(Commercial Guide by Image Wash Products)

When it comes to washing heavy equipment and fleet vehicles, grease is the number one obstacle to achieving a truly clean surface.

Hydraulic oil, diesel soot, road film, and lubricant sling create a bonded layer that standard truck wash soaps struggle to remove on their own, which is why professional truck wash degreasers are essential. 

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• What a degreaser is used for
• The different types of degreasers in fleet washing
• Polish-safe vs. non-polish safe chemistry
• How to choose the right degreaser for your wash operation

What Is a Degreaser Used For?

A degreaser is a chemical specifically formulated to break down petroleum-based soils so they can be rinsed away with pressure or high-volume water flow.

In commercial truck and equipment washing, degreasers are used anywhere grease accumulates beyond the capability of standard detergents.

A commercial degreaser is engineered specifically to handle the heavy petroleum soils found in fleet and equipment washing.

Common Degreasing Applications

Engine Bay

Removes:

• Motor oil
• Coolant residue
• Fuel film
• Burnt carbon

Engine degreasing is essential for maintenance visibility and fire risk reduction.

These areas typically require a heavy duty degreaser capable of dissolving thick oil and burnt carbon deposits.

Fifth Wheels

Fifth wheels accumulate:

• Heavy grease packs
• Road grit
• Sand
• Salt

Without degreaser, this buildup smears rather than rinses.

Undercarriages & Frame Rails

These areas hold:

• Road tar
• Oil mist
• Brake dust mixed with grease

Degreasing prevents long-term corrosion.

Hydraulic Equipment

On construction and agricultural machinery, degreasers remove:

• Hydraulic fluid leaks
• Cylinder grease
• Packed dirt/oil combinations

Fuel Islands & Shop Floors

Fleet facilities also use degreasers for:

• Spill cleanup
• Oil stains
• Maintenance bays

Once you understand where degreasers are used, the next step is selecting the right formula type.

Different Types of Commercial Degreasers Offered by Image Wash Products

Not all industrial degreasers are built the same. Choosing the correct formula depends on soil severity, surface type, and wash method.

1️⃣ All Purpose Degreaser (General Cleaning and Degreasing) 

All Purpose Degreaser by Image Wash Products is a very versatile cleaning chemical. It can be diluted down to be used for virtually any type of cleaning application.

• Bug Remover
• Engine Degreasing
• Frame and Undercarriage
• Wheels and Tires
• Shop Floors

The best part is all purpose degreaser from Image Wash is polish safe which makes it a staple for many commercial wash operations.

2️⃣ Heavy Duty Degreaser (Specialty Use Degreaser)

Image Wash Product's HD Degreaser is a very strong degreaser. The chemical is a cheap soap that cleans very well, but it is not a polish-safe formula.

Commonly used to clean:

• Industrial Equipment
• Fuel Islands and other high traffic areas
  
• Oilfield Fleets and Mining Machinery

To learn more about this chemical contact Image Wash Products at (616) 777-7175 or help@washproduct.com. It is not sold on our website.

3️⃣ Pink Power (Specialty Use Degreaser)

Pink Power by Image Wash Products is not as harsh as HD Degreaser, but it still is not polish safe. It is commonly used by businesses to clean their equipment such as excavators, skid steers, and dump trucks.  

4️⃣ Single Step (General Washing Degreaser)

Single Step by Image Wash Products is a great one step soap, that dissolves, grease, dirt, bugs, and road film. 

Best For:

• General Washing
• Farm Equipment
• Fleet Washers
• Prep soap

Single Step can be diluted to be polish safe.

Understanding Polish-Safe vs. Non-Polish Safe Degreasers

This is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — topics in fleet washing.

Using the wrong degreaser on polished aluminum can cause permanent oxidation, whitening, or streaking.

What Is a Polish-Safe Degreaser?

Polish-safe degreasers are formulated without harsh caustics that react with soft metals.

They’re designed to clean grease while protecting:

• Polished aluminum tanks
• Chrome stacks
• Stainless trim
• Brightwork

These formulas rely more on surfactant technology than raw alkalinity.

A good example is the All Purpose Degreaser from Image Wash Products, which is engineered to cut petroleum soils while remaining safe on polished surfaces.

Benefits of Polish-Safe Formulas

• No aluminum etching
• No whitening or hazing
• Safe for show fleets
• Ideal for owner-operators

This is critical for fleets where appearance equals brand image.

What Is a Non-Polish Safe Degreaser?

Non-polish safe degreasers are high-caustic formulas designed strictly for raw industrial cleaning power.

They often contain:

• Sodium hydroxide
• Potassium hydroxide
• Strong builders

Used On:

• Construction equipment
• Dump trucks
• Refuse fleets
• Oilfield machinery

They should never be used on polished aluminum without dilution control and testing.

Risks of Using Non-Safe Degreasers on Aluminum

• Oxidation streaking
• Permanent dulling
• White spotting
• Surface pitting

Once damaged, aluminum requires mechanical repolishing — a costly correction.

How Hot Water Improves Degreasing Performance

When it comes to removing petroleum soils from heavy equipment and fleet vehicles, water temperature plays a major role in chemical performance.

While degreasers are formulated to break down grease and oil, pairing them with hot water dramatically increases cleaning efficiency.

Why Heat Matters in Degreasing

Grease and oil are temperature-sensitive substances.

When exposed to heat:

• Viscosity decreases (grease thins out)
• Oil softens and loosens from surfaces
• Chemical reaction speeds increase
• Rinse efficiency improves

In simple terms — hot water allows degreasers to work faster and penetrate deeper into heavy buildup.

Ideal Temperature Range for Degreasing

For most fleet and equipment applications:

• 120°F – 160°F → Optimal degreasing range
• 180°F+ → Extreme industrial cleaning

Higher temperatures should be used carefully on polished aluminum and decals.

Advice from a professional: If you are injecting chemical it is important to remember anything above 120°F will begin to break down the truck wash degreasers making it less effective. 

Degreasers in Touchless & 2-Step Washing

In automated or touchless systems, degreasing is often integrated into the wash chemistry.

High-pH presoak stages attack grease and oil while low-pH stages break down road film.

Systems like:

Application Best Practices

To maximize degreaser performance:

• Apply bottom-up
• Allow 2–5 minute dwell time
• Never let product dry
• Use hot water when possible
• Rinse thoroughly

Proper dwell time is what allows the chemistry to break the grease bond.

Final Thoughts

Degreasers are not optional in heavy equipment and fleet washing — they’re foundational.

Without proper degreasing:

• Grease smears instead of rinses
• Touchless washes underperform
• Labor costs increase
• Wash quality declines

By understanding what degreasers are used for, the different chemical types available, and the importance of polish-safe formulations, fleet operators can choose the right chemistry for both performance and surface protection.

Commercial-grade solutions from Image Wash Products are engineered specifically for these environments — balancing grease-cutting power with fleet surface safety.

Learn more at our website. Give us a call at (616) 777-7175 or email us at help@washproduct.com.