Best Spray Gun?

[wash12]

What is the best spray gun/wand for a self serve bay. I noticed the ones we have are a bit heavy and fatigue your hand quickly which could result in less time customer spends washing vehicle.

Whats the lightest most durable ones that everyone likes?

Using tip size 1/8 Imeg 2506 if that helps at all.

 

[OurTown]

We use the Kleen-Rite gun and the Hamel SS flex wand. They seem okay but our 3/8" hose is a little heavy. We may try a 1/4" HP hose sometime.

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1225-kleen-rite-weep-gun-with-blue-trigger.aspx

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1308-the-original-rubber-flex-wand-14m-18f-18-stainless-steel-black.aspx

What are you using that seems heavy?

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

Here is my setup:

Gun: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1242-giant-spray-gun-wplated-brass-discharge-fitting-weep.aspx
Wand: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1297-wand-pipes-threaded-tapped-14-x-18-stainless.aspx
Protector: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-3543-18-dh-insulated-lance.aspx
Nozzle Protector: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1266-ginsan-black-nozzle-protector-fits-14.aspx

Tip - Running a 2507 IMEG and thinking about going down to a 2505 to save water. Not sure what the performance difference will be?

 

[MEP001]

I also like the Giant 21295 gun. The plastic housing doesn't hold up well to abuse, but it's a very comfortable grip. I'd use the Adams 5030 gun if customers are rough on them.

I tried stainless wands but they kept cracking by the gun. I can reuse the galvanized ones two or three times before they're too rusted.

I like these: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-4058-full-cover-protector-wand.aspx They're very light and almost indestructible. The picture shows a protector on it, but I don't think it comes with it. I prefer the GinSan protector which is tougher, although in long, cold winters the Hamel is better (The GinSan will break easily below 32°).

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

I suspect you're going to get a lot of opinions on this question!
I've tried half a dozen, I like the paraplate guns, they fit my hand just right, and I like the grip/spray angle.

Regarding the "fatigue" part of your question, I do notice a lot of women dont pull the trigger, and definitely dont wash as long as men do. Was discussing that with my wife on veterans day, and we discussed it with the Suttner rep at Kleen Rite's expo a few weeks ago. He handed me their "easy pull" spray gun. Have to admit I liked it, I'm going to try one when I place my next order. It was almost effortless to pull the trigger and hold it. Interested to see how it feels in the bay under pressure. http://https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-2276-suttner-202300615-easy-pull-spray-gun-weep.aspx

I've long wondered whether I need a "ladies bay" with lower pressure, etc. Kind of the opposite of the "super bay" some of you guys have had over the years.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I like these.
https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-3905-economy-rubber-flex-wand-sprayer-red.aspx
Last about a year and seem to hold up to being run over frequently.

 

[mjwalsh]

I like these.
https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-3905-economy-rubber-flex-wand-sprayer-red.aspx
Last about a year and seem to hold up to being run over frequently.

It seems like some advertise that the wand part can be temporarily set to be bent to get more underneath the underneath wheel wells? I have wondered if some customers are not smart enough to re-align for the normal car washing of top & sides?

 

[OurTown]

It mostly goes back by itself because it's springy.

 

[Greg Pack]

I use the exact same setup as car wash guy. It is the most professional looking setup, IMO. Coleman ships their SS bay equipment out that way.

 

[2Biz]

Here is my setup:

Gun: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1242-giant-spray-gun-wplated-brass-discharge-fitting-weep.aspx
Wand: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1297-wand-pipes-threaded-tapped-14-x-18-stainless.aspx
Protector: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-3543-18-dh-insulated-lance.aspx
Nozzle Protector: https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1266-ginsan-black-nozzle-protector-fits-14.aspx

Tip - Running a 2507 IMEG and thinking about going down to a 2505 to save water. Not sure what the performance difference will be?

I use SS 18" Flex Wands but not without issue. When its cold and the wand gets bent, it will hold that shape. Then customers barely hang it up in the holster bending it even worse. I'm thinking that using the straight wand and insulated cover might be the way to go...I'm marking this thread and post for future reference. It has my attention!

 

[Earl Weiss]

The purpose of the insulated wand? I think the customer feeling the warmth is a plus.

 

[Randy]

We use a Suttner ST-1500 gun https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-2268-suttner-st-1500-weep-gun-our-most-popular.aspx my wife has no problem with these washing down the bays.
For a wand we make our own, they look like this one. https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-29926-15-blue-flex-wand-golden-gate-series.aspx there simple to make and last a long time.
We use this nozzle protector https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1263-kleen-rite-nozzle-protector-black.aspx
For a nozzle we use a 1505, it gives the customer the feeling that they are using a super bay. We run our bays at around 1400-1500psi.

 

[Greg Pack]

The purpose of the insulated wand? I think the customer feeling the warmth is a plus.

I think it just looks better

 

[mjwalsh]

The purpose of the insulated wand? I think the customer feeling the warmth is a plus.

Our variable pressure $65+ guns come with an unneeded insulation plastic on the stainless wand portion of it. The insulation does not last & starts to work its way off ... pretty much a worthless addition IMHO when the manufacturer started adding that to the guns. The insulation probably increased their manufacturing cost as well. https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1253-kleen-rite-dump-gun-w-12-lance-handle-10gpm-3000psi.aspx

 

[JGinther]

The purpose of the insulated wand? I think the customer feeling the warmth is a plus.

These gun manufacturers come from the pressure wash industry. Pressure washers with burners typically run extremely hot and will scald if you accidentally grab a non insulated part of the gun. Probably not what you meant by the question, but might as well mention...

 

[MEP001]

Most washes around here used to keep their water so hot that it was uncomfortable or even impossible to hold a bare wand.

 

[soapy]

I use the NOrth American wand gun because it has the grippy blue surface, not the slick black plastic that other guns have. I have been using them for about 3 years now and never had a failure or leak. I have to use a flexible wand because we get a lot of ice and customers will use a solid wand to pry off ice from the cars and end up breaking the wand right where it goes into the gun. I may start using the flex wand like Randy. ( the hamel golden gate style ). Plastic tips here are always getting cut off and I got tired of replacing them. I had my own made up out of stainless steel that I have plastic dipped or Line X coated. 25 years later and I am still using the original batch I had made up. If the plastic outer gets looking shabby I just peel it off and apply a new coat of plastic dip and they look brand new.