Building A Home Car Wash

txdon · Apr 30, 2013

I'm in the research and planing stage of my carwash project. A gas powered pressure washer is good enough for me BUT building the car wash was in the deal in the move from the city to the country and my wife has not forgotten.

I found this link: Build your own car wash by Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM and it is similar to what I had envisioned. The boom to support the hose is made from two heavy-duty barn door hinges, and two 2x2x1/4-inch aluminum angles that were 10 feet long" - see picture.

I can not figure out where to buy these at.

Has anyone built a similar carwash.
Any suggestions - (a new wife is not an option) Help!

CliffordK · Apr 30, 2013

Do you have a lot of water?

I remember in the past that the 1" firehose that Mom has at her house was always nice for washing cars, and it certainly is good for cleaning other stuff. Of course using an adjustable spray/stream nozzle.

Stihlrunner · Apr 30, 2013

CliffordK said:
Do you have a lot of water?

I remember in the past that the 1" firehose that Mom has at her house was always nice for washing cars, and it certainly is good for cleaning other stuff. Of course using an adjustable spray/stream nozzle.

Hi Clifford! Enjoying our nice weather? I'm out near Cheshire.

Love the idea of a home car wash, however I am doubting the effectiveness of the one shown. Probably end up washing it by hand anyway.

txdon · Apr 30, 2013

CliffordK, My water supply is 3/4" PVC - county water. This has to be simple to operate - flip a switch, squeeze a trigger, turn a knob for soap or just water, snap on brush or nozzle.
No rolling or dragging hoses, no buckets, no looking for soap etc. I Know, I know, but it was in the "deal".

Stihlrunner - with the soapy brush it should be just as effective as a regular car wash.

CliffordK · Apr 30, 2013

It is rare that I've used commercial car washes, so most of what I've done is with a bucket, rags, and a hose, so it is hard for me to comment on the benefits of certain in hose soap dispensers and etc.

Since your water is limited, the pressure washer is a nice idea (you may still wish to limit the pressure a bit). A simple supply cabinet inside the garage would be helpful too.

I like to direct the waste water to where it is needed, lawn, orchard, etc.

Dr Dave · Apr 30, 2013

I have also wanted one, winter use would also be nice, in Iowa, a heated bay would probably be required also. Around here salt and liquid deicers are used all winter long. The closest car was is 5 miles away, if you wash and drive home your doors freeze, or gets dirty on the way home.
Thanks for posting the link.

Dave

SanDucerro · Apr 30, 2013

Tractor Supply has the barn door hinges, the aluminum angles - beats me... I like the general idea though. It doesn't appear the angles need to be made from aluminum as the idea is to just hold the hose up. What about just using wood for the boom pole.

riptides · Apr 30, 2013

txdon said:
I'm in the research and planing stage of my carwash project. A gas powered pressure washer is good enough for me BUT building the car wash was in the deal in the move from the city to the country and my wife has not forgotten.

I found this link: Build your own car wash by Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM and it is similar to what I had envisioned. The boom to support the hose is made from two heavy-duty barn door hinges, and two 2x2x1/4-inch aluminum angles that were 10 feet long" - see picture.

I can not figure out where to buy these at.

Has anyone built a similar carwash.
Any suggestions - (a new wife is not an option) Help!

Dude! Totally kewl idea!

I did a google search on "car wash boom poles".

Ignore the results from the UK and Africa, although the African page that popped up had a total design guide for car-washes. That was something.

Try this for boom poles.

Car Wash Equipment

aczlan · Apr 30, 2013

I might get a electric 1500 PSI pressure washer ($120 for a new one?), then mount it to the wall, add a longer hose, the boom, etc, mount a tank for the detergent with a shutoff (lever going through the wall to close a valve on the soap line?)
Could probably have it setup for under $400.

Aaron Z