Professional Carwash & Detailing

A good PMP will follow and include a checklist of tasks. A great one will follow four different ones, according to Robert Andre who said there should be a list of
daily, weekly, monthly and annual/semi-annual chores.
1. Daily Procedures: Observation is the most important aspect of these procedures. The goal is to catch small problems early, before they cause greater dam-
age. This group is further broken down into:
a. Opening Checks — Performed prior to opening the carwash for the day’s business. These checks confirm the wash’s ability to safely wash a vehicle with no
damage to the equipment or the vehicles.
1) Dry Checks — Includes hydraulic fluid checks. Look for low oil levels, leaks, and sub-standard performance of the overall system. No water is run prior
to this check because oil leaks are easier to spot on a dry floor. All hydraulic leaks should be repaired as soon as the dry check is complete.
2) Wet Checks — This portion of the opening check is performed before opening and is designed to bring all of the equipment on line and ready to
wash vehicles. The wet down procedure is programmed into the controller and allows you to concentrate on observing the equipment.
3) Wet Checks II (Chemical Checks) — A visual check of the chemical barrel levels in the equipment room. You do not want to run out of a chemical
for any reason. The entire wash process can be compromised if this happens. When changing a barrel, always clean and test the foot valve. Transfer
the last of the old container into the new container when possible. Besides just looking for barrels that need to be replaced, you are looking for
excessive use and minimal use. Additionally, you would check the salt level of the water softener system. Fill with salt as needed. It’s better to
have too much than too little.
b. Operational Checks — These are performed while the wash is operating. These checks confirm the equipment is functioning properly and correctly adjusted.
1) Tunnel Checks — A walk-through of the tunnel while a wash is occurring with all extra service applicators operational. Check for overall performance
and specific adjustment indicators.
2) Support Equipment Checks — An inspection of the equipment room while a wash is occurring with all extra service applicators operational. Check
for overall performance and specific adjustment indicators.
c. Closing Checks — These are performed after the wash has closed for the day. These checks confirm the equipment is functioning properly and is correctly
adjusted. In addition, any heavily soiled cloth is cleaned.
1) Tunnel Checks — An inspection of the tunnel. Look for any damage that may have occurred during the day.
2) Support Equipment Checks — An inspection of the equipment room. Check for any damage or problems that have come up during the day.
2. Weekly Procedures: The inspector should pay close attention to lubrication. When Weekly Procedures are performed, long-term wear and tear will become appar-
ent and further deterioration can be avoided. The Weekly Procedures are divided up between the tunnel and the equipment room for a typical conveyor carwash.
3. Monthly Procedures: Monthly Procedures include thoroughly cleaning the wash’s equipment and close inspection of long-term wear points. This allows the
operator to gauge overall wear and tear on the equipment. The Monthly Procedures are divided up between the tunnel and the equipment room, and are sched-
uled for individual days assigned at the manager’s discretion.
4. Annual and Semi-Annual Procedures: Focus on the long-term replacement of wearable items; such as chains and rollers. The scheduling of individual tasks
is determined by the manager of the facility. However, they must be done within 30 days of their due dates.
4 different checklists
(Concluded on page 22)