Abstract: Remote monitoring of vehicle washing facilities allows a facility operator to more efficiently manage each site, particularly when combined with environmental conditions that influence the rate at which individual chemicals are used. Accurate chemical exhaustion times can therefore be predicted and communicated to the operator, and wash sequences and parameters may be altered in accordance with such environmental parameters. For example, information related to the composition of soil on a car may be monitored and used to alter the chemicals used in the wash cycle for that car. Other environmental conditions may include without limitation weather conditions, road conditions, types of vehicles, mechanical system status, vehicle temperature, etc.

Abstract: A detergent resistant car polish composition includes an alkoxy aminofunctional dialkylpolysiloxane, a long chain silicone quaternary blend, a silicone fatty amino quaternary polydimethylsiloxane, a carboxylic acid, a surfactant, a cosurfactant, and water.

Abstract: A wax composition is provided according to the invention. The wax composition includes a wax component, a double tail surfactant component, and water. The weight ratio of the wax component to the double tail surfactant component, on a solids basis, is about 0.1 to about 1.25. A foam wax composition and a method for waxing are provided.

Abstract: A tire dressing system includes an imaging device that captures an image of a vehicle tire or portion thereof and at least one application device that applies tire dressing to the tire based on the captured image. The system determines one or more tire parameters based on the captured image. The tire dressing system configures the at least one application device based on the tire parameter(s) such that the application device substantially restricts application of tire dressing to within the boundaries of the tire sidewalls. By determining the tire parameters, the tire dressing system may apply the tire dressing to the tire sidewalls while reducing or minimizing application of tire dressing to the body or rims of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tire dressing system includes an imaging device that captures an image of a vehicle tire or portion thereof and at least one application device that applies tire dressing to the tire based on the captured image. The system determines one or more tire parameters based on the captured image. The tire dressing system configures the at least one application device based on the tire parameter(s) such that the application device substantially restricts application of tire dressing to within the boundaries of the tire sidewalls. By determining the tire parameters, the tire dressing system may apply the tire dressing to the tire sidewalls while reducing or minimizing application of tire dressing to the body or rims of the vehicle.

Abstract: A preparation for use on a surface of a vehicle is provided. The preparation includes a carrier containing a gloss-enhancing material and a light-reflective material for enhancing the optical properties of the gloss-enhancing material. The preparation is preferably substantially free of amino-functional silicones.