Advancements in modern chemistry have led to improved wash performances in our carwashes. Early day carwashing applied the theory of ‘a little bit of soap and a large amount of friction’ which served as the most common approach for decades. Today, greater consideration is taken into account for the interaction between chemicals, equipment and vehicle surfaces as carwash chemistry continues to evolve. This caters for improved performance, with minimal use of chemicals and reduced need for friction. This has proven to be integral in the popular and highly advanced wash tunnels and bays around the globe.
At Prowash, and as fellow carwash owners, we have worked hard to educate ourselves and learn the intricacies of updated carwash chemistry. We want to provide our customers with the best knowledge and chemicals available. Carwashes that overlook the importance of modern chemistry and fine-tuned application can expect diminished results along with increased customer dissatisfaction. Prowash aims to be a reliable customer resource to assist operators with the most up-to-date technical information on carwash chemicals and equipment.
PART II
Evolving chemistry
One area that showcases chemistry advances in today’s carwash tunnels is surface protection. The most effective vehicle protectants in the current marketplace offer customized product program lines for enhanced efficiency and results. These new combinations of chemistry significantly improve vehicle appearance, surface protection and treatment via full lines of polishes, protectants and waxes.
Chemicals are also becoming more environmentally friendly. These products have enabled manufacturers to produce chemistry that foams better and cleans deeper than the previous generation’s offerings while being kinder to the environment. Most of these new chemical components break down rapidly in water treatment and septic systems and allow carwash facilities to meet tough new waste water regulations as well.
Most popular protectants
Protectants come in a range of products including clearcoats and waxes. Not only do they provide a great show in the carwash experience but they also offer valuable protection to vehicle surfaces that can last up to several weeks. The basis of the active chemical ingredients in protectants bond to the surface and provide a hard, resistant finish. This finish provides a sacrificial surface that prevents environmental contaminants from reaching the vehicle's external paint coat and degrading it. Applied regularly, the effectiveness of the chemistry will actually increase.
The important aspect of these protectants and/or waxes are new chemistry blends which produce appealing visual foam but still break very quickly. These chemistries actually facilitate the beading and drying process of the vehicle. Most common protectant treatments include: triple foam polish, triple foam conditioners, total body protectants/sealants, deep shine carnauba waxes and drying agents that contain polymer, silicone and/or carnauba. Keep in mind if your site uses reclaim water to rinse and apply the wax immediately after, without a further freshwater rinse, it can have an adverse effect on the waxing. Prowash thus recommends to make a conscious effort to include an additional freshwater rinse where reclaim water is being used.
Our recommendation
Prowash's most popular protectant range from Blendco Systems Inc. is Splatter Wax. Splatter Wax is a high foaming polish with Carnauba wax that give vehicles a hand waxed softness and shine. You can actually “feel” the difference!! Splatter Wax with Carnauba offers a protective layer to the vehicle’s surface while providing a softness and shine like nothing else. Splatter Wax provides exceptional foam and show and not only that, it smells great too!!
Splatter Wax is made from Carnauba wax, a product crafted straight from Brazilian palm trees. The most highly regarded vehicle waxes are crafted with some level of Carnauba in the formula. Carnauba wax is also the choice material among professionals and enthusiasts alike in automatic and self serve car washes. Carnauba wax produces an unmistakable shine with incredible depth that synthetic waxes just can't match. In general, natural waxes provide the deepest, most desirable shine enthusiasts crave. So, don’t go for any secondary waxes, true Splatter Wax with Carnauba leaves a soft and shiny vehicle that customers will keep coming back for.