Ever wonder why some trucks still look dirty after a wash? Or why do some fleets seem to shine for weeks while others dull after a day?
The secret is in the soap.
At Hydro-Chem Systems, we’ve spent more than 50 years helping premier fleets and mobile washers solve these problems. We formulate all our chemicals in-house and know exactly what it takes to achieve cleaner vehicles in less time.
In this blog, we’ll help you assess whether your truck wash soap is the best fit for your fleet and our best practices for application.
The Basics of Truck Wash Soap Chemistry
Unlike cars, semi-trucks and trailers have special requirements because they tend to be exposed to harsher conditions. Diesel residue, road film, winter salt, or brand protection all play a part.
Here are a few items you need to keep in mind when trying to find the right truck wash soap for your business:
- Surfactants: Molecules that help reduce surface tension between the dirt and your vehicle. It’s an essential ingredient to lift the grime off of the truck instead of just pushing it around.
- Acidic Compounds: Almost all low pH presoaks are blends of different acids. Small amounts of low pH acids like hydrofluoric (HF), sulfuric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, ammonium bifluoride (ABF), and citric are common ingredients in many truck wash low pH detergents.
- Alkaline Compounds: Hydroxides and alkaline builders boost cleaning power in your high-pH soaps. They work to dissolve the buildup of dirt and grease. Using a 2-step process, the chemical reaction breaks down stubborn road film.
- Chelating Agents: These ingredients bind to the minerals already inside your water to help prevent soap degradation and maintain a consistent clean. This helps reduce any concerns about your water's condition and its effect on the cleaning.
- Corrosion Inhibitors: A quality formulation won’t ignore the metal aspects of the vehicle. Extending the life of the vehicle’s underlying components, like the undercarriage, is a necessary part of a quality truck soap.
The Right Soaps for Different Vehicle Grime
Different vehicles can have different requirements for soap ingredients. You want to be sure you’re choosing the best combination for your specific fleet’s dirt and grime.
Heavy Duty Diesel
Many semi-trucks and heavy-duty equipment need a formulation that has higher alkalinity to break down the stubborn diesel residue. They might also want a clean that is focused on corrosion resistance to protect the extensive metal components.
Regular cleaning can also minimize the etching and staining effects caused by diesel emission fluid (DEF). You may notice rust-colored stains on the exhaust stacks of semi-trucks, which can be caused by a reaction of heat, exhaust, and other contaminants. Regular 2-step washing with low and high-pH cleaners can slow the effects of these stains and etching.
You might also need a more aggressive product(s) to remove road film, bugs, and different types of soils from traveling through many locations. Vehicles show your brand to potential and current customers on their many highway miles, making a clear and visible graphic so important.
Often, over-the-road trucks may have polished aluminum or other detailed shiny metal surfaces. Select detergent products that are safe for the surfaces you’re washing and use safer washing practices to not damage these detailed surfaces.
Delivery Fleets
Common delivery fleets need formulations that work fast. Maximizing the time the vehicle is driving for deliveries. A concentration that protects graphics and logos while removing pollution is essential.
For companies that need a quick turnaround, these vehicles are likely the only impression most people have of their brand.
In many cases, delivery companies may have a much larger quantity of vehicles in their fleet and are less likely to have polished aluminum or detailed surfaces. For washing Sprinter vans and similar vehicles, choose medium-aggressive truck wash soaps and 2-step touchless products.
Food Transportation
Food transportation vehicles have specialized considerations when it comes to soap safety. We’re talking about farm and feed trucks, and livestock haulers specifically. Trailer washouts are typically performed using high-pressure water only to remove pallet scraps, dirt, and other debris.
The products you use need to remain effective in places like refrigerated trucks. That means leaving no chemical traces. The customer demands for cleanliness are highest in this specific industry. Food-safe washouts are best with hot water. If using detergents, you should use EPA-registered detergents and/or sanitizers.
Sanitation capabilities for different products and biosecurity are in high demand. Besides common cleaning products mentioned earlier, specialty sanitizers and other regulations are in place to minimize the spread of bird flu and other viruses.
Application Best Practices
To ensure the best performance possible, follow these simple rules anytime you use these high-class truck soaps.
Watch Your Concentration Levels
One of the most common mistakes we encounter is improper dilution of soap to water. Some people automatically think more soap means a better clean. But the chemistry in these soaps has already been precisely balanced.
When the mixture is too concentrated, the residue is left on your vehicle, potentially damaging your finish. It also wastes product, so you go through your soap much quicker with no better results. Not to mention the obvious environmental impact of excessive soap runoff.
When your soap-to-water mixture is too diluted, you’re left with an ineffective clean. You might need to rewash to get the clean you need, costing you extra time in labor and vehicle downtime.
Keep an Eye on the Temperature
As you probably know, temperature is a big deal when it comes to cleaning chemistry. Here is a quick guide on the safest temperatures for your truck soap.
- Hot Water (110-140 °F): The chemical reaction is accelerated. The degreasing element happens quickly, and the product dries onto the vehicle faster. Paint, vinyl graphics, and decals can be damaged if temperatures are above 140 °F
- Warm Water (80-110 °F): Optimal for balanced performance on most applications.
- Cold Water (Below 80 °F): Requires a specially formulated soap with a higher concentration. You also experience the risk of water freezing faster when washing in the winter months in the Midwest and Northern locations.
The Final Factors
This guide should give you a firm understanding of the basic science that goes into developing truck wash soap. But there are several other factors that will influence your truck-washing success. Things like the quality of your water, specific application methods, and regular maintenance all have a role.
The right cleaning chemistry, when properly applied, should deliver more than one benefit. An extended lifespan, enhanced brand image, and optimized efficiency are all possible with the right product.
Our team has spent over five decades working to perfect both the chemistry and application systems. We know all about delivering real results across North America. Now that you know a little more about the science of soaps, take a look at the products you’re using. Give your fleet the best chance for an effective cleaning that protects your investment.
