10 Most Vital Car Wash Parts Your Car Wash Business Needs

So, you took the plunge and opened up your own car wash business. Congratulations! Hopefully, your car wash is a huge success in your area. What now that you are open? One of the biggest mistakes new car wash owners make is neglecting their business and other money-making opportunities.

To start with, you need to stay on top of the car wash maintenance of your hand car wash equipment. You will need specific parts and components to keep everything working correctly. If car wash equipment stops working or isn’t working correctly, it won’t be long before you see a sharp decline in customers. Getting these customers back will be even harder.

You will want to make sure you keep a stock of the 10  most vital car wash parts on hand at all times. Many of these same parts could potentially be used to upgrade your existing car wash business if it has been around for quite a while and you’ve never done any upgrades.

1. Car Wash Heaters

Making sure your car wash customers have plenty of hot water is important, especially in the cold winter months. Hot water helps remove more dirt, salt, sand, and grime from vehicles. Plus, it can be used to heat wax for “hot wax” applications.

2. Car Wash Conveyor Parts

If you have a self-serve car wash, you could automate one of your bays for customers who don’t have the time or inclination to hand wash their vehicles. Conveyor parts are essential to pull the car into the bay and move it out once the automated wash cycle is finished.

Full-service car wash operations also need conveyor parts to keep cars moving at a steady pace through their automated car wash system. The last thing you want to do is have to turn customers away because your conveyor broke and you don’t have the parts to fix it.

3. Car Wash Water Filters

Car wash water filters help remove impurities from the water. Water filters are must-haves if you have hard water or are drawing your water from a well for your car wash. Different filters will remove different particles like sand, rust, and minerals.

4. Car Wash Flow Switches

Flow switches are other must-have hand car wash equipment parts you need to keep stocked. Flow switches help regulate the flow of water, soap, and wax through the system. They ensure that the right amounts of soap and wax are released into the water at the right times.

5. Car Wash Pumps

Wash pumps are necessary to force water out of the system and into the spray nozzles. Pumps also help ensure that soap and wax are pumped from their storage containers and into the system when needed.

6. Car Wash Wand Spraying System Parts

Spray wands, wand extenders, and hoses are all types of hand car wash equipment parts that wear out and need to be replaced periodically. You never want to have to close a car wash bay and say it is “out of order” because the spray wand isn’t working.

7. Car Wash Tips

There is a wide array of car wash tips needed to connect hoses, fittings, and other such connectors. You want to keep a stock of all the different sizes used by your car wash system on hand, in case you need to replace one because of leaks or other issues.

8. Car Wash Hydraflex Chemical Injectors

These special connectors are what are used to inject soap and wax into the water during wash cycles and wax cycles. The injectors can wear out or get clogged from excessive use, so you will want to have plenty available to make quick repairs when necessary.

9. Car Wash Valves

Valves help control the flow of water, soap, and wax through the system. They are a vital part you need to have access to in case one fails. There are all sorts of different valves used in car wash systems to help keep your car wash running smoothly.

10. Car Wash Regulators and Switches

Car wash regulators and switches are used in different areas of car wash systems. For automated washes, floor switches tell the system when a car is in the bay and instructs the conveyor to pull the car through the car wash. In self-serve car washes, regulars are used for air regulation, filtration, and other such purposes.

Other Car Wash Materials and Parts You May Want to Consider

Aside from keeping the above parts and components on hand for quick and easy repairs, there are other car wash materials and upgrades you may want to consider to keep customers returning to your car wash.

1. Blowers/Dryers

For self-serve car washes, blowers/dryers could be installed so, when your customers pull out of the bay, their vehicles are mostly dried off. For automatic car wash systems, blowers/dryers are a vital part of the automated car wash experience.

2. Sufficient Lighting

You want to make sure to attract customers not just during the day but also at night. The best way to do this is with plenty of lighting at your car wash. You should have a light-up sign, light posts over vacuum cleaners, exterior lighting around the bays, and plenty of lighting in each bay.

3. Modern Soaps, Waxes, Cleaners 

Today’s car paints tend to be water-based, so they require different types of soaps, waxes, and cleaners to keep them from coming off the vehicle. Providing access to the latest washing, waxing, and cleaning products can be a huge selling point to attract and keep customers.

4. Auto Detailing Supplies

Don’t overlook the potential earnings you could make from stocking and selling the right mix of auto detailing supplies. Some top sellers are Little Trees air fresheners, Armor All Protectant, and microfiber cleaning towels.

For full-service car washes, you can sell these items and others in your lobby or waiting area. With self-serve operations, you want to make sure to have plenty of vending machines available to your customers. You could even stock snacks and beverages, too, and earn even more.

Tips for Maintaining and Upgrading Your Car Wash Business

Keeping your car wash looking as great as it did on the first day it opened requires some work, but it will pay off with repeat business and attracting new customers.

Tip #1: Replace Old and Worn-Out Parts and Components

Inspect your car wash system regularly and replace any old and worn-out parts. Don’t wait for them to fail. By being proactive, you can keep your bays open and earning money.

Tip #2: Clean Your Car Wash

It is essential to keep your car wash clean. This means picking up trash, painting the building, replacing burnt-out lights, wiping down vacuum cleaners, and applying new stickers and decals. You also want to clean hand car wash equipment to keep it running correctly.

Tip #3: Get Training and Train Your Employees

If you are a solo operation, take the time to get training on how to maintain your car wash system and vacuum cleaners. This will save you money on having to hire a professional. You should also train your employees if you have any.

Tip #4: Schedule Frequent Equipment Service

You want to have a professional visit your car wash a few times each year to do a complete inspection and service on your car wash system and vacuum cleaners. Having a professional come in will alert you to potential problems and ensure that your equipment is maintained at peak operating performance.

Tip #5: Replace Outdated Equipment

If your car wash is older, now might be the perfect time to retrofit your bays with modern car wash equipment. There are water-conserving car wash systems; superior soaps, waxes, and cleaners; and other technological advances to increase the efficiency of your car wash and attract more customers.

By taking the time to stock the hand wash equipment parts and components you need, and the car wash materials to sell, and by upgrading your car wash to keep it modern, you are sure to have a highly successful car wash business.

To shop for bulk car detailing supplies, hand car wash equipment, car wash materials, and auto detailing equipment at wholesale prices, please feel free to browse our online store or call Superior Car Wash Supply at 800-554-9274 for further assistance today!