Car Wash Maintenance: An Upkeep Guide for Your Business' Equipment

You depend on the equipment in your car wash to run your business. Keeping it in top working order will extend its life and functionality, and help your car wash operate more efficiently. This car wash maintenance guide will cover everything you need to know about keeping your equipment working at peak performance. 

Importance of Regular Car Wash Equipment Maintenance

Taking a preventative approach to car wash maintenance rather than a reactive one will help you get the most out of your investment. Reactive maintenance is when you respond to a problem after it occurs — when you’ll usually need to replace or repair broken parts. 

Preventative maintenance is regularly checking on your equipment and taking care of all the issues that pop up. With a preventative approach, you can head off bigger problems that can lead to expensive repairs and service interruptions. 

Comprehensive maintenance will also make all your equipment safer for your employees and customers. If your brushes, nozzles, and conveyor belts malfunction, they can damage your customers’ cars and your reputation. On the other hand, equipment that’s well cared for will perform better and improve your professional image.  

Car Wash Maintenance Checklist: Best Practices and Schedules

Establishing a preventative maintenance checklist will allow you to take an organized and systemic approach to keeping your car wash running smoothly and preventing unexpected shutdowns. Breaking tasks into daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance jobs makes it simple to stay on top of automatic car wash maintenance without interfering with regular operations. 

During your routine checks, look for signs of wear, such as: 

• Rust
• Corrosion
• Chemical buildup
• Frayed material
• Cracks

Key Daily and Weekly Tasks

When you open your car wash, look around for any standing water that might indicate leaks or other problems. Run the car wash through a complete cycle without a vehicle to lubricate the moving parts and make sure everything is working correctly. 

At the end of the day, top off any fluids that are low, inspect the brushes for debris or foreign objects, and wipe down the machinery. On a weekly basis, you should also: 

• Clean brushes
• Clean nozzles
• Check air compressors
• Check drains for signs of clogs
• Grease and lubricate moving parts 
• Inspect electrical systems, heaters, and thermostats
• Run efficiency tests on pumps

Monthly and Yearly Maintenance

In addition to your daily and weekly tasks, you should do the following routine checks every month: 

• Tighten any loose screws and bolts
• Replace worn brushes and nozzles
• Inspect foam generators, bearings, and blowers
• Clean friction curtains 
• Prepare equipment for seasonal changes as needed

Every year, you should: 

• Perform a more comprehensive equipment inspection
• Evaluate your overall system performance
• Replace hydraulic unit filters
• Grease blower motor bearings

Manufacturer’s Instructions: Why They Matter

The manufacturer’s instructions will be the best place to find detailed information about regular maintenance on all your car wash systems. These instructions will detail specific placement and tolerances for moving parts such as conveyor belts, sprayers, rollers, and brushes. 

The instruction manual will also outline safety protocols for electrical equipment. Following these instructions will reduce the risks of electrical shorts and fires and protect your employees, customers, and equipment.
 
Additionally, you run the risk of voiding the manufacturer’s warranty on equipment if you don’t follow their maintenance procedures. This can leave you on the hook for the cost of repair and replacement. 

Car Wash Employee Training on Maintenance Procedures 

Properly training your employees on maintenance procedures is essential to protect your equipment and keep your car wash running efficiently for as long as possible. For the best results, create maintenance training procedures that cover the following topics: 

• Preventative maintenance of all equipment and pay systems
• Safety protocols, including emergency procedures
• Troubleshooting and fixing common problems
• Chemical optimization and replacement
• Record-keeping and documentation 
• Environmental best practices 

Car Wash Repairs and Maintenance FAQs

What Is the Life of Car Wash Equipment? 

All equipment deteriorates over time, regardless of how carefully you maintain it. However, you can significantly extend the life of your car wash equipment through proper maintenance and regular inspections. A touchless car wash machine can last 10 to 15 years, while a rollover car wash machine can last 10 to 20 years. You can expect a tunnel brush machine to last 15 to 25 years. 

How Often Do You Need to Replace Car Wash Mitts? 

Car wash mitts can last months or years, depending on how often and harshly you use them. The best way to determine when it’s time to replace a mitt is by examining it. Look for signs of frayed, thin, or worn fibers. If the fibers on your mitt are wearing out, they won’t work as efficiently and could scratch a vehicle’s finish. 

You should also check your mitt for stains that won’t come out. This could indicate the material can’t release dirt and grease as effectively. Rips or holes in your mitt also indicate the need for replacement. 

How Often Do Car Wash Brushes Need To Be Replaced? 

The right combination of chemicals and water will resolve dirt and grime right off the brushes during the car wash. This will extend the life of your brushes and enhance their cleaning efficiency. If you’re using the best car wash products, your cloth brushes should last approximately 200,000 car washes, while foam brushes can last 400,000. 

Improve Your Car Wash’s Maintenance for Smooth Operations

As a car wash owner, broken equipment can be one of your highest operating expenses. Fortunately, you can dramatically extend the life of your car wash and the costs of doing business by following a regular car wash maintenance schedule.

Your employees should also know all the best practices for car wash maintenance so they can perform regular upkeep accurately and efficiently. That's why it's important to provide them with a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance checklist.

With proper care and attention, your car wash equipment can function optimally for years to come.