Car Wash Cleaning

[TNT]

Hi all,

I was recently asked to give a bid to clean the inside of a drive-through car wash which is heavily blackened cement. I do not see this being a proble my my hot water machine, however i would like to accomplish without the use of chemicals if possible and should it become necessary to use chemicals which ones would be safe to use at this location? I beleive they recycle their own water and wondered if anyone else has had any experience with these types of places.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Lynn Tussing

 

[DAFF]

Bid the job SUPER high!!! Yes the hot water will help but remember these places are full of touch free chemicials and heavy waxes. In the past the only thing which got stuff clean was alum. brightener. Be very carefull not to remove any of the epoxy on the walls. The water/moisture and chemicials will soften this stuff pritty good. Get ready for a hard clean, this will not be a rinse and run by any means!!!

Also the drains in thse places are usually full of junk (STINKY). We usually remove the centre grates and flush to the catch basin. Have the basin sucked clean at the end with an envro company.

DAFF

 

[TNT]

Daff,

That is what I was afraid of. I REALLY appreciate your reply and info. By SUPER high can you give me a ball park square footage price guide? The walls are brick, the floors are cement and the ceiling is plywood. Did you hire the envro company yourself or leave it to the customer? How much potential down time is the car wash looking at? I have'nt taken measurements yet but I'm guessint the tunnel to be approx. 100' L x 12' W x 12' H.

Thanks again and hope to hear from you soon

Lynn

 

[DAFF]

Ball park figures are from $400-$1000 depending on the quality of clean the property owner wants and the clientell he has. Typicially those tunnel washes are geared to the higher end vehicles and presentation for these clients is key. Use the enviro service as a bartering plan. You add it at no extra cost to close the deal. In our region they run about $220.00 per 2000gal removed. Check to find out before you close the deal.

As for the time to clean, typically 5-8hrs depending on the amount of debris on the floor and the condition of the grates/drains. Best of all this can and should be the rainy day special. This will allow the customer to not have to turn away clients for washes. Plus you typicially want wash during a rainy grey day.

Good luck

DAFF

 

[TNT]

Thanks alot Daff!

I actually bid this job at $1400 and he didn't hesitate so I ran some test spots with high pressure and hot water (no chems) and will do the job but take forever.

So I ordered some alum brite and want to tr that but I have a couple questions.

1) Is this stuss safe to use around rubber/plastic/windows?

2) Can I just rinse it off or need high pressure. I want to keep the splatter down as it is an enclosed area but open on each end.

3) What would you think would be a good mix ratio?

4) What is a good dwell time for this type of cleaner?

Any input from anyone is most appreciateda dn hope everyone is staying busy.

Lynn

 

[TNT]

Geez i guess I should check my spelling once in awhile before posting!

 

[DAFF]

Good job on the bidding process. At that quote you can afford to have some down time. (field testing) Sorry it took so long for a response been working way too much. For any job start with the simple weak chemicials and work up the concentrations and finially the chemicial types. As for the dwell times apply small areas and work up in sizes. Don't try to bight more than you can chew, for you might mar some surfaces. As for the end product I wish you luck.

By the way if the wash is a brush model have the owner run some worker vehicles through it the first few times to insure all debris is removed from the brushes.

 

[TNT]

Thanks once again Daff,

Still concerned about the use of alum brite around the rubber hoses, electrical conduits etc.

I guess I can call the manufacturer.

Lynn