Media element for a vehicle wash component

1. A method of forming a vehicle wash component, comprising:

providing a mold for forming a one-piece media element of the vehicle wash component, wherein the mold includes a cavity corresponding to the media element having an attachment segment to facilitate attachment to a vehicle wash component, a contact segment disposed opposite the attachment segment for contacting a vehicle to provide a cleaning function, the contact segment having a height and width and including a plurality of individually moveable contact element, and a spring portion disposed adjacent the attachment segment to impart rigidity to the media element, the spring portion having a height and width and whereby the width of the spring portion is larger than the width of the contact segment;

injecting a polymer compound into the mold to form the one-piece media element including the attachment segment, the contact segment with individually moveable contact elements, and spring portion, whereby the at least one media element is substantially self-supporting along its length;

removing the media element from the mold; and

attaching the media element to a hub portion of the vehicle wash component.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer is an EVA compound.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

forming a plurality of media elements for individual attachment to the hub portion.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the attachment segment consists of a protuberance for mating with a slot formed on the hub portion.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the attachment segment consists of a loop for receiving a bead therethrough for securing the media element in a media securement mechanism formed on the hub portion.

6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising a support segment to impart a self-erecting characteristic to the media element.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the support segment comprises a thick block portion.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the support segment further comprises:

a plurality of support structures formed in at least one side of the media element, wherein the support structures are raised with respect to a first side of the media element.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of elongated raised support structures consist of semi-circles.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of elongated raised support structures taper in width in a direction from the attachment segment to the contact segment.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of raised support structures are formed in both sides of the media elements.

12. The method of claim 2 , wherein the contact segment includes a plurality of finger portions that are moveable with respect to one another.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein individual finger portions are included in both height wise and width wise directions.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of finger portions have different dimensions.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the contact segment further includes:

a plurality of slotted openings formed in at least one side face of the media element;

wherein the plurality of slotted openings are formed on the plurality of finger portions.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the contact segment further includes:

a plurality of shingled portions;

wherein the plurality of finger portions are formed on the plurality of shingled portions.

17. A method of forming a media element for attachment to a vehicle wash component, comprising:

providing a mold for forming the media element of the vehicle wash component, wherein the mold includes a cavity configured to form a unitary one-piece media element having a first surface and a second surface, an attachment portion at a first end of the media element, a plurality of treatment elements adjacent a second end and a plurality of integrally formed contact elements projecting outward from a middle section of the first surface and the second surface which also provide rigidity to the media element;

injecting a polymer compound into the mold to form the media element;

removing the media element from the mold.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the polymer is an EVA compound.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the attachment portion consists of a protuberance for mating with a corresponding slot formed in the hub portion.

20. The method of claim 17 ,

wherein the plurality of contact elements have a different configuration than the plurality of treatment elements.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the plurality of treatment elements consist of finger portions.