Switching from Alkaline to Acid Presoak after Bug Season

[bigleo48]

All,

In the warmer months (aka bug season), we use two hi-pH (alkaline) presoak passes to get the bugs off. But as was mentioned in another post, in the fall when the bugs are gone we seem to deal with a film on cars after a rainfall. Some have suggested it is oil/ww fluid (methanol) that washes up on the vehicles that the Alkaline presoak is not affective against. Then should I switch to an acid presoak (low-pH)?

Big

 

[Waxman]

I think that everything on the roadways that emulsifies during rain and splatters up onto vehicles is best cleaned with a high PH soap (alkaline).

Every degreaser as well as wand-bay soap I have used is high ph or alkaline-based.

 

[DiamondWash]

Bigleo-

I switched to Lo/Hi and may not go back only time will tell you are right about the warmer months and colder months not cheap to switch from the two types of chemicals mid season.

 

[Ric]

I use a lo/hi year around. In the cool rainy months (Oct & April mainly) I add an alkaline booster to my hi ph via a dual injector. It seems to help with that road film we see during those periods.

 

[bigleo48]

I use a lo/hi year around. In the cool rainy months (Oct & April mainly) I add an alkaline booster to my hi ph via a dual injector. It seems to help with that road film we see during those periods.

Ric,

Who's booster are you using?

Big

 

[Ric]

Ric,

Who's booster are you using?

Big

I'm using a product from http://www.questwashproducts.com

Warsaw also makes one. I think they call it "hot shot" or something like that.

 

[ToFarGone20]

Hot Shot is the bee's knees. Watch your vehicle surface temp when applying...high Ph seems to cut it better here Iowa (or this part of Iowa anyway). In the winter I don't use a drop of acid...it doesn't clean any better around here.

 

[Greg Pack]

Warsaw's is called "Hot Shot". Ecolab makes a product called 380. Both products are caustic but are safer on cars than you might think. I'm in the south and have used it for year- round for probably seven years with only a handful of issues. My main problem was with black anodized trim that was not clear coated found on a few cars. I would like to step away from it, but once you see the difference in cleaning it's very hard to.