AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE in Wheel Brightner: Scary stuff!!!! Need advice

[Alonso225]

Hi All..

I need some proper guidance here.

Ive been reading the MSDS from the wheel brightner as well as information about the toxicity of AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE. In a nutshell, Im now really worried about using this product.

I am not a proffessional detailer, but im a careful home user (goggles and PVC gloves, rubber boots,etc. I really dont know if thats enough? The things written about ABF (Ammonium Biflouride) are pretty scary. Its the main active ingredient of WB! The NFPA health rating for Megs Wheel brigtner is 3, which means

"Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury even though prompt medical attention was given". !!!

What concernes me is that it seems that protecting skin and eyes is not enough, inhalation is also very dangerous!

Am I being paranoid? or its true and should stick to the warning on Meguiars MSDS sheet:

"This product is for use by professional car washes and detailers only and is NOT intended for home use. Harmful if swallowed. Harmful; may cause lung damage. Corrosive."

and simply not use it? What do proffessional car washes do different not to be at risk from this?

Sources:

http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/nfpa.html

http://www.carwash.com/article.asp?IndexID=6631269

[Mike Phillips]

Re: AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE in Wheel Brightner: Scary stuff!!!! Need advice

Every industry has it's own risks specific to itself and the types of tools and/or products necessary to perform the tasks associated with the industry. This product is in our Professional line and not marketing towards, or formulated for the enthusiasts. It is intended to be used by professionals who are familiar with and aware of the saftey precautions necassary to use this product safely.

If you have concerns about using the wheel cleaner in our Professional Detailer line safely, (or any wheel cleaner by any other company for that matter), then you might want to just stick with safer alternatives such normal car wash soap.

[Alonso225]

Re: AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE in Wheel Brightner: Scary stuff!!!! Need advice

Every industry has it's own risks specific to itself and the types of tools and/or products necessary to perform the tasks associated with the industry. This product is in our Professional line and not marketing towards, or formulated for the enthusiasts. It is intended to be used by professionals who are familiar with and aware of the saftey precautions necassary to use this product safely.

If you have concerns about using the wheel cleaner in our Professional Detailer line safely, (or any wheel cleaner by any other company for that matter), then you might want to just stick with safer alternatives such normal car wash soap.

Thank you mike for such a prompt response!

Well, yes, Im concerned about the product but I am also quite interested in using it. Hence my interest in finding out more about it and use it safely

As I mentioned, I take care when using chemical products. I wear goggles, boots, PVC gloves and work in well ventilated areas. I just wanted to know if the precautionary measures mentioned above are enough to use this or the use of this require additional measures.

Thank you.

Alonso

[Zet]

Re: AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE in Wheel Brightner: Scary stuff!!!! Need advice

After doing some reading on Ammonium Bifluoride, I can say that I will personally avoid it. There are many alternatives to use for cleaning wheels, and I will personally rather spend some extra time doing the cleaning if that's what it takes, than accept the health risk. And it is not only the issue of protecting one self (and it sounds like you are being more careful than most), but also the issue of storing of the product. One would have to make sure that no one unfamiliar with the product could gain access to it, especially kids. Another product that unfortunately contains ABF is GC Instant Wheel Cleaner. Besides using gloves, goggles etc, it would be best never to use one of those products in a misting sprayer, due to the risk of inhaling.

Maybe you could check out one of the alternative products without ABF, like GC All Wheel Cleaner or Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner. Those two are acidic products though, so you would still need to be careful, but they imply no way near the same potential health risks as a product containing ABF. Another alternative is M36. Those three have a NFPA health rating of 1.

But if the wheels are cleaned often, I find that car wash soap is usually all it takes.

[SiriusRIMZ]

Re: AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE in Wheel Brightner: Scary stuff!!!! Need advice

I think your fine. Remember the only time your going to be exposed to this stuff in full stregnth is fresh out of the Jug, undilutted. Dilute it and I think your fine. Call me unsafe, but I will normally just wear some latex gloves, I'll go to heavier duty if I'm mixing concetrate.

I used it this morning at a local DIY car Quarter car wash. (Water bans... I know, I know...). I didnt pack any gloves, so I just sprayed it on with bare hands, I'm fine. I've used this product before, and never had any ill side effects. That being said, I dont purposly sniff the product, or use it stupidly. Use it with some common sense and your fine.

I'm 17 (almost 18), and if I can be responsible enough to use it, you can too.

Its really a wonderful product, and it is amazing at eliminating brake dust.

[Alonso225]

Re: AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE in Wheel Brightner: Scary stuff!!!! Need advice

After doing some reading on Ammonium Bifluoride, I can say that I will personally avoid it. There are many alternatives to use for cleaning wheels, and I will personally rather spend some extra time doing the cleaning if that's what it takes, than accept the health risk. And it is not only the issue of protecting one self (and it sounds like you are being more careful than most), but also the issue of storing of the product. One would have to make sure that no one unfamiliar with the product could gain access to it, especially kids. Another product that unfortunately contains ABF is GC Instant Wheel Cleaner. Besides using gloves, goggles etc, it would be best never to use one of those products in a misting sprayer, due to the risk of inhaling.

Maybe you could check out one of the alternative products without ABF, like GC All Wheel Cleaner or Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner. Those two are acidic products though, so you would still need to be careful, but they imply no way near the same potential health risks as a product containing ABF. Another alternative is M36. Those three have a NFPA health rating of 1.

But if the wheels are cleaned often, I find that car wash soap is usually all it takes.

Thank you Zet for taking the time to reply.

After much thought, I think Ill go with the more traditional methods.

I realized that the use of such powerful products comes not from the need to achieve ultra clean wheels but from the need achieve clean surfaces in less time and with less effort. This reasoning was the one which ultimately convinced me to go 'trad'... I dont mind the kneeling and the scrubbing. It makes sense why products such as WB as marketed towards the wash shop, they dont have the time nor the money to spend on scrubbing....

I wash my car every 2-3 weeks and the rims never get that dirty, besides they're big smooth wheels that are easy to clean... Its just that the sales pitch of the product seduced me... The "Wheel Brightner" bit led me to think that the product cleaned wheels better than anything else in absolute terms regardless of the time invested to clean them, but apparently thats not the case.

And thank you for the suggestion of the alternatives!