Can pH levels affect the durability of metal car parts?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of pH levels on the durability of metal car parts, specifically focusing on how acidic, basic, and neutral cleaning solutions affect metals such as aluminum, steel alloys, and magnesium alloy. The scope includes theoretical implications and practical applications related to car maintenance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a video that discusses the effects of pH balance on metals, raising questions about pitting caused by acidic solutions, mineral buildup from basic solutions, and the optimality of pH neutral solutions for reducing metal degradation.
  • Another participant suggests that acidic solutions can cause pitting and basic solutions can lead to mineral buildup, but notes that these effects require prolonged exposure to the cleaning solutions.
  • A third participant expresses a preference for using pH neutral cleaners as a precautionary measure, arguing that it minimizes risk even if some cleaner residue remains after rinsing.
  • A fourth participant agrees with the cautious approach of choosing a pH neutral cleaner, indicating that it poses no additional cost and is a safer option.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the potential risks associated with acidic and basic solutions, but there is no consensus on the specific effects or the necessity of pH neutral solutions, as some nuances remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the effects of pH on metal degradation may vary depending on the type of metal and the duration of exposure to cleaning solutions. There is also an assumption that proper application and rinsing are critical to mitigating negative effects.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in automotive maintenance, particularly those concerned with the chemical properties of cleaning products and their effects on metal durability.

Cyrus
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I saw this video on a car cleaning product. In it he talks about the improtance of pH balance and how it effects metals. I'm not a chemist, and it's been a long time since I took undergrad chemistry. You can see he does a little lab experiment with the metals in the various pH cleaning solutions and how it effects the metals - so in a sense the proof is in the data he shows.

The questions are:
- does an acidic solution cause metals to pitting?
- does a basic solution cause mineral buildup?
- is a pH neutral solution optimal to reduce degradation of a metal material.

Keeping in mind this would be applied to wheels, the metals are going to be: aluminum, steel alloys, and magnesium alloy.

​


I know pure magnesium reacts with water violently, so it be tamed in alloy form. I can't imagine a coating being sufficient because if it gets rubbed off or scratched the first time you drive in rain your rims would catch on fire.
 
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Cyrus said:
The questions are:
- does an acidic solution cause metals to pitting?
- does a basic solution cause mineral buildup?
- is a pH neutral solution optimal to reduce degradation of a metal material.

More or less 3*yes. Details will vary for different metals, but these can serve as a general directions. Note that for pitting and mineral buildup you will need a prolonged use or bath in the cleaning solutions, as long as they are correctly applied and soon wiped out (or rinsed) I don't think you will be able to observe these effects.
 
Thanks Borek! My theory was that even through you will rinse them off, if its safest to use a pH neutral cleaner, then why not hedge my bet in that direction. If you fail to rinse some of it off, yet the cleaner is pH neutral, you don't have anything to worry about. All things being equal, I might as well choose the product that is chemically safest ( Provided it costs roughly the same as any other cleaner out there ).
 
I have no problems with this approach, being on the safe side for no additional cost shouldn't hurt :smile:
 

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