A door we installed at Bilvaskesentret in Arendal, Norway. The door measures 3170 mm in height and 3100 mm in width. It’s outward-opening with a newly developed motor. Two rows of windows – the upper ones 500 mm high, the lower ones 1400 mm. Equipped with pinch protection, hot-dip galvanized frame hinges, heavy-duty rubber seals, and intermediate aluminum hinges.
A car wash is pure hell for a door.
Hot steam, aggressive detergents, constant splashes of water, all mixed with rapid temperature shifts. Add to that the endless flow of vehicles, and you’ve got a recipe for extreme wear and tear.
In this environment, ordinary materials corrode fast, mechanics jam, and electronics fail. That’s why your choice of door isn’t just important, it’s absolutely critical.
Go for an outward-opening folding door with real rust protection
For car washes, we always recommend an outward-opening folding door made of sheet metal rated at C5 corrosion class, which means it can withstand high humidity and aggressive atmospheres. The hinges and fittings should be hot-dip galvanized. Window frames and intermediate hinges between the panels should be aluminum. And don´t forget the motor: it needs to handle thousands of cycles with minimal service, otherwise you´ll be stuck with downtime you can´t afford.
Keep sensitive equipment outside the wash bay
Space is often limited inside the bay, which makes an outward-opening folding door the natural choice. But it´s also smart for another reason: you don´t want delicate parts exposed to the aggressive car wash environment. Place the control electronics in a separate technical room outside the hall, away from steam and condensation. That way, your door automation stays dry, safe, and working.
Traffic lights and automation streamline the flow
Want to cut waiting times and keep your customers moving smoothly? Add a traffic light system that signals when a vehicle can enter the bay. Even better: integrate the door control with the car wash´s main control system. That way, the entire process – from opening the door to starting the wash – runs automatically.
Large windows and tight seals
Big windows are popular in car wash doors. They look good and they let customers see when the vehicle ahead is finished. But make sure the frames are made from non-corrosive materials and fitted with high-quality rubber seals to keep out moisture and steam.
Long-lasting reliability
If you want a car wash door that lasts for years, choose one built for this exact environment. At Torverk, we offer a dedicated car wash package with extra corrosion protection and components designed for extreme conditions. With the right service intervals, you´ll enjoy a problem-free operation for many years.
And yes – it comes with a two-year warranty.
Recommended product: Q-Door FX folding door with car wash package.