Car wash bay

[C2 Turbo]

House build is under way and was wondering how to approach building a dedicated third bay as a car wash spot (28x40)?

Need some ideas as to how to do the walls and how to install the pressure washer?

Thinking about the commercial ceiling type washer sprayer?

Please post picts of your wash areas?

Thanks

 

[bazzateer]

Your proposed wash bay is twice the size of my entire garage. I hate you. That is all.

 

[johnny5c]

My father built a wash/sanding/paint bay in his new 60x40. It's framed with green treated 2x4's on a 2' block base. Walls are gloss white FRP bathroom panels and they're great because they're easy to clean plus they really reflect light.

 

[Mr onetwo]

I installed the wash equipment in a carwash a few years ago.They also used the pebbled white FRP panels.I believe there is different thicknesses...commercial weight would be better, less wavy.It was glued on with plastic strips in between panels.

 

[C2 Turbo]

I am not too familiar with this FRP stuff so can some one please post a picture of them installed?

I was thinking of putting tiles on the walls what do you all think about that?

Any feedback about commercial style water pressure system?

Any idea where I can source it?

Thanks

 

[Kevin54]

I am not too familiar with this FRP stuff so can some one please post a picture of them installed?

I was thinking of putting tiles on the walls what do you all think about that?

Any feedback about commercial style water pressure system?

Any idea where I can source it?

Thanks

FRP= Fiberglass reinforced panels. THe same that is on commercial carwashes. Any lumberyard will carry them, or can order them. The one pic shows them installing them over OSB. If it were me, I wouldn't do that. I would use cement board or a waterproof drywall underneath. Mainly because if any water got in behind and you had OSB, then you have a chance of mold and rot.

 

[Wingnut65]

FRP is Fiberglass Reinforced Panels. We use it in commercial kitchens to cover all the walls. You have probably seen the panel in many public restrooms, mostly at gas stations and the like.

Most common brands are InPro, Marlite and Acrovyn. I just checked and FRP is available at Home Depot, Lowes and Menards.

BTW, on the car wash, my first thought would be an outside carport type that would minimize water damage. The size you are planning is very close to my three car garage/workshop

 

[Fyrme]

House build is under way and was wondering how to approach building a dedicated third bay as a car wash spot (28x40)?

Need some ideas as to how to do the walls and how to install the pressure washer?

Thinking about the commercial ceiling type washer sprayer?

Please post picts of your wash areas?

Thanks

That is an awful lot of real state to be dedicated to one thing. I am getting ready to build a shop and the whole thing is 40x30 and will fit 3 cars. Why so big? I mean look at a normal commercial carwash bay, they are what 12x20 maybe. Some even smaller.
I'd say put you a floor drain in the middle of an end bay and FRP the one wall and leave the open side open for other stuff.
Unless you wash travel trailers for a living or something

What type of pressure washer? Will it be heated? If so, fuel or electric heat? I have a 2500psi 4gpm 220v commercial electric unit with a diesel powered burner. It is on a dolly as of now but once my shop is built, It will be parked next to my compressor out back and plumbed into my shop and the burner will be piped with a chimney flue. The room will be heated in the winter to avoid freezing.

 

[kf4zht]

I would just use ONR or another no rinse soap and keep the bay for normal work. Unless detailing cars is a business for you

 

[mr overdunne]

Frp is about 26 bucks a sheet at my local Home Depot. Pretty pricey.

 

[volleyball]

Why such a big space? Why build a space at all? Do you wash vehicles daily?
where are you located?

 

[C2 Turbo]

Your proposed wash bay is twice the size of my entire garage. I hate you. That is all.

That is an awful lot of real state to be dedicated to one thing. Unless you wash travel trailers for a living or something

Why such a big space? Why build a space at all? Do you wash vehicles daily?
where are you located?

You all ^ are friggen hilarious

If you read my first post it says the third bay would be dedeicated for the car wash and not the entire garage.


One side would be for a regular weekend car, the middle bay would have a 2 post car lift and the third bay would be dedicated for a car wash.

I am planning on putting a wall between the 2nd and the 3rd bay so that the water doesn't spill over to the lift area.

The garage depth is 28 feet so I might just do a wall say 20 feet deep

 

[volleyball]

Of course we are funny, you started it though. We all read that size wash bay.
We read what was said, not what was meant. That is something that is common on a majority of forum posts.
Can I assume you are not planning on pressure washing your classic car in it?

 

[scarney1988]

That is a lot of space!

I would just grade the floor appropriately so run-off goes into a floor drain (check your local regs) or out the door.

To protect the walls from splash over... Get a tarp on an overhead trolley line.

Pull in. Pull tarp around. Wash the car. Pull the tarp back On with life.

We used a similar set up at my one job for spraying undercoating and it worked great. Dont see why it wouldn't work acceptably for this type of application.

Good luck, send us some pictures.

 

[theoldwizard1]

...I would just grade the floor appropriately so run-off goes into a floor drain (check your local regs) or out the door.

This is a BIG issue !

Many building codes will not allow a garage floor drain to be connect to a septic or municipal sewer (probably not a good idea on a septic anyway ... too much water) or just sent out as surface water.

Those that do allow connection to municipal sewers usually require commercial grade oil/sediment separator in the drain line.

 

[C2 Turbo]

Can I assume you are not planning on pressure washing your classic car in it?

Definately not and will soon post pictures of my classic, a '91 964 Turbo

That is a lot of space!

I would just grade the floor appropriately so run-off goes into a floor drain (check your local regs) or out the door.

To protect the walls from splash over... Get a tarp on an overhead trolley line.

Pull in. Pull tarp around. Wash the car. Pull the tarp back On with life.

send us some pictures.

Will do and is it possible for you to post pictures of the Tarp set up just to see how it looks.

 

[Matt M PA]

There are companies that make curtains for body shops and such. They move on a track. Goff is one. I think they call them curtain walls. Would be ideal to keep splash co trolled and wouldn't be a permanent wall.

 

[scarney1988]

This is a BIG issue !

Many building codes will not allow a garage floor drain to be connect to a septic or municipal sewer (probably not a good idea on a septic anyway ... too much water) or just sent out as surface water.

Those that do allow connection to municipal sewers usually require commercial grade oil/sediment separator in the drain line.

Ya, I am working under the assumption that his budget is above average (size of area, desired equipment, etc...) and that a separator is not out of the question.

I doubt a small grade in one area of the garage would be to much trouble (could be wrong here depending on your municipality).

I am assuming a lot because I do not know what stage he is at in the build.

I will ask my friend to take some pictures of the set up (I do not work there any more). Picture a claw tubs wrap around shower curtain but much larger lol.

 

[csp]

House build is under way and was wondering how to approach building a dedicated third bay as a car wash spot (28x40)?

Hmm, like many others apparently I read this in particular that the car wash bay would be 28x40.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

This is a BIG issue !

Many building codes will not allow a garage floor drain to be connect to a septic or municipal sewer (probably not a good idea on a septic anyway ... too much water) or just sent out as surface water.

Those that do allow connection to municipal sewers usually require commercial grade oil/sediment separator in the drain line.

You beat me to it...

Tommy

 

[Arps]

I used to work at a place that made waterproof wall panels and ceiling panels as well as all the hardware to install. I dont know if it will help, but here you go.

http://www.parklandplastics.com/

 

[qdvuu]

There are companies that make curtains for body shops and such. They move on a track. Goff is one. I think they call them curtain walls. Would be ideal to keep splash controlled and wouldn't be a permanent wall.

This is what I came here to say. With a curtain you can have the best of both worlds. Plus, this approach would be better than a wall for resale value, should you want to re-sell in the future.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I doubt a small grade in one area of the garage would be to much trouble (could be wrong here depending on your municipality).

As in grading one part of the garage so that water drains out the door ?

Not good if the OP lives where the temps can stay below freezing for multiple days (likely if he wants an inside was bay).

 

[Zeke]

The interior wall could be a stud wall covered with FRP. I'd build the outer walls with block or concrete and seal it well. A dedicated room could be used for any dirty work keeping the dirt/dust/whatever off the other vehicles. For that reason install an exhaust fan. I think tile would look institutional.

AFA as the overhead hose rack, that would be convenient but I wouldn't use a pressure wand. Just a hose with filtered water. I'd install an ionized water system for the rinse.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Why not use steel panels, same as on most pole barns?
Many commercial shops have Hotsy units that heat the water and provide the pressure.
The swinging hose rig at car washes would be a lot better than dragging the hose around.
I'd also recommend you include a large sink, a vacuum system and extra lighting.
And those clips on the walls for holding floor mats.
And a hot air blower drying system.
And the tire cleaning brush too.

 

[gipraw]

Where are you located? Why do you want a pressure washer? Unless you are going to be battling muddy vehicles, or road salt during the winter or something else harsh like that, a normal garden hose with a good fireman's nozzle on it is more than sufficient for washing a vehicle if it is too dirty to use ONR.

I wash vehicles like that all the time in my shop. For the rare occasion I need to use a pressure washer I just pull it out to the drive and do it there, then pull back in for drying, etc.


I used wash bay curtains at one of my previous shop locations and found it was unneeded overkill. I ended up selling them because I rarely used them.

This is where I ordered my curtains. I had one on each side to protect the walls.

http://www.curtain-and-divider.com/wash-down-curtains/industrial-wash-bay-curtains/

 

[Stuart in MN]

Where are you located? Why do you want a pressure washer? Unless you are going to be battling muddy vehicles, or road salt during the winter or something else harsh like that, a normal garden hose with a good fireman's nozzle on it is more than sufficient for washing a vehicle if it is too dirty to use ONR.

He said he's not going to use a pressure washer in post #16.

 

[Zeke]

What he said was he wanted help in installing his pressure washer in post #1. He said in post 16 that he wouldn't wash his classic car with it. If you're going to pick, study first.

House build is under way and was wondering how to approach building a dedicated third bay as a car wash spot (28x40)?

Need some ideas as to how to do the walls and how to install the pressure washer?

Thinking about the commercial ceiling type washer sprayer?

Please post picts of your wash areas?

Thanks

 

[C2 Turbo]

Many commercial shops have Hotsy units that heat the water and provide the pressure.
The swinging hose rig at car washes would be a lot better than dragging the hose around.
I'd also recommend you include a large sink, a vacuum system and extra lighting.
And those clips on the walls for holding floor mats.
And a hot air blower drying system.
And the tire cleaning brush too.

That's exactly what I need to know. Where can I find the swinging hose, hotsy unit and the hot air blower drying system?

Where are you located? Why do you want a pressure washer? Unless you are going to be battling muddy vehicles, or road salt during the winter or something else harsh like that, a normal garden hose with a good fireman's nozzle on it is more than sufficient for washing a vehicle if it is too dirty to use ONR.

I wash vehicles like that all the time in my shop. For the rare occasion I need to use a pressure washer I just pull it out to the drive and do it there, then pull back in for drying, etc.


I used wash bay curtains at one of my previous shop locations and found it was unneeded overkill. I ended up selling them because I rarely used them.

This is where I ordered my curtains. I had one on each side to protect the walls.

http://www.curtain-and-divider.com/wash-down-curtains/industrial-wash-bay-curtains/

I Live in KY and I personally think a little bit more pressure than a water hose be lot better especially for the under carriage and the wheel wells?

If Fireman's hose would work and build some pressure then by all means I would consider that.

Any links?

Curtain link is awesome..Thanks

What he said was he wanted help in installing his pressure washer in post #1. He said in post 16 that he wouldn't wash his classic car with it. If you're going to pick, study first.

That's right

 

[Robbo]

This had some resources for buying units as I remember.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/yago133.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[theoldwizard1]

That's exactly what I need to know. Where can I find the swinging hose, hotsy unit and the hot air blower drying system?

Find Your Local Hotsy Dealer

 

[nicksnothereman]

House build is under way and was wondering how to approach building a dedicated third bay as a car wash spot (28x40)?

Need some ideas as to how to do the walls and how to install the pressure washer?

Thinking about the commercial ceiling type washer sprayer?

Please post picts of your wash areas?

Thanks

You should build a free range chicken playpen with optional sound system to soothe the hens with mozart and possibly bach so they produce more eggs.

 

[6t7gto]

All the car wash equipment you need is here...

http://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/

 

[volleyball]

There are residential pressure boosters readily available that don't get to pressure washer levels. Or you could use a air compressor to up the pressure. I have a air wand that has a liquid siphon that I put in the soap of my choice.
I would go to a local car self wash business and look over their equipment. you might be able to buy an older unit from them that needs rebuilding for cheap.
I have some of the nozzles from a car wash that a relative left here when they built a snow machine in my yard. They are basically pipe caps with a hole in the end to control spray pattern

 

[gipraw]

That's exactly what I need to know. Where can I find the swinging hose, hotsy unit and the hot air blower drying system?




I Live in KY and I personally think a little bit more pressure than a water hose be lot better especially for the under carriage and the wheel wells?

If Fireman's hose would work and build some pressure then by all means I would consider that.

Any links?

Curtain link is awesome..Thanks



That's right

Extra pressure could definitely help, but if it isn't needed all the time, you can do it in the drive and not be as concerned with splash proofing the garage bay.

For an air dryer, I use a Metro sidekick. they are inexpensive and do a great job. I use it daily with no issues.


Floor mat clamp: http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/mc-5.html

Fire hose nozzle: http://www.autogeek.net/fire-hose-nozzle.html

Air dryer: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LQB24G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Matt M PA]

I set up my attached garage for easy car washing...although I work outside for washing. I put all my gear near the garage door.

I have an electric Karcher unit plumbed to a open, manual reel. There must be 75' of hose on the reel and it's very convenient to wash the trailer, car, whatever.

And now...my .02 on pressure washers. I would advised anything over 1500psi for car washing...too much potential for damage, etc and you really need no more than that for car washing.

Hotsy. A friend of mine had one and gave it away. The people he gave it to...hardly use it. There's no doubt it's an older unit, but they complain about how long it takes to get hot and say it makes little difference in what they are doing. Your mileage may vary.

Finally...I suggested the curtain walls for the same reason that I'd suggest against a permanent installation of car washing gear short of a hose reel, etc. Since I redid my attached garage as well as building my detached...I've swapped things around more than once. I'd be concerned about wanting to change the space around and having all kinds of installed gear, walls, etc....

 

[dubber]

This is what I came here to say. With a curtain you can have the best of both worlds. Plus, this approach would be better than a wall for resale value, should you want to re-sell in the future.

I was going to suggest this as well. If you had the track do the full tour of the third bay you wouldn't need to put the wall between the lift bay and the wash bay, giving your more space on a daily basis.

 

[Fyrme]

I used to own a mobile wash company. It's not all about the pressure like most people seem to believe. It's about volume and heat. I washed houses mostly and never used over 400psi. Nor did I use a ladder, even on a 2 story house. Cars are a little different but not much. The wand I use now is a dual line with a handle twist valve. I can control the pressure but the volume is always the same. I can remove paint or apply water like a open ended water hose.

 

[Fyrme]

Hotsy. A friend of mine had one and gave it away. The people he gave it to...hardly use it. There's no doubt it's an older unit, but they complain about how long it takes to get hot and say it makes little difference in what they are doing. Your mileage may vary.....

I disagree. I can easily clean greasy soaked parts with my machine using about 80lbs of pressure flowing 185˚ water. And I get hot water in about 30-40 seconds.

 

[C2 Turbo]

I disagree. I can easily clean greasy soaked parts with my machine using about 80lbs of pressure flowing 185˚ water. And I get hot water in about 30-40 seconds.

What's up with that sneaky little Bull in your Sig