help w/ LW 3x Foam

[soonermajic]

My 3x foam barely reaches the cars, & is neither thick nor bright. I'm using 4 Seasons, & my distributor says everyone else has great results. I've put more of those "pot scrubber" stuff in tubes, & that gave it a lil more foam.
Any advice?

 

[whitescout]

If you are using a procon pump, I would upgrade to a booster pump.
I would also upgrade your injectors from .057 to .070.

 

[soonermajic]

How much would it cost, to upgrade to a Booster pump? Can you get those used? How do I know about my injectors? I just installed this last week, & know almost nothing about it

 

[whitescout]

The size of the injectors should be on the side of the injectors. .057 injectors would have come from the factory. The .070 will allow more flow. As far as the booster pump, you might be able to find a used one, but I would buy new. How can you tell if the used pump works? Also, if it has been used, and then just sitting, it will probably be full of rust that will plug solenoids, injectors,...... For a new booster pump, I would budget around $600

 

[DiamondWash]

We just replaced our scrubbies with stainless steel style not nylon made alot of difference, agreed on the booster pump I see alot of manufactures going form procon to booster pumps because of that reason of not enough pressure. Your injectors should stay at 0.57 reason is the higher the number on the injector means more water mixed with the product then you have to change your tip higher to match water/chemical ratios.

 

[soonermajic]

Can you not send more air through, w/ a Procon pump? $600 is a helluva lot, when you only wash 12 cpd. Wonder why Stainless would work so much better? That could be a cheap fix, though...

 

[DiamondWash]

12 CPD!!! good lord please tell me you meant 12 cars per hour. what automatic do you own?

 

[wash4me]

Whitescout is right but....... here's another thought. Build a foam sprayer with 1 inch pvc that has 1/16 inch holes drilled in it and run it across the top so the foam just drops on the car. That way any foam generated gets on the car..... I don't know what kind of machine you have so this may not be practical. Also what is your city water pressure? Are you using soft water to make foam?

 

[DiamondWash]

Whitescout is right but....... here's an thought. Build a foam sprayer with 1 inch pvc that has 1/16 inch holes drilled in it and run it across the top so the foam just drops on the car. That way any foam generated gets on the car..... I don't know what kind of machine you have so this may not be practical. Also what is your city water pressure? Are you using soft water to make foam?

That would work in a tunnel application because that same 1" PVC pipe has to be flushed with fresh water so it doesn't continue to drip trifoam while doing the rest of the passes to rinse the vehicle off.

 

[mrfixit]

Stainless steel pot scrubbers are night and day difference IMO. Also they don't compress over time restricting flow and reducing foaming.

Not steel wool, the scrubbers look like flat coils of stainless.

Don't compact it too much just enough to have the right size to fit in the pipe.

Injectors are a simple change. Are you sure you have enough air going to them.. Without enough air the foam will be weak and watery.

Trifoam is the hardest to get right.

 

[wash4me]

That would work in a tunnel application because that same 1" PVC pipe has to be flushed with fresh water so it doesn't continue to drip trifoam while doing the rest of the passes to rinse the vehicle off.

Good point it would drip. I had a rollover with this set up vertical on both sides that just worked off of city pressure and it was fine.

 

[whitescout]

We just replaced our scrubbies with stainless steel style not nylon made alot of difference, agreed on the booster pump I see alot of manufactures going form procon to booster pumps because of that reason of not enough pressure. Your injectors should stay at 0.57 reason is the higher the number on the injector means more water mixed with the product then you have to change your tip higher to match water/chemical ratios.

I am suggesting that he replace the .057 with .070 so he can increase the flow. The .057 is restricting the flow. This will help with the procon pump he is using, but I guarantee if he changes to a booster pump, and .070 injectors, he will be very happy with the results.

 

[mrfixit]

I agree .07 will be better. All you'll need to do is increase the air flow a little if its regulated.. The pressure out at the foamers will increase with the .07 injector. They're less than $40 a piece.

Do you have a pressure gauge on that system, what pressure is it running now?


You wont necessarily need to change tips. Its not a big deal to change tips if needed, but I predict he can use the same tip if he is getting proper chemical dilution right now. More flow, more draw, same tip, same dilution. (systems may vary)

 

[PEI]

Instead of a booster pump you can replace the factory standard Procon pump with the optional Sta-Rite pump. Remember to get the stand that allows it to bolt in place of the Procon. If you need more air, you can tee off the incoming air line, add a solenoid that fires when the 3x Foam solenoid fires and add a pressure regulator. This will allow you to run your 3x air pressure at a different setting from your presoaks.

Personally, I gave up on the pods and put the 3x foam through the arch. It always looks good, provides even coverage (which helps since we use a protectant and not a conditioner), and doesn't freeze in the winter.

Good Luck

 

[whitescout]

Instead of a booster pump you can replace the factory standard Procon pump with the optional Sta-Rite pump. Remember to get the stand that allows it to bolt in place of the Procon. If you need more air, you can tee off the incoming air line, add a solenoid that fires when the 3x Foam solenoid fires and add a pressure regulator. This will allow you to run your 3x air pressure at a different setting from your presoaks.

Personally, I gave up on the pods and put the 3x foam through the arch. It always looks good, provides even coverage (which helps since we use a protectant and not a conditioner), and doesn't freeze in the winter.

Good Luck

The starite would be the booster pump that I was referring to.

He should already have an air regulator that controls air to the triple foam only. In addition to this, he should have 2 needle valves that control air to each side of the bridge. If he runs the booster pump,(starite), .070 injectors, the needle valves are not restricting flow, and has the air set in between 40-60 psi, he will have great results. I would expect that he should be able to run 200-220 psi for presoaks, and about 180-200 for the triple foam.

 

[soonermajic]

Problem was an easy fix. On each side, I had a plug (actually a zip tied tube that busted) bust. I didn't realize I was leaking ari outta both sides. stuck a tube into both sides, & 'voila.....3x foam working like a champ!