Daily Open/Close & Bay Setup: the full procedure
Open and set up the bay and equipment, then end-of-day clean down, restock, and secure — so every day starts and ends ready.
- Applies to: Opening/closing staff.
- Frequency: Daily.
- Scope: Covers daily open/close and bay setup for a detailing shop (adapt for mobile rigs).
What you need
- Open/close checklist
- Equipment (compressor, extractor, polishers)
- Alarm
The procedure, step by step
- Open: secure + power up — Disarm and do a quick security/perimeter check, then power up equipment (compressor, extractor, polishers, lighting) and bring up the POS/booking system.
- Open: check supplies + set the bay — Check water and chemical levels, restock the cart/stations, and set up the first bay; review the day’s bookings and assignments.
- Close: finish + clean down — Finish or stage in-progress vehicles, then clean down the bay — rinse and store tools, empty the extractor, and wipe surfaces.
- Close: restock + reconcile — Restock for tomorrow, reconcile cash/POS, and review the day.
- Close: secure — Power down and secure equipment, do a final walkthrough, then lock up and set the alarm.
Quality check before you finish
- Opened: security check; equipment + systems up.
- Water/chemicals checked; cart stocked; first bay set; schedule reviewed.
- Vehicles finished/staged; bay cleaned; tools stored; extractor emptied.
- Restocked; cash/POS reconciled.
- Equipment secured; walkthrough; locked + alarmed.
This is a free, source-anchored standard operating procedure (SOP) you can print and hand to staff. It documents the work sequence for a Auto Detailing business — not safety or regulatory rulings, which defer to the cited authorities, the applicable code, and your own health-and-safety plan. Open the tool above to print it, toggle ink-saver, or (with a free ToolFluency Business account) edit it to match your own workflow.
Sources
- Shopify — Opening & Closing Procedures Checklist (shopify.com)
- Lightspeed — Store Opening & Closing Checklist (lightspeedhq.com)
About Free Detailing Shop Open/Close SOP
Free printable detailing open/close SOP: open and set up the bay and equipment, then end-of-day clean down, restock, and secure — so every day starts and ends ready.
How to use
- Read the full procedure top to bottom before the work — the SOP runs in order and each step builds on the last.
- Toggle Ink-saver (black & white) for a cheaper mono print for the binder; leave it off for the full-color version.
- Click Print SOP to print or save as PDF. Print one per crew, laminate it for the binder, or attach it to the job in your scheduling system.
- Train new hires on it and have staff sign off. Found something out of date? Use the feedback link — flagged SOPs are re-researched against the source list.
Frequently asked questions
What is on a detailing shop open/close checklist?
Open: unlock/disarm, power up equipment (compressor, extractor, polishers, lighting), check water/chemical levels, and set up the bay. Close: finish/stage vehicles, clean down the bay, rinse and store tools, empty the extractor, restock, and secure equipment and the building.
Why standardize bay open/close?
Equipment left wet or unstored degrades and slows the next morning; a consistent open/close keeps tools ready, the bay safe and presentable, and the shop secure — the same way every day regardless of who works it.
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