Popular Mechanics - USA (2019-06)

12" 24" 12"

1½"

elbow

70"

spray

nozzle

end

cap

hose

connector

tee

20"

20"

2"

2"

hose

connector

63"

shut-off

valve

hose

connector

tee

tee

90 June 2019 _ PopularMechanics.com

PVC IS THE PERFECT MATERIAL for creating your own bike wash. It’s lightweight and watertight, and
it’s not very expensive. Our setup includes an outlet for a hose and nozzles to spray-clean the really dirty
parts of your bike—or any friends who come too close! You can add more features, such as a sprinkler
spout or water cannon, but be careful: With too many components, you’ll run out of water pressure.
Whatever you build, after you attach the hose, turn on the water slowly, otherwise you might break
some of your seals.

BUILD A

BACKYARD

BIKE WASH

All you need is

a hose, a hacksaw,

and some PVC

parts. Grab an

adult assistant

and get creative!

/ DESIGNED BY

JAMES SCHADEWALD /

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
hacksaw

22½ feet of ¾-inch PVC

five tee connectors

four ¾-inch screw-on hose
connectors

two 90-degree elbows

three end caps

one ¾-inch shut-off valve

two screw-on lawn-spray
nozzles

one strip velcro

PVC cement

INSTRUCTIONS
(Before gluing, dry-fit the entire
structure to ensure proper fit.)

1. Make each foot of the bike
   wash by connecting two
   20-inch pieces of PVC with a
   tee. One foot should be closed
   off with two end caps. The
   other needs an end cap on one
   side and a hose connector on
   the other (to connect the hose
   from the house).


2. On the foot with two end
   caps, insert a 70-inch piece of
   PVC in the open end of the tee.
   Place a 90-degree elbow on
   the end.


3. Assemble the top bar by
   inserting a 12-inch piece into
   the elbow in step 2. Insert a tee
   into the end of that, followed
   by a 24-inch piece of PVC and
   another tee, then another
   12-inch piece and an elbow. In

the perpendicular arm of each

of the two tees, insert a 11⁄2-

inch piece of PVC, then a hose

connector, then a spray nozzle.

4. On the other foot, insert
   a 2-inch piece of PVC into
   the open end of the tee. Add
   another tee to this piece of
   PVC. Screw a hose connector
   onto the perpendicular arm of
   the tee.


5. Above the tee add a 2-inch
   PVC piece, then the shut-
   off valve, then a 63-inch PVC
   piece, which should connect to
   the elbow in the top bar.


6. Screw another hose onto
   the open connector. Add a
   piece of velcro to the vertical
   post and the spray nozzle.

ILLUSTRATION BY GEORGE RETSECK