White streaks/spots when temps are under 45°

[HCCW]

Not sure what you have going on there. If no chemicals were used and you are getting that, it seems like a water quality issue to me.

As far as heated blowers, most tunnel operators I know will have gas fired heaters in the area around their blowers and blower intakes. Something like a Reznor - but there are many brands out there. It also helps to act as a heat curtain when then car is exiting - then the door closes behind them to keep warmer air in your bay.

I thought I responded to your post but I don’t see it?? Thank you for the information about the tunnel blowers. I’m going to look into getting heaters to blow hot air towards the dryer intakes. At this point it seems like the easiest solution. As long as we can get the air temp above 45 the streaks and spots won’t happen.

 

[HeyVern]

I would bet you are getting water in the dryer housing during the wash and that dirty water is getting blown on the car. During hot Utah summers it evaporates before the dryer comes on. I had this happen to a customers car after I had just finished washing the bay down. I sent him through and forgot I hadn't kicked the blowers on to blow the water out. His car looked just like your pictures.

 

[washnshine]

One last thought - if it is condensation on your blowers. Are your blower housings and ducts plastic or metal? I would think your chances of getting condensation would be greater with metal, and also pose a bigger chance of generating some type of sediment when condensation forms on the blower if it is metal.

 

[HCCW]

I would bet you are getting water in the dryer housing during the wash and that dirty water is getting blown on the car. During hot Utah summers it evaporates before the dryer comes on. I had this happen to a customers car after I had just finished washing the bay down. I sent him through and forgot I hadn't kicked the blowers on to blow the water out. His car looked just like your pictures.

We thought that could be a possibility too, so several times over the last couple decades we’ve wash out the dryer housings to see if that would help but it didn’t change the white streaks and spots. The only thing that ever gets it to stop is temperature. The dryers in this particular location are pretty far removed from the washing process too. Our other dryers at the other locations are real close and get some moisture in them - but they don’t have the streaking/spotting issue. It seem to definitely be something unique in this locations water, but we have no idea what.

 

[cbchevy4x4]

Not sure of your setup, but it be condensation on underside of the roof in the bay. As temperature increases the condensation burns off and doesnt drip onto the surface of the car. I know it happens from time to time in my self serves especially since i run hot water.

 

[Greg Pack]

That sure looks like chemical. Put a piece of pH paper on it before it dries.

Could a cold weather blowdown be purging out residual chemical in a line? Disable any freeze protection blowdown feature and try a wash.

 

[Dan kamsickas]

Do you switch over to hot water for anything at 45? If so, it could be your water heat source.