CO O N G
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We all want our trucks to look smart and clean. But how do you choose and use products which keep you the right side of environmental legislation, and treat your paintwork kindly? Sharon Clancy pulls on her rubber gloves and gets to work...
Everyone knows that a dirty truck is not good for the company image. A survey on truck washing last year revealed that 76% of respondents clean their trucks at least once a week, with pressure washers replacing the mop and bucket.
The CM survey, made in conjunction with DEB, revealed that nearly Go% of respondents were unaware of current rules on waste water disposal and more than 40% of operators admitted that they didn't have interceptor traps fitted to collect oil, grease and dirt before waste water entered the drain. Some of those are almost certainly breaking the regulations, and risk fines and prosecution if caught Among the suppliers there is a shift from selling products to providing a one-stop service, with leasing of machines and pay-perwash schemes. Service is becoming important in a market where corn
petition for sales in both the pressure-washer and automatic vehiclewash sectors is tough, and customers themselves want to deal with a single supplier.
THE LAW
Recycling waste washing water became common practice in the 1990s as large fleets sought to reduce their water bills. Small and medium operators are being harder hit by the 5998 Groundwater Regulations, which make it an offence to wash or tip substances such as solvents, engine oils and degreasing solvents either directly or indirectly into the ground or down a drain.
Because waste water from vehicle cleaning contains pollutants, you must obtain Consent to Discharge certificate for each site where washing takes place, The
water authority can set limits on pH levels, and the amount of oils, grease and solids in the waste water. To get your certificate you may need to identify the cleaning chemical, its composition, and the type of dirt on the vehicle and even the loads you have been carrying. If you are unsure about whether a site complies, take advantage of the free advice available from suppliers.
All the equipment manufacturers recommend fitting an interceptor tank to ensure waste water does not enter the ground or the main drainage system without first passing through a filter system that removes oil and grease and lowers the pH level of the water.
Ignorance is not a defence. The Environment Agency has the power to enter premises to investigate a potential pollution incident and specify what remedial action is required. Failure to comply can ultimately lead to closure of the site, fines and prosecution.
PRESSURE WASHERS
Pressure washers are the obvious choice for small to medium fleets, not least because the CM/DEB survey reported that in 72% of cases the driver is responsible for washing.
There are low-pressure coldwater washers and high-pressure hot water units. The choice ranges from machines costing less than £150 to 5oo-plus for the more sophisticated rigs. The higher the price, the more features you get, and the tougher the machine.
If your washing needs amount to cleaning five trucks or vans once or twice a week, you might well manage with one of the cheaper models. For more intensive operations, it pays in the long term to specify a machine with an engine and pump robust enough to cope. and with features that can speed up the process.
Check the maximum water pressure and volume. Water volumes also vary widely, from 350r,800lit/hr. Ideally, choose a washer with variable water pressure control and the ability to switch from hot to cold water. A detergent works best as a hot solution sprayed on at low pressure, according to AutoSmart; otherwise too much of it is wasted in spray. Rinsing, on the other hand, is most effective done with high-pressure cold water.
Overdosing with detergent is common with pressure washers. so a dilution control switch is useful. Deb's Foamex cleaning lance has been developed to control detergent use and speed up the washing operation. The Foamex handle and nozzle are standard equipment, but instead of a single barrel for water and chemical, the Foamex has two barrels.
By turning the lance 9o° and squeezing the trigger the operator can automatically switch from water to pre-metered foam spraying and back to water for rinsing. In between, the vehicle surface is brushed to loosen the dirt.
Penrith-based Alto UK is the new group name for some familiar names in pressure washers: Danish-based Alto owns the Clarke, Kew and Wap names. Pressure washers for CV cleaning include the 40HA range of medium-duty hot-water washers and the heavy-duty C145o range.
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Using the correct product for the job at the correct dilution rate seems a simple enough task, but it often doesn't happen, according to Autosmart and Deb. Both stress the need for correct training for washing staff, and the need to avoid over-enthusiastic use of chemicals. A strong detergent solution has high alkalinity or pH levels, making it an excellent degreaser. However, the same con centration will also dull paintwork and cause livery to peel off.
Cheap detergents with a high pH value almost certainly have a high concentration of caustic soda, Autosmart warns. While this is just what's needed for jobs like pre-test chassis degreasing, it is too severe for weekly use on painted surfaces. Paul Mount, Deb's marketing manager, says: "If you are cleaning vehicles weekly or even fortnightly, you do not need an aggressive chemical to lift the road dirt off."
Standing too close to the vehicle and using water above 70°C damages paint, curtains and graphics. The consensus is that the lance should be no closer than 18in to the bodywork.
The chemical companies are increasingly teaming up with equipment suppliers in response to operator demands for a onestop service with a single supplier for all washing requirements.
Autosmart, for example has set up Essence in partnership with equipment manufacturers Wesley and Valetmatic. Autosmart manages the washing operations and supplies the chemicals; Valetmatic carries out all the servicing requirements for its own and Wesley's equipment.
AUTOMATIC WASHERS Automatic vehicle washes come with price tags of D5,000-plus and need additional investment in a water reclamation unit to keep water charges manageable.
However, the growth in leasing
plans can make them afford: for fleets with as few as 20 vehi
Most automatic washes trucks and vans are mov gantry machines in which vehicle stays still and the wa: arch moves over the veh There are two and four-hi models, all featuring a horizc brush for the front, back and 1 Smith Bros & Webb, Valetrr and Wilcomatic are the UK's 1 ing manufacturers. SBW rem committed to UK manufactu: machines like the Strong, Valetmatic and Wilcomatic both changing direction.
They see themselves as sui ers of equipment and afters service, and are investing expansion of the service nets rather than designing new p ucts. So Valetmatic is wonl with Autosmart; it is also the agent for Istobal equipm Wilcomatic's Monarch remains available, but from month it has begun sel German-built Christ equipm
BRUSH WASIES
Manchester-based manufact Bymond's mobile Turbo Brw hydraulically powered so then no electrical cables. It has its f8olit water tank. Separate pu: are used for the wash and r cycles to avoid having to purge system of detergent before s ing rinsing. Bymond says a la cycle takes about eight mirr and costs about a third as muc a fully automatic wash.