Chemical choices for IBA

[Waxman]

I'm driving myself crazy trying to choose a chemical line for my new WW Razor.

I plan to order from Kleen-Rite, because I have had a very good experience over the past decade with them.

I think I'd like to choose a manufacturer and buy solely from their product line.

I have also had very good long-term results with Simoniz and JBS, specifically. Kleen-Rite brands, too, but they are not the manufacturer.

Which Alkaline presoak do you prefer or are you familiar with from Simoniz or JBS?

I was using Correct powder from Simoniz and was happy with results, but I want a pre-mixed concentrated presoak for my new 'operation'.

Thoughts??? Thank you!

 

[bobcat9095]

I have used all Chemquest products with my Razor for 10 years and have no complaints. The alkaline presoak is called Select 35 and it is fantastic.

 

[SuperSuds04]

I've had good results with my Warsaw chemicals I've been using for 10+ years, but as always every 2/3 years I try out other chemicals manfacturers and new mixes to see if I can make it clean any better. Let me know how you like KleenRite and what you go for if you try them. I've got a call with my JBS rep this week to learn about what they have to offer

 

[soonermajic]

Have used ChemQueat Select 35 & Warsaw Wonder + in my LW360 & Razor. Both are fantastic.
Have also tri3d Correct, as high & thick as possible, & it is so weak it is unreal.
Ypu are luvky to have conditions that Correct can work in. I can't imagine having that easy of cars to clean.
I' think on 3x foams, Kleen-Rite is just as good at 1/3rd the price! I mix it in 14, not 15 gallons, & it is pretty comparable.

 

[Cool Wash]

Has anyone used ChemQuest Select 35 for self service?

 

[washnshine]

I'm driving myself crazy trying to choose a chemical line for my new WW Razor.

I plan to order from Kleen-Rite, because I have had a very good experience over the past decade with them.

I think I'd like to choose a manufacturer and buy solely from their product line.

I have also had very good long-term results with Simoniz and JBS, specifically. Kleen-Rite brands, too, but they are not the manufacturer.

Which Alkaline presoak do you prefer or are you familiar with from Simoniz or JBS?

I was using Correct powder from Simoniz and was happy with results, but I want a pre-mixed concentrated presoak for my new 'operation'.

Thoughts??? Thank you!

Waxman, This is the combination all the Simoniz touchless washes are using near me. In fact, the one with the menu I sent you uses this combo with outstanding results.

Simoniz Touchless NC Presoak | Car Wash Chemicals | Kleen-Rite

Simoniz Touchless Non-Corrosive Presoak is an ideal formula for use in two-step in-bay automatic car washing systems.

www.kleen-ritecorp.com

Ultra-Concentrated Presoak Plus, 55 Gal Drum | Simoniz | S4010055

This 55 gallon product can be used as either a single-step presoak or as the second step in a two-step detergent wash process.

www.kleen-ritecorp.com

I think the “Touchless” also has a version that is NOT NC. Which would give it more bite if needed.

 

[Bricks]

Instead of starting a new thread, I’ll just ask here. How important is the triple foam? Does it really help clean much?

 

[MEP001]

Triple foam can be detergent, clear coat conditioner, clear coat protectant, polish "wax," probably a lot more. Most of them do little to no cleaning by themselves. I've seen a friction automatic that applies triple foam detergent as the first pass, so that does all the cleaning.

 

[Kramerwv]

Instead of starting a new thread, I’ll just ask here. How important is the triple foam? Does it really help clean much?

Mostly for show

 

[MEP001]

Mostly for show

The "triple" part is, yes.

 

[Bricks]

I swear my wash is creating a film on the windshield, worse than what the vehicle had before it was driven in.

 

[washnshine]

I swear my wash is creating a film on the windshield, worse than what the vehicle had before it was driven in.

That could be too much clearcoat sealer/drying agent. These products usually have some type of mineral seal oil in them (especially the cheaper ones) and that can smear/smudge glass - especially windshields. And the film/smearing will be exacerbated if you aren’t getting a clean car to begin with.

A little goes a long way with these products and more is not better. You have to dial in just enough to get the water to break / and use no more than that.

 

[washnshine]

Instead of starting a new thread, I’ll just ask here. How important is the triple foam? Does it really help clean much?

I see it used differently for different types of washes. Friction operators - even a lot of tunnels- use it as additional soap that is worked in with the cloth. It’s usually neutral pH and helps lube brushes/mitters and clean a little more because it is additional detergent. Some use it towards the end of the wash as a polish, but with the hot wax and ceramic we have now, it has gotten moved more towards the front of the wash/cycle.

Most of the touchless IBAs I see tend to use a lower pH trifoam product to neutralize the high alkaline presoaks and assist in getting a dryer car by the end of the wash. Cars that have a residual alkaline on them do not dry as well.

 

[Bricks]

That could be too much clearcoat sealer/drying agent. These products usually have some type of mineral seal oil in them (especially the cheaper ones) and that can smear/smudge glass - especially windshields. And the film/smearing will be exacerbated if you aren’t getting a clean car to begin with.

A little goes a long way with these products and more is not better. You have to dial in just enough to get the water to break / and use no more than that.

I think you are right! That’s one thing I got working that wasn’t when I bought the place.

 

[Waxman]

I went with Kleen track 2B as my presoak. I chose Simoniz UVP for my triple foam. Simoniz hot wax and shine will be my hot wax. And Simoniz de salt as my salt neutralizer. I ordered some JBS ceramic sealant too. It was less expensive than Simoniz with almost double the final dilution strength of Simoniz. My lower priced packages will offer the kleenrite ultra concentrated drying agent.

 

[Keno]

I went with Kleen track 2B as my presoak. I chose Simoniz UVP for my triple foam. Simoniz hot wax and shine will be my hot wax. And Simoniz de salt as my salt neutralizer. I ordered some JBS ceramic sealant too. It was less expensive than Simoniz with almost double the final dilution strength of Simoniz. My lower priced packages will offer the kleenrite ultra concentrated drying agent.

Any updates on this? What you liked or didn't like? What have you kept or changed?

 

[Waxman]

I chose to use all the chemicals from Autowash Maintenance, my distributor. They sell a line called formula finish and it works great. Once the distributor set up the machine with a high pH presoak, hot wax, ceramic, triple foam, drying agent, etc. I left it alone. That was almost 3 years ago. I haven't even changed any tip sizes. There's no reason to mess with it because the cars come out very good. My quality complaints are very few and far between and come to think of it the only ones have been because some foam gets trapped in someone's roof rack or rear spoiler and blows out from the dryers.

 

[soapy]

Waxman, What is the presoak cost for a double pass wash for the High PH side?

 

[Waxman]

I'll ask Eric because I don't remember.

 

[Eric H]

I'll ask Eric because I don't remember.

Waxman, you’re using +/- 10oz of presoak per wash. I don’t know what you’re paying for SelectPlus because I switched to PowerMaxx over a year ago. Math should be easy to figure out.
Using PowerMaxx I am at about $1 per car. That probably seems high but the other chemicals in that line are priced reasonably with a very low dilution. I’m probably overdue for a cost analysis but my cars look great and cost isn’t a major factor