Anyone have any recommendations for replacement brush for a tire/rim cleaning brush for a wash tunnel? We are currently using a Sonny's Bison Brush and wanted to get some feedback if there was a better replacement brush we could install. Sound off please....!
Tire/Rim Brush Replacement Recomendations
- Thread starter hkim310
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I forgot to ask, has anyone used an Erie Wheel Wonder Brush? I was told that they could make the diameter of the brush 18 inches versus the standard 12 inch brush which would allow for a cleaner wheel. Also if you have used this brush, how did you covert your current wheel brush to accommodate for the larger diameter?
Earl Weiss
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I have used the Erie WW. I felt it as one of the best out there. It was a PITA to modify an existing unit to accept a larger diameter Brush. I was able to get some machined pieces of steel 2" x 2" and about 6 inches tall. They bolted to existing bearing holes and bearings mounted to it to raise brush up and move it out from the frame. there were all sorts of consequential issues with the angle and height of bar that the tire pushed and adjusting stops.
Finally gave up on wheel brushes and now using filament on Bottoms of wraps, lower details and side wheels. (FWIW Ryan Essenberg of Tommy's does not use wheel brushes but has an expensive wheel cleaning unit better suited for Flat Belt conveyors but will also work on regular conveyors.) AFAIAC only(manual labor or) lots of High pressure which translates into $$ in terms of water and electricity will get really bad wheel nooks and crannies clean. However, things may be looking up for us. I was talking to another operator and he seemed to feel the particularly bad offenders seemed to be German cars, MB, BMX, VW and they may be moving to different brake material which isn't as big a problem. I think I have a video out there.
Finally gave up on wheel brushes and now using filament on Bottoms of wraps, lower details and side wheels. (FWIW Ryan Essenberg of Tommy's does not use wheel brushes but has an expensive wheel cleaning unit better suited for Flat Belt conveyors but will also work on regular conveyors.) AFAIAC only(manual labor or) lots of High pressure which translates into $$ in terms of water and electricity will get really bad wheel nooks and crannies clean. However, things may be looking up for us. I was talking to another operator and he seemed to feel the particularly bad offenders seemed to be German cars, MB, BMX, VW and they may be moving to different brake material which isn't as big a problem. I think I have a video out there.
Earl Weiss
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hKim,
More than likely its your wheel cleaner. I have the same set up and get 95% of wheels very clean. There is the exception of caked on dirt but 95% come clean. I say 95% because you shouldn't expect anything better than that without adding manual labor. I took Earl's advise and moved from a white tip to a red tip and have an even better wheel.
More than likely its your wheel cleaner. I have the same set up and get 95% of wheels very clean. There is the exception of caked on dirt but 95% come clean. I say 95% because you shouldn't expect anything better than that without adding manual labor. I took Earl's advise and moved from a white tip to a red tip and have an even better wheel.
robert roman
Bob Roman
Just as hot wax (chemical) has eliminated need for polish brush module in tunnel (redundant), chemical is now available to get effective tire/rim cleaning with high-pressure and without much or any friction.
Who makes brushes and who makes chemical? They are usually not one in the same company.
For example, Sonny’s sells brushes and has their own brand of hot wax and paint sealant program.
Simoniz sells hot wax and paint sealant but not brushes. Who is selling effective tire/rim cleaner? It’s the company that doesn’t sell brushes.
Who makes brushes and who makes chemical? They are usually not one in the same company.
For example, Sonny’s sells brushes and has their own brand of hot wax and paint sealant program.
Simoniz sells hot wax and paint sealant but not brushes. Who is selling effective tire/rim cleaner? It’s the company that doesn’t sell brushes.
Thanks for all of your replies, I greatly appreciate it!
Earl, could you elaborate on the consequential issues you had with the modified tire brush?
Benny2 we also moved away from CTA's a couple years ago and like you, use two 80 degree nozzles with foam generators to apply our wheel cleaner. Coverage looks great and an ample amount seems to be applied to the wheel.
Robert, we currently get our wheel cleaner from Simoniz. We are using a chemical called Brake Away as our tire cleaning chemical.
Earl, could you elaborate on the consequential issues you had with the modified tire brush?
Benny2 we also moved away from CTA's a couple years ago and like you, use two 80 degree nozzles with foam generators to apply our wheel cleaner. Coverage looks great and an ample amount seems to be applied to the wheel.
Robert, we currently get our wheel cleaner from Simoniz. We are using a chemical called Brake Away as our tire cleaning chemical.
Earl Weiss
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Alignment of PS Guide rail that tire pushed seemed off and continually in need of adjustment / repair, DS adjustment so as to not crowd tire in track and still have proper range of motion, bearing issues.
TEEBOX
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Retrofitted an existing Hanna tire brush, PITA to do but works great! I use a CTA from Vaughn Industries, tire brush Wheel Wonder form Erie, soft cloth on lower wraps, hi pressure wash to blow off chemicals and grime! Works great!
Here is the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68QIzNK91Kk
Earl Weiss
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Any idea on your cost or car for the HP pump vis a vis elec and water. I was running 10 cents a car+++several years ago. It would be higher now.
TEEBOX
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I'm sorry Earl, at this time I have no clue. I'll work on that and get back with you.
TEEBOX
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90 CPH, and those are high sides with low brushes.
Earl Weiss
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I would guesstimate from the video that it took 20 seconds from front bumper tip to rear bumper tip to to reach the wheel blaster and that the car was about 15 feet long. =.75 feet / sec. Use 20 feet as optimal standard car and space, so that would be 26.666 feet. Divide 3600 seconds by that and you get optimal production speed benchmark of 135 CPH. Thjis is just a rule of thumb formula and will need to be adjusted for stuff like roller spacing.
