Car wash tunnel equipment maintenance: 15 tips
More than ever, the success of car wash businesses depends on their equipment. There are now dozens of fine-tuned machines in every car wash, all working in harmony to produce clean, dry vehicles every day. From soaking to drying, car wash owners depend on this wide range of advanced machines to operate efficiently, especially when handling a large number of cars.
If just one of these machines fails, it can have serious consequences for your business. Not prioritizing maintenance can affect the speed, efficiency, and quality of your car washes. Over time, the consequences can become even worse: expensive repairs, damaged equipment, or extended downtime or downtime.
With so many parts and components to keep track of, it’s hard to know what needs your attention and when. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to show you the best maintenance tips to keep your car wash tunnel equipment in top condition.
The importance of maintaining car wash tunnel equipment
It is easy to see maintenance as an additional cost that should be kept as low as possible. No car wash owner wants to waste money, and maintaining expensive machines like those in a car wash tunnel can be difficult. However, to protect your investment, preventive maintenance is essential.
Even if you have the budget for catastrophic repairs, equipment failure can damage your reputation. If customers are turned away because your tunnel system is not working, they may look elsewhere for a car wash.
Making car wash tunnel maintenance a priority will save you money in the long run. They ensure that your equipment is safe, reliable and operating at maximum efficiency to provide the best customer experience.
15 tips for tunnel car wash maintenance
Maintenance of the car wash tunnel system begins before your car wash opens. To reduce the amount of maintenance (and replacement) required, start with the best.
1. Invest in high-quality tunnel washers
The quality of your equipment plays a crucial role in the quality of your car wash. It’s simple: better washing tunnel systems can provide better results for customers.
Plus, quality tunnel washers can save you thousands of dollars in repairs in the long run. Poorly made products are more likely to break suddenly or wear out quickly. Even if you save money by buying cheaper machines, you may end up spending a lot more to repair or replace the cheap parts.
2. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
The car wash manufacturer knows what works and what doesn’t work with a particular unit. Some of us are not good at following directions – you know who you are! – but it is worth following the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
For example, some car wash cleaning products and materials may not react well to all types of equipment. Some machines may require adjustment after a certain number of uses, while others may not require adjustment for several months or longer. To ensure that you properly maintain your equipment and your investment, follow the instructions carefully.
3. Create a maintenance plan and checklist
Large car wash chains in the car wash industry often have an extensive maintenance schedule based on the type of equipment they have and wash volume. They also usually have trained staff and an inventory of spare parts or repair tools.
However, smaller car wash companies cannot always afford this luxury. What works for a big chain may not work for you. Therefore, you may want to create a unique maintenance plan and checklist specific to your business.
Start with the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules. From there, you can create a more detailed schedule and checklist to ensure that all of your parts are always working. Your schedules should include daily, weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance for each unit.
Keep in mind that maintenance needs to increase as your car volume increases. As your business grows and offers more hourly car wash packages, your schedule must evolve as well.
4. Check your car wash equipment daily
Even if your maintenance schedule doesn’t include equipment inspection, your car wash tunnel system can still benefit from a daily inspection. Perform a visual inspection of the car wash at least 30 minutes before opening the car wash. Ensure that all maintenance is carried out according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Then perform a test wash without the vehicle. This will heat up the equipment and lubricate everything. It is also an opportunity to identify problems such as leaks or faulty tools.
Finally, take a test drive in a vehicle and tour through the tunnel. This is your chance to assess how the equipment performs under pressure. For example, consider the timing of the washing belt, the pressure on the brushes and the quality of the soap application. Note anything that seems unusual for later follow-up.
5. Clean the equipment regularly
Customers expect a clean and professional environment at the car wash. This also applies to the equipment. To meet this expectation and improve the appearance and safety of your car wash, be sure to clean your equipment daily. Removing built up grease, dirt, debris and rust will help your appliances last longer and keep everything running smoothly.
6. Use the right chemicals and fluids
Nothing ruins a machine faster than the wrong fluids. While topping up fluids is important, make sure you’re using the right chemicals for your machines. If possible, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid damage to your equipment.
The same applies to cleaning solutions. Be careful not to use chemicals that could damage sensitive equipment.
7. Lubricate and lubricate moving parts
To keep your equipment in top condition, lubrication is essential. Using the right lubricant reduces friction, heat and wear, maximizing the life of your car wash parts.
Make sure you stick to your lubrication schedule. Even just a few minutes of operation without proper lubrication can cause damage.
8. Replace worn or damaged parts
With daily use, parts of the car wash can wear out over time. How quickly they wear out depends on the number of cars you service, which means that busy car washes must always keep track of their parts. If you’re not prepared and lose an important part of the system, you could go days or longer without a car wash while you wait for a replacement.
Keep an eye out for parts that may need replacing soon and keep spares on hand. This means that you can continue the service without interruption even in the event of an emergency change.
If you really want to be proactive, we offer a ready stock cabinet with essential parts so you can minimize downtime and keep your laundry running.
9. Calibrate sensors and control systems regularly
High-quality automatic touchless car washes have complex control systems and sensors that detect vehicle exteriors without causing damage. If something goes wrong with these systems, the car wash can be shut down completely.
Regular calibration of sensors can mean a big difference between a safely functioning car wash and a tunnel that is not in operation.
10. Prepare your gear for cold weather
Depending on your location, you may need to make climate-specific considerations for your car wash tunnel equipment. Especially cold weather can be a challenge for many car washes. Your maintenance plan may need to include:
Snow eye from the tunnel openings
Keep tunnel openings free of ice
Maintain heating elements
Apply rock salt if necessary
Have a snow blower or snow shovel
11. Have the unit serviced by a qualified technician
While you can train your employees to perform minimal maintenance, nothing beats a professional effort. In addition to your internal maintenance cycle, it also helps to make arrangements with an external professional.
Instead of just calling for help when something goes wrong, take preventative measures by having your car wash inspected by a professional at least every six months. Qualified car wash technicians receive specialized training to maintain car wash systems. They can spot signs of problems long before major repairs are made and replace parts before they threaten the rest of the car wash.
11. Keep records of maintenance and repairs
Whether you’re performing a routine maintenance check or making a major repair to your car wash tunnel equipment, keep records of your work. Detailed recording allows you to monitor the condition of your machines over a longer period of time. It helps you monitor inspections, repairs and replacements when your tunnel washer experiences increased wear and tear.
Documented inspections also help show customers your commitment to a safe and enjoyable car wash experience.
13. Train your employees in proper maintenance procedures
Most car wash companies call in professionals to help when something goes seriously wrong. But in addition to emergencies, the responsibility for the day-to-day operations lies with employees on site. Personnel must be properly trained in proper maintenance procedures, including cleaning and minor repairs.
A great way to gain this valuable training and experience is to take a tunnel maintenance course at the College of Clean. Specialized courses cover key areas and provide practical training experience.
14. Test and maintain emergency stop systems regularly
Although a car wash in a tunnel does not seem dangerous, it is also not suitable for direct human contact. In an emergency, the device can cause serious damage.
Customers expect a safe and reliable experience, which means your security systems must be in good working order. The emergency stop button allows employees to interrupt the wash process in an emergency, for example if a customer leaves their vehicle during the wash.
Maintain a schedule to regularly test and maintain emergency shutdown systems. Do not wait for an emergency to find out if the stop system is working. Make sure it is 100% safe before customers drive through the entrance.
15. Implement water recycling systems
Although more economical than home car washes, commercial car washes still produce a large amount of wastewater. A quality water recycling system allows you to clean this wastewater for reuse, saving money on water bills and protecting the environment. Using uncontaminated water can help extend the life of your car wash tunnel equipment.
Carwash 4.0: the future of car wash maintenance
Investing in quality equipment and following a dedicated maintenance schedule is just the beginning for car wash owners. Using a combination of connected devices, remote monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI), a Carwash 4.0 system can revolutionize the way you maintain and use your car wash.
A Carwash 4.0 system combined with the NCS Lens app allows you to monitor your car washes in real time with your smartphone. You can closely monitor, adjust and report on a variety of systems and parameters, making your laundry more efficient and consistent.
Carwash 4.0 also integrates powerful condition-based maintenance technology that uses sensors and data to predict equipment failures long before they occur. Managers or owners can automatically receive notifications of problems and schedule maintenance or replacements outside of business hours. No surprises, no downtime – and you don’t even have to be there.
Maximize quality and durability with a reliable equipment supplier
A car wash tunnel is not a small investment, but it can yield significant returns – as long as you start with the best equipment and parts and keep up with car wash tunnel maintenance.
Find the fastest, safest, and most reliable equipment on the market with National Carwash Solutions (NCS). Also, contact us for maintenance help and advice if needed. READ FOR MORE
