We Say
Iron-dissolving liquid cleaners first appeared in the UK in 2010 and have completely changed the way in which we tackle wheel cleaning and exterior decontamination duties. Most product manufacturers now offer an iron-dissolver, but in many cases exactly the same product is recommended for use on wheels and bodywork. If you stop and think about it, this is somewhat odd, as we tend to tackle wheels and bodywork differently; with wheels, we soak them with the iron-dissolver right from the outset (while the rim is still covered in dirt and grime, as well as brake dust), but with bodywork we always complete a full wash process first (meaning that the iron-dissolver is only ever applied to clean surfaces). As such, would it not make more sense to use two different products? One optimised for removing dirt and grime as well as brake dust, with as much grime-busting power as iron-dissolving potential, and the other a straight iron-dissolver, as required for use on bodywork? Bilt Hamber certainly think so, which is why they've formulated a pair of iron-dissolvers; auto-wheel for use on wheels, and korrosol for use on bodywork. By doing this, they've produced class-leading products that well and truly raise the bar.
Key Features
Agitation RequiredNo(See How To Use)
DilutableNo(Water:Product)
Cleaning Strength10/10(Compared To Others)
Description
As we drive our cars, they are continually bombarded by metallic particles that fill the air along our roads and beside our railway lines. These particles are often extremely hot, having been discharged from braking surfaces, and as we drive through them they embed themselves in the bodywork by melting their way into the surface of the paint. As they accumulate, these particles form an increasingly rougher surface that dirt and grime readily adheres to, thus making our cars harder to keep clean. Moreover, as they are mostly iron-based, they readily react with moisture and rapidly corrode, which degrades both the aesthetic and protective qualities of the paint finish further. Bilt Hamber korrosol is a fast-acting fallout remover, designed to effortlessly dissolve all iron-based contaminants without the need for any manual agitation. It's formulated to offer the same level of cleaning power as highly acidic fallout removers, but without any of the associated safety risks. Highly acidic fallout removers work by attacking iron-based particles and reducing their size, which releases them from the paint surface. They are certainly very effective, but they attack underlying panel substrates if the paint system is compromised (by stone chips or other penetrating damage). Bilt Hamber korrosol works differently, by using a neutralised acid salt to render the iron-based particles water soluble, thus enabling them to be safely rinsed away.
Specification
| Agitation Required | No |
|---|---|
| Chemical Basis | Acid-based (neutralised) |
| Cleaning Strength | |
| Dilutable | No |
| Maximum Dwelling Time | 5 minutes |
| Removes Inorganic Contaminants | Yes |
| Removes Organic Contaminants | No |
| Safe For All Wheel Types | Yes |
| Strips Coatings | No |
| Strips Sealants And Waxes | No |
| pH | 5 (acidic) |
How To Use
Bilt Hamber korrosol comes pre-diluted to the correct strength for safe exterior use. In all cases, wash and rinse the surfaces you are going to treat in the normal way. Next, working on 3-4 panels at a time, spray Bilt Hamber korrosol on liberally and allow 3-5 minutes for it to work; during this interval the initially transparent solution will gradually turn a deep red as ferrous compounds and sintered iron particles dissolve into solution (this effect can be very pronounced, but don't panic because it's quite normal and to be expected). Although Bilt Hamber korrosol is essentially a touchless cleaner, you can agitate it with a microfibre towel if needs be (we recommend using a PB Disposable Towel). After 5 minutes or so rinse the surfaces you have treated with a strong stream of water. Note that if the solution has begun to dry you may need to use a stronger jet of water from a pressure washer to remove the residue. After rinsing off, check the treated surfaces for residual contamination by running your fingertips over them while they are still wet. Contaminant-free surfaces should feel perfectly smooth (if your fingertips aren't particularly sensitive you can magnify your sense of touch by putting your fingers inside a cellophane wrapper first). If you can detect any grittiness then it's likely that the treated surfaces are still contaminated with non-ferrous particulates (e.g. paint overspray) and will need to be carefully clayed before any polishing is done or any protection is applied.