how to flash alum.

[gemini washin]

ive been washing here in new york for a long time and i have heared the term flashing aluminum. can some one tell me how this is done.. i have some trucks that keep their wheels and tanks nice but in the winter months they get kinda krappy.. Any help is much appreciated

 

[Larry L.]

It can be done a few ways but the double lance and downstreamer is the fastest way.Flashing acid on tanks and rims where extra is needed is a time saver,it can be done while washing or rinseing.Hmmm ok if you already use a double lance you know how to twist the nob on the double Lance which turns on the downstreamer.You apply your chemical and when done appling to the surface you twist the nob again on the DL to turn off the downstreamer.Flashing is done the same way only you do not leave the DS turned on every long. Tell you what play with it for awhile by turning the nob all the way on as to turn on the DS and as soon as you turn it all the way on turn it right back off.Now you have enough chemicals loaded in the High psi hose to flash one tank and maybe both rims,if not flash it again.In the winter months with salt and extra nasty tanks and rims I sometimes flash with hot acid while washing with hot soapy water.Flashing usually has no dwell time unless its alittle on the nasty side.After you get the hang of it you can even flash polished alumu. with a HF acid.

I learned this on my own back years ago by accident so to me it as simple as one two three.Say I'm washing the driver side and the tank and front rim needs extra I'll flash the rim then the tank and as soon as the tank is flashed I'll wash it off the rim then tank.I'll flash both back rims at the same time.Even tho chemicals are applied with a DS which is low psi your flashing will be done with high psi.By twisting the nob on the DL to low psi to turn on the DS and twist it again back to high psi you are fixen to apply acid at the rate your rig is plumbed for whether it be 1500psi or 3000psi.

Tell you what all downstreamer are not the same b/c of the gpm on the pumps and my mix may be weaker or stronger then yours.
You can play with it and not waste chemicals by placeing food coloring in a 5 gal. bucket and drop your DS line in the bucket.Now twist the nob to low psi on the DL and count 1 2 3 4 and twist the nob on the DL back to high psi.This will give you a good ideal on how much acid(food coloring)that your 1 2 3 4 count allowed in the hose.Usually I twist it on and right back off and have enough to flash a tank and front rim or both back rims.

I know my breaking point on my DS,by that I mean I can get a weak mix or full strenght.By twisting the nob on my DL about half way it turns the downstreamer on only half way making for a weaker flash.
Its hard to explain but after you get the hang of it you'll wish you had took the time to learn it.

 

[gemini washin]

Thank you for the reply. i usually apply acid with a pump sprayer. I do have a down sream injector and a double lance to try it . I really appreciate the reply being that this is my first post. I know you are on most of these threads and was also wondering whats involved in two stepping right now i brush everything and rinse. i have a high pressure soap sray but only use it when itms are really greasy with my heat. I do some box trucks that really dont need to be brushed all the time and feel like it would be faster to two step everything.

 

[Larry L.]

Do a search on the board and read for awhile,type in 2-step plus try typing in 2-stepping,acid,downstreamer.Alot of info on this board,all my older post are done in a redneck way of talking and you may haveta read inbetween the lines.