WASHING CARS BY MACHINE

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26775, 5 July 1952, Page 8

WASHING CARS BY MACHINE

BIG SAVING IN TIME

A machine designed to reduce by two-thirds the time taken to wash cars and to cut the cost by more than half, has been installed in a service station in Christchurch. Known as a “washmobile” it is not unlike a gantry to look at. It is about seven feet six inches in height, and moves backwards and forwards on two rails 22 feet long. It can worked by one man. Twenty-three jets in the overhead member above the car, and in the three columns either side of it, spray fine water at up to 2001 b pressure over the car to wet it before the actual cleaning is done. Another set of jets then comes into operation and sprays a fine but powerful detergent, which is brought to a thick-lather by the operator using a specially designed lamb’s wool pad. The wheels, and undersides of-the body and mudguards are cleaned by one of two hand hoses, ana the car is thoroughly rinsed with water from the first battery of jets. The inside of the car is cleaned by a powerful jet of air through the nozzle of a rubber hose connected to the machine which has its own compressor. The “washmobile,” which costs about £7OO, is of American design and is made under licence in Australia. It

uses from eight to 10 gallons of water on each car, and its two-gallon tank of detergent lasts aWout 150 cars. Time taken is about 16 to 20 minutes deoending on the amount of dirt the car is carrying. The cost of washing small cars is 8s and for larger models 10s. The machine, which was available for free use by the public last evening, is the second to be installed in Christchurch within a week.