Automatic Car Wash Facilities - A Corrosion Hazard?

It is a well-known fact that the de-icing salts cause vehicle corrosion problems, particularly on the heat exchangers due to their exposed position in the front of the car. But we have also had indications that the alkaline cleaning agents used in automatic car wash facilities have caused corrosion on condensers. Sapa Technology therefore initiated an investigation of degreasing agents from automatic car wash facilities in Sweden, USA and China.

De-greasing agents collected from the automatic car wash facilities were investigated in our laboratory.

The results showed that, though environmentally friendly, the highly alkaline degreasing agents commonly used these days to remove dirt and grime from the car are corrosive to aluminium.

Many car wash facilities are required by the law to treat and/or reuse the washing water. Our analyses showed that the recycled water contained high concentrations of salts, surfactants and degreasing agents that, together with the highly alkaline cleaning agents, create an environment that is corrosive to aluminium components, particularly to the condenser. It was also found that high pressure spray, which is used in touchless car washes, can give mechanical damages on the condenser; together all this shows that an automotive condenser operates in a highly aggressive environment.

To sum up the investigation: the environment in an automatic car wash (highly alkaline degreasing agents, corrosive re-used water and high pressure spray) decreases the life of the aluminium heat exchangers due to the increased corrosion. The condenser is particularly exposed to corrosion damages, positioned as it is in the very front of the car.

Read the entire investigation