---
title: "Car Wash Grating: Fiberglass Floor & Trench Grates"
description: "Car wash grating in fiberglass for pits, trench drains and bays: when wheel loads need heavy-duty grating, grit and resin choices, quantity math and prices."
url: https://www.strongrate.us/applications/car-wash-grating/
markdown: https://www.strongrate.us/applications/car-wash-grating.md
published: 2026-10-16
updated: 2026-10-17
---

[Home](https://www.strongrate.us/) › [Fiberglass grating](https://www.strongrate.us/fiberglass-grating/) › [Car wash grating](https://www.strongrate.us/applications/car-wash-grating/)

# Fiberglass Grating for Car Wash Pits, Trenches and Bays

_Updated Oct 17, 2026_

Car wash grating covers equipment pits, trench drains and bay floors that stay wet every day, and fiberglass is an established material for it. Use gritted molded grating where people walk, and heavy-duty grating with a wheel-load rating where tires cross. One US car-wash supplier lists a 4 ft × 8 ft (1220 × 2440 mm) panel at $491.60 (Oct 15, 2026); Strongrate quotes per project in USD.

## Where does a car wash use fiberglass grating?

US suppliers publish car-wash case studies, and buyers search for car wash pit grating and floor drain grating. The traffic over each area decides the product: foot traffic only, or tires. Molded grating is cast as one piece with strength in both directions, and a US distributor recommends it for trench covers and general flooring.

**Wash-bay grating configurations by area**

| Car wash grating location | Traffic | What to specify | In Strongrate’s catalog |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Trench drains across a bay or tunnel | Tires and people | Heavy-duty grating with a published wheel-load rating at the trench’s clear span; hold-down clips | HI high-load pultruded grating, with spans under car and truck wheel loads; engineer review required [note 1] |
| Equipment and reclaim pits | People and tools, no vehicles | Gritted molded grating sized from a load table at the pit’s clear span | Gritted-top molded grating, with deflection tables by span [note 2] |
| Walkways beside the conveyor | People | Gritted or concave-top molded grating | Concave-top and gritted-top molded grating |
| Covers where spray or debris must not pass | People | Covered (solid-top) grating, which is also stiffer than open grating | Solid covers with a checker or grit finish |
| Outdoor self-serve bays and pads | Tires, people and sun | A wheel-load rating where tires cross, and a UV-inhibited resin | UV inhibitors in the molded resin; colors stated to hold 12+ months in sun [note 3] |

Notes:

1. Values as printed in the factory catalog (2023); confirmed in your quote and submittal drawings.
2. Catalog tables; confirm the values for your span in the submittal before final design.
3. Catalog statements, not a warranty.

## Can cars drive over fiberglass wash-bay grating?

Only grating that carries a published wheel-load rating for your span. US suppliers rate heavy-duty FRP grating for vehicle traffic up to AASHTO H-20 loading, using high-load molded or deep pultruded profiles. One maker’s heavy-duty span table is based on a 2,220 lb (9.9 kN) automobile wheel and 0.25" (6.4 mm) deflection, and makers advise halving tabulated capacities for impact or dynamic loads. Pedestrian spans for pits and walkways are compared on [fiberglass grating load tables](https://www.strongrate.us/resources/fiberglass-grating-load-tables/).

Strongrate’s 2023 catalog gives allowable spans for its HI high-load pultruded grating under automobile, AASHTO truck and forklift wheel loads, at 1/4" (6.4 mm) deflection with a safety factor of 3.0. Its heavy-duty molded grating has static deflection tables only, not a wheel-load rating. Values from Strongrate’s 2023 catalog are confirmed in your quote and submittal drawings; where tires cross, the span also needs your engineer’s review. Send the wheel load, tire width and the trench’s clear span with your request; see [pultruded fiberglass grating](https://www.strongrate.us/pultruded-fiberglass-grating/) and [fiberglass trench covers and drain grates](https://www.strongrate.us/applications/trench-covers-and-drain-grates/).

## Which surface and resin suit a wash bay?

Molded grating normally comes with a concave (meniscus) top or an applied quartz grit. Strongrate’s catalog offers both on molded grating and states a slip coefficient of 0.91 for its normal grit surface, citing ASTM D2047. One US car-wash equipment supplier sells 1-1/2" (38 mm) deep isophthalic molded panels with a gray grit surface.

Choose the resin against the wash chemicals and water temperature. US grating resin systems include isophthalic polyester for general industrial use and vinyl ester for harsher chemical service. Published maximum service temperatures run about 150–160°F (66–71°C) for polyester systems and 185–200°F (85–93°C) for vinyl ester, and limits depend on the chemical. Send the safety data sheets for your detergents and the hottest water temperature with your quote request.

Strongrate’s catalog lists fire-retardant vinyl ester, rated for superior corrosion resistance, and isophthalic polyester for both molded and pultruded grating, plus orthophthalic polyester for molded only. For wash-bay chemicals, start from vinyl ester and check each product on its chart; the rows below are a selection, and the full chart is on [fiberglass grating specifications](https://www.strongrate.us/resources/fiberglass-grating-specifications/). Match them to the ingredients on your detergents’ safety data sheets.

**Chemical resistance of Strongrate grating by resin: catalog chart**

| Chemical | Concentration, % | Temperature | Vinyl ester | Isophthalic | General purpose |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ammonium Hydroxide | 20 | 78.8°F (26°C) | Occasional splash | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Citric Acid | All | Chart max | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
| Diesel Fuel | All | 98.6°F (37°C) | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
| Gasoline | All | 118.4°F (48°C) | Continuous | Splash and spill | Splash and spill |
| Magnesium Chloride | All | Chart max | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |
| Phosphoric Acid | 80 | Chart max | Continuous | Continuous | Splash and spill |
| Sodium Hydroxide | 10 | Chart max | Occasional splash | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Sodium Hydroxide | 50 | Chart max | Not recommended | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Water (Distilled) | All | Chart max | Continuous | Continuous | Continuous |

_Continuous: continuous exposure. Splash and spill: frequent splashes and spills. Occasional splash: infrequent splashes, cleaned up at once. “Chart max” is the chart’s maximum for the resin: 185°F (85°C) vinyl ester, 158°F (70°C) isophthalic, 149°F (65°C) general-purpose polyester. General information from resin makers’ data, as printed in Strongrate’s 2023 catalog; test in the actual environment._

Notes:

- Testing in the actual environment is recommended.

Outdoor bays and pads also see sun: Strongwell’s guide specification requires that FRP products exposed to weather contain an ultraviolet inhibitor. Strongrate’s catalog puts UV inhibitors in its molded resin and states colors that hold for more than 12 months in sunlight. Standard US grating colors are yellow, dark gray, light gray and green; ask for the colors offered in your resin with your quote.

## How much grating does a car wash project need?

Grating area is the grating width times the run length for every trench, pit and walkway, plus cut waste for your panel layout. The grating width is the clear opening plus bearing on both edges; Bedford’s fastener guidance calls for at least 1-1/2" (38 mm) of bearing on each support. Under about 500 sq ft, or needed in under 3 weeks, a US stocking importer is the better fit; project quantities are quoted factory-direct.

**Worked example: grating area for a car wash (illustrative dimensions, not a standard layout)**

| Item | Count | Grating width, in (mm) | Length, ft (m) | Grating area, sq ft (m²) | How it is quoted |
| --- | ---: | --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| Trench drains across the tunnel | 3 | 18" (457 mm) | 20 ft (6.10 m) | 90 sq ft (8.4 m²) | — |
| Equipment pit cover | 1 | 48" (1219 mm) | 30 ft (9.14 m) | 120 sq ft (11.1 m²) | — |
| Total for one site | — | — | — | 210 sq ft (19.5 m²) | Under about 500 sq ft: referred to a US stocking importer |
| Same layout at 10 sites | — | — | — | 2,100 sq ft (195 m²) | [Project quantity: factory-direct quote](https://www.strongrate.us/request-quote/) |

_Areas are before cut waste. Use your own drawings. Strongrate’s catalog prints 5 ft × 13.12 ft (1524 × 4000 mm), 4 ft × 12 ft (1220 × 3660 mm), 4 ft × 8 ft (1220 × 2440 mm), 3 ft × 10 ft (921 × 3050 mm) panels for 1-1/2" square-mesh molded grating; other meshes: [fiberglass grating sizes, weight and open area](https://www.strongrate.us/resources/fiberglass-grating-sizes-weight-and-open-area/)._

Notes:

- Values as printed in the factory catalog (2023); confirmed in your quote and submittal drawings.

## What does car wash grating cost?

Strongrate quotes car wash grating per project in USD, with the Incoterm and quote date. For a dated reference, one US car-wash equipment supplier lists a 4 ft × 8 ft (1220 × 2440 mm) panel of 1-1/2" (38 mm) isophthalic molded grating with gray grit at $491.60, about $15.36 per sq ft, shipped by freight or drop-ship only (Oct 15, 2026); that is a market benchmark, not a Strongrate price. See [fiberglass grating price per square foot](https://www.strongrate.us/pricing/fiberglass-grating-price/).

Strongrate grating is made in Nantong, China, and ships from China. Privately funded car washes are not subject to Build America, Buy America (BABA); see [Buy America (BABA) and imported FRP grating](https://www.strongrate.us/buy-direct/buy-america-baba/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Can fiberglass grates replace the steel grates in an existing car wash?

Where tires cross, only with a wheel-load rating for your span, confirmed in your quote and reviewed by your engineer. Elsewhere, match the existing ledge depth and clear span: Strongrate’s catalog lists 1-1/2" square-mesh molded grating in 10 depths from 1/2" (13 mm) to 2-9/16" (65 mm), and each panel edge needs at least 1-1/2" (38 mm) of bearing (Bedford).

### What should I send for a car wash grating quote?

A plan with every trench, pit and walkway and its clear span; the traffic (foot or vehicle, with wheel load); the wash chemicals’ safety data sheets and hottest water temperature; surface and color; quantity; and the delivery ZIP code. Send it through [request a quote](https://www.strongrate.us/request-quote/).

### Is car wash grating cut to fit the trenches?

Yes, panels are cut to each trench or pit. Field cuts use carbide or diamond tooling, and guide specifications require sealing cut edges with resin; see [how to cut fiberglass grating](https://www.strongrate.us/resources/how-to-cut-fiberglass-grating/).

## Related pages
- [Fiberglass grating](https://www.strongrate.us/fiberglass-grating/): What fiberglass (FRP) grating is, how molded and pultruded types differ, standard panel sizes and price ranges, and the grating options Strongrate makes.
- [Fiberglass trench grating and drain grates](https://www.strongrate.us/applications/trench-covers-and-drain-grates/): Fiberglass trench grating, trench covers and drain grates: load classes for foot, cart and vehicle traffic, sizing covers to the trench, frames and hold-downs, cutting to size and price benchmarks.
- [Fiberglass dock and marina grating](https://www.strongrate.us/applications/dock-and-marina-grating/): Fiberglass grating for docks, piers and marinas: resin and UV choices for salt water, barefoot-friendly surfaces, open area, panel sizes and weights, load tables, certificates and price benchmarks.
- [Molded fiberglass grating](https://www.strongrate.us/molded-fiberglass-grating/): Molded fiberglass (FRP) grating from Strongrate’s Nantong factory by depth and mesh: square, rectangular and mini meshes, the four DNV-listed models with their ASTM E84 results, panel sizes, resins, surfaces and how to get factory pricing.
- [Fiberglass grating price per sq ft](https://www.strongrate.us/pricing/fiberglass-grating-price/): Fiberglass grating prices per square foot and per panel: dated US market benchmarks, what moves the price, and how Strongrate quotes factory-direct prices per project.

**Request a quote:** https://www.strongrate.us/request-quote/ · Order a sample: https://www.strongrate.us/samples/ — Send your car wash plan with trench and pit sizes, traffic and wash chemicals. Quotes within 1 business day (US Central time); the reply confirms routing and next steps.

## Sources
- [American Grating, FRP projects and applications (car-wash case studies)](https://www.americangrating.com/frp-projects-and-applications.aspx) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Kleen-Rite product listing: fiberglass gray grating with grit surface, 4 ft × 8 ft (Corvex resin)](https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-32307-fiberglass-gray-grating-with-grit-surface-4-ft-x-8-ft.aspx) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Grating Pacific, high load capacity grating; Direct Metals heavy-duty grating page](https://gratingpacific.com/product/high-load-capacity-grating/) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Bedford PROGrate heavy-duty pultruded grating (allowable-span basis)](https://bedfordreinforced.com/products/proseries/prograte/prograte-heavy-duty-pultruded-grating/) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Grating Pacific, Industrial Pultruded FRP Load Tables (impact loads)](https://gratingpacific.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Industrial-Pultruded-FRP-Load-Tables-1.pdf) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Fibergrate FAQ (molded and pultruded construction; surfaces)](https://www.fibergrate.com/resource-center/faq/) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Direct Metals blog, Pultruded vs molded fiberglass grating (Jan 15, 2026)](https://www.directmetals.com/blog/pultruded-fiberglass-grating-vs-molded-fiberglass-grating-which-is-right-for-your-needs/) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Strongrate website page titles (search index): gritted-top, concave-top and cover grating](http://www.strongrate.com/product-gritted-top-frp-grating.html) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [DNV Type Approval Certificate TAF0000191 Rev. 1 (resins of the six listed models)](https://www.shipserv.com/Shipserv/pages/profiles/261792/certifications/20241010142426209-DNV-GL-Certificate-GRATINGS-Strongrate.pdf) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- Strongrate product catalog “Your Best FRP Solution” (image PDF, Sep 2023), supplied by the site owner (accessed Oct 17, 2026)
- [Fibergrate molded FRP products brochure (resin systems)](https://www.fibergrate.com/media/166803/molded-frp-products-brochure.pdf) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [American Grating Resin Selection Guide and Molded Chemical Resistance Guide](https://www.americangrating.com/ResinSelectionGuide.aspx) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Strongwell Section 06 74 13, FRP Molded Grating and Stair Treads specification (UV inhibitor)](https://www.strongwell.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/StrongwellSpecs-Molded-Grating-and-Treads.pdf) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Grating Pacific molded fiberglass grating page (colors)](https://gratingpacific.com/product/molded-fiberglass-grating/) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Bedford PROGrid and PROGrate Grating Catalog 2025 (minimum bearing)](https://bedfordreinforced.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2118-2025-Bedford-Grating-Catalog-Whole_LR.pdf) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Fibergrate molded grating guide specification (cutting and sealing)](https://www.fibergrate.com/media/180193/fibergrate-frp-molded-grating-specs.pdf) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)
- [Federal Register 2023-17724, 2 CFR parts 184 and 200 (Build America, Buy America scope)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/23/2023-17724/2-cfr-parts-184-and-200-guidance-for-grants-and-agreements) (accessed Oct 15, 2026)

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Fiberglass (FRP) grating made by NANTONG STRONGRATE CO.,LTD in Nantong, China. Products ship from China. Made in Nantong, China · Ships from China · HTS 3925.90.