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Old 10-18-2009, 08:18 PM
Cr from Texas Cr from Texas is offline
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Location: DFW area (north side)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by babymog View Post
"breaks the molecular bonds". That's essentially describing acid, which is a low pH (missing hydrogen), reacting with a basic such as lime, "stealing" the hydrogen atoms from the lime will break down the lime (rock). Same with calcium et al.

Provided that the acid isn't strong enough to damage the paint, and that there isn't wax protecting the deposits, this will work. Can take time. Beware that (soda) automotive glass is also basic, so prolonged contact with acids can leave surface pitting/etching.
Not to be picky but your chemistry is reversed. Acids are hydrogen donors (in the form of H+ ions) and bases are hydrogen acceptors.

The product Brandon is describing sounds more like a chelating agent such as EDTA. EDTA is common in some shower cleaning products so it might have automotive applications. I'd be interested to see it's effect on paint as EDTA complexes with almost every metalic compound.
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