Wash Bay Ideas

[pumpercaptain]

Hello everyone... wondering if I could get some ideas from some of you for an easy way to "dike" or "dam" up water on a concrete slab inside my pole barn/garage.

I am wanting to wash my vehicles this winter inside my pole barn and the water tends to run everywhere but to the drain of course, so what would be a good way to keep the water from running everywhere? My pop suggested a garden hose laid out surronding the area. That may slow it down, but I think it will still get under it. Would like something I can remove after winter or each time I wash...

Also, I covered the inside of the barn with OSB board. Was thinking of covering or painting the board near where I would be washing... thoughts on this as well???

What say you?

Thanks alot
PC

 

[Stephenw]

You could frame the wash area with 4x4s and then throw a tarp over to make a shallow pool.

 

[Licensed to kill]

I know this doesn't answer the question but, something else to consider, rather than washing in the shop, I wash outside then bring the truck in to drip dry over night. When they are covered in snow and ice, I put them in the shop overnight to melt off and warm the steel. Then when I back them out to wash, they wash easier/faster and the water doesn't freeze to the truck right away. I DO wash with hot water. Of course, this STILL leaves you with the same dilemma, that being what to do with all the melt water coming off the vehicle. My shop also has poor drainage and what I do is mop up the water or squeegy it out the door. The advantage of washing outside is that you have reduced humidity in the shop and no chance of the walls or anything on them getting wet. The disadvantage is that when washing in -30 temps with water approaching 200 degrees, the steam created makes it VERY difficult to see what you are doing. If you have a washer/steamer that develops high heat, you can blow all the snow/ice off the vehicle outside and not have to mop up any water other than the little bit that drips off, however, it take quite because when the vehicle is that cold, the water freezes and you then have to basically warm the steel with the water in order for the salt/dirt/grime to rinse away.

 

[ishiboo]

Get some PVC trim (used for outdoor trim on houses) and some latex painters caulk. Caulk the PVC trim to the floor around the wash bay. Latex caulk will pick right up off the concrete, but it will provide a water-tight seal.

I never leave OSB exposed to moisture - I have a portable 14x12 building with an OSB bottom under the joists, and I painted it with a waterproof paint. I still make sure it does not get close to moisture. I'd at least paint if not cover.

 

[pdangerp]

You can find portable spill containment online. They are meant for storing chemicals outside in barrels (in case of leaks). They make vinyl tubular triangles that would work pretty well.