Car wash signage
Few signs get a harder life. They are sprayed all day, splashed with detergent and read through a wet windscreen by someone trying to steer.
Read it from the driver's seat.
A driver sees your site at road speed, and has seconds to decide and turn in. After that they are in a queue, with a windscreen and possibly the rain between them and your price board. Everything is a drive-past decision, so take your phone, sit in a car in the queue, and photograph what you can read from there. It will change your layout.
Plan the signs along the route
| Stage | Sign | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Large "Car wash" sign or banner | Two or three words, readable from the road |
| Entrance | Arrow and "Way in" | Stops people turning in at the exit |
| Queue | Price board | Large figures, facing the driver |
| Wash bay | Instructions and safety notices | Short, in simple language and possibly in pictures |
| Exit | Thank you, and valeting offers | Give people a reason to come back |
A price board that sells up
Three tiers are easy to take in: a basic wash, a standard one and a full valet. Put the name and price of each in large type, with a few words on what is included. Avoid long lists of extras, as drivers cannot read those in time. Make sure the price is the largest figure, and readable from where the car first stops. Prices rise, so put them on separate panels or use cut vinyl figures, which you can replace without having to remake the board.
Materials that survive the spray
Water is not the only problem. Traffic film remover and other strong detergents can dull or attack printed surfaces, and pressure washers can get under edges.
- Main signs. 3mm Dibond gives a rigid, weather-resistant base, and a sealed print protects the face.
- Edges. This is where water gets in. Keep signs out of the direct line of the lances, if you can.
- Fixings. Use corrosion-resistant fixings. Rust streaks make a good sign look neglected.
- Seasonal banners. PVC or mesh on a fence is good for offers, and it copes with weather. Check with your local council on planning rules, as well as the landlord on a leased forecourt.
- Night. In winter, the site can be dark by late afternoon. Good lighting helps, and reflective signs can pick up headlights.
Safety and liability wording
Forecourts mix pedestrians, wet ground, vehicles and chemicals. Your risk assessment should set out what signs you need. Take advice on this from the Health and Safety Executive's guidance, or from a competent adviser. Notices saying you accept no responsibility for damage have legal limits, so ask your insurer or solicitor to approve the wording, and do not simply copy the sign at another site.
Board and lettering prices
| Item | A1 | A0 | 60in x 40in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3mm Dibond | £24 | £35 | £55 |
| Seal | £10 | £15 | £22 |
| Letter height | Price |
|---|---|
| 121mm to 180mm | £2.70 |
| 181mm to 250mm | £4.20 |
Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.
Outdoor signs at scale.
Your questions.
How often should we expect to replace signs?
It depends on the exposure, the chemicals used and how the signs are cleaned. Signs well clear of the spray last longest, so positioning matters as much as material.
Can signs be written in more than one language?
Yes. Pictures and a few words work well for instructions, and our designers can set out the wording you supply.
What about a sign for a hand car wash on a rented forecourt?
Check your lease and any conditions on the site first. A banner on a frame can be a useful first step, because it is simple to move or remove.