philharve
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2005
- Messages
- 1,773
- Reaction score
- 5
- Age
- 74
- Location
- Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom
- Website
- go.to
- Your Mercedes
- W202 C230K Auto 2000
Hi All
During one of my very first Motorshows, eons ago, I purchased a gadget/tool called a Washmatic/Washmatik cleaning system. I regarded it as a risky purchase because it looked as though it operated on a principle that appeared to defy the Laws of Physics. However, I was swayed into parting with my hard earned cash by the eloquent patter of the salesman who was demonstrating the gadget. I recall beads of sweat broking out on the salesman's forehead as he feverishly cleaned the Mini (usually) for the umpteenth time. When this energetic demonstration ended, most of the large crowd drawn by the display of magic, dissapated. However a handful of spectators, sufficiently intriged with what they had just witnessed, decided to investigate further and ultimately part with their money, myself included. I later realised that it wasn't a scam and I had in fact picked up a bit of a bargain and I would use this gadget time and time again, year after year. It was a faulty component that eventually stopped me using it.
The Washmatic cleaning system basically consists of a length of transparent hose with a special one-way, flap valve attached to one end and a shampoo-dispensing brush attached to the other. It is important for the hose to be transparent so you can see the direction of flow of water within it. The Washmatic is, in effect, a self-contained cleaning system that is not reliant upon a source of mains water being available. All you needed is a large bucket of warm water.
The Washmatic is primed by placing the flap valve end of the hose in the bucket of water and gently moving it vertically up and down repeatedly. This 'oscillating' action causes the flap valve to open and close in such a way that a column of water forms in the hose. The height of the column steadily rises above the level in the bucket, like a column of mercury rising from its reservoir in a thermometer. There comes a point when the column rises above the lip of the bucket and it is at this point you allow the brush-end of the hose to fall to the ground. The pressure difference between the ends of the hose cause the water in the bucket to flow out through the hose under syphonic action, in a similar manner to syphoning petrol from a fuel tank. When the water emerges from the brush-end of the hose, it is picked up and the operator starts cleaning whatever it is to be cleaned, in my case, my car.
The secret to its operation is the circular action of the hand holding the brush. Moving the brush creates minute changes in air pressure across the ends of the hose and it is these 'pressure pulses' that keep the water flowing 'up' through the pipe as if defying gravity. If the brush is held stationary the water stops flowing. As soon as the brush is moved, the flow recommences.
One large bucket of water is easily capable of shampooing the average family saloon. A second bucket can be used as a rinse. This demonstrates just how efficient it is in its use of water.
The Washmatic proved a godsend in the long, dry, hot summers when hosepipe bans were in force. You could clean your car and avoid a repremand if your cleaning gets reported to the police by a nosey neighbour.
I used the Washmatic regularly and I didn't give my car washing activity a second thought until one day a neighbour was passing by and she shouted out 'You're weird!' What's wrong with her, I thought? A little later I related this strange encounter to a friend and he said she probably thought you had links with the Occult because you seemed to have the power to make water flow upwards. That IS weird!
From that point on I became rather self-conscious whenever using the Washmatic in public. However, by this time the rubber flap valve was hardening and it started leaking: it couldn't maintain a column of water in the hose and it would leak back into the bucket. I could have ordered a replacement, they're dirt cheap, but it was my image that concerned me the most.
The Washmatic can still be purchased and I have just bought another on eBay. There's not much to go wrong and the main components have been improved and upgraded over the years. I recall the original hose would become stiff and inflexible in cold weather. The use of warm/hot water would keep it supple. I gather this problem has been resolved.
I am now actually quite looking forward to cleaning my Merc' with my new gadet/tool and I won't feel the slightest bit self-conscious. If I get any funny looks I'll just smile politely back with a look of smug satisfaction. At least I will know something they don't.
Has any other member got a favourite gadget/tool and, if so, what is it and what makes it a favourite?
Regards
Phil
During one of my very first Motorshows, eons ago, I purchased a gadget/tool called a Washmatic/Washmatik cleaning system. I regarded it as a risky purchase because it looked as though it operated on a principle that appeared to defy the Laws of Physics. However, I was swayed into parting with my hard earned cash by the eloquent patter of the salesman who was demonstrating the gadget. I recall beads of sweat broking out on the salesman's forehead as he feverishly cleaned the Mini (usually) for the umpteenth time. When this energetic demonstration ended, most of the large crowd drawn by the display of magic, dissapated. However a handful of spectators, sufficiently intriged with what they had just witnessed, decided to investigate further and ultimately part with their money, myself included. I later realised that it wasn't a scam and I had in fact picked up a bit of a bargain and I would use this gadget time and time again, year after year. It was a faulty component that eventually stopped me using it.
The Washmatic cleaning system basically consists of a length of transparent hose with a special one-way, flap valve attached to one end and a shampoo-dispensing brush attached to the other. It is important for the hose to be transparent so you can see the direction of flow of water within it. The Washmatic is, in effect, a self-contained cleaning system that is not reliant upon a source of mains water being available. All you needed is a large bucket of warm water.
The Washmatic is primed by placing the flap valve end of the hose in the bucket of water and gently moving it vertically up and down repeatedly. This 'oscillating' action causes the flap valve to open and close in such a way that a column of water forms in the hose. The height of the column steadily rises above the level in the bucket, like a column of mercury rising from its reservoir in a thermometer. There comes a point when the column rises above the lip of the bucket and it is at this point you allow the brush-end of the hose to fall to the ground. The pressure difference between the ends of the hose cause the water in the bucket to flow out through the hose under syphonic action, in a similar manner to syphoning petrol from a fuel tank. When the water emerges from the brush-end of the hose, it is picked up and the operator starts cleaning whatever it is to be cleaned, in my case, my car.
The secret to its operation is the circular action of the hand holding the brush. Moving the brush creates minute changes in air pressure across the ends of the hose and it is these 'pressure pulses' that keep the water flowing 'up' through the pipe as if defying gravity. If the brush is held stationary the water stops flowing. As soon as the brush is moved, the flow recommences.
One large bucket of water is easily capable of shampooing the average family saloon. A second bucket can be used as a rinse. This demonstrates just how efficient it is in its use of water.
The Washmatic proved a godsend in the long, dry, hot summers when hosepipe bans were in force. You could clean your car and avoid a repremand if your cleaning gets reported to the police by a nosey neighbour.
I used the Washmatic regularly and I didn't give my car washing activity a second thought until one day a neighbour was passing by and she shouted out 'You're weird!' What's wrong with her, I thought? A little later I related this strange encounter to a friend and he said she probably thought you had links with the Occult because you seemed to have the power to make water flow upwards. That IS weird!
From that point on I became rather self-conscious whenever using the Washmatic in public. However, by this time the rubber flap valve was hardening and it started leaking: it couldn't maintain a column of water in the hose and it would leak back into the bucket. I could have ordered a replacement, they're dirt cheap, but it was my image that concerned me the most.
The Washmatic can still be purchased and I have just bought another on eBay. There's not much to go wrong and the main components have been improved and upgraded over the years. I recall the original hose would become stiff and inflexible in cold weather. The use of warm/hot water would keep it supple. I gather this problem has been resolved.
I am now actually quite looking forward to cleaning my Merc' with my new gadet/tool and I won't feel the slightest bit self-conscious. If I get any funny looks I'll just smile politely back with a look of smug satisfaction. At least I will know something they don't.
Has any other member got a favourite gadget/tool and, if so, what is it and what makes it a favourite?
Regards
Phil
