Changing chemical vendor?

So, we currently use Carwash Services of Georgia. Our main chemical products are from Blue Coral.

I have been approached by ACES who mainly use Lustra products for tunnel.

One thing that caught my attention was that Lustra has non-HF CTA cleaner.

Has anyone used both products? Which is better or are they about the same?

-tom

I once was Blue Coral certified. I can't tell you whether one is better than the other. But I can tell you that if in your area with the dirt and conditions you can make the Lustra product work you will be much better off years down the line. I know that many operators do like HF's. It does have some very bad side affects though. It is real hard on equipment the building and not to good on health of who works around the stuff. With that said you more than likely will see a difference in wash-ability. The two are way different types of products. Both products are fairly pricey you could also try some other slightly less known companies as well like JBS.

Our company has sold both. We are currently Lustras largest distributor, and have been for the last few years. Both Ecolab and Lustra make some of the finest car wash chemicals you can buy. Lustra makes a wall cleaner called “Off the wall” I sell it to truck washes to clean aluminum that don’t want to use HF. I don’t think you would have any issues with putting it on a CTA. Typically Lustra is less expensive on price and cost. The biggest savings is LustraShield compared to Rain X. An advantage that Ecolab has is that it has a much broader product line. In your average tunnel it is not that much of an advantage, because of the short scope of products used. Lustra has something for every application, just not pages of options like Ecolab. If you could post a list of what Ecolab products you use I could suggest the Lustra equivalent…The guy from ACES could obviously do the same. There are just a few products that are so great I feel I have to tell everyone.

Please let me know if I can help in anyway.

Tyler

Hey Tom we should talk. I currently use ACES Lustra products and Car Wash Services has tried to get me to switch. Who did you talk to at ACES was it Chad?

Shawn

Im not sure who the distributor in your area is, but check out Quest, I use the full tunnel line and their products beat Lustra and Blue Corral, www.questwashproducts.com

Shawn,

ACES guy name is Brad. He is originally from FL region. They sent him to GA to expand in GA market.

I have worked with Car Wash Services for 2 years now. I'm not sure about the chemicals and pricing, but over the years, I have built good repoire with them. For the most part, they have taken good car of me.

Having said that, it's hard for me to change vendor unless there is drastic price saving or suprior service.

Being relatively happy with Car Wash Services service, only factor than is the price. I don't see that big of a gap on Lustra versus Blue Coral to justify the change yet. Car Wash Services also in response to Lustra's bid, have worked with me to switch some of my chemicals to Simonize to save money. Mainly, Phase #2, Magic Lustre, and Triple Ripple from Simonize to reduce cost while still maintaining quality, so they say. So, we goona give that a shot and see.

-tom

Magic Lustre is a good product. What is Triple Ripple?

Triple Ripple is Simoniz's answer to inexpensive Tri-Foam. It is out their metro line I believe. Relatively the same thing as an inexpensive foam brush detergent or conditioner.