Does the summer heat make soaps not last as long??

[diycarwash]

My Blendco distributor is saying that the summer heat is making my chemicals go faster. It is not our fault in other words. What is your experience with this? Do chemicals last longer in the winter?
Thanks

 

[rph9168]

What does he mean by "faster"? I have never heard that one before. I think you need a better explanation or a new supplier.

 

[DavidM]

I have heard this as well. Temperature affects viscosity. As a product gets thinner more product is pulled. I always noticed it most with Blendco's Automatic Detergent.
If you are pulling more product in the summer, use a smaller tip (assuming you are using a system with tips) Regardless of viscosity you always want the same amount of concentrate mixed with the same amount of water, otherwise you are using a stronger solution in the summer.

 

[diycarwash]

Thanks for the good reply. So I guess in the summer it would be smart to go to one size smaller tip if what you say is true.
Thanks

 

[rph9168]

Sorry you got so upset but I was serious. Viscosity is normally not a problem if your wash wash is set up properly except if your equipment room gets really cold in the winter. In that case you would probably use less, not more of a product. Your description of the problem was not very clear. All you stated is that your supplier said you would use more in the summer - no explanation for it. Most products' viscosity are not that affected by normal room temperature even in your area where it can get pretty hot.

Due to the brevity of your question I felt your supplier may have been giving you the run around. My response was not intended to be inflammatory. If someone is trying to give you an honest answer I don't think name calling is a good practice unless you are used to treating people trying to help you that way.

 

[diycarwash]

rph,
Thanks for you explaination. I will try to be more clear on my next post and sorry for the last comment.

 

[rph9168]

No problem. Sometimes frustrations in this business can really get to you. Hope the changes you make work for you. The last thing any operator needs in these times is to use too much product. Maybe that is a lesson for all of us to stay on top of chemicals usage throughout the year. A "set it and forget it" mindset is not a good one for a car wash operator.

 

[dclark3344]

Read the post Blendco users. All blendco users have got to notice the MUCH thinner Automatic detergent. This is there way of sticking it to us again. Raise the price and use more product. I have used their products for 6 years and my mentor for 12 years BUT NO MORE I am using some of Kleen-Rites SUPER soap the tire and wheel, foam brush, triple shines, high pressure soap, and powders are better and CHEAPER. Plus you get free freight with full pallets and you can add your vending to the pallet and get shipped free. I would also consider KO chemicals and My mentor is using ZEP. We have been Blendco products best advertising and now the GREEDY management is taking advantage of us. I am getting better more consistant mixes now with the 2 barrel system.

 

[torquewrench]

I noticed I have been using a lot more product this summer also. I put the smallest tip on I have (pink). It still seems to be sucking the soap down. Is there another problem I could be having?

 

[Earl Weiss]

I noticed I have been using a lot more product this summer also. I put the smallest tip on I have (pink). It still seems to be sucking the soap down. Is there another problem I could be having?

If it was not a new Pink tip it could be worn, as hard as that seems to believe. From time to time I have to replace them. So much so that I oreder new tip kits. Wish I could get just pink tips. Called Sonny's and Hydrominder. Apparently I would need to order at least $100.00 worth which would be about 100 tips.

 

[mac]

So let me make sure I understand this. It's warmer out, summer you know, and because you are using more product, your soap salesman says it's because of the heat. Well, I might ask, is this the first summer you have operated a wash? Why didn't the soap go faster last summer? Or the one before that? And if your highly trained soap salesman knew that the summer temps would cause you to waste soap, why would he not tell you that beforehand? This doesn't pass the smell test.