suds, mist, and low-light tunnel conditions, and are built for continuous playback with minimal maintenance.

The company frames the screens around two operator use cases. The first is promoting unlimited wash clubs and membership upgrades to a captive audience of drivers moving slowly through the tunnel. The second is advertising revenue: MirageVision says operators can sell screen time through targeted local ad packages supplied by a sister company, The IRL Network.

CEO Michael Campagna, Sr. said car wash tunnels present "one of the most uniquely captive audiences in retail," but that the environment had previously been too hostile for conventional digital signage. The company positions the sealed hardware as the solution to that durability barrier.

The captive-audience pitch

The core argument behind the product is that a driver in a tunnel has nowhere to look and nothing to do for the length of the wash cycle. That attention, MirageVision argues, can be directed toward membership conversion messaging or monetized through third-party ads. Pricing, custom mounting options, and full specifications are available through the company directly.

Why it matters for operators

In-tunnel screens are not a new concept, but water intrusion and chemical exposure have historically made durable, high-quality displays hard to justify inside the wash bay. A hardware option rated for those conditions lowers the practical barrier to putting a screen in front of every customer.

The more important question for operators is what goes on the screen. Using tunnel time to push unlimited membership plans aligns directly with the recurring-revenue model most washes now depend on, and a captive viewer is a strong moment to prompt an upgrade. Third-party advertising is a different proposition. It can add incremental income, but operators should weigh whether running outside ads in front of paying customers fits the brand experience, and how revenue share and ad content control are handled before committing.

As with any signage investment, the value depends on installation cost, ongoing maintenance in a harsh environment, and whether the content actually moves membership numbers. Operators considering the product should ask for durability data, warranty terms, and clarity on how the advertising network is managed before treating it as a revenue line rather than an amenity.