Oil-separator

 

is a topic in many countries were the government is focused to avoid to much oil in the waste water from car washes.

I was at a meeting with one of the big player in car wash in our region. They have invest substantially in building new and improved oil separators but still there are car washes were they do not full fill the regulations.

The conclusion was that it has to be the chemicals.

I stated the difference between detergent and detergent.

Alkaline, petroleum and micro emulsions are all called detergents but they are totally different if you see them in a strict chemical point of view.

They also react differently in the oil separator, no questions about that. Micro emulsions are the biggest threat. Petroleum based detergents with emulsifiers is second then the ones without emulsifiers. Alkaline is the best from this  point of view.

Petroleum based detergents without emulsifiers has a big problem to penetrate the water film that is very common on cars in winter time.

We have added an additive to the detergent on the right side so it can penetrate the water film on the car so it will react and solve the contamination, read asphalt and tar, on the surface in a efficient way.

Our laboratory did a short film and the left detergent is a normal petrolium based with emulsifiers and the detergent to the right is without.

done

Some water is added first then the two different petrolium based detergents. The difference in speed of seperation between the two is huge.

 Herobiol Flash is the name of this new imporved product, to the right in the film, that could help many carwashes who has problem with the outgoing wastewater.

Foam or wool pads?

Thats the question that many detailer is keep asking them.

Buffing with wool pad is a faster and cooler way to take away scratches and imperfection in the paint. But on the other hand if the paint is a bit soft or sensitive the wool could make your day a bit sour.

Foam is the most common in Scandinavia if we talking detailing on the aftermarket. But to remove scratches you need compounds and the heat from the friction between the pad and the paint. If you are not educated in this you could create a lot of holograms and swirls from you buffer.

On top of that the different and constantly change of paints makes it not easier.

The development of a foam that cuts fast and efficient without leaving swirls, if right handed, is a top priority for us manufactures.

There is some blended pads with both foam and wool but the are not that common, not were I have been.

The technique is a key issue. If you angel the pad towards the paint you always should go over it flat before you leave. Clean the pad frequently. Use clay before you start to prevent hologram is also a common way.

Lahega has launched a new 165 mm wide foam pad with a new  foam technique that cuts well and leaves a minimum of holograms. This pad comes in two different styles. Orange for medium cutting and black as a swirl remover.

Good luck!