What is the difference between cement and concrete?
Cement is a binding agent used to make concrete, where concrete is often a mix of cement, sand gravel, and increasingly other additives to give additional properties such a waterproofing, flexibility, reducing shrinkage and giving the material extra strength and durability.
In the context of cement and concrete being splattered on cars, cement overspray can be fairly easy to remove, while concrete contamination can be very challenging.
In our experience, many of the cars we see are covered with fine specs which were mostly liquid and were carried by the wind, and so it may be essentially water contaminated with cement. As over-hydration weakens concrete, this can often be dissolved fairly easily, and because it contains few coarse aggregates is less likely to damage the car's paintwork, glass and plastic trim.
We also occasionally see contamination caused by cement powder or find dust fallout caused by the demolition of concrete structures. With care, these can be removed without significant damage to surfaces.
Actual concrete splatter can be far more challenging to remove because it contains all the ingredients that the cement can bind together. While chemical treatment can dissolve the cement within the mix, this can be complicated by additives such as latex and resins. Also, aggregates, such as sand and fibre, are abrasive which means agitation needs to be avoided during removal to avoid scratching painted and plastic finishes.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 25/01/2024 12:12