Are you a car wash owner who’s ready to level up your car wash game with a presoak solution? A good car wash presoak solution can go a long way in making sure your customers’ cars come out clean and shiny. But with so many options available, choosing one can be hard.
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There are key differences between high-pH alkaline presoaks and low-pH acidic presoaks, so it’s best to know which system will give your customers the best experience possible.
What Is an Alkaline Presoak During the Wash Process?
An alkaline presoak is a cleaning solution with a high pH level specifically formulated to break down organic soils and matter.
The alk presoak is applied to vehicles at the beginning of the automatic car wash process. It’s a vital component in the car wash presoak process and is commonly used in in-bay automatic and tunnel car washes.
An in-bay automatic structure typically consists of a single bay where washing equipment moves around a stationary vehicle. Once the vehicle is parked and positioned correctly inside the wash bay, nozzles mounted on a gantry or arch apply the presoak solution.
Many tunnel car washes include a presoak arch, which is usually an overhead structure shaped like a semicircle or a series of parallel bars. The car passes through the presoak arch as it moves along the conveyor or enters the wash bay. Nozzles on the presoak arch use high pressure to soap up the vehicle’s surface with the solution.
In both setups, the presoak works its magic by loosening and dissolving stubborn dirt, road film and grime. This makes it much easier to remove these contaminants during the subsequent washing stages.
Why Does pH Matter?
pH levels affect the performance of your car wash presoak. Just as there are high-pH alkaline presoaks, there are also low-pH acidic presoaks. Different soils and substances require different pH levels for effective removal.
High pH for Organic Soils and Matter
High-pH car wash presoaks are particularly effective against organic soils and matter, such as:
- Bird droppings
- Grease
- Oil
The active agents in high-pH presoaks break down the bonds in organic matter, making it much easier to remove them during the wash process. This leaves vehicles spotless and shiny, ready to impress even the most discerning car enthusiast.
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Alkaline presoaks offer several advantages, including their ability to eliminate tough organic soils. However, some high-pH presoaks can be too harsh for certain vehicle finishes and have a high environmental impact. They may also struggle with inorganic soils and mineral composites, which is where low-pH presoaks are a game changer.
Low pH for Inorganic Soils and Minerals
Low-pH presoaks, also known as acidic presoaks, are designed to tackle inorganic soils and minerals, which include:
- Road grime
- Hard water spots
- Mineral composites like calcium and magnesium
Acidic presoaks dissolve inorganic matter to make them easier to wash away and may contain ingredients like hydrofluoric acid.
Acidic presoaks can break down hard-to-remove inorganic debris and restore shine to dulled surfaces. However, acidic presoaks can be too harsh for some finishes and hazardous if not handled properly.
How They Work Together
You can use both high-pH and low-pH presoaks to provide a comprehensive cleaning solution. The effective surfactants of both presoaks can tackle organic and inorganic substances, and you’ll be able to offer your customers the best of both worlds and ensure a thorough cleaning.
How Do You Choose Which Is Best?
Offering presoaks can be a great way to boost your business. But how do you know which to choose? Here are five tips:
- Assess the most common contaminants encountered in your area and choose a presoak with the appropriate pH levels.
- Consider the dilution ratio — the ratio of presoak solution to water — and select a product that offers a balance between cost-effectiveness and performance.
- Look for premium liquid presoak solutions with a proven track record of success and positive customer feedback.
- Opt for presoak solutions that are eco-friendly and biodegradable, minimizing the impact on the environment.
- Reach out to industry professionals for their recommendations based on your specific needs and car wash setup.
Should You Always Offer a Presoak Option?
Presoaks help ensure a thorough cleaning, which translates to happier customers and a better reputation for your business. However, there may be situations where a presoak car wash is unnecessary. For example, do you deal with vehicles that are already relatively clean? Maybe you work with a clientele that primarily has vehicles with minimal contaminant exposure.
In such cases, offering a basic wash package without a presoak can help you cater to a wider range of customer preferences.
Find the Best Car Wash Equipment for Effective Cleaning
Understanding the difference between high-pH and low-pH presoak solutions is crucial for car wash owners who want to provide the best cleaning experience possible. You want to meet the needs of your specific customers and address the common contaminants in your area.
Once you know what type of presoak is best for your business, you’ll need high-quality chemistry solutions. Partnering with National Carwash Solutions will give you access to North America’s largest end-to-end provider of car wash chemicals, equipment, service, and support.
Are you interested in learning more about Custom Car Pre Wash Solution? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
So the purpose of a pre-wax cleaner is to prep the paint for a wax/sealant, right? Correct. What exactly does this prep do? If a vehicle is not in need of a full blown polishing, I'm assuming this pre-wax cleaner is used to strip all the wax/sealant off so you can start with a clean slate to apply your wax/sealant of choice? Correct, but you still need to choose the right one as "clean slate" could mean a number of things besides just removing the previous LSP.
IMO, a prewax cleanser (which means a Polish without abrasive) is a product to use if the old lsp needs removed but no polishing is required. I should add that I feel it far from guaranteed to strip an lsp unless you are applying with a da machine (or similar).
If we are talking about creamy, polish-like products, you should not use them to remove all polishing oils - they will typically have many of these oils present so leave them behind (at least for some time, until they can evaporate away). If you want to remove polishing oils, you should be using a panel wipe or ipa blend (IMO, you need a lubricant beyond the ipa/water). One should not expect this to strip an lsp unless the lsp is very badly degraded or pretty rubbish.
Unless my mind is off a bit today, I have a different point of view.
Some pre-wax cleaners use chemical and/or abrasives to clean, or very lightly polish; but nothing too tough that it corrects. Some also have fillers in them too. All pre-wax cleaners will lift embedded dirt from the pores of the paint surface, and all will remove polishing oils and/or a wax or sealant LSP assuming there are none in the pre-wax cleaning product to begin with.
Hello Mike Honcho,
Well im not gonna be 'schooling' anyone and would rather be schooled, but until that happens i'll go ahead and share what little ive gleaned from reading the literature available from most of the major manufacturers.
First id like to clarify i'll be using the term 'Cleanser' rather than 'Cleaner' when referring to these types of products as they In My Opinion fit within a different stage of the detailing process, as such; 'cleaners' would be relegated to the wash regime, such as includes Shampoos, Iron-X, Tar-X (and like), claying, and general decontamination finishing with a rinse thereby prepping the surface for the pending next step.
The next step would generally be the correction phase, that is, abrading or leveling the paint to remove imperfections or if so desired utilize glazes, fillers and such in an effort to produce a smooth and glossy finish acceptable enough to the operative to move to the next step.
The next step could be referred to as the (optional) 'Final Prep phase', that is, the surface has been thoroughly washed, decontaminated and polished to the point that is acceptable to the naked eye that an LSP seems all that is left to apply.
This is where conventionally a solution of IPA and water was frequently used to remove left over 'inconspicuous' contamination in the form of polishing oils/lubricants, as well as polishing dust residues which could interfere and inhibit the firm bonding of the LSP.
Seems paint 'cleansers' were developed to supplant 'IPA solution' in this regard as IPA and water exhibited weaknesses with consideration to the pristine condition of the paint surface as oft times it could produce marring or micro scratches. Paint cleansers promise more lubrication as well as more functionality in preserving and preparing the paint surface for the LSP.
That being said lets review what some of the Paint Cleansers supposedly actually accomplish :
CarpPro Eraser - Carpro is actually the most honest and straightforward with their description of Eraser in that it is directly compared to IPA Solutions, with the added benefit of lubrication, anti-static dust repellency, paint fillers as well as a pleasant smell.
Blackfire Coat Paint Prep - Blackfire states that Paint Prep has oil, filler, polish residue, finger print, grease, dust, waxes and smudge removal ability also comparing itself to IPA solution, with a pleasant smell and lubricity.
Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion - Is stated to remove waxes, grime and pollutants that washing cannot remove. It has fillers. Recommends to always follow with a wax.
GTechniq Panel Wipe - Literature states that Panel Wipe was specifically designed to remove oils and residues that could interfere with coating applications, as well as mentioning evaporation rate and lubricity.
Wolfgang Perfekt Finish Paint Prep - Wolfgang states that WGPFPP will remove polishing oils, fingerprints, fillers, silicone oils, as well as having lubricity and aroma benefits.
DP Coating Prep Polish - DP literature states that Prep Polish will remove unwanted contaminants that could prevent a coating from proper bonding. Also states ability to remove below-surface contaminants, water spots, road film and light surface staining.
Optimum Paint Prep - Optimum states that Paint Prep dissolves old wax, removes polishing as well as compounding oils.
Pinnacle Black Label Surface Cleansing Polish - Literature states that PBLSCP will remove embedded dirt and grime, heavy road film, light water spots, oxidation and light swirl marks as well as stains.
Paint Cleansers are 'NOT' polishes, that is to say, in this context they do not have the ability to physically abrade the paint surface to remove imperfections, they may evidently contain fillers which can conceal defects prior to LSP application however.
I realize this information is far from comprehensive but its the best I have done so far just to keep things organized for my own sake.
In fact, the best analogy I have come up with is Clearasil Acne Cream, its not used in the shower and its not used for applying makeup, but rather in between.
Steve
Unless my mind is off a bit today, I have a different point of view.
Some pre-wax cleaners use chemical and/or abrasives to clean, or very lightly polish; but nothing too tough that it corrects. Some also have fillers in them too. All pre-wax cleaners will lift embedded dirt from the pores of the paint surface, and all will remove polishing oils and/or a wax or sealant LSP assuming there are none in the pre-wax cleaning product to begin with.
This area is a bit of a mess of terminology. There is no strictly right answer.
Some pre-wax cleaners use chemical and/or abrasives to clean
I would say that all products of this class use chemical methods to clean. They will be oily emulsions. Once you add any abrasive, we would class it as being a polish, not a cleanser. Even if it only 'polishes' and does not 'correct', it is still mechanically abrading the surface and the term 'polishes' should be interpreted as it being a polish, not a cleanser.
Some also have fillers in them too
As above, once you add fillers, it isn't a cleanser any more. It now becomes a glaze (or an all in one, if you have abrasive present). If you think about it, it cannot be a cleanser because those fillers will leave something behind and thus the surface really can't be considered 'clean'.
All pre-wax cleaners will lift embedded dirt from the pores of the paint surface, and all will remove polishing oils and/or a wax or sealant LSP
Given that a prewax cleanser is basically a polish without abrasives, it will present the same issue of residual oils as the polish will. Unless the product is using highly volatile oil content (which would be a new one on me), the oils in the cleanser are going to be there, why are they going to magically disappear when the oils in a polish won't? In terms of stripping, if it is a cleanser, without abrasive, then you cannot guarantee that it will remove an LSP, especially if you are working by hand. Even some of our quick detailers can survive a cleanser when worked by hand. If it has abrasives, then the story changes but then it is not a cleanser, but a polish.
Again, this applies to the creamy type products, not to an IPA/panel wipe type product. I was going to spell out the hierarchy of this product type but I am going to keep it under my hat as it occurs that the confusion that many brands create might mean that they don't get it either (and I am not inclined to help!).