Pressure Washer Detergent/Snow Foam

[daedalusminos]

I've been using a Karcher 6 series pressure washer for car washing for quite a few years. It has one of those detergent tanks where you add concentrate, turn the lance to MIN, cover the car in suds, wait a few minutes and then pressure wash off.

Despite trying numerous commercially available detergents, I've never been that impressed with the results, although most of the thick mud comes off, you're still left with a dirt film adhered to the paint that needs going over with a bucket and sponge. I've tried pressure washing first then applying detergent and vice versa.

My view of these detergent pre-washes changed this weekend when I tried some Bilt Hamber Touch-less (a sugar based snow-foam pre-wash)

Touch-Less - Bilt Hamber

sugar-based snow-foam pre-wash

bilthamber.com

I added it at the prescribed dilution per the instructions to the detergent tank and applied straight to the car (no pre-pressure wash), left it 5 mins per the instructions and then pressure washed it off. I couldn't believe the dirt just fell off - got the wheels clean as well. I didn't need to go over with a bucket and sponge afterwards although I did apply their Touch-On post wash treatment.

Had I known it was going to work as well as it did I would have taken before/after pics or video, the car was pretty filthy - hadn't been washed since mid November, I live amongst country lanes and the sugar beet has been lifted.

 

[Agroshield]

...(a sugar based snow-foam pre-wash)

...and the sugar beet has been lifted.

Some sort of poetic justice there: the stuff that has caused the mud is now being used to remove the mud.

 

[tom2207]

try their alloy wheel cleaner ,,, the one that goes purple ,, its outstanding.

 

[Ctreanor13]

try their alloy wheel cleaner ,,, the one that goes purple ,, its outstanding.

Auto wheel? Fantastic stuff. To save a few quid, I'd use a degrease to clean the wheels regularly and use Korrosl (their fallout remover, the but that turns purple) once every 2 months. It's more potent than the wheel cleaner

 

[tom2207]

Auto wheel? Fantastic stuff. To save a few quid, I'd use a degrease to clean the wheels regularly and use Korrosl (their fallout remover, the but that turns purple) once every 2 months. It's more potent than the wheel cleaner

Thats the one ,, , the one that removes iron bits and all sorts ,,, I did an old audi wheel with it , and in an hour it was gleaming [ ish ] and not a lot of work , most of the hour was drinking tea ,,,, perfect.

 

[Tangledfeet]

I've been using a Karcher 6 series pressure washer for car washing for quite a few years. It has one of those detergent tanks where you add concentrate, turn the lance to MIN, cover the car in suds, wait a few minutes and then pressure wash off.

Despite trying numerous commercially available detergents, I've never been that impressed with the results, although most of the thick mud comes off, you're still left with a dirt film adhered to the paint that needs going over with a bucket and sponge. I've tried pressure washing first then applying detergent and vice versa.

My view of these detergent pre-washes changed this weekend when I tried some Bilt Hamber Touch-less (a sugar based snow-foam pre-wash)

Touch-Less - Bilt Hamber

sugar-based snow-foam pre-wash

bilthamber.com

I added it at the prescribed dilution per the instructions to the detergent tank and applied straight to the car (no pre-pressure wash), left it 5 mins per the instructions and then pressure washed it off. I couldn't believe the dirt just fell off - got the wheels clean as well. I didn't need to go over with a bucket and sponge afterwards although I did apply their Touch-On post wash treatment.

Had I known it was going to work as well as it did I would have taken before/after pics or video, the car was pretty filthy - hadn't been washed since mid November, I live amongst country lanes and the sugar beet has been lifted.

That's my kind of car cleaning; I've just ordered some - thanks for the recommendation!

 

[James1979]

Thats the one ,, , the one that removes iron bits and all sorts ,,, I did an old audi wheel with it , and in an hour it was gleaming [ ish ] and not a lot of work , most of the hour was drinking tea ,,,, perfect.

I buy oxalic acid as a powder online and mix in a pump sprayer.

Cheapest way of doing it and you can use the concentration you need.

I’ve a feeling that’s the active ingredient in the above

 

[rtcosic]

I buy oxalic acid as a powder online and mix in a pump sprayer.

Cheapest way of doing it and you can use the concentration you need.

I’ve a feeling that’s the active ingredient in the above

I understood the active ingredient in the Bilt Hamber product was a chelating agent - hence the purple colour of the iron chelate. Hence poses no risk to paint or unprotected alloy. It's certainly good at removing grinder rash from paintwork - but leaves the little pits behind!

Although oxalic acid is used for removing rust, as is phosphoric and citric, I have only ever used it for stain removal on wooden furniture. How does it compare with, say, citric, for wheel cleaning?

 

[tom2207]

I buy oxalic acid as a powder online and mix in a pump sprayer.

Cheapest way of doing it and you can use the concentration you need.

I’ve a feeling that’s the active ingredient in the above

Ive used oxalic on tupperware boats to take rust stains off ,,, never tried it on wheels ,,, yet ,,, I must give it a go.

 

[500e]

Tried it on rust marks on old sails at weak concentrate worked like a charm

 

[James1979]

Ive used oxalic on tupperware boats to take rust stains off ,,, never tried it on wheels ,,, yet ,,, I must give it a go.

That’s where I came across it - they use it to clean boats.

@rtcosic ive no idea, sorry. Never used either of the others. Mainly use oxalic acid to get spots off the truck when I’ve been working next to it.

Rusty spots on white truck drives me nuts.

 

[Robotstar5]

<snip> Mainly use oxalic acid to get spots off the truck when I’ve been working next to it.

Rusty spots on white truck drives me nuts.

Everyone who parked in the maintenance car park got rust spots due to the "fallout" from the stack (where I took the pic from) at the iron foundry, the works lab used to dish out Oxalic acid for folks to use on their cars.

 

[Erie Fred]

What kind of powerwasher needs super duper soap ?
I run plain water and it peels off all mud and dirt with no problems.

I do like the recommendations above however.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Well... I'm mighty impressed! From manky to shiny in about fifteen minutes.

Thanks again for the recommendation @daedalusminos (and others) as it's my kinda car cleaning...

 

[daedalusminos]

Well... I'm mighty impressed! From manky to shiny in about fifteen minutes.
View attachment 382386View attachment 382387

Thanks again for the recommendation @daedalusminos (and others) as it's my kinda car cleaning...

Glad you had similar results to me

 

[Newlands]

Where do you get it from? Direct from BH, or do any of the chains carry it, Halfords, Screwfix etc?

 

[Ctreanor13]

Where do you get it from? Direct from BH, or do any of the chains carry it, Halfords, Screwfix etc?

I don't think Halfords stock it. Independent places might, try a local detailing shop or BH direct

 

[daedalusminos]

Where do you get it from? Direct from BH, or do any of the chains carry it, Halfords, Screwfix etc?

Online direct from BH, free postage over £60.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Where do you get it from? Direct from BH, or do any of the chains carry it, Halfords, Screwfix etc?

I bought mine on eBay as it worked out a wee bit cheaper than buying direct from BH by the time BH added delivery charge; arrived the next day as I'd chosen a seller only in the next county.

 

[8ob]

I have been using tfr type products in steam cleaners and pressure washers for many years, don’t think I have ever found one that doesn’t need the intervention of a sponge to remove grime off paint.

Bob