Touchless Presoaks - Canadian Carwash Association

CCA Session - THE CHEMISTRY EXPLAINED
Day 2 – 11:30 am – 12:45 pm
The Chemistry Explained
Moderator:
Scott Murray, Ezee Clean Carwash and CCA President
Panelists:
Nathan Ewing, President, Transchem Inc.
Brad Baldwin, Distributor Sales Manager, ECOLAB
Paul Niccum, National Sales Manager, Turtle Wax Inc.
Rob Devlin, General Manager, Mondo Products Inc.
Nathan Ewing, President, Transchem Inc.
What are we trying to clean?
Factors of Cleaning
Categories
of soils:
Soils
• organic
• inorganic
Organic
soils:
• originate from a living or formally living source
such as vegetation, animal matter, fossil fuels
(carbon) and are best removed with an
alkaline or high pH product
Inorganic
soils:
• originate from a man made or synthetic, nonliving source (brake dust, mineral deposits,
road salt, clay and abraded concrete) and are
best removed by acidic products (followed by
an alkaline product in most cases)
Challenges in Western Canada
Inorganic

Clay deposits

Wash out/Rain out –
washes out ultra fine
colloidal (Forest fires
(brown haze); soot;
wind erosion)
particles

Acid rain – ultra small
particle size

Hard water spots
Organic

Bug guts – protein,
blood cells, enzymes, etc.
ie. Large molecule
carbon (residue) –
“glue”

Bird dirt (combination)

Tree sap/pollen
What we are trying to clean
ELEMENT
Carbon
Oxygen
Sodium
Magnesium
Aluminum
Silicon
Sulphur
Chloride
Potassium
Calcium
Titanium
Iron
Copper
ATOMIC
PERCENT
29.3
30.4
3.6
2.8
8.4
17.5
0.6
0.4
1.8
1.7
0.2
2.8
0.6
Composition of Acid Rain Film will vary depending on atmospheric
conditions and geographical location, vehicle surface and distance travelled
through rain.
The likely sources of some of these elements are as follows:
Aluminum, Iron, Calcium and Silicon: Soil erosion, rock dust, coal
combustion.
Carbon: Incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fuels.
Sodium Chloride: Marine aerosols, chloride from incineration of
organochlorine polymer wastes.
When this composite particle becomes part of rainout and lands on the car
surface, the soluble portion will spread over the surface. When dried, it will form a
large surface area between the insoluble portion of the composite particle and
the car surface. Upon drying, the dissolved salt will crystallize and form a strong
bond between the particle and surface area.
Clay
Clay exists in different forms,
shapes and charges
Very small and platelet-like
Very high surface area relative to its
mass
Flat sheet-like
Example clay composition:
KAl2(AlSi3)O10(OH)2
(Potassium, Aluminum, Silicon, etc.)
Dirt
Higher carbon content
Indicative of an organic
component to the soil
Deicers contain organic
inhibitors, (usually extracts from
pulp and paper or beet
processing) and these organic
inhibitors can make cleaning very
difficult as they adsorb very well
onto surfaces.
#8 <mm
Why Smaller Particles
Are Harder to Remove
Factors of Cleaning
Factors we
cannot control
Humidity
Outdoor
temperature
Soil
composition
There are many factors that
can’t be fully measured or
controlled.
When one factor is changed,
others are affected
When fine tuning, change one
factor at a time
to determine exactly what
effect the change has made.
Surface
composition
Factors we
can control
Water
quality
Time
Carwash
temperature
Action
Maximum cleaning requires
all factors working together
Chemistry
Speed
Factors of Cleaning
pH
Progressive scale
from 0 – 14
with 7 being neutral
Acids have
a pH
lower
than 7
Alkalines
have a pH
higher
than 7
Extremes
on either
end are
dangerous
Factors of Cleaning
Acid and Alkaline
Products
A low pH product is a
detergent that has any of
a variety of acidic
builders included in the
formula
Just as different
alkaline builders have
different strengths,
so do the various acids
Generally most acids are not
very good solo cleaners but
may improve cleaning
performance if applied prior
to an alkaline based product
For instance, Hydrofluoric
Acid will attack glass but
Phosphoric Acid will not, even
though the Phosphoric Acid
will cause a lower pH and has
greater reserve acidity.
Factors of Cleaning
Airborne
Pollen
Dirt
Dust
Bugs
Acid Rain
Tree Sap
Bird Droppings
Low Ph
High pH
Which pH factor
cleans best?
Road Soils
Engine Oil
Trans Fluid
Brake Fluid
Pwr Steering Fluid
Brake Dust
Salt
Calcium Chloride
Low pH
High pH
Thank you!
Brad Baldwin, Distributor Sales Manager
Zep Vehicle Care Inc
Car Wash Solutions
Five Factors of Cleaning
•
•
•
•
•
Time
Temperature
Mechanical Action
Chemical
Procedure (labor)
Surrounding all these factors: Water
Temperature
Mecanical
Action
Time
Chemistry
Procedure
Time
Efficiency
• How Dwell Time Effects Chemistry - Soaking
the dishes.
• Accomplished by double passes, speed
changes, and programmed dwell cycles.
Time
Temperature
• Three Variables
– Chemistry
– Vehicle
– Ambient
Effects of Temperature on Cleaning
• Hot water will increase
efficiency of soaps.
• Outside Temps. will
affect how soils deposit
and adhere to surface.
• Vehicle temps enhance
ambient effects.
Mechanical Action
• Water Pressure (psi) and Friction
– Effects on presoak application
– Effects on soil removal
Chemistry
• Different soils respond to different chemical
cleaning agents.
Oils and organic soils - Hi pH
 Clays and inorganic - Low pH


Majority of Cleaning accomplished with Hi pH

Concentration, not volume does the work.
Procedure
• Procedure is provided by labor
– Self Serve: Customer
– In Bay & Exterior Only Tunnel: n/a, cleaning is
dependent on the other 4 factors
– Full Service Tunnel: Prepping, towel drying,
windows, wheels.
Water Quality
 Varies by Source
 Factors most affecting a Clean Car are
Hardness and TDS
Water Hardness
• Effects of Hard Water on Soap
Ounces of
Soap
Destroyed (per
100 gallons of
hard water)
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2
4
6
8
10
15
20
25
Hardness of Water (grains per gallon)
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TDS - Total Dissolved Solids
Normal city water will usually be higher than 200
parts per million (PPM)
 Spotting will occur at concentrations higher than
30 to 40 PPM

Cleaning Challenges
•
•
•
•
Removal of Road Film
Variable Water Quality/Temperature
Cost Constraints
Customer/Operator Expectations
Product line offering
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Self serve presoaks
High pressure detergent, powder and liquid
Tire and Engine Cleaner
Foam Brush Soap and Triple Conditioner
Clear Coat Polish
Clear Coat Protectant
Foaming Clear Coat Protectant
Complete Surface Protectant
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Paul Niccum, National Sales Manager, Turtle Wax Inc.
Touchless
PreSoaks
Touchless Presoaks
Agenda
1. Touchless cleaning environment
•Soil and weather conditions
•Elements of touchless cleaning
2. Presoak Types
3. Presoaks’ Function
4. Maximize Performance
5. Safety
Touchless Presoaks
Touchless Cleaning Environment
Soil Types1. Organic
• Once living ie. Vegetation
• Grease and Petroleum Oils (Carbon)
Touchless Presoaks
Touchless Cleaning Environment
Soil Types2. Inorganic
• Synthetic/non-living
• Sand, Road Salt, Silt, Clay
Touchless Presoaks
Touchless Cleaning Environment
Soil Types3. Combination
• Organic and Inorganic
• Most common soil type we face
What is your
soil situation ?
Touchless Presoaks
Soil Sample Example- Combination of Organic/Inorganic
Aluminum/Magnesium/Silicone- Source: Abraded
cement
Iron- Source: Auto exhaust emissions
Zinc and Iron- Source: Muffler corrosion
Iron/ Chromium /Nickel/ Magnesium- Source: Rust
Zinc/ Chromium /Barium/Magnesium- Source: Brake
wear
Salt- Source: Road treatment
Pulverized rock, clay, natural soils
Fossil Fuels- Sources: Engine Oil/brake, hydrocarbons
Touchless Presoaks
Touchless Cleaning Environment
Rural vs. City Soils
• Asphalt vs. Gravel
• Oils vs. Bugs
• Roadway Treatments
•De-icer/Salt vs. Dust Suppression
Where does your customer drive?
How often do they wash?
Touchless Presoaks
Touchless Cleaning Environment
Vehicle Substrates
• Glass/Steel/Plastic
• Consideration of vehicle soil location
• Presoak specific products based on
substrate
Touchless Presoaks
Touchless Cleaning Environment
Weather Conditions
• Ambient and vehicle surface temps
• Humidity levels can impact soil
lifting
• Rain will bring oils to road surface
• Sun UV’s will help lock in soil loads
Weather
conditions impact
vehicle soil loads.
Touchless Presoaks
Elements of Touchless Cleaning
•Time- Presoak dwell time
•Temperature- Presoak temperature-nozzle
•Application- Full Presoak coverage vehicle
•Mechanical Action- Hi Pressure rinse &
distance
•Water Quality- Water Hardness, TDS & PH
Maximize these elements to improve cleaning
Touchless Presoaks
PreSoak Types
- Alkaline- Hi Ph (10-14)
- Acidic- Lo Ph- (0-4)
Multiple options for :
•Different soil components
•Water quality issues- eg. Hi TDS
•Water hardness- buffers needed
•Equipment variables- eg. Pressure
•Presoak formula boosters
•Show components- eg. Fragrance
Touchless Presoaks
General Presoaks Composition:
•Powder or liquid
•Blend of solvents, surfactants, and builders
What occurs:
A surfactant molecule attacks soil and
surrounds it, keeping it in suspension
until it can be rinsed off with HP
water.
Touchless Presoaks
Hi Pressure rinse is vital to soil removal!
• Nozzle spray pattern
• Distance to vehicle
• Appropriate PSI
Touchless Presoaks
What Presoak type do I use ?
Organic Soil- Use Alkaline Presoak
Inorganic Soil- Use Acidic Presoak
Combination Soil•Soil identification helps Presoak selection
•Utilization of a two step LO/HI Presoak works well
•Solvent additives in Alkaline Presoak is a good two- pass
option
Touchless Presoaks
How to maximize Presoak
Performance
1. Fully operational equipment
• Pressure, heated soft water, etc.
2. Know YOUR Soil situation
• Do a soil study
3. Use the right Presoak(s) for your soils
4. Adjust to weather conditions
• Product usage and strength (+/-)
Touchless Presoaks
Safety
Product Handling
•USE PPE- Gloves, Splash Eyewear, etc.
•Read and follow product M.S.D.S
handling guidelines
•Follow manufacturer recommended
usage
•Never mix products
Touchless Presoaks
Summary:
• Many factors are in play
• Weather conditions will change the game
• Understand your soil situation
• Be flexible to new technology and products
• Utilize your chemical provider for
recommendations
Rob Devlin, General Manager, Mondo Products
Carwacs Seminar
“The chemistry explained”
 Friction chemicals, Detergents, Trifoams and Waxes.
51
Cleaning Chemistry
 Cleaning chemistry focuses largely on defining the
electrical charges of the different types of dirt
 Cleaning agents are then created to take advantage of
the power of atoms to attract and repel other specific
ions(road films)
 The dissolving, emulsifying, wash and rinsing away of
soil are therefore the result of this eletro-magnetic
process
52
Friction Chemicals/Detergents
 These products are typically neutral in pH and produce a
large volume of foam.
 They are used in combination with the cleaning media,
(foam or brushes) to remove dirt.
 Because they work with the cleaning media they require
special ingredients which add slip or lubricity as one of
the ingredients in the detergent formula.
 Because of this it is very important not to try to wash
vehicles if you run out of detergent as this will assist in
preventing the cleaning media from doing damage to the
vehicle.
53
Friction chemicals/detergents
 Detergents; technically all cleaning agents(soaps) are
considered detergents
 However common usage has narrowed the term to
describe these cleaners consisting of man-made
chemical(synthetic) compounds…as opposed to “true
soaps” which are cleaners that have animal fats or
plant oils as essential ingredients.
54
Friction chemicals/detergents
 Modern synthetic detergents utilize chemicals
extracted mostly from petroleum as substitutes for the
fatty acids extracted from natural oils used in the
manufacturing of soap.
 Modern detergents can often contain complex mixtures
of chemical compounds. Technically however, it is the
surfactants that are primarily responsible for the
cleaning accomplished by the detergent action
(Detergency).
55
Friction chemicals/detergents
 Surfactant is the term used for the surface reactive agent and often
referred to as a “wetting agent”.
 Basically a surfactant detergent has three different functions:
1.
Decreasing the surface tension of water, enabling it to penetrate and
loosen dirt.
2.
3.
Assist in creating both high and low foaming agents
Provide protection to a vehicle surface in friction washing by
providing necessary lubricity to the foam medium that makes
physical contact with the vehicle
56
Cleaning Chemistry Explained
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Chemical action is the use of detergent and solvents to dissolve and
emulsify dirt. The detergent used in friction washing or the
surfactants are primarily responsible for the cleaning accomplished.
The water quality plays a large role in the effectiveness of the process.
Soft water with low TDS – total dissolved solids will assist in cleaning
and rinsing of the vehicle.
The more time that is spent in the cleaning process the greater the
results will be. Although it may be obvious, it is so important to
maintain as much time as possible. Most notably in the pre-soak
area.
All cleaning is enhanced and improved when the element of heat is
added in the cleaning process.
The use of mechanical action or the use of friction is the largest part
of every cleaning process even in friction-less/touchless washing
which has the physical force of fluids impacting the vehicle surface
at high pressure is a form of friction/mechanical action.
57
Cleaning Chemistry Explained
In friction washing the use of detergents are primarily of
a neutral pH producing a large volume of foam. They are
used in combination with the cleaning media
(foam/cloth) to remove the particles/oil and road film
from a vehicle surface.
58
Cleaning Chemistry Explained
Because the detergents work with the cleaning media
they require special ingredients which add lubricity in
the detergent formula.
59
Cleaning Chemistry Explained
pH Explained
The pH is a scale that goes from zero to 14 and measures how acidic or
how basic a solution is as determined by the strength of its IONS
electrical charge.
A “7” pH indicates a neutral condition –
neither acid nor base and no electrical
charge. The further below “7” the more
acidic and the greater the positive charge. Acids will carry the lowest pH
value, “0-1”.
The further you go above “7” the more
Basic and the greater the negative charge.
For example, alkaline chemistry eill carry the highest of pH values “13-14”.
60
Cleaning Chemistry Explained
pH Explained
O
ACID
Greater positive Charge
Inorganica
Cleaning
7
14
NEUTRAL
ALKALINE
Greater negative Charge
Organic
Cleaning
61
Cleaning Chemistry Explained
Temperature Explained

Car wash temperature has a major effect on the speed of the reaction
between the soap and the soil on a vehicle. It is one of the three T’s of
cleaning.

TEMPERATURE

TURBULENCE

TIME
Incoming city water temperature and the vehicle’s temperature surface
needs to be considered. The higher the temperature the more energy
there is in the detergent. In general for every 10 degrees Celsius the
reaction between soap and soil doubles. Heating water helps cleaning but
overheating can also harm the detergent and reduce the effectiveness.
62
Cleaning Chemistry Explained
Temperature Explained
The same is true in reverse when temperature is decreased. The
concentration of the detergent reaction is also reduced. In friction
washing the assistance of heated water is most effective in the pre-soak
and rinse zones of the wash.
The turbulence of the equipment will assist in the removal of soil and
road film from a vehicle’s surface.
63
Cleaning Chemistry Explained
Water Hardness Explained
Water hardness is a measurement of the total concentration of calcium
and magnesium in the city water coming into an industrial car wash.
Removing the water hardness in a car wash is important
because the hardness can tie up the detergent in the water. The detergent
is meant to attack soils instead it will attack the calcium and magnesium
in the water. The detergent effectiveness will also be reduced and
the foam height or “show” will dramatically
be reduced.
When water is soft or free of hardness it will
measure with a reading of zero.
64
Cleaning Chemistry Explained
Total Dissolved Solids Explained
Total dissolved solids in the water are of greatest concern in the pre-soak
and rinse zones of the wash. If the total solids are tested and produce a
reading of greater than 20 ppm (parts per million) the effectiveness of
pre-soak chemical will be reduced and spotting will be produced in the
rinse area of the wash.
To remove the total dissolved solids a reverse osmosis unit with filter can
be utilized.
65
Chemicals and Equipment
Go Hand in Hand
 Car washes are harsh environments and therefore require equipment
and chemical to be constantly monitored and serviced.
 In cloth washes the equipment is the number one element in cleaning a
car.
 By continuing to monitor your chemical, you can ensure your
equipment is functioning properly.
 If you are over or under consuming chemical, there may be an
equipment problem.
66
Trifoam
 Typically the Trifoams are refered to as this because they deliver foam
which is in three colours.
 This adds to the appeal and helps with the rinsing of the first step of
cleaning and rinsing.
 There may or may not be friction involved in this step.
 The foam is thick and rich and may stay on the vehicle until it is rinsed
off with high pressure.
67
Waxes
 These are typically water-based products that contain wax in the
solution.
 They provide a water repelling coating on a vehicle.
 They also aid in the removal of water by beading it off and allow the
blowers to move the water on the vehicle more easily.
 Waxes are not compatible with detergents and enhance shine but
do not perform any cleaning so it is very important to apply waxes
to a cleaned vehicle
68
Waxes
 These waxes are applied to a vehicle surface to protect the clear coat.
The Ultraviolet blocking agents of a vehicle clear coat finish are
concentrated in the top 0.5 mls
 Without the enhanced wax clear coat protection it will cause
premature failure of the clear coat and your gloss retention will be
lowered without regular cleaning.
 The enhanced clear coat protection will provide a protective barrier
that dirt and oils will attach to rather than the clear coat.
69
Finishing
•The length of the tunnel is critical to the amount of finishing
available.
•Typical tunnel lengths are 100-80-50-40 and 35 feet.
•The speed of the track can also be varied from 50 to over 100 cars
per hour.
•Generally as the speed of the conveyor is increased the chemistry of
the washing chemicals must also be adjusted.
70
Thank You for this opportunity to be here today and
explain the chemistry of car wash cleaning.
71