Got a few question for y'all about a permanently install pressure washer for a car/boat wash bay under a carport.

I'm looking into what it takes to set up a simple pressure washing station similar to the coin operated car washes. We are trying to determine equipment and cost for a boat washing station at club on the coast. I've done some google searching but thought I would come here for some advice.

We have access to an open stall with a high roof (metal) and a concrete floor. The stall would be set up to pull through the boat (typical Texas coast center console boat) to spray it down/rinse off saltwater prior to storage.

I can buy stuff online and piece together or if someone has a contact/store in the Houston area I could talk to them for purchase/service. Trying to determine if this is a $5,000 or $10,000 project to see if we can fund it. Thinking a light duty commercial model pressure washer - figure it would get used 5 to 10 times a day.

We could wall mount one or install inside a workshop/garage with the hose/controls on an outside wall. I like inside the workshop/garage option to keep people from messing with it... I don't think it needs to be portable. Don't want it to walk off when no one is around.

From what I understand with pressure washers for cars/boats, volume is more important than pressure. I don't think we would need 3,500PSIG + to rinse off a boat - feels to me that lower pressure (2,000PSIG?) with higher volume (3 to 4 GPM?) would work better on boats.

Electric pumps seem to be the way to go. Have access to 120V (15 amp) but could get 240V if that would be better.

We have access to good city/municipal water. Don't think we need hot water.

One thing I think we need is the overhead hose boom that will allow you to walk around the boat while rinsing without having to pull the hose on the ground/around the trailer/wheels... Thoughts?

Any suggestions or things I'm missing?
Any online resources or someone local (Houston area) you would recommend or have experience with?
Thx SW '86

It's early, and interesting topic…. I found the following just googling around.

https://www.ultimatewasher.com/1300-PSI-Heavy-Duty-Car-Wash-Equipment-sku-11-CW005KIT

https://www.ultimatewasher.com/1300-PSI-Commercial-Car-Wash-Machine-sku-11-CW008KIT

This looks like what you may want, for a little over $10k.

What are you going to do about draining all that water?

You may also X post on the Outdoors board

roynonroy said:

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What are you going to do about draining all that water?

You may also X post on the Outdoors board

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Both good questions...

On the drainage - the area has been used for 15+ years as a boat wash without a catch basin/drain tied into the septic. Once I identify the equipment I'll run down the drainage question...

On the Outdoor Board - I struggled between posting here or on the OB - figured I would start here...

Hwy30East said:

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It's early, and interesting topic…. I found the following just googling around.

https://www.ultimatewasher.com/1300-PSI-Heavy-Duty-Car-Wash-Equipment-sku-11-CW005KIT

https://www.ultimatewasher.com/1300-PSI-Commercial-Car-Wash-Machine-sku-11-CW008KIT

This looks like what you may want, for a little over $10k.

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Thx for the links - this a good start. I would like to talk to someone who is familiar with the equipment/setup to see what I may be missing... Thx

https://www.northerntool.com/products/northstar-electric-cold-water-total-start-stop-stationary-pressure-washer-2500-psi-3-0-gpm-230-volts-1571108

I looked at starting a business to sell pressure washing setups to places like quick lube shops and other auto related service companies. The idea was to give them both an extra revenue source and the ability to better clean their shop, if desired. I had a mild amount of interest and had began making contacts to get product licensing deals, but ultimately decided against pursuing it. The numbers, for me, just weren't good enough.

Anyway, if I fully understand what you want to do, you first need to make sure your water feed is sufficient. Once you have a water source, preferably heated, you need to figure out how you're going to remove minerals, etc. from the water. DI systems are probably the most popular for something like this but there are other options. I wouldn't ignore this.

Then, and really only then, can you start thinking about your pressure washer setup. You need a good (not just minimum) commercial electric washers. For now, forget PSI. It isn't meaningless, but you need to think in gallons per minute to determine your needs. For electric, 2 GPM is going to be pretty much your minimum.

From there, I'd just start doing research on everything you need. There are forums that detail pressure washing setups. You need to think about wiring, the layout of your wash bays, drainage, how the city is going to bill you for water usage and waste, etc. It is very possible you'll need some environmental permitting.

As far as your wash products, if you're going to use those, a good place to start is Superior Products. They have a line of commercial quality washes that you can order (next day) from O'Reillys. Grab a gallon of each product line you might be interested in and try it out. Or, you can spend time seeing what others in the industry use and go after those.

redaszag99 said:

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https://www.northerntool.com/products/northstar-electric-cold-water-total-start-stop-stationary-pressure-washer-2500-psi-3-0-gpm-230-volts-1571108

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We bought this setup to do exactly what you are talking about, and right before we started fabbing the base/hangers for it, we switched directions and have a custom cart built for it.

No boom arm, it's mobile, easier to work on - if needed...

Very happy with our decision.


Pictures for reference


Now, granted we were going to have to cut a hole in our building and stick it in the middle of an exterior wall, but still....

Good luck! It's a great PW though.