We are trying to decide between 3 car washes for our IBA right now. Our choices are WaterWizard 2.0, Vector Rapid Wash, or a MarkIV AquaJet GTO-300. What is the best bang for the buck? Reliability? Wash quality? Longevity? Are there other options we should consider? Any help is greatly appreciated.
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Help Us Decide on a New IBA
- Thread starter toxc107
- Start date
I.B. Washincars
Car Washer Emeritus
All of those are great machines. Which distributor is closer? Which distributor do you feel the most comfortable with? Which machine do you feel like you could learn and repair yourself the easiest? I have Mark VIIs and like them over the others because they put on a better show. The reason I have Mark VII is because the distributor I bought them from has a great reputation and I trust him. Had he been selling the "Wizzy Wash 3000" that's what I would be washing with today. As was said above, they can make or break you so choose carefully.
Agreed, the distributor is most important. Preferably one not too far away. Find out minimum trip charges when repairs are out of warranty.
Coleman now charges 55.00/hr for out of warranty factory support to owner. Bellanger phone/tech support is much better and last time I called it was free. No experience with MarkVII factory support.
My money is on the Coleman washing the best with the profiling boom, but the price paid for that is a lot of extra eyes and sensors that in the longer run will decrease the reliability of the unit. It has pretty good on-board text diagnostics displayed on the HMI, though.
Water wizard will not wash a dually. Not a big deal for most people, but maybe if you live in farm country it is. Don't know about the other two.
Unless vector has added on board tire cleaner the MarkVII or Coleman unit will do a much better job on wheels than it will.
Coleman now charges 55.00/hr for out of warranty factory support to owner. Bellanger phone/tech support is much better and last time I called it was free. No experience with MarkVII factory support.
My money is on the Coleman washing the best with the profiling boom, but the price paid for that is a lot of extra eyes and sensors that in the longer run will decrease the reliability of the unit. It has pretty good on-board text diagnostics displayed on the HMI, though.
Water wizard will not wash a dually. Not a big deal for most people, but maybe if you live in farm country it is. Don't know about the other two.
Unless vector has added on board tire cleaner the MarkVII or Coleman unit will do a much better job on wheels than it will.
MEP001
Well-known member
The Vector is a good machine, but it's not really in the same league as the other two as far as the quality of wash it can deliver. Set up properly it can give a very good wash, but it's still an inverted L, no oscillating sprayers, wheel scrubbers, or the like.
As far as maintenance, again it's not in the same league. It has almost no routine maintenance, and it's very easy to service if you plan on maintaining it yourself.
Belanger has been great, but having a good distributor is very important. Any yahoo can cram the machine in the bay (Our Vector was hung 2 1/2" off level), but installing it properly, setting it up right and providing a thorough PM is extremely important. Talk to other operators about their units and find out who services them and whether or not they're happy.
As far as maintenance, again it's not in the same league. It has almost no routine maintenance, and it's very easy to service if you plan on maintaining it yourself.
Belanger has been great, but having a good distributor is very important. Any yahoo can cram the machine in the bay (Our Vector was hung 2 1/2" off level), but installing it properly, setting it up right and providing a thorough PM is extremely important. Talk to other operators about their units and find out who services them and whether or not they're happy.
I have 4 JC Water Wizards. Mechanically they are fine. I would NOT buy any more for 2 reasons. 1) Cost of replacement parts that you HAVE to get through them. 2) They now charge for support. Half million dollars worth of machines and you can't even call them with a question. SAD, SAD, SAD! Doug
Joe Gillis
New member
The guy in the next town has a D & s Quicksilver. Best clean for a touch free I've seen. Wheel blaster is the bomb. BUT like terminator said it's all about the distributor. If he's too far away... "he won't be back"
