Friction Vehicle Wash Systems
Maintain the appearance of your transit vehicles with InterClean’s line of automatic friction vehicle wash equipment.
About Our
AUTOMATIC FRICTION WASH SYSTEM
The InterClean XJ Series is a line of effective drive-through friction vehicle wash systems designed specifically for heavy-duty transit vehicles. Each friction wash system delivers a reliable cleaning solution for public transit and school buses, combining high-pressure water with advanced friction cleaning technology for a thorough, efficient, and consistent result.
As a highly customizable heavy-duty transit vehicle and truck wash, InterClean’s XJ Friction Vehicle Wash System is engineered to clean a wide range of vehicle types, including:
- Transit buses
- School Buses
- Paratransit Vehicles
- Motor Coaches
- Passenger Trains
- Light Rail Systems
- Subways
- People Movers
This versatile friction wash system ensures a high-quality wash that adapts to each fleet’s unique needs.
INTERCLEAN’S MODERN BRUSH DESIGN
All InterClean XJ automatic friction wash systems feature a modern brush design. This design offers the flexibility of using either a brush or a touchless option to wash the front surfaces, then wraps the brushes around the vehicle’s rear to ensure complete surface cleaning.
Chasing Wrap Brushes
The rear brushes are designed to “chase” the back of the vehicle, rather than swipe at the surfaces, cleaning the rear of the vehicle in an overlapping pattern as it moves through the wash.
- Chasing wrap movement increases the time the rear brushes are in contact with the vehicle's surface without increasing the overall wash time.
- Soft yet durable brushes, constructed from either 1mm thick polyethylene thread or non-water-absorbing foam, clean the vehicle without damaging any surfaces or finishes, even after many uses.
Brush Structure
The XJ friction vehicle wash system features even pressure from brushes supported at both the top and bottom. Combined with the quick friction cleaning action of the chasing wrap brushes, these key design elements effectively clean vehicles. Compared to traditional friction wash equipment, this advanced design provides superior cleaning power while reducing the amount of detergent required per wash.
- Fixed top and bottom mounts ensure that even pressure is applied along the entire brush.
- The robust galvanized or stainless steel frame is designed for years of continuous operation.
- The brush pressure, or "crush,” is adjustable and controlled by air over oil cylinders, providing smooth fluid movements.
InterClean XJ Brush Modules
(standard applications)
XJ 402 | XJ 404 FF | XJ 404 FW
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|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
(2) brushes clean sides of the vehicle then “wrap” to clean the rear surfaces. | (2) front brushes remain fixed, used only to clean sides of vehicle. (2) rear brushes “wrap” to clean rear surfaces. | (2) front brushes “wrap” to clean front and sides of the vehicle. (2) rear brushes “wrap” to clean sides and rear surfaces. |
 |  |  |
InterClean RAPID XJ Bus Wash
The RAPID XJ 404 Bus Wash
Rear view of The RAPID XJ 404 Bus Wash
XJ Bus Wash Rear Wrapping Acttion
XJ 404 Rear View of a School Bus Wash
XJ 404 Side View of a School Bus Wash
InterCity Transit Bus Wash by Interclean
InterCity Transit XJ 404 Friction Bus Wash
XJ 1000 Train Wash Brush Modules
XJ 1000 Train Wash
BENEFITS OF FRICTION VEHICLE WASH SYSTEMS
Friction vehicle wash systems offer numerous advantages, making them a superior choice for effective vehicle cleaning.
Advanced Cleaning Performance
Through direct contact with the vehicle surface, friction vehicle wash systems deliver exceptional cleaning results. The advanced brushes and materials actively remove dirt, grime, and road film, ensuring a thorough clean.
Increased Protection for Vehicle Finishes
Modern friction wash brushes are designed with materials that minimize the risk of scratches or damage. This friction wash equipment provides a safe and consistent clean.
Enhanced Speed and Efficiency
Unlike touch-free systems, friction vehicle wash systems deliver quicker cleaning cycles without compromising quality. This increased throughput allows more vehicles to be cleaned, boosting productivity and profitability.
Wash Applications
The XJ Series of automatic friction vehicle wash systems can be equipped with either 2 or 4 brushes, with optional single-brush add-ons available.
Why Use InterClean’s Brush Wash System
InterClean’s drive-through automatic friction vehicle wash systems offer many benefits.
Innovative Brush Design
The double-hung, chasing wrap brushes are a key feature of InterClean’s heavy-duty XJ friction vehicle wash systems. This innovative brush design applies even pressure from top to bottom, ensuring every vehicle receives a consistent and high-quality wash.
The wrap-around action allows the brushes to “chase” the rear surfaces as the vehicle moves through the wash system, reducing total wash time without stopping.
Highly Customizable
The XJ friction wash series offers flexible wash options that work effectively as a standalone transit or train wash, or as a hybrid wash system that combines the cleaning power of brushes with the intensity of our touchless wash applications.
These modules can be further customized with add-on features such as blowers, chassis washers, and water recycling systems.
Sustainable Features
Our XJ friction wash systems can be configured to use recycled water, operating with the ideal balance of water and detergent to protect your vehicle, reduce costs, and support a green approach to washing. With our EQ100 water recycling systems, which deliver water volumes of up to 300 GPM, you get the same high-quality cleaning with a fraction of the water usage.
To reduce maintenance, our wash system automatically circulates and aerates the water and includes a self–cleaning stainless steel filter. Each unit comes pre-wired, pre-plumbed, and mounted on a skid for an easy installation.
Custom Engineered
InterClean’s friction brush wash systems are tailored to meet the specific needs of your fleet. When you partner with us to get the right system, we carefully assess the vehicle types you maintain, the level of dirt and debris to be removed, exposure to corrosives, local water restrictions, and your budget.
Our thorough evaluation of your requirements ensures you receive a wash system that maximizes cleaning efficiency while minimizing operational costs.
Partner With InterClean For Your Next Automatic Friction Wash System
Invest in a wash system that meets your needs while revolutionizing your vehicle wash process. Fill out the form and learn how InterClean can help make your vehicles shine like new.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike standard vehicle wash systems, which rely heavily on soap to remove dirt and debris, the XJ system uses advanced friction cleaning with brushes supported at the top and bottom. This design ensures even pressure for a gentle yet effective clean. While the system still includes a pre-soap step, the friction movement of the brushes, combined with the in-and-out motion of the brush arms, makes the XJ wash process more efficient, reducing detergent use and enhancing overall cleaning power.
Friction wash systems feature specially designed brushes that make direct contact with the vehicle surface, delivering powerful scrubbing action. This method removes stubborn dirt and grime, requiring less detergent than many touch-free systems.
Touchless systems rely on high-pressure water jets and specialized detergents to clean without physical contact. These wash systems are ideal for vehicles with irregular shapes, recessed panels, or delicate exterior components that are difficult to reach with brushes.
The right choice depends on your needs. InterClean offers friction wash equipment, touch-free wash systems, and hybrid solutions that combine touchless spray for hard-to-reach areas with friction car wash technology on the sides and other suitable surfaces.
If you’re wondering which wash system is right for your operations, we encourage you to contact us.
Chasing wrap and double-hung brushes are unique brush styles used in all XJ models for optimal performance.
Chasing wrap brushes “chase” the vehicle, wrapping around the back to clean the rear surfaces slowly and steadily. By following it for several feet, the brush contact time is increased from 1-2 seconds to 6-8 seconds without extending wash cycle times, enhancing cleaning effectiveness.
Double-hung brushes are secured at both the top and bottom, ensuring consistent pressure across the entire vehicle. This process provides a more thorough and even wash than traditional brushes, which are only secured at the top.
When optimizing your XJ system, you can choose between two types of brush materials. Plastic bristle brushes, the most common type, are designed to flare out and effectively clean every part of the vehicle. Alternatively, a foam brush is available, which is gentler on the vehicle’s exterior and is ideal for sensitive components, such as bike racks or advertisements/decals.