Pressure Washing Amusement Parks: How to Clean Amusement Parks Rides Quickly

When the gates to your park open and guests rush in, what is their first feeling?

If the answer is “disgust at the dirty state of our rides” rather than “joy and excitement,” you must reevaluate your cleaning processes.

Cleaning amusement parks often will be ignored in favor of more pressing issues, but it can be the difference between a fun, hygienic experience that keeps guests coming back and negative reviews.

We’ll show you how to clean your rides without disrupting the rest of your schedule. You’ll learn how to pressure wash amusement parks, keeping your customers safe and happy.

Our team at Hotsy Equipment Company has been helping local businesses for over 4 decades. As the #1 choice for a commercial pressure washer in San Antonio, we’ll teach you the best practices for pressure washing amusement parks and get you set up with top-of-the-line equipment.

Contact our team during or after this article with any questions you have!

The Need for a Thorough Cleaning Process at Amusement Parks

You might be thinking, “I already have a process for cleaning amusement parks!”

But are you getting the results you’re hoping for?

Cleaning amusement park rides isn’t just about keeping your equipment shiny. It’s vital for providing a safe park atmosphere and extending the lifespan of your rides.

Safety and Hygiene

Safety is the foundation of every action you take while running an amusement park. It involves more than ensuring your walkways are litter-free and training your employees to enforce height restrictions.

Cleaning amusement parks will keep your park sanitary. Every sticky surface, dusty handrail, and grime-covered seat is a hotspot for germs. And in a post-pandemic world, consumers are more vigilant than ever.

Whether pressure washing amusement parks or using other cleaning methods, keeping your surfaces sanitary and free of slipping hazards is the best way to show your guests that you care about their well-being.

Aesthetic Appeal

Faded paint on your roller coaster, stains littered on your concrete pathways, and rusted metal benches send the wrong message to your guests. Rather than a magical day of thrills, it feels like they’re in a junkyard.

Cleaning amusement parks thoroughly will let you restore your park to peak condition. Suddenly, your oldest roller coaster looks brand new, bringing smiles, laughs, and, most importantly, ticket sales.

Rides and Equipment Lifespan

You’re hurting your bottom line if you aren’t regularly cleaning amusement park rides.

Cleaning amusement parks is a preventative measure.

Your rides, booths, and restaurants are the heart of your park. You’ve invested millions of dollars into these attractions.

So why do so many park owners treat their equipment as easily replaceable? Your rides accumulate dust, grime, and rust every day. Over time, this will corrode your surfaces and jam up moving parts.

If you don’t learn how to pressure wash amusement parks, you ask for frequent repairs, long downtimes, and more replacements.

Your customer base will only accept downtimes and delays for so long. If their favorite coaster is always down for repairs because it’s covered in rust, they will visit your competitors instead.

Why is Pressure Washing Amusement Park Rides the Best Option?

Cleaning amusement parks is a must for your short and long-term success.

But why is pressure washing amusement parks the best option compared to all the others?

Productivity and Speed

You know that time is money in your park. You can’t spend days on end with a ride shut down and expect to be successful.

Pressure washing amusement parks is the best way to minimize downtime.

Pressure washers are lightning-fast compared to other methods like manual scrubbing or hoses.

Pressure washer PSI, which defines the force behind the water stream, is in the 1500 to 4000 range, which can clear away rust and grime in minutes. Standard hoses are in the 40 to 100 PSI range.

So, pressure washing is anywhere from 10 to 40 times more effective. Plus, you don’t need an entire maintenance crew to get the job done. Just one person can clear away debris.

Thorough Cleaning Without Damage

A significant concern is how to remove stains without damaging the underlying surface.

Despite the massive increase in force, pressure washing is a safer method than manual scrubbing. The water stream hits the stain directly without harming the ride.

Water and Detergent Efficiency

Pressure washing amusement parks is also the most energy-efficient way to clean. Pressure washers use 2 to 8 gallons of water per minute, while your standard hose will use 20 gallons or more.

Given that pressure washing takes less than an hour in most cases, while the hose needs to run constantly, there’s no competition. You’ll save 10 times the amount of water by quickly using the pressure washer and soap for 15 minutes rather than hosing away a stain all day.

Choosing Your Amusement Park Pressure Washing Equipment

Even after you decide to clean your park with a pressure washer, you still need to make a few decisions.

Finding a suitable pressure washer and accessories will make or break your final results. Let’s break down everything you need for the best results when pressure washing amusement parks.

Buying vs Renting

You want to consider the extent of your pressure washing needs. Renting a machine to learn the process for the first time is an excellent idea for testing the cleaning power for yourself.

However, in the long term, the cost of renting a pressure washer may exceed the price of buying one outright. Consider the size of your park, how much cleaning is needed to get started, and the types of stains you usually deal with.

You can also ask our team for help! As the #1 home for commercial pressure washer rental in San Antonio, we’ll go over your options and point you in the right direction, whether that be a short-term rental or a long-term purchase.

Picking the Perfect Pressure Washer

Which machine is best for cleaning amusement parks? With so many different types of pressure washers available, you’ll need to get specific.

We assess the best choice for businesses based on three factors: pressure washer sizing, engine type, and water temperature.

Pressure washer sizing covers PSI and GPM, which define the force and volume of your water stream.

You’ll want a machine that can go up to 3000 PSI and 4+ GPM.

However, lower the PSI to 1500-2000 when cleaning delicate metals or wood surfaces.

The engine type is relatively simple. Gas models are more easily maneuvered around outdoor cleaning areas since they don’t need to be plugged into a wall. However, electric models can be a good choice for indoor rides to avoid fume buildup.

Hot water pressure washers are generally preferred for dealing with the tougher stains, like rust, that are typically found in amusement parks.

Our store is the #1 home for commercial cold water pressure washers in San Antonio and commercial hot water pressure washers in San Antonio, so we can help you choose, no matter your needs.

Large parks benefit from mobile pressure washer trailers. Rather than lugging around a machine all over the park, you can keep your pressure washer on wheels to clean each ride. Hotsy Equipment Company is the best place to find commercial pressure washer trailers in San Antonio, so contact us for more info on how a trailer could help you tackle cleaning tasks around your park.

Don’t Forget the Detergents

Soap is another vital decision. If you’re going to restore your park to pristine condition, you need to know what soap to use in a pressure washer.

Versatility is your friend. Metal roller coasters need specific soaps, like Hotsy’s Polish Aluminum & Stainless Steel Cleaner. And if you see signs of rust, Hotsy “99” is a great bet to remove it for good.

But for most stains, an all-purpose soap like Hotsy Breakthrough or Hotsy Verde All Purpose will help you finish the job.

Accessories and PPE

The very first step in proper pressure washer safety protocols is wearing PPE. Grab some non-slip boots, a face mask, and full clothing to keep yourself safe while washing.

Accessories are upgrades for your pressure washer that turn an already efficient cleaning process into a lightning-fast one.

They come in the form of rotary surface cleaners for walkways, extension wands for reaching high spaces (like the side of your coasters), and foam cannons for efficient cleaning. At Hotsy Equipment Company, you’ll find the best accessories and pressure washer parts in San Antonio, TX.

Source All the Essentials at Hotsy Equipment Company!

South Texas businesses have trusted Hotsy Equipment Company for over four decades. We’ve helped major local brands like VIA, Sonic, and the City of San Antonio streamline their processes for pressure washing commercial buildings.

Our friendly team is here to help every step of the way. We’ve seen and heard it all in the industry and will use our accumulated knowledge to get the job done right the first time.

Depending on your business needs, you’ll get a personalized recommendation for purchase or rental. We’ll walk you through every detail of how to pressure wash amusement parks, and we are always available to answer questions.

We’re with you long after your first purchase. You won’t have to worry about learning how to service a pressure washer, as we’ll walk you through it. And if you can’t fix it yourself, you can bring it to our highly-rated certified repair shop for Hotsy warrant servicing.

How to Pressure Wash Amusement Parks: Step-by-Step Guide

After securing your equipment, it’s time to blast away those stains!

Preparation and Safety Measures

Start by clearing the cleaning area of guests and employees. Remove large pieces of debris and set up barriers to ensure no foot traffic. Cover sensitive equipment and electronics to keep it dry.

Then, you’ll put on your PPE, and you’re all set to clean!

Applying Detergents

With the tubs of soap you purchased earlier, you’ll fill up the detergent dispenser on your machine. Ensure you have the correct dilution ratio, which our team can help you determine. Spray the soap all over the cleaning area. Allow it to soak for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the extent of the stains.

Pressure Washing Techniques

Once your soap has loosened up the grime, it’s time to start washing. Stand ~12 inches from the surface and clean with overlapping motions.

If your rides have nooks and crannies, you should pay extra attention to them. You may need to use an accessory to ensure they are spotless.

Rinsing and Final Inspection

After your first pass, rinse everything down. Then, look at the area. If there are still spots left over, you’ll need to start the process over again from the top.

Once there are no more stains, you’re all set!

How Often Should You Pressure Wash Rides?

If your answer is “when it looks dirty,” you’ve got the wrong idea.

You should clean high-traffic outdoor rides once a week. This will keep them sparkling and protected from the elements.

Indoor rides can get away with biweekly cleaning, but you must inspect them and adjust accordingly.

Cleaning Other Areas of the Amusement Park Besides Rides

Your pressure washer can be used in many situations besides your rides!

When pressure washing amusement parks, you can do all your cleaning with one machine. It’s common to use a pressure washer for rust removal or pressure washing graffiti, then turn down the settings later to remove light dust from walkways.

While this may seem like a lot of work at first, keeping your park pristine becomes that much easier once you clean it.

Final Thoughts on Cleaning Amusement Parks

Overall, pressure washers are a must-have for amusement parks. They are the only reliable way to quickly clean rides, walkways, and high-traffic areas.

If you’re ready to ditch the manual scrubbing that ties up your entire staff and end extended downtime for your rides, there’s no better solution.

Our team at Hotsy Equipment Company is here to help you. From Laredo to Rio Grande Valley, we’ve helped thousands of business owners in San Antonio and beyond with their cleaning needs.

Talk to us today to learn more about how pressure washers can revolutionize how you clean your park!