Basic Soap and Detergent Chemistry

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so let me get this straight the coconut oils in my soap dont do anything? crap:complain::comfort::comfort:

 

They do help to make foam (and it smells nice) but do nothing to clean

 

Thanks for the info...

From your post as suspected, I gather that “foam" does not aid in the cleansing process .

As others have mentioned the foam can also provide a "cushion" for dirt/debris and means for "encapsulation”.

Question: Wouldn't the increased viscosity of adding soap to the water also provide the same results. I am speaking from a laymen’s perspective but in theory when washing (putting mitt to the paint) would it not be easier to compromise the "cushion / encapsulation" properties that foam provides when compared to the same attributes provided by the just the mixture of soap and water during the same process?

 

I don't understand what you're asking?

 

My thought has been that any added benift the foam may add (encapsulation and cushion) would still be present in the absence of foam as a result of surfactants and fatts/oils.. would you agree?

 

he's asking if the foam helps suspend the dirt from the paint while washing the vehicle.

 

Well as stated the foam DOES suspend the debris by providing a "cushion" and also encapsulate the debris BUT if using a no/low foaming shampoo would these attributes be sacrificed...

 

I like foam for the reasons you state, however a surfactant will accomplish the same thing (that's the principle used by ONR)

 

Vey good, thank you for confirming my theory