Formulating Car Care Products. Link/Page Citation Here's a wide range of formulation ideas to rev up your product introductions FOR CR ent!usiasts" maintaining t!e e#terior and interior of a car can $e one of life's great %oys. &ut formulating cleaners" wa#es and degreasers can $e a pro$lem. Here are some ideas to consider w!en formulating car care products. Car care products can $e $ e divided into two categories e#terior and interior products. variety of products from eac! category e#ist on t!e market. Products t!at fall into t!e e#terior segment include presoaks" was! soaps" was! and wa#" w!itewall tire cleaners" engine cleaners/degreasers" winds!ield was!ers and winds!ield care products" drying aids" foaming drying a ids" car polis!es and tire dressing. (nterior car care products include plastic and vinyl cleaners and polis!" leat!er polis! and protectant" up!olstery and carpet s!ampoo" up!olstery and carpet s!ampoo wit! odor a$sor$er" car interior deodori)er spray and car interior winds!ield cleaner wit! anti*fogging effect. +!is article details !ow to formulate all of t!ese products and provides starting formulations to assist t!e car care product formulator. formulator. Presoaks ,enerally speaking" detailers are t!e $iggest users of presoaks. good presoak will loosen up t!e dirt" grease and road film from t!e car surface and make it ready for t!e car was!ing soap. +!e presoak is applied to t!e car and left on for -* minutes. (t may or may not $e rinsed $efore applying t!e car was! soap. standard presoak formula will contain good $uilders" surfactants wit! e#cellent wetting and penetrating properties and per!aps some solvents suc! as glycol et!ers. +!e pH is ad%usted at 0*-1. 2ost presoak formulas !ave a !ig! pH and contain fair amounts of electrolytes suc! as p!osp!ates" car$onates and silicates. +!e surfactants suita$le for t!is application must meet two important re3uirements +!ey must $e sta$le in !ig! pH as well as in !ig! electrolyte environment. 2aintaining pH sta$ility is more important $ecause t!e electrolyte sta$ility can $e compensated $y t!e addition of an appropriate !ydrotrope suc! as sodium #ylene sulfonate. 2ost amp!oterics !ave good alkali sta$ility. (n (n fact" amp!oterics are sta$le in alkaline as well as acidic solutions. 4t!o#ylated amines include coconut amine wit! five moles of et!ylene o#ide or tallow amine wit! - moles of et!ylene o#ide" amine o#ides suc! as lauramine o#ide or cocamine o#ide" cocamidopropyl!ydro#y sultaine and amp!oterics suc! as sodium cocoamp!opropionate" all of w!ic! are good e#amples of t!e surfactants t!at can $e used in presence of e lectrolytes as well as in !ig! and low pH applications. Here are some starting formulas to co nsider w!en developing presoak products Presoaks with Phosphates Ingredients % Wt. Water 87.0 TKPP 10.0 Sodium cocoamphopropionate 3.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water 88.0 STPP 8.0
$ocamidoprop" &.0 h"dro'"sutaine Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water (0.0 STPP 8.0 Taowamine etho'"ate )10 moe* +.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water 87.0 TKPP ,.0 Sodium cocoamphopropionate 3.0 -onoethanoamine +.0 "co ether / 3.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. on2Phosphate Presoaks Ingredients % Wt. Water 88.0 Tetrasodium /T4 +.0 Sodium car5onate &.0 Sodium metasiicate 3.0 pentah"drate Taowamine etho'"ate )10 moe* 3.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water (0.0 Tetrasodium /T4 3.0 Sodium car5onate +.0 Sodium metasiicate +.0 pentah"drate 6auramine o'ide 3.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
Car 5as! 6oaps Car was! soaps s!ould !ave a multitude of attri$utes" including !ig! foam" t!e a$ility to cut t!roug! t!e road film on t!e car and remove dirt" grease and grime7 rinsa$ility7 non*damaging to paint or car surfaces and $iodegrada$lity. Car was! soaps can $e formulated as powders or li3uids. Powders are a mi#ture of $uilders suc! as p!osp!ates" car$onates and silicates $lended in a ri$$on $lender and surfactants suc! as linear alkyl $en)ene sulfonate 8L69 and nonylp!enol et!o#ylate adsor$ed onto t!e powder. Li3uid car was! soaps are a $lend of surfactants" $uilders and solvents dissolved in water. +!e economical version of car was! soaps are made wit! L6 and some sodium car$onate and sodium metasilicate penta!ydrate dissolved in water. +!is is t!e very $asic formula for t!e car was! soap. (f
more flas! foam is needed" a little sodium lauryl et!er sulfate is added. (f more creamy" dense foam is desired" an amp!oteric suc! a s sodium cocoamp!opropionate can $e added. For foam sta$ility and viscosity $uilding an amide" $etaine or amine o#ide can $e used. mides will give more foam sta$ility and viscosity $uilding w!ereas t!e amine o#ide and $etaine will increase t!e foam 3uantity $ut may not increase t!e viscosity as muc! as t!e amide will. ,lycol et!ers or ot!er solvents can $e used to improve grease removal and penetration into t!e road film. +!e $ulk of t!e surfactant system used in a car was! soap is anionic surfactants due" mainly" to t!e cost. +!e most commonly used" primary surfactant system is a com$ination of linear alkyl $en)ene sulfonate 8L69 and sodium lauryl et!er sulfate 86L469. Ot!er surfactants are used as additives to t!is $asic surfactant system. +!ere are four kinds of c!emistries t!at are suita$le for t!is purpose mides &ot! 1- and -- amides can $e used as additives in car was! soaps. 5!ile -- amides suc! as cocamide :4 -- will $uild t!e viscosity and will act as a foam sta$ili)er and $ooster. +!ey can $e used at a level of 1*;< in a car was! soap formula. +!e 1- amides will not only act as viscosity and foam $oosters $ut will also aid cleaning and degreasing performance. +!e use level is 1*;<. &etaines and sultaines &etaines and sultaines 8or sulfo$etaines9 will en!ance foaming" $uild viscosity and add to t!e cleaning performance of t!e formula. =se levels of *>< are recommended. 6ulfo$etaines are used w!en a large 3uantity of $uilders suc! as p!osp!ates" car$onates and metasilicates are present in t!e formula. mine o#ides Lauramine o#ide and ot!er amine o#ides are e#cellent detergency $oosters. +!ey also act as foam sta$ili)ers" foam en!ancers and viscosity $uilders. use level of ;*?< is recommended. Here are some starting formulas for car was! soaps $ar Wash Soaps Ingredients % Wt. Water 0.0 TKPP +.0 Sodium metasiicate 3.0 pentah"drate 6inear ak"5enene +0.0 su9onate )&0%* Sodium aur" ether 10.0 su9ate )+8%* Sodium cocoamphopropionate ,.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water 0.0 Sodium car5onate +.0 Sodium metasiicate 3.0 pentah"drate 6inear ak"5enene +0.0 su9onate )&0%* Sodium aur" ether 10.0 su9ate )+8%* 6auramine o'ide ,.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt.
Water ,(.0 Sodium car5onate +.0 Tetrasodium /T4 1.0 Sodium metasiicate 3.0 pentah"drate 6inear ak"5enene +0.0 su9onate )&0%* Sodium aur" ether 10.0 su9ate )+8%* $ocamidoprop" h"dro'"sutaine ,.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water ,.0 Sodium car5onate +.0 Sodium metasiicate 3.0 pentah"drate Sodium citrate +.0 "co ether / &.0 6inear ak"5enene +0.0 su9onate )&0%* Sodium aur" ether* 10.0 su9ate )+8% $ocamide /4 3.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
Car 5as!*n*5a# +!is is a two*in*one product t!at cleans t!e car and t!en $eads and s!eets t!e water for easy drying. +!e term @wa#@ may not $e appropriate !ere $ecause t!e car does not get wa#ed**%ust dried**t!oug! it does get some s!ine due to t!e mineral oil and/or 3uat used in t!e formula. 6ince t!is soap contain 3uats" anionic surfactants suc! as L6 or 6L46 s!ould not $e added to formula. 6imilarly" $uilders suc! as p!osp!ates" silicates and car$onates are not used $ecause of t!e 3uats. Here t!e main surfactants are eit!er amp!oterics or nonionics" $ot! of w!ic! are compati$le wit! 3uats. wide variety of surfactants can $e used in t!is application. For t!e soap portion of t!e formula" amp!oterics" including sodium cocoamp!opropionate" sodium cocoamp!oacetate" cocamidopropyl $etaine" cocamidopropyl !ydro#ysultaine" amine o#ides and et!o#ylated amines can $e used in various com$inations. For t!e $eading and s!eeting action" 3uats suc! as dicocodimonium c!loride are widely used. 4t!o#ylated 3uats can $e used w!ere a water*solu$le 3uat is needed. 6ome suggested starting formulation guidelines for car was!*n*dry products are s!own !ere $ar Wash22r" :ormuas Ingredients % Wt. Water 70.0 Sodium +,.0 cocoamphopropionate icocodimonium choride ,.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt.
Water ,.0 Sodium +0.0 cocoamphopropionate Taowamine 10.0 etho'"ate )10 moe* icocodimonium ,.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water ,0.0 -inera sea oi 10.0 icocodimonium choride 10.0 "co ether / ,.0 /tho'"ated +,.0 cocamine ), moe* Preseraties! d"es #.s.
5!itewall +ire Cleaners 5!itewall tire cleaners are formulated to remove t!e toug! road film" grease" grime and dirt from t!e tire. +!ey are !eavy in caustics and $uilders. +!e surfactants used in t!is application must $e sta$le to !ig! pH and electrolytes. mp!oterics suc! as sodium cocoamp!opropionate will work well in t!is application. Ot!er surfactants t!at can provide a performance advantage in t!is application include et!o#ylated amines and !ydro#ysultaines. 6ome suggested starting formulation guidelines are as follows Whitewa Tire $eaners Ingredients % Wt. Water 7.0 Potassium h"dro'ide )&,%* 13.0 TKPP 1+.0 Sodium cocoamphopropionate 8.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water 77.0 Potassium h"dro'ide )&,%* 8.0 Sodium car5onate &.0 Sodium metasiicate pentah"drate 3.0 $ocamidoprop" h"dro'"sutaine 8.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water 7&.0 Sodium metasiicate 3.0 pentah"drate -onoethanoamine 8.0 "co ether / .0 Tetrasodium /T4 )&8%* &.0 $ocamine etho'"ate ),moes* ,.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
4ngine Cleaners/:egreasers s t!e name suggests" t!ese products are formulated to cut stu$$orn grease and road film. +!ese products are !ig!ly alkaline wit! surfactants t!at !ave e#cellent wetting and penetrating properties. ,lycol et!ers are commonly used as grease removers in t!ese formulas. 6ome formulators also use ot!er solvents suc! as kerosene or d*limonene. microemulsion of d*limonene is an e#cellent form for t!is application. +!e surfactants used in t!is application include amp!oterics and et!o#ylated amines. Here are some suggested formulations for engine cleaners and degreasers /ngine egreaser Ingredients % Wt. Water 8.0 -onoethanoamine 10.0 "co ether P- 1,.0 Sodium cocoamphopropionate 7.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water 8.0 TKPP 10.0 "co ether P- 1,.0 Taowamine etho'"ate )10 moe* 7.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water 71.0 Potassium h"dro'ide ,.0 Sodium metasiicate 7.0 pentah"drate "co ether P- 1+.0 Taowamine etho'"ate )10 moe* ,.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water ,&.0 d2imonene 10.0 "co ether P- .0 Taowamine etho'"ate 30.0 )10 moe* Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water 8.0 TKPP ,.0 d2imonene 8.0 "co ether P- 10.0 Taowamine etho'"ate )10 moe* (.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
5inds!ield 5as!ers 5inds!ield was!ers are designed to remove grease and dirt from t!e glass. +!e soil is comparatively lig!t and t!e glass su$strate is a !ard" non*porous surface" w!ic! makes it easier to clean. Here t!e important re3uirement is t!at t!e surfactant s!ould not leave spots and streaks. 2ost formulators use alco!ol" generally (P" to prevent t!e formula from free)ing. :ipropylene glycol monomet!yl et!er and ot!er glycol et!ers are used as solvents to dissolve any oil or grease and grime. mmonia or ot!er suita$le alkalis are used to impart alkalinity to t!e formula. 6urfactants are used in low amounts" .1*-.<" to provide t!e wetting and penetrating action to t!e formula. Commonly used surfactants in t!is application include decamine o#ide" caprylic/capric amidopropyl $etaine" cocamidopropyl !ydro#ysultaine and caprylic/capric amp!oacetate. Here are two starting formulas Windshied Washer :uid Ingredients % Wt. Water 8(.0 Isoprop" acoho .0 "co ether P- &.0 $ocamidoprop" h"dro'"sutaine 0., -onoethanoamine 0., Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Water 8(.0 Isoprop" acoho .0 "co ether P- &.0 $apr"ic;capric amphoacetate 0., 4mmonia 0., Preseraties! d"es #.s.
5inds!ield +reatments +!ere are some products on t!e =.6. market w!ic! are intended to treat t!e winds!ield in suc! a way t!at w!en rain drops on t!e winds!ield" t!e water s!eets off wit!out t!e use of wipers. +!e product forms an invisi$le $arrier t!at repels rain" sleet and snow on contact. Raindrops $ead up and are $lown away $y t!e aerodynamic wind flow from driving. +!e directions for use of t!ese products calls for cleaning t!e glass" t!en applying t!e product to a dry clot! and wiping onto t!e e#terior glass. +!e product is t!en wiped wit! a dry towel until clear. minofunctional silicones are well suited for t!is application $ecause of t!eir su$stantivity" dura$ility and detergent*resistant properties. starting formula is as follows Windshied Treatment Ingredients % Wt. 4mino9unctiona siicone +., IP4 (7.,
Car :rying ids fter t!e car is was!ed in an automatic car was!" it is sprayed wit! rinse/drying aid. +!e main purpose of t!is aid is to $ead up t!e remaining water on t!e car surface so it can $e easily removed $y t!e $last of air. +!e @$eading up@ of water is caused $y t!e accumulation of small water droplets into a large $ead. +!e product t!at forces t!e water to form $eads is not a true wa#7 it is a mi#ture of 3uat and mineral seal oil. +!e formation of $eads of water on a car surface is generally accomplis!ed $y a microemulsion of mineral seal oil in water formed wit! t!e !elp of a 3uat. common formula for t!is so*called !ot wa# or drying aid is s!own !ere.
+!e dicocodimonium c!loride creates a microemulsion of mineral seal oil in water. +!is microemulsion is a dispersion of droplets of oil in t!e water. +!e droplet si)e is so small t!at t!e lig!t passes t!roug! t!em and does not get reflected $ack" w!ic! is w!y it appears as a clear solution rat!er t!an a dispersion. 2acroemulsions suc! as skin care creams and lotions are also dispersions of fats" oils and wa#es in water $ut !ere t!e oil droplets t!at are dispersed in water are muc! larger t!an t!e droplet si)e in a microemulsion. macroemulsion suc! as a skin care lotion appears w!ite $ecause t!e lig!t does not pass t!roug! and gets reflected $ack. +!e !ot wa# formula for drying aids also includes glycol et!er. ,lycol et!er provides t!e re3uired solu$ili)ation and HL& to create t!e microemulsion. 6ometimes t!e formula also needs a nonionic surfactant. Preferred surfactants are et!o#ylated amines suc! as cocoamine wit! five moles of et!ylene o#ide. +!erefore anot!er formula can $e made as follows.
:rying aids form a t!in" nearly invisi$le layer of 3uat and mineral seal oil on t!e car's surface. +!e 3uat molecules tend to attac! t!emselves to t!e surface and $ring t!e mineral seal oil wit! t!em to form an efficient !ydrop!o$ic layer. 5!en water comes in contact wit! t!is layer it immediately gets repelled and forced to stick toget!er rat!er t!an stick to t!e car surface" w!ic! makes water $ead off. +!e 3uat causes a reduction in surface tension. ddition of nonionic surfactants causes furt!er reduction in surface tension7 t!us t!e nonionic !elps s!eet t!e water off t!e car. Aonionic
surfactants suc! as nonylp!enol et!o#ylates or alco!ol et!o#ylates can $e used" $ut t!ey was! away part of t!e 3uat. 4t!o#ylated amines are more compati$le wit! 3uats due to a pseudo*positive c!arge on t!e nitrogen 8created $y t!e s!ift of electrons9 in et!o#ylated amines. ll of our test results point to t!e fact t!at et!o#ylated amines work muc! $etter t!an ot!er nonionics in t!is application. Here are t!ree car drying/rinse aid starting formulations in premium" standard and economy 3ualities Premium =uait" Ingredients % Wt. icocodimonium choride 18.0 /'oth"ated cocoamine +.0 "co ether / ,.0 -inera sea oi +,.0 Water ,0.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Standard =uait" Ingredients % Wt. icocodimonium choride 13. /'oth"ated cocoamine +.& "co ether / 3.0 -inera sea oi +0.0 Water 1.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. /conom" =uait" Ingredients % Wt. icocodimonium choride (.0 /'oth"ated cocoamine 3.0 "co ether / +.0 -inera sea oi 1&.0 Water 7+.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
dding silicone 3uats to t!e formula will en!ance t!e $eading and s!eeting action" as well as cause 3uick $reaking of foam and will !elp leave a s!ine on t!e car w!ile protecting t!e surface. Here's a sample starting formula $ar r"ing ; >inse 4id Premium =uait" Ingredients % Wt. icocodimonium choride 18.0 /'oth"ated cocoamine +.0 Siicone #uat 3.0 "co ether / ,.0 -inera sea oi +,.0 Water &7.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
+rou$les!ooting +!e standard procedure for making t!e formulas found in t!is article is to add all ingredients in t!e order listed e#cept water. 2i# well and make sure t!at t!e $atc! is !omogenous and smoot!" free of lumps or particles" $efore adding water. dd water slowly wit! good agitation. +!e mi#er must $e a$le to create a vorte#. variety of pro$lems can $e encountered w!en making a car drying/rinse aid formula. Cold weat!er adds to t!e pro$lems since emulsions in general" and microemulsions in particular" are sensitive to low temperatures. Order of addition as well as speed of mi#ing is important to create a crystal*clear $atc!. 2ineral seal oil 826O9 3uality is an important factor. 2ineral seal oils are mi#tures of aromatic and alip!atic !ydrocar$ons and t!eir ratios vary from supplier to supplier and from $atc! to $atc!. Recent increases in crude oil prices may !ave caused some alterations in t!e 3uality of mineral seal oil. +!e 3uality and !ardness of water is anot!er varia$le. Hard water t!at contains calcium and magnesium can cause variations in t!e formulation. Order of addition" speed of addition and mi#ing e3uipment are also important factors. 5!en making a $atc!" it is recommended to a dd 26O" 3uat and glycol et!er and mi# t!em very well. +!e mi#ing e3uipment must $e a$le to create a vorte# and $ring t!e $ottom part of t!e mi#ture to t!e top7 ot!erwise" a portion of t!e 3uat can stay at t!e $ottom. +!e water s!ould $e added slowly wit! constant mi#ing. 5!enever t!e $atc! does n ot turn out clear t!ere are some ad%ustments t!at s!ould $e made. Here are a few e#amples B dd more 3uat. s discussed e arlier" t!e 3uality of 26O can vary. (f t!e 26O !as more alip!atic material" it will take more 3uat to emulsify. B dd more 4&. 6ome $atc!es take a little more 4& to make t!e microemulsion. B dd e#ot!ylated cocoamine. +!e addition of -*1< e#ot!ylated cocoamine also !elps. (f t!e viscosity of t!e $atc! is !ig!er or t!ere is a gel formation" add .>< of $etaine. Occasionally" t!e addition of 1*>< propylene glycol will also !elp dissolve any precipitation. Foaming :rying ids drying aid w!ic! is $ecoming more popular in t!e =.6. is !eavily pigmented and makes colored $u$$les as it is sprayed on t!e car for water $eading and s!eeting purposes to dry t!e car in an automatic car was!. +!ese drying aids contain less mineral seal oil and more n onionic or amp!oteric surfactant to produce foam. +!e typical 3uats can $e used for t!e drying action. 2ineral seal oil may or may not $e used. (f mineral seal oil is used" t!e 3uantity s!ould $e reduced due to its defoaming action. 4t!o#ylated 3uats can also $e used. +!e et!o#ylation makes t!em watersolu$le and relatively more foam producing t!an t!e regular dicoco 3uats. dditives t!at increase foam volume and sta$ility include cocoamidopropyl $etaine" cocamidopropyl !ydro#ysultaine" lauramine o#ide and cocamine et!o#ylate. Here are some suggested starting formulas for foaming drying/rinse aids :oaming r"ing;>inse 4id Ingredients % Wt. icocodimonium choride +0.0 -inera sea oi 10.0 /'oth"ated cocoamine +,.0 "co ether / ,.0 Water &0.0
Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. icocodimonium choride +0.0 -inera sea oi ,.0 /'oth"ated cocoamine ,.0 $ocamine o'ide +,.0 "co ether / ,.0 Water &0.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
Car Polis!es Car polis!es provide gloss" protect and clean t!e car's painted surfaces. wide variety of auto polis!es are availa$le on t!e market. +!e polis! can $e formulated in t!ree different p!ysical forms**namely paste" li3uid and spray. 2odern car polis!es often contain at least some of t!e following ingredients 6ilicones and t!eir derivatives !ave e#cellent performance in polis! formulas. Polydimet!yl silo#anes and various organo modifications are used in t!is application. s a general rule" !ig!er viscosity fluids give more gloss and dura$ility $ut are difficult to process and difficult to $uff and ru$out. +!e lower viscosity fluids are easier to formulate wit! and apply. 4mulsions are very easy to incorporate in a formula. minofunctional silicones are widely used for t!eir su$stantivity and detergent resistancy. 6ilicone resins can also $e used for t!eir dura$ility. +!us in general" silicones provide water repellency and protection as well as gloss and dura$ility. +!e primary function of t!e solvents in a car polis! is to clean t!e surface dirt" grease and grime and prepare t!e surface for t!e polis!. +!ey also act as t!e carrier for wa#es" silicones and ot!er actives to t!e surface. 6olvents s!ould $e carefully c!osen $ecause !ig! & value solvents can damage t!e painted surfaces. ,enerally a solvent wit! less t!an ; & value is recommended. Common solvents are deodori)ed mineral spirits" deodori)ed kerosene and D2EP nap!t!a. 5a#es are used in t!e polis! in order to control t!e viscosity of t!e formula" provide !ardness and some gloss to t!e film" improve emulsification and sta$ility of t!e emulsion" control $leeding" improve opacity" provide lu$rication and increase dura$ility. Common wa#es include carnau$a" $eeswa#" paraffin and microcrystalline wa#. $lend of two or more wa#es impart several desired properties to t!e final formula. wide variety of emulsifiers can $e used to produce oil*in*water or water*in*oil systems. 6or$itan esters" alko#ylated alco!ols" alko#ylate polydimet!yl silo#anes and fatty acid soaps can $e used as emulsifiers. num$er of ot!er surfactants including amp!oterics" alkyl sulfates" alkanolamides and et!o#ylated fatty amines can also $e used as emulsifiers. Oleic and stearic acid soaps are also used. Popular $rasives Finely divided clays and diatomaceous eart! products are used in polis!es to remove stu$$orn road film and tar from t!e car surface. +!e a$rasives remove surface scratc!es and slig!t imperfections and smoot! out t!e surface to $e polis!ed. Common commercial products include 6now Floss" 6uper Floss and aopolite. +!e c!oice of a$rasive depends on t!e type of surface to $e polis!ed. Aewer cars wit! clear coats generally re3uire a mild a$rasive wit! a very fine particle si)e. 2ore aggressive a$rasives wit! a larger particle si)e may $e more suita$le for older cars.
:epending on t!e amount and composition of t!e oil p!ase in an oil*in*water emulsion" a t!ickener may or may not $e needed. (f t!e 3uantity of t!e oil p!ase is considera$le and it contains a good amount of wa#es" t!e formula may not need any ot!er t!ickener. (f t!e formula turns out to $e t!in" it will not $e a$le to keep a$rasives in suspension. (n suc! cases a water p!ase t!ickener may $e used. Common t!ickeners include car$opol" cellulose gums and magnesium aluminum silicate. Li3uid Car Polis! wit! Hig! ,loss and :etergent Resistancy Ingredients % Wt. Wa' ,.8 ?doress minera sprits 3+.1 4mino9unctiona sio'ane 3., imethicone emusion &.7 ?eic acid 1.7 -orphoine 0.( Kaopoite 11,+ 10.0 Water &1.3 Preseratie! per9ume! d"e #.s. Paste $ar Poish with esistanc" Ingredients % Wt. eeswa' &.8 $arnau5a wa' +.0 ?doress minera spirit 3&.& 4mino9unctiona sio'ane 3., imethicone 3,0 &.3 imethicone 100!000 1.8 Stearic acid 1. -orphoine 0.( Kaopoite 10.0 $ar5opo 0.+ Water 3., Preseratie! per9ume! d"e #.s. 6i#uid Spra" and Wipe Poish :or ew $ear $oat $ars Ingredients % Wt. Siicone emusion 10.0 Water (0.0 Preseratie! per9ume! d"e #.s.
+ire :ressings +ire dressings $ring out t!e dept! of t!e color and provide gloss to t!e tire to make it look newer and more attractive. +ire dressings also provide some protection to t!e tire from road film and environmental pollutants. +ire dressings are generally very lo w viscosity products and can $e applied wit! a pump sprayer. +!e formulations can $e solvent $ased or water $ased. (n t!e solvent $ased systems deodori)ed kerosene or mineral sprits are used as t!e carrier and $ase and silicone fluids are used as a gloss en!ancer. mino functional silicones add dura$ility and detergent
resistancy. 5ater*$ased dressings can $e simple water dilutions of silicone emulsions. 6ome suggested starting formulations are as follows. Soent25ased Tire ressing Ingredients % Wt. ?doress minera spirits (0.0 imethicone 3,0 10.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Soent25ased Tire ressing )with amino 9unctiona siicone* Ingredients % Wt. ?doress minera spirits (0.0 imethicone 3,0 8.0 4mino9unctiona siicone +.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Water25ased Tire ressing Ingredients % Wt. Siicone emusion 10.0 Water (0.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
Plastic and Dinyl Cleaners Car interiors include suc! diverse surfaces as plastic" vinyl and leat!er. ll of t!em must $e cleaned and cared for properly. mild" low foaming cleaner is generally needed to do t!e %o$ of cleaning w!ile a t!in film of an appropriate silicone derivative will work well for t!e care and appearance of t!e surface. For t!e cleaner part" a low*foaming surfactant wit! good wetting properties on plastic and vinyl is re3uired. 6ome of t!ese surfactants include decylamine o#ide" caprylic/capric amidopropyl$etaine" and caprylic/capric amp!oacetate. &uilders suc! as 4:+" sodium citrate" sodium metasilicate and small amounts of +PP can also $e used. ,lycol et!ers will also $oost soil removal. plastic and vinyl polis! is easy to make. simple dilution of an appropriate silicone emulsion will do t!e %o$. Here are some starting formulas for plastic and vinyl cleaners. Pastic and @in" $eaner Ingredients % Wt. Water (+.0 ec"amine o'ide 3.0 $apr"ic;capric +.0 amidoprop"5etaine /T4 0., "co ether P- +., Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt.
Water (&.0 4coho ako'"ate 1.0 $apr"ic;capric amphoacetate +.0 TKPP 0., "co ether P- +., Preseraties! d"es #.s. Ingredients % Wt. Siicone emusion +0.0 Water 80.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
Leat!er Polis! and Protectant Leat!er is a relatively soft and porous material. leat!er polis! and protectant formula s!ould contain ingredients t!at can penetrate t!e pores and keep it moisturi)ed and soft and also protect its surface from t!e !armful effects of foreign su$stances. 6ilicone fluid wit! a$out - cst viscosity will also do a good %o$. suggested starting formula for one of t!ese products is s!own !ere 6eather Poish and Protectant Ingredients % Wt. Siicone i#uid wa' 3.0 imethicone 100 ,.0 ees wa' +.0 White minera spirit +,.0 Water ,.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
=p!olstery and Carpet 6!ampoo Carpet s!ampoos are $ased on anionic surfactants t!at dry into a powder and can $e ea sily removed wit! a vacuum cleaner. lkyl sulfates" sarcocinates and sulfosuccinates are often t!e primary surfactants in a carpet s!ampoo formula. For lower foam versions" nap!t!alene and cumene sulfonates are commonly used. 6econdary surfactants are used as detergency en!ancers" spot removers" foam and viscosity modifiers and anti$acterial agents. 4t!o#ylated amines" for e#ample" can $oost detergency and spot removal properties. 6ome amp!oterics suc! as sodium cocoamp!opropionate will also increase t!e detergency and t!e alkali sta$ility of t!e formula. (f a 3uat is used as an anti$acterial agent in t!e formula t!en t!e anionic surfactants can not $e used. (n t!at case amp!oterics $ecome t!e primary surfactant. Darious $uilders can $e used w!en formulating a carpet cleaner. +PP in small amounts 8.>*1.><9 does an e#cellent %o$ as a $uilder. 6odium metasilicate penta!ydrate is a corrosion in!i$itor and provides alkalinity. 4:+" sodium citrate and sodium car$onate can also $e used. 6odium $icar$onate is also a popular additive in carpet cleaners. ,lycol et!ers act as cleaners a nd degreasers in a carpet s!ampoo formula. Propylene glycol*$ased et!ers suc! as :P2 can $e used at a 1*>< level. (f a perfume is used" it must $e completely solu$ili)ed in t!e formula. ,enerally t!ere are enoug! surfactants in t!e formula to dissolve t!e perfume. (n ot!er cases w!ere a !eavy dose of perfume is used or t!ere are not enoug! surfactants
to solu$ili)e t!e perfume" adding et!o#ylated amines will !elp solu$ili)e t!e perfume. Here are some starting formulas for auto carpet and up!olstery cleaners $arpet Shampoo Ingredients % Wt. Su9osuccinate 1.0 $ocamine etho'"ate ), moe* 1.0 Tetrasodium /T4 +.0 Sodium metasiicate 3.0 pentah"drate 4cr"ic po"mer 1.0 Water 77.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. 6ow :oam $arpet $eaner Ingredients % Wt. Water 8&.0 TKPP ,.0 Sodium metasiicate pentah"drate 3.0 Sodium 5icar5onate +.0 ecamime o'ide ,., $apped acoho etho'"ate 0., Preseraties! d"es #.s.
Odor $sor$ers One of t!e current trends in auto carpet and up!olstery cleaning is to add an odor*controlling agent in order to neutrali)e malodors suc! as cigarette smoke" pet odors or food smells. +!ese odor*
controlling agents can $e divided into t!ree categories. One is a suita$le perfume t!at can cover up t!e odor. +!e disadvantages of t!e perfume can $e t!at it %ust covers up t!e malodor and w!en t!e perfume evaporates" t!e malodor will come $ack. lso perfume is a very personal t!ing and some people may not like t!e smell of t!e mi#ture of a particular perfume wit! a malodor. +!e second category of odor controllers are c!emicals wit! cavities in t!eir molecules" suc! as cyclode#trin. +!e malodor and a strong perfume can $e a$sor$ed in t!ese cavities and t!us t!e perfume covers t!e odor and makes t!e perfume last longer. +!e t!ird type is )inc ricinoleate. +!is material w!en activated $y solu$ili)ing in water will make comple# wit! malodors" w!ic! generally contain nitrogen and sulfur. +!is comple#ing is permanent and t!e malodor molecule is not released even upon drying. Here are somestarting formulas for odor a$sor$ing p roducts Aphoster" and $arpet Shampoo with ?dor 45sor5er Ingredients % Wt. Sodium aur" su9ate 10.0 ec"amine o'ide ,.0 $apr"ic;capric amidoprop"5etaine ,.0 Binc ricinoeate ),0% con.* 1.0 Water 7(.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. Aphoster" and $arpet Shampoo with ?dor 45sor5er Ingredients % Wt. Sodium naphthaene su9onate 10.0 6auramine o'ide 8.0 Binc ricinoeate ),0% con.* 1.0 TKPP +.0 Water 7(.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s. $arpet $eaner with ?dor 45sor5er Ingredients % Wt. Binc ricinoeate ),0% con.* 1.00 Prop"ene g"co 3.00 Isoprop" acoho 3.00 $ocamine etho'"ate ), moes* 1.00 Sodium aur" su9ate +.00 eionied water (0.0 Preseraties! d"es #.s.
Ot!er Products for Car (nteriors Cigarette smoke is one of t!e most common odors inside a car. Ot!er malodors include pet odors" urine and food odors. +!ere are several products on t!e Aort! merican market" w!ic! are used to fig!t odors inside an auto. 2ost of t!em are $ased on fragrances t!at cover up malodors. inc ricinoleate can $e used to actually adsor$ t!ese odors and t!us eliminate t!em rat!er t!an %ust mask t!em wit! fragrance. com$ination of a pleasant fragrance and )inc ricinoleate can also $e formulated to provide t!e $est of t!e $ot! worlds. suggested starting formula is as follows $ar Interior eodorier Spra"
Ingredients % Wt. Binc ricinoeate ),0% conc.* +.0 Tween +0 &.0 eionied water (1.+ Sodium citrate +., Preseraties! d"es #.s.
:ue to t!e superwetting and surface tension reduction to very low levels of some of t!e silicone surfactants t!ey can $e used to formulate e#cellent glass cleaners wit! antifogging properties. Interior Windshied $eaner with 4nti29ogging /99ect Ingredients % Wt. imethicone copo"o 1.0 Isoprop" acoho &(.0 eionied water &(.0
(n t!e past" maintaining a car's appearance re3uired plenty of el$ow grease. &ut today" manufacturers are making it easier for consumers to keep t!eir cars looking new many years after t!ey drive t!em off t!e dealer's lot.
