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friction washes under 3 mnutes

robert roman

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Any friction roll-over can be made to produce a top package wash in 3-minutes.

So, if 2-minutes and 59 seconds is not a deal breaker, the answer would be yes, all of them.
 

washnshine

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Turbo

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Gearhead: isn't 3 minutes per car 20 cars per hour (I'm not trying to be sarcastic)? I'm pretty sure my Nu star soft touch plus will wash a car in 3 minutes including dryer.

Wash n shine: what is the high pressure spinning tire device called at approx 1:55 and does it work?
 

MEP001

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I wouldn't try to sell a "top wash" package that is under three minutes, but since you can customize the wash packages you should be able to make your top wash as quick as you need it.
 

washnshine

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I wouldn't try to sell a "top wash" package that is under three minutes, but since you can customize the wash packages you should be able to make your top wash as quick as you need it.
I know what you are saying - there is a perceived value that goes along with a longer wash cycle. However, if you think of tunnel washes, they will take the same amount of time with every wash package - they make up for it with colors, lights scents, foam, etc. If you can get that same differentiation of presentation in the IBA, you can try to minimize the top package time. Inevitably, an IBA will take longer anyway for the top package vs. the lower package - even if it is minimized.
 

washnshine

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Turbo,

I do not know what it is called but it is just a hp wheel/rocker spinner. It's an alternative for the wheel brushes found on some IBA's. I would think its effeitveness on wheels would be maximized with a good wheel cleaner. Belanger, D&S and some other IBA manufactureres have opted for hp wheel cleaners on their friction machines instead of wheel brushes.
 

gearhead

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Turbo,
Yes it is if your going by the math. I was trying to see if that was in and out which would indeed be 20 CPH. But I have been told before that a machine will "wash" a car in 3 mins, but that didn't include entry services or dryer. There are a few variables that will change the CPH (on or off board dryer, length of bay, machine settings etc. The important number to me is the actual car count after 1 hour when stacked. Probably should have been a little more descriptive in my questioning.
 

robert roman

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“There is a perceived value that goes along with a longer wash cycle.”

That’s not necessarily true because longer wash cycle means longer average waiting times.

Few consumers want to drive more than two miles to buy their convenience goods. Likewise, few people want to wait longer.

“However, if you think of tunnel washes, they will take the same amount of time with every wash package - they make up for it with colors, lights scents, foam, etc.”

Tunnels “make up for it” so to speak with horsepower.

If each pass of 5-brush rollover gantry is 23’ (guiderail length), it would travel 138’ in six passes (3 minutes). Roll-over has 45 hp.

Mini tunnel 5-brush is 50’, takes 3.5 minutes, 35 to 40 CPH and has 68 hp. 100’ tunnel has 10 brushes, takes about 4 minutes, 100 or more CPH and has 163 hp.

P.T. Barnum “effects” are meant to enhance customer experience (show). Color, light, scent, foam do nothing to affect the outcome of clean, shine or protect.

“If you can get that same differentiation of presentation in the IBA, you can try to minimize the top package time.”

Just as there is no substitute for cubic inches in drag racing, you can’t make up for the difference in horsepower (amount of work accomplished) with effects (presentation).

“Inevitably, an IBA will take longer anyway for the top package vs. the lower package….”

This is only true if you follow convention. You should also compare apples to apples.

For example, if goal for roll-over is 20 CPH, this could be achieved with express in-bay but it requires 60’ long wash bay. Standard roll-over is 35’ to 38’.

Top package can be configured for any 3 or 5-brush roll-over in 3-minutes or 20 CPH.

However, you won’t find this in equipment literature.
 

mac

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I think the premise behind the question is wrong. Most automatics offer a two step chemical, triple foam, regular and deluxe wax, wheel cleaner, spot free, and blow dry. I just don't see all that in under three minutes. Think of it as you do getting a hair cut. No one likes to wait long for their turn in the chair. But when you do get in the chair, it's hey, slow down, take your time and do a nice job. I used to go to a barber that I swear was practicing for the Guinness record of fastest time. He did a reasonable job in under 2 minutes. I felt cheated. If you want to cut the time in half for your top wash, just get 2 machines and you'll double your throughput.
 

Turbo

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Gear head

The math error was mine. I thought you had written 30 cph. My mistake.

If there is an attendant we think we could do 20 cph max. That is with attendant making sure everything going smoothly, making change, etc
 

washnshine

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I think the premise behind the question is wrong. Most automatics offer a two step chemical, triple foam, regular and deluxe wax, wheel cleaner, spot free, and blow dry. I just don't see all that in under three minutes. Think of it as you do getting a hair cut. No one likes to wait long for their turn in the chair. But when you do get in the chair, it's hey, slow down, take your time and do a nice job. I used to go to a barber that I swear was practicing for the Guinness record of fastest time. He did a reasonable job in under 2 minutes. I felt cheated. If you want to cut the time in half for your top wash, just get 2 machines and you'll double your throughput.
I think you are right on Mac. Factor in that some people are paying $6 and top wash customers might pay $12. Those paying the $12 are probably going to expect some more time in the bay.
 

robert roman

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“Most automatics offer a two step chemical, triple foam, regular and deluxe wax, wheel cleaner, spot free, and blow dry.”

Most in-bays offer a multitude of products as you described but not specific solutions to customer problems (clean, shine, protect).

In-bays are often configured for things like double pass of pre-soak (not hi/low) or extra detergent on front/back end, on-board versus standing drier, etc.

Yes, time is relevant. 4-minute conveyor wash for $5.00 takes same amount of time as $13 top package wash does.

Why does $13 top package at in-bay have to take more time than $5.00 base wash?

The reason is convention. This is the way it has always been done.

With the chemicals and wash materials available today, it is possible to produce a top package wash (clean, shine, protect) in three minutes with roll-over.

If I could get a reasonable hair cut in 2 minutes, I’d give the cutter a 25 percent tip.
 

mac

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The barber is in Cape Coral on Del Prado Blvd, and he charges about $8.
 

gearhead

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You might have something there Robert. An idea to work on. Express hair cuts. How about a 30 ft. flat belt conveyor with 6 barber chairs bolted to it. Add some cologne and talcum powder arches at the end. Shampoo and blow dry for the top package. You could use a t shirt cannon to blast a hot towel into the customers faces. Those would all be mechanically applied to save on labor. Of course the tunnel would be lined with big screen TVs. Don't forget the lollypops afterwards for the kids :)
 

mac

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Nice idea there gearhead. I would have some scantily clad "attendants" to help the process.
 

gearhead

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Yea! But remember, you need to be multi gender friendly. So you would need some Chippendales guys in there also. Added costs would be blindfolds for the kids. And those pesky mobs of protesters would need to be dealt with. A HP water cannon would be in order. They use a lot of water so reclaim would be must :)

Sorry OP. Couldn't help myself.
 
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