Is ABC safe?

I just talked to a support guy at autoint. He said that it should be safe to use on unpainted plastic/rubber on a new car, but that they advise you to try not to get any on plastic or rubber, because they do not know what the condition of your parts may be.



After waiting for an answer from them, I am finally going to give it a shot.



Accumulator, did you get the chemicals on any black plastic parts (like grilles, front spoiler, lower bodyside cladding, weatherstripping, tires)?
 
I have been out of circulation on this board for may months, but a member since Feb of 01. I do remember Ron's old posts.



I have used ABC on two different vehicles, both new at the time (new 2002 F-150 SuperCrew, and 2001 Ford Mustang.) I had no problems with ABC. As far as safe is concerned, I do know that Ford sanctions it as the way to remove Acid Rain, Fallout etc from their vehicles. I also know it left my paint very clean, and ready to accept my Klasse layers.



For smoothness, I would ABC, and then clay. ABC alone is a great cleaner/fall out remover, but claying afterwards still leaves a smooth surface.





I won't get into the "is Auto Int trustworthy because they sell the product" debate. I think both side of the arguments have their merits. At least we have Autopia to hear consumer reviews, and AutoInt to disclose MSDS and product specifics.



SJ
 
Let me know after you apply it how the glass, rubber, uncoated plastic, grill, front spoiler, any fiberglass, tires, wheels, lower body side cladding, front spoiler, and paint. and any part of the car that does not have paint(emblems etc.)



Good luck



:up
 
07391-It's pretty hard to NOT get the chemicals on things! Here's what I did, basically following AutoInt's advice:



I washed the entire car with "A", rinsed thoroughly, dried the horizontal surfaces (NOT thoroughly).



I applied "B" to the painted (body color) parts of the car, but I DID get some on the trim that bordered those areas. I did NOT directly/intentionally apply it to the plastic/rubber/metal (anodized brightwork) trim but I did slop a bit on them. On the MPV, for instance, the roof rail strips, chrome strip above the grill, headlights, and the badging DEFINITELY all got treated and it did NOT damage them. When rinsing off the "B" it got on everything (but it was quite diluted with rinse water). BTW, as I recall (it's been a while), I clayed during the "B"'s dwell time. The "B" did sorta dissolve the (Griot's) clay but it still worked OK.



I washed the entire car with "C", which is a pretty good every-day wash. Rinsed, and washed a second time with "C".



If it matters, the MPV was new/just delivered (less than six months since manufacture); the S8 was about a year old.



If in doubt, I'd err on the side of caution and tape/mask anything you're worried about.
 
The ABC system melted all of the plastic and rubber!











NOT!



It didn't harm anything, and it was really easy to use. I applied it to every surface of the vehicle, and nothing bad happened to any of the different types of materials, including plastic and rubber parts.



Now the vehicle is clean, and ready for some AIO tomorrow. Below is [a link to] a (before) picture of the automobile that I used the ABC system on, if anybody is wondering.



http://www.fordtruckworld.com/showownerpic.asp?u=5084&n=181801&pos=2&album=14835
 
Did you notice a difference with the ABC system? How the paint looks, and such? Did you feel the surface before the process and after? More information please.





:up
 
Then you noticed a significant difference from before and after? Well, maybe I should give it a whirl too then.





:up
 
For those of you who know about Auto Int, don't forget they mfr products for the auto mfr's all over the world. ABC system is approved by the OE's. I seem to recall a Ford or Mazda TSB about doing an ABC wash to remove rail dust and other fallout.



If the product meets the specs set by the OE's it will surely meet any reasonable demand from any of us. And it should not create any undue harm to our cars as long as the product is used as directed.



Those that are skeptical of the mfr's information are being obtuse. Only the mfr knows how the product was designed, what it can and cannot do, and how it will work in a particular application. There are significant liability issues facing mfr's if they make a product that's supposed to do A but really does B. Could even result in violations of the FTC, EPA, or other gov't agency which in turn could result in fines, operational shut downs, audits, and all sorts of non-fun events.



Having worked in the sales dept of a global electronics mfr'ing corporation, I was always a tad miffed when I'd read a comment about one of our products where the writer complained the product did something they didn't like. The vast majority of these complaints derived from the user operating the product in a manner in which it was not designed. My thoughts were always, "it's supposed to do that because we designed it that way". If only the user had contacted us and asked about its operation we all could have avoided any misinterpretations and confusion.



Just because you buy and use a product does not make you an instant expert in its use. If you are not sure about how something works the first people you should call is the mfr of the product.



Let's use a little common sense here, people.
 
Be sure that you absolutely need this product before you use it. Do not look at this as a substitute for a clay bar or clearcoat cleaner.
 
I believe that it has been said after the process, claying might still be necessary. I think you can use this process on new cars? I would use it once or twice a year. I think that is all you need to use it. Not for every day wash, just once or twice a year. Like buffing.





:up
 
Nagchampa said:
Be sure that you absolutely need this product before you use it. Do not look at this as a substitute for a clay bar or clearcoat cleaner.
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Why do you say that? How many times have you used it? As long as the directions are followed, there is nothing dangerous about using the product. Why don't you back up what you say, by stating your experience, or stop trying to scare people away from using it. It works great, and removes all of the crap from the surface of the paint so it is totally sterile and pure.
 
Knight said:
I believe that it has been said after the process, claying might still be necessary. I think you can use this process on new cars? I would use it once or twice a year. I think that is all you need to use it. Not for every day wash, just once or twice a year. Like buffing.





:up
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The vehicle that I used it on was built in December. I will probably use it every 6 months when I strip Klasse, and reapply it.
 
07391 said:
Why do you say that? How many times have you used it? As long as the directions are followed, there is nothing dangerous about using the product. Why don't you back up what you say, by stating your experience, or stop trying to scare people away from using it. It works great, and removes all of the crap from the surface of the paint so it is totally sterile and pure.
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Whoa there. Take a Pacsil Sparky! :mad:



I haven't used it personally, but I couldn't help but notice that there is acid involved here. This is not something you want to add to your weekly carcare regiment. It is not like trying a new wax, or window cleaner. Yes it is probably safe if used as directed but, you shouldn't use it unless you absolutely need it. You are using acid to rid your paint of contaminants.



What did I say to scare anybody away from using this? Because I said that this is not a substitute for a Claybar or Paint Cleaner? Is that not the truth? I was only stating the obvious and I don't think you should take it so personal. You should also re-read my post and think about it before you try to take my head off.



I'm sure it is a great product, I hope I never have to use it, but I will if I need it. I will not ever use it because my paint "just doesn't feel fresh" and if you want to use it every weekend, I could care less!:nixweiss
 
double 07931, it is not for every day use. The product does contain acid and that is the truth. So Nag is right to be somewhat apprehensive. I was and still am. I just have not heard anything bad about it yet. No harm to the paint or any of the cars componants. You used it and confirmed this. However, you also don't know the possible long term affects of using this product? For all we know, or you know, the acid might cause the clear coat to fail. Though, it has been used by mazda, Ford, hyundai. I wonder why not porche or Audi or jaguar or Merc. though? That is kind of questionable. I might try it eventually once these types of questions are answered. Everyone should be apprehensive about a product that contains acid and most if not all OWNERS manuals insist to not use it on the paint.





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Knight said:
Everyone should be apprehensive about a product that contains acid and most if not all OWNERS manuals insist to not use it on the paint.
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So in saying that are we to assume that you have read all owners manuals? Automoblie owners manuals don't say an awful lot in the area of taking care of your car. They pretty much just tell you what it does. It doesn't tell you how to do a lot of things that we do to our cars. The fact that all car manufacturers don't use ABC means nothing. Not all restaraunts serve Pepsi. Does that mean something is wrong with it? You really need to learn how to trust people that may know the ins and outs of detailing a little better than you do. Constantly doubting everything that is said isn't going to get you very far.
 
Just because dealers don't use it doesn't mean anything. Most dealers I know ONLY use silicone based tire dressings, they won't touch anything water based just because they can't afford to detail the tires on 100 cars every other week.



Your best bet is to listen to us, we detail our cars and want the finish to last, the dealers want a quick shine for a month before he can sell a car.
 
If I did/ didnt do everything my dealer said to do my cars would look like crap, same gos for the Manual. I have used it, I thought it worked as it is made to, I still clayed after and I was happy.
 
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