Removing dirt and road film from a motor vehicle is not as easy as it would seem. Whether you are washing a customer’s car to detail it, or just keeping it clean between details, there are several issues you should consider. For example, dirt and road film, if left on a vehicle’s surface, will deteriorate the paint finish because dirt particles can become embedded in the surface. If left for long periods, it can permanently scar the finish if someone brushes up against the vehicle. Road film is considered to be any grease, grime or dirt. There are numerous kinds of silica-containing material, such as ordinary dirt, fuel exhaust, grease, insect residue, salt and ice-melting liquid sprays, slough from tires, and oil drippings. Suffice to say there is a lot of bad “stuff” on the roads. Challenges Chemical companies face a big challenge in developing cleaning products that will effectively remove road film without harming a car’s finish. They must walk a tightrope between products strong enough to remove road film yet safe enough to use without compromising the integrity of vehicle surfaces. There are a number of variables to consider. In case you have never thought about it, all of the following come into play when considering the washing of a vehicle: water pressure, water temperature, water hardness or softness, the angle of the water nozzle, and the type of chemical cleaner. The Process There seems to be as many ways to wash a car as there are detailers doing the work, but the one undisputed fact is that you have to use a good cleaning solution. Two-step cleaning. While few detailers use the method of applying an acid and then an alkaline cleaner, many experts agree that this cleaning method is one of the most effective in removing road film. Here’s how it works: The acid chemical sets up a static charge on the vehicle. Then, the alkaline chemical is attracted to the acid solution, and the mix evens itself out over the vehicle. The soap portion of the alkaline chemical finds its way into the grease or minerals on the vehicle’s surface, suspending the road film, which is removed when rinsing. Keep in mind that this is only for the grease portion of the road film. There are other materials in the chemical mix that take care of the minerals that are part of road film. Things like calcium, magnesium and limestone are found in the composition of roads, and these elements are difficult to remove. The chemical mix helps dissolve or make those minerals water soluble so they can be easily removed with a pressure washer and/or scrubbing. When performing a two-step cleaning process, you first apply a diluted acid chemical and then follow it with an alkaline chemical. The acid chemical is on only for a very short period before the alkaline chemical is applied. The acid chemical also provides a better distribution of the soap and water solution on the vehicle, which means you can use less soap. Alkaline cleaning. A more common method used by detailers is using alkaline chemicals without the acid. Some detailers have great success with this method. It works the same way as the alkaline portion of the two-step system. Soap takes care of the grease, and other detergents take care of the hard-to-remove minerals. Considerations You can use the best chemical on the market, but if you do not apply it correctly, you will not get the results you want. An important consideration is water temperature because the warmer the water, the faster the chemical will react. If you use a hot-water pressure wash, you can clean faster and/or use less soap to get the job done. However, if you use hot water on a cold vehicle, the end result is washing with cold water. Always use warm water and soap to ensure the vehicle’s surface is warm for the most effective job. In addition, it is important to know whether the water you are using is hard or soft. This will have a tremendous effect on the outcome of the wash. Be sure to test your water because there is no chemical that works well in hard water. If the water is hard, the first thing you will need to do is find a soft-water source. Washing Techniques Proper washing technique can mean the difference between a nice, even, squeaky-clean finish and a streaky clean finish. Apply chemicals from the bottom up. This way the surface remains wet. If chemicals are allowed to run down onto a dry surface, the alkalinity of the chemical will clean very well in those areas and streaks will show. Cleaning from the bottom up assures that everything beneath is cleaned evenly. Rinsing from the top downward keeps the surface free from any residual soap or dirt. Some chemical companies do not recommend pre-rinsing, since this creates a barrier between the dirt and the chemicals when applied. If using a heated pressure washer with chemical, let the pressure and heat build up in the washer, then point the wand toward the ground until the soap-and-water solution reaches the end of the wand. Mist the car holding the nozzle about two or three feet away. Work quickly so the starting point is reached within 30 seconds after beginning. By this time, the dirt will be moving. Flat surfaces should not be sprayed head-on, since this will cause the dirt to burrow into any softened wax on the finish. Friction Washing Road film is a challenge to remove, and some systems and applications work better than others. Using a wash mitt with a good cleaning chemical works every time, but be careful because dirt particles can become trapped between the mitt or sponge, causing the surface of the vehicle to get scratched. There are pluses and minuses to any chosen cleaning system, so always consider the paint and vehicle surface when choosing a chemical and method of cleaning. Finish Line How can detailers feel comfortable that they have chosen the right combination of chemicals and methods? Do your homework. Part of your responsibility as a professional detailer is to become knowledgeable about the products and methods available. Find suppliers who are honest, conscientious, knowledgeable and reasonably priced. Consult with a knowledgeable and trusted distributor of chemicals and equipment. If they are an effective supplier, they can evaluate each detailing task and recommend the right combination of solutions. They should integrate a pressure washer, a cleaning formulation, and a method of performing the task so that you will have the most efficient system for cleaning your customers’ vehicles. Keith Duplessie is technical services manager for Portland, Ore.-based Detail Plus Car Appearance Systems, in charge of all installations, training and technical services. He can be reached at keith@detailplus.com. Related Articles:
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