What is an all-purpose cleaner (APC)?
Various cleaning agents are used for cleaning vehicles. An APC (all-purpose cleaner) refers to a liquid cleaning agent with a degreasing effect. Versatile cleaning agents, APCs, are usually highly concentrated and used diluted with water. They are used both inside and outside a vehicle. Compared to car shampoos, APCs are generally less foamy and more aggressive in terms of their pH value. Well-known APC products are Koch Chemie Green Star, Stjarnagloss Forst X, and Swag APC.
What can an APC all-purpose cleaner do for car cleaning?
All-purpose cleaners have a stronger effect than car shampoos, but weaker than engine cleaners. They usually have a pH value in the alkaline range above 10, although acidic variants also exist. Typical applications include removing heavy dirt and general traffic film (Traffic Film Remover). APCs can be applied with brushes, sponges, wash mitts, or a clay bar. Indoors, they can be used with cleaning guns, spray extraction devices, or steam cleaners.
SWAG ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
Swag All-Purpose Cleaner is a pH-neutral all-purpose cleaner that, despite its gentle formulation, effectively dissolves protein-based, fat-based, and inorganic dirt and grime films. Its versatility makes it the ideal pre-cleaner, whether in combination with a spray bottle or a foam cannon.
Areas of application for an APC all-purpose cleaner
- Cleaning door handles, hinges, and recesses
- Pre-cleaning with a sprayer or foam cannon
- Removing stubborn dirt from tires and wheel arches
- Engine cleaning
- Removing insect residues
- Cleaning plastic, plastics, and glass
- Removing polishing residues
- Cleaning polishing pads and microfiber cloths
- Cleaning fabrics and upholstery
- Cleaning convertible fabric tops
- Post-cleaning after using solvents
Environmental protection when using all-purpose cleaners
When using all-purpose cleaners, care must be taken to ensure that cleaning fluids do not enter groundwater. Products like Swag APC are biodegradable and therefore environmentally friendly. APCs are usually applied with pressure sprayers or spray bottles, left to act for a few minutes, and then rinsed with water or wiped off with microfiber cloths.
Leading all-purpose cleaners (APCs)
- Koch Chemie all-purpose cleaner Green Star
- Swag All-purpose Cleaner
- Stjarnagloss Forst X
Although APCs have a wide range of applications, specialized cleaners are in some cases more effective and gentler on materials. It should be noted that APCs can attack waxes and simple paint sealants. pH-neutral car shampoos are more suitable for waxes and spray-on paint sealants, while APCs are ideal for improving and cleaning ceramic coatings.
