
		You have 0 item(s) in your custom quote View Quote	Search:

Now In: Common Car Wash Terminology

Common Car Wash Terminology

The following list, contains some of the most common terminology used when describing all types of car washes.

Term	Description
CPH	Cars Per Hour. Chain Speed Formula: Inches of Travel in 15 sec. = Cars Per Hour
RPM	Revolutions per Minute. Side, Tire and Top Brushes and Wraps are Adjusted to RPMS. Formula: Count Revolutions for 10sec x 6. i.e. 15 revolutions in 10 sec. = 90 RPMS
Function AKA Device	Every component of the car wash that gets turned on/off during the wash process is controlled by a function or device
Sequential & Mandatory	Devices or functions that turn on for every vehicle
Programmable	These devices are inactive on every vehicle, however they turn on while activated for a particular vehicle or wash package
De-programmable & De-selective	These devices operate on every vehicle the same way as Sequential and Mandatory, however they turn off while activated for a particular vehicle or wash package
Cloth AKA Permacolor, No-Fade, Felt	Tightly woven needle point material commonly used on mitters and side brushes. Cut to any length
Foam AKA Neoglide	Closed cell foam light weight, does not absorb water. Commonly used on wrap around, side and top brushes
Microclean	Twisted fiber material with ¼’ loft, best when used in mitters, side brushes and wrap arounds.
Bristle	Polyethylene or nylon. Commonly used on Tire Brush and Rocker Brush
Cloth Hub	6”, 10” and 12” diameter aluminum hub, mounted to brush shaft that cloth mount on. Cut to any length
C-Channel	Named for the shape of the channels that most Cloth, Neoglide and Microclean slide into on side Washers, Wraps and Rocker Brushes
Gear Box	Transfers motion from electric and hydraulic motors to output shafts that drive, conveyor, mitters and brushes.
Motors	Electric or Hydraulic. Create energy and motion to pumps, brushes and gear boxes.

Term	Description
Applicator Arch: (AKA Pre-Soak Arch, Foaming Applicator Arch)	Applies detergents to entire vehicle surface
Bumper Applicator:	Single: Front, Dual: Front & Rear Applies additional detergent to front and rear bumpers, specially at higher chain speeds
Undercarriage Wash: AKA Underbody Wash, Underbody Flush	Rinses undercarriage of vehicle
Rust inhibitor:	Applies special rust protection chemical to the undercarriage of the vehicle
Tire Brushes: AKA Tire Washer, Poodle Brush, Pencil Brush	Primarily cleans white & black tire walls (Wheels & Rims with the Poodle Brush)
Wrap Around Brushes: AKA Wash Around Brush.	Washes front, sides and rear of vehicle. Types: Reverse & Straight, Jog and Double Jog, Spyder Wraps Wrap Retract: Retracts brushes at rest position and is programmable to retract brushes around damaged or delicate vehicles Wrap Foamer: Applies lubricating detergent to vehicle prior to wraparound brush to promote safe smooth operation
Front to Back Mitter: AKA Top Washer	Cleans top surfaces of the car with entrance to exit motion
Side to Side Mitter: AKA Wash Across	Cleans top surfaces of the car with side to side motion
Top Brush:	Cleans top surfaces of vehicle with a counter weight spinning brush that follows contour of vehicle
Side Brushes: AKA Side Washers, Van Brush	Cleans side surfaces of vehicle ( from 35” to 63” tall)
Rocker Brushes: AKA Side Rockers, Baby Rockers, Rocker Washers	Wash rocker panel’s lower side up to bottom of vehicle’s side windows (up to 28” tall)
Grill Brush: AKA Grill Washer	Washes front grill and side of vehicle with opposite rotation of wrap around
Omni High Pressure Washers: AKA High Pressure Washers, Wheel Blasters, Tire Blasters, Rocker Blaster	Cleans all vehicle surfaces, including wheels with high-pressure water, mostly oscillating and rotating while it tracks the vehicle
Pendulum:	High pressure wheel cleaner that follows the wheel mechanically with no need for adjustment with different chain speeds
Three Color Foamer: AKA Triple Foam, Shower Head Triple Foam	Applies three color foam wax or conditioner to vehicle

Term	Description
Halo Rinse: AKA High Pressure Rinse, High Volume Rinse, Booster Rinse, Medium Pressure Rinse	Thoroughly removes all soap and three color foam from vehicle prior to final rinse
Rain Arch:	Eliminates fan-nozzle mist in the drying area it completely rinses the hood, trunk, grooves and sides
Drying Agent Arch: AKA Cheater Wax	Rinses and applies a wax type product that promotes water beading for better drying
Sealer Wax Arch: AKA Clear Coat Protectant	Applies Pay-for-Extra Service wax
Setting Arch: AKA Plating Arch, Final Rinse Rain Arch	Assists in beading and shedding the drying agent and excess water from all vehicle surfaces making it ready for the dryers
Spot Free Rinse Arch:	Applies Spot Free water to entire vehicle to prevent spotting
Mirror Blaster:	Thoroughly rinses soap, wax and reclaim water out of side view mirror using high pressure
Mirror Rinse:	Applies Spot Free water to side view mirrors to prevent spotting or fresh water to help remove soap, wax and reclaim water
SIMONIZ Tire Shiner:	Applies tire dressing to tires automatically
Air Dryers: AKA Blowers	Blows water off vehicle surfaces
Wipe-O-Matic: AKA Chamois Shiner	Wipes off small drops of water left by blowers with synthetic chamois material
Anti-Collision:	Detects vehicles at end of conveyor and automatically stops and starts conveyor, preventing collisions

Car Wash Business Since 1949!

SONNY'S Car Wash Equipment Company is the largest manufacturer of conveyorized car wash systems in the world. We also have a full line of OEM parts for Hanna, Peco, PDQ, Belanger, Macneil, Ryko, and other car wash equipment manufacturers.

Decide With Confidence
SONNY'S financial strength is recognized by Dun & Bradstreet, the world's leading source of commercial information and insight on businesses.

All prices & availability subject to change without notice.