What Are Washbay Vehicle Lifts and Why They Matter

Keeping commercial vehicles clean is about more than appearances. Operators must ensure vehicles remain roadworthy, safe, and fully compliant with regulatory requirements.

That means achieving a thorough clean, including difficult areas such as the chassis and underbody, where grime and corrosion often build up. A dependable lifting solution plays a crucial role in making this possible.

So if you’re reviewing your current washbay setup, it’s important to understand the common challenges these facilities face in order to select the most suitable lift for your operation.

The Challenge 

Washbays are one of the harshest environments in vehicle maintenance. Year-round, water and cleaning chemicals attack steel and electrical components, while winter adds grit, salt, and heavier road grime that speed up corrosion.

Standard washbay setups often struggle with underbody access, meaning critical areas such as suspension, fuel and hydraulic lines, and chassis can be overlooked.  

On top of this, seasonal peaks in demand require faster vehicle turnaround without compromising quality or safety.

Why Standard Lifts Don’t Cut It

Conventional heavy-duty lifts are designed for workshops, not washbays. Constant exposure to water, grit, and detergents quickly corrodes unprotected components, driving up maintenance costs and shortening service life.

Standard lifts may also lack the safety measures needed in wet environments, where slip hazards and component failure risks are higher.

For a high-throughput washbay, a purpose-built lift that resists corrosion and performs reliably under constant exposure is essential.

Enter Washbay SKYLIFT

First introduced in 2009, Stertil-Koni’s Washbay SKYLIFT is the UK’s best-selling fixed washbay lift. It is built specifically for wet environments with hot-dip galvanised platforms, marine-grade coated lifting legs, and a stainless steel control box providing exceptional corrosion resistance.

Performance is equally impressive: an electro-hydraulic system lifts up to 35 tonnes to 1.75 metres in just 90 seconds, giving technicians rapid, unobstructed access to the entire underside.

Safety comes as standard, with independent mechanical interlocks, built-in overload protection, and a stable, space-efficient design.

The patented advanced ebright Smart Control System ensures secure, user-friendly operation, while multiple installation options – including surface-mounted or recessed - make the SKYLIFT adaptable to different vehicle types and washbay layouts.

The Benefits for Your Washbay

• Complete access: Enables full underbody cleaning and inspection.
• Faster throughput: Quick lift cycle and drive-through design keep vehicles moving.
• Extended lifespan: Deep cleaning reduces corrosion and prevents costly failures.
• Improved safety: Robust locking and optional anti-slip platform coating protect technicians.
• Lower costs: Corrosion-resistant build ensures durability and less downtime.

Is Washbay SKYLIFT Right for Your Operation?

If you want to improve washbay productivity, reduce long-term operating costs, and protect the value of your fleet, Stertil-Koni’s Washbay SKYLIFT offers a proven, futureproof solution.

Find full product details and specifications for the Washbay SKYLIFT on the product page.

Contact Stertil-Koni on 01604 662049, or email lifts@stertil.co.uk.