Learn me about ph level

[Honda Fan]

I was sleeping during HS chemistry so I'll need a little refresher. I understand what PH level is but how does it apply to car wash soap and the process of washing a car? I realize one end of the spectrum may be better for this or that, but exactly how? How and when should I pick a wash (with regards to ph level) for any particular application? Is there a danger that I might let a particular cleaner dwell too long and do more harm than good?

[MisterSnoop]

pH of 7 is neutral. most car washes are either neutral or alkaline (ph > 7). if you have a wax or sealant as protection on your car, using something high on the pH scale (pH 12-13), may clean well but will shorten the life of your wax/sealant. so you may want to use the higher pH stuff sparingly unless you're planning on reapplying your wax/sealant.

[Texchappy]

Acidic is the opposite side of the spectrum and is useful for minerals, bugs, and water spots*. APC are often acidic as are some wheel cleaners.

* water spots contain the minerals carried in the water and are thus alkaline so acids counteract/neutralize them.

[Eldorado2k]

APC are often acidic as are some wheel cleaners.


APC’s are often alkaline, not acidic.

A good dedicated wheel cleaner is often acidic. If/when that’s the case it usually means that it won’t be any good at cleaning tires hence it being a dedicated wheel cleaner.

These days more products are moving towards being neutral or alkaline which helps in several ways. For 1, they tend to be multi purpose as alkaline products can be good at cleaning both wheels & tires. Plus we live in the day where many people have gone soft and are afraid of every single thing imaginable, so the simple mention of the word acid makes them tremble in their shoes, which in turn can’t be good for business.

[Honda Fan]

Thanks

[Texchappy]

APC’s are often alkaline, not acidic.

A good dedicated wheel cleaner is often acidic. If/when that’s the case it usually means that it won’t be any good at cleaning tires hence it being a dedicated wheel cleaner.

These days more products are moving towards being neutral or alkaline which helps in several ways. For 1, they tend to be multi purpose as alkaline products can be good at cleaning both wheels & tires. Plus we live in the day where many people have gone soft and are afraid of every single thing imaginable, so the simple mention of the word acid makes them tremble in their shoes, which in turn can’t be good for business.
I thought the ones with dLimonene were acidic?

[Eldorado2k]

I thought the ones with dLimonene were acidic?

I’m not familiar with that product.

[opie]

I thought the ones with dLimonene were acidic?Correct.

3D bug remover and 3d orange degreaser contain dlimonene.

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[UncleDavy]

APCs are often alkaline in nature since most stains are acidic in nature. Any liquid with a pH below 7 is considered acidic and any liquid above 7 is considered basic. A cleaner that is pH neutral can have a value between 6 and 8. You can change the pH value of a concentrate by adding water. The formula is:
Original pH - (-log(original volume/new volume)). This is for an alkali. For an acid you add instead of subtract.

[briarpatch]

I thought the ones with dLimonene were acidic?

very mildly acidic

[Coatingsarecrack]

From my understanding most APC’s are Alkaline and degreasers are acidic


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[DFB]

I have a lot of cross over between my day job and detailing in regards to pH.

The pH level of soil will determine the success or otherwise of the plants you want to grow. For the most part, plants grown best in neutral to slightly acidic soil, although some prefer the more acidic side, some will tolerate the more alkaline side. No plant will grow in excessively acidic or alkaline soil.

https://i.postimg.cc/zfS0nfvK/phscale101.webp (https://postimages.org/)

For detailing, different pH levels will do different sorts of cleaning. As a very rough rule of thumb, the further you move above or below neutral, the more cleaning ability you will see.

Most maintenance soaps will be pH balanced, ranging from 7.0 - 8.0 so that they are gentle and safe to use on all LSP's. Some leather and interior cleaners will also be pH balanced to ensure you are not damaging softer, more delicate surfaces. I always cringe at people who douse their interiors with APC for that reason. Neutral products are also safer to use in the sun, and safer on the user as well.

https://i.postimg.cc/Xqss0Fr9/IMG_4572.jpg (https://postimg.cc/y3SmmDXN)

https://i.postimg.cc/fW8Wzn2D/IMG_4584.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Dmb36D3M)

For a long time, acidic detailing products usually centered around wheel cleaners. While that usually centered around products like Meguiar's Wheel Brightener, many iron-removing wheel cleaners are actually slightly acidic too. Acidity also helps with removing mineral deposits and water spotting. Most companies sell acid-based cleaners for this job, Carpro also now sell an acidic soap for this role too.

https://i.postimg.cc/kGZcn6Y3/IMG_4487.jpg (https://postimg.cc/ctRYhHNX)

Alkalinity is usually associated with degreasing, decontaminating and products designed to strip waxes like Capro Lift. Most wheel cleaners are now alkaline, think Brake Buster or Meguiar's Non-Acid Wheel Cleaner. This is also why tire cleaners are heavily alkaline, they are degreasing oils and waxes from dressings and the rubber compound itself. APC's are also alkaline.

https://i.postimg.cc/0jrnRdf0/IMG_4482.jpg (https://postimg.cc/7J80Szj5)

https://i.postimg.cc/SNZP009H/IMG_4554.jpg (https://postimg.cc/KRMfLHJ5)

Knowing how pH levels work and the values of the products you use will greatly improve your detailing efficiency, allowing you to target specific areas or concerns with more accuracy.