Salt in Fairy Liquid

[mikie_gb]

How much salt is there in Fairy Liquid and is it enought o cause accelerated corrosion in cars> I have looked up the ingedients on the P&G website and there is no reference to NaCl or any other directly recognised salt

[Iggle Piggle]

I used fairy liquid in my cars screen washer bottle, but when my mechanic friend found out he hit the roof ! apparently, salt is used to baulk out the liquid and it is far better to use even a cheap car specific washer fluid.
Not the answer you were after but maybe helpful?

[gumboil]

Have a look here:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/?f=2&t= 39340

[theprof]

I take it mike_gb that you've been looking at the infamous P&G "Science In The Box" website?

The site claims to provide details of the key ingredients in P&G products, but the reality is it hides almost as much information than it provides using the dubious excuse that the full formulations are trade secrets.

Fairy liquid does contain a fair amount of salt and yes, it is sufficient to cause corrosion to bare metal. I know one or two people in P&G and I'll make some enquiries tomorrow about the exact percentage it contains.

Salt is used as a thickening agent in shampoos, other cosmetic products and washing up liquids and it works by combining with other ingredients to increase the viscosity of the finished product. It's not unusual for a shampoo to contain as much as 5% salt for this purpose and bearing in mind the viscosity of Fairy Liquid, it probably contains at least a similar amount.

[Teddio]

Thick liquid detergents contain a fair percentage of sodium chloride. Without salt the detergent solution would be very runny. A dilute solution of detergent on the bare metal parts of a car would have the effect of degreasing and thoroughly wetting the metal. The electrolyte solution, containing sodium and chloride ions, would facilitate corrosion.

[mikie_gb]

Many thanks. The specific task was to strip carwax off body work (specifically Carnabu wax ). My argument is that special car washes are designed not to strip wax and therefore useless. My arguement was that the comparative amount of salt in a 10litre bucket of fairly liquid solution would be neglible compared to salted roads or coastal living and that by right bare metal shouldn't exist generally on a well maintained car body.

Thanks evryone for your input.

[heathfield]

Be aware that detergents can often contain not only salt, but also fairly strong alkalies for cutting through the grease when doing the washing up. These can produce run marks on the car paintwork.

[mikie_gb]

Not too worried about run marks as once the old wax is off, the paintwork would be rubber down with a clay putty then machine polished with two grades of polish. A polymer sealant would be applied follwed my two coats of wax.

I am not sure what 'car shampoo' has or doesn't have in it that makes it significantly different to house hold detergents at the dilutions suggested. What I am unable to understand is that we would happily wash our eating utensils with products that contain Formaldahyde and a host of other nasties, but won't wash our cars with it. Amuzing.

[Muppit]

My grandad had a beautifully well preserved 1954 Vauxhall Crest Deluxe. He washed it every weekend from new with my grandma's hair shampoo!

Apparently washing up liquid is quite abrasive compared to hair shampoo. I think this is the difference.

As for iggle piggle, try adding a splash of methelated spirits to water and using that for screen wash. Works a treat and evapourates quickly without leaving streaks.

[harley_Husky]

Hi there mikie_gb.

It's reassuring to know that you're prepared to cherish your vehicle and not use washing up liquid on it.

My immaculate Chevvy Z28 is treated to by far the best products i have found to date.

They are all in the ' Dura-Gloss ' range.

I get them all mail order from the sole uk distributor and they know me well. Follow the link, mention my name & you'll get some discount !!

http://www.ccs-inc.co.uk/sb-products.asp?categ ory=86

Happy polishing!
Eddie