Spot Free After Wax

[soonermajic]

My water softener is broke right now. Will that affect my Laserwash? Should I get it fixed ASAP? I have not installed my laser, & won't for several more weeks.
When you say rinse w/ Hard/tap water, are you saying you shouldn't be using a water softener? That is what the previous owner, fo my wash, believed (don't use the water softener)....

 

[I.B. Washincars]

You definitely need soft water for at least the Pre-soak. Touchless cleaning is challenging enough with good water.

 

[robert roman]

“That is a rather lengthy discussion….”

Some might also say it’s concise. More importantly, it’s correct.

“….sequence for rinsing in which case the most accepted way is to rinse with hard or tap water followed by spot free.”

I can count on one hand the washes I know where final rinse is tap water followed by spot free.

Most use tap water injected with drying agent followed by spot free. Some don’t even use spot free.

Whereas, Rain-X, hot wax and similar need rinse off with fresh water then usually spot free.

 

[BCWS]

“That is a rather lengthy discussion….”

Some might also say it’s concise. More importantly, it’s correct.

“….sequence for rinsing in which case the most accepted way is to rinse with hard or tap water followed by spot free.”

I can count on one hand the washes I know where final rinse is tap water followed by spot free.

Most use tap water injected with drying agent followed by spot free. Some don’t even use spot free.

Whereas, Rain-X, hot wax and similar need rinse off with fresh water then usually spot free.

...and it is what seems like small details like this that can make a big difference in wash quality.

 

[soonermajic]

SO,
1. Is a water Softener really needed? If so, why?
2. Should you do Spot Free after, or before wax
3. what's the general consensus, of the wash cycle (i.e. pre-soak, hp rinse, 3x foam, drying agent, hp rinse, S-F rinse...?)?

 

[robert roman]

Water softener is generally recommended then hardness of water would lead to spotting, prevent sufficient generation of bubbles or too much chemical use.

Spot free is normally last phase of rinsing, then drying.

“what's the general consensus, of the wash cycle”

It depends on who you are.

Sales rep tendency is to sell more products (embellish process to sell more) or sell for less (lower cost per unit) to convince operator to switch product line.

On other hand, someone like me would focus on creating a more efficient process and maximizing average per car revenue.

Like double pass soap (takes twice the time). What is the purpose - is it better clean and/or more money?

When I read double pass on in-bay menu, it’s like why. Can’t the machine clean well with one pass?

There is no double pass in a conveyor.

 

[rph9168]

Robert, while I have not interest in dragging this out any further I think you contradicted yourself.

"I can count on one hand the washes I know where final rinse is tap water followed by spot free.

Most use tap water injected with drying agent followed by spot free. Some don’t even use spot free.

Whereas, Rain-X, hot wax and similar need rinse off with fresh water then usually spot free."

Since most washes offer super sealants or hot wax or even just a normal sealant it would appear on the surface (no pun intended) that they rinse with fresh water then spot free. In any case I guess your experience with this must be much different than mine. Ultimately it's up to the operator what works the best for them.

 

[BCWS]

SO,
1. Is a water Softener really needed? If so, why?
2. Should you do Spot Free after, or before wax
3. what's the general consensus, of the wash cycle (i.e. pre-soak, hp rinse, 3x foam, drying agent, hp rinse, S-F rinse...?)?

Hard water decreases the cleaning ability of the presoaks (touchless wash). The more grains of hardness in the water, the greater reduction in cleaning a car. Hard water on the spot free leaves water spots on the vehicle.

 

[rph9168]

View attachment 715

Maybe this chart will help.

 

[Jeff_L]

For those who don't believe soft water is an important part of the washing process, please keep believing that. I'll take your customers anytime!

 

[mrfixit]

Softwater is needed for presoak and RO processing. Hard water does bead up better but will leave spots so spotfree is necessary.