Wash Pretreatment

[305Cummins]

Does Meguiar's have a product that can be used to remove the majority of soil from the surface before using mechanical contact?

I've tried GC and NXT shampoo in concentrations up to 3oz/gallon as a pretreatment, allowing a soak period then rinsing the surface. I've also tried this in combination with a pressure washer and nozzle, but the results were no better than simply rinsing and washing as usual.

What I like to accomplish is the removal of the bulk of the soil before touching the paint with a wash pad, and hopefully, this will reduce the risk of marring.

Thanks!

[RamAirV1]

That is a good question. Unfortunately, you need to go to the wash mitt, etc. to break the surface tension of the dirt. Any chemical that could remove the dirt without mechanical contact would most likely strip all the wax of your car or truck.

I too would be interested in such a method but I have yet to see anything that can accoplish that. Mike's Express Car Wash uses high pressure and hot water to wash cars but I don't think that's the best thing for one's paint!

RamAirV1

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wash Pretreatment

Originally posted by 305Cummins
Does Meguiar's have a product that can be used to remove the majority of soil from the surface before using mechanical contact?

This question can be worded just a little different and become an excellent example of a New Product Suggestion

Off the top of my head, here are a few thoughts...

First, I would like a product like this myself, looking at our dirty Pilot today I couldn't help but cringe when I thought about potentially grinding the accumulated dirt on the surface against the finish when I go to wash it. It's been raining quite a bit around here lately and we've been putting a lot of highway miles on our S.U.V. The dirty road spray from traffic in front of us as well as the dirty road spray that swirls around the back of our Honda has left a lot of dirt on the car.

It would be cool to have a pre-wash treatment, perhaps thick, with a long dwell-time to first spray onto the finish to loosen the grip of the surface dirt. Then, after 5-10 minutes, spray the pre-treatment off with a strong spray of water.

Now, with the majority of the dirt removed from the surface, begin washing as normal. If the product worked, and prevented people from instilling car washing scratches from the finish, then it might be worth the selling price when compared to the cost in time, labor and product cost to remove swirls and scratches from the finish. A sort of Preventative Maintenance Pre-Wash, PMPW, or Preventative Maintenance Pre-Treatment PMPT?

The problem with a product like this would be creating a formula powerful and effective enough to loosen and remove loose dirt without being so strong it removes your wax coating.

Hmmm...

[Teak]

Mike,
There is product made by Stage one car care which is a spray on pre-wash. Could something worth checking out and possibly sometime in the future Meguiars will make a better product for this purpose. I know you have quite the collection of products, whats one more.

I will ppost or send you link if you are interested in more information. I have not used the product, but have read postive reviews, Further I am not associated with company.

Eric

[Don]

The most effective 'pre-treatment' for heavily soiled vehicles that I know of is a pressure washer. I know that there is an element of physical/mechanical cleaning due to the high pressure of the water (the water almost becomes like a solid at the high psi's) but it is the lesser of the evils as opposed to dragging a mitt across a heavily contaminated surface. A properly maintained surface should easily withstand an occasional bout with high pressure sprayers. Plus the h/p water reaches really well into deep crevises that are normally next to impossible to reach.

[Vormund]

Wouldn't the ideal treatment be an attachment full of a chemical cleaner that clips on to the hose when rinsing the car?

Wouldn't be such a great seller in areas with water restrictions though.

[travisdecpn]

I thought that this was what body solvent was?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

No, Body Solvent is used for removing tar, adhesives etc... from the finish.

Body Solvent




As for pre-cleaning, I too use a pressure washer. That way the majority of the dirt will be removed before you place a mitt near the paint.

Here's my wife's car after using the pressure washer on half of it:



Cheers!

Tim

[Carl]

Maybe this is a naive question, but might the pressure washer be too powerful and possibly blast dirt into the paint, or do you just hold the nozzle far enough away for it to be safe? It just seems so harsh.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Fair question!

If a person uses the wrong angled tip, like say a 15o tip, you would concentrate too much spray/pressure at the paint. I use a 40o tip that fans the water out nicely.

I have been using this technique for years without a problem. Because I am a fishing nut, my truck tends to get quite dirty going into the mountain lakes. So when I get it home, I wash it with the pressure washer to remove the heavy dirt first. I have not had a problem with dirt scratches caused by the pressure washer!

Tim

[travisdecpn]

Tim,

Thanks for clearing that up, after doing a little more reading I realized that it wasn't what I had originally thought. Since we are on the pressure washer topic now, which unit have you been using?

Travis

[Woob]

I'm interested in a pressure washer also, I'm guessing 1500-1700 psi is the best? I've heard from many pressurewashing professionals that gas powered is the most reliable. However electric seems to fit my wallet and availability the best. What nozzles would be safe to use?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey Travis,

I have a 5hp Honda Powered washer. I think the brand of the pump is BME, but I will have to check that.

If you are thinking of buying a gas pressure washer, do not buy bigger than you need. The bigger you go, the more water pressure the pump will require. Too low of pressure and you will burn out the pump. Most households have decent water pressure, but check with the washer's manufacturer what their minumum water pressure requirement is. Also, make sure to buy an additional steel braided extension hose with the proper fittings.

I hope this helps!

Tim

[Woob]

What about electric? Any good values for what you can get?

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

To be honest, I borrowed an electric washer once (before I bought the gas) and really did not like it. It had some power and for many, would probably be enough. But the rest of the washer, the pump, the wand etc are all really light duty. So for me, I would rather spend a little more and get something that will last a lot longer.

Tim