Like taking care of your car, expertise is about details. Here are some key terms you need to know to make sense of auto detailing.
Alkaline
An alkaline solution has a pH level above 7 (see pH below for more information about this scale). When it comes to taking care of your car, pH-neutral products are generally safe to use on all surfaces; acidic products are used to remove rust and oxides; and alkaline products are used to clean squashed bugs, bird droppings, and tree sap.
Acidic
Acidic auto detailing products have a pH level under 7 and are used to clean mineral deposits (on the wheels, for example) and other types of damage caused by non-water-soluble materials.
Abrasive
Any substance that can scratch or remove substances adhered to a surface. Some auto detailing products are designed to be abrasive so that they can remove stubborn grime from the surface of your car.
Brake Dust
Iron particles and pulverized material from the brake pads that accumulate on the wheels of your car. Brake dust is one of the reasons why you should always use a separate sponge/cloth to clean your tires and wheels. You don’t want to run the risk of rubbing brake dust against your car’s paint!
pH
This value indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, which is the factor that determines acidity or alkalinity. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, where 0 indicates acidity, 7 stands for a neutral solution, and 14 represents maximum alkalinity.
More Car Detailing Tips and Resources
Keep your vehicle in mint condition with these posts that cover every aspect of the care and maintenance of your car.
- How to get rid of mold in your car
- 4 Classic car maintenance tips
- How to clean your car rims
- 4 Tips to avoid distracted driving
- How to prevent and repair hail damage
- 6 Tips for driving safely when it rains
Inland Empire Autobody & Paint Inc. is a family-owned business that specializes in collision repair and custom paint. We work with all major insurance companies!
We have locations in Riverside and Moreno Valley, California. Call us (951-465-7350), contact us through our website or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get information about our services: Collision repair, custom paint, windshield replacement, rim repair, paintless dent removal, auto detail, complete paint jobs and more!
