Upgrading Your Car Wash Payment System: What to Expect
Payment systems are the front door of your car wash. With the Unitec Wash Select II approaching end-of-life and consumer expectations shifting toward contactless and mobile payments, many operators are evaluating their upgrade options. This guide covers costs, brands, and what to consider.
Unitec Wash Select II End-of-Life: June 2028
Unitec has announced that support for the Wash Select II platform will end in June 2028. After that date, software updates, security patches, and replacement parts will no longer be available. If your operation runs Wash Select II units, now is the time to plan your upgrade path.
New Payment System Options
New systems offer the latest payment technologies including contactless tap-to-pay, mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), fleet cards, and cloud-based management dashboards.
| Brand / System | Price Per Bay |
|---|---|
Unitec Wash Select II Replacement (e.g., Sentinel) Unitec's next-generation systems offer credit card, mobile pay, and fleet card acceptance with cloud-based management. Higher upfront cost but includes modern payment processing and remote monitoring. | $8,000 – $25,000 per bay |
Dencar Canadian manufacturer with a growing U.S. presence. Dencar systems are known for reliable hardware and responsive support. A strong option for operators who want an alternative to Unitec. | $5,000 – $18,000 per bay |
CryptoPay Focused on credit card acceptance as an add-on to existing coin systems. Lower price point makes CryptoPay popular for self-serve operators who want to add card capability without replacing the entire payment system. | $2,500 – $8,000 per bay |
Hamilton Hamilton offers kiosk-style entry stations for tunnels and automatics. Their systems include loyalty program support and fleet card processing. Well-suited for high-volume locations. | $6,000 – $20,000 per bay |
Used and Refurbished Options
Used payment systems can save 50–70% compared to new. They are a viable option for operators who need to bridge the gap until a full upgrade or who are adding capacity at a lower cost.
| Type | Typical Price |
|---|---|
Unitec Wash Select II (used/refurbished) Still widely available on the secondary market. Suitable as a short-term bridge if you need a few more years before a full upgrade. Be aware of the June 2028 support deadline. | $1,000 – $5,000 per bay |
Refurbished Coin/Card Boxes Basic coin and card acceptance boxes for self-serve bays. Good for operators on a tight budget, but limited payment method support compared to modern systems. | $500 – $3,000 |
Used Hamilton Entry Stations Tunnel entry stations with card readers and receipt printers. Used units in working condition offer significant savings over new, especially for operators adding a second lane. | $3,000 – $10,000 |
What to Consider When Upgrading
Payment Method Support
Ensure your new system accepts credit/debit cards, contactless (NFC), mobile wallets, and fleet cards. Cash and coin acceptance is still important for self-serve locations but declining in importance for automatics and tunnels.
PCI Compliance
All payment systems must be PCI-compliant. Older systems may not support the latest encryption standards, putting you at risk of non-compliance fees and data breaches. Modern systems handle compliance with point-to-point encryption (P2PE).
Remote Management
Cloud-connected systems let you monitor transactions, adjust pricing, and troubleshoot remotely. This is especially valuable for multi-site operators who cannot visit every location daily.
Installation Costs
Budget $1,000–$3,000 per bay for professional installation, including electrical work, network wiring, and commissioning. Some vendors include installation in the purchase price; others do not.
Operator Tip
If you are replacing Wash Select II units, consider selling them on ShopCarWash. There is still strong demand from operators who need short-term replacements or spare parts. A working Wash Select II unit can fetch $1,000–$3,000 on the secondary market.
Browse Payment Systems on ShopCarWash
Find new and used payment systems from verified sellers. Compare options from Unitec, Dencar, CryptoPay, Hamilton, and more.