The science of car detailing includes a thorough understanding of
the chemicals used to clean cars. A professional at my local auto
detail shop has a degree in chemistry, and explained some pretty
interesting facts to me. To start with, when dealing with cars, there
are three classes of dirt:
1. Organic soil - contains carbon compound other than petroleum. Included in this category are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, body oil, yeast, mold, bacteria, insects and excrement. Typical organic soil stains include ketchup from your French fries on the back seat and that squashed bug implanted in the dashboard.
2. Non-organic soil - no carbon present. Think of water spots, scale, lime deposits and nuclear fallout.
3. Petroleum soil - contains some kind of petroleum product and will not mix with water. We're talking motor oil, road tar and grease.
There is no rule that says a particular stain can't be a combination of soil types. Think of an insect that briefly landed on an oil slick and is now embedded in your carpet. Obviously, you have to use the right cleaning agent for each type of soil if you want proper results. When combination stains occur, it takes all the wisdom and knowledge of a trained expert to know precisely which chemicals to use.
You must also take into account the surfaces you are cleaning. For instance, if you purchased aftermarket DRL projector headlights and custom LED taillights, you will want to make sure your cleaner does not create tiny scratches that can cloud the lenses.
Since no one cleaner does it all, auto detailing shops must maintain a full inventory of various chemicals. A particular cleaner may be composed of one or several different chemicals that work on a particular type of dirt:
· Surfactants: a soap or detergent. It is made up of polar molecules that attract dirt on one end and water on the other. The trick is to surround the dirt with water, break the dirt into smaller pieces and float it away.
· Wetting agents: makes wet things wetter, hence easier to clean.
· Solvents: you need a solvent for you cleaner to be able to dissolve soil. Solvents like mineral spirits or naphthalene work well on petroleum soil. You also choose a solvent-based cleaner when water would damage the material being cleaned. One of the safest and most effective solvents contains limonene, which is made from the peels of lemons and oranges.
· Chelators: bond to heavy metals like calcium and magnesium to remove them from water - in effect, softening the water. Chelators help shampoos hold their suds longer.
· Saponifier: a strong alkaline substance that is used to convert fats and oils into soap. Once converted, the fats and oils are easy to wash away with water.
1. Organic soil - contains carbon compound other than petroleum. Included in this category are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, body oil, yeast, mold, bacteria, insects and excrement. Typical organic soil stains include ketchup from your French fries on the back seat and that squashed bug implanted in the dashboard.
2. Non-organic soil - no carbon present. Think of water spots, scale, lime deposits and nuclear fallout.
3. Petroleum soil - contains some kind of petroleum product and will not mix with water. We're talking motor oil, road tar and grease.
There is no rule that says a particular stain can't be a combination of soil types. Think of an insect that briefly landed on an oil slick and is now embedded in your carpet. Obviously, you have to use the right cleaning agent for each type of soil if you want proper results. When combination stains occur, it takes all the wisdom and knowledge of a trained expert to know precisely which chemicals to use.
You must also take into account the surfaces you are cleaning. For instance, if you purchased aftermarket DRL projector headlights and custom LED taillights, you will want to make sure your cleaner does not create tiny scratches that can cloud the lenses.
Since no one cleaner does it all, auto detailing shops must maintain a full inventory of various chemicals. A particular cleaner may be composed of one or several different chemicals that work on a particular type of dirt:
· Surfactants: a soap or detergent. It is made up of polar molecules that attract dirt on one end and water on the other. The trick is to surround the dirt with water, break the dirt into smaller pieces and float it away.
· Wetting agents: makes wet things wetter, hence easier to clean.
· Solvents: you need a solvent for you cleaner to be able to dissolve soil. Solvents like mineral spirits or naphthalene work well on petroleum soil. You also choose a solvent-based cleaner when water would damage the material being cleaned. One of the safest and most effective solvents contains limonene, which is made from the peels of lemons and oranges.
· Chelators: bond to heavy metals like calcium and magnesium to remove them from water - in effect, softening the water. Chelators help shampoos hold their suds longer.
· Saponifier: a strong alkaline substance that is used to convert fats and oils into soap. Once converted, the fats and oils are easy to wash away with water.
If you are looking to equip your current vehicle chassis with aftermarket DRL projector headlights, you have options. Check out some of the aftermarket shops that offer this system at reasonable prices.
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