What are the risks of using acidic cleaners to remove cement from cars?
The main risk from using aside cleaners is health and safety. They can cause burns, eye damage, and it isn't healthy to breathe in any fumes from chemical reactions they may cause. It is important to use cleaning products specifically designed for automotive use, follow the manufacturers instructions, wear safety gear and use in a well-ventilated environment.
As for the risks to your car, these are pretty much a given, they aren't so much a risk as part of the process. Thankfully, car paintwork is quite resistant to acids, but it will cause some effect. We are working on the basis that the acid dissolves the concrete faster than it dissolves your paintwork, but some etching will occur even if it isn't immediately apparent. When done carefully and correctly, we can neutralize the acid and then polish out any etching.
Beyond the paintwork, other components are not so resistant to acid. They cause corrosion to bare-metal parts and can damage rubber seals, plastic trim and window tinting or sign writing. For this reason, it is not unusual for us to have to repair or replace some vehicle components, depending on what's more cost-effective.
Acid-based concrete removers will also damage concrete driveways and tarmac, and they can be very dangerous when exposed to other chemicals, potentially causing fire, explosions or toxic fumes. Great care should be taken.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 31/01/2024 03:39