Chemicals times from backroom and/or from boom

[Minni1986]

How long is it usually take for chemical to kick in to your spray guns?

My setup has a manifold block at the boom (high pressure water, low pressure RO-Rinse water, Degreaser).

Low pressure from the boom to the gun it takes about 10-12 seconds. And then another bit of time to switch back.

If I do high pressure Soap wash, or high pressure Wax, it will take about 15 seconds to come from the back room (i get it may be +/- some seconds for distance to each bay). And then another bit of time to switch back.

Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to have these chemicals come quicker so customers aren't feeling like they are losing time? I was thinking of possibly adding air pressure with my low pressure stuff to push them quicker? Not sure what I can do with my high pressure Soap/Wax?

 

[OurTown]

That is common, but can be better for sure. The closest bay to the pump room will have the quickest switch over time for rinse, wax, and soap compared to the farthest, but the rest of the functions that are manifolded at the top should be about the same in all bays. The easiest things to do are to increase pressure on all the various pumps and increase the size of the wand spray tip. However, both of those ideas will increase chemical and water usage. Although I have not tried this, you could use 1/4" ID hoses from the boom swivel down. You may have to raise the pump pressure to compensate for the pressure loss in the smaller hose.

 

[Minni1986]

That is common, but can be better for sure. The closest bay to the pump room will have the quickest switch over time for rinse, wax, and soap compared to the farthest, but the rest of the functions that are manifolded at the top should be about the same in all bays. The easiest things to do are to increase pressure on all the various pumps and increase the size of the wand spray tip. However, both of those ideas will increase chemical and water usage. Although I have not tried this, you could use 1/4" ID hoses from the boom swivel down. You may have to raise the pump pressure to compensate for the pressure loss in the smaller hose.

Thank you, yeah i'll let it be.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

You didn't say, but if you have 3/8" hoses to the gun, replace them with 1/4". 3/8 hose has over twice the volume of 1/4 and is harder for the customer to handle. I spent 50 years in the SS biz and always used 1/4. There is no down side. If you have a pressure drop, crank it up a little.

 

[Minni1986]

You didn't say, but if you have 3/8" hoses to the gun, replace them with 1/4". 3/8 hose has over twice the volume of 1/4 and is harder for the customer to handle. I spent 50 years in the SS biz and always used 1/4. There is no down side. If you have a pressure drop, crank it up a little.

I'll check out the hoses and see. I believe they are 3/8"

 

[Greg Pack]

15 seconds is pretty decent changeover time for high pressure functions. People new to self serve car washing might notice but once they understand the concept everyone quickly becomes accustomed to the lag..

1/4" hose will indeed reduce changeover time. 5/16" is really the sweet spot with good changeover and relatively low friction loss but 5/16" hose is less common and pricier. If nothing else a 1/4" hose from boom swivel to gun will help. Mosmatic comfort hoses are a nice lightweight hose but not good for low income areas as they can be cut with a utility knife.

Adding air will speed up your low pressure delivery and foaming greatly increase customer appeal. I'd recommend you do that.

Side note, I do not sell degreaser or engine cleaner, but tire cleaner. It's the same thing though. I don't want to promote ANY degreasing at my site.