Tire cleaner replacement

[Car_Wash_Guy]

1/4" poly from product and air solenoids to a manifold directly above the foam gun for each bay.
3/8" poly from the manifold to the foam gun boom or coupling.
View attachment 10202

3/8" hose or curly hose from the boom/coupling to the foam gun.
View attachment 10203

4040 Foam gun spray tip.

Cautionary note: If you're in a cold weather location, some method is needed to protect the exposed plumbing from freezing.

Thanks again

 

[obzenmatt]

I've been scared to run a tire cleaner at my wash. Last thing I want is for my customers to put it all over their car and damage their clear cost. Did anyone else have the same fears and overcame them?

 

[Keno]

Your SS tire cleaner should not be strong enough to damage clear coat

 

[obzenmatt]

Your SS tire cleaner should not be strong enough to damage clear coat

So is it even worth using instead of just a good presoak?

 

[traveler17]

So is it even worth using instead of just a good presoak?

More options more time usually spent

 

[Greg Pack]

Tire cleaner is more popular than presoak. You don't have to worry about damaging modern clear coated surfaces. Put in a good product and run it strong enough to work well and your customers will use it. If it ends up just being green foam that doesn't clean well it will not be used as much.

 

[Keno]

So is it even worth using instead of just a good presoak?

It's worth it for us. Customers love the green color and spearmint smell, we use Kleen Rite tire and wheel in the SS. As others have said, more time sold and tire seems to be more popular than presoak

 

[Waxman]

how well does the tire cleaner work on dirty wheels? is it effective at all on moderate brake dust on the wheels or not really?

 

[Keno]

how well does the tire cleaner work on dirty wheels? is it effective at all on moderate brake dust on the wheels or not really?

It works ok if you let it sit and use the HP water 2-3 inches away from the wheel, won't show any brown running down like our IBA tire chemical. But I wouldn't put that strong of a chemical in the hands of our SS customers. Definitely more show than go, but still cleans. We have customers that spray it all over their car, so no way I would run it as strong as a "real" tire cleaner. Seems like Greg runs it strong and hasn't had any issues?

 

[obzenmatt]

It's worth it for us. Customers love the green color and spearmint smell, we use Kleen Rite tire and wheel in the SS. As others have said, more time sold and tire seems to be more popular than presoak

Nice. We use all kleen rite right now and tbh, most of the stuff is acceptable but the pre soak is so bad. I am trying simoniz and jbs soon to see how they compare

 

[Greg Pack]

I use the same product that I use in the IBA, just about 40% weaker. I tell people to spray it on their paint all the time when they park under trees and get sap on their vehicle. We do have high humidity here so flash drying is not a problem.

 

[Keno]

Nice. We use all kleen rite right now and tbh, most of the stuff is acceptable but the pre soak is so bad. I am trying simoniz and jbs soon to see how they compare

Ya, the KR SS presoak is worthless, I've been using a modified version of Waxman's Simonize correct mix for our SS presoak.

 

[obzenmatt]

Ya, the KR SS presoak is worthless, I've been using a modified version of Waxman's Simonize correct mix for our SS presoak.

Whats the simoniz correct mix? Is the advertised dilution not correct?

 

[Keno]

Simoniz correct is a powder soap you mix with water at your location. This is the mix ratio we use for the SS presoak:

5 gallons water
3.75 LBS simoniz correct
16oz KR Presoak ultra concentrate
16oz simoniz foaming agent
Brown or Orange tip on hydrominder for a good show and clean

 

[obzenmatt]

Simoniz correct is a powder soap you mix with water at your location. This is the mix ratio we use for the SS presoak:

5 gallons water
3.75 LBS simoniz correct
16oz KR Presoak ultra concentrate
16oz simoniz foaming agent
Brown or Orange tip on hydrominder for a good show and clean

Oh, does buying the powders cut down on costs? I buy the concentrate liquids. I was unaware these even existed. Thank you.

 

[Keno]

Oh, does buying the powders cut down on costs? I buy the concentrate liquids. I was unaware these even existed. Thank you.

Yes, they save cost, but they are more of a hassle to mix - and more training if having an employee do it. We tried it based on reading Waxman's earlier posts and liked it, for the show and cleaning power. We have started mixing in larger batches and transferring to smaller containers to have in the different locations where it is needed.

Powders are not for everyone. There are also automatic powder mixers out there, but we haven't tried any.

 

[obzenmatt]

Yes, they save cost, but they are more of a hassle to mix - and more training if having an employee do it. We tried it based on reading Waxman's earlier posts and liked it, for the show and cleaning power. We have started mixing in larger batches and transferring to smaller containers to have in the different locations where it is needed.

Powders are not for everyone. There are also automatic powder mixers out there, but we haven't tried any.

I'm new to the business but I just keep learning that there's almost unlimited options in this business LOL

 

[Keno]

I'm new to the business but I just keep learning that there's almost unlimited options in this business LOL

There are many ways to run an SS correctly, and many ways to run them incorrectly also!