What's new

Hoses

Roz

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2017
Messages
1,335
Reaction score
767
Points
113
Looking for a lighter hose for customers (to try) especially for women who do not like the weight associated with a 16' rubber hose. Using KR hoses for HP and foamy brush. Thinking of trying a coil foam brush hose from KR on the foamy brush. I suspect they will stay off the floor and not be as heavy.

Has anyone used them on a foamy brush with 6' handle (good or bad idea)? Any recommendations for a light weight (yet durable) HP Wand hose?
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,946
Points
113
Location
Texas
1/4" steel braided hose for high pressure is a good bit lighter. There's also a nylon braided high pressure hose, but I'm afraid to use something that can be cut with a pocket knife.

I've never run coil hoses on foam brush, but I've used washes that have them, and they're terrible. It's definitely lighter, but they tangle into a ball. Maybe at the washes I've tried them they never come through and untangle them, but if they get that bad every day they're useless IMO. I use Insta-Grip hose which is very expensive but it lasts around five years, and it's a little thinner and lighter than the hose from which Kleen-Rite makes theirs.
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,653
Reaction score
1,413
Points
113
Location
Ohio
We use 3/8" coil hoses on our foam brush and do not have any issues with tangling. I wouldn't call them light though and still slap the side of the car pretty good if you are not careful. We have thought about trying the 5/16" coil hoses to see if they foam as good as the 3/8".
 

soapy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2007
Messages
2,896
Reaction score
855
Points
113
Location
Rocky Mountains
All I have ever used is coiled foamy brush hoses and have had very few problems. I hate straight hoses on the foamy brush as they slap the car a lot more IMO than the coiled hose. Be sure to get the hoses with swivels on each end and you will have few problems with them tangling. Plus coil hoses do not drag on the ground ever. Dultmeier sales was demostrating a new light HP hose I think it was called Kydex last year. I have never tried it but might in the future.
 

Axxlrod

Car Washer
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
498
Reaction score
365
Points
63
Location
CA
I read recently about some operators changing over to 1/4" hose with 3/8" fittings on either end. The hose is much lighter.

Something to try.
 

xbowhunter86

New member
Joined
May 12, 2017
Messages
23
Reaction score
5
Points
3
Location
Pennsylvania
I switched to the Mosmatic comfort hoses. A little costly but so worth it. Had some customers comment how nice they are to handle.


Different lengths available.
 

Roz

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2017
Messages
1,335
Reaction score
767
Points
113
Thanks as I missed this item in their catalog. Looks promising and worth trying!
 

soonermajic

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
3,384
Reaction score
869
Points
113
Location
texas
I read recently about some operators changing over to 1/4" hose with 3/8" fittings on either end. The hose is much lighter.

Something to try. That's what we did & cusyomers love it, especially older & female .
 

Roz

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2017
Messages
1,335
Reaction score
767
Points
113
Where did you purchase or was it a custom request from KR?

How did the narrower hose affect the pressure?

Interesting idea.
 

Kevin James

Active member
Joined
Nov 15, 2007
Messages
562
Reaction score
32
Points
28
I switched to the Mosmatic comfort hoses. A little costly but so worth it. Had some customers comment how nice they are to handle.


Different lengths available.
It looks like it'd be easy to cut with a knife or wire cutters. We have customers who think they can take the gun with them and try to cut it off the hose with a knife. I wonder how you'd fix it if someone did cut it? anyone know?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Roz

Jeff_L

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
1,246
Reaction score
31
Points
48
Location
Missouri
For high pressure I use 1/4” with 3/8” fittings on the ends. Probably the smallest hose you can go with and not sacrifice customer experience. It’s a lot lighter and less fatiguing for users.
 

soapy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2007
Messages
2,896
Reaction score
855
Points
113
Location
Rocky Mountains
I also use the 1/4 inch hose with 3/8s fittings. You can notice a small difference in bay pressure between 1/4 and 3/8 but it is small. The heavier 3/8 hoses tend to weather crack quicker around the gun due to more weight.
 

Greg Pack

Wash Weenie
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
4,391
Reaction score
2,169
Points
113
Location
Hoover, Alabama
I switched to the Mosmatic comfort hoses. A little costly but so worth it. Had some customers comment how nice they are to handle.


Different lengths available.

How are those holding up? I just installed one today. I kind of like it, but it feels much less substantial than the old school wire braid. Seems like it might make a good universal hose for the washes for both low and high pressure functions.
 

xbowhunter86

New member
Joined
May 12, 2017
Messages
23
Reaction score
5
Points
3
Location
Pennsylvania
They have been an excellent investment! Basically still look new as durability seems great.
I am ready to order more for my foam brushes as I have to much trouble with the current low pressure hoses kinking. These will solve that issue.
 

Roz

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2017
Messages
1,335
Reaction score
767
Points
113
Great. Customers have positively commented on them. They hold up fine although if you crank up the psi close to 1500 you might feel a very slight vibration in the line. Still much easier to move around the bay than traditional hoses and less complaints about a heavy hose knocking against a customer car. All good.
 

soonermajic

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
3,384
Reaction score
869
Points
113
Location
texas
So Comfort Hose is only for 1500 psi? Mine are about 1300, so I guess Id still be good?
Ia the comfort hose good for FB as well, or not?
Like some of you said, it looks like it could be cut easily. What do you do then? Is it repairable?
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,946
Points
113
Location
Texas
You might be able to splice it with a coupler barb for foam brush, but not for high pressure.
 

Roz

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2017
Messages
1,335
Reaction score
767
Points
113
No. Hoses rated to 2900psi according to KR website. I think the lighter weight just makes the hose vibrate slightly. Does not seem to be an issue for customers. Just something I noticed.

easier to discard a cut hose IMO. But so far have not seen any issues with wear. I would not want a weak link in a spliced hose as that is an issue waiting to happen.
 
Joined
Nov 27, 2019
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Points
3
I switched to the Mosmatic comfort hoses. A little costly but so worth it. Had some customers comment how nice they are to handle.


Different lengths available.
I work for a car wash manufacturer and we have had great succcess with this hose!
 
Top