How to Degrease the Car Body - We Select the Best Tool

Preparing a vehicle for polishing or painting requires a series of procedures. One of them is the defatting of the car body. This operation is performed on a specific technology with the help of special trains.


1. Degreasing at the factory - quality, but dangerous
Let's first find out why the car is degreased before the implementation of paint and varnish activities. Why is this procedure so important for obtaining a high-quality result of painting or polishing the body? The answer is simple. Degreasing saves the body of particles of bitumen, engine oil, various insoluble chemicals and other contaminants that cannot be removed by washing the car. Due to this, the treated surface becomes truly clean and even. So, it will have maximum adhesion to the paint coating used. The latter will stay on the vehicle for a very long time, therefore, re-painting will be required under such conditions soon.

In the factory, the degreasing is carried out by different methods. They suggest the use of quite aggressive and potentially unsafe connections. One of them is trichlorethylene. It is a sticky emulsion. Before use, it is mixed with water. Trichlorethylene is not suitable for cleaning aluminum surfaces. It is recommended exclusively for ferrous metal substrates. Therefore, in most cases, the car body before polishing or applying a paint composition is treated with a solution that includes:

about 70% of a mixture of phosphoric acid (5 parts) and water (1 hour);
14–18% isopropyl and 11–14% ethanol;
0.1% nitrobenzene;
0.5% special emulsifier with OP-7 marking.

Such a composition is able to cope with any contamination and even traces of rusting. But it’s dangerous to handle them by car. The solution can cause serious harm to human health. If we want to effectively and safely degrease the body of your iron horse without the help of specialists, it is better to use more gentle and easy to use means. About them further.

2. How to clean the car at home?
Degrease the body of any modern car in your own garage. Now offers a good selection of special equipment for a similar procedure. All of them are divided into the following groups:
organic solutions;
synthetics;
water-alkaline emulsions.

The most famous best engine degreasers agent is white spirit. It is known to many motorists for its characteristic kerosene "flavor". White spirit is produced by distillation of petroleum fractions. In fact, it is a composition of a number of liquid hydrocarbons. White alcohol without any problems washes away bitumen from a metal surface, practically any grease and rubber contamination. With it, it is easy to clean the car yourself. But after using white spirit in the garage and on the back of the car, the smell of kerosene remains quite persistent. It is not easy to get rid of such an amber. White alcohol is good for removing organic contaminants.

In such situations locations, it is desirable to use modern synthetic solutions and special emulsions. They are universal and suitable for removing any contaminants (inorganic, organic). True, they should be chosen with special care, considering:
adhesion level with primer, putty, paint for cars;
the ability of the solution to destroy certain fat-containing compounds;
indicator of emulsion aggression to the metal of the body.

Most often, before polishing, home craftsmen use the following synthetic products - Solvent, Nefras C 2-80 / 120, as well as universal anti-silicones from different manufacturers. Choose the right composition for the degree of efficiency and price easy.

3. We process cars ourselves - how to avoid problems?
So, we decided to remove all serious dirt from the vehicle body with our own hands. What is needed for this, except for the direct degreasing agent? First, a respirator and goggles. The composition of antisilicones, white spirit and aqueous emulsions include chemical compounds that may well harm human respiratory and eye organs. Secondly, we get rubber gloves. They will protect our hands from the aggressive effects of a degreaser. We also need two non-woven napkins. Any product will do, as long as there is no nap on them.

The procedure itself degreasing is as follows:
Liberally wet the cloth in the selected tool.
Apply the composition on the body.
We take the second (dry) napkin and rub the degreasing solution on the treated surface.

In principle, that's all. The process of degreasing the vehicle is complete! We check the quality of work performed in a simple way. Put a clean piece of paper to the cleaned surface. If there are no greasy traces left on it, it means that we did everything right.

A few tips for last. Degreasing should be done in a garage (another room) with bright lighting and well-functioning ventilation. There should be no open flame near the machine. We remember that all the means described by us are ranked as fire-hazardous. After degreasing, do not touch the treated body or hands with a cloth in order not to contaminate it again. Immediately proceed to polishing the car or applying a paint coating on it.

you still think that auto diagnostics is difficult?
If you are reading these marks, then you have the interest to do something yourself in the car and really save , because you already know that:

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To find out the error you need to go to the specialists.
The services work simple wrenches, and a good specialist can not be found
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Red, Blue and Green Antifreeze -

Which fill in the cooling system?

Buyers pay notice to the color of the coolant. There is a red, green and blue antifreeze - a great choice. The question naturally arises about their differences. In fact, the coloring does not play a decisive role and does not determine the properties. The composition is important. In addition to ethylene glycol and distilled water, antifreeze contains additives. It depends on them the characteristics of the coolant.

Color is a secondary feature. Buying products of world brands, you can navigate on it. Well-known manufacturers maintain standards, including those related to staining.


1. What is part of antifreeze?
The components of antifreeze of any brand are approximately the same: various types of ethylene glycol and distilled water. The alcohol has a sweetish smell and a viscous consistency, withstands a positive temperature of 196 °, and a negative one - only minus 11. To increase the freezing t, it is diluted with water, after which the characteristics increase. This liquid does not freeze when it is cold to 40 or even 60 degrees. This is enough for all climatic zones of the country.

Additives
It may seem that the liquid consisting of ethylene glycol and distilled water does not need any additives, because it is non-freezing and does not boil. But this mixture is very aggressive. It will take several months, and it will eat rubber, radiator, block. To prevent undesirable effects, additives are added to the composition. They are not the same, developers are constantly looking for the most effective.

Accordingly, the additives used are different types of antifreeze: silicate and carboxyl. The former form a scale on the walls, from which heat circulation deteriorates, and the cooling efficiency drops. Usually they are green or blue.

Carboxyl antifreeze is different in chemical composition and properties. It does not create a protective layer, but acts on places with signs of corrosion, where it forms a super-thin film. Serves for a longer time, the system does not need to be flushed, replacing the coolant. Produced mainly in red. In addition to anti-corrosion additives, anti-foaming and some others are added to the composition.

They mistakenly believe that antifreeze is used on domestic cars and antifreeze on foreign cars. This is not entirely true. Each coolant has a trademark: GlycoShell, Glysantine and others. Antifreeze - just a name, there are no fundamental differences between it and antifreeze. Only an additive package determines the quality, scope, service life. Inorganic additives are used in traditional antifreeze. Their properties are not distinguished by high rates: after two years of operation, the substances are destroyed. They are also not able to withstand temperatures above 108 °. Therefore, machine manufacturers do not pour it into new cars. Silicates contained in Tosol cover the internal parts of the cooling system with a film, which reduces the efficiency of its operation.

Antifreezes contain various additives, the choice of which is determined by the purpose of the coolant. Protective form a film that protects against the damaging effects of ethylene glycol. These properties have brands G11 and TL. Anti-corrosion does not create a film, but prevents carbon and rust during operation, are part of G11 and G12.

Dyes
Antifreeze standards include various parameters. The main difference is in additives. The liquid does not have color until dyes are added to it. They are chemically neutral and have no effect on the properties of the coolant. Some time ago, leading manufacturers have developed standards for color. Each type was given its own shade. But there were many companies that neglect these requirements. Thus, the color has become a convention, which is used by small companies to increase the competitiveness of their goods, using the colors of world brands.

Hue depends on colorants. Very bright is sometimes perceived as an indicator of special properties. It is only a fluorescent additive, which simplifies the diagnosis of the cooling system. Include a device that emits ultraviolet light, under which clearly visible leaks. Originally used conventional dyes, designed to help drivers quickly detect the location of the flow of pipes, radiator, engine, pump. The inconspicuous green color of antifreeze was supplanted by other, more flashy ones, but it still occurs now.

Leading companies use on their cars the composition of red or pink, developed and produced by them. It is distinguished by an increased fitness period: up to five years or 200 thousand kilometers. Such products are labeled with G12.

2. Coolant Specifications
It is 20% of the additives contained in the coolant, determine its properties. The simplest type is the domestic antifreeze. Its color is not necessarily blue, it happens red. The first retains the characteristics at temperatures up to minus 40 °, the second - up to 65 ° of frost.

Chemical additives are used for production: silicate, phosphate, nitrite and the like. The cooling system is protected by a thin film formed during operation. At one time it was a progressive decision, but today this approach is outdated. Antifreeze is short-lived, operation is limited to 2-3 years. Raising the temperature to 110 ° leads to boiling. It really should not be poured into foreign cars. The composition of the most aggressive. Our cars somehow get along with it, and some foreign ones do not even start. The working temperature of many of them is 110 °, not 90 or 100, as is customary here. Domestic antifreeze can boil.

At the next stage - antifreeze G11, mostly green, as standard. But there is another color: yellow and blue. In its composition, in addition to chemical, organic additives. Properties are enhanced by the use of a small amount of carboxylic acid. It is it that localizes the foci of corrosion, and phosphates, nitrites, silicates form a protective film. There are species with one or two pluses, in which more carboxylic acid.

G11 has certain disadvantages:

film reduces heat dissipation;
after a while it crumbles, a raid forms in the system that can clog small holes;
fragility, suitability is maintained for a maximum of 3 years, after which replacement is required.
Red G12 antifreeze is almost completely organic, the difference with its predecessor is significant. The main additive is carboxylic acid in large quantities. Does not contain phosphates and silicates. The film on the walls is practically not formed, significantly improved heat dissipation. On the foci of corrosion appears superfine raid, which subsequently does not crumble. Mark is much better than its predecessors.

Despite all the positive properties, G12 is not ideal. Essential minus: it does not prevent corrosion, but fights against it when it appears. Protects aluminum and plastic radiators. It is not recommended to use on cars with copper and brass.

Since 2012, purple G3 antifreeze has entered the market. It is produced on the basis of propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol: not so toxic, less aggressive, more environmentally friendly. Yellow shade has coolant G5, developed in Germany by BASF. It is widely used by leading car manufacturers in Europe and the USA.

Foreign firms do not produce traditional antifreeze. But lately, the Koreans have a blue antifreeze, which has nothing to do with it. It is clear that mixing one with another is unacceptable.

3. Can I mix different antifreeze?
Mixing antifreeze, focusing on color, it is impossible. The dye in no way determines the properties of the coolant. Outwardly identical, they are completely different. Different in appearance often have one composition and another name. The parameters depend on the additives used.

Sometimes there are spots when you need to add antifreeze. If it is gone a little, 20 ml or less, feel free to add distilled or plain filtered, but not tap water. Additives will remain in the same ratio, the freezing temperature will be the same. This is done when the amount of coolant has decreased due to evaporation. If you need to add more than 200 ml and the previously used antifreeze is unknown, the best solution is a complete replacement. Another sample based method is used.

Buy coolant, better universal G12. Take away a little antifreeze and mix with new. With compatibility, they will not change color, the consistency will change, there will be no precipitate. If this happens, definitely - a new liquid is different from the old, looking for another. And the best way out is to replace it completely, if it is not known what is poured into the engine. Visually, it is not always possible to determine that the compositions are incompatible. The additives eventually precipitate, the properties of the coolant are lost. Replacing antifreeze, write down its name or keep the canister.

When the coolant changes completely, the choice of color does not matter. Based on the recommendations of the car manufacturer and the permissible parameters. Old antifreeze is completely drained and poured a new one: red, blue or green - it does not matter. Before replacing, flush the system with plain water, if the drained fluid is dirty, with rust.

You still think that auto diagnostics is difficult?
If you are reading these marks, then you have the interest to do something yourself in the car and really save , because you already know that:

SRT lomyat big money for a simple computer diagnostics
To find out the error you need to go to the specialists.
The services work simple wrenches, and a good specialist can not be found
And of course you are tired of throwing money away to the wind, but it’s always out of the question to ride a service station, then you need a simple ROADGID S6 Pro , which connects to any car and you will always find a problem through an ordinary smartphone, redeem CHECK and not bad save !!!

We ourselves tested this scanner on different machines and it showed excellent results, now we recommend it to ALL! So that you do not fall for the Chinese fake, we publish here a link to the official website of the Auto Scanner.