Category: Equipment and Chemicals

Water is a necessity for any carwash business, but more and more, it’s becoming an expensive commodity. To mitigate these costs, a smart alternative is a reclaim water system. This process has become the norm for most carwash facilities as a means to operate more efficiently. Technology has now made the process even more efficient. By adopting a modern approach to water usage, carwashes can save money and resources.

How Reclaim Water Systems Work

A water recycling system is standalone but works with other equipment. The system works by drawing water from the carwash settling tanks and processing it on demand back to the equipment for reuse. To reuse the water, it must be treated to kill bacteria and remove the odor. The cleaner the reuse water is, the better for every step involved in car washing. Aeration is a process used to provide oxygen to the bacteria, treating and stabilizing it. The oxygen allows the bacteria to break down the organic matter containing carbon to then create carbon dioxide and water. Aeration is one way to control odor and remove car wash chemicals.

Another tactic used is introducing bacteria to the system. Bacteria can be formulated to remove oils and greases in the reclaim water and quicken biodegradable chemical breakdown. Ozone is another treatment solution. It’s much more powerful than even chlorine or other oxidizers.

The reclaim water process has become essential to a profitable carwash because water and sewage costs continue to rise, especially in drought-prone areas. It’s typically one of the largest costs to an operator. If you aren’t using a reclaim water system, you will see that the cost to wash the same number of vehicles has increased when compared to the previous year.

The key to a successful reclaim water system that also delivers a clean car is using the reclaimed water integrated into the workflow and then rinsing with fresh water. The “new” water that must be obtained is therefore significantly less.

Recycling Water Reduces Costs and Dependence on the Municipality

Since water and sewage costs are controlled by the municipality, there’s no room to negotiate. Instead, a recycling system is the best way to lower this cost.

The closer you come to being self-sustainable with your water, the less you have to depend on the municipality. The municipality may already be under strain, especially in growing urban areas, due to new development.

Additionally, some areas have such extreme drought that a carwash may be on restriction for how much new water it can use. A reclaim water system can be vital to keeping your business open. With a water recycling system, your business won’t be disrupted, so you don’t lose sales.

As you can see, the importance of an effective reclaim water system is critical to operations and the bottom line for carwash operators. When it comes to knowledge of the carwash industry, you can count on Iron Fox to deliver the solutions you need. Our expertise can help you navigate all the intricacies of the industry, including experience with installing and serving multiple equipment brands. We can also help you best determine places for your individual wash to use reclaim water.

Learn more about our expertise and how we can help elevate your carwash operations today.

One of the most talked about innovations in the car industry is the flat belt conveyor. If you own or operate a car wash, you may have asked yourself: “Is a flat belt conveyor right for my facility?” Like most business decisions, the answer is dependent on the business. Flat belt conveyors are a great option, but not the best solution for every customer or every situation. With that in mind, let’s take an objective look at the pros and cons of flat belt car wash conveyor systems.

The Pros

Let’s begin by examining the advantages of flat belt conveyors compared to traditional conveyors:

• Easier to load vehicles – Vehicles can simply be driven onto the conveyor. Drivers then have the option to put the vehicle in park for safety, or, if the driver remains in the vehicle, leave it in neutral so that the vehicle can easily exit the wash.

• Less anxiety for the customer – In traditional guide rail conveyors, customers are given a stressful list of directions: steer the tire into a narrow slot, look at the mirror, obey the attendant’s shouted directions, read the signs, keep feet off the brake, and don’t touch the steering wheel. With a flat belt car wash conveyor, they simply drive through the door and onto the conveyor.

• Perception that traditional conveyors damage wheels – The steel guide rails in traditional conveyors leave little room for error, creating concern in customer’s minds that they may damage expensive rims, tires, wheels, and hubcaps.

• Vehicles are more likely to stay on than with traditional conveyors – There are no rollers to jump and no rails to climb. With all four tires solidly on the belt, the car won’t wander, and braking and steering have no consequences.

• Safer for newer vehicles with safety features such as auto-braking – In a traditional conveyor, a car equipped with an automatic braking system may perceive movement of the wheels, causing the system to engage. This could lead to a sudden stop, causing a rear-end collision. With flat belt conveyors, the wheels remain stationary.

• Can accommodate dualies and exotic cars – The wide belt on these systems easily accommodates pickup trucks with dual rear wheels. Low clearance problems are eliminated as well, allowing most other automatic cars and those with low hanging battery boxes to be washed without damaging the undercarriage.

The Cons

Of course, flat belt conveyors have some disadvantages to consider as well:

• More expensive – As with any new technology, equipment costs for flat belt car wash conveyors are currently 2 to 3 times that of older systems, but the higher costs may be somewhat offset by reduced damage claims and higher throughput.

• Repair and Maintenance Concerns – Flat belt conveyors are typically more difficult and expensive to repair and maintain than other options.

• More difficult to clean wheels and tires – Wheels and tires remain stationary and do not spin, making it more difficult to clean them thoroughly. However, the stationary wheels allow for increased safety in dealing with auto-breaking cars.

• Greater Risk of Damage – Dirt and other sediments can get caught in the pin connections of flat belt conveyors, causing the connection to wear at a faster rate.

Given the cost associated, if you expect anything less than 100,000 cars per year, you should think long and hard on whether this is the right fit for your project.

Iron Fox Can Help You Decide if a Flat Belt Conveyor is Right for You

With so many factors to consider, choosing the best conveyor system for your car wash can be a challenge. Iron Fox has the expertise and knowledge to help you choose what’s best for your location. We provide valuable advice to those wanting to start their own car wash, providing expertise gained through years of personal and professional experience.

To learn more about how we can help you choose the right equipment for your car wash, contact us at Iron Fox today!