Spraying solutions from Laser Industrie
Cleaning equipment provider Laser Industrie has described how its handheld sprayer range can help ensure vehicles are kept clean and looking their best.
Users include vehicle cleaner Stuart Staples, who handles everything from HGVs and vans to hypercars at his Auto Genie base.
“Customers know if they come to me, their vehicles will be treated with the utmost care with results to match,” he said.
Now in his tenth year running Auto-Genie, Stuart, 49, can look back over 30 years of vehicle care – and he’s as motivated and passionate about the business today as then.
“I find the job therapeutic and calming,” he continued, “and really take pride in what I do.
“You must reach into all the nooks and crannies, under the bonnet, wheel hubs, door sills, the lot and produce a finish the vehicles deserve.”
That means using only distilled water for washdowns to avoid the calcium and magnesium deposits tap water can leave behind when it dries.
Vehicles arrive in various states of cleanliness and there can be some sticky cleaning to tackle.
“Braking generates iron particles that gather around wheel arches and you can have to tackle tyre shred on paintwork,” he added.
Although most of the mixed range of liquids Stuart applies are neutral to slightly alkaline, tough substances like tar and rubber need solvents to remove them.
As something of a perfectionist, Stuart’s always on the lookout for the ‘best in class’ to aid his work – and that includes kit such as sprayers.
“The trick is to apply just enough to clean effectively and to be able to rely on consistent pressure and liquid distribution to the bodywork.
“Manufacturer Hozelock-Exel asked me to test their new Laser 2 Viton and Laser 2 Foamer hand-held sprayers and I have to say I was impressed with their accuracy and consistency of spray. They develop good pressure, which is generated far more easily and lasts longer than other types I’ve used.
“They also feature a metal, rather than plastic pressure shaft and come with triggers that allow me to still apply liquids when the sprayer is inverted, such as when I’m reaching into tricky corners.
“The Lasers easily handled the mineral spirit-based tar spot remover liquid and solvents I use and the range includes EPDM, Viton and Nitrile seals to cater across the pH scale.”
For 30 years, Laser Industrie has manufactured speciality sprayers for every sector, including motor transport. The range is colour-coded to provide easy access to the most appropriate sprayer for the purpose.
Sturdy key components such as cup seals, O-rings and woven Tricoflex hosing match content demands, says Laser, standing up to punishing spray schedules and environments.
“These are robust, heavy-duty products designed for professionals and keen enthusiasts alike,” Stuart concluded.
Dedicated sprayer wholesaler Spindrift Sprayers adopted its third professional sprayer brand from Hozelock-Exel to provide it with access to the vehicle cleaning sector.
“Vehicle cleaning is very much an on-demand operation that depends not only on robust, hard-wearing sprayer products but fast, reliable supply of accessories and spare parts – an aspect of service we can comfortably deliver,” stated Spindrift managing director Trevor Helme.
“The complex range of liquids vehicle cleaning requires spans the pH range, from acid to alkaline and demand robust, hardwearing products to deliver them safely and reliably.”
Laser Industrie sprayer seals are made to withstand whichever liquids operators apply, in closely calibrated pressures, quantities and dilutions specific to the surface – EPDM for alkalis, Viton and Super Viton for acids.
Nozzle specification is also critical to successful results, says the firm. “There’s one designed for each application, from those delivering aerosols, fine sprays and mists to ones geared to flood jetting,” Trevor added.
