liquid deicer instead of salt hard to wash

[1gr8-wash]

Hello, our municipality here in Hamilton Ontario is using a liquid de icer as well as salt to keep the roads clear.
This deicer leaves a really stubborn film on cars that is will not come off with my PDQ lazerwash, I am using Lusta soaps which usually works great but with this new way to clean the roads I am having a hard time keeping film of the cars.
Anyone else have this problem, any sugestions??

 

[rph9168]

If it is what I think it is you will need a really strong alkaline to attack it. A lot depends on how long it has been on the vehicle as well. You might try a strong tire cleaner.

 

[Washmee]

Our DOT adds Beet juice to the brine that is used on our roads. It definitely is harder to remove.

 

[soapy]

Many cities are now using calcium chloride or magnesium chloride in place of brine. Many will prespray it on roads before a storm. Most good soap companies make specific presoaks for this chemical and you might want to switch over to it in the winter. I have used Blue Coral product in the past for this specific set of chemicals with good results. The chlorides are very aggressive on car paints, leathers, metals and concrete.

 

[soapy]

I have been doing a little more research on the Mag chloride and found a few things to try. Dwell time and water temperature should be increased with any presoak to help break down the bond on the paint. Beet juice, Molassis and other sticky byproducts are typically added to the de icer to get it to stick to the roadways. THis is also what makes it harder to remove from the paint. The mag chloride can end up reforming back into crystals while on the car effectivly becoming a type of sand paper. THese crystals will sometimes bond to friction materials used to wash the car resulting in light scratching of the paint. MC is also very hard on brake rotors and pads resulting in accelerated corrosion of these parts. A final rinse of a low PH product will greatly reduce the corrosive effects of Mag Chloride on most surfaces. A low PH trifoam might be one way of acheiving this.