Apparently, algae blooms on the cloth from untreated reclaim. We switch to fresh water to 'starve' the algae then spray cloth with acid and blast with pressure gun. Regular bleaching keeps it at bay but I'm looking for a better solution than that.
Mitter cloth is marking cars
- Thread starter madstack
- Start date
The problem usually exists in warmer climates or during summer months. Make sure the chemicals you are using in your wash have biocides in them. Some of the lesser brands and local manufacturers do not include them in their products. Biocides will normally prevent algae from growing depending on how your reclaim is treated. A decent reclaim system should at least inhibit if not prevent growth of algae and/or bacteria.
robert roman
Bob Roman
“Apparently, algae blooms on the cloth from untreated reclaim.”
“Regular bleaching keeps it at bay but I'm looking for a better solution than that.”
Newton, N.J., and cloth usually means an older full-service or exterior-only tunnel.
“Untreated reclaim” usually means two underground tanks (settling and clarifier) and hydro-cyclone and activated carbon and sand instead of filtration.
In older systems like Continental, cyclones become clogged over time which reduces capacity to process waste water. Most likely the carbon needs replaced. This might help.
Dosing with chlorine can help but has consequences; premature wear/tear on rotating unions, pumps, chlorine smell, etc.
If the reclaim tanks are small, more frequent removal of pit slurry can also help.
Other solutions to consider are enzyme dosing system (microorganisms that eat odor causing bacteria) or ozone injection.
“Regular bleaching keeps it at bay but I'm looking for a better solution than that.”
Newton, N.J., and cloth usually means an older full-service or exterior-only tunnel.
“Untreated reclaim” usually means two underground tanks (settling and clarifier) and hydro-cyclone and activated carbon and sand instead of filtration.
In older systems like Continental, cyclones become clogged over time which reduces capacity to process waste water. Most likely the carbon needs replaced. This might help.
Dosing with chlorine can help but has consequences; premature wear/tear on rotating unions, pumps, chlorine smell, etc.
If the reclaim tanks are small, more frequent removal of pit slurry can also help.
Other solutions to consider are enzyme dosing system (microorganisms that eat odor causing bacteria) or ozone injection.
carnut2
Express Exterior
mitre cloth growing moss
We are having a similar situation at our wash.
We use reclaim that has ozone injection and we also pool shock the system once a month. Our cloth, particularly the mitre, has moss and other flora growing on it. I presume it is a combination of reclaim and very sunny hot conditions from the polycarbon roof system in our tunnel.
We have taken off the cloth and pressured washed it back to nearly new. But we can only do it when we are closed.
Do any other washes keep a spare set of cloth for each type of equipment to rotate out on cleaning cycle?
We are having a similar situation at our wash.
We use reclaim that has ozone injection and we also pool shock the system once a month. Our cloth, particularly the mitre, has moss and other flora growing on it. I presume it is a combination of reclaim and very sunny hot conditions from the polycarbon roof system in our tunnel.
We have taken off the cloth and pressured washed it back to nearly new. But we can only do it when we are closed.
Do any other washes keep a spare set of cloth for each type of equipment to rotate out on cleaning cycle?
Hello carnut. If you have a good working ozone system you should not need to shock the system. There are a lot of ozone systems out there that simply do not work well, if at all, and it's not easy to field test one. The easiest and simplest way to check it is to pull off the oxone injection hose and take a small whiff of the gas. It should produce a slight burning sensation. DO NOT stick the hose up a nostril, just a short whiff. If you don't get that then it's either undersized or not working.
robert roman
Bob Roman
Growth of bacteria on soft-cloth mitter brushes is mostly a function of moisture.
Consider a concrete sidewalk or parking area with a carport overhead.
When it rains, the portion of concrete under the carport is the last to dry.
Over time, this portion will slowly turn green in color and then black.
The remedy is bleach and/or high-pressure washing.
One alternative to removing and cleaning cloth is to leave it in place and apply a very weak solution of HF, ABF or wheel cleaner to the cloth with a lawn garden sprayer and then clean/rinse the cloth with high-pressure.
Using this method, we were able to clean all cloth in about an hour.
Don’t forget to wear your personal protection safety equipment.
Consider a concrete sidewalk or parking area with a carport overhead.
When it rains, the portion of concrete under the carport is the last to dry.
Over time, this portion will slowly turn green in color and then black.
The remedy is bleach and/or high-pressure washing.
One alternative to removing and cleaning cloth is to leave it in place and apply a very weak solution of HF, ABF or wheel cleaner to the cloth with a lawn garden sprayer and then clean/rinse the cloth with high-pressure.
Using this method, we were able to clean all cloth in about an hour.
Don’t forget to wear your personal protection safety equipment.
KwikClean
Mr. Clean
Low ph detergent
If you have a foaming application prior to the mitter curtians, play around with a good low ph detergent. The majority of the bacteria Forming on cloth tends to flourish in a high ph environment. Significantly dropping the ph can clean and prevent further bacterial growth. At least that's what it has been with my experience.
If you have a foaming application prior to the mitter curtians, play around with a good low ph detergent. The majority of the bacteria Forming on cloth tends to flourish in a high ph environment. Significantly dropping the ph can clean and prevent further bacterial growth. At least that's what it has been with my experience.
Ditto.
Once you get your cloth clean, this is the best way to prevent reoccurrence of this problem, so you won't have to go through it again.
In fact, even if you currently do not have a foamer prior to this mitter, this is probably a good reason to get one. Extra lube on the cars, and your cloth stays clean. A lot of the low pH solutions are easy rinsing, so even if this is further down your line, it should not cause a problem.
Mike
carnut2
Express Exterior
We do have a low PH solution just prior to the Mitters. Ahh, alas another piece of the ozone has gone out and it stinks to high heaven coming in the tunnel. Ordered new part..check valves... and dosed the pit with clorox in the meantime.
The people we bought our reclim from have gone out of business and so we have to get service advice from the ozone component people or the reclaim tank people but neither seems to know the other businesses connection. Frustrating!
KwikClean
Mr. Clean
Check and make sure the low pH detergent you are putting on prior to the mitter clothes is being used at an apporipriate dilution ratio; using a titration kit or test strip to make sure the solution being dispensed is actually on the acidic side of the equation
