I figured there was more to it. I had & built a 5 bay self serve car wash and learned a little along the way. Just for the heck of it here's a good source that I used. Car Wash Supplies, Equipment, and Parts - Kleen-Rite Corporation might save you a few bucks here & there.
Awesome thanks!! We are just a mom and pop job, machine shop and I thought everyone would like having a place to blast off road salt. Also I have arthritis and just walking out carrying a gun/hose and plugging it in and turning a key will happen more frequently than it would if I had to drag my gas washer out. Maybe it'll help in my war against rust.
Best thing I have found is too have the vehicle oil sprayed every year or two...dunno if you have anybody that does up your way...we have a local guy that does it for $40...not worth DIY for that price. Oil spray works way better than undercoat IME...little messy for the first week or two...gotta park in the gravel, or I put cardboard down for a couple weeks so the wife can still park in the garage...then that oil soaked cardboard makes excellent fire starter all winter!
What do they use for oil ? I bought 5 gallons of CRC SP400 that I was going to cut with mineral spirits and spray under all our vehicles, and all over me. It's pretty much cosmoline, but stays slymyish. Was also thinking of cutting it with Kroil instead of spirits.
I'm wondering how this will work in the cold? That car wash "learned me" about freezing temps and lot's of plumbing. It might be as simple as one of those styrofoam hose bib covers.
I did get a look at a barrel when I was there, but it was a weird name and I don't remember it anymore...I looked it up at the time and it was pretty much made for "undercoating" like this...maybe that's why this guy has such a huge business and not in trouble with the EPA...the stuff is kinda thick and sticky...reminds me a little of bar oil. If you are gonna DIY it then you could probably use about anything, just run it around on dusty roads right after, get that layer of "grease" started. My guy drills the panels and sprays back in just like the undercoaters do...once you get oil down into all those crimped seams and nooks/crannys the water can't really get in there anymore...
Not entirely sure but two fast food places in town have wash stations on the sides of the building's and they don't cover them in the winter. All of the plumbing will be inside the heated building.
All I know is I HATE rust also. It's a shame to throw out a mechanically viable automobile due to rusted brakelinesfuellinesframescorrodedwiringwheelwellsbumpersrimsbodymountssupports
