Switched to powder - presoak usage increased

[Red Baron]

I'm not sure I understand whats at play here. I recently switched from Warsaw 534 to a powdered presoak. I'm using the same tip and all other settings are the same, but I'm using a lot more presoak. I mix up 90 gallons in the mixing tank provided, and I'm getting 188 cars per 30 gallons whereas I used to get a minimum of 300 using the 30 gal drum of Warsaw.

Am I using more because the viscosity is different? Thoughts?

I switched to powder to save some money but at this rate I'm spending a lot more.

 

[Washmee]

Viscosity is the reason. You need to titrate the solution at the nozzle to see how strong it is as compared to the liquid presoak you were using. I would bet that you are now using too much product.

 

[Deepshift]

Red,
If your using the D&S 5000, then you can't "count cars". You have to count the number of passes. If you have 4 levels, then 2 of them give 2 passes of presoak and 2 of them give 1 pass. Not meaning to state the obvious, but if one day you wash a lot more cars on the 1 pass washes, you're going to think that that batch of soap washed a lot more cars than the day you wash of majority of 2 pass cars. You have to measure soap usage in presoak passes. Easy to do with the 5000. Just scroll through the computer and do the math.

 

[Red Baron]

Red,
If your using the D&S 5000, then you can't "count cars". You have to count the number of passes. If you have 4 levels, then 2 of them give 2 passes of presoak and 2 of them give 1 pass. Not meaning to state the obvious, but if one day you wash a lot more cars on the 1 pass washes, you're going to think that that batch of soap washed a lot more cars than the day you wash of majority of 2 pass cars. You have to measure soap usage in presoak passes. Easy to do with the 5000. Just scroll through the computer and do the math.

Such a high percentage of my customers choose the top wash, I don't keep close track of passes anymore. My top wash is 8, and so long as my nightly fax report shows that my average sale is over $7, I don't pay that much attention to passes. I probably should, but it's probably a fair bet that there isn't a significant difference between the number of passes for 100 car with 534 as there is with 100 cars with powder.

I've been titrating in the presoak tank - I'll try at the nozzles.

 

[Deepshift]

If you're the type of person that can't stand it when your off by 1 cent on the bank statement, then you're going to measure passes to get an exact comparison of different type presoaks.
I'd be surprised if your titration is different at the nozzles. The old style D&S pumps straight from the tank without mixing. Not sure about the newer style with injectors.

 

[Red Baron]

If you're the type of person that can't stand it when your off by 1 cent on the bank statement, then you're going to measure passes to get an exact comparison of different type presoaks.
I'd be surprised if your titration is different at the nozzles. The old style D&S pumps straight from the tank without mixing. Not sure about the newer style with injectors.

I'd like to be able to find time to be that exact, but we just acquired a 6/1 to go with our 3/1 and my son and I are working night and day keeping up as it is. Just trying to keep the plates spinning right now.

I did titrate at the nozzles earlier and it came back hotter than I thought (15 drops when Hobo recommends 9-14), so I backed it down 2 tips and we'll see what that does.

 

[dogwasher]

I'm not sure I understand whats at play here. I recently switched from Warsaw 534 to a powdered presoak. I'm using the same tip and all other settings are the same, but I'm using a lot more presoak. I mix up 90 gallons in the mixing tank provided, and I'm getting 188 cars per 30 gallons whereas I used to get a minimum of 300 using the 30 gal drum of Warsaw.

Am I using more because the viscosity is different? Thoughts?

I switched to powder to save some money but at this rate I'm spending a lot more.

The Powder will never be accurate and it will cost more money$$!
But will probably clean better than all the liquids. This is only my opinion from the experiences I have had with the powder.

 

[BillClinton]

I'd like to be able to find time to be that exact, but we just acquired a 6/1 to go with our 3/1 and my son and I are working night and day keeping up as it is. Just trying to keep the plates spinning right now.

I did titrate at the nozzles earlier and it came back hotter than I thought (15 drops when Hobo recommends 9-14), so I backed it down 2 tips and we'll see what that does.

Is this chemical the Hobo Ideal 90? I have recently tried it on my D&S 5000, and I'm not sure it is cleaning well enough. Truthfully though, I've opperated the wash for 8 months, and I haven't found anything that seems to do a great job. The worst presoak so far was the 1B high pH presoak from KleenRight. I love KleenRight, but this product didn't work well for me. I'll probably try something else from them later.

Do get the stuff directly from HOBO or from a distributor? What do you pay for it?
Thanks,

 

[Red Baron]

I'm buying thru a distributor. I don't know if it's Ideal 90 or not, there's no labeling that says what it is; I'll find out tho. It seems to be cleaning well for me and I sure prefer it to the 30 gal drums - I can mix up enough for 2-3 weeks and forget about it for awhile, and free up some room in the ER.

 

[Gabriel]

From past experience, I think Blendco has by far the best system for automatic powder mixing. Gives great results.

 

[BoomerSooner]

I will have to agree with Gator. I have seen Hobo in action and in my opinion, it does not do near the cleaning that Blendco does, as far as powder products. With Blendco you can titrate at 30 drops and still be cheaper than Hobo. This is a hands down decision for me.

 

[Red Baron]

I will have to agree with Gator. I have seen Hobo in action and in my opinion, it does not do near the cleaning that Blendco does, as far as powder products. With Blendco you can titrate at 30 drops and still be cheaper than Hobo. This is a hands down decision for me.

I'm happy with Hobo. I'm doing a good job of cleaning black vehicles, and around here that's pretty difficult to do. I'm really liking the room that's freed up in my ER and the fact that I can mix enough for 2 or 3 weeks and forget about it, and not have to dispose of the drums. Very easy, straight forward system to use.