Foamy Brush (Winter)

Two of my washes do not have a weep system connected to the foamy brushes. I live in the pacific northwest so we regularly get under 32 degrees. I have used antifreeze foamy brush chems in the past and it has been fine but I'm having trouble finding someone to sell me it this year. Anyways, what are your favorite antifreeze foamy brush chemicals and who do you buy from?

Kleen Rite is a good start

Source methanol by the barrel from a fuel supplier and mix your regular chemical with it to make your own winter solution.

Figure your ratio so you can dilute between 4:1 - 8:1 at the hydrominder. Example: If your standard foam brush is diluted 240:1, make the methanol/chemical mixture 30:1. Then 8:1 at the hydrominder would give you 240:1 in the tank.

8:1 at the hydrominder should give freeze protection to around 20 degrees. 4:1 goes significantly colder likely to 10 degrees or less.

Just got my delivery from KR.

For you guys that mix methanol with your current soap, is there a certain kind of methanol that works best? Is this the same stuff as methanol racing fuel?

This is what I purchased from a Sunoco Race Fuels dealer. I think they had a couple options but I buy the most basic. Was approximately $200 for a 55gal drum.

I pick my methanol up using my own 15 gallon barrels. I just paid 2.89 per gallon. Distributor dispenses it just like gas.

Anybody else have so many auto-doors on both ends self service car wash competition ... in your area ... so your customers no longer will use the self service bays when the temperature is below freezing? In other words... we used to have short day wintertime situations where we used the antifreeze foam brush soap but our competitors' changed that ability to economize & maintain thorough put has put that dynamic on hold for now. Deep pockets on their part???

I notice lately signs & adverts on many local gas stations stating "free car wash with fill". I remember the days where there was some effort on the part of the ICA where they lobbied a bit against predatory big oil companies deeper pockets subsidizing the "free car wash" directly or indirectly. It appears those days are gone & us "self service especially" basically have to fend for ourselves when it comes to the gas stations. Maybe "predatory" discussion should be a new thread. It does affect the below freezing customer flow opportunity with the use of more outdoor style washing methanol level of car washing from my perspective.

xbowhunter86 said:

Source methanol by the barrel from a fuel supplier and mix your regular chemical with it to make your own winter solution.

Figure your ratio so you can dilute between 4:1 - 8:1 at the hydrominder. Example: If your standard foam brush is diluted 240:1, make the methanol/chemical mixture 30:1. Then 8:1 at the hydrominder would give you 240:1 in the tank.

8:1 at the hydrominder should give freeze protection to around 20 degrees. 4:1 goes significantly colder likely to 10 degrees or less.

Click to expand...

I'm going to try this and found a local supplier that dispenses it at a pump for $3.05/gallon including tax. I'm questioning the 30:1 ratio of methanol/soap concentrate. That is not much soap but would be happy if that is correct. Is that how diluted the chemical companies make it? Has anyone dual injected it with a Hydrominder?

Basically the methanol replaces water. I typically dilute the Methanol/soap mix 1:8 if the temperature is between freezings and mid 20s if it is colder I see it in without a tip (typically 1:4 witha standard hydrominder) this typically with keep it thawed down close to zero.
Do the math with the foam brush chemical you are using. In my example, if you dilute 1:8 at the hydrominder you will want to dilute at 1:30 in the soap/methanol mix this with get a final dilution of 1:240. It will be more chemical rich if drawn in at 1:4 for cold weather. If the product you use has a recommended dilution of 1:120 I would do the Methanol/soap mix at 1 part soap to 15 parts water. (1x15)x 8 = 1:120

I want to try dual injection but have not at this point. It would be nice to not have to mix. And to just vary the Methanol amount while keeping the chemical consistent.

xbowhunter86 said:

I want to try dual injection but have not at this point. It would be nice to not have to mix. And to just vary the Methanol amount while keeping the chemical consistent.

Click to expand...

It works - I've never tried it with methanol and soap but I've dual-injected two soaps with a manifold cobbled together out of plastic fittings and it works perfectly.

xbowhunter86 said:

This is what I purchased from a Sunoco Race Fuels dealer. I think they had a couple options but I buy the most basic. Was approximately $200 for a 55gal drum.

Click to expand...

Hey xbow, who are you purchasing from? Kelly Racing Fuel?

I found my supplier through Sunoco racing fuels website. Select methanol and search by your zipcode.


I am not familiar with Kelly Racing Fuel.

10% methanol and 90% soap\water is good to 25, 20% methanol good to 10 degrees, 30% good to 0,40% good to -20. This is from a bell curve mixing chart i found years ago. I generally do not mix over 20% and only add more on the few nights we get around 0 or less. Do not substitute straight methanol for water. Foam brush with methanol actually cleans better than regular mix.