How our service technicians keep your car wash equipment operating at full efficiency, help prevent breakdowns, and extend its lifespan.
If you’ve been around car wash equipment long enough, you’ll know that these machines are built tough. They’re designed to handle constant use, long operating hours, and a wide range of conditions. But like any hardworking piece of equipment, they do benefit from regular servicing to keep everything running exactly as it should.
Consider this… Your car might run fine without a service for a while, but over time, small things start to wear, fluids need topping up, and adjustments keep everything operating smoothly. Car wash equipment is no different. Servicing is not about fixing problems; it’s about preventative maintenance to ensure consistent reliability.
At Good Sight, when we service a machine, we’re not applying guesswork. We follow a detailed checklist specific to the make and model. This is because every machine is different, and those differences matter. That’s why our structured service schedules ensure nothing gets overlooked and everything is working as it was designed to.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the common things our technicians look for when servicing a machine and carrying out preventative maintenance. While this isn’t a complete list, it’s a starting point, and we’ll share more insights in future newsletters.
Touchless machines
High-pressure cleaning without contact
Touchless car washes rely on a combination of high-pressure water and chemical application to clean vehicles without physically touching them. The machine moves around the car, applying detergent, rinsing, and pressure washing in a precise sequence.
Alignment
From a servicing perspective, one of the first things we look at is alignment.
Touchless machines run on belts and drive systems, and over time, these can stretch slightly or move out of position. Sometimes this happens gradually, other times it might be from a vehicle impact that no one even noticed. When that happens, you can end up with one side of the machine working perfectly and the other slightly off.
Hoses and fittings
We also spend time checking hoses and fittings. These machines are constantly moving, and with high-pressure water running through them, hoses can wear over time.
This is not always something the site manager may notice day to day. Often, it’s a small change in sound or movement that tips us off. That’s where experience comes in, knowing what should sound right and what doesn’t.
Chemical delivery
Another significant element in the operation of touchless machines is chemical delivery.
Touchless machines use components called venturis, which draw chemicals into the water flow.
If something blocks or restricts that flow, even slightly, it can affect how well the car is cleaned. It’s a small detail, but it makes a noticeable difference to the end result.
Automatic rollovers
Controlled movement for consistent performance
Rollover machines move back and forth over the vehicle, using a combination of brushes, water, and precisely controlled chemical application to deliver a thorough and consistent clean.
Brush pressure
A big part of servicing these machines comes down to how the brushes interact with the vehicle.
Our technicians are always checking brush pressure. Too light, and the wash won’t be effective. Too heavy, and you’re applying more force than needed.
To do this, the machine uses motor load, or amperage, to measure pressure. In simple terms, it reads how hard the motor is working to determine how much pressure is being applied.
Now, here’s where it gets a bit technical. If the gearbox isn’t running freely, it can make the motor work harder than it should. The machine then thinks it’s applying enough pressure, even if it isn’t. That’s what we’d call a “false reading”, and it can affect wash quality without being immediately obvious.
Brush quality
The brushes on an automatic machine are made up of individual pieces, commonly known as foam fingers. They’re designed that way on purpose. If they catch on something like a roof rack or accessory, they’ll tear away rather than causing damage to the vehicle. It’s a safety feature built into the design.
Over time, you might lose a few of these foam fingers. This can create gaps in the brush. It’s not always obvious when the machine is sitting still and the foam fingers are hanging down, but once it’s running, you can see those gaps.
The good news is that if this happens, you don’t need to replace the whole brush. We can usually replace the individual segments where the fingers are missing, which is a cost-effective solution.
Machine performance
We also keep an eye on things like hoses, leaks, and chemical delivery.
Again, these machines are robust, but they’re always in motion, and over time, small issues can go unnoticed, affecting wash quality and potentially leading to bigger problems. That’s why we recommend regular servicing to ensure your rollover is performing at its best.
Self serve equipment
Simple in use, complex behind the scenes
Self-serve wash systems look simple from the customer’s perspective, pick up the wand, select a program, and wash the car. Behind the scenes, there’s quite a bit going on.
High-pressure pump
The high-pressure pump is the heart of the self-serve wash system.
If you’ve ever heard one that sounds louder than usual or a bit rough, that’s often the first sign it needs attention.
Thankfully, in many cases, we don’t have to replace the whole pump. We service it using a seal kit, restoring performance without the cost of a full replacement.
Oil pump
Just like in a car, oil keeps everything lubricated. But in a car wash, there’s always water around, and occasionally water can make its way into the oil system. When that happens, the oil turns milky, which is a clear sign that something needs attention.
If this occurs, it’s not enough to simply replace the oil and move on. If water has entered the system, we need to identify where it’s coming from and fix the root cause, not just treat the symptom.
Real-world testing
Out in the bay, we test everything the customer uses to make sure each option performs exactly as it should. This includes checking water pressure, chemical levels, and program selection, all under real operating conditions.
Working with hundreds of machines has given our technicians a finely tuned sense for picking up when something isn’t quite right, and importantly, understanding why.
Why regular servicing makes a difference
Most of the time, car wash equipment will continue running without any obvious issues, which is a credit to how well these machines are built.
What we’re doing during a service is fine-tuning, making adjustments, and picking up on the small things before they turn into something bigger, all while ensuring your equipment continues to deliver the best possible wash quality for your customers.
Sometimes it’s as simple as a small leak. Left long enough, that same leak might start affecting another component nearby. Fixing it early is quick and straightforward. Leaving it can mean more downtime and a more involved repair later on.
Servicing also keeps everything operating at its intended performance level. The wash quality stays consistent, the machine runs efficiently, and you avoid that gradual drop-off that can happen over time without anyone really noticing.
How often should equipment be serviced?
It really depends on how busy your site is and how closely things are being monitored.
If a machine is running all day, every day, a monthly service is the recommended approach.
For quieter sites, every three months can be enough, especially if someone is regularly checking the machine and keeping an eye on how it’s performing.
If the site is more of a “set-and-forget” situation, then more frequent servicing is the safer option to ensure problems are found and fixed quickly.
Taking a practical, preventative approach
A typical service takes around three hours, and we can usually schedule it during quieter periods so it doesn’t interrupt your operation.
Our goal is to keep your equipment operating in that sweet spot, where everything runs as it should, not reacting to problems, but staying ahead of them.
With 23 service technicians across Australia, Good Sight can support your business in a timely and reliable way, helping ensure your equipment continues to operate at its best.
Car wash machines are strong and robust pieces of equipment and will continue to deliver consistent, high-quality results for years, as long as they receive the maintenance they need. A simple service today can make all the difference to performance, reliability, and peace of mind tomorrow.
If it’s been a while since your last service, or you’d like to set up a regular maintenance schedule, now is the time to get ahead of it. Contact our team to discuss your specific requirements.
- Telephone: +61 2 9757 4700
- Email: sales@goodsight.com.au