Car Wash Mats

**Lakeside Detail** · 08-23-2014, 06:23 AM

Meanwhile, large corporations like PB are allowed to dump tons and tons of ammonia, mercury and heavy metal sludge into southern lake Michigan. Crazy isn't it?

**BillE** · 08-23-2014, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by Pureshine

Its always been that way just most detailers don't follow it. King county will fine and even may shut you down if they find out your dumping water from detailing.

I should have been my explicit in my question...it was the cost of the fine that surprised me. But then, at my age...nothing surprises me anymore-LOL.

Quickie story...about 25-30 years ago in Snohomish county, Scriber Creek was a thriving salmon steam, whomever started building without using any sort of blocking devices to stop the building runoff. Long story short, when we left the area (2005) the salmon were just again starting to come back.

Point being, what we do today can take 'forever' to get back to where we started 'then'.

Bill

**BillE** · 08-23-2014, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by RonG

yea that whole nothing but rain down the drain is crap...

When it runs into 'the lakes' and that is where your drinking water comes from, you do become aware of what does go down the street.

Bill

**barrybudden** · 10-28-2014, 05:24 AM

I'm curious to know what sort of water pump or vacuum you would use to collect the waste water after you wash the vehicle? I imagine if you use a wet vac with the car wash solution getting sucked up your going to end up with a vacuum full of suds very quickly.

**215Detailing** · 12-25-2014, 10:19 AM

Auto Floor Guard Containment Mat Keeps Water and Snow in its Place

**215Detailing** · 12-25-2014, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by barrybudden

I'm curious to know what sort of water pump or vacuum you would use to collect the waste water after you wash the vehicle? I imagine if you use a wet vac with the car wash solution getting sucked up your going to end up with a vacuum full of suds very quickly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlkf4CPOZhc
think he is using a sump pump not sure of make or model

**STPETEDALE** · 12-25-2014, 05:22 PM

Seems like a lot of guys use sand socks around vehicle to contain water then vacuum and dump in grass . I'm in Florida and know locally this is there recommendations. A wet/dry vac seems to work fine without any foaming issues from soap . Definitely the cheapest route but would check local requirements.

**allenk4** · 12-25-2014, 07:05 PM

You could use a solenoid float switch hooked up to your shop vac

When the water lifts the float, the solenoid turns on the shop vac

Should work just like a bilge pump on a boat, which you could also use, but they run on 12v systems and you would have to connect it to a car battery

Just an idea

**RonG** · 12-27-2014, 06:07 AM

Bad thing with shop vacs is what do you do with the water after it's full? Also a lot of soaps seem to foam up with vacs. You can use a deformer. We have a 38hp steel eagle vac that we use for picking up waste water. It pumps to a containment tank. For truck washing we use a utility pump. Turns on and off automatically

**AutowerxDetailing** · 12-27-2014, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by 215Detailing

Auto Floor Guard Containment Mat Keeps Water and Snow in its Place

I have one of these. Very high quality. I have the original which works just fine for rinseless washing and power washing the jambs and wheels.

There is a new version now that has higher berms that would work even better for traditional washes. If you can them and tell them what you need they can make you a mat to any specification you need.

Sent from my N9810 using AG Online