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Learn the basic factors of cleaning cars with Simoniz chemicals, including the desired outcome of clean, dry, and shiny cars. Focus areas include glass, hood, tires, and wheels. Understand the variables in cleaning, such as type of dirt or soil, equipment used, and time of year. Discover the importance of pH, titration, water quality, dwell time, water temperature, water pressure, and cleaning chemicals.
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Basic Factors of Cleaning Cars • Desired outcome • Clean, Dry and Shiny cars • Areas of focus: • Glass • Hood • Tires and Wheels • What are the variables in cleaning • Type of Dirt or Soil on vehicle • Equipment we are using • Friction, Touchless, conveyor length, wash media, chemical applicators
Basic Factors of Cleaning Cars (con’t) • What are the variables in cleaning (continued) • Time of year • Temperature, road treatments, bugs, heat on wheels and painted surfaces • Condition and type of the vehicle • Well maintained v. oxidized and faded paint, “love marks”, convertible tops, • Sun visors or severely angled rear hatch on suv’s • W.A.T.C.H • Water Quality • Agitation or impingement • Time • Chemical Concentration • Heat
What is pH? • The pH or “The Power of Hydrogen” is a term used to describe the intensity or strength of acidic or alkaline solutions. • It is expressed on a numerical scale running from 0 to 14. • Seven is the neutral range. • All values above 7 are considered alkaline and values below 7 are considered acidic. • The intensity of acidic and alkaline solutions increase as you move away from 7, the neutral range. • pH is NOT an indication of the concentration of a solution. • Only Titration is a proper method to determine the solutions concentration.
What is Titration? • Titration is the process by which we determine the strength of a cleaning solution. The test will indicate the ratio of water to product in a mixed solution. • Titration is much more important in the touchless cleaning process, than in our friction tunnels, however this titration process may be used from time to time by your Simoniz service technician.
What are volumetrics? • Physically measuring the amount of product consumed through a washes application systems is commonly referred to as volumetric measurements. • Typically volumetric measurements are conducted with a graduated cylinder with indications on the cylinder as to product utilized in either ounces or milliliters 1 ounce = 29.57 mls 5 Gallons = 18,880 mls 30 Gallons = 113,280 mls
Dwell Time • The amount of time a presoak detergent or combination of detergents is allowed to soak on the vehicle surface without further interference. • Most presoaks will work best when allowed to dwell on the vehicle surface for a minimum of 15 seconds. • If possible it is recommended that presoaks be allowed to dwell for up to 30 seconds.
Water Temperature • A higher water temperature creates a more active cleaning solution and will help to break a road film especially those with an oil substrate. • With a friction tunnel this factor is often overlooked, but the principal is still critical to cleaning, • Cleaning factors that are dependent on temperature: • Soils and soil deposits are more soluable at elevated temperatures. • The surface active agents in detergents are more efficient. • Emulsification of dirt, oil and combinations of these types of soils are much faster at 100° F than at lower temperatures
Water Quality • Refers to the hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water being supplied to the wash cycle, most importantly the presoak cycles. • Water hardness reduces the ability of presoaks to perform their cleaning function. You must have softened water, 3 grains or below, in order to clean vehicles properly. This can normally be achieved with a water softener. • Total dissolved solids (TDS) may affect the rinsing of the vehicle by leaving spots. The TDS can normally be removed with a reverse osmosis or deionization process.
Water Quality (continued) • How does the “hard water” affect my chemical usage? • Using hard water that contains calcium and magnesium will affect detergents. These two minerals are relatively soluble and look for other minerals or ingredients to attach themselves to. • These “other” ingredients are commonly found in car washing detergents. When this reaction takes place, the active ingredients are neutralized.
Water Quality (continued) • The following table defines the degree of hardness:
Water Quality (continued) • Percentage chemical cost increase using hard water:
Water Pressure • Water Pressure is important in both the low and high-pressure applications of the wash process. • The “flow” pressure must be consistent in the low-pressure product application cycles to ensure the proper ratio of product to water. If enough of a pressure fluctuation occurs, it can alter the important ratio of product to water regardless of the proportioner being used. • In the high pressure cleaning applications, sufficient water pressure and volume (impingement) must be applied to the vehicle surface for proper cleaning to occur. • Pressure and volume must be sustainable with multiple cars in process. This is particularly important at high volume conveyor sites.
Cleaning Chemicals • These Presoaks and Detergents are the most important variable of these five factors of cleaning. The proper cleaning chemicals will loosen the soil on the vehicle’s surface so that it can more easily be cleaned off the vehicle surface. • Simoniz strongly recommends using a two-step detergent application in the cleaning process. First, an alkaline-based (high pH) cleaner or presoak should be applied. As the vehicle moves through the wash process, an acid based cleaning (low pH) should be applied to the surface. • The low pH product will assist in achieving our outcome of a dryer, shinier vehicle • Furthermore, certain road soils are solubilized by acids and others by alkali, so with two-step cleaning we are better able to attack a broader spectrum of road film. • In friction tunnels it is important that we maintain lubricity during the wash process. Specialized Detergents will be applied to keep lubricity at it’s peak.
Types of Soil • There are two categories of road soil, organic soils and inorganic soils. • Organic (stuff that used to be alive): Organic soils come from what is or were at one time a living source like vegetation. Alkaline products best remove organic soils. • These type soils include: grease, oil, bug stuff, acid rain, and abraded rubber and asphalt. • Inorganic (stuff that was never alive): Inorganic soils come from a synthetic non-living source. Acidic products best remove inorganic soils. • These types of soils include: Mineral deposits, brake dust, road salts, dirt, clays, and abraded concrete & asphalt.
How do protectants, sealants and drying agents work? • The process is very simple; it’s just the reverse of what a detergent does to water. The catatonic (positively charged) molecules in these products are attracted to the negatively charged vehicle surface leaving what we refer to as the “oil loving”. • These “oil loving” ends then attract the oil content in sealers, protectants and drying agents to effectively seal in the painted surface. • The layer of protectant created by these type products will repel water, helping to dry the vehicle and protect it from the elements for 7 to 10 days.
Dilution of Chemicals • The proper dilution of chemicals is critical to the safety of the staff and customer’s vehicles, as well as producing a quality vehicle at the end of the process. • Chemical Dilution systems come in many forms and styles: • Direct Feed Pumps • Using both electricity and water pressure • Hydrominders • Elaborant pressure regulating systems such as Hydroflex and DispenseIT
Typical Direct Feed Pump • Some chemical pumps directly feed chemical into a water line through a check valve. These pumps utilize a diaphragm to push the chemical through the valve.
Typical Hydrominder • Still other chemical proportioning devices manufactured by companies like Hydrominder or Dema, operate through what is called a Venturi to take a concentrated chemical and dilute it or pre-mix it with water.
Tip chart for Hydrominders • Typically ratios expressed in chemical reference material place the amount of water first and product second. For example, the ratio of 120/1 means 120 parts water and 1 part product. • In order to find the amount of water being used in an application, you must determine the total water flow through each nozzle and multiply it by the total number of nozzles.
Pressure Regulating Systems DispenseIT Hydraflex
Sample Tunnel Layout • Total Wheel - Alkaline • Foam Magic – Blueberry • Total Wheel – Alkaline • Pre Soak Plus – Alkaline • 3-50 C Lubricating Soap – Slightly acidic • Same • Steel Image Lo pH Triple Foam • Super Foam – • Hot Wax • Simoniz Shield – Lemon • Seal and Shine • Spot Free Rinse • Shine Time Tire Dressing
AUTOMATIC TUNNEL WASHING PRESOAKS AND CLOTH DETERGENTS If It’s a Water Reclaim Site PRESOAK 1 SIMONIZ RX1 Presoak and Prep – Mildly alkaline cationic surfactant base, this product works great on oily road film and is *designed specific for reclaim systems, *excellent sequestering of hard water, *the formulation of surfactants and builders keep the reclaim water consistent. Applied in the first presoak with “K-style” foam sticks or FJP style nozzles to create a soapy visual. CLOTH DETERGENT SIMONIZ RX3 Lubricating Soap – Low pH liquid detergent specifically designed for reclaim systems. All important matching blend of cationic surfactants with other chemistry. Applied to your top brush and wrap arounds for lubrication and cloth maintenance. *the low pH will help clean *aid in the surface prep for rinsing and drying, *will improve shine on vehicles. Applied through Foamer Head and “K-style” foam sticks to produce sudsy foam visual. RECLAIM SYSTEMS and CAR WASH CHEMICALS Important factors in maintaining your Reclaim System Using compatible Surfactants – “Synergy is key”. Using incompatible surfactants can create a reverse saponification or a build up of a tacky, mucky substance. Maintaining a pH level slightly below neutral – this will help to keep the water clear and odors down and improve rinsing and drying. Limit or eliminate the use of Butyl Solvents – Such solvents do not release the oils in the pit water and tend to keep road oils in solution.. SIMONIZ RX PRODUCTS are pH balanced, surfactant compatible, do not contain any source of sulfonic or sulfonate, are phosphate and solvent free.
Safety Data Sheets • GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of the classification and labelling of chemicals. The U.S. officially adopted the GHS on March 26, 2012. OSHA’s adoption is a revision of the Hazard Communication Standard to align with the GHS, which OSHA calls HazCom 2012. The key concept to keep in mind is that the GHS is a framework developed by the United Nations. • Employers must ensure that all SDS are readily available to their employees. Simoniz places product SDS on our website and they are also available through your sales representative or customer service.
The GHS version of the SDS consists of 16 sections: • Section 1, Identification Includes product identifier; manufacturer or distributor name, address, phone number; emergency phone number; recommended use; restrictions on use. • Section 2, Hazard(s) identification Includes all hazards regarding the chemical; required label elements. • Section 3, Composition/information on ingredients Includes information on chemical ingredients; trade secret claims. • Section 4, First-aid measures Includes important symptoms/effects, acute, delayed; required treatment. • Section 5, Fire-fighting measures Lists suitable extinguishing techniques, equipment; chemical hazards from fire. • Section 6, Accidental release measures Lists emergency procedures; protective equipment; proper methods of containment and cleanup. • Section 7, Handling and storage Lists precautions for safe handling and storage, including incompatibilities. • Section 8, Exposure controls/personal protection Lists OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs); ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs); and any other exposure limit used or recommended by the chemical manufacturer, importer, or employer preparing the SDS where available as well as appropriate engineering controls; personal protective equipment (PPE).
The GHS version of the SDS consists of 16 sections: • Section 9, Physical and chemical properties Lists the chemical’s characteristics. • Section 10, Stability and reactivity Lists chemical stability and possibility of hazardous reactions. • Section 11, Toxicological information Includes routes of exposure; related symptoms, acute and chronic effects; numerical measures of toxicity. • Section 12, Ecological information* • Section 13, Disposal considerations* • Section 14, Transport information* • Section 15, Regulatory information* • Section 16, Other information Includes the date of preparation or last revision.
Pictograms • Pictograms are required on labels and SDS to give the trained user a quick reference to the hazards of the product in use. • For the label, pictograms must have a red border on a white background with a black picture. • The chart to the left displays the 9 OSHA pictograms and what types of hazards they represent.
Product Labels • Below is an example of a Simoniz label that represents how the pictograms and other GHS label information will be incorporated into our product line
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE • Follow these guidelines when maintaining or repairing machinery and electrical equipment: • Make sure power is shut off to the equipment you are working on and any other equipment in your work area. There should be no possibility of equipment starting up while you are working on it. It may be necessary to lock out the main switch, disconnect the wiring, or posting someone at the main switch to make sure you are safe. Special attention should be paid when you are working out of sight of the power source. • Ventilate enclosed areas. Do not enter any pit, tank, or other enclosed or below grade area unless you know that it is adequately ventilated. These areas may contain hazardous gases or vapors that are not readily detectable. When working in an enclosed area, make sure you have a constant supply of fresh air. Do not enter enclosed areas while working alone.
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE (continued) • Follow these guidelines when maintaining or repairing machinery and electrical equipment: • Check the area for physical and chemical hazards. Make sure there is no equipment that may fall and cause injuries. Any chemical containers in the area should be checked. Special attention should be paid to any container marked “Flammable”, “Combustible”, or “Corrosive”. Do not work near containers if their contents are unknown. All hazardous materials should be moved to a safe place before work begins. • Wear safety equipment. Most accidents and injuries are preventable if the proper safety equipment is worn. The short time it takes to put on your gloves and goggles is worth it when you consider the time you could lose due to injury. Make sure your equipment is in good condition and repair or replace it as necessary. • Avoid working alone. It is often tempting to maintain your equipment late at night or on rainy days to avoid any customer inconvenience or lost business. When you do so, make sure you have someone there with you in case you are injured or incapacitated. A small injury can become a large one if you are unable to get help, especially with the hazards found at the average car wash. Imagine being caught in a conveyor or having something splash in your eye and being unable to see.
What to look for ? The figure below shows the three vehicle areas customers focus on after the wash. Observe these areas when watching customers exit the wash. Clean, Dry and Shiny!
Terms to make you sound like an expert • Break • The dispersion of water after the drying agent and sealer application. The surface tension of the water is broken by the cationic product introduced in these applications. • Sling • The residue left on the painted surfaces from tire shine applications after the car has driven a short distance. • Masking • The area around the edge of the glass that is difficult to get with automated equipment. Typically where the glass meets the molding. • Love marks or Beauty marks • The abrasions to the clear coat caused by repeated washings without routine exterior detail services such as polish and waxing.