Preparing the car wash for spring

Filters

We suggest starting with a thorough check of all the filters because, as we all know, clean water is the foundation of a touchless car wash. Any dirt can cause costly breakdowns, which makes this a very important part of preparing the car wash for spring! Start with the main inlet filter and then check the others in turn: the filters upstream of the reverse osmosis unit, the manifold filters and so on.

Pumps

The pumps should be next. Check the oil level and top it up if necessary or, if needed, replace the pump with a new one. Grey or milky oil means the pump is worn. If the owner notices oil of that colour, they should always check the oil seals. In BKF car washes this is easy – just look underneath the pumps, because oil collects there if there is a leak. If the oil has the wrong colour, also check the water seals by making sure that no water is escaping from under the pump. The car wash owner should not forget about the oil filler cap either. Check that it is screwed on tightly, because water can get inside if it leaks.

DESIGN YOUR CAR WASH ONLINE AND WE WILL PRICE IT

Seals

Once you know the condition of the filters and pumps, move on to the seals. Depending on the operating hours, replace the high-pressure and low-pressure seals (approx. every 500 operating hours) and the pressure valves (approx. every 250 operating hours). After a hard winter it is also worth checking all the high-pressure hoses. Look for abrasions and other physical damage. The next step is to check that the connection between the high-pressure hose and the swivel joint on the boom is tight, and to check the condition of the swivel joint itself.

Guns, nozzles and hoses

High-pressure nozzles are another element that deserves special attention. They can wear slightly faster in winter. Signs of a worn nozzle are lower washing pressure and a distorted water jet. A correctly shaped nozzle outlet is rectangular – a round outlet means the nozzle is worn and has to be replaced. The high-pressure gun should be checked for leaks and given a general inspection. If water drips from the nozzle even though the trigger is released, the valve is damaged.

Circulation system

An important part of preparing the car wash for spring is checking the water circulation system. The system, which was switched on for the winter frosts, should switch off automatically in spring. However, switching off the circulation system does not release the owner from checking it thoroughly. If there is any dirt in it, it has to be removed. Remember that you should not leave deposits in the system over the summer! In addition, the circulation tank must be cleaned thoroughly and checked for leaks. The first step should be cleaning the filter next to the pressure reducer of the circulation pump. The next step is checking the float and the hoses of the closed circulation loop, which must also be checked for leaks and visible mechanical damage.

Reverse osmosis system

One of the last items of the spring clean-up at the car wash is checking the reverse osmosis unit. Hard water clogs the reverse osmosis membrane, which reduces its efficiency and eventually leads to damage and costly repairs. It also affects washing quality, because hard water leaves visible streaks on washed cars. That is why it is so important to supply the car wash with water of the right quality.

Water softening system

The last but very important task is to check the water softener: the salt level in the brine tank and the water level in it. If there is no water, check the float in the brine tank so that the softeners can regenerate. Water hardness should be checked not only during the spring clean-up but regularly, ideally once a week. The car wash owner should keep this in mind especially in spring, when the car wash is usually busier.

BKF service

Finally, any faults the owner notices should be repaired as soon as possible. Having the inspection carried out by an authorised service is the safest option. BKF service provides professional warranty and post-warranty care, including regular inspections, troubleshooting and telephone support. BKF services car washes from all manufacturers, so if you own a car wash made by another manufacturer, you can still use BKF services. BKF also offers spare parts for car wash equipment. Remember that regular service visits prevent many costly breakdowns, so inspections should not be limited to the spring clean-up, when a visit from a specialist is particularly advisable, but should take place all year round.

DESIGN YOUR CAR WASH ONLINE AND WE WILL PRICE IT

You may also be interested in:

• Marketing your car wash
• Touchless car wash in winter
• How to wash road salt off your car
• Cashless payments at your car wash
• Card payments at touchless car washes