CAR WASH CHEMISTRY

By Rick Martens, Chemist for CSI Car wash chemistry can be confusing, complicated (often unnecessarily), and frustrating for operators. Hopefully this article will help clear things up a bit and make dealing with chemical issues easier. What operators really need to know boils down to a few basic questions: What types of chemicals are best suited for each application in my wash? What are the safety implications of the chemicals that I use? How does the quality of my water effect my chemicals and their usage?

In the following paragraphs I will provide some simple answers to these questions. 1. What types of chemicals are best suited for each application in my wash? The easiest and probably best answer to this question is to work with an experienced and knowledgeable distributor. They can assess your situation and make product and use recommendations that are geared to your wash. However, some preliminary knowledge and/or considerations will help you choose products that provide what you want from the chemicals you use. Cleaners: Cleaning is the act of removing a soil from a surface. In our industry this involves a combination of actions including physical and chemical. The chemical action comes from a combination of the ingredients in the product formulation, the quality and temperature of the water it is mixed with, and method of application. Cleaning detergents are formulated to perform specific functions and attack certain types of soils on the target surfaces. For example, products formulated as general body soaps for friction washes will perform quite well to help loosen and suspend soil when assisted by the action of cloth or brushes, but will be unsuitable for most other cleaning applications. Using a product in applications for which they are not designed will usually provide some functionality but lower performance and even risk the possibility of damage. Products are also formulated to provide a balance between the various ingredients. If you upset the balance by adding more of this or less of that, performance suffers. Some suppliers are making products that come in two separate very concentrated fractions. This strategy may save the operator money on shipping, but it also has the potential to cost a lot by over using or misusing some very strong and costly chemicals. If you are using this type of system, be very diligent to manage the products for the best effect and economy. The two part ultra products will be more work than purchasing a complete formulation. Foaming and Cleaning: Foam production by a detergent is NOT an indication of its cleaning ability. Foam is however a signal to customers that detergent is being applied to the vehicle. We are unlikely to change this perception among the general public, so we need to keep this in mind when selecting products and methods of application. It is usually best to find a product that does the job well, then figure out how to give enough show to please the cus-

tomers. Sealants & Drying Agents: All sealants and drying agents are based on the same chemical principal. Ingredients are formulated that will adhere to the vehicle, and make it repel water. The actual ingredients may vary from product to product, but the principal is the same. The purpose of a drying agent is to quickly make the surface of the vehicle repel water so it will run off the surface, leaving the car dry. There are many variables that effect how well this process works. The physical shape of the surface as well as the material that it is made of and the condition of the finish all effect how easy it is for the water to move off of the surface. How well the detergents are rinsed off of the car will also make a difference, as well as the temperatures of the surface and delivery water. Drip space length/time, wind or blower action and the cleanliness of the surface also have an effect. The drying agent used will also make a difference as some are formulated to work with higher volumes of water, and some work best when applied with low volumes and pressures. You really have to try a product and work with it for a while to determine if it is a good fit for your application. Working with a distributor who is familiar with his products can help you keep such trial times to a minimum. Sealant products are similar to drying agents in that they too should make water run off of the surface, but they should also do more. Generally, you charge extra for the application of a sealant, and you should provide a product that has added value for the customer. Sealants can contain ultra violet light protection and special brighteners and provide extra protection for the surface. Sealants should also be formulated to adhere well to the surface even when applied under high pressures and volumes, which is commonly the case. 2. What are the safety implications of the chemicals that I use? All chemical products used in car washes should be handled carefully and treated with respect. However, there are two clues as to when a product is more hazardous than normal. The first is the presence of a D.O.T. label on the product container. The second is the precautionary statement listed on the product label. The D.O.T. requires warning labels and marking on all Corrosives, Flammables, and Poisons, which would be the most common hazards associated with car wash products. They also require warning labels on radioactive substances, explosives, and other such hazardous materials that hopefully would never apply to a car wash chemical. Be familiar with the various D.O.T. labels and the Markings (or explanation words) that accompany the label. Look for the "Packaging Group" given on the shipping papers. A product designated "PG I" or "Packaging Group I", on the shipping papers indicates that it is in the most serious category for that type of hazard. "PG II" indicates that it is a mid-range hazard, and "PG III" indicates that it tests as being in the lower range of hazard for that class. The product label should include precautionary statements indicating the type of hazard and the chemical causing the hazard. These statements are usually preceded by a signal word like "CAUTION" or "WARNING" or if the product is very hazardous "DANGER". Use these clues as signals that certain products are some of the more hazardous materials in your wash. Then read the full label and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) to learn the best handling procedures and precautions for handling the material. Make sure your employees are well trained on handling hazardous materials before they are instructed to do so. There has been a lot of attention given to products containing Hydrofluoric Acid and/or Ammonium Bifluoride lately. These are very hazardous materials and I do not recommend them for car wash use. In concentrated form, they are

Corrosive and Poisonous. In dilute form they can cause long-term problems that you as an employer don't want to deal with. They can be effective, but the concentrations necessary to be effective are the same levels that can cause damage to the surface of glass, trim, etc. 3. How does the quality of my water effect my chemicals and their usage? Water quality can effect the ingredients used in cleaning products, so it is always best to mix them with soft water. If you apply your cleaners with hard water, it has the same effect as putting a small hole in the bottom of the drum and letting some of it run down the sewer. A general rule of thumb is that if your water hardness is 3 grains/gallon or greater, a water softener will pay for itself. If you are trying to wash frictionless, shoot for 0 hardness. Water hardness does not effect the ingredients in polishes, sealants, and drying agents. And softening the water that your are applying at that end of the wash process will not reduce spotting. However, the spots left on the car from soft water will not be as difficult to remove as spots from hard water. Finally a "spot free rinse" is always a good idea, unless your source water is of exceptional quality. In conclusion, you don't need a lot of information about the actual chemistry of the products. Just choose products made for the intended job, learn to handle them safely, and apply them as directed with the best quality water that you can provide.