Why is it important to clean vehicles?
Good vehicle maintenance is essential to keep vehicles in optimum condition. The accumulation of dirt can cause corrosion and lead to irreversible damage to enamels and metals. Vehicle cleaning, in addition to improving aesthetics and comfort, is a form of preventive maintenance since it prolongs the useful life of vehicles and improves their appearance. The main purpose of vehicle cleaning is to remove dirt, keeping all surfaces with which they come into contact in optimum condition. Due to the variability in vehicle surfaces, as well as in the types of dirt present, automotive cleaning processes are more complex than it may seem and the choice of ingredients for automotive detergents is crucial.
How to clean vehicles?
The cleaning of each part of the vehicle must be carried out with a product suitable for that area and type of dirt, and it must be applied in the correct way. Otherwise, abrasion and corrosion may occur on the various surfaces.
In general, the car exterior, such as the bodywork and windows, should be washed with detergents dissolved in water and, if possible, with some pressure. The cleaning of the rims will require a specific product with a higher degreasing power. The car interior, on the other hand, should be cleaned with less aggressive products that incorporate repair components for each material (leather, rubber, vinyl, fabric, etc.). Each type of cleaning requires specific ingredients for automotive detergents.
Ingredients for automotive detergents
Cleaning of the bodywork
The car bodywork is fully exposed to a multitude of external agents when it is in motion. It is continuously attacked by pollutants, insects, dust and various materials that are present on the road surface. All these materials can be corrosive to the paintwork and, in particular, to the surface protective enamel coatings.
A car bodywork detergent makes it easier to clean vehicles and improve performance. With the right product, it is easier to achieve optimum results in less time and with less effort, while ensuring that the shine and colour of the original finishes are preserved.
The main ingredients for automotive bodywork detergents are surfactants and chelators. The combination of surfactants provides the wetting and degreasing capacity to the formulation, while chelators are used to sequester salts present in the wash water. An appropriate selection of surfactants allows for a balance of detergent properties with fast drying and glossy finish. These components, together with other selected additives, will provide a dirt repellent effect to keep the car cleaner for a longer period of time.
Cleaning of rims and tyres
Although the wheels are part of the car exterior, it is necessary to clean them with a wheel specific product. The ingredients for automotive detergents that act as a wheel rim cleaner should be mostly wetting and degreasing agents, capable of removing accumulated oils and greases. To facilitate this action, detergents with alkaline agents are often used, which are themselves degreasing agents. However, if rust and corrosion are to be removed, acid detergents will be more effective.
Tyres can be treated with specific products, tyre and rubber parts polishes, which help them maintain their original colour and shine for longer and improve their water resistance. Thanks to the incorporation of silicones, oils and glycols in these polishes, tyres look better and are more resistant to discolouration. This results in improved tyre quality and safety.
Cleaning of car interior
It is not uncommon for car interiors to become dirty with food, grease, dust, mud or pet hair. To remove this type of dirt and return the car to its original appearance, several steps must be taken.
The car interior cleaning should include vacuuming of mats, upholstery, floor, boot and dashboard. After vacuuming, the different parts should be cleaned with detergents and finishing products appropriate for each material.
The upholstery and dashboard cleaning products should be applied with a sponge or cloth dampened with a suitable product. This must be a specific product, and it is used to remove dirt adhering to the surfaces of the seats and dashboard. For more stubborn stains, even a brush can be used together with upholstery detergents. Once these surfaces have been cleaned, it is recommended to dry them with a cloth and then apply a rinsing product.
The ingredients for specific automotive detergents for upholstery and dashboards must be mild cleaners, with sufficient capacity to emulsify grease, but without damaging the surfaces. Solvents and surfactants can be used for this purpose, formulated with the aim of facilitating cleaning with maximum fabric protection.
Finishing products shall use substances that restore the properties of the surfaces, and shall be selected according to the material to which they are applied. The incorporation of waxes, silicones and oils can be of interest, and it is recommended to incorporate them in o/w emulsions.
Eliminate unpleasant smells
Vehicle air fresheners are very common and allow the creation of pleasantly scented indoor environments. More recent biotechnological products for use in vehicles are aimed at eliminating unpleasant smells generated by different types of organic materials.
