Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B08—CLEANING
  • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
  • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60S3/00—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles
  • B60S3/04—Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles for exteriors of land vehicles

Definitions

• This invention relates to a method and appara ⁇ tus for dry cleaning and shining vehicles (and other waxable surfaces) , but especially motor vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to the use of a readily available commercial composition, improved according to the invention, for dry cleaning motor vehicles in combination with highly absorbent paper towels. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a kit for cleaning and shining motor vehicles and other waxable surfaces without need for external water. This invention also relates to an apparatus, composition and method whereby a solution completely free of wax content effectively permits levelling of a pre-existing wax surface that upon continued practice upgrades the gloss to the highest attainable standards.
• a notable example of the deposit of petroleum-based products is the presence of tar or asphalt deposits from freshly- paved roads or roads which have been intensely heated environmentally. When such deposits are not completely removed from the surface, they are sooner or later waxed over by the application of a suitable car wax, thus progressively dulling the luster and the original brightness of the finish. When such dulling is compounded with the normal loss of luster of painted vehicular surfaces through fading, the original bright ⁇ ness of the finish is diminished.
• a second shortcoming of soap and water washing of vehicles is that it presents a hazard to the vehicle finish. Rinsing an automobile with water does not gen ⁇ erally completely remove the dust or grime. Thus, such dust and grime is removed by the use of a detergent- impregnated cloth, sponge or brush which are readily commercially available for this purpose. A substantial risk occurs to the surface of the vehicle using this questionable procedure since the loose grime which has been wetted is caused by the cloth, sponge or brush to be passed over the surface under pressure, possible resulting in abrasion of the surface finish. While soap and detergent may help alleviate this problem by acting as an e ulsifier for some of the particles, wherein the particles can be flowed from the surface of the vehicle, such an approach is not completely satis- factory in protecting the surface.
• soap and water are corrosive elements to the finish of the vehicle, resulting in a need for a fine film of wax to protect the surface.
• the washing procedure in general use is ecologically wasteful, adding difficult-to-treat effluents to sewage systems and contaminants to the immediate area.
• An influx of substantial amounts of detergent-laden water into waste water systems signifi ⁇ cantly adds to the burdens of waste water removal by individuals and communities.
• it would be desir- able to develop a cleaning system which eliminates the use of substantial amounts of water and facilitates disposal of by-products from the automotive cleaning process.
• this invention relates to a method and apparatus for dry cleaning and shining a surface of a vehicle.
• the method includes the steps of providing a mixture of effective amounts of ammonia, water, and alcohol; applying the mixture in minute quantities to the surface of a vehicle; toweling and buffing the wet surface of the vehicle with a highly absorbent paper towel; the alcohol residuals providing a softening effect on the waxed surface while the rapid buffing action of the towel absorbs the water/ammonia mixture and grime and the alcohol flashes from the sur ⁇ face.
• This method improves the gloss of the surface wax and ultimately attains a maxi ⁇ mum gloss permitted by the surface underneath.
• the mixture preferably comprises a solution of 1-1/2 ounces of ammonia to 10 ounces of water and 4 ounces of isopropyl alcohol (70% by volume) (a 3:8:20 -mixture) , wherein the alcohol assists in dissolving and releasing petroleum products and in the cleaning proc ⁇ ess.
• a suitable mixture is in a ratio of 1-1/2 ounces of ammonia. to 4 ounces of alcohol to 8 ounces of water, (a 3:8:16 mixture) or in propor ⁇ tions of alcohol and ammonia within the range.
• a suitable mixture is in a ratio of 1-1/2 ounces ammonia to 4 ounces iso ⁇ propyl alcohol (70% by volume) and 6 ounces of water (a 3:8:12 mixture) where the increase in volatility and chemical strength produce a fast acting cleaner and polisher with exceptional results.
• the alcohol and ammonia depos ⁇ its on the waxed surface soften the wax and permit the buffing action to level the pre-existing wax, further improving the gloss.
• the mixture without wax is applied to an existing waxed surface and cleans and levels the wax, thus improving the appearance and gloss on the surface.
• the waxed mixture is also used on surfaces that previ ⁇ ously had not been waxed.
• the cleaning and upgrading of the gloss improves the resistance to dirt and grime, thus reducing the need and extent of the residues present on the vehicle effectively.
• the apparatus for practicing the invention is preferably provided in kit form to include either a premixed or concentrated solution of the type described in a container having a sprayer for applying the solu ⁇ tion; a supply of highly absorbent paper towels for removing the mixture from the surface, and buffing the wax haze produced.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic illustration of the various steps of the process according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic sketch of a kit use ⁇ ful in practicing the invention.
• the process according to the invention is shown in Fig. 1 and designated generally by the refer- ' ence numeral 10.
• the process includes the steps of mixing a mixture 14 in step 12 which comprises any one of the mixtures shown generally by the designations "Mixture #1,” “Mixture #2,” or “Mixture #3” in blocks 14, 16, and 18. Preferred and representative mixtures for practicing the invention will be discussed later in this specification.
• the mixture 14 or 16 is applied to a vehicle 20 in an applying step 22.
• the mixture 14 so applied to the vehicle 20 is partially removed and the alcohol partly evaporated in step 24 of removing by a suitable removal device, a representative removal device being designated generally by the block 28.
• the sur- face is polished in a polishing step 26.
• solutions 14 and 16 are choices where the mixture 16 is used during very cold weather and the mixture 14 is during warmer periods.
• Solution 16 can be used effectively as a general cleaner and polisher in the household but also can sub ⁇ stitute for use on vehicles during colder weather.
• a suitable mixture having the essential co po- nents for performing the process as representatively shown as Mixture #1 in block 14 is a mixture of 1-1/2 ounces of ammonia and 10 ounces of water and 4 ounces of isopropyl alcohol (70% by volume) to which may be optionally added a suitable quantity of a surface wax to the vehicle, such as commercial wax, the solution being an excellent dispersant.
• This proposed mixture varies from a typical mixture of ammonia and water for general cleaning purposes, such as called for by the commercial grade PARSONS ammonia, of 4 ounces of ammo- nia per gallon of water.
• the ammonia content of the applicant's solution is substantially increased over a typical commercial recommendation.
• Such an increased concentration of ammonia, in combination with alcohol, has proved suitable for removal of a major contaminant of deposits on automotive body surfaces caused by petroleum-based products such as oils, asphalts, rubber, and vehicle emission products.
• petroleum-based products such as oils, asphalts, rubber, and vehicle emission products.
• rotating wheels of vehicles for example, throw these products into the turbulent stream of air sur ⁇ rounding the vehicle on a roadway and dirt products containing such quantities of ground petroleum products are themselves deposited in a film which accumulates on the surface of a vehicle.
• the presence of alcohol not only serves to assist in dissolving the accumulated and deposited petroleum products, it also inhibits freezing if the mixture, for example, in kit form, is stored in a below-freezing atmosphere.
• the alcohol serves " mainly to soften or liquify th wax present on the surface thus releasing any contaminants from the wax for removal, and also allows levelling of the wax to improve its glossy appearance.
• Mixture 18 (#3) is a highly volatile solution that is particularly successful in cleaning and polish ⁇ ing brass, chrome, glass, and mirrors and all dense, hard surfaces. Too volatile for vehicles, it is an instant polisher of all waxed surfaces and quickly dis ⁇ perses soap curd. Its increased volatility does not allow the cleaning capabilities as good as Mixture 16 (#2).
• the mixture described above is applied to the surface of the vehicle or other waxable surfaces in the step designated by the reference numeral 22.
• the mixture is sprayed onto a limited area of the entire surface of the vehicle or other waxable surface in a fine mist such as by a commercially-available spray pump and the surface is thereafter wiped dry in the removing step 24 by using a trifold of three highly absorbent paper towels, forming a pad.
• the step of removing is preferably followed by the step of polishing and levelling of the wax.
• polishing consists of using a clean, dry, paper towel pad with a wiping action promptly after the liquid has evaporated and the surface wax appears hazy. This is the final buffing to the finish and results in an improved luster because of the levelling action.
• kits 40 include the solution 14 or 16, and a supply of paper towel pads 28 and 42, in a convenient carrying case.
• the kit 40 within the confines of a small space, pro ⁇ vides all of the ingredients necessary for a vehicle owner or user to dry clean and polish a vehicle at a site convenient to him. For example, the vehicle could be cleaned and polished in a matter of minutes while waiting at a parking lot for a spouse, while pinned in traffic, or attended to commercially as an adjunct to commercial parking lots for a nominal fee.
• the cost of the ingredients is nominal, while the procedure is eco ⁇ logically sound in that the residue of paper towels is easily incinerated.
• the mixtures produced according to the invention the following are provided:
• the mixture was applied by a commercially available spray mist bottle, such as that utilized for the application of WINDEX brand cleaner in controlled amounts, wherein the application varied in accordance with the quantity of residue to be removed. For example, heavier deposits of petroleum- based grime near the base of the vehicle and near the wheel wells required the application of greater quanti- ties or repeated applications.
• a solution was applied to a HONDA brand compact automobile by applying about 1/3 ounce of .the solution so mixed spread over the entire surface of the vehicle.
• the mixture was removed by evaporation and highly absorbent paper towels, such as BOUNTY 11" x 11" 2-ply towels.
• Visual examination of the towels which were used by applying a clean area often during the absorbing process revealed blackened dissolved deposits while the surface so cleaned revealed an absence of petroleum-based grime, even under microscopic visual examination.
• the petroleum- based grime is released and absorbed by the mixture, made possible by the alcohol and ammonia, to form a solution which is readily picked up by the towel pads.
• the mixture was applied without the addition of wax to the mixture in accordance with Mixture #1 described above since the compact automobile had been waxed regu ⁇ larly for the prior 9 months.
• the mixture was applied not only to the painted surface but also to mirrors, wheels, bumpers, and glass surfaces in a period of about 10 minutes.
• Visual examination of the surface revealed an extraordinarily good luster and preserva ⁇ tion of the surface, an apparent smoothing of the waxed surface, and an attractive shine.
• the wax film fills the scratches and equalizes the unevenness, thereby provid ⁇ ing a reflecting surface.
• auto polishes a com ⁇ bined cleaning and polishing effect is obtained: first, the dirt and grime are removed by the cleaning action of the polish (enhanced in most cases by the presence of soaps and other detergents, mild abrasives and by solvents); second, after the film is intensified by "buffing" with a soft brush and cloth.
• polishing effect is obtained chiefly by the action of abrasives contained in the wax compound. It is not only the cleaning effect of the abrasives which gives a glossy surface to metal or plastics, but also the heat of friction on the surface of the material being polished. This friction melts a thin microlayer to provide a plastic flow of wax on the surface. This molten material closes and fills all scratches and pores and materially levels the wax sur ⁇ face and on cooling gives the high gloss surface film of "buffed" or polished metals and plastics.
• Beilby shows that the top layer of the polished solid is different in structure from that of underlying lay ⁇ ers.
• the upper layer has lost its obvious crystalline properties and has apparently flowed over the surface bridging the chasms and filling the irregularities in it.
• the mechanism of the process has been the subject of discussion by the experts for many years. Newton, Herschel and others considered that polishing was essentially due to abrasion, that is, to gradual wear- ing away of the surface irregularities; in Beilby's view, it was due to some ..surface tension effect. How- ever, the frictional heat generated at the rubbing sur ⁇ faces may easily raise the temperature to a high level, and this suggests that the local heat-softening or actual melting may play an important part in the pol- ishing process.
• the surface film formed by plastic flow during polishing is generally of a very thin microstructure.
• the smooth sur ⁇ face is obtained either by material from the polishes, e.g., the wax film formed by the material contained in the polishing compound, as in the case of shoe polish, or by a layer of the polished material itself which is formed by the frictional heat generated during polish ⁇ ing.
• Sometimes combined effects are obtained, e.g., film formation of the polished material and film forma ⁇ tion by the wax base of the polishing material. This is sometimes the case with metal polishes containing abrasives and "high gloss" waxes.
• Carnauba wax contributes greater hardness and solidity to wax compositions to which it has been added. In this way, beeswax, for example, loses its characteristic stickiness when a little Carnauba wax is added to it, and the new mixture offers greater resis ⁇ tance to kneading in the warm hand. On milling the Carnauba wax with paraffin wax, the later loses its crystalline structure in the same way that beeswax and Japan wax lose their conchoidal fracture.
• Carnauba wax can also be worked up with water free creams as well as with water-containing emulsified products. Alone, or pref ⁇ erably in mixtures with easily saponifiable waxes and fats, it can fairly well be saponified, as it contains about 45% of saponifiable matter.
• alkalis By treatment with alkalis, emulsions of varying density result according to the quality of water added. Useful emulsions can be achieved simply by boiling the Carnauba wax with soap solutions.
• the formula can be adjusted by less water/ solvent for a more paste-like consistency. Since most polishes contain abrasives such as bentonite, tripoli, kieslguhr, diatomite, fullers earth, china clay, talc and so forth, these abrasives provide the means to abrade the surface to remove dirt and grime, such as that appears on the cloth used for this task. The action "cleans" the surface leaving some of the grime in the residue on the surface which is picked up by the cloth. This action also levels the wax surface forci ⁇ bly while the solvents may aid in the placement of new wax on the surface.
• abrasives such as bentonite, tripoli, kieslguhr, diatomite, fullers earth, china clay, talc and so forth.
• wax/water/ soap/solvent emulsion (with other constituents) is a self-serving composition designed to work in the appli ⁇ cation scenario and specifically performs in this lim ⁇ ited area.
• Dura Commodities Corporation a leading importer of Carnauba wax, publishes a technical data sheet that states that Carnauba wax is soluble in boil ⁇ ing alcohol but is sparingly soluble in alcohol at ambient temperatures.
• the authors of "Polishes” point out that "pure carnauba is soluble in alcohol (boil ⁇ ing).” On cooling, white crystalline precipitate separates out. Carnauba wax is easily soluble in all solvents generally used in polishing waxes. With this information, the following test was also conducted.
• a sample packet of Carnauba wax was obtained in natural form from Dura for testing purposes. Since it appeared apparent that the plain 3:8:20 mixture described above does not deplete the wax deposited on a surface (even when. the wax free solution was used 50 times on a refrigerator door without any noticeable depletion of the wax with a great, successive improve- ment in the gloss attained) , a test procedure was per ⁇ formed to reproduce a cleaning and polishing action on a flake of pure Carnauba (severest test of all waxes) for 52 successive applications in order to simulate conditions had one applied this treatment for a period of one year at a rate of once a week. Before applica ⁇ tion, the flake was weighed and on completion, weighed again to determine if losses occurred.
• the sample flake of Carnauba wax was weighed at an apothecary by a pharmacist and found to weigh 454 milligrams. The sample was then subjected to cleaning and polishing operations 52 times in succession. The flake when weighed at first had a dull yellow appear ⁇ ance with no signs of gloss at all. A flake when wet- ted with the 3:8:20 solution and allowed to evaporate from the surface of the flake revealed a change in the surface that had signs of gloss. Rubbing this surface with a clean, dry paper towel immediately produced a high gloss. However, on rubbing the surface of the flake that was not treated with a towel, an immediate gloss also appeared. These two tests indicate that Carnauba is readily susceptible to rubbing and polish ⁇ ing actions.
• the polish just described would be used for a period of time on a new surface to build an effective wax coating and chemically buffing it to a fine gloss. Later application of the unwaxed solution (3:8:20) would serve to maintain a clean waxed surface and to improve the gloss on subsequent applications.
• the effective amounts of alcohol, water, and ammonia can also be adjusted within the teachings of this invention to accommodate the ambient temperature where the solution of the invention is used.
• the amount of water was reduced to produce a more volatile solu ⁇ tion.
• the ratio was 1-1/2 ounces of ammonia to 4 ounces of alcohol to 8 ounces of water. The results were satisfactory.
• the 3:8:12 mixture (No. 3) is a very volatile solution that expressly works well on dense surfaces as shown in step 18 in Fig. 1 and specifically polished metals, sinks, chrome, glass and mirrors while being an excellent soap curd dis- perser.
• the adjustment of the constitu ⁇ ents are within the teachings of this invention to accommodate special surface conditions. Since the aforementioned procedures succeed in restoring the wax finish on old cars and will maintain a new car with no build-up of haze coupled to the grad ⁇ ual improvement in gloss with its attendant improvement in the wax profile to a dense, flat and smooth surface, it is probable that this continued process will ulti- mately delay or postpone the oxidation process respect ⁇ ing the underlying paint. It is not known how many years or decades are involved at this time. If the painted surface cannot "see" oxygen, then the process could be totally prevented by the continued upgrading of the wax overlay.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Detergent Compositions (AREA)
• Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)

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• 1988
  • 1988-04-13 EP EP19880903728 patent/EP0362220A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1988-04-13 WO PCT/US1988/001164 patent/WO1989009660A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1988-04-13 JP JP63503281A patent/JPH03500055A/ja active Pending
• 1989
  • 1989-12-14 KR KR1019890702354A patent/KR900700193A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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