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View Full Version : Two "Must Have" Car Washing Tools - The Brass Shut-off Valve & Brass Quick Connector


Mike Phillips
10-29-2009, 09:36 AM
Two "Must Have" Car Washing Tools - The Brass Shut-off Valve & Brass Quick Connector (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/21488-two-must-have-car-washing-tools-brass-shut-off-valve-brass-quick-connector.html)

Without a doubt, the Single Brass Connector Shut-off Valve is one of the best car washing tools ever invented. Period.

Look, we can all discuss which wash mitt we love the best or which car wash soap is our favorite, or talk about hose nozzles, foam guns or pressure washers, but once we get past that, no matter what your personal preference might be we all have to turn the water on and off and that's where the Single Brass Connector Shut Off Valve comes into play.


The Single Brass Connector Shut Off Valve (http://www.autogeek.net/sibrco.html)
If I were to count how many steps I've taken over a lifetime to walk back and forth to the water spigot to either turn the water on or turn the water off I could have walked a hundred miles by now easily.

If you don't already have one of these energy and time saving brass shut-off valves on the end of every one of your water hoses around the house or shop, then you're missing boat because once you use a brass water shut-off valve one time you'll never want to be without it again. Yes, that's what I typed, one time.


So take a look at these pictures as they tell the story and then imagine yourself the next time you're using a water hose for ANYTHING and imagine how great it would be if you didn't have to walk all the way back to the water spigot each time you wanted to either turn the water on, or turn the water off.


This is another must-have tool in your detailing arsenal of tools...



- Two "Must Have" Car Washing Tools - The Brass Shut-off Valve & Brass Quick Connector



Brass Water Shut-Off Valve in the "On" position
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve001.jpg


Simply turn the T-handle to turn the water off...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve002.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve003.jpg



Ready for water again? Simply turn the T-Handle to the open position.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve004.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve005.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve006.jpg


Water's back on! And you didn't have to walk back to the water spigot!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve007.jpg


How it works
It's real simple and will give you years of service, there's a swivel ball valve

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/medium/BrassShutOffValve008.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/medium/BrassShutOffValve009.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/medium/BrassShutOffValve010.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/medium/BrassShutOffValve011.jpg




The Brass Quick Connector
If you've already equipped all your water hoses with a Brass Connector Shut Off Valve, either a single (http://http/#37;3A//www.autogeek.net/sibrco.html), a double (http://www.autogeek.net/dubrco.html) or a 4-way (http://www.autogeek.net/brass-four-way-shut-off-valve.html), you're already way ahead of the curve but let me show you another handy tool that's just as cool.

The Brass Quick Connector (http://www.autogeek.net/brqucoset.html)
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2078_73844353


This quick disconnect fitting enables you to switch between water tools on-the-fly!

With a leak-proof seal, you can quickly and easily remove your Fire Hose Nozzle and switch to your Foam Gun in seconds without having to find a pair of pliers to loosen and then tighten the threaded end of your water hose off or onto one of your water tools.

Brass Male Quick Connects 3 Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/brmaquco3pa.html)
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2077_46390373





How it works
Simply pull the release back...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve012.jpg


Slide the male end of a brass connector into the brass female connector...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve013.jpg



Then let go of the release and you're ready for action!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve014.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/770/BrassShutOffValve015.jpg




Products Shown
Single Brass Connector Shut Off Valve (http://www.autogeek.net/sibrco.html)
The Brass Quick Connector (http://www.autogeek.net/brqucoset.html)
Brass Quick Connector 3-Pack Set (http://www.autogeek.net/brmaquco3pa.html)
Fire Hose Nozzle (http://www.autogeek.net/fire-hose-nozzle.html)
Grit Guard Insert (http://www.autogeek.net/gg1010.html)
5 Gallon Wash Bucket System with Dolly - RED (http://www.autogeek.net/wash-bucket-system2.html)
Wolfgang Auto Bathe (http://www.autogeek.net/wg1000.html)


:dblthumb2:
MoBenzOwner
10-29-2009, 09:43 AM
I would not be without the shut off valve. A time saver that pays for itself many times over in water savings, and good for the enviroment as well.
CharlesW
10-29-2009, 09:45 AM
Two things I don't have. :)
I do use shut-off valves and quick connectors, but I use plastic ones so there is less chance of dinging my paint in case I should happen to let things get away from me.
That has never happened, but that just means it's waiting to happen some day.
DLB
10-29-2009, 10:37 AM
I have a 2-way shut-off fixed close to my wash area with a supply hose, and then two "usable" hoses. I can run the pressure washer and the regular hose without having to connect/disconnect 15 times!

The only problem is that I noticed a major pressure loss. Can't recall off the top of my head what my hose sizes are, but I do know that when you run straight off the spigot the pressure is tremendous.

DLB
CharlesW
10-29-2009, 10:54 AM
I have a 2-way shut-off fixed close to my wash area with a supply hose, and then two "usable" hoses. I can run the pressure washer and the regular hose without having to connect/disconnect 15 times!

The only problem is that I noticed a major pressure loss. Can't recall off the top of my head what my hose sizes are, but I do know that when you run straight off the spigot the pressure is tremendous.

DLBTwo things.
1. Obviously the hose size can affect the pressure as can the hose length.
2. What many people don't realize is that shut-off valves and quick connects also can have different internal sizes.
I don't know if it varies by price or not. I just look for the ones with the biggest hole through them when in the open position.
craigr
10-29-2009, 11:07 AM
Great review and write-up Mike:xyxthumbs:. I thought I'd add one more thing that I find useful.

If you like to sheet water after rinsing try adding a couple feet of hose after the valve. This takes away the jet spray effect you get when water is forced out of the valve.

With the additional length of hose, now when you take the nozzle off it will gently stream out. Old hoses work good for this. Just buy a quality male/female end and hook it up.

I've never had luck with plastic hose fittings of any type but especially quick connectors. I think these quality brass ones are well worth the extra money.


Craig
Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN
11-28-2020, 07:19 PM
Great review and write-up Mike:xyxthumbs:. I thought I'd add one more thing that I find useful.

If you like to sheet water after rinsing try adding a couple feet of hose after the valve. This takes away the jet spray effect you get when water is forced out of the valve.

With the additional length of hose, now when you take the nozzle off it will gently stream out. Old hoses work good for this. Just buy a quality male/female end and hook it up.


That's a great tip. I'v had to run back and forth to shut the water off and turn it back on and it's just not feasible. I was so happy when I finally got the shut off valve a QD adapters.
PaulMys
11-28-2020, 07:25 PM
That's a great tip. I'v had to run back and forth to shut the water off and turn it back on and it's just not feasible. I was so happy when I finally got the shut off valve a QD adapters.

Welcome to this century, Jake! :laughing: :cheers:
Willbeen
11-28-2020, 07:40 PM
I love that shut off tool...
PA DETAILER
11-28-2020, 07:47 PM
I have the quick disconnect on my water hose. The end that attaches from the hose to the water spigot.
PaulMys
11-28-2020, 08:16 PM
Having worked in the marine industry for decades, I could not be without quality brass quick-disconnects at every point of any hose connections I have.

Imagine using air compressors/tools that had screw-on connections???

Why should our hose connections be any less convenient?
Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN
11-28-2020, 08:28 PM
Welcome to this century, Jake! :laughing: :cheers:Cheers brother!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Autogeekonline mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87407)
ducksfan
11-29-2020, 12:17 AM
Welcome to this century, Jake! :laughing: :cheers:

The best part of these old threads is seeing the posts of guys I've forgotten about. A lot of good posters have come and gone. I miss some of them.
UncleDavy
11-29-2020, 08:41 AM
The version in the video is a much better quality than the version in the store or what you will find at a home improvement store. The brass T handle is more sturdy than the plastic lever. I usually go through the plastic lever type at least once a year as the lever breaks off. Since I use it in the winter, the plastic will get more brittle.
Andrew LB
12-12-2020, 12:25 AM
Just so everyone understands this, don't cheap out and buy the "brass" quick connects found at places like Home Depot. They are NOT solid brass and it doesn't take long for a little phenomena called 'galvanic corrosion' to not just ruin your quick connect, but your hose nozzle as well. Dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte will become an anode and cathode and electrons will travel between the two. Stainless Steel and Solid brass is ok to combine since they're quite similar in their reactivity. Zinc and Aluminum which are very common in hose nozzles and fittings will react with brass and corrode. This is one of the first things i learned when building a custom loop cooling system for my PC... funny that i never thought it would come in handy elsewhere.

https://www.buildingenclosureonline.com/ext/resources/images/2018/Galvanic-Action-Fig-1.png