JPH052540B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

(Industrial Application Field) The present invention uses a gate-type car wash machine to firmly adhere to the surface of the vehicle body, mainly passenger cars, to remove water scale that was previously difficult to remove, and at the same time improve the car wash finish effect. The present invention relates to a car washing method. (Prior art) As shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-4657, conventional car washing involves washing with water (rinsing), followed by first polishing with a foamy wax containing an anionic surfactant and cationic surfactant. A second polishing method using an aqueous wax containing an agent has been adopted, but this method has the drawbacks that the gloss of the car body after washing is insufficient and the wax effect is not long lasting. The reason for this is that because the brush is used for polishing anionic foam wax or detergent and cationic wax, a mixture of both isomeric ionic liquids adheres to the brush and causes an ionic reaction.
The wax solidifies and adheres to the brush, so if you brush the car body surface with this brush, the adhered wax will rub against the car body surface, which will end up contaminating the car body surface. Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-150876, a better method is to perform waxing after rinsing the brush for a certain period of time and rinsing the car body surface in order to remove the anionic detergent that has adhered to the brush. This provides a waxy finish and prevents shortening of brush life due to contamination. Further, Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-47380 also proposes a method in which waxing is applied after thorough rinsing after brushing using an anionic detergent. These methods avoid contamination of the brushes with wax solidified by ionic reaction, but they have the drawbacks of being complicated to operate and requiring a long time to finish the car wash. In other words, car washing and finishing using a gate-type washing machine is a service that is usually performed while waiting at a gas station, etc., so it is required that the process be completed in a short time because it is a long time or has not been used in the past. be done. Furthermore, since all of the above-mentioned methods use cleaning agents based on anionic surfactants, they can remove simple dirt such as dust, oil, and dirt, but exhaust gas dissolved in rainwater and condensation can be removed. So-called water stains, which are caused by air pollutants such as oil smoke and soot, and aged wax gradually bonding firmly to the car body paint film, cannot be removed.
It was not possible to obtain sufficient gloss. Conventionally, the removal of such limescale was done manually using detergents and waxes containing abrasives, which required a great deal of labor and time.However, gate-type cleaning machines are a labor-saving method. In addition, there has been a demand for a means to remove limescale in a short time. Regarding the method of incorporating a scale removal means into a gate-type car wash machine, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 154941/1983 describes that after brushing and drying, a strong alkaline scale removal detergent with a pH of 12 to 14 is sprayed by one round trip, and then After one round of brushing, the operation was stopped for about 5 minutes and cleaned manually, and then one
A method of rinsing and drying back and forth, and then applying wax according to the method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-4657. JP-A No. 60-154942 discloses a method in which spraying of detergent for removing limescale and brushing are performed alternately twice, and then the operation is stopped for about 5 minutes and cleaning is performed manually. In addition, in JP-A-60-176855, a strong alkaline scale removing detergent is sprayed at low speed in one round trip, and after brushing is performed while spraying the scale removing detergent, drying is performed again at low speed. Method. However, in the method of JP-A-60-154941 and JP-A-60-154942, the operation of the car wash machine is interrupted and the car is washed manually. Publication No. 60-176855 also states that while driving the vehicle, the vehicle must be washed at a low speed, etc.
The gate-type car wash machine has the disadvantage that it is extremely complicated and takes a long time to operate, and cannot fully achieve the purpose of the gate-type car wash machine, which aims to wash cars in a short time while saving labor. (Problem to be solved by the invention) Under these circumstances, a gate-type car washer is used to manually carry out all processes from descaling, wax application, and drying at a constant speed without interrupting operation. There is a need for a car washing method that requires no work, is quick, does not contaminate the brushes, and provides excellent gloss. (Means for Solving the Problems) As a result of intensive research into improvement in order to satisfy these demands, the present inventors have discovered that a certain organic solvent is used in a scale removal detergent and a foaming anionizing agent. We have found that this is extremely effective, and have arrived at the method of the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a car washing method using a gate-type car wash machine, which eliminates the drawbacks of conventional methods. The gist of the present invention is as follows. A gate-type car wash machine equipped with a rotating brush device, a rinsing water spraying device, a detergent spraying device for removing scale, a neutralizing agent spraying device, a foaming anionizing agent spraying device, an aqueous wax spraying device, and a drying device that uses dry air injection is used. (a) An alkaline solution containing 1 to 60% by weight of one or more water-soluble organic solvents selected from the group (A-1) to (A-4) in the stock solution. Step of spraying the scale removing detergent (B) Brushing while spraying the scale removing detergent described above (C) Spraying a weakly acidic neutralizing agent with buffering properties, followed by rinsing water from the rinsing water spraying pipe. (d) Foaming containing 1 to 60% by weight of one or more water-soluble organic solvents selected from the group of (A-1) to (A-4) in the stock solution. Step of brushing while spraying aqueous anionizing agent (e) Brushing while spraying water-based wax,
A process of spraying rinse water from a subsequent rinse water spray pipe to wash away excess wax (f) A process of spraying dry air to dry the car body surface in this order. How to wash your car. (A-1) Aliphatic saturated monohydric alcohols represented by the general formula C _o H _2o+1 OH However, n: Number of 1 to 5 (A-2) Represented by the general formula C _o H _2o (OH) ₂ aliphatic saturated dihydric alcohols, where n: number of 3 _to 6 (A-3), _oxyalkylene glycols represented by _the general formula H(OA) ; Number of 1 to 7 (A-4) Oxyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers represented by general formula R(OA) _Y OH However, A; _C2 to _C4 alkylene group Y; Number of 1 to 5 R; Alkyl group of C ₁ to _{C 4} The scale removing detergent used in steps (a) and (b) of the method of the present invention contains water selected from the group of (A-1) to (A-4). A soluble organic solvent, anionic surfactants such as higher alcohol sulfate salts, higher alkyl ether sulfate salts, and alkylbenzene sulfonates, which are generally known as cleaning agent components, and polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, Active agent components such as nonionic surfactants such as oxyethylene alkyl ether and fatty acid alkylolamide, inorganic alkalis such as caustic soda, caustic potash, and soda carbonate, and sodium silicate, sodium sulfate, sodium tripolyphosphate, and nitrilotriacetic acid. Those to which a builder such as soda or ethylenediaminetetraacetate is added are used. Further, the foaming anionizing agent used in step (d) of the method of the present invention includes a water-soluble organic solvent selected from the group (A-1) to (A-4) and a cationic Before spraying the aqueous wax, the above-mentioned anionic surfactant alone or mainly composed of an anionic surfactant is used to anionize the surface of the car body in advance and increase the strength of the wax coating through ionic reaction with the cationic wax. A small amount of the above-mentioned nonionic surfactant and builder are added to the surfactant, and no wax component is required as in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-4657. (A-1) to (A-) that can be used in the method of the present invention
In a water-soluble organic solvent selected from the group 4),
The aliphatic saturated monohydric alcohols selected from the group (A-1) include methanol, ethanol, n
-Propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, tertiary-butanol, n-amyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol, sec-amyl alcohol, etc., but preferably _C2 to _C4 alcohols and these A mixture of is used. For example, n-hexanol, n-octanol, etc., which are sparingly soluble in water with C ₆ or higher, are not preferred. The aliphatic saturated dihydric alcohols selected from the group (A-2) include trimethylene glycol,
Dihydric alcohols such as butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, hexylene glycol and mixtures thereof are used. For example, octylene glycol, which is sparingly soluble in water and has C ₈ or more, is not preferred. Examples of the oxyalkylene glycols (A-3) include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene glycol (average molecular weight 300 or less), propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polyoxy These include propylene glycol (average molecular weight: 300 or less), polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene random glycol (average molecular weight: 300 or less), and mixtures thereof. A high molecular weight of X7 or more, that is, an average molecular weight of 300 or more, is not preferable because the viscosity of the prepared chemical solution increases and makes it difficult to spray with a car wash machine. Examples of the oxyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers (A-4) include cellosolves such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; carbitols such as diethylene glycol monomethyl ether and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether; Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, pentaethylene glycol monomethyl ether, tri(oxyethylene/oxypropylene 1:1 random copolymerization) glycol monobutyl ether, ditetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether, etc. A mixture of If the temperature exceeds Y5, the viscosity of the chemical solution increases, making it difficult to spray, which is not preferable. That is, the water-soluble organic solvents (A-1) to (A-4) in the present invention are selected from alcohols, glycols, and glycol ethers having 1 to 2 hydroxyl groups in the molecule; -1)
- (A-4), preferably (A-1), (A-
3), (A-4), most preferably (A-1),
(A-4) selected from the group. The water-soluble organic solvent selected from the group (A-1) to (A-4) of the present invention is contained in the stock solution of the scale removal detergent and the foaming anionizing agent in an amount of 1 to 60% by weight.
It is preferably contained in an amount of 5 to 50% by weight. The descaling detergent and foaming anionizing agent prepared by the method of the present invention are generally diluted from a neat solution (100% by weight) to about 10% by weight with water and placed in the respective tanks installed in the gate type car wash machine. These liquids are injected and used, and further diluted by the water in the ejector used to suck these liquids, resulting in a concentration of 0.1% to 20% by weight at the outlet of each spray pipe, which is then sprayed onto the vehicle surface. be done. (Effects of the Invention) According to the method of the present invention, a gate-type car wash machine is used to continuously perform operations from descaling, wax application, and dry finishing at a constant speed without interrupting operation, requiring manual labor. A car wash finish with excellent gloss can be achieved in a short time without contaminating the brush. That is, according to the method of the present invention, (a) and (b)
In the water scale removal cleaning process, water scales that have adhered to the car body surface can be quickly softened and lifted off the car body surface.
There is no need to interrupt the operation and clean manually as in JP-A No. 60-154942, or to switch to a slow speed and perform complicated and lengthy cleaning as in JP-A-60-176855. The descaling and cleaning process can be accomplished continuously at a constant speed and in a short period of time. (Function) In general, the stain cleaning mechanism of detergents made of known surfactants consists of wetting, penetration, emulsification, dispersion, and foaming effects due to the effect of lowering interfacial tension. The water-soluble organic solvent selected from the group -1) to (A-4) increases the rate of wetting and penetration of limescale adhered to the car body surface, and at the same time significantly improves the emulsification and dispersion effects. This is thought to be due to the so-called synergistic effect of increasing the foaming effect and maintaining an appropriate foaming effect. On the contrary, (A-1) to (A-4) of the present invention
Organic solvents other than those in the group such as kerosene, petroleum spirits, petroleum naphtha, etc. that are insoluble in water
Petroleum solvents used in the publication, higher alcohols such as n-octanol and n-decanol,
Ethers such as ethyl ether and n-butyl ether, esters such as methyl formate, ethyl formate, propyl formate, and ethyl acetate that are partially or completely soluble in water, ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, N,N-dimethylformamide If a nitrogen-based solvent such as diethylamine is used, a sufficient scale removal cleaning effect cannot be obtained, and in particular uneven removal of scale occurs.
As in JP-A No. 154941 and JP-A-60-154942, it is necessary to interrupt operation and perform manual cleaning. This is because when organic solvents other than (A-1) to (A-4) of the present invention are used, sufficient wetting and permeation speed cannot be obtained for water scale fixed on the car body surface.
This is thought to be due to simultaneous interference with emulsification, dispersion, and foaming effects. Furthermore, even if the water-soluble organic solvent is selected from the groups (A-1) to (A-4) of the present invention, if the amount added is less than 1% by weight, the synergistic effect of the above-mentioned cleaning action will not be achieved. It is difficult to obtain, and it is necessary to perform washing for a long time at a low operating speed as in JP-A-60-176855.On the other hand, if the amount added exceeds 60% by weight, the foaming effect is hindered. Since the scale removing detergent and the foaming anionizing agent run off the car body surface, a large amount of the chemical solution is required to maintain the car washing effect, which is economically disadvantageous. Next, in steps (d) and (e) of the present invention,
If the foaming anionizing agent of the method of the present invention is used, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-4657, a brush can be used for polishing both anionic detergent and cationic wax. Even if the ionic liquids of both isomers are mixed and adhered and an ionic reaction occurs, the wax will not solidify and adhere to the brush, but rather the ionic reaction of both isomers will be used to apply the wax extremely effectively to the car body surface. This makes it possible to achieve a wax finish with excellent gloss and durability, while also solving the disadvantages of shortened brush life due to wax contamination. However, (A-1) to (A
- If an organic solvent other than the group 4) is used, it will prevent the wax from being effectively applied to the car body surface, making it impossible to obtain a sufficient car wash effect, and avoid contaminating the brush. I can't. That is, even if the foaming anionizing agent of the present invention and the cationic wax undergo an ionization reaction and the wax component solidifies microscopically, (A-1) to (A-
The water-soluble organic solvent consisting of 4) has the extremely advantageous effect of dissolving and dispersing the material and selectively applying it to the vehicle body surface while preventing it from adhering to the brush. Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 150876/1983, before waxing after using anionic detergent,
In order to completely remove the detergent from the brush, a step of rinsing the brush for a certain period of time is performed, and a step of rinsing the detergent on the surface of the car body is also performed,
There is no need for the complicated and long process of brushing using detergent, rinsing thoroughly, and waxing as in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-47380. Of course, it goes without saying that even in such a method, sufficient effects can be obtained by using the foamable anionizing agent of the present invention. In the method of the present invention, the neutralizing agent used in step (c) may damage the paint film if the alkaline descaling detergent used in the previous steps (a) and (b) remains on the car body surface. Therefore, the purpose is to neutralize this and at the same time neutralize wastewater. Generally, an acidic liquid with a pH of less than 7 is used, but
It is preferably weakly acidic with a pH of 3 to 6.5 and has buffering properties. The weakly acidic buffer solution contains alkali metal salts of organic acids such as potassium hydrogen phthalate, sodium citrate, sodium tartrate, sodium succinate, sodium lactate, sodium malate, and sodium acetate, and acetic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, and lactic acid. , organic acids such as malic acid and succinic acid, mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid, or inorganic alkaline solutions such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide. In addition, the aqueous wax used in step (e) in the method of the present invention generally includes liquid wax such as liquid paraffin, carnauba wax, rice wax, beeswax, montan wax, ceresin, paraffin wax, etc. Solid waxes such as Tuxus and microcrystalline waxes are treated with organic solvents, primary amine acetates, cationic surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium chlorides, dialkyldimethylammonium chlorides, coconut alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides, or a small amount of these. A nonionic surfactant dissolved or dispersed in water is used. Next, an example of the method of the present invention will be explained using figures. As shown in the drawing, the gate-type car wash machine 1 includes a rotary top brush 2, a side brush 3, and a rocker brush 4.
The car 7 is washed according to a preset program by traveling back and forth on the top. At the front of the car wash machine 1, in order from the front (right side of the drawing), there are a descaling detergent dispersion pipe 8 bent into a gate shape, a neutralizing agent dispersion pipe 9, a foaming anionizing agent dispersion pipe 10,
A water-based wax dispersion pipe 11 and a rinsing water dispersion pipe 12 are installed in the rear part. Each chemical solution is injected into each tank (not shown), sucked in by an ejector using pressurized water (fresh water), sprayed from each spray pipe 8, 9, 10, 11, and sprayed with pressurized water from the rinse water spray pipe 12. (Fresh water) is sprayed. 13 is a side injection pipe that injects dry air vertically inward, which is installed at the lower center of both inner surfaces of the car wash machine 1;
Reference numeral 14 denotes an upper injection pipe provided at the rear upper part of the car wash machine 1 and facing in the left-right direction and ejecting water downward. Reference numeral 15 denotes a test painted plate attached to the front bonnet of the passenger car 7 in order to evaluate car washing effects and the like. The above-mentioned car wash machine 1 runs the descaling detergent spray pipe 8 on the first outbound trip according to a set program.
Then, the detergent is sprayed (step (a) of the present invention), and then, in the first return trip, while continuing to spray the detergent, it is brushed with the rotating brushes 2, 3, and 4 to soften it. Remove limescale floating from the painted surface (step (b) of the present invention). In the second outbound path, while spraying the chemical solution from the neutralizing agent dispersing pipe 9, clear water is sprayed from the subsequent rinsing water dispersing pipe 12 to wash away the neutralizing agent (step (c) of the present invention); In the second return trip, the chemical solution is sprayed from the foaming anionizing agent dispersing pipe 10 and brushed with the rotating brushes 2, 3, and 4 to uniformly anionize the painted surface (step (d) of the present invention). . In the third outgoing route, the water-based wax spraying pipe 11
While spraying the chemical solution, the rotating brushes 2, 3,
4 to uniformly apply the wax to the painted surface, and connect it to the rinse water spray pipe 12.
More clean water is sprayed to wash away excess wax (step (e) of the present invention), and in the third return trip, dry air is injected from the dry air injection pipes 13 and 14 to dry the painted surface (step (e) of the present invention). (f) process of invention). Hereinafter, the method of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Example 1 Each of the following chemical solutions was prepared, and the car was washed continuously at a speed of 1 minute in each step of (a) to (f) using the above-mentioned gate type car wash machine (total car wash process 6 minutes), Table 1 shows the results of evaluating the car wash effect. Water scale removal detergent polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether
5% by weight Sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate 5 Sodium stearate 3 Sodium silicate 10 Caustic soda 2 Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether 20 Water 55 Effervescent anionizing agent Higher alcohol sulfate salt 10% by weight Sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate 15 Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether 20 Water 55 Neutralizing agent The following neutralizing agent (PH: 3.2 to 6.2), known as Michaelis' buffer, was used. Sodium acetate 14% by weight Acetic acid 6 Water 80 Aqueous wax Carnauba wax 3% by weight Liquid paraffin 2 Lauryltrimethylammonium chloride 5 Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether 1 Ethylene glycol 15 Water 74 Pour each of the above chemical solutions into each tank and apply pressure water The car was washed by adjusting the amount of water in the ejector (clean water) and the amount of chemical solution sucked in so that the concentration of the chemical solution at the outlet of each spray pipe was as follows. Detergent for removing limescale 10% by weight Neutralizing agent 5 Foaming anionizing agent 5 Water-based wax 5 As a method for evaluating the car washing effect, test plates coated with aminoalkyd resin (white, 50cm long, 50cm wide), which are commonly used for passenger cars, are used. was exposed outdoors for three months in advance to contaminate it, fixed it to the front bonnet of a passenger car, and measured the gloss of the paint test plate before and after car washing using a digital variable angle photometer VG-ID model (Nippon Denshoku). The 60° specular gloss was measured using a 60° specular gloss (manufactured by Kogyo Co., Ltd.), and is expressed as gloss increase ΔG determined by the following formula (JISK-2236). △G=G _B −G _A where, △G: Gloss increase G _A : Average gloss of the test plate before car wash G _B : Average gloss of the test plate after car wash After washing to remove scale and all processes The degree of increase in gloss of the test plate after car washing was measured and calculated, and the greater the value of increase in gloss, the better the car washing effect. On the other hand, the number of car washes is indicated by the number of times a car is washed repeatedly using the same brush until the brush becomes black due to wax etc. and the car wash effect is reduced. Examples 2 to 13 and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 In the limescale removal detergent and foaming anionizing agent,
Except for the chemical solutions prepared by changing the type and amount of organic solvents (replaced with the amount of water added) indicated by the abbreviations below.
The car wash effect was evaluated using the same method as in Example 1. Examples 2 to 13 are shown in Table 1, and Comparative Examples 1 to 13 are shown in Table 2.
Shown below. a; ethylene glycol monoethyl ether b; isopropyl alcohol c; diethylene glycol monomethyl ether d; isoamyl alcohol e; hexylene glycol f; diethylene glycol g; kerosene h; n-hexanol i; octylene glycol j; n-butyl ether k; ethyl acetate i; Methyl ethyl ketone m; N,N-dimethylformamide

【table】

[Table] From these results, it can be seen that according to the method of the present invention, the degree of increase in gloss after car washing is increased, the car washing effect is significantly improved, and contamination of the brush is suppressed, increasing the number of times a car can be washed with the same brush. It turns out that you can.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a car wash machine and an automobile schematically showing the state immediately before the start of car washing according to the method of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same. 1... Gate type car wash machine, 2... Top brush, 3...
...Side brush, 4...Rotzker brush, 5...
Running wheel, 6...Rail, 7...Car, 8...Detergent spraying pipe for removing scale, 9...Neutralizing agent spraying pipe, 10
... Foaming anionizing agent dispersion pipe, 11 ... Aqueous wax dispersion pipe, 12 ... Rinse water dispersion pipe, 13 ...
...Side injection pipe, 14...Top injection pipe, 15...Painted plate for testing.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Equipped with a rotating brush device, a rinsing water spraying device, a scale removal detergent spraying device, a neutralizing agent spraying device, a foaming anionizing agent spraying device, an aqueous wax spraying device, and a drying device that uses dry air injection. (a) Add one or more water-soluble organic solvents selected from the group (A-1) to (A-4) to the stock solution using a gate-type car wash machine. Step of spraying an alkaline scale removing detergent containing 60% by weight (b) Brushing while spraying the scale removing detergent described above (c) Spraying a weakly acidic neutralizing agent with buffering properties and subsequent steps Step (d) of spraying rinsing water from the rinsing water spraying pipe: one or more water-soluble organic solvents selected from the group of (A-1) to (A-4) are added to the stock solution at one time. Step of brushing while spraying a foaming anionizing agent containing ~60% by weight (e) Brushing while spraying a water-based wax,
A process of spraying rinse water from a subsequent rinse water spray pipe to wash away excess wax (f) A process of spraying dry air to dry the car body surface in this order. How to wash your car. (A-1) Aliphatic saturated monohydric alcohols represented by the general formula C _o H _2o+1 OH However, n: Number of 1 to 5 (A-2) Represented by the general formula C _o H _2o (OH) ₂ aliphatic saturated dihydric alcohols, where n: number of 3 _to 6 (A-3), _oxyalkylene glycols represented by _the general formula H(OA) ; Number of 1 to 7 (A-4) Oxyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers represented by general formula R(OA) _Y OH However, A; _C2 to _C4 alkylene group Y; Number of 1 to 5 R; _C1 - _C4 alkyl group