exterior precleaners

P

paperchaser

New member
I was wonering if anyone had and recomendations for a exterior prewash. The carwash down the street has a chemical they call the "melt system". They let it soak for about five minutes and it strips off all the oil, tar and road grime really good. Stripping wax is not an issue as all vehicles are waxed. What I'm trying to remove is oil and tar as well as pottassium acetate and magnesium chloride wich they use here to de-ice the roads and leaves a nasty film. I'm currently using a stripper when needed but it's time consuming and I think it's overkill. Any suggestions are appreciated. I also am not currently using a foam gun but I recently aquired a natural gas hotsy wich I'll be installing soon and I've been told I can used with one so any suggestion with that would also be much appreciated.
 
The citrus-based cleaners may help. P21S has a good product. I am not certain I completely understand what it is you're trying to attack.
 
tom p. said:
The citrus-based cleaners may help. P21S has a good product. I am not certain I completely understand what it is you're trying to attack.
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The stuff I've seen used has a definate citrus smell to it but I don't know if it's citrus based or just scented. I'm trying to break down mostly oil and road tar as they use both up here in great abundance. Thanks for the suggestion I'll try it. It's always fun to try new products anyway.
 
smprince1 said:
I have used this on small areas with success on tar/road grime. Don't know how it will apply in your situation:



http://meguiars.com/?detailer-solvents/Body-Solvent
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I'll try some of this too. I'm currently using RM900 wich is for body shops to strip wax and such but I'd perfer to use the most mild chemical I can. I actually have to de-tar almost every vehicle I get and it's generally up to the windows. Thaks for the suggestion.
 
Precleaner? Are you making that up?!~?



Prepsol, New Car Prep, etc. spray/wipe on/dwell/wipeoff.



Wouldn't it be nice if there was "Professionals Only" Forum?



Jim
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
Precleaner? Are you making that up?!~?



Prepsol, New Car Prep, etc. spray/wipe on/dwell/wipeoff.



Wouldn't it be nice if there was "Professionals Only" Forum?



Jim
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Sorry if I'm not up to your standards. I would like to consider myself a proffesional as I've been detailing for over 15 years and now make a living at it. If you didn't catch it, I'm trying to use something less aggresive than a solvent. And I've seen it done before. I've never had to deal with the amount of oil and tar that are on the roads up here as I'm from portland oregon and they don't oil roads in the city like they do up here. BTW, if I get banned I get banned but nobody likes a d**k :bow
 
I do get a little 'pissy' sometimes...and I apologize.



Altho I haven't seen your situation, we deal with the similar conditions/road chemicals in my area (albeit on a smaller scale than Alaska :) ). Here, they use a MOLASSES based salt to deice. Talk about a film.



As suggested, a citrus based cleaner (dwell), in conjunction with the natural gas hotsy should go a long way towards solving your issue.



BTW, I have an electric Hotsy pressure washer (no heat). A fine product. I've seen the gas powered/diesel heat version at work :) The rep said "You can smell what brand/flavor of gum you're removing, it gets that hot!"



Again, sory 'bout my previous post...



Good Luck



Jim
 
Apparently, Jim hadn't had enough scotch for the day when he made his first post. ;) :LOLOL



I'd try the Meguiars Body Solvent and maybe cut it with water for a precleaner.
 
my K'Archer does an excellent job prepping cars for me... the tar and bugs that don't come off I wipe with a light lacquer thinner (depending on the car)... or clay bar works pretty good too.
 
Thank you everyone for your responses, I've been down for a couple weeks renovating the shop and I haven't been doing any customer details since. I'm going to pick up megs body solv and try that, at least until I get the hotsy set up. I've been getting alot of neglected cars recently and I'm just trying to get the job done using the mildest chemicals possible while still maintaining effeciency. No worries jimmy, and thanks for your re-post. Once again for all suggestions Thanks
 
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