What is two stepping?

[buc21jrs3]

I am new to this site and tied to search the site but cannot locate what two stepping is. Can you fill me in? Thanks

[MMI Enterprises]

2 stepping is when you apply an acid solution to a surface and following it with an alkaline (caustic) solution. Basically the abrubt change in ph causes good reaction in the molecules and they bust up the grime molecules better. Besides offering up two ends of the spectrum for reaction type cleaning, the individual products used can also attack different types of pollutants directly that respond to only one or the other...i.e.- mineral/lime deposits or synthetic oil/grease will get their fair share of attention when one chem helps the other chem get in to it.

ps- and I think it some type of dance as well..

[buc21jrs3]

Thanks for the explanation! Now I know.

[homer]

caustic. Actually a high PH - Non-Caustic is your best choice.

Caustics are Sodium Hydroxide or Potassium Hydroxide and are base ingredients for such products as 'Paint Strippers', 'Easy Off Oven Cleaner', etc. Product that you would not was your car or house with. People tend to use them because the are fast. They create the illusion that the surface is being cleanded when in fact they are moving a microscopic layer of paint and the dirt is 'rolling off' with it. After repeated washing you will nitice the surface becoming dull.

The acid soultion for speed would be a hydrofloric acid (very dangereous).

The acid solution for quality would be a phosphoric base. A little slower but much safer and when unpainted aluminum is involved you will have a higher quality 'shine'.

[Russ Johnson]

I've seen this comment about sodium hydroxide before. It's not the chemical in the compound, it's how much.There are 16 lbs. of sodium hydroxide in a 525 lb drum of Panel Bright (3%), which then gets diluted 1:25 onto the surface (0.12%). Nothing at all like a 50% oven cleaner or 30% stripper. Heck, ever check the ingredients in your toothpaste? Guess what...sodium hydroxide. Would you brush your teeth with oven cleaner?

[Beth n Rod]

Thanks John,
Beat me to the post. I learned a bit from the earlier Envirospec catalogs on building washing (circa 2000-2002 I believe) in which the 2-stepping process was explained involving your companies products.
Don't do much beyond house washing these days but still the information has come in handy.
Thanks

Rod!~

[MMI Enterprises]

James,
Admittedly since I missed this thread being in the vehicle section, this thread really needed both them supplier posts for warning sake.

John, You did not include the basic info Russ mentions about strength, but yet you recommend against hydroxide in general for vehicles. Do you care to mention what raw chem with high ph, that is not damaging to finishes at high strength, can be used?

Russ, Yes all sorts of everyday retail products or food prep involves hydroxide..Even browning/crisping of bagels was or is still common some places.