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What triple foam have you found that works the best for you?

WikiWash

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I just switched over to KRs ultra concentrated triple foam from my distributors triple foam on my In-Bay Automatics. The only thing I didn't like from my distributors triple foam was that it would grow a thick film inside the mixing tanks and foamers. I made the switch to save some money especially that KR said it is ultra concentrated and has a much higher dilution ratio than what I was using. The biggest problem is that the show isn't there. The KRs triple foam comes out more bubblie with larger bubbles than my previous triple foam which had small tiny bubbles more like shaving cream and with a nicer scent.

I have fooled around with its adjustments of air and chemical and still can not get the show. If I use a much stronger dilution ratio it may give it a better show or it may not and my cost per car will probably go back to where I was before. So my question is, What triple foam have you found that works the best for you? Please let me know if it is a Polish, Detergent, or Low pH.
 

MEP001

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I've used two Simoniz products that are both really good. I started out with the basic conditioner which has excellent show and foam, but I switched to the UVP for its protection as a selling point.
 

Randy

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We like the JBS line. We’ve had nothing but problems with KR and Simonize chemicals, snot build up, separation etc. By the way, Simoniz makes most of KR line of chemical products. That slim or snot that you’re getting in your chemical tanks is probably a bacterial growth. We used to use 1” swimming pool bleach pellets to control it.
 

WikiWash

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Randy,

Now I'm a little hesitant to try Simoniz's triple foam. I cleaned all the mixing tanks and purged all my lines prior to setting up with KRs triple foam. I haven't seen any snot build up of the KR triple foam its been clean and snot free. It just has a poor show and scent. When I use to get the triple foam from my distributor I would notice inside an unopened bucket of blue TF that there was already a film forming inside. So I think it had something to do with the product. Btw the chlorine tablet sounds like an interesting idea for a bacteria problem.

Have you switched everything over to JBS on your IBAs including your soap and waxes too?
 

Randy

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Give it a try. If your not happy with it call KR and ask for Doug, he's the soap guy there. He'll take care of you. I’d kick up the KR Tri-foam one tip size to see how it performs. What brand were you using before switching? Watch the KR products for snot, it builds up in the summer time, in the winter we had separation problems with it. We’ve pretty much use JBS for Tri-foam. We still do use Simoniz Lemon Glo wax.
 

WikiWash

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Give it a try. If your not happy with it call KR and ask for Doug, he's the soap guy there. He'll take care of you. I’d kick up the KR Tri-foam one tip size to see how it performs. What brand were you using before switching? Watch the KR products for snot, it builds up in the summer time, in the winter we had separation problems with it. We’ve pretty much use JBS for Tri-foam. We still do use Simoniz Lemon Glo wax.
It is some private label TF from my distributor which I think they get it from Warsaw or National. I'll give Doug a call to see what he says. Thanks for the help Randy I appreciate it!
 

MEP001

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Now I'm a little hesitant to try Simoniz's triple foam.
I've never had any issues with slime with either Simoniz product.

Chlorine tablets in the tanks will completely bleach out the dye.
 

Waxman

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Kleen Rite Low ph foam polish pink.

best and most consistent part of my touchfree wash. customer favorite
 

WikiWash

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Kleen Rite Low ph foam polish pink.

best and most consistent part of my touchfree wash. customer favorite
Hey Waxman!

That is exactly what I am using now with the addition of Blue and Yellow. I am not happy with the show or the scent but most importantly the show. It supposed to be a low pH but the other low pH TFs I have used all had an acid smell to them (out of the bucket). I think you are better off with the regular TF than the low pH bc it is weak. I don't find it beneficial to help in neutralizing the the surface pH of the vehicle to help get a dryer car.

I mixed the 5 gal concentrate with 10 gallons of water but I will have to check what size tip that I am using. What size tip are you currently using?
 
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Waxman

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straight from the 5 to second-smallest tip. awesome show and smell
 

robert roman

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“What triple foam….works the best….? …..is a Polish, Detergent, or Low pH.”

Purpose of triple foam is to offer customers better “clean, shine & dry” and generate extra sales. So it product actually needs to do something besides make bubbles and smell pretty.

Quality products contain surfactant (detergent), phosphoric acid, polymer to enhance properties of wax and drying agent (UV claim), and fragrance and dyes for coloring and show.

So, there is no actual “polish” in triple foam (i.e. compound, glaze, pumice, etc.) and very few products contain wax.

However, the acid cleaner in tri-foam allows the use of alkaline as pre-soak which saves chemical and lowers cost per car.

If customer buys triple foam, they are an excellent candidate to up-sell extended protection like rain repel (super hydrophobic).

Most of my clients charge at least $1.00 for triple foam and $3.00 for rain repel.

This works best for friction roll-overs. Marketing tri-foam and rain repel properly can raise average sales by over $3.00 a car.

Comparable results are possible with touch-less but the cost per car is much higher.

Also, if tri-foam product doesn’t work as advertised, the quality and average ticket will be a lot less.

The reason is the days of fooling customers with products that really don’t work very well are over.

Customers can clearly see the difference in products like rain repel and hot wax and measure it in terms of several weeks.

So, customers aren’t going to pay $3.00 or $4.00 extra for something watered down that lasts several days or a week.

Ways to minimize shrinkage is don’t accept old inventory, only keep a 45-day supply of inventory, store on pallets at decent room temperature and buy high quality products.

In winter, stick every barrel on delivery. When chemical turns jelly-like, it is either past shelf life or been exposed to temperature extreme.
 

WikiWash

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I could not agree with you more! What TF line of products do you like to use? Thanks again Robert!
 
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ditdo wax man. I use 30 gallon simonize from Kleen rite at one wash where I have the ss bays and iba out of the same drums, another I use 5 gallon from kr there own tri foam which seems good and lower cost then most.
 

Indiana Wash

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I was using Warsaw, but slime build up was bad. If I used too big of a container, half of it would go bad. I switched to KR polish and it was considerably cheaper. I did not have the show either. I ended up switching tips and have all the show anyone can ask for now. Am I saving money? Well, it is costing me the same per wash for triple foam, but none goes bad. Initially, KR was costing me half as much but then I started using twice as much triple foam per wash so I am not saving on the actual foam. The show and smell are great though. I do not have wasted foam in the barrel either.
 
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