SS Tire Shine Machine Comments?

[bigleo48]

All,

Looking at putting in one of these machines (likely build it myself);

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-29390-coin-operated-tire-shine-machine-with-dixmor-timer.aspx

Any of you have something like this or similar? Seems straightforward, pump, fluid, hose, applicator, timer, coinmech, coin box, misc fiddly bits. Less than $1000

Does this thing get much usage? It would seem to me that once the applicator pad (or brush) is saturated, people could do their tires for free.

Does the shiner fluid freeze? Does it apply well with the brush or pad? Which one is better?

Thanks in Advance...Big

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Definitely interested...thanks to Big I'm working on my own washer fluid dispenser. Speaking of that, how's it working out for you Mike?

 

[bigleo48]

Bubbles,

I did finish the unit http://www.wallywash.ca/WW_FLuid_Dispenser.jpg

I came up with a number of designs, some that dispensed a set amount that the customer had a minute or so to dispense, regardless of if they pulled the trigger or not. It was rather complicated, many parts, PLC, etc. I wound up going with a very simple design and it has worked very well. Sales this winter could have been better. First, it is the only dispenser in the area of its kind, so people are just not aware of it and how it works. And as a new way of doing things, it takes time for people to change their original ways and do it different. Also, we had a relatively dry winter, so overall WW fluid usage was down. Having said all that, it has almost paid for itself already.

Big

 

[Bubbles Galore]

How did you set it up specifically? What are your thoughts on the tire shine unit? Are you going to use some kind of spray unit? I agree that once saturated, the brush or sponge could be used by just about anyone.

 

[MEP001]

I was thinking of something more along the lines of a spray applicator, but I don't see it being any more profitable than selling bottles or Tire Foam cans. I sell a lot of Tire Foam.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I was thinking of something more along the lines of a spray applicator, but I don't see it being any more profitable than selling bottles or Tire Foam cans. I sell a lot of Tire Foam.

Have one I took out of service years ago. Think it was made by the same company that makes magic Mist Air freshener machines. Basicaly same machine. Small air compressor sucks product thru venturi in a gun with a trigger switch. Problems were:
1.Trigger switch was a PITA
2. Runoff created a mess

 

[Eric H]

I sell a lot of Tire Foam.

Foaming a product might be the key to doing this. More control than a regular spray and less "compimentary" use than the brush style.

I will stick an air hose in some regular ArmorAll today to see if it foams without an additive.

 

[captain cw]

I have pad style self serve tire shiner applicators at my old wash with oil based simoniz. Makes a mess and I'm constantly dealing with broken pad holders. At my new wash I used water based Turtle Wax shiner, injected air and spray from a none weep gun. I also have tire brushes and advertise a total wheel and tire detail center. So far, so good. A lot less mess and problems. I'm going to change my old wash over to match.

 

[ToFarGone20]

Had something very similar when we started in 1984. Seemed like people thought tires meant wheel wells too....they would get the brushes clotted with mud. Also, people were using the foaming brush on their wheels and tires. They already had it in their hands cleaning the car and just did everything (wheels/tires) with it. I still have all the equipment...so I hope times have changed enough that this will work. If it does I will jump on the band wagon.

 

[Waxman]

Lemme give my input as a long-time detailer;

make it spray a water-based dressing in a low-pressure mist or foam. No applicator (many reasons).

Still seems like a messy area. We clean the detail shop floor very regularly to minimize slipperiness (sp?).

You don't want to make a few dollars only to be sued for a slip/fall. This is why I do not put tire shine in my IBA. Too darn slick! Mixed w/soapy water and it's slicker than ice. Seriously.

 

[MEP001]

I will stick an air hose in some regular ArmorAll today to see if it foams without an additive.

It doesn't. I modified a fragrance/shampooer temporarily to see how it would do to spray Armor All straight as a liquid. The normal Fragra*Matics gun wouldn't draw enough to make an even spray, but when I pumped it using the shampoo pump it worked very well. I made a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tsv6Hh6HVg

I was able to do all four tires with a good coating using less than 3 ozs. of Armor All liquid.

 

[Waxman]

Good video. Looks like you really soaked the heck outta that tire (monte carlo?)

That alone looked like enough for 2-3 tires IMO.

 

[Waxman]

Lemme give my input as a long-time detailer;

make it spray a water-based dressing in a low-pressure mist or foam. No applicator (many reasons).

Still seems like a messy area. We clean the detail shop floor very regularly to minimize slipperiness (sp?).

You don't want to make a few dollars only to be sued for a slip/fall. This is why I do not put tire shine in my IBA. Too darn slick! Mixed w/soapy water and it's slicker than ice. Seriously.

But maybe in the vac area the sand that accumulates would negate the slick effect of silicone, so this should go near the vacs?

 

[MEP001]

I soaked the tire thoroughly because they were very dry. I don't use any sort of protectant on my own tires, so the first pass of what I applied soaked in without making any shine at all.

People already use their own protectant in the vac area and it doesn't get slippery enough to be a safety issue, but it's rough concrete. I'm sure polished concrete or asphalt would be much worse.

 

[soapy]

I apply water based tire shine in my detail shop with a pressure bottle that uses a brush with a trigger. The nice thing about the brush is that you use very little product and still get very smooth and even coverage. The draw back to having the brush setup would be that probably the next 2 or 3 people could dress their tires just by rubbing the brush on their tires and would not have to pay. For those in detailing the brush is the most cost effective way to dress a tire.

 

[rph9168]

I think Blenco sells a brush system for their tire shine product.

 

[soapy]

The new kleenrite catalog that arrived with the SSCWN has several options for SS tire shine including a brush setup.