Quick fleetwash ??

[NateF]

I have to go do a bid on some tri axle hopper bottoms that the owner said they will need to be acid washed. "I havent 2 stepped" I have to go look at the trailers this weekend so I dont know right now if they are aluminum or what. My local supplier says he has a citric acid wash that works very well. Just wondering what everyones opinions are on citric acid and if that needs to be neutralized? My second ?? is is STW 75 "I have some on hand and like it for bi-weekly washing" a good soap for the 2nd step in 2 stepping. I assume it is becaus it is alkaline based but I just wanted to check with the pro's before I go ahead and use it. Thanks

[NateF]

Anyone?

[R L S]

Always netraulize your acid. We have never had good luck with citric acid. We use HF and its the only thing I found thats fast and works great. STW-75 will work. I have not had as good an experience with this soap that many others have had but it should work fine. Hope this helps.

[NateF]

Richard thanks for the info. Im am attatching some pics of the trailers. Let me know what you guys think is the best way to go at these. Most of the dirt rubs right off. Anything I should keep the acid off besides the glass? Rims? Thanks again.

Nate

[R L S]

Two stepping will make those babies look new again. Apply acid to the rims and they'll come out great as well. Bring lots of chems its suprising how much chem you can go thru two stepping trailers like that.
Have fun!!!

[R L S]

Quick tips.
If it real hot out dont be afraid to only wash one half of a side at a time, dont let your chems dry.
As you walk down the trailers lighty mist them with chem then cover them completly with the chem this helps break the surafce tension and seems to work a lot better for us.

[jetstream1]

Acid will work great on the trucks rims,tanks,head rack

have on gloves keep the acid off your body
and if black streaks pop up just mix the acid weaker
post some pic when you get them done

[Russ Johnson]

2 stepping is not so much neutralization as it is setting up a chemical reaction on the surface, which is why you apply the alkali directly on top of the acid. Remember back when you were a kid, pouring vinegar in a pill bottle, adding some baking soda, then capping it quickly. The reaction would blow the top off the bottle. The chemicals interact the same way on the surface, "blowing" the dirt loose, so cleaning is easier.

[Joseph]

Russ - wouldn't be willing to send a free sample of the 2 step "A" version would you? Oh and of course MSDS's.

Joseph Floyd

[Russ Johnson]

Where are you in relation to the Atlanta area? Hazmat shipping is expensive, so if you can go by the plant and pick it up, it'll save you a bunch on freight. The acid's on me, but not the shipping.

[Biodude]

Nate, do you do a lot of truck washing over there? Or do you need to be a jack-of-all-trades as far as pressure wahing goes? I have been there many times and it seems like a community that could support a full time truck washer.

[Joseph]

Russ - I'm in Brunswick, Ga. 4 1/2 hours from Atlanta. I've actually have some other stuff coming from you this week I hope.

[NateF]

Thanks for all the info everyone. Ill post some after pics if I get the job. Biodude I sent you a pm.