What's new

Hot Water for Chemicals?

wash12

Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2018
Messages
174
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
USA
Hi we recently installed a new laserwash 360 and we have it plumbed for pre soaks to be hot water, well what we didn't realize is if pre soak is hot water then all the other chemicals are ran hot water also.

Does anyone else do this and if so is there a benefit to hot water for the chemicals I know hot water always cleans better but it is going to require a lot of hot water to apply every chemical with hot water.
 

robert roman

Bob Roman
Joined
Sep 11, 2007
Messages
2,200
Reaction score
3
Points
36
Location
Clearwater, Florida
Yes, lots of operators apply heat to product water. Increasing water temperature generally increases reactivity of chemical which increases the likelihood the chemical will work better relative to the previous water temperature.

“….but it is going to require a lot of hot water to apply every chemical with hot water.”

This isn’t a question but implies concern about cost. Using hot water generally increases cost. However, since you don’t understand the chemistry, I suggest you rely on the expertise of your supplier.

If supplier knows hot water produces optimal results, follow the advice.

If hot water is normal expense, make sure to tell customers (menu, website, advertising, etc.) why you use it (cleans better) and charge a fair price to cover the cost.
 

koliver

PDQ Sales Engineer
Joined
Sep 4, 2007
Messages
145
Reaction score
15
Points
18
Location
DePere, WI
Is this a LaserWash 360 or a Plus unit? If it's a standard 360, you can put a 3 way valve in the top of the solution pump and trigger it to work only when the presoaks come on. All other passes will then be cold water. If this is a Plus unit, you should have a low pressure hot water inject valve to control it.
 

Jeff_L

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
1,246
Reaction score
31
Points
48
Location
Missouri
I use hot for all chemical applications. My chemical distributor recommends it.
 

rph9168

Carwashguy
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
2,663
Reaction score
11
Points
38
Location
Atlanta
Using hot water, depending on the temperature, may also allow you to use less chemical which may or may not balance the cost of heating the water. In the end, using hot water will produce a cleaner car more efficiently and consistently if the chemical is balanced.
 

wash12

Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2018
Messages
174
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
USA
Using hot water, depending on the temperature, may also allow you to use less chemical which may or may not balance the cost of heating the water. In the end, using hot water will produce a cleaner car more efficiently and consistently if the chemical is balanced.
Does hot water work better with all chemicals? I am currently using hot water for carnauba wax, tri color foam, rain-x, drying agent and both high and low pre soaks.

Anyone have an idea on how many gallons of water are used for the chemical applications on a PDQ 360 plus?
 

rph9168

Carwashguy
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
2,663
Reaction score
11
Points
38
Location
Atlanta
Hot water is more effective for production products than it is for sealants or polishes but it certainly would not have and adverse affect.
 
Top