Surface Encyclopedia
Substrate Analysis & Preservation Protocols
Non-Ferrous Metal
Advanced
Anodized Aluminum Trim
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→
Porous
Easy
Automotive Glass
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→
Synthetic Composite
Advanced
Carbon Ceramic Brakes
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→
Synthetic Resin Composite
Moderate
Carbon Fiber
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Synthetic Composite
Advanced
Carbon-Kevlar
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Ferrous Metal
Moderate
Chrome Plating
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→
Porous
Advanced
Convertible Soft Tops
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→
Synthetic Composite
Professional
Dry Carbon Fiber
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Ferrous Metal
Professional
Engine Bay Components
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Synthetic Composite
Advanced
Forged Carbon
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Sensitive Polymer
Moderate
Gloss Paint (Clear Coat)
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Sensitive Polymer
Moderate
Gloss Vinyl Wrap
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Sensitive Polymer
Advanced
High-Gloss Piano Black Pillar Trims
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→
Porous
Easy
Leather Steering Wheels & Touchpoints
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→
Sensitive Polymer
Advanced
Lexan & Motorsports Polycarbonate
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Synthetic Composite
Advanced
Matte / Satin Factory Paint
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Polymeric Film Substrate
Advanced
Matte Vinyl Wrap
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Sensitive Polymer
Moderate
Paint Protection Film (PPF)
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Sensitive Polymer
Moderate
Painted Brake Calipers
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Porous
Moderate
Perforated & Ventilated Leather
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Non-Ferrous Metal
Advanced
Polished Bare Metals (Aluminum & Stainless)
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Sensitive Polymer
Advanced
Polycarbonate Headlights
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Sensitive Polymer
Moderate
Powder Coated Components
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→
Sensitive Polymer
Easy
Rubber Seals & Weatherstripping
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Sensitive Polymer
Easy
Textured Matte Plastic
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Porous
Easy
Textured Spray-In Bedliners
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→
Porous
Easy
Tires & Sidewall Rubber
View Substrate Specs
→
Coated Non-Ferrous Alloy
Advanced
Wheels
View Substrate Specs
→Chemical & pH
Matrix
Essential Surface Safety Guide
MASTER LIST
| Material | Care Level | Soap pH Warning | What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anodized Aluminum Trim | Advanced | pH 6.0 – pH 7.5 (Strictly pH-Neutral. Anodized aluminum oxide layers undergo rapid chemical decomposition if exposed to highly acidic or alkaline detergents). | Alkaline Chemical Bleaching: Irreversible milky white fad... |
| Automotive Glass | Easy | pH 4.5 – pH 10.0 (Extremely chemically resilient. However, avoid letting high-alkaline cleaners dry on glass in direct sunlight, as it can cause permanent chemical burning or "blooming"). | Stage II Mineral Etching: Hard water spots baked by the s... |
| Carbon Ceramic Brakes | Advanced | pH 6.5 – pH 7.5 (Strictly pH-Neutral. Exceeding this narrow window or using specialized chemical iron-binding agents can lead to permanent sub-surface rotor damage). | Chemical Matrix Delamination: Harsh, heavy-acid wheel cle... |
| Carbon Fiber | Moderate | pH 6.5 – pH 7.5 (Strictly pH Neutral to avoid resin degradation). | UV Yellowing: Prolonged sun exposure can "tan" the resin ... |
| Carbon-Kevlar | Advanced | pH 6.0 – pH 7.5. Avoid alkaline degreasers; they can penetrate micro-pores in the resin and "bleach" the fiber color. | Kevlar "Bleaching": High UV exposure turns yellow Kevlar ... |
| Chrome Plating | Moderate | pH 6.0 – pH 8.5 (Strictly neutral to mild alkaline. Avoid heavy acids, which can dissolve the molecular bonds of the ultra-thin chromium layer). | Chrome Pitting: Microscopic rust bubbles breaking out fro... |
| Convertible Soft Tops | Advanced | pH 6.0 – pH 9.5 (Fabrics require mild chemistry; highly concentrated, raw acids or excessive caustic cleaners will bleach out thread pigments and dissolve factory weatherproofing adhesives). | Organic Micro-Spores: Green moss, mold, and mildew coloni... |
| Dry Carbon Fiber | Professional | pH 6.5 – pH 7.5. Strictly neutral. Alkaline cleaners can cause "blooming" or white chalky residue on the raw resin. | Weave Staining: Waxes or thick sealants will get trapped ... |
| Engine Bay Components | Professional | pH 9.0 – pH 12.0 (Engine bays are highly resilient to alkalinity. It actively requires a heavy-duty, high-pH chemical cleaner like ImportWorx Shop Cleaner to slice through polymerized engine oils and heavy grease). | Thermal Oil Baking: Heavy road grease and engine blow-by ... |
| Forged Carbon | Advanced | pH 6.0 – pH 7.5 (Resin-safe range). Avoid high-alkaline degreasers that can "dry out" the resin finish. | UV Degradation (Yellowing): The resin is highly susceptib... |
| Gloss Paint (Clear Coat) | Moderate | pH 5.0 – pH 9.0 (Safe for routine care; only exceed for extreme heavy decontamination strips). | "Spider-web" micro-swirls from bad wash habits, UV oxidat... |
| Gloss Vinyl Wrap | Moderate | pH 6.0 – pH 7.5 (Strictly pH neutral to protect the integrated PVC color fastness and avoid adhesive edge failure). | Extreme risk of surface micro-scratching, Edge lifting fr... |
| High-Gloss Piano Black Pillar Trims | Advanced | pH 5.5 – pH 8.5 (Avoid highly aggressive raw degreasers or solvent-heavy trim restorers, which can dry out the acrylic resin and cause surface clouding or micro-fracturing). | Acidic Chemical Etching: Rapid surface spot staining from... |
| Leather Steering Wheels & Touchpoints | Easy | pH 6.5 – pH 7.5 (Strictly pH-neutral. Avoid harsh degreasers or alcohol wipes, which will instantly strip the delicate protective color dye right off the wheel rim). | Sebum Satin Glazing: Accumulations of hand oils turning a... |
| Lexan & Motorsports Polycarbonate | Advanced | pH 6.0 – pH 8.0 (Strictly neutral. Highly alkaline or highly acidic products chemically attack the polycarbonate structure, causing instant surface hazing or fracturing). | Extreme Abrasion Swirling: Severe hairline scratching and... |
| Matte / Satin Factory Paint | Advanced | pH 6.0 – pH 8.0 (Strictly neutral to protect the specialized matte clear coat matrix from chemical flattening or bleaching). | Irreversible Friction Glossing: Creating permanent shiny ... |
| Matte Vinyl Wrap | Advanced | pH 7.0 (Strictly pH Neutral to prevent staining or adhesive breakdown). | Unwanted Gloss: Using waxes or polishes will fill the mic... |
| Paint Protection Film (PPF) | Moderate | pH 5.5 – pH 8.5 (Avoid highly alkaline degreasers or iron removers, which can dry out, dull, or yellow the urethane construction). | Edge lifting from high-pressure water, Pore staining from... |
| Painted Brake Calipers | Moderate | pH 5.5 – pH 9.0 (Avoid raw, highly caustic industrial degreasers or hydrofluoric wheel acids, which can chemically cloud the specialized clear coat or lift the painted logos right off the caliper body). | Thermal Iron Embedding: Red-hot metallic brake dust parti... |
| Perforated & Ventilated Leather | Moderate | pH 6.0 – pH 8.0 (Strictly neutral. Leather dyes are highly sensitive to shifting chemistry; high-alkaline degreasers or acids will strip the top coat color fastness, causing permanent fading and cracking). | Sub-Surface Fluid Flooding: Spraying liquid cleaners dire... |
| Polished Bare Metals (Aluminum & Stainless) | Advanced | pH 6.0 – pH 8.0 (Strictly neutral. Highly acidic wheel cleaners or raw caustic alkaline degreasers will instantly chemical-burn bare aluminum and cause permanent, cloudy white metal etching). | Atmospheric Oxidation: A dense, milky white haze that com... |
| Polycarbonate Headlights | Advanced | pH 6.0 – pH 8.5 (Strictly avoid raw, high-alkaline degreasers or solvent-heavy trim restorers, which can cause chemical micro-fracturing or "crazing" across the lens surface). | Solar UV yellowing, Road debris pitting, Clouding from hi... |
| Powder Coated Components | Moderate | pH 5.5 – pH 9.0 (Avoid raw, concentrated industrial acids or heavy-caustic degreasers, which chemically attack the cross-linked polymers and permanently haze the color finish). | Chemical Chalking: Irreversible white clouding and surfac... |
| Rubber Seals & Weatherstripping | Easy | pH 6.5 – pH 7.5 (Strictly neutral. Avoid heavy solvent degreasers or iron removers, which aggressively break down synthetic rubber chemical structures). | Dry-Rot Fracturing: Micro-cracking across structural flex... |
| Textured Matte Plastic | Easy | pH 6.0 – pH 8.5 (Strictly avoid aggressive raw degreasers or heavy wheel acids, which will rapidly leach the remaining structural moisture right out of the plastic, creating permanent chemical stains). | Rapid UV Oxidation: Severe fading that turns deep black t... |
| Textured Spray-In Bedliners | Easy | pH 8.0 – pH 12.0 (Polyurea structures are incredibly tough and chemically resilient. They actively require a heavy-duty, high-pH cleaner like ImportWorx Shop Cleaner to penetrate the rough texture and lift out bonded grease and environmental road stains). | Severe UV Chalking: Aromatic resin degradation that turns... |
| Tires & Sidewall Rubber | Easy | pH 7.5 – pH 12.0 (Rubber is highly chemical resistant; it actively requires a high-alkaline cleanser or degreaser to physically open its pores and purge bonded road grease). | Antiozonant Blooming: Heavy brown oxidation build-up that... |
| Wheels | Advanced | pH 5.5 – pH 9.5 (Non-acidic is preferred to protect sensitive aftermarket coatings). | Iron Pitting: Metallic dust "burns" into the finish if no... |
Proper steps for long-term surface protection.
IMPORTWORX®