26 Jun What type of water should be used in each phase of vehicle washing?
In any professional car wash facility, water quality is a determining factor for achieving impeccable results, protecting vehicle surfaces, and extending the life of equipment. However, it’s also true that the higher the water quality, the higher the cost associated with its use. Therefore, finding a balance between efficiency and profitability is key.
At Ibercompound, we offer specific chemical solutions for each type of water and each washing phase, minimizing the negative effects of lower-quality water and optimizing the performance of cleaning products.
Pre-rinse and rinse: controlled tolerance to hard and recycled wáter
During the pre-wash and wash cycle—in both automatic and manual high- and low-pressure systems—it is possible to use recycled, well, or mains water. However, these options often contain organic contaminants, salts, metals, or high hardness, which can:
- Reduce the effectiveness of detergents.
- Clog pipes and nozzles.
- Promote the formation of limescale.
To improve performance, it is recommended to work with softened water after dechlorination. We also offer products specially formulated to maintain their effectiveness even in the presence of hard water, as well as preventative solutions such as:
- PROTECT CALD, which prevents limescale buildup in boilers.
- SAL VACUUM TABLETS, for regenerating water softeners.
Rinse: maximum purity for a perfect finish
Rinsing is one of the most sensitive stages. Here, any traces of salt, limescale, or impurities can leave marks on the bodywork, impair the shine, and reduce the perceived quality.
The ideal option is to use reverse osmosis water, with a low salt and mineral content, which guarantees residue-free drying. Alternatively, decalcified water can be used. Furthermore, if a wax diluted with reverse osmosis water is being applied after rinsing, the use of tap water is permitted during this stage (although never recycled water).
Ibercompound provides maintenance products such as:
- ANTIFOULING 251, to protect osmosis membranes.
- RO BIOCIDE, which prevents microbial growth on membranes.
Waxing: pure water for a flawless shine
At this stage, any impurities can interfere with the proper adhesion and distribution of the wax, creating stains or visible residue after drying.
The use of osmosis water is essential to avoid imperfections. If this is not available, decalcified water can be used, knowing that the risk of staining will increase. Ibercompound also offers waxes and polishes formulated to work optimally with purified water.
Special cases: interior washing and industrial vehicles
- Interior cleaning: Recycled water should never be used, as it may contain microorganisms that are transferred into the passenger compartment. For diluting products such as upholstery cleaner, tap water or better is always recommended.
- Washing transport vehicles with acidic products: In these cases, the use of recycled or well water is more viable, as acidic products prevent salt precipitation. Even so, subsequent rinsing should be done with osmosis or decalcified water to avoid marks on the bodywork.
Water treatment: Ibercompound solutions for every installation
Ibercompound not only develops highly effective cleaning products, but also offers a complete range of chemical treatments to properly manage the water used in car washes:
For water treatment plants and recycling:
- pH MODIFIERS (ACID/ALKALINE): balance the pH of recycled water.
- FLOPA S/FLOPA 18: coagulants that group suspended particles.
- POLYELECTROLYTE L/C: flocculants to precipitate dirt.
- CLORTEX/PEROX-100: biocides that prevent unpleasant odors and microbial growth.
- SAC-261 DEFOAMER: eliminates residual foam.
Other technical products:
- GILTACIDE T: Legionella prevention.
- ANTI-ALGAE: protection of outdoor slopes.
- BACTERIOSTATIC SHAMPOO and BIO-TEX: disinfection of brushes and textiles.
The correct selection of water for each phase of the washing process not only impacts the quality of the final result, but also the profitability, sustainability, and longevity of the facilities. With the support of Ibercompound’s chemical solutions, companies in the sector can adapt their systems to the available water quality without compromising service or equipment protection.
