Automated car washes have become an increasingly popular option for car owners who want to keep their vehicles clean and shiny. One of the key components of these washes is the soap used to clean the car. Soap is an essential component of the car washing process as it helps to loosen dirt and grime from the car’s surface, making it easier to wash away. In this article, we will explore the chemistry behind how soap works to clean a car in an automated car wash and why a good soap can make a significant difference in the cleaning performance.

 

Chemistry of Soap:

Before delving into how soap works to clean a car, it is essential to understand the chemistry behind soap. Soap is a type of surfactant, which is a molecule that has both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts. The hydrophilic head of the soap molecule is attracted to water, while the hydrophobic tail is repelled by it.

When soap is added to water, it forms micelles, which are clusters of soap molecules. The hydrophilic heads of the soap molecules face outward, while the hydrophobic tails face inward, forming a spherical shape. The soap molecules in the micelle help to dissolve and suspend dirt and grease in the water, allowing them to be easily rinsed away.

 

How Soap Works in an Automatic Car Wash:

In an automated car wash, soap is applied to the car’s surface using high-pressure nozzles. The soap used in car washes is designed to be highly concentrated, which helps to break down and dissolve dirt and grime from the car’s surface.

Once the soap is applied to the car, it starts to work by breaking down the bonds between the dirt and the car’s surface. The hydrophobic tails of the soap molecules penetrate the dirt and grease, while the hydrophilic heads attract water and help to lift the dirt away from the car’s surface. This process is called emulsification.

As the dirt and grime are lifted away from the car’s surface, the water in the wash system helps to rinse it away. The soap helps to keep the dirt and grime suspended in the water, preventing it from re-depositing on the car’s surface. This is why a good soap is essential in an automated car wash as it ensures that the dirt and grime are effectively removed from the car’s surface.

 

The Importance of Good Soap in Cleaning Performance:

Not all soaps are created equal, and the quality of the soap used in an automated car wash can make a significant difference in the cleaning performance. A good soap should have the following characteristics:

1. High Concentration: A good soap should be highly concentrated, which means that it contains a higher amount of active ingredients. This helps to break down dirt and grime more effectively, ensuring that it is removed from the car’s surface.

2. pH Neutral: The soap used in automated car washes should be pH neutral. This means that it should neither be too acidic nor too alkaline. If the soap is too acidic, it can damage the car’s paint, while if it is too alkaline, it can strip the wax from the car’s surface, leaving it unprotected.

3. Lubricity: A good soap should have lubricity, which means that it should create a slippery surface that helps to reduce friction between the dirt and the car’s surface. This helps to prevent scratches and swirl marks from forming on the car’s paint.

4. Non-Streaking: A good soap should be non-streaking, which means that it should not leave any residue or streaks on the car’s surface after it has been rinsed off. This helps to ensure that the car’s surface is clean and

 

 

Two Step Soap Spray System

Traditional soap spray systems use a single-step process, where a single solution of soap and water is applied to the car. However, this approach has its limitations. One of the major drawbacks of a single-step soap spray system is that it is less effective in removing stubborn dirt and grime. This is because the soap solution has a limited amount of time to act on the surface of the car before it is rinsed off.

To overcome this limitation, a two-step soap spray system has been developed. The two-step system uses two separate solutions: a pre-soak solution and a detergent solution. The pre-soak solution is applied first, which helps to break down and loosen stubborn dirt and grime. The detergent solution is then applied, which further cleans and shines the surface of the car.

The chemistry behind the two-step soap spray system is quite interesting. The pre-soak solution contains a mixture of alkaline agents, surfactants, and solvents. Alkaline agents such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide help to break down dirt and grime by reacting with the oils and fats present in them. Surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate help to reduce the surface tension of water, which allows the pre-soak solution to penetrate deeper into the dirt and grime. Solvents such as glycol ethers and terpenes help to dissolve and loosen dirt and grime, making it easier to remove.

The pre-soak solution is typically applied using high-pressure nozzles, which help to ensure that the solution reaches all areas of the car. Once the pre-soak solution has been applied, it is left on the surface of the car for a short period of time, usually around 30 seconds, to allow it to penetrate and loosen the dirt and grime.

The detergent solution is then applied using a similar method, typically using high-pressure nozzles. The detergent solution contains a mixture of surfactants, water softeners, and conditioners. The surfactants help to further break down and remove dirt and grime, while the water softeners help to prevent the formation of hard water spots. Conditioners such as polymers and silicones help to protect the surface of the car and provide a shiny finish.

One of the advantages of the two-step soap spray system is that it can be customized to suit different types of cars and different levels of dirt and grime. For example, for cars with heavy dirt and grime buildup, a more concentrated pre-soak solution can be used, while for cars with light dirt and grime buildup, a less concentrated pre-soak solution can be used. Similarly, the concentration of the detergent solution can also be adjusted to suit different levels of dirt and grime buildup.

Another advantage of the two-step soap spray system is that it can help to reduce water consumption. Because the pre-soak solution helps to loosen dirt and grime, less water is required to rinse the car, which can help to reduce water consumption by up to 20%.