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Effective SS Presoak

washnshine

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I’ve been looking for a self serve presoak that has some cleaning power so that customers who choose, can actually get a simulated touch free wash by hand if they prefer and their vehicle condition warrants a wash that doesn’t need a hard scrubbing. Putting it in the hands of the customer, I don’t want anything corrosive and I also don’t want to just water something down to make it safe. I figured that it does not need the potency of what a touch free IBA may need because customers can go over a troubled spot, add more chemical, dwell a little longer, get closer with the hp gun etc. I’m wondering if this will work or if anyone has something similar. It has a pH of 12, uses sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) but is non corrosive and not DOT regulated as such.

 

OurTown

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I’ve been looking for a self serve presoak that has some cleaning power so that customers who choose, can actually get a simulated touch free wash by hand if they prefer and their vehicle condition warrants a wash that doesn’t need a hard scrubbing. Putting it in the hands of the customer, I don’t want anything corrosive and I also don’t want to just water something down to make it safe. I figured that it does not need the potency of what a touch free IBA may need because customers can go over a troubled spot, add more chemical, dwell a little longer, get closer with the hp gun etc. I’m wondering if this will work or if anyone has something similar. It has a pH of 12, uses sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) but is non corrosive and not DOT regulated as such.


Sodium Hydroxide is corrosive.
 

washnshine

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Sodium Hydroxide is corrosive.
Yes - the substance itself is, but depending on the concentration of it in the total presoak, as well as other substances, some presoaks are deemed corrosive and some not. It’s how strong the percentage is. There is sodium hydroxide and lye in soaps we use for personal hygiene, but concentration is key and that is what makes them safe on skin.

If the chemical is labeled corrosive for the DOT category 8 and the shipper has to charge the hazardous material fee, that is a different level than if the chemical is not in that class.

I have had ph neutral mitter and wrap lubricating soaps that have sodium hydroxide in them- this is used as a pH neutralizer in smaller quantities, and the detergent itself is nowhere near corrosive as it exists as a whole chemical.
 
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Eric H

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I use JBS Storm. I does need the HazMat shipping but it is very concentrated so it lasts a long time at a busy SS location.
Don’t tho k this product or any product will give you the touchless in a SS bay effect that you’re looking for. The impingement for a SS bay just isn’t the same
 

OurTown

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We use National Automotive Chemical's "Stars" for our SS presoak and our IBA. It works very well on both. We buy it direct from them and it doesn't look like KR sells it.
 
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