Car wash chemicals – which ones to choose?

How do you choose the right chemicals for your car wash? What should you look at besides the price? Let's start with the fact that there are two main types of road dirt. The first is organic dirt, such as grass or insect residue on the bodywork. The second is mineral dirt, which ends up on the car when you drive on unpaved roads, for example.

What dirt do alkaline chemicals work on?

At BKF we focus mainly on alkaline or neutral chemicals. This is because as much as 98% of all dirt on a car's bodywork is organic. So if you need a product that effectively removes dirt under high pressure, use alkaline – or possibly neutral – chemicals.

Why is wet active foam better than dry foam?

The job of active foam at a car wash is to prepare the bodywork for the most important stage of the wash – the main wash. It is worth remembering, though, that foam has an additional role too. Active foam attracts customers' attention, increases traffic at the car wash and, as a result, also increases the average customer spend.

There are two types of foam on the market: dry and wet. At BKF we go for wet foams, because they allow us to use more concentrated chemicals, which dissolve dirt better.

SNOW FOAM white active foam on a car at a BKF car wash

FUNKY FOAM pink active foam on a car at a BKF car wash

GREEN ALKA FOAM green active foam on a car at a BKF car wash

Our range includes:

SNOW FOAM – a super-fluffy foam,
FUNKY FOAM – pink,
GREEN ALKA FOAM – green,
BLUE FOAM – blue.

Active foam for car washes

Which chemicals for the main wash programme?

For the main wash we use – depending on the wash technology – one of two products: powder or shampoo.

If you run a powder car wash, we definitely recommend POWDER ULTRA FRESH. This car wash powder is very efficient: a 25 kg bag lasts up to 30 hours of washing at a 16% dosage, i.e. 14 g/minute.

We also have a cheaper option, POWDER LF – a car wash powder with a lower phosphate content.

If your car wash is located in an area with strict environmental restrictions, use the phosphate-free POWDER ORANGE FF to avoid problems with phosphates.

For a liquid chemistry car wash, we definitely recommend the concentrated TURBO PLUS shampoo with a pH of 14, i.e. strongly alkaline.

TURBO PLUS concentrated car wash shampoo by BKF

Whether your car wash runs on liquid or powder, high-quality chemicals in this programme are what defines the wash quality. So it doesn't pay to economise on the products that attract and retain traffic at your car wash.

Car wash powders

Car wash shampoos

How to choose car wash wax?

Wax is the last product used to finish the wash. In our case we focus on the best wax on the market – SKY WAX. It is made with the latest technology, without silicones or polymers, which makes it safe for the car wash installation in all conditions. This wax is acidic, so it neutralises the chemicals used in the previous programmes. Importantly, it can also be used with cold water.

SKY WAX car wash wax concentrate by BKF

Where to buy car wash chemicals?

Take a look at our recommendations. Chemicals for touchless car washes are available in our online shop. Register and check out our offer for car wash owners.