Washworld Radiantz Soft Touch

[briteauto]

Has anyone seen one of these machines in operation, other than the video? Any installation location info?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[sprocket]

Surely someone had to buy one of these. I wonder how the top mitter works verses a top brush? And if it works better than a standard Broadway unit.

 

[DiamondWash]

That's all that unit looks like is either a Autec or a Broadway system i really never like either due to the little amount of cloth on the side brushes and the speed in which they spin.

 

[RykoPro]

I never recommend cloth to anyone, it hold dirt and then scratches the paint. As far as miter curtains go, they are hit and miss and really should only be used in tunnels where another piece of equipment (a top brush or multiple side to side or front to rear miter curtains) can actually clean the car. I have actually used a brand new piece of quality cloth to sand around delicate parts to prep my car for painting! I used it in place of a scotch brite pad.

 

[sprocket]

I'm sure if you call washworld they could tell you if there were any units close to you or a location to see one.

 

[RykoPro]

Here is a video: http://youtu.be/E7gPdPcymfg

 

[sprocket]

Is the material on the brushes on a Ryko the same as a Altec or Washworld. If not what is the difference.

 

[RykoPro]

I like the washworlds touch less wash but I have never liked hydraulic rollovers or even hydraulic tunnels for that matter (except for the conveyor chain drive). Impressions from the video are that its not very impressive and is a little slow. I am not a fan of cable tracks either (at least its better than dragging the cables across the wall). I would assume the hydraulic pump and reservoir are on the wash unit itself from the noise I hear in the bay. If this is the case, the machine will be much heavier than it would be if it were electric. If the pump is in the back room it means all that hydraulic fluid is going through that cat track and this is not good either. Hydraulics are a environmental hazard; its not will the hose will break but when.......

 

[briteauto]

Thanks for all the responses. It might be a little while before I get the chance to visit a site, but I would like to see one at some point.

I have heard great things about Washworld as a company and I don't want to leave that stone unturned.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Mike

 

[RykoPro]

Ryko invented the foam rollover brush and has always used the same supplier in Italy. It is a closed cell polymer that will not allow dirt or water to be trapped in the brush. Not sure what the others are using but if it is a foam product, I have found others to be less dense and thus has less contact with the surface of the car. As I have stated before, I would stay away from cloth.

 

[RykoPro]

I looked at the video again and its hard to tell but it looks like cloth. The miter curtain is cloth for sure. I cant tell if the slapping sound of the brush is just the miter or some of its from the brushes themselves.

 

[DiamondWash]

I just watched the video as well that sound is the cloth slapping the side of the unit as well as the side of the vehicle. I remember years ago Ryko tried to incorporate a mitter curtain on the Monarch 1 with the butterfly arm design.

 

[RykoPro]

It must have been a special unit. I worked on the Monarch 1 and there was never any room for a miter. Worst piece of equipment Ryko ever made.

 

[briteauto]

I just watched the video as well that sound is the cloth slapping the side of the unit as well as the side of the vehicle. I remember years ago Ryko tried to incorporate a mitter curtain on the Monarch 1 with the butterfly arm design.

I remember this unit - Ryko called it the Monarch with Friction Curtain. There was one installed in a Sunoco station in Sidney, NY, I believe. I used it - it was something different. No friction on the sides, just the retractable mitter.

 

[rph9168]

Pressed cloth as opposed to woven cloth does not necessarily hold soils if the right detergent is used that provides good lubricity and is free rinsing. It is also important for the cloth to be rinsed constantly to flush any soils on them. Foam products do an excellent job for tri foams but in the wash process they tend to not make as much contact with the vehicle's surface as well as cloth. Done properly cloth cleans better in the wash process especially in mitters.

 

[briteauto]

Pressed cloth as opposed to woven cloth does not necessarily hold soils if the right detergent is used that provides good lubricity and is free rinsing. It is also important for the cloth to be rinsed constantly to flush any soils on them. Foam products do an excellent job for tri foams but in the wash process they tend to not make as much contact with the vehicle's surface as well as cloth. Done properly cloth cleans better in the wash process especially in mitters.

That is exactly what I think of cloth - a mitter with pressed cloth with a good detergent is very gentle and effective - used them in tunnels for years and never had any claim due to a mitter. I like the Ryko machines a lot, but I am a bit hesitant on a top wheel because it may be less forgiving on some vehicle configurations/accessories. I know it is more aggressive than a mitter and will be more thorough - that is a given, but I have to balance that with potential damage incidents. I know with the mitters, you can double up and wash in both directions, which gives you some more cleaning power.

I know Autec offers a cloth mitter with foam on the sides - I'll be checking to see if the Radiantz has the same option for materials. I'd be looking for foam on the side wheels.

I'll let you all know what I see, when I see it.