In the run up to Christmas, logistics fleet are under immense pressure to accommodate increased workloads and, very likely, poor driving conditions as winter weather kicks in. In these challenging circumstances high standards of vehicle maintenance are imperative to ensure road and driver safety, and to keep delivery schedules running to time.
Maintenance cleaning requirements will step up a gear in winter, as vehicles accumulate increased levels of grime in poor weather and unpleasant road conditions generating spray, grit and even slush. Cleaning processes, using the right products, need to be efficient for fast, effective results that will keep your fleet on the road and on top of the demanding seasonal schedule.
Automatic cleaning
Automatic cleaning using a gantry wash helps to reduce labour costs and saves time as the demands on washing quality and speed are high. The size and design of the vehicles not only requires special technology, but the washing chemicals must be exact to clean commercial vehicles cost-effectively. The technology should reliably and quickly remove typical dirt like tar spots, oils and mud stains along with seasonal deposits like road salt.
This is not straightforward, as modern trucks are covered by thin, water-based coatings, which must be carefully handled. Similary, the various materials from which the trucks are manufactured, ranging from aluminium, carbon fibre and steel through to rubber and various plastics, must all be cleaned reliably and gently. Modern gantry truck washes and high-pressure cleaner wash bays utilise a wide range of products to accommodate a spectrum of use from the manual or automatic prewash, to rim cleaning and the main wash, through to drying and preservation.
A high-pressure cleaner is essential when prewashing commercial vehicles. Before purchasing, it must be clarified whether a mobile or stationary cold or hot water machine is needed. Mobile machines are more cost-effective and the fact that they can be moved around means that they can be used for other cleaning tasks such as workshop cleaning. However, note that these require longer set-up times. The capacity for consumables such as fuel and cleaning agent is also restricted depending on the system.
One of the advantages offered by stationary high-pressure cleaners is that the water can be heated by the power supply, while cords and supply lines are kept tidy and the tanks for cleaning chemicals are larger, reducing the need to refill. Manufacturers should also offer numerous accessories such as wash brushes and long high-pressure lances for efficiency.
An alkali truck and tarpaulin cleaner prewash for brush and high-pressure vehicle wash systems helps to soften and remove stubborn dirt such as grease, rust, oil, tar and grey film. The dirt remover is either dispensed in the appropriate quantity using high-pressure cleaning machines or sprayed on thinly via the dosing system for the gantry wash. Thanks to the formulation developed for trucks and buses, despite its mild detergent content, this cleaner is both highly effective and gentle on the environment. If required, an alkali rim cleaner concentrate can be applied manually to the wheels. It is suitable for all coated alloy and steel rims (except for unpainted, special rims polished to a high gloss) and intensively yet carefully removes grit salt deposits, as well as road dust, tyre wear, burnt-on brake dust, and other dirt. Concrete floors and wheel arches are not damaged by the corrosion protection formula.
During the main wash, softened dirt is removed by three rotating brushes with the addition of water and a powerful shampoo or foam. Active ingredient combinations help the brushes to glide and protect the vehicle surface. This is followed by rinsing, whereby any remaining dirt and detergent residues are removed.
Waxing
An additional programme, such as waxing, can be particularly helpful to maintain the vehicle in the winter season, protecting from harmful environmental influences. It also prevents corrosion since it flows into crevices and cavities penetrated by water and forms a protective film when it dries. Dirt is less likely to stick to the paint, so the vehicle looks better for longer and is easier to clean.
Interior cleaning
Christmas loads can leave vehicle interiors unusually dirty, for example if transporting Christmas trees depositing soil and needles or decorations laden with glitter and fake snow!
A compact, battery-operated sweeper or vacuum sweeper is ideal for cleaning the floor area. Extremely versatile, the streamlined design and turning circle of under two metres, makes it easy to manoeuvre in the space and reduces the time required compared to a manual clean. Pressure washers will remove stubborn dirt effectively once swept.
Cleaning the cab
For driver comfort, seats can be professionally cleaned using spray extraction machines/cleaners, which can also target the removal of stains. The upholstery should first be thoroughly vacuumed before using the spray extraction machine; the nozzle sprays cleaning fluid (water and cleaning agent) under pressure onto the upholstery and removes it again in the same movement using the suction nozzle. This treatment loosens dirt while the suction removes the dirt particles and moisture. Cleaning should ideally be carried out in even, slightly overlapping strips. This process is then repeated with clean water to remove any cleaning agent residues and to reduce re-soiling. The hand nozzle must always be pushed fully onto the surface to maintain the vacuum and ensure proper cleaning.
Professional Window Vacs and cleaning agents are now available for the windows, which come in liquid form and turn to gel upon contact with the surface, so they don’t run into the ventilation system. For cabin surfaces, the cloth-folding method can be used with disinfection, to clean fittings, including the steering wheel and hand brake.