Car-N-Co reduces cleaning time by over 90%

Car-N-Co wanted a more efficient, simpler and safer way to clean customers’ rims as part of its refurbishment and repair services.

Safetykleen developed a tailored ultrasonic cleaning solution using a Sonickleen machine, helping Car-N-Co improve productivity, cleaning quality and operator safety.

• Reduced Cleaning time from 16 hours to 50 minutes
• Reduced VOC use

Challenge

Car-N-Co is a wheel refurbishment, cleaning and automotive repair centre for dealerships and used-vehicle businesses in the east of Paris. Its services include detailing, vehicle renovation and alloy-wheel repair, serving both everyday and high-end vehicles.

As part of the repair and refurbishment of aluminium rims, Car-N-Co needs to remove embedded brake dust before repainting. Previously, the process involved several stages:

• Step 1: Pressure-wash the parts outdoors.
• Step 2: Clean them manually using sponges and a solvent-based solution.
• Step 3: Sand the rims and complete the finish manually using water-based abrasive paper.
• Step 4: Refinish the rim after sanding.

The process was demanding because the structure of the rims includes grooves and bolt holes that are difficult to access during manual cleaning.

Cleaning 10 rims took a full day for two people, equating to up to 50 hours per month.

The outdoor cleaning stage was also physically demanding and could be carried out in poor weather. Brake-dust splashes contaminated the surrounding area, creating additional cleaning work.

The solvent-based rim-cleaning product was expensive and did not always deliver consistent results. It was based on diluted hydrofluoric acid, creating significant health, safety and environmental risks because of its toxic and corrosive properties.

Car-N-Co prioritises service quality and customer satisfaction. To reduce cleaning time while achieving safer and more consistent results, the company turned to Safetykleen.

The main benefit of Safetykleen’s Ultrasonic machine is the efficiency and time saving, which is unrivalled on the market.

Arnaud Bregeon, manager, Car-N-Co

The Safetykleen solution

Safetykleen designed a tailored ultrasonic cleaning solution using Sonickleen. The machine can be configured with different ultrasonic frequencies to meet a wide range of cleaning requirements. It uses an aqueous cleaning solution classified as non-hazardous and non-flammable and free from VOCs.

The cleaning cycle was reduced to five minutes per rim, significantly reducing the time required and allowing the team to focus on other tasks.

The automated solution also provides consistent cleaning results, including in difficult-to-reach areas, thanks to ultrasonic technology designed for complex component geometries.

Sonickleen automatically generates a wave that helps keep the bath surface clean while the basket recovers the cleaned parts.

The parts come our impeccably clean and arduous cleaning is completely elminated. The whole team is satisfied with this solution.

Arnaud Bregeon, manager, Car-N-Co

Results

Safetykleen’s turnkey service gives Car-N-Co a complete cleaning solution without the need to manage cleaning-fluid supply or waste administration and logistics. The solution has reduced the labour and chemical costs associated with the previous process.

Automation improves productivity

Installing an automatic ultrasonic machine has significantly reduced the time spent cleaning rims and allows the team to focus on other tasks while the cycle runs. For 10 rims, cleaning time has fallen from a full day for two people to 50 minutes, while removing much of the physical effort associated with manual cleaning.

Consistently clean results

The Safetykleen solution provides consistent cleaning results, using ultrasonic action to remove contamination from the corners and other difficult-to-reach areas of the rims without damaging the parts. This reduces the need for additional refinishing before painting.

A safer working environment

Compared with the previous solvent-based process, the ultrasonic cleaning solution reduces risks to employees and the environment. The cleaning products are non-flammable, VOC-free and free from CMR substances.

Compliance and peace of mind

Safetykleen replenishes cleaning fluid at agreed intervals, reducing the need for Car-N-Co to manage chemical storage. Waste is also collected and managed by Safetykleen, reducing the administrative, financial and logistical burden of compliance. Waste documentation is provided at service visits to support traceability in line with the Trackdéchets process.