The best method for the external cleaning of a vehicle is using high pressure water, better if hot: that’s why a car wash cannot do without a good professional pressure washer.
For those who want to wash their car at home without relying only on a sponge and a bucket, there are lots of home or semi-professional pressure washers available on the market. But a specialist car wash must necessarily choose a professional pressure washer, which is suitable for intensive use of several hours every day.
In fact, car wash pressure washers are designed to deliver water at high flow rates and pressure, enough to clean up not only cars, but also the most difficult dirt from heavy vehicles, buses or even military vehicles. Given their frequent use, the components of these machinery are made of long-life and sturdy materials, so as to reduce maintenance and repair work.
WHICH PRESSURE WASHER TO CHOOSE FOR A CAR WASH
As for home models, there are professional pressure washers of different sizes and flow rates: at the time of purchase, the choice should take into account the needs of use, to meet the requirements of either the smallest or the most important and equipped car wash.
The most suitable professional pressure washers for car washes are the models with three-phase electric motor, in fact their continuous use requires a motor which is powerful enough to withstand high performance for several hours of work. The ideal pressure washer has a 7.5 HP motor and delivers water at a flow rate of 15 l/min with a pressure of about 200 bar.
You can choose either a hot water or a cold water model, in this latter case for the removal of grease and oil you will have to use special detergents, while in the first case the cleaning action of heat will be enough.
One of the most important features that a car wash pressure washer can’t do without is the delayed Total stop, which delays the motor stop by 15 seconds from gun closing so as to avoid continuous power surges when working continuously.
There are many Comet models best suited to professionals in the sector.
If you choose a cold water pressure washer, the new K Steel TS 8.16 with tubular steel structure and stainless steel casings is simply perfect. It’s a sturdy and resistant machine equipped with a 7.5HP three-phase electric motor, a maximum pressure of 200 bar and a maximum flow rate of 15 liters per minute. This machine includes an integrated detergent tank and a control panel with micro-leaks detector and Alert that signals when pump routine maintenance is required (an FW2 Comet, triplex piston pump with brass head and integral ceramic pistons).
If you choose, instead, a hot water model we recommend the KM extra 8.16 three-phase model with steam function which allows you to clean grease and oil very easily without the use of detergents.
For small car washes we recommend the entry level of professional cold water pressure washers, the new K250, with delayed Total Stop as standard equipment, while the top of the range is, of course, the KF extra 9.16, an electric hot water pressure washer also equipped with steam function.
In addition to pressure washers, Comet supplies a whole range of machines and components which are specifically intended for car wash, starting with triplex pumps for fixed plants. In fact, particularly in large car washes, the pressure washer is mainly used in the pre-wash phase to remove the most difficult dirt before the car passes through the washing and final drying tunnels. Large car washing plants use pumps suitable for extremely intense use, therefore they must be a guarantee of efficiency and, above all, reliability. Comet pumps are equipped with brass or nickel-plated brass head, very resistant to the corrosive action of chemical detergents and hot water seals that extend the life of the pump even at high temperatures.
DISCOVER OUR RANGE OF HIGH TEMPERATURE PUMPS FOR THE CAR WASH
The more structured car wash plants are also equipped with professional stainless steel foam dispensers capable of spraying large quantities of detergent continuously throughout the working day. Comet offers a wide range of professional nebulizers and foam dispensers from 25 to 50 liters suitable to meet the needs of professionals in the sector.
ALL CAR WASH ACCESSORIES
In addition to the machines, an extremely important role is played by the accessories which, being used at high continuous rates, must be extremely sturdy and effective. In this case, the construction quality of the components plays a key role.
- Water dispensing guns, with extremely resistant swivel brass fittings or extensions that make washing operations easier;
- Extensions for long hoses, to easily reach every point of the vehicle, even the hoods of the tallest trucks or buses;
- Extension holders and hose reels, also to be installed directly on the structure of the pressure washer;
- underbody washing;
- Targeted jet nozzles, to clean from the largest side to the smallest gap;
- Hydro-brushes and rotating heads, in combination with the dispensing of detergents or protective waxes mainly used for cleaning rims;
CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR
So far we have talked about the external washing of vehicles but, as many people know, the car wash is not limited to the exterior of the car but involves the complete cleaning of the vehicle including the interior and in some cases also the mechanical and structural components.
For cleaning the interior of the car every car wash is equipped with professional dust and liquid vacuum cleaners provided with large tanks. Generally, car wash vacuum cleaners are equipped with two or three motors, depending on the required suction power.
In the most performing models the motor can be dual-stage, then there are models with high efficiency single-stage motors that ensure professional performance.
For an accurate cleaning of mats and seats, there are also special professional vacuum cleaners equipped with a detergent pump, called carpet washers. These are able to inject into the fabrics a solution of water and detergent, which is then sucked after having cleaned the fabric and mats.
DISCOVER THE COMET RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL VACUUM CLEANERS AND CARPET WASHERS
One of the services offered by professional car washes that today more than ever before, also due to the post-Covid-19 world situation, is widespread and demanded is the sanitization of car interiors by means of steam generators. It has been proven that steam can remove up to 99% of bacteria and viruses from surfaces in a short time with targeted applications and at the same time clean without leaving too much water residue; for this reason it is the ideal solution for cleaning and sanitizing car interiors. There are also steam generators equipped with a special foaming device with integrated vacuum cleaner ideal for washing mats and carpets (DSG CAR-3.3 EXVF).
Thanks to their cleaning efficiency, Comet steam generators are also successfully used to clean the car mechanical components and the motor compartment where a large amount of grease and oil is present. In these spaces the use of a pressure washer is not recommended, because high pressure could damage some components and because the use of water could jeopardize the battery, control unit and other electrical components.
DISCOVER THE RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL STEAM GENERATORS DEDICATED TO CAR WASH
As you will have understood by now, in the professional cleaning sector Comet offers a wide and detailed range of machinery and accessories dedicated to car washes. All you have to do is choose the most suitable ones for your plant and work in total efficiency and like a true professional.
