For example, if your business is located in a climate that experiences cold temperatures where snow and ice are present, ask yourself the following questions and add to your maintenance list: Remove the validator, and ship it to your service center for inspection and/or repair.ĭepending on where your business is located, your carwash may need additional climate-specific maintenance.Replace the filter on the hydraulic unit.Empty tokens/coins, and clean the sensor and pinwheel.Check coins to ensure there are no unwanted items in the mix (paperclips, strings, etc.).Do not use abrasive cleaners, as it will damage the machine. Clean the auto cashier with glass cleaner.On friction curtains, check the oil gear box.Disable foam generators on foaming arches (quarterly). Grease correlator bearings on the conveyor.Check electric motors for abnormal vibrations.On electric motors, grease the bearings (quarterly).Grease the fittings on mitter pivot arms.Grease conveyors at the entrance and exit.The more often you involve your employees in routine checks, the more knowledgeable they will become about the wash and the better equipped they will be to handle equipment mishaps in the future. Turn off anything that isn’t necessary.Inspect and clean filters and strainers.Cleaning the lobby (sweeping or vacuuming and cleaning the beverage/snack area).Start cleaning the site a few hours before you are set to close, including:.Check equipment for damage, and replace parts or order new ones, if needed.Check the water softener salt levels and fill, if needed.Check for worn nozzles, open check valves and order parts, if needed.Has consumption spiked, or has use decreased not related to wash volume? As needed, make repairs or order parts.įinally, when you are done for the day, performing a closing preventative maintenance similar to this suggested list will help keep you on track to manage a successful operation the following day: Keep your eyes and ears open for anything unusual. When the last couple of cars for the day enter the wash, walk through with the vehicle. Check all hoses and fittings for leaks.Is the credit card reader in working order? Is it free of obstructions?.Check in-bay light fixtures and exterior lights.Store tools and equipment (like hoses).“Very often, carwash owners forget that we are asking our customers to trust … that we will produce a clean, dry and shiny car for them - but we forget that we must present our washes as a place that will do just that,” notes Ted Maier, South Texas direct sales for Mark VII Equipment Inc.Īlong with a visual inspection of the carwash equipment, performing maintenance procedures similar to this suggested list on a daily basis will help you keep your wash in check. As you walk through the wash, make note of any suspicious equipment that can be further analyzed that evening or during weekly preventative maintenance. A visual inspection will determine if the brushes are touching the vehicle and how the soap is being applied, and it ensures that systems like timing, brushes and soap application are working properly. Next, perform a test wash with a vehicle present and walk through with the vehicle. “This procedure gets the brushes lubricated and allows you to spot a drip or leak,” says Lemmen. Run a test wash (also called a ghost wash or wet down) without a vehicle present at least 30 minutes before your carwash opens. To perfect a routine that works best for your carwash, examine the manuals provided with your equipment, or speak with your supplier to obtain specific instructions applicable to your wash. Across multiple interviews with industry experts, Professional Carwashing & Detailing has put together a suggested routine to help build your maintenance schedule. While there is not a one-size-fits-all maintenance schedule for all carwashes, there are general guidelines that can be applied. Not only will your customers be unhappy, but your profits will also go down the road to your competitor. After all, there’s nothing worse than closing your carwash on a busy day. “ Perform maintenance on time, every time - and don’t take shortcuts,” says Mike Lemmen, director of carwash operations at Tommy Car Wash Systems. Proactive thinking reduces the likelihood of unexpected situations, such as wash shutdowns, and ensures that repeat customers can continue to depend on your reliable and efficient service. First and foremost, to be a successful carwash owner and operator, it is important to think proactively, not reactively, in terms of operating a profitable business.
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