Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing apparatus wash brush assembly includes a drive shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis. At least two disks extend radially relative to the shaft axis and are spaced along the shaft axis. One of the disks has a first through hole spaced radially from the shaft axis. The through hole is formed substantially parallel to the shaft axis and is aligned with a corresponding hole formed in a second disk adjacent the one of the disks. A rod extending through the through holes is fixed relative to the shaft axis. The rod extends through a loop fixed to a wash strip to fix the wash strip relative to the shaft axis.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing apparatus wash strip having at least one magnet that adheres the wash strip to the vehicle being washed.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing apparatus wash brush includes a cover encircling a rotatable shaft. Spokes extending radially from the shaft fix the cover relative to the shaft. Upon rotation of the shaft, centrifugal forces urge the cover radially outwardly away from the shaft toward a vehicle being washed.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing apparatus wash brush includes a cover encircling a rotatable shaft. Spokes extending radially from the shaft fix the cover relative to the shaft. Upon rotation of the shaft, centrifugal forces urge the cover radially outwardly away from the shaft toward a vehicle being washed.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle washing apparatus which includes a wash mechanism and at least one wash strip having one end fixed to the wash mechanism. An exterior surface of the wash strip is formed from a microfiber fabric having fiber filaments of less than 1.00 denier. Preferably, the microfiber fabric encloses a sponge. Most preferably, the microfiber fabric includes between 70% and 80% polyester and between 20% and 30% polyamide.

Abstract: A coating composition that can be applied to a vehicle as a rinsing and drying aid after the vehicle has been washed is disclosed. The coating composition may be prepared and sold without water as a dilutable concentrate, or may be sold in a pre-mixed diluted aqueous solution to which additional water may or may not be added at the vehicle washing installation before the diluted coating composition is applied to a vehicle. In one embodiment, the composition includes water, a non-chlorinated cationic emulsifier, and a petroleum-based hydrocarbon distillate oil, wherein the weight ratio of the petroleum-based hydrocarbon distillate oil to the non-chlorinated cationic emulsifier is in the range of 0.5:1 to 10:1.

Abstract: A vehicle washing strip is formed of a length of a semi-rigid core material such as a felt of polypropylene, polyester, or other synthetic fiber. The core is surrounded by a cover of a cotton containing pile fabric, such as a cotton terry cloth. The cover is stitched to the core.

Abstract: A drip pan is removably mounted beneath the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. The pan contains a layer of nylon filter material, such as a nylon flannel, that absorbs oils and chemicals but releases water. A perforated screen is mounted over the filter layer.

Abstract: A vehicle washing apparatus includes a pair of elevated, parallel tracks along which a carriage is moved. The carriage supports hanging strips formed of a series of sponge like elements joined end to end. The strips are formed into a transverse array and an array on each side of the carriage so as to cover the entire outer surface of a vehicle disposed in the volume between the tracks as the carriage is moved along the tracks. The transverse array is preceded by a water spray from nozzles mounted on the carriage, and additional nozzles are mounted from the carriage on the outside of the side arrays to direct a water spray against the side strips to hold such strips against the vehicle. Stationary water spray nozzles are also provided along the length of the track to provide a rinse spray for the vehicle. The strips and the spray nozzles may all be reciprocated during operation.

Abstract: A car wash mechanism includes a vertical rotating brush mounted on the end of a horizontal boom slidably received in a cage mounted on an upright standard to the side of the path of travel of a vehicle. The bottom of the cage is mounted to the standard for pivotal movement and the top of the cage is pivotally mounted on a slidable carriage. The cage can be tilted between one position in which the boom will extend outwardly of the cage towards the center of the track and a second position in which the boom will retract inwardly of the cage and thereby position the brush closer to the standard. A fluid cylinder is actuated to shift the carriage and thereby tilt the cage under the control of a switch which has its actuator engaged by the cage when the cage is pivoted to the side by a passing vehicle.