Jordan Halpern

3rd Period

Review and Summary of Articles Regarding Chemical Equilibrium in Car Care

Source 1: Source 1 discusses the chemistry of how alkalinity, acids, and their ph levels clean
different contaminants and how they are used in different detergents. Alkaline detergents are
water soluble alkalis which should primarily be used for cleaning bugs, dirt, clay, tree sap and
bird droppings from hard surfaces. These applications make it a perfect solution for cleaning
automotive surfaces. Alkaline detergents range between 9 and 14 on the ph scale, but it is often
more beneficial and safe to use the lesser of concentration in order to preserve polymers and
paint structure. Acids have a ph level less than 7, suiting them for cleaning off rust, oxidizers,
and salts. Many vehicles in snowy parts of the country have an achilles heel to rust and paint
degradation because of the salt used on the roads. Aiming for cleaners that are closest to level 7
on the ph scale are the most beneficial, and least harmful. Another approach is to use opposing
levels on the ph scale whether it be acids or alkalis. For example, use a detergent that has a ph
level of 8 and a acid with a ph level of 6 to balance both out.

Source 2: Source 2 goes more in depth about the shady do it all cleaning products that are used
in todays automotive cleaning industry and safer alternatives. Most contaminants that are on car
paint consist of non organic soil deposits. Motor oil, grease, tar, and rubber all combine into a
mixture that is extremely difficult to clean. That is why surfactants, solvents, wetting agents,
saponifiers and chelators all need to be used when cleaning a surface of the car. They should also
not be used in conjunction with each other because they all require different processes for
optimal cleaning effect. Many car chemical companies will market a all in one cleaner that
cleans everything. These are the products that you should stay away from. Many times these
magic cleaners consist of powerful petroleum solvents and even small amounts of hydrofluoric
acid. A safe cleaner to use should be ph neutral and specific to the contaminant that is intended
to be cleaned. For example, d-limonene is a citrus based compound that is neither acidic nor
alkaline and cleans grease quite effectively. Also, a common mistake people make when
cleaning their cars is using an over powered cleaner for the job or using to much. This over
concentration of chemicals causes the ph level of the paint to spiral out of whack, ultimately
leading to its deterioration.

Source 3: Source 3 is a scientific publishing completed by students at the University of

Connecticut on the use of Hydrofluoric Acid in the car wash industry and how Hydrofluoric
Acid can be harmful to the environment. Hydrofluoric Acid is very good at dissolving anything
in its path. Many commercial and consumer car washes use hydrofluoric acid in conjunction with
detergents and soaps. Hydrofluoric Acid is generally used in industrial applications such as
removing rust, oxidation, and even the extraction of metals, but many carwashes are turning to it
for cleaning paintwork because it is quick, cheap, and strong. Car washes are using this chemical
instead of safe Alkaline detergents that are specifically formulated for cleaning paintwork safely.
Hydrofluoric acid removes 93 to 95% of soil mass. Hydrofluoric Acid attacks glass by its ability
to absorb silicone, a large part of automotive glass. Hydrofluoric Acid is harmful to the people
who use it (mainly car wash workers) because it can be inhaled and contacted by tissue (skin.)
Hydrofluoric Acid is easily able to dissolve organic tissue, leading to respiratory problems and
skin problems. The main reason why Hydrofluoric Acid has negative effects in the carwash
industry is because it has a ph level of approximately 3.3. In brief, it is just too acidic for use on
painted surfaces, also, carwashes rarely balance it out with an alkaline solution.

Source 4: This article talks about how surfactants and foam are a major part of the chemistry in
safe cleaning. Surfactants are detergents which contain molecules that are bipolar. This means
that they are hydrophobic. This essentially makes the water wetter, and allows for the other
chemicals to smoothly glide across the paint during the wash process, this helps keep chemical
from directly interacting with the paint itself and more with the contaminants, keeping
everything in better balance. Next, foam creates an air buffer between the paint polymers and the
alkaline detergents, acids and the paint. There are four different types of surfactants: anionic,
cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric. Anionic is a hydrophilic category with a negative charge that
repels particles and help solubility. Cationic is hydrophobic with a positive charge that adheres to
particles and surfaces and are used in the drying process. Nonionic is hydrophilic, has no charge,
and makes a good oil solvent. Amphoteric are under the cationic category in low pH solutions
and under the anionic category in high pH solution. All four of these categories contribute
greatly to ph levels and overall chemical equilibrium by affecting or not affecting the charges of
detergents and how they interact with the cars paint.

Citations:

1. "The Five Factors of Clean: Chemistry, Part 1." Professional Carwashing & Detailing.
N.p., 19 June 2015. Web. 12 May 2017.
<https://www.carwash.com/the-five-factors-of-clean-chemistry-part-1/>.

2. "Auto Detailing Chemicals and Car Wash Products." Autopia Car Care Products - Car Wax,
Car Detailing Supplies, Car Polishers, Auto Detailing. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2017.
<http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-detailing-chemicals.html>.

3. Genuino, Homer. "HF Study." Journal of Industrial Engineering and Chemistry, Mar.-Apr.
2012. Web. <https://www.carwash.org/docs/default-source/safety-resources/hf-study.pdf?sfv>.
4. Cook, Ryan. "The Five Factors of Clean: Chemistry, Part 2." Professional Carwashing & Detailing.
N.p., 19 June 2015. Web. 12 May 2017.
<https://www.carwash.com/the-five-factors-of-clean-chemistry-part-2/>.