What's new

What Kleen Rite IBA/SelfServ Chemicals Have You Been Happy With?

Car_Wash_Guy

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2015
Messages
1,183
Reaction score
361
Points
83
Location
out west
Always looking to save money while maintaining or even improving wash quality and decided to try some stuff from Kleen Rite.

One of the products I ordered was Simoniz Dri Brite. I didn't get a chance to see many cars come out, but the first one that did come out was black and it looked incredible. The previous product I was using cost 3x as much for the same quantity. I also tried some Self Service soaps to see how they perform.

Was just curious what others are using and if so, are they happy with?

I figure if I get enough products in use, I'll just order a pallet and get the free shipping.
 

Earl Weiss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,396
Reaction score
951
Points
113
SS Happy with Cherry Blossom FB, Just Peachy Wax, Kleen White engine and Wheel, Use their low PH product for both HP and PS. Stopped using their SS Pre Soak and HP soap due to gelling issues. IMO the SS Products need to be milder than IBA so customers won't do something stupid.
 

Keno

Well-known member
Joined
May 30, 2022
Messages
783
Reaction score
516
Points
93
We use the all systems high and low ph polymer PS in our IBA, cleans well and cost effective.

Started using JBS ceramic in our IBA, works good, better than our old ceramic. Good show, foam, color, and scent. And cheaper than our old chemical too.

The KR tire chemical gets used heavily in our SS, good show, foam, color, and scent.
 

washnshine

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2014
Messages
2,016
Reaction score
1,574
Points
113
Location
NY
I am a fan of many Simoniz products with the exception of their self serve ultra concentrates. I think the same holds true for the actual KR line - it’s best to avoid the ultra concentrates. Keep in mind, if you want a self serve presoak that actually has some bite to it, you will want to stay away from the pH neutral products that really do not have any film removing ability without the use of friction. JBS has a very good line of chemicals.
 

Waxman

Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,066
Reaction score
1,723
Points
113
Location
Orange, MA
i'm still using my same old combo of correct powder by Simoniz and foam additive also by Simoniz. I mix this myself in hot water for high-pressure soap and foam brush during the warmer months. I switch to methanol foam brush in the winter. This has been very effective for me and is very affordable.

it does take some physical work and time to mix the powder and the foam additive with water. But I don't mind. I like to stay active.
 

soonermajic

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
3,393
Reaction score
875
Points
113
Location
texas
Dri Brite & kleen White are below avg to me.
Just Peachy workes great & smelled great, but for some reason ia dripped green on the cars. Customers were sure it was Anti-Freeze & it looked like it.
Bubble Up is freakin awesome Blue colored Foam Brush. Beat thing KR has, by far, & ive tried them al in a 3 State area.
 

Earl Weiss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,396
Reaction score
951
Points
113
I am a fan of many Simoniz products with the exception of their self serve ultra concentrates. I think the same holds true for the actual KR line - it’s best to avoid the ultra concentrates.
What is your complaint about he Ultra concentrates?
 

washnshine

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2014
Messages
2,016
Reaction score
1,574
Points
113
Location
NY
I’ve had some separation issues with tropical bay line and I also have not seen great cleaning power with the presoak. The smells are nice, I just have not had the performance I’d like to see.
 

AnalyticWash

Active member
Joined
Feb 26, 2020
Messages
265
Reaction score
243
Points
43
Never been that impressed with KR self-serve products. Most the premium products I have tested against them come in at about the same cost (or less in some instances) with vastly superior experience (color, smell, lubricity, foam density)

For instance, in order to get Bubble Up to match the look of another sites foam brush we had to tip it to where the cost was the same as running a premium product. Except the Bubble Up foam still wasn't as dense, didn't smell as good, and lacked the lubricating agents that I think combined make a foam brush "premium".


Use premium products, create a premium experience, and charge premium prices
...or run some cheap shit and believe your customers won't notice.

Just want to reiterate, premium does not mean you have to spend more money...it might mean finding a new chemical rep though.
 

Randy

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
5,891
Reaction score
2,272
Points
113
Never been that impressed with KR self-serve products. Most the premium products I have tested against them come in at about the same cost (or less in some instances) with vastly superior experience (color, smell, lubricity, foam density)

For instance, in order to get Bubble Up to match the look of another sites foam brush we had to tip it to where the cost was the same as running a premium product. Except the Bubble Up foam still wasn't as dense, didn't smell as good, and lacked the lubricating agents that I think combined make a foam brush "premium".


Use premium products, create a premium experience, and charge premium prices...or run some cheap shit and believe your customers won't notice.

Just want to reiterate, premium does not mean you have to spend more money...it might mean finding a new chemical rep though.
What premium soap products do you recommend? We don’t have a chemical rep here anymore. We’ve used some of the Kleen rite concentrated self-serve products and found them to be less than desirable. The biggest problems we had were separation and jelling issues.
 

Car_Wash_Guy

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2015
Messages
1,183
Reaction score
361
Points
83
Location
out west
What premium soap products do you recommend? We don’t have a chemical rep here anymore. We’ve used some of the Kleen rite concentrated self-serve products and found them to be less than desirable. The biggest problems we had were separation and jelling issues.
I'll second what Randy asked. What are your suggestions for premium soaps?
 

Eric H

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
1,314
Reaction score
793
Points
113
Location
Leominster, MA
I use a few of the Kleenrite KleenPak line, High Ph for high pressure soap and Aquaguard for my clear coat. I also like JBS Storm presoak, and I use JBS red triple foam detergent for my foam brush.

I’ve been using KR Kleen-White tire for 25 years. I should probably try something else. Customers seem to like it and don’t ever complain but I’m sure there is something better
 
Top