Cleaning wheels

[rph9168]

I would think that if you delayed the start of the wash you could achieve the dwell time that would help. High pressure would be desirable but not as important as giving time for the chemicals to work.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

I have about 15 secs of dwell built into my top wash to let the bug spray dwell but the wheel cleaning has been disappointing. Maybe I need a different chemical.

 

[rph9168]

With the right wheel cleaner 15 seconds should get you decent results on the majority of the vehicles.

 

[Waxman]

With the right wheel cleaner 15 seconds should get you decent results on the majority of the vehicles.

And please do share what in your opinion is the 'right' wheel cleaner chemical.

Thanks!

 

[rph9168]

You have really two options depending on your preference. A strong alkaline with a low foaming action would probably do the best for both the lower rockers and wheels. If your concern is mainly the wheels and not as much the rockers since you are dealing with brake dust a decent low sudsing acidic product should do a decent job. You probably should consult with your chemical supplier to find out which one of their products best meets those criteria.

It may not be a product that is labeled as a wheel cleaner. A good alkaline or acidic presoak may do the job and will have a lower use cost. You might try applying the one you are using now at a lower dilution rate.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

I switched today to a different product today. If the sun will come out I will see how it works.

 

[sprocket]

Why do you want a low foaming chemical for tire cleaning, I have always tried to make mine foam as much as possible?

 

[rph9168]

While foam provides a good show on wheels (which doesn't matter in this case since the customer can't see that) it does not reach well into the nooks and crannies of the many different types of wheels found on today's vehicles. If you had friction it would be fine but trying to clean wheels chemically calls for something that will penetrate into those tight places as much as possible and will rinse easily.

 

[briteauto]

Watch this video of this Soft-gloss with Tire Chemical at the beginning and the prewash you don't need to have the nozzles oscillate just have 3-4 turbo nozzles instead and the speed is adjustable for the high pressure pass http://www.youtube.com/user/hyvahyva#p/u/40/KVX6Zk7uEpg

As the car is driving in, I see the green tire/wheel chemical, then what appears to be a medium pressure water spray from a stationary manifold - also as the car is driving in - what is the function of that?

The whole wheel rocker area is blasted with hp on the first pass of the machine - what is that spray after the wheel chemical for?

Just curious.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Anybody use these http://www.windtrax.com/search_resu...mSearch&iLevel=1&btnSearch.x=68&btnSearch.y=3 ? It looks like this could be added for about $1000. Would that work on my softgloss? Sorry about the long link but if you copy and paste it will work.
Thanks

 

[I.B. Washincars]

It says it uses your existing HP pump. I'm assuming that with a friction wash a HP pump is non-existant

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

I have a pump for my prewash that I think would work.

 

[DiamondWash]

Jimmy guess what that is the exact piece of equipment Ryko uses for their "wheel blaster unit"

 

[RykoPro]

You will still need a pumping station, the most expensive part.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Rykopro
My prewash pump wouldn't work? Why?