Petit 360 worth the extra money????

[Roz]

I might have already told you this but my last Petit I put in, the site increased $35,000 in revenue in one year. Took out a PDQ M5. Not a significant increase but I was still very glad to see it and I have not had any headaches like I did daily with the M5.

So you would need that level bump in profits for 3 years to cover the increased cost of the Petit in comparison to a WW. What I do not fully understand is how the faster petit can clean as well as a PDQ or WW if dwell time is important for a great touch free cleaning outcome.

Equipment costs have risen to the point where upgrading an existing IBA to a newer system is a harder sell.

 

[GoBuckeyes]

They are specially modified nozzles by Petit. They drill out the slot on the nozzle somehow.

I don't believe they are modified at all. They are definitely not IMEG as there is no vane in them. I had to unclog one the other day and checked the size, 0512.

 

[Greg Pack]

The first 30 minutes of The YT video "47 washes in two hours" has a great narration attached to it that explains Petit's perspective on the machine and is worth a listen for those considering the unit.

 

[scrubbles]

I don't believe they are modified at all. They are definitely not IMEG as there is no vane in them. I had to unclog one the other day and checked the size, 0512.

I believe they narrow the degree of nozzle to a pinpoint while oscillating the spray nozzle at the same time to cover more surface area, so you get the best of both worlds. A larger spay pattern and higher pressure.

 

[Greg Pack]

I believe they narrow the degree of nozzle to a pinpoint while oscillating the spray nozzle at the same time to cover more surface area, so you get the best of both worlds. A larger spay pattern and higher pressure.

Yes, pretty much why I feel gantry units that had oscillating nozzles were better cleaners than inverted L machines. My water wizard uses oscillating five degree nozzles as well as height adjustment. Still relies on the right chemistry to do the job properly though.

 

[washnshine]

Yes, pretty much why I feel gantry units that had oscillating nozzles were better cleaners than inverted L machines. My water wizard uses oscillating five degree nozzles as well as height adjustment. Still relies on the right chemistry to do the job properly though.

Definitely a sweet spot for nozzle pattern width. 5° seems to be great for oscillating- I knew of some older machines that used 0° and they could leave stripes if the gantry movement speed was not synced up just right.

 

[Bricks]

Definitely a sweet spot for nozzle pattern width. 5° seems to be great for oscillating- I knew of some older machines that used 0° and they could leave stripes if the gantry movement speed was not synced up just right.

Right, I dialed my 0° machine’s hydraulic speed in to where the TFW speed is maxed out at 99 and HP rinse at 1.

 

[jbcarwash]

 

[jbcarwash]

Here's our offering for the 4 pass speed express wash!

 

[toddmullens]

I keep hearing about them on other forums regarding durability and the best in the business. How many have they built? How many have 100K cars on them? It's seems premature to describe them as a tank at this point. I think theyre relatively unproved compared to a laser 4000. Its very common to see established brands with over 200K cars on them and still going strong.

Looks to be 90 seconds or so faster than my water wizard and that's nice if throughput is an issue.Many owners could speed up their machines if the used the same principles of washing as petit: using tri color as "low ph presoak" and foregoing the rinse pass and washing the presoak off with a drying aid. Also no rocker panel pass, but a rocker panel wash as the auto enters saves a good 30 seconds, but I assume no tire cleaner application if you do that. It's hard to believe there is not a comprise in the final product. Might be a great option for high volume club washing and winter washing which seems pretty easy to me compared to heavy road film in the warm Months.

But I say all this not having seen one in the wild. I have a friend that should have one up and running soon. He has had lasers, istobal, and many water wizards so I'm anxious to visit it and hear what he says.

Night and day difference between Petit and Water Wizard. I have both and looking to replace all with Petits. Can’t say any about Wash World. I have no hands on experience but I have not heard many bad things. The 4 Petit’s I have in operation have been operating flawlessly for 2 years knock on wood. They have spoiled me when I have to work on my water wizards….

 

[Bricks]

Here's our offering for the 4 pass speed express wash!

I like this…but is the timer on the back of the car so you can see the poor Presoak coverage?

 

[jbcarwash]

I like this…but is the timer on the back of the car so you can see the poor Presoak coverage?

The precook coverage is actually quite good. Other videos are available at 3bindustries.com without the timer for your viewing pleasure. Also on YouTube under 3B Industries. Come see us at the ICA in Nashville!!!

 

[Blanco]

Night and day difference between Petit and Water Wizard. I have both and looking to replace all with Petits. Can’t say any about Wash World. I have no hands on experience but I have not heard many bad things. The 4 Petit’s I have in operation have been operating flawlessly for 2 years knock on wood. They have spoiled me when I have to work on my water wizards….

How old are your water wizards? Did you purchase them new or inherit them?

 

[Blanco]

Here's our offering for the 4 pass speed express wash!

When someone buys one of these and configures them that way do you give the owner a free pallet of lube for himself and also to pass out to customers for the money they paid for that wash?

 

[toddmullens]

How old are your water wizards? Did you purchase them new or inherit them?

A couple of them were installed in 2017. The rest are 20 years old. I have done all the maintenance so I know them like the back of my hand.

 

[jbcarwash]

Strictly for the “fastest in the industry” game that everyone plays my friend. Not ideal by any means, but then again, that black car came out remarkably clean!

 

[Blanco]

Strictly for the “fastest in the industry” game that everyone plays my friend.

Exactly "a game". We can definitely agree on that. Glad you actually admit it. Playing with people life savings and livelihood though is a bad play.

 

[Greg Pack]

Night and day difference between Petit and Water Wizard. I have both and looking to replace all with Petits. Can’t say any about Wash World. I have no hands on experience but I have not heard many bad things. The 4 Petit’s I have in operation have been operating flawlessly for 2 years knock on wood. They have spoiled me when I have to work on my water wizards….

Thanks Todd. This thread is nearly a couple years old and I have since warmed up to the petits. I know a couple of people and they have nothing but priase for them. One friend installed one in the Summer of 2024. After a year of ownership I started asking him a few questions and he didn't didn't seem to know much about his petit. I started giving him a hard time since he is a tech for other brands and should be more knowledgeable about what he owns. He responded "I don't know anything about it because I haven't had to work on it"

 

[AnalyticWash]

The precook coverage is actually quite good. Other videos are available at 3bindustries.com without the timer for your viewing pleasure. Also on YouTube under 3B Industries. Come see us at the ICA in Nashville!!!

In your video the impingement on the back of the car looks pretty weak. Maybe this works in an area where they don't drop sand and salt on the roads all winter.

 

[washnshine]

In your video the impingement on the back of the car looks pretty weak. Maybe this works in an area where they don't drop sand and salt on the roads all winter.

It reminds me of the older models like the Specialty Equipment Futura and A-OK Dynawash where they never really crossed the front or back of other car, but rather just “aimed” side nozzles inward to cover the fronts and backs. Definitely plays a role in speeding up the process, but I’m not sure if it is as effective for cleaning these areas.