Tools & Parts

Let's Keep The Car Wash Running And Open!

A (Not Quite) Comprehensive List of Spare Parts!

One of the most difficult things about running a car wash is deciding what to spend money on for spare parts. You need to have the parts necessary to do repairs when needed, especially when the parts which fail are shutting down one of the bays, or worse, the whole wash. On the other hand, keeping everything in stock for spares is tying up operating funds.

There needs to be a point where you have the items most likely to result in catastrophic failure without having spares of items, while critical to the operation, are not likely to let you down all at once, or else rarely fail. Attached is a list of items we have seen over the year which, for the most part, keep your operation running without having a spare car wash in your equipment room. Not every operator has all of the items on the list, some carry only the bare minimum.

Some people carry this and more, especially if located some distance from a supplier who can provide quick delivery. Yes, we know. Breakdowns occur on a Friday afternoon of a potentially busy weekend. The list shows mostly items we would refer to as Priority Items needed to keep the bays or other profit centre areas open, as well as a few which, while important, won't result in too much problem if not there. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for this list, we would be pleased to note them. This was a requested subject from car wash owner Mike M. from Ontario.