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Automatics Pt2Automatic Car Wash Part Selection Part II-->click for Part 1>
3) Impingement.
This term refers to the force of the water as it hits the car`s surface. The equipment must not only be able to reach a certain pressure at the car`s surface, but it must be able to reach the entire car`s surface evenly without missing strips or circular helixes as is done by many automatics. It is important
To have seamless coverage by using overlapping fan jet nozzles without using spinning wands or ossicilating nozzles. Distance control is critical to maintain good impingement on all surfaces of the car. To obtain this kind of critical coverage, it is necessary for the automatic to be able to map out the car`s shape, a term referred to as ``contouring``. Only the machines made by ``KARCHER`` have this feature on all their ``touchless`` automatics.
4) Chemistry.
To work in concert with Items 1-3, it is necessary to have the right chemistry, that is, effective, yet safe, detergents and waxes. The presoaks must have the ``punch`` necessary to remove the organic and in-organic residues on the car. These presoaks must break down the layers of dirt so that the high pressure wash can remove them from the car`s surface. One must always be careful to use soaps that will not damage the delicate finishes on today`s automobiles. Hydraflouric acids should never be used, they are extremely potent and dangerous to paint finishes and to human tissue. Many carwashes use this type of chemical because it is very effective in removing the dirt, but it damages paint surfaces and plastic trim as well. It may not be apparent the first few times it is used, but repetitive use will dull the paint and turn black plastic trim pieces a dull grey. The potential of damage to human tissue is also a great concern.
COMTEC carwashes will never use ``hydraflourics``, we use only detergents patterned and tested to be effective and safe in the area being used.
5) Programming.
Finally, the programming of the automatic is critical. How much good quality water should be used on each cycle? How hot does the water need to be? How much pressure is necessary? How much of each detergent needs to be used?
These are all important to the final result, we call it programming a machine to use all the elements of cleaning a car ``touchless`` so as to give the best result. A well built engine only performs if it is properly tuned, an automatic needs the same kind of professional tuning. Too much of any element can lead to waste, to little to an undesirable end product.
Once the car has been cleaned, waxes are applied to protect the car`s finish and to make it shine.
This will also help to keep dirt from adhering to the surface of the car and will provide a protective film to resist new dirt and grime from accumulating. Spot Free water is applied and then the final drying phase is completed. Small amounts of water that remain but will not spot as it drys and you will be left with a shiny clean car.
- Why I Have to Wash
- Car Wash How To
- City / Area Selection
- Wash Site Planning
- Equipment Selection
- Equipment Selection Pros and Cons
- Automatics Which One!
- Automatics - Friction or NO
- Self Service Criteria
- Published Wash Articles
- Car Wash Glossary
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"Combining Technologies for the Car Wash Industry"
