premium protectant in SS

[Stuart]

I am wanting to install a premium protectant (a Rainx type) in my SS bays.
Utilizing a separate gun in the bay, other than the traditional weep for freeze protection (more water down the drain), has any body used air for the "weep" in their gun Or utilized another method of freeze protection?
& do you apply as product only or with air injection?
Any information and ideas would be helpful. Thank you.

 

[cantbreak80]

While my reply does not focus on your specific product, I know that many operators have equipped their facilities with separate guns for a variety of products...conditioners, polishes, pre-soak, bug cleaner, tire cleaner, etc.

I personally have a separate low pressure gun for two products; pre-soak and tire cleaner. Both products are air-assisted to produce foam. Without air-assist the products would be too expensive to deliver...IMHO.

For freeze protection, my system features a combination of air-blow-out and "anti-freeze" solution. Weeping would be too costly and very troublesome because of the "glacier" buildup on the bay walls. The freeze protection system is quite effective and reasonably inexpensive to operate because the "anti-freeze" is windshield washer solution. I use it for my foam brush system, too!

FWIW, my original system used only air-blow-out. Funny how foam dissipates into liquid and collects in low spots after the blow-out cycle. It then freezes and plugs the delivery hoses. By adding an anti-freeze solution after the blow out, any remaining liquid in the lines is less likely to freeze. Hit it with another blow-out and the chances of freeze up are further reduced.

 

[MEP001]

I've seen a number of local washes with their wax delivered at low-pressure through the high-pressure gun. I don't see any reason why that wouldn't work just as well with a RainX type product.

 

[Stuart]

MEP001 & CANTBREAK80, Thanks for your thoughts-I have thought of through the HP gun but my concern is the extra cost of product (as we know this stuff is not cheap) year-round wasted in the HP hose when switched to the next service vs. only the waste in the seperate gun in the winter to bleed out for freeze protection. I was thinking of hooking up a solenoid valve w/needle valves to the weepmizer so it pulses and I can regulate the air output to each bay to keep from freezing but I have not seen it in action or heard of this setup being used.

I have 6 products coming out of the HP gun now. I kinda like the idea of the customer using the seperate gun as "hey this is the good stuff, they have a totally different gun to use for this product!!". and the extra time to put the HP gun down and needing to get the "good stuff" gun, as stated in many other posts, we sell time and each second adds up $-

CANTBREAK80, I am interested about your system w/air blowout and window washer fluid. Do you have specifics on how this all works?

 

[MEP001]

I don't think the "waste" from customers switching functions is significant, in fact it's switching because the meter is running, so it's being paid for. On top of that, having the product come through the high-pressure gun means not having to worry about a separate gun freezing at all.

Some operators have had a major disappointment in adding a function with a separate gun, for example tri-color foam conditioner. I believe if it's done right that it's not a problem, but it requires the added function to be seen and found easily and may even take customer education.

 

[2Biz]

MEP001 & CANTBREAK80, Thanks for your thoughts-I have thought of through the HP gun but my concern is the extra cost of product (as we know this stuff is not cheap) year-round wasted in the HP hose when switched to the next service vs. only the waste in the seperate gun in the winter to bleed out for freeze protection. I was thinking of hooking up a solenoid valve w/needle valves to the weepmizer so it pulses and I can regulate the air output to each bay to keep from freezing but I have not seen it in action or heard of this setup being used.

I have 6 products coming out of the HP gun now. I kinda like the idea of the customer using the seperate gun as "hey this is the good stuff, they have a totally different gun to use for this product!!". and the extra time to put the HP gun down and needing to get the "good stuff" gun, as stated in many other posts, we sell time and each second adds up $-

CANTBREAK80, I am interested about your system w/air blowout and window washer fluid. Do you have specifics on how this all works?

I started a thread about PLC's and how to program...Here's the link to get you started....Take a look at it as it will cover the basics on what it takes to make a blowdown - ntifreeze system for either a FB , or Tri-Foam system.

http://www.autocareforum.com/showthread.php?8291-Programmable-Relay-or-PLC&highlight=freeze

 

[soapy]

I have 3 locations that dispense Rain X through the high pressure wand and one location that has a different gun for the rain X. At the location with the different gun It is a challenge to keep it from freezing in the winter. The use of rain X in the winter does drop down alot. It is mainly used in the warmer months. I have not tested rain X to see how it might be affected by using something like methenol or propylene glycol as a antifreeze agent.

 

[Stuart]

I am about a month out with my premium protectant being fully installed at my first location. I Have a couple more questions about this system. I currently have an excellent clearcoat product online on the HP system. How many of you who have installed a premium protectant also kept the clearcoat product or deleted it? Reasoning?

Those of you who are utilizing a separate gun, what size nozzle are you using? I was considering a 1504 nozzle & with air injection.

Thank you in advance for your response!

 

[MEP001]

Why use a separate gun with such a small nozzle? I would think if you're doing such an install you'd want to foam the product with a very large nozzle like a tri-foam system, otherwise it doesn't make sense to have a separate gun at all.

 

[ICEMAN]

If you already have a low pressure clearcoat on your gun use the premium protectant there. I have a ginsan ultra system and that is what I did. I also have a seperate gun for triple foam, and I think the reason it is not used all that much is people waste time looking for it. When people are in your bay with the meter running they do not like spending money to look for guns. As mep said any product wasted on changeover is paid for, give your customers good easy to use products and charge accordingly. I use simoniz vision clear from Kleen-rite and set it up just like any other lp function. I charge 3.00 for 4min.

 

[MEP001]

ICEMAN, I like to set up the tri-foam gun and foam brush hangers like this - the gun is on the same end of the bay as the meter and high-pressure hose hanger. Customers see the gun and signage to get to the brush. I see lots of usage of the tri-foam, usually 50% use it now.

 

[Stuart]

On my system the CC is a HP function and I am not sure if I am going to keep it online or not.
My LP functions are all on my HP gun all utilizing the same nozzle.
I am installing a new gun for the protectant (not tri-foam) and am sure not everyone uses the same nozzle that is on their HP lines. Hence, post #8.

 

[sparkey]

Some timers will let you charge more for certain functions. Etowah valley's timer will allow this for example. Have you thought about just charging more for the premium function if you have that ability?

 

[Stuart]

Some timers will let you charge more for certain functions. Etowah valley's timer will allow this for example. Have you thought about just charging more for the premium function if you have that ability?

No I have not. I did not know there was such a unit out there.
However I am not sure making the system charge more when using the premium function is what I would want to do. I think this method vs the standard time would be a good way to keep my customers from utilizing the premium function. I will be increasing my startup amount when the new function is installed.

I again ask the question posted earlier--
I currently have an excellent clearcoat product online on the HP system. How many of you who have installed a premium protectant also kept the clearcoat product or deleted it? Reasoning?

Those of you who are utilizing a separate gun, what size nozzle are you using?