Recently Restored 3 Automatic bays to be working. What is the best Soaps to be running

Over the past 2 years I have picked up three what once were Super Washes. Two have the old automatics in them with a shared high/low pressure trolley bar, and the third (best location) having the upgraded separated High/low pressure trolley bars that run on the same motor. I am looking for advice now that I have all three up and running on what is the best pre soak, high pressure, wax, etc... to be running in them to give my customers an affordable and good experience. I currently have been buying off of Kleenrite, but I bought some powdered presoak recently, and wasn't the biggest fan out how it had no smell, and not much bubbles either.

If the recommendation could be used in the Self Serves as well, that would be splendid!

Note that all three locations had the automatics down for almost 3 years, so I want to make sure they actually leave clean. The RO systems work now in them too so that is a big benefit.

There are plenty of great chemical companies out there. Try to find a local distributor that can be there hands on. What state are you in?

I am in Illinois.

Don't know how well you're doing with your IBAs but first step give yourself an honest assessment of how you're cleaning. Presoaks don't have to foam a lot or smell good to be effective cleaners so don't judge by show. Wait at least a week and let a couple of rains hit your car then go through the wash. After the wash swipe your finger on the car and see if any film was left on both the windshield and painted surfaces. If the car comes clean, don't be too hasty to change. But as seasons change the cleaning conditions may also change so you have to stay vigilant,

If you're new to the business I'd recommend trying a local full time chemical rep to get the full benefit. It will cost much more than buying your own presoak from Kleen Rite. Touch free cleaning is regional, what works well for me might not work well for you. But a chemical rep that works in the region should be able to get you cleaning better much faster. You may have to pay up to about $1 per car in chemistry to get a good two step.

Some chemical companies I've used and have worked well include Quest, Warsaw, Blendco and Chemquest.

A lot of folks use Arcadian and they were one of the first companies to offer a product designed to be used on Super wash automatics many years ago.

I'll give them a research. Spoke to a Nu-Wave Distributors out of Mattoon IL. They said they'd come in and test my water and my setup. Do the whole once over and set me up at one of my facilities with what they run at their location for a trial. Sounds pretty reasonable for the first time customer.
In the meantime, I will look further into Arcadian.

Thanks again!

I am in anchorage alaska and i have nothing but good things to say about the bullseyes line up of chemicals, the cars up here getting pretty dirty and in break up things are a mess and the cars still come out clean when using m5 machines. They also have a cool finder contain that is easy to fill and makes your storage room look really clean.

Would you have recommendations for which soaps to try?

My recommendation is pick two LOCAL distributors. The support is worth every dollar. See who is more knowledgeable. See how the cars come out. If one is better then other its an easy choice. If there similar in knowledge and cleaning then measure the mls to get an accurate cost per car. If done properly it takes full day to set up one automatic. I was just reminded that last week when I switched one over. Another full day today between two self serves. My point is you're not going to be able to try every chemical brand out there. Pick the one thats local for support plus knows what they are doing and does not just slap a shipping label on a 5 gallon jug for your money.

If you can get bullseye chems in your area we use peak high, peak low, flash wax for our foam wax, sensations red blue and yellow for or try foam, x55 for drying agent, cerabond for ceramics, and graphene extreme for our price hiked graphene wash which is a coating that seems to repel water and keep the car cleaner, then we use infusions green apple for sent

Not to be a parrot, but definitely reach out to a few local reps. Local knowledge is huge. What cleans a car in Texas won't necessarily clean one in Illinois. I get that cost per car has some importance but not nearly as much as making sure the car actually gets clean.

Is there really a big difference in cleaning chemicals for people in different states and what causes this to be a factor?

The dirt, soil and road film contaminates have different compositions depending on the geographic location you are in. Factor in temperature, humidity and other climate variables and there are numerous variables that impact how chemicals will perform in one touch free car wash vs another.