3x Foam Detergent vs. Polish

[bigleo48]

All,

I've been using 3x foam polish over the years and I don't feel it actually does anything. Nothing that I can see except put on a show. So why not switch it to a detergent and get some (albeit very little) benefit?

Big

 

[rph9168]

If you do switch go to a low pH tricolor product so at least it will help the drying process.

 

[soapy]

I do see water beading when using my foam polish. It is also the low PH type that aids in drying.

 

[KwikClean]

A good polish will aid in the drying process by helping the water bead and prepare the vehicle surface for any sealants or protectants that go on the car at the end. Also it should shine the paint a little. A suggestion to you would be to run 2 low pH conditioners, and just one polish (as the first color).

 

[briteauto]

All,

I've been using 3x foam polish over the years and I don't feel it actually does anything. Nothing that I can see except put on a show. So why not switch it to a detergent and get some (albeit very little) benefit?

Big

What product are you using and is the machine touchfree or friction?

If this is a touchfree IBA, a pH neutral colored detergent will do next to nothing. As previously mentioned, the polish should start to disperse the water and actually helps begin the drying process.

If you have a touchfree unit, then all of your hi pH and low pH chemicals will have done the work and a colored detergent most definitely is just going to create a show. If you have a friction unit, a colored detergent will add lubricity to the brushes and some additional cleaning properties to the surfaces.

Most of the Ryko friction units I see are set up to apply triple foam detergent at the beginning, and it will give the brushes more cleaning power and lubricity. Applying colored detergent early on in the cycle works well in a friction unit because it does assist in cleaning and the relatively neutral pH detergents don't require as much work to get a good break on the water, and a polish is not necessary - just a good sealer.

It really depends on your machine and other chemicals.

Let us know how it works out.

 

[robert roman]

Foam polish products are mostly high sudsing siliconized soaps that aid in cleaning, impart some shine on paint but provides very little in terms of creating a hydrophobic or beading effect.

The beading and rinsing begins when a sealer wax or drying agent (positively charged) is applied downstream (conveyor) or ending-cycle (in-bay) and reacts with the foam (negatively charged) and leaves behind a silicone shine.

If you are looking for a way to increase the benefit to customers as well as sales and profits, I would consider a high silicone content foam polish, a drying agent that breaks really fast and a sealant to provide protection.

Experience has shown that clean, shine and protect generates more sales than just clean and shine.

 

[RykoPro]

Ryko actually uses a tri foam wax which can be used in either a touch-less or foambrite wash and goes on just before the wax in either wash. The tri foam detergent is for a brush wash only and is applied at the beginning of the wash process. The tri foam wax does bead water but is mostly for show and should be rinsed off and followed with a wax, sealer or Rain Shield.

 

[briteauto]

Ryko actually uses a tri foam wax which can be used in either a touch-less or foambrite wash and goes on just before the wax in either wash. The tri foam detergent is for a brush wash only and is applied at the beginning of the wash process. The tri foam wax does bead water but is mostly for show and should be rinsed off and followed with a wax, sealer or Rain Shield.

Hey RykoPro,

On the friction machine, is the foam wax worked in with the brushes, or just foamed on and rinsed off without any friction? Almost all of Ryko machines I have seen have the trifoam detergent, but I don't think I've seen one with the foam wax. Just curious.

Mike

 

[RykoPro]

Most Softglosses will have the Tri foam Detergent rather than the tri foam wax. When they have the tri foam wax, it will usually will have the tri detergent too. The tri foam wax is not followed by a brush pass, it is applied and then rinsed off with wax or Rain Shield followed by RO (if equipped).

 

[robert roman]

- Most Softglosses have foam Detergent rather than tri foam wax. When they have the tri foam wax, it will usually have tri detergent too -

RykoPro,

Would you please give me the specific product names for the Ryko “foam detergent” and “tri-foam wax” you are referring to?

I want to go Ryko and get the MSDS for these products to learn what reactive agents are in them.

Just curious

 

[RykoPro]

Red Foaming Detergent Concentrate Bubble Gum Scented 14470-022 (15 Gallon)
Yellow Foaming Detergent Concentrate Bubble Gum Scented 14470-021 (15 gallon)
Blue Foaming Detergent Concentrate Bubble Gum Scented 14470-023 (15 Gallon)

Red Foam Wax Concentrate Cherry Scented 11773-243 (15 Gallon)
Yellow Foam Wax Concentrate Cherry Scented 11773-242 (15 Gallon)
Blue Foam Wax Concentrate Cherry Scented 11773-244 (15 Gallon)

I do have all the MSDS sheets if you would like me to email them to you.

 

[robert roman]

I tried contacting Ryko but I could not find MSDS on website and there was no one available to help me via phone.

Since the difference would be dye color, please send MSDS for these two only.

14470-022
11773-243

bob@carwashplan.com

Thanks