Best way to get backs of vehicles clean without needing to prep.

[coag]

This is a problem area for a lot of washes, and I was wondering what you guys' thoughts were.

 

[Earl Weiss]

2 sets of wraps.

Reverse hanging top brush works great but is a PITA.

 

[robert roman]

Some of the best results I've seen is MacNeil's Z-wrap with foam brushes.

 

[madstack]

Belanger Quikfire wraps with foam were installed in November and we've been "no prep" ever since.

 

[JimmyJaffa]

Depending on line speed we use 1 or 2 MacNeil wraps. In our 87' Tunnel, at 0.50 feet per second of travel, we are able to wash the back of vehicles very good. in our 140' long tunnel we use 2 long arm wraps at a line speed 0.84 feet per second we do great, not so good with only one wrap at that speed, but acceptable.

 

[UponTheSquare]

2 sets of wraps.

Reverse hanging top brush works great but is a PITA.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the major difficulty with the reverse hanging top brush in your experience? Maintenance? Damages?

 

[sudsurfer]

We also have a problem with the backs of cars. Use Peco wrap a rounds. Switched from cloth to foam Does not seem to clean as well. Wraps too tight, move mirrors, too loose, don't get back of cars clean. Any suggestions?

 

[Earl Weiss]

If you don't mind me asking, what is the major difficulty with the reverse hanging top brush in your experience? Maintenance? Damages?

When Chicago started allowing Cabs with large roof top ads the top brushes were no longer a workeable choice. The reverse hanging brush had to be treadle activated since a skipped roller would resultin a broken windshield when the brush came down too soon. This treadle system was a maintenance issue and on rare occasion a car would trigger the treadle skip a roler and roll slightly backward. You also needed to be carefulll with pickup trucks and monitor Brush wear carefully.

 

[Earl Weiss]

We also have a problem with the backs of cars. Use Peco wrap a rounds. Switched from cloth to foam Does not seem to clean as well. Wraps too tight, move mirrors, too loose, don't get back of cars clean. Any suggestions?

Suggestions:
1. Ditch the foam and go back to cloth.
2. Add a second set of wraps.
3. Modify wraps with air cylinders and Controller with "Bump Out feature" which retracts / releases pressure at the Mirror and add a set of High Side wheels to eliminate any missed areas caused by bump out.

 

[hkim310]

The backs of vehicles seem to be one of the most difficult areas of the vehicle to clean well. We have 2 sets of wrap around brushes and we prep and sometimes we still don't get the cleanest back that we would like. We also so foam, neoglide from Sonny's for wrap material. We've never actually tried cloth, may try that with the next cloth change based on Earl's recommendation.

We also have triple mitters here at our wash but during bug season (summer), can't seem to get most/all of the bugs off of windshields. Are top brushes REALLY that much of pain? We were thinking about installing one here at our wash. They do clean better on windshield though.....right?

 

[madstack]

Our top brush was installed in November so i can't speak to the PITA factor but cleaning is spectacular.

 

[Washmee]

I installed a Peco top brush 2 1/2 years ago. It cleans great and I have had zero problems. The key is to get one that uses closed cell foam as the cleaning material.

 

[rph9168]

I think many of the complaints about top brushes stem from the older models that used counterweights. WIth improved sensing and activation I think any problems have been drastically reduced. That being said I would still make sure to keep up maintenance procedures on them.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Top Brushes - Some luv them. I don't. PITA for roof racks, Pickups and Taxis with large roof top ads.

Still have one. AVW with foam. Had others for decades. Do not Miss them.