Larry L sodium hydroxide substitute

chirobob

New Member
Just a quick question. As far a neutralizing the HF acid at 2%
that I have been applying with a shurflo, I have been doing this with a soap
base with 4% sodium hydroxide downstreamed with hot water. But I have found
that the caustic is causing rust on any nickel deficient iron on the chassis
etc. I confirmed this by looking on a corrosion information website that
said that sodium and potassium hydroxides will do this to nickel defficient
iron. To counteract this I have been applying a 10% phosphoric acid solution
after the wash but before final rinse and wax application.
What I was wondering is what do you use to neutralize the acid is it NaOH or
KOH both caustics or do you use some thing else to increase the pH of your
detergent. I was thinking maybe along the lines of sodium metasillicate or
sodium tripoly phosphate, as a substitute for the caustics any input would
be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Jason Wyers
 

Larry L.

PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
I hardly ever use caustic anymore,I use the later chemicals in your post.A good Alkaline soap is good for most jobs,even does a farly good job in degreasing.

You didn't hear this from me but I do not think you have to neutralize acid on all surfaces,good rinsing should do.

Cheap metals are going to rust nomatter what kind of chemical you use on them.Trucks run though alot of different climates and even the bug juice will rust the cheaper metals.
 

Scott Stone

New Member
Don't use KOH. It does not rinse cleanly, and will really damage soft metals. It is best suited for organic greases, like what you see in vent hoods. I do not use TSP based soaps. Some of my soaps are NaOH based and some are Metasillicate based, they both have their advantages.
As for Neutralizing, what Larry said.

Scott Stone
 

chirobob

New Member
Thanks once again Larry and Scott!
I got a bag of Dave Olsens' favourite -Sodium Metasillicate from my supplier and mixed it up and added it to my neutral truck wash at 5%. The results were basically the same if not better. I must invest in a digital pH meter and muck around with this as well.
Regards
Jason
 

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