Anyone knows how can i clean the wheel arch? its full of dirt and stuff

[ShowTime]

Daniel & the staff of the TM car wash

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True KC. I noticed that some harsh degreaser/multi cleaner also does have a strong toxic smell that also makes working environment more unpleasant & requires to wear face mask. OPC has a milder scent & also makes me feel more comfortable using it after reading their MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheet).

Optimum Power Clean/Alien Clean always my preferred multi cleaner. Has the punching power of harsh degreaser/multi cleaner with the minimal health risk involved which I believe is very important because I will be storing it in the house.

 

[KrisMas]

Any pH neutral cleaner out there?

 

[jonlsl]

Any pH neutral cleaner out there?

Don't know but would a neutral cleaner be powerful enough? I'm quite sure slightly alkaline would be needed for a decent clean? No? At least as a degreaser.

Would a safe and cheaper alternative to OPC be DG Ultimate Orange? I haven't tried it yet.

 

[eohl79]

Any pH neutral cleaner out there?

Acidic, caustic, neutral pH cleaners, be it "safe" or not you sometimes don't know what kind of contaminant you are dealing with that may end up on your skin. So wear gloves... see bro Fish very smart always wearing gloves in all his detailing pics :top: Long term effects of the chemicals + contaminants who knows... better safe than sorry.

 

[ShowTime]

Its always good idea to protect ourselves from chemical by wearing safety gear BUT its also very important to minimize that risk by choosing safer chemical to use with the similar performance. For example I WOULDN'T store Meguiar's Wheel Brightener/Super Degreaser or any degreaser or any chemical in my home without first looking through their MSDS. Cheap+fast+effective doesn't mean its good! Take for example road side car washes... very fast, cheap, clean but is it good for the user and environment? I can tell you from the shampoo they use, to the engine degreaser, tyre shine... all have huge environmental impact.

Car Shampoo(mostly alkaline), degreaser(no msds), tyre shine(solvent/petroleum based)...the list goes on. I see some road side car washes that the chemicals are so aggressive that causes concrete to crack. Just smelling the chemical makes your lungs seeking fresh air.

---------- Post added at 12:33 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 12:15 PM ----------

If I run a business be it car wash or detailing center then the priority goes like this.

1st. Own/Worker's safety(request them to wear protective gear & by choosing the lowest health hazard as possible chemicals without sacrificing product performance)
2nd. Environment (choosing the lowest health hazard as possible chemicals without sacrificing product performance & if there is a way to put something to neutralize the chemical then it would be a plus).
3rd. Make money.


A heartless employer will do this.

Make money by buying the cheapest and most effective chemicals to get the job done without thinking the health safety of the workers & the environment. The employer doesn't care this because most just sitting in office collecting/counting money.

 

[KrisMas]

I donno. Being using all these chemicals for god know how many years already, but only during weekends and under my open porch la. I'm still alive and kicking and my skin hasn't turned to green yet, nor do I have any of my nails falling away. I think all these 'safe for use' is being blown out of proportion. I mean, these stuffs had been on the shelf for years and are still selling well. There must be a reason for it.

I also noticed the misconceptions on the products INTENDED usage. There are those products for the normal consumer (average Joe), bodyshops (Professionals) and Pro-sumer (people like us). I'm in the opinion that Optimum products are marketed for Pro-sumer, i.e. people who know about detailing products, what they do and take detailing seriously (might or might not do commercial details), but don't have a fix or permanent facilities to get a controlled environment. Therefore they needed something that's 'reasonably' safe to use, to both their person or the vehicle. To get this, there need to be a compromise on the 'potentcy' or 'effectiveness'. Products like Meg's Super Degreaser or Osren DegreaserFX are, however, marketed SPECIFICALLY for bodyshops, i.e. to those who have a permanet facilities where safety can be controlled through using safety equipments and attires (supposedly, but unfortunately most Malaysian places don't adhere to them). These bodyshops concerns only with time as, to them, time is money. So they need something that could work effectively, 'relatively' safe and, most importantly, FAST.

Yes, OPC is a strong and effective cleaner and degreaser, but it's not as strong nor can work as fast as, for example, DegreaserFX or Meg's Super Degreaser. But, as above, OPC is for the pro-sumer and the Meg's are for bodyshops. If you want to use those products that are meant for bodyshops, of course you'd need to take the necessary precautions. If you don't think you can do that, then OPC would be a better choice, but you'd still need to take some precautions as required.

End of the day, whether it's caustic chemicals or 'safe' chemicals, it all boils down to the person who uses them. If it's harmful to you then take the necessary precautions or change to something else. Just USE THEM WISELY as oppose to BLINDLY.

Regards.

 

[eohl79]

Its always good idea to protect ourselves from chemical by wearing safety gear BUT its also very important to minimize that risk by choosing safer chemical to use with the similar performance. For example I WOULDN'T store Meguiar's Wheel Brightener/Super Degreaser or any degreaser or any chemical in my home without first looking through their MSDS. Cheap+fast+effective doesn't mean its good! Take for example road side car washes... very fast, cheap, clean but is it good for the user and environment? I can tell you from the shampoo they use, to the engine degreaser, tyre shine... all have huge environmental impact.

Car Shampoo(mostly alkaline), degreaser(no msds), tyre shine(solvent/petroleum based)...the list goes on. I see some road side car washes that the chemicals are so aggressive that causes concrete to crack. Just smelling the chemical makes your lungs seeking fresh air.

There are plenty of road side car wash that uses all kind of hazardous chemicals but at the same time our authorities and environmental regulations here are crap.

I don't have Meg's SD or wheel brightener because I don't find it safe for me. So I use others which serves my purpose and is saf-er but not entirely. FYI I have 1 gallon of OPC in my arsenal and others too. But sad to say all the degreasers including OPC cause me some skin irritation. As safe as what some poeple claim it to be or say it is okay to store it in their house, do remember Optimum also includes a section which says the following even if it was deemed safe:

SECTION IV: EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES
EYE CONTACT: FLUSH EYES WITH WATER FOR 15 MINUTES. IF IRRITATION OCCURS, GET
MEDICAL ATTENTION.
SKIN CONTACT: WASH WITH SOAP AND WATER. IF IRRITATION OCCURS, GET MEDICAL ATTENTION.
INHALATION: REMOVE PERSON TO FRESH AIR. IF IRRITATION OCCURS, GET MEDICAL ATTENTION.
INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. GIVE VICTIM TWO GLASSES OF WATER. NEVER GIVE ANYTHING BY MOUTH TO AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.
COMMENTS: TREAT ACCORDING TO PERSON’S CONDITION AND SPECIFICS OF EXPOSURE.

If you have a kid in the house, you wouldn't want him to accidentally consume/contact your OPC besides thinking of how expensive you bought it here. Also, if you like eating banana leaf rice with your bare hands/fingers... wear gloves-la So I keep all my chemicals away and stashed off somewhere safe and ventilated.

I prefer to stand neutral on brand standpoint as I am not selling or peddling any detailing stuff. Until you try other brands with a MSDS, saf-er... you won't know of it's ability and performance :hmmmm:

 

[KrisMas]

Wanna see part of my family of cleaners/degreasers together.....

And my unscientific and non-professional conclusion is the DG Ultimate Orange to be the 'safest' cleaner/degreaser....though it's not necessarily the best.

Cheers.

 

[jonlsl]

Wanna see part of my family of cleaners/degreasers together.....

And my unscientific and non-professional conclusion is the DG Ultimate Orange to be the 'safest' cleaner/degreaser....though it's not the best.

Cheers.

Wah!!! Don't tell me that is all your degreasers and cleaners ah, lagi gallon size?!! Haha you have DG UO also. You said "DG Ultimate Orange to be the 'safest' cleaner/degreaser" should be also the nicest smelling also right. hahahaha. Went and check out the MSDS and the hazardous chemical listed in there is also use in food. D-Limonene wasn't listed in the MSDS but we know where that comes from.

I think I should go and get some to try.

 

[ShowTime]

Krismas,

Mind sharing with us which is the the MOST POWERFUL(cleans with minimal/no agitation)? Wheel Brightener?

 

[KrisMas]

Smell like concentrated orange juice, even has almost the same colour....dangerous to keep inside the house wooo.

And....errr....that's not really 'all of it', they're just the ones that are worth mentioning...hehehe....

---------- Post added at 02:42 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 02:37 PM ----------

Krismas,

Mind sharing with us which is the the MOST POWERFUL(cleans with minimal/no agitation)? Wheel Brightener?

Depends on what you're trying to clean and on what surface. Some of these chemicals are designed to do a specific job so it can be good on one thing but only works so-so on another. Those products which are all-purpose...well...like the saying goes: "Jack of all trades but master in none".

If you want 'Jack of all trade'....stick with what you have, which is OPC or other branded 'multi' cleaner.

 

[jonlsl]

Smell like concentrated orange juice, even has almost the same colour....dangerous to keep inside the house wooo.

And....errr....that's not really 'all of it', they're just the ones that are worth mentioning...hehehe....

Wah still got some more!

 

[KrisMas]

Wah still got some more!

Yeah...I got a little more stashed away somewhre....somewhere. Oh...you want cheap AND effective APC? Check this one out (this is an old pics I found stashed away somewhere...somewhere).

That 1 1/2 litre bottle can make 15 gallons man......

 

[ShowTime]

Whatever we enthusiast use, please consider what kind of product we will be using on rides we detail(ours or others), the love ones around us when we store such chemical in the home(especially have old folks & little children) and to the environment.

I know a seller wanna sell me this cheap 500ml super thick+packs a punch crap for less than RM10. I say to myself this crap will NEVER be near my home. Who knows what kind of gases might be leaking from that bottle? Not even a single instruction/dilution ratio/MSDS!

He mainly sell it to car washes... sad to hear that but true.

 

[KrisMas]

We enthusiasts would NEVER use that.....but I'd be interested to test it out. Who knows, that could be a re-bottled branded item that the guy brought in by the barrel and decided to re-bottle it and sell it for cheap cheap......

Looks quite similar to Malco Red Thunder by the way......

 

[kc2]

True KC. I noticed that some harsh degreaser/multi cleaner also does have a strong toxic smell that also makes working environment more unpleasant & requires to wear face mask. OPC has a milder scent & also makes me feel more comfortable using it after reading their MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheet).

Optimum Power Clean/Alien Clean always my preferred multi cleaner. Has the punching power of harsh degreaser/multi cleaner with the minimal health risk involved which I believe is very important because I will be storing it in the house.

The heart of this man is wonderful & transparently displayed at his inventions


look at just his awesome Green Eco Friendly Alien's No rinse wash (aka ONR)

unlike all other car shampoo soapy surfactants to wash off into the storm drains, where as No Rinse™ Wash & Shine does not require rinsing at all (with just 7.5 litre water clean a whole car ) saves resources & minimised green house effect

Just recalled this from my firefox bookmark.

Let Dr. David Ghodoussi and Mike Phillips at the Show Car Garage Studio at Autogeek.net to further explain. They say once better we say 10+ times.

Live Broadcast - Optimum Detailing Class at Autogeek's 6th Annual DetailFest - YouTube

For those who just want to know whether Optimum Power Clean/Alien Clean WILL ETCH the paint or not. See video @ 0:13:50

Daniel & the staff of the TM car wash

---------- Post added at 02:13 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 02:03 AM ----------

I echo again


Just show me your work

---------- Post added at 10:16 PM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 09:52 PM ----------

do check out what auto geek says about Alien Clean

Click here direct access to Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

 

[eohl79]

Oh got to love DG ultimate orange degreaser. Use it for cleaning interior carpets, rims, wheel wells, arches, etc. Price very reasonable too compared to OPC. Does not pack as much punch as compared to other degreasers but very suitable for maintenance. This one I can assure you is paint safe. D-limonene is also used in lots of paint safe tar removers such as Osren latest premium tar remover and CarPro tarX.

Haven't seen a prosumer degreaser that is acid based. BTW, Megs wheel brightener is meant for wheels/rims in specific brake dust with iron filings. It is not a degreaser. Just like Dodo mellow yellow which is also acid based. Tried OPC before on those and it is not very effective and just a waste of product. CarPro ironX works great on heavy brake dust filings.

Must agree with bro Krismas that we enthusiasts will never try all those no brand cheap degreasers.

 

[ShowTime]

Oh got to love DG ultimate orange degreaser. Use it for cleaning interior carpets, rims, wheel wells, arches, etc. Price very reasonable too compared to OPC. Does not pack as much punch as compared to other degreasers but very suitable for maintenance. This one I can assure you is paint safe. D-limonene is also used in lots of paint safe tar removers such as Osren latest premium tar remover and CarPro tarX.

Haven't seen a prosumer degreaser that is acid based. BTW, Megs wheel brightener is meant for wheels/rims in specific brake dust with iron filings. It is not a degreaser. Just like Dodo mellow yellow which is also acid based. Tried OPC before on those and it is not very effective and just a waste of product. CarPro ironX works great on heavy brake dust filings.

Must agree with bro Krismas that we enthusiasts will never try all those no brand cheap degreasers.

Sounds great but based on autogeek. It didn't mention about DG Ultimate Orange to be PAINT SAFE! Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Duragloss Ultimate Orange (UO) #461

Optimum Power Clean All Purpose Cleaner 17 oz. New & Improved!

I'm no chemist so if the manufacturer doesn't claim it can do this and that. I don't dare to do it. Better be safe than sorry later.

 

[Veloc]

No matter what products, there is one thing that KC reminded me. I use to hang polishing MFs and sponges and pads in my aircond room (where I sleep) overnight because they dry fast. The issue of VOCs slipped my mind. It is better to keep these stuff away, outside the house as they gradually release VOCs over time. Even Optimum products are VOC compliant, but little exposure over long term is also not good. There are some products that I have to keep indoor, so what I do now is keep them all in big containers to contain whatever fumes that is leaked out.

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P.S. - There is a difference between a person asking for advice and one that already made up his mind and just looking for people to agree with him

 

[KrisMas]

No matter what products, there is one thing that KC reminded me. I use to hang polishing MFs and sponges and pads in my aircond room (where I sleep) overnight because they dry fast. The issue of VOCs slipped my mind. It is better to keep these stuff away, outside the house as they gradually release VOCs over time. Even Optimum products are VOC compliant, but little exposure over long term is also not good. There are some products that I have to keep indoor, so what I do now is keep them all in big containers to contain whatever fumes that is leaked out.

I have to admit I have a bad habit of sniffing them. Except for Sonax Extreme Wheel Cleaner and CarPro IronX (which smells like rotten egg...really really rotten egg), the rest makes one hell of an ordour eliminator and can make my whole house smells like a perfume garden. Come on, admit it, most of them do smell very nice don't they???....hahahaha.....Joking aside, I only keep my waxes and sealants indoor. The rest are either outside or in the store room at the back of my house.

P.S. - There is a difference between a person asking for advice and one that already made up his mind and just looking for people to agree with him

BINGO

---------- Post added at 12:23 AM ---------- 6 hour anti-bump limit - Previous post was at 12:17 AM ----------

You guys wanna see something? Some of you might have seen this before but, what the heck...I'll throw in another factor into an already complicated 'discussions'.