Laboratory Simulated Car Wash Tester

The Laboratory Simulated Car Wash Tester is a specialized testing device designed to replicate automatic car wash tunnel conditions under laboratory settings. Through rotating brushes, controllable specimen movement, and spraying cleaning media containing synthetic dirt, the equipment applies repeated mechanical stress to painted surfaces, protective films, and plastic components. It evaluates materials’ scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, and appearance changes under simulated car wash processes.

Application

Based on the application of similar devices in automotive coating, surface materials, and full vehicle component testing, this equipment is suitable for:

Wash durability testing of organic coatings on vehicles and components

Scratch resistance evaluation of automotive clear coats, color coatings, and multilayer coating systems

Assessment of paint protection films (PPF) wash resistance and appearance retention

Abrasion testing of plastic exterior parts (bumpers, trims, covers)

Evaluation of functional coatings applied on metal or plastic substrates

R&D verification and quality control of surface materials under simulated car wash tunnel conditions

Standards

The tester is designed to meet and execute the following standards:

ISO 20566:2021 – Paints and varnishes – Determination using laboratory-scale car wash machines

ISO 13076 – Visual assessment of coating surface appearance

ISO 2813 – Measurement of gloss of coatings

ISO 13803 – Determination of coating haze

ISO 7724 – Color measurement and evaluation of color differences

Parameters

Features

Realistic simulation of car wash tunnel conditions – Rotating brushes, reciprocating specimen movement, and synthetic dirt-containing cleaning liquid closely replicate actual automatic car wash conditions.

ISO 20566:2021 compliant design – Brush spacing, rotation speed, pressure, and platform movement speed can be set according to standard requirements.

Replaceable brush structure – Removable brushes facilitate maintenance and replacement, ensuring test repeatability.

High stability platform drive system – Servo motor-driven platform with dual-limit protection ensures smooth and reliable operation.

Cleaning liquid circulation and uniform mixing – Built-in agitator ensures consistent test medium composition, improving test consistency.

Accessories

Test Principles

The tester applies controlled mechanical friction on the specimen surface via rotating brushes while spraying cleaning fluid containing silicon dioxide to simulate road dirt. The specimen moves reciprocally on the platform, repeatedly passing through the brushing area over the test duration. This reproduces the combined mechanical stress and wear effects that a car wash tunnel imposes on coatings and surface materials under laboratory conditions.

Operation Instructions

Ensure the specimen surface is free of cracks, pinholes, or contaminants before testing.

Set brush speed, platform speed, and spray parameters according to the applied standard.

Do not open the test door during brush operation and platform movement.

Control the cleaning fluid composition carefully, ensuring silicon dioxide is fully and evenly mixed.

After testing, clean the equipment promptly to prevent residue buildup affecting subsequent tests.

Test Procedure

Prepare and inspect the specimen surface condition.

Configure the cleaning medium according to the standard and fill the circulation tank.

Install the specimen and adjust the brush gap.

Set brush rotation speed, platform speed, and number of cycles.

Start the automatic car wash simulation mode and run the test.

After testing, remove the specimen and dry it.

Evaluate appearance, gloss, haze, and color changes within the specified time.

FAQ

1. What is this product?

It is a laboratory car wash simulator that replicates automatic car wash tunnel conditions for testing coatings, protective films, and surface materials.

2. What is this product used for?

It evaluates scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, and appearance changes of painted surfaces, protective films, and plastic parts under simulated car wash conditions.

3. Why is this product important?

It enables repeatable, standardized testing in a controlled laboratory environment, reducing variability and ensuring reliable data for material R&D and quality control.

4. What industries is this product suitable for?

Automotive coating manufacturers

Vehicle component suppliers

Automotive R&D and testing laboratories

Material research and surface quality evaluation

5. What types of this product are available?

Laboratory-scale car wash simulator with adjustable brushes and platform speed

Configurable specimen sizes (single or multiple)

Optional accessories including calibration plates, polymer fiber brushes, and silicon dioxide test medium