Tunnel Carwash preventative maintenance

The importance of regular cleaning of the equipment in the carwash cannot be overstressed. Having the equipment clean can do a lot for your business. The equipment being clean is always good for the customers to see, and it has its benefits for the carwash as well.

When most people think about cleaning the equipment, they automatically think of the carwash tunnel. For the carwash to benefit, problems become easier to spot and fix in a clean environment, both in the tunnel and the back room.

So let’s start with how to clean the equipment in the tunnel. This process might be shorter or longer depending on the last time it was done. First, a cleaner for the equipment is needed. In most cases, an aluminum brightener is used and it is usually an acid-based product. This usually needs to be diluted, so check the original product strength and dilute accordingly to about 50/50. The next thing you need is protective equipment. The minimum needed is rubber gloves and eye protection. However, an apron and face mask are not a bad idea. Apply the cleaner to the equipment in the tunnel. Some way to spray the product on the equipment  makes the process easier, but it can be brushed on. Pay special attention to any problem areas and scrub those with a stiff bristle brush if needed.

Time to clean the carwash

Work on one piece of equipment at a time and work from one end of the tunnel to the other. After applying the chemical, be sure to rinse the equipment thoroughly, usually with a prep gun, making sure to get all the chemical off the equipment. Chemical left on the equipment may cause continued corrosion. After cleaning the tunnel be sure to spray bolts and bearings with WD-40 or a similar product. For the back room of the carwash there is usually not as much grime on the equipment, so a spray bottle and all-purpose cleaner can be used. Spray the cleaner on, allowing time to work and then remove with a rag. If the build-up is bad use some type of scrub brush to remove the build-up.

As stated above, keeping the equipment clean can help you find problems quickly and cut the repair time in half. Let’s look at the facts. If a bearing on the wrap goes out, the equipment is dirty, and bolts are seized, it could take as much as three hours to fix. On the other hand, at a clean and well-kept carwash it takes as little as forty-five minutes to do the same repair. The benefits to you are huge in time savings. The benefits to the customer are huge, since a clean carwash always makes for a better carwashing experience.  

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