How to dilute a Car Detailing product
Diluting Car Detailing products might seem like a very difficult practice at first glance, but in fact it isn't, let's see how to make this process very simple and fast
Dilution and mixing are a very important component for the success of good car detailing , for example you can reduce the strength of a detergent for use on a more delicate surface or simply reduce the shine of a dressing product for tires and plastics . The key is knowing how to correctly read the dilution recommendations issued by the product manufacturer.
Which products can be diluted?
Virtually any chemical can be diluted in one way or another, but for products like waxes for example, this is a rarity.
Can you use tap water?
Yes and no, it really depends on the product you need to dilute and what its purpose will be. Typically, any product that has a 'visual implication' should only be mixed with distilled water. By visual implication we are referring to products with a visual impact on brilliance, clarity, etc. For example, a tire black can be mixed with tap water as the substances contained in it will not alter the final result of your tyres. On the other hand, however, diluting a product such as a waterless cleaner or window cleaner should (if possible) be diluted with distilled water to reduce the possibility of streaking when the product is used.
DEFINITION 'parts' in a dilution
The term "parts" is used in a simplified dilution ratio that allows the user to calculate a dilution ratio regardless of bottle size.
In a dilution ratio your first number refers to the product, while the second number refers to the "parts" of water that are required.
Practical example, if we are trying to dilute a shampoo for car washing with a 1:4 ratio, we must interpret this ratio indicated as 1 part shampoo and 4 parts water. Since the ratio is a simplified dilution it is possible to apply this concept to any container that we will use to have the complete dilution. As long as you know the "parts" you can create the dilution in any container of different sizes.
Determine the size of the container
It is important to know the dimensions of the container (100ml, 250ml, 500ml, 1 liter etc..), as it is another element that we will need to determine the quantity of product needed for dilution.
How to calculate dilution
The formula for calculating the dilution is very simple and once assimilated, it will make your dilution operation easier.
Practical example
We have a shampoo to be diluted 1:4 and the container we will use to have the final dilution is 500ml, so we will do:
the sum of the two indicated dilution ratios:
1+4 = 5
divide the ml of the container by the total obtained from the sum of the dilution ratios:
500 (ml) /5 = 100ml
therefore, 100ml will be the quantity of shampoo that we will have to use for the 1:4 dilution of shampoo in a 500ml container
So if you have a dilution of a product at 1:20, your reference number will be 21,
If you have 1:10, your reference number will be 11 etc, etc
How to calculate the dilution ratio of a foam lance
It must be said that there is a difference between the dilution of a product in a bottle or nebulizer and the dilution inside the tank of the Foam lance.
The dilution ratio shown on the product label is usually the correct ratio to apply directly to the vehicle, without further dilution, this ratio is called PIR (Panel Impact Ratio). This means that the recommended amount of product should be diluted with a certain amount of water and applied to the vehicle without further modification.
However, when using a foam lance connected to a high-pressure washer, the amount of water that passes through the foam tank and turns into foam is less than the amount of water that passes through the pressure washer. This is because foam requires a higher concentration of product than water to ensure its consistency and dirt-removing ability.
Consequently, to obtain the correct dilution in the foam generated by the Foam lance, it is necessary to calculate the dilution ratio of the Foam lance itself, which varies between the different models on the market.
To calculate the dilution ratio in the foam lance, follow these steps:
1. Adjust the valve on the foam lance by turning it all the way down to check the proportion (little product and lots of air).
2. Fill the foam lance tank with 100 ml of water (be precise).
3. Take a bucket with a capacity of 10/20 liters and weigh it empty.
4. Dispense the water into the bucket with the foam nozzle connected to the pressure washer until the 100 ml tank is used up.
5. Weigh the bucket full of water and subtract the initial weight of the empty bucket and the 100 ml to get the amount of water coming from the pressure washer.
6. Multiply the result by 10 to simplify the operation (e.g. 1.6 liters becomes 16).
7. Subtract 1 from the result (e.g. 16-1 = 15). The ratio will be 1:15, where 1 liter is taken from the foam lance and 15 liters from the pressure washer.
Have you found the dilution ratio of your foam lance?
Based on the dilution of your foam lance, you will have to carry out this simple proportion to know exactly how much product to use in a certain container on your foam lance.
Let's take the previous result as an example, then consider that the foam lance in your possession has a pre-dilution of 1:15, we will have this calculation:
Foam dilution ratio * PIR (expressed in decimals) = X (ml of product to be inserted into the tank
Let's take a concrete example, we have this data:
Foam lance dilution : 1:15 (therefore 15)
PIR : 1:100 (dilution declared by the product manufacturer)
Foam lance tank capacity : 700ml
Let's calculate the PIR in decimals, so we'll do 1/100 = 0.01
Now we have everything we need to start doing our calculation.
(FOAM LANCE DILUTION) * (PIR IN DECIMALS) = ML OF PRODUCT
15*0.04=0.6L (product)
We will multiply the result obtained (0.6L) by the volume capacity of the chosen tank, in this case 0.7L (700ml)
0.6(product)*0.7(tank) = 420ml of product in a 600ml tank
example with a 0.08L (800ml) tank
0.6*0.8= 480ml of product in an 800ml tank