Specialty Metals and Gratings that Work at the Car Wash
- March 31, 2025
- 5 min
How Specialty Metals Keep Car Washes Running
When you pull into a car wash, you're probably thinking about the shine on your ride, not what’s beneath your tires. But Specialty Metals and Gratings, such as Bar Grating, Plank Grating, and Fiberglass Grating, are the unsung heroes behind keeping car washes safe, durable, and efficient.
In this post we'll dig into:
- How Specialty Metals and Gratings are used in commercial washing
- The benefits of McNICHOLS® Hole Products for the setups and systems
- Applications where these products shine
The Role of Specialty Metals in Car Washes
Alongside the automotive industry, car wash construction and franchises continue to soar. With that, so is the use of innovative Specialty Metals and Gratings in these structures, from exterior facades to drainage grates. Sheet Metals, like Perforated Metal, Expanded Metal, and Wire Mesh, are essential in high-traffic wet environments like car washes for the filtration, ventilation, and durability they provide. These metals stand up to constant exposure to water, soap, chemicals, and oils, all without rusting or degrading, given the appropriate metal finishing.
How They Help
- Corrosion resistance: Car washes are constantly wet, and materials like Stainless Steel and Fiberglass keep rust at bay. For sheet and coil items like Perforated Metal and Wire Mesh to walkway products, including Bar Grating and Plank Grating, McNICHOLS offers several anti-corrosion metal materials and finishes. From powder coating to galvanizing, our fabrication services can be tailored to your needs.
- Low-maintenance Durability: Specialty Metals require minimal upkeep, which is crucial in a business where downtime costs money. They can ensure long-lasting use under the weight of vehicles, people, and equipment. The right material or finish can reduce maintenance efforts and bring peace of mind with long-term durability and security in an environment with tough conditions.
- Custom solutions: With the flexibility and versatility of Specialty Metals and Gratings, customization is all the easier. Each car wash has unique needs based on the geographical location, types of services offered, and size. Whether you need fabrication services or are doing the customization yourself, Sheet Metals and Gratings can be easily welded or cut to size, making installation smoother.
- Safety first: For car washes that often need employees to access the washing area, safety is critical. Many Gratings are made with slip resistance in mind, which is key in a slippery environment like a car wash.
The Types of Specialty Metals Used in Car Washes
Sheet Metals each have their own unique set of benefits that are best suited for certain applications. Some of the most common items you'll see in car washes include:
- Perforated Metal: McNICHOLS carries the largest inventory of Perforated Metal products in North America, with a vast selection of sizes, gauges, and hole types available. Offering a fully flat surface, Perforated Metal is best for water and debris filtration for certain equipment and machinery or partitions when you need a smooth plane.
- Expanded Metal: Lightweight but durable, Expanded Metal is perfect for areas that don't need the heft of steel but still demand performance. Available in both Flattened and Standard sheets, it’s often used for security fencing, grating, walkways, ventilation systems, and architectural and decorative purposes.
- Wire Mesh: Wire Mesh adds firm support while maintaining versatility and flexibility; often used in structural components, screens, or Infill Panels. McNICHOLS carries an extensive selection of mesh and opening sizes, wire diameters, and patterns.
Gratings in Car Washes: Keeping Things Safe and Clean
Gratings are everywhere in car washes, even if you don’t notice them. They’re the sturdy platforms you drive over as water and debris drain away beneath your car. Without them, the ground would flood and the surface would be slippery—a dangerous combination.
Applications of Specialty Metals and Gratings in Car Washes
The use of specialty metals and gratings in car washes goes beyond just flooring. Here’s where you’ll commonly find them:
- Drainage systems: Gratings are perfect for keeping water flowing into drainage systems without clogging. The materials allow water, mud, and debris to drain through, keeping the surface dry and safe. These systems can be more complex or simplistic, like Trench Drains, giving plenty of drainage options to choose from.
- Platforms and walkways: Employees often need sturdy, slip-resistant areas to clean and maintain car wash equipment. They provide traction for both cars and employees, reducing accidents. Certain types of Grates are ADA-compliant, meaning they meet the ADA standards for accessible design.
- Structural components: Made from strong materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio, they can handle the heavy loads of cars and trucks moving over them. Gratings are used in the frame and support systems of the car wash. This ensures they can withstand the elements and can meet almost any load-bearing or weight requirement.
Wrap Up
Specialty Metals and Gratings might not be what you think of at a car wash. However, they are important for keeping the area safe, efficient, and durable. For finding materials that hold up in tough environments, McNICHOLS has you covered. Our products are a perfect fit for these demanding environments in order to maintain water flow, prevent rust, and provide a safe surface for walking or driving.
Whether you are building a new car wash or upgrading an old one, rely on McNICHOLS® Hole Products to keep everything running smoothly and safely. We invite you to learn more! We are ready and Inspired to Serve® you at 855.318.8791, [email protected], or via Live Chat on mcnichols.com.