The Hidden Culprit: Reclaim System Issues from Alkaline & Silicone Build-Up
If your car wash is struggling with hazy glass, streaks, or poor wash quality, what’s in your reclaim system may be the problem. With every wash, alkaline residue and silicone from wash chemicals build up in reclaimed water, leading to quality issues that frustrate customers and hurt your brand.
What’s Happening
Reclaim systems are great for cost savings, but they require care. Presoaks, detergents, and protectants leave behind alkaline and silicone residues. These compounds don’t fully break down in recycled water, and they increasingly accumulate in your reclaim system as time passes between hazmat visits.
- Alkaline residues raise pH, increasing the risk of hazy glass and mineral-like deposits.
- Silicones from drying agents and protectants cling to surfaces and circulate through the system, contributing to cloudy finishes and streaking.
Heat and sun aggravate matters by drying chemical films onto vehicle surfaces before they’re properly rinsed.
Raw Material Matters
The key to avoiding reclaim headaches is proactive maintenance and quality chemical choices:
- Use reclaim-friendly, high-quality chemicals—they break down better in recycled water and reduce residue build-up.
- Test water quality regularly—catch pH spikes before they show up on customers’ cars.
- Flush your system periodicallyto reduce chemical concentration.
- Avoid over-application—even the best products cause problems when overused.
- Train your team—proper dosing and thorough rinsing are essential. Less is more when using reclaim systems.
Final Thoughts
Reclaim systems should be an asset, not a source of frustration. You can eliminate build-up issues, improve wash quality, and protect your investment with the right products and processes. Clean chemicals equals cleaner cars, happier customers, and less frustration for operators.