Friction Vehicle Wash Systems
Maintain the appearance of your transit vehicles with InterClean’s line of automatic Friction Vehicle Wash Systems.
About Our
Automatic Brush
Wash Systems
The InterClean XJ Series is a line of effective drive–through automatic friction vehicle wash systems specially made for heavy–duty transit vehicles. These friction wash systems are the ideal cleaning solution for public transit and school transit vehicles, combining high-pressure water with advanced friction cleaning technologies.
As a highly customizable heavy-duty transit vehicle and truck wash system, InterClean’s XJ Friction Vehicle Wash System cleans a variety of vehicle types, including:
- Transit buses
- School Buses
- Paratransit Vehicles
- Motor Coaches
- Passenger Trains
- Light Rail Systems
- Subways
- People Movers
This heavy-duty transit vehicle and truck wash system is highly customizable to effectively clean many different vehicle types.
INTERCLEAN’S MODERN BRUSH DESIGN
All InterClean XJ automatic friction wash systems feature a modern brush design. This design offers the flexibility of either brush or touchless washing of the front surfaces, then wraps the brushes around the back of the vehicle for rear surface cleaning.
Chasing Wrap Brushes
The rear brushes are designed to follow or “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 amount of time the rear brushes are in contact with the vehicle's surface without increasing the overall wash time.
- Soft yet durable brushes, constructed of either 1mm thick strands of polyethylene thread or a non-water absorbing, ultra soft foam, clean the vehicle without damaging any surfaces or finishes, even after an extended number of uses.
Brush Structure
The XJ friction vehicle wash system features even pressure from brushes supported at both the top and bottom, along with the quick friction movement of the chasing wrap brushes, which are key design elements that ensure effective cleaning. This combination delivers enhanced washing power while reducing the amount of detergent required per wash, compared to traditional friction brush wash systems.
- 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 many years of continuous operation.
- Brush pressure or "crush” is adjustable and controlled by air over oil cylinders, providing smooth fluid movements.
InterClean XJ Brush Modules
(standard applications)
BENEFITS OF FRICTION VEHICLE WASH SYSTEMS
Friction vehicle wash systems offer numerous advantages that make them a superior choice for effective vehicle cleaning.
Superior Cleaning Performance
Friction vehicle wash systems deliver exceptional cleaning results through direct contact with the vehicle surface. 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 advanced materials that minimize the risk of scratches or damage. This friction wash equipment provides a safe and consistent clean.
Enhanced Speed and Efficiency
Compared to touchless systems, friction vehicle wash systems deliver faster cleaning cycles without compromising quality. This increased throughput allows a higher volume of vehicles to be cleaned, boosting productivity and profitability.
Wash Applications
The XJ Series of Automatic Friction Vehicle Wash Systems can be configured with either 2 or 4 brushes, with optional single brush add-ons available.
Drive Through, Two Brush Wash
- Independently controlled brush modules on each side are powered by proximity sensors and air-over-oil cylinders, ensuring precise movement and consistent pressure along the vehicle’s sides.
- Brushes wraparound to thoroughly clean the rear surfaces.
- Front surface cleaningcan be achieved using V-Spray or Centri® Spinner spray arches.
Drive Through, Four Brush Wash
- Front brushes are fixed in position to clean the sides of a vehicle or train as it moves through the wash.
- Back brush modules wrap around both sides of the vehicle to clean the rear surfaces as it passes by.
- Touchless high-pressure front spray cleans the windshield and front surfaces.
Drive Through, Four Brush Wash
- Front brushes position themselves in front of the approaching vehicle, scrub the windshield, then clean the other forward-facing front surfaces with gentle yet effective friction action.
- Front and rear brush modules work together to clean the vehicle's sides as it proceeds through the wash.
- Rear brush modules wrap around the back corners to thoroughly clean the rear surfaces as it moves forward.
These brush modules are often added to Rail and Light Train Wash systems.
Why Use InterClean’s Brush Wash System
InterClean’s drive-through automatic friction vehicle wash systems offer a wide range of benefits.
Innovative Brush Design
Double–hung, chasing wrap brushes are an essential component of InterClean’s heavy-duty XJ friction vehicle wash systems. This innovative brush design ensures that there is even pressure applied from the top to the bottom of any vehicle.
The wrap–around action of the brushes also reduces the washing time by “chasing” the vehicle to clean its rear surfaces as it travels through the wash. No stopping is required.
Highly Customizable
Wash options in the XJ friction wash series are effective as a standalone transit wash or train wash solution, or they can be customized as a hybrid system, combining the cleaning power of the brushes and intensity of our touchless wash applications. These modules can be enhanced with various add-on options, including blowers, chassis washes, water recycling systems, and more.
Sustainability
Each of our XJ brush wash systems can be customized to use recycled water, operating with the ideal amount of water and detergent to protect you, your vehicle, and the environment. We use our EQ100 water recycling systems to deliver water volumes of up to 300 GPM, ensuring the same high-quality clean with a fraction of the water usage.
To reduce maintenance, the system automatically circulates and aerates the water and includes a self–cleaning stainless steel filter. This system is pre-wired and pre-plumbed and mounted on a skid.
Custom Engineered
InterClean’s friction brush wash vehicle systems are tailored to your specific needs. When partnering with us to select the ideal wash system for your vehicles, we take the time to assess the types of vehicles you maintain, the amount and type of dirt or debris to be removed, the corrosives your vehicles are exposed to, any water restrictions, and, of course, your budget.
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 wash systems that rely heavily on soap to remove dirt and debris, the XJ system uses friction cleaning of brushes supported at both the top and bottom, providing even pressure for a gentle yet effective wash. While it still uses a pre-soap system, the friction movement of the brushes combined with the in-and-out movement of the brush arms makes the cleaning process more effective, reducing the amount of detergent needed and enhancing overall cleaning power.
Friction and touchless wash systems each offer distinct advantages for vehicle cleaning. Friction wash systems use specially designed brushes that make physical contact with the vehicle surface, providing enhanced cleaning power through scrubbing action. This method is particularly effective at removing stubborn dirt and grime while using less detergent than touchless systems.
Touchless systems rely on a combination of high-pressure water jets and specialized detergents to clean vehicles without physical contact. These systems are ideal for vehicles with irregular shapes, recessed panels, or delicate exterior components that might be difficult to reach with brushes.
The choice between friction and touchless depends on your specific needs. InterClean offers both options, as well as hybrid systems that combine touchless spray for hard-to-reach areas with friction brushes for enhanced cleaning power 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 brushes 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 at a slow and steady pace. 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. This enhances cleaning effectiveness.
Double-hung brushes are secured at both the top and bottom, ensuring consistent pressure across the entire vehicle, providing a more thorough and even wash compared to traditional brushes that are only secured at the top.
When optimizing your XJ system, you can choose between two types of brush materials. The most common is a plastic bristle brush, which flares out to clean all necessary spots on the vehicle effectively. Alternatively, a foam brush is available, which is gentler on the vehicle’s exterior and is ideal for vehicles with sensitive components, such as bike racks or advertisements/decals.