1. 1. CLEANING IN THE AGE OFMAGNESIUM CHLORIDETony VertinVer-tech Labs, Rockford, MNwww.ver-techlabs.comwww.vtlvehiclecare.com
2. 2. The Corrosive Effects of Magnesium and Calcium Chloride Protective coatings are a widely used corrosion control solution and are generally applied at point of manufacturing An alternative solution to reducing the effects of corrosion can be the integration of a cleaning product into routine maintenance regimen
3. 3. Cleaning large vehiclesPhotos courtesy of Belanger,Inc.
4. 4. TemperatureTime Mechanical Action Water QualityChemical ActionThe five factors of cleaning are like pieces of a pie. Adecrease in one of the factors means that anotherfactor(s) will have to be increased to compensate andprovide the desired cleaning results.
5. 5. Time in general, soaking time increases cleaningability point of diminishing return soils and oil may redeposit on surface optimum dwell time for: presoaks = 30-45 seconds bug remover = 1-2 minutes
6. 6. TemperatureThree Types Ambient Vehicle Chemistry (product & water)Effects of temperature on cleaning Temperature = Activity (atoms get more excited when heated) Some Limitations General Guidelines are 110 - 120 F on vehicle surface
7. 7. Mechanical Action Friction Cloth, brushes, bristles, foam fabric Touch-Free Water Pressure (psi) Water Volume & Impingement Speed of Cycle
8. 8. Chemical Action Reduce static charge to release certain soils Break down soil physical bonds to the vehicle surface Solubilize/disperse road film
9. 9. Water Quality Water hardness Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) pH Total Alkalinity Metals (Iron, Copper, Manganese) Water treatment - RO, DI, Reclaim
10. 10. Do we need to consider a Sixth Factor? Desaltification
11. 11. Detergent Components Acids Alkalis Surfactants Conditioners Solvents
12. 12. Functions of Acidic Detergents Low pH or pH7Effective against particulate and oily soilsDetergencySaponificationBreak down organic soilsAcid soil neutralization
13. 14. Functions of Surfactants Solubilization and emulsification of soil Enhance rinsing Wetting of surfaces Penetration of soil Displacement of soil Foam or defoam Antimicrobial limited
14. 15. Functions of Conditioners Prevent calcium and magnesium salts from precipitating and/or adhering to surfaces. Chelate Claw for metal ions like Mg or Ca Crystal modifier Functions like a chelate Prevents metal ion precipitation or scale formation at extremely low dilutions
15. 16. So back to the typical washing of alarge vehiclegenerally a neutraldetergent and/or an alkalinedetergent is used.Why is it not effective todayagainst magnesium and calciumchloride?
16. 17. The Neutral Detergent Neutral Foam Shampoo Similar to Pot and Pan Dish Soap Used in friction washes Provides lubricity and detergencyPhoto courtesy of Belanger, Inc.
17. 18. Neutral Detergent added to Calcium Chloride Solution
18. 19. Incompatibility
19. 20. Neutral Detergent and Chlorides Incompatible with Magnesium or CalciumChloride. May create very small particulate in thebrushes and cloth of the wash resulting inabrasion to surface of vehicle
20. 21. The Alkaline Detergent Alkaline Detergents (pH >7 orHigh pH) Saponification Effective against particulate and oily soils Acid rain NeutralizationPhoto courtesy of Belanger, Inc.
21. 22. Alkaline Detergent added to Calcium Chloride Solution
22. 23. Insoluble chlorides forming
23. 24. Alkaline Detergent and Chlorides Shocks the chlorides out of solution similar tohow a water treatment facility reduces waterhardness Creates insoluble magnesium or calcium chloridethat is more difficult to remove from vehicle
24. 25. The alternative solution Low PH detergent Discovered as part of the touchless car wash two step cleaning process. Total desaltification of metal and painted surfaces Can be used as a one step detergent in a friction wash or as step 1 in a two step touchless wash
25. 26. Low pH Detergent added to Calcium Chloride Solution
26. 27. Solubilizing
27. 28. Low PH Detergent and Chlorides Solubilizing both calcium and magnesium chloride to aid removal and prevent subsequent corrosion
28. 29. An additional benefit? Surfaces cleaned using the Low pH approach have been very resistant to subsequent corrosion Un-rinsed Low pH detergent on bare metal provided additional protection Tests reveal that the correct Low pH detergent applies a conversion coating to the metal
29. 30. Conversion CoatingA conversion coating is the result of thereaction between a metal surface withanother chemical that provides a greaterprotection against foreign corrosivesubstances than that provided for by themetal itself.
30. 31. an example of conversion coating Plate treated with low Reverse side of plate pH detergent no treatment
31. 32. The ResultThis truck based in Michigan has been washedfor the last two years with a Low PH detergent
32. 33. Getting the Detergentto the RightPlace Photo courtesy of Belanger, Inc.
33. 34. Photo courtesy of Belanger, Inc.
34. 35. Photo courtesy of Belanger, Inc.
35. 36. Photo courtesy of Belanger, Inc.
36. 37. Photo courtesy of Belanger, Inc.
37. 38. Photo courtesy of Belanger, Inc.
38. 39. Photos courtesy of Belanger,Inc.
39. 40. Detergents with the rightchemistry can work for you but only if the detergent isapplied where it counts
40. 41. Detergents with the right chemistry Can reduce the corrosive effects ofmagnesium chloride and calcium chloride andadd additional protection Are an economical solution to enhance theprotective qualities of coatings and can easilybe integrated into routine maintenance Need to be applied to the undercarriage tomaximize the anti-corrosion benefits
41. 42. Questions? Todays powerpoint presentation and handout will be available for download on www.ver-techlabs.com Tony Vertin Ver-tech Labs Rockford, MN tvertin@ver-tech.com Direct: 763.509.7923 Mobile: 612.819.4355